#450 - Mismatched
Jun Wuxie led Jueying deeper along the wide road.
Soon, an area where carriages, mounts, and other modes of transportation were parked came into view.
He went ahead, tethered Jueying securely, and proceeded along the tree-lined path.
Trees lined both sides of the road, and in the distance, a gurgling stream could be seen, with a waterfall cascading down. Various exotic flowers bloomed on the cliffs of some peculiar peaks, and spiritual herbs grew from the cracks in the rocks, their roots and leaves swaying in the wind.
The road beneath his feet was paved with amethyst stones, shimmering with a faint purple glow.
In the sky, clouds drifted, and spiritual birds flew across, emitting crisp cries, casting large shadows on the ground.
He activated his Primordial True Eyes, observing the surrounding environment.
He saw many hidden ancient runes, containing a suffocating power of slaughter.
Throughout the entire Charming Eye Clan, these runes were everywhere.
However, they were in a dormant state, hidden within the mountains and land.
These runes formed a massive array, covering the entire Charming Eye Clan.
Before long, a mountain peak came into view.
The top of this mountain peak had been flattened, and a grand hall was built upon it. In front of the hall was a vast plaza.
At this moment, all the invited guests were seated on that plaza.
Jun Wuxie walked across a stone bridge over a small stream and arrived at the foot of the mountain.
A staircase built of amethyst stones ascended straight up, leading directly to the summit.
He looked up and began to climb the steps.
… …
The plaza was lively, filled with a festive and joyful atmosphere.
The four Guardians of the Charming Eye Clan made their first collective appearance.
They were currently conversing and laughing with the two elders from the Ancient Phoenix Sect, while the Hidden Elder and Elders of the Charming Eye Clan were chatting and laughing with the higher-ups of other forces, all with beaming faces, extremely pleased with themselves.
Jun Wuxie's appearance caused the entire scene to fall into a brief silence.
All eyes, as if by agreement, focused on him.
"Little friend Wuxie, come and sit here with us!"
The Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect greeted him warmly, waving at Jun Wuxie.
"Oh, so this is the disciple of the War Saint?"
An elder of the Charming Eye Clan said with a hypocritical smile, "Although the War Saint's prized disciple has come uninvited, the Charming Eye Clan still extends a welcome. Please, little friend, make yourself at home and don't be shy."
"Alas," the Sky Eye Guardian of the Charming Eye Clan sighed, saying, "Young Master Jun is indeed a man of outstanding talent, but it is truly regrettable that his cultivation has been completely lost."
Jun Wuxie sat down next to the Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect and looked at the Sky Eye Guardian and the others, saying, "Senior is too kind. I don't find it regrettable at all."
"Haha, Young Master Jun is indeed a person of broad-minded character. To have encountered such misfortune and yet know how to comfort oneself is truly commendable," the Earth Eye Guardian nodded, seemingly in admiration, and then sighed again: "In the past, we heard of Young Master Jun's talent and greatly admired him, intending to betroth our clan's Saintess to you. But alas, Young Master's luck has turned sour, and now he is truly unworthy of our clan's Saintess. Young Master, please don't take this to heart."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions on the faces of the guests present varied.
Those who were hostile to Jun Wuxie slightly curled their lips, happy to see him being ridiculed in public.
The higher-ups of forces such as the Medicine King Sect, the Demon Phase Sect, the Spirit Control Sect, and the Ice Cloud Tower frowned secretly.
What was the status of the Guardians of the Charming Eye Clan?
For such powerful figures to openly ridicule a young man was truly beneath their status and position; it was too demeaning!
"Young Master Jun, please don't mind. You know that forces like ours always have to consider the future of the family. The marriage of the Saintess must be a match in status," the Dry Eye Guardian said, looking at the young man from the Ancient Phoenix Sect, dressed in gold and red brocade and with a head full of dreadlocks, and said: "Gu Wei of the Ancient Phoenix Sect is a young prodigy and a perfect match for our clan's Saintess, truly a match made in heaven."
"Seniors, may I ask who is the esteemed clan's Saintess?" Jun Wuxie looked at them with great interest and said loudly, "Senior said that you once intended to betroth the Saintess to me, which is quite strange. Why have I never heard of this matter? Furthermore, what does the esteemed clan's Saintess look like? Does she have even a fraction of the beauty of the Yan family head?"
Immediately, the faces of the Charming Eye Clan's higher-ups turned dark.
To say such words in public was somewhat frivolous and disrespectful to their family head.
"Little friend, are you implying that you yourself were unaware of the Charming Eye Clan's intention to betroth the Saintess to you?"
The Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect asked knowingly, with a face full of surprise.
"Indeed, I was unaware," Jun Wuxie shook his head and said, "Perhaps it was just wishful thinking on the part of the Charming Eye Clan's seniors. Fortunately, they didn't send anyone to propose marriage, otherwise, this junior really wouldn't know how to refuse."
"Young Master Jun, your words are somewhat arrogant," a woman with a dignified aura looked over coldly with her purple eyes, saying, "Is our clan's Saintess not worthy of you? You actually said you wouldn't know how to refuse. If someone had really proposed marriage to you back then, you would have been overjoyed, wouldn't you? Now that your cultivation has been completely lost and our clan's Saintess is about to marry into the Ancient Phoenix Sect, you know that there is no hope for you, so you say such words to save face. Little do you know that others will only take it as a joke!"
"This aunt, may I ask who you are?"
Jun Wuxie looked at the woman who spoke with a blank expression.
The woman immediately trembled with anger.
Damn it, that hateful brat actually called her an aunt?
Her appearance looked no more than twenty years old, and she was only thirty-one this year, only one year older than Yan Qingcheng!
"Little friend, let me introduce you," the Sect Master of the Medicine King Sect said with a smile: "This is the Vice Family Head of the Charming Eye Clan, Yan Yu."
"Oh——" Jun Wuxie's voice trailed off, and he sized up Yan Yu before saying, "So it's Vice Family Head Yan Yu, my respects, my respects. However, the Vice Family Head is mistaken. I never said that the esteemed clan's Saintess was unworthy of me."
"Hmph, I'd like to hear what you mean by that?"
Yan Yu sneered. This young man had a close relationship with Yan Qingcheng, and she naturally disliked him, especially since he was now just a cripple without cultivation.
"Didn't the esteemed clan's Guardian say it? Matchmaking is different from free love; it requires a match in status. Does the esteemed clan have a War Saint? Since you don't, this marriage is not a match in status, so what's there to discuss for an alliance?"
Everyone was stunned.
The meaning of these words couldn't be clearer.
It meant that your Charming Eye Clan didn't have the qualifications!
Now, not only Yan Yu but even the faces of the Four Guardians darkened.
How outrageous, a cripple who had lost all his cultivation dared to come and spout nonsense, saying that his Charming Eye Clan was not qualified!
"Hahaha!"
An arrogant laugh broke the brief silence.
Gu Wei, the young prodigy of the Ancient Phoenix Sect, looked disdainfully at Jun Wuxie and said, "Although the War Saint is strong, he is only one person. Since ancient times, it has never been heard that a force can be considered strong based on just one person! You come from a small city, your horizons are low, you are looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, and you don't know that there are people beyond people. In this world, there are quite a few who can compete with the War Saint."
Jun Wuxie picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, and looked at Gu Wei with a smile that was not a smile.
"Hehe, some people just like to play with words, thinking that they can rely on the War Saint and bring him up wherever they go," a disciple from the Holy Gate who had come with the higher-ups sneered: "It's just a pity that no matter how eloquent some people are, in the end, it will still be the two prodigies of the Ancient Phoenix Sect who will win the beauty, while those who argue will probably only cry while hugging their pillows, tsk tsk, how sad."
Jun Wuxie glanced at that person and smiled without saying a word.
The person who spoke was at most considered a true disciple in the Holy Gate.
Such a person was not in his eyes; saying even one more word would be a waste of breath.
"Everyone, please be quiet," the Sky Eye Guardian stood up and said: "Young Master Jun has lost all his cultivation, and a young prodigy has fallen from grace. Now that he has come to my Charming Eye Clan, facing what is about to happen, he feels unbalanced, which is only human nature and understandable. Next, our clan will complete the final step of the Family Head succession."
As his voice fell.
Three figures slowly walked over from the distance.
All three were women.
The two women in front walked side by side.
Jun Wuxie turned his head to look, and his eyes gradually became gentle.
Among the two women in front of him, one was Yan Qingcheng.
Her expression was very calm, and she held the hand of the other woman, slowly walking towards the position where the clan Guardians were.
The one walking side by side with her should be Yan Yuqing.
Yan Yuqing was dressed in a purple palace gown, with hairpins adorning her head, the jade beads swaying gently, dressed very delicately and with dignity.
The hem of her palace gown was very long, trailing on the ground.
Following behind was a young girl, holding up the purple skirt, following expressionlessly.
"Is that the Saintess Yan Ruyu?"
Jun Wuxie looked at her with his Primordial True Eyes and basically guessed her identity.
Half-step Sect King Realm, Ancient King level second stage.
It must be said that she was particularly outstanding in terms of talent.
Yan Ruyu, her name suited her, a beauty like jade.
In terms of appearance, she was only slightly inferior to Yan Qingcheng and had more youthfulness and less maturity and coldness.
As soon as the three women appeared.
On the side of the Ancient Phoenix Sect, the eyes of Gu Yu and Gu Wei immediately lit up.
Especially Gu Yu.
The moment he saw Yan Qingcheng, his eyes were burning with passion.
Jun Wuxie looked at Gu Yu, the corners of his eyes twitching slightly, and the killing intent in his heart rose.
"The handover of the Family Head position is officially completed."
The Sky Eye Guardian's voice was dignified and deep.
Yan Qingcheng and Yan Yuqing, who had walked in front of them, turned around at the same time, facing each other.
"Yuqing, from now on, the future of the family will be in your hands."
As Yan Qingcheng spoke, she took out a purple token and placed it in Yan Yuqing's hand.
"Family Head… …"
Yan Yuqing looked at the Family Head token, her hand trembling slightly.
At this moment, she felt a weight as heavy as a mountain.
The token in her hand was like a large mountain, pressing down on her, making it difficult for her to breathe.
How easy was it to be the head of a clan?
It represented not only power but also a huge responsibility and suffocating pressure.
Especially with fierce internal competition within the family, some ambitious people were eyeing her covetously.
“You can’t call me that anymore. You are the Clan Master now.”
Yan Qingcheng smiled faintly. With her naturally charming beauty, this smile captivated many people present, their eyes fixated on her.
They felt as if the scenery around them instantly blurred, with only that mesmerizing smile deeply imprinted in their hearts, melting their entire being.
“Alright, the handover of the Clan Master position is officially complete.” Elder Tian Tong said meaningfully to Yan Yuqing, “Yuqing, you must manage the clan well from now on. All decisions must be made with the overall interests of the clan in mind.”
“Yuqing will remember the Guardian’s teachings.”
Yan Yuqing put away the Clan Master token, took a deep look at Yan Qingcheng, and under Yan Yu’s jealous gaze, walked towards the throne at the very top, swept her sleeves, and slowly sat down.
“Fellow Daoists, thank you for coming to show your support.” Guardian Tian Tong was beaming. “Now that the handover of our Clan Master position is complete, I would like to announce a joyous occasion. Our clan’s Holy Maiden will be betrothed to Gu Wei, the prodigy of the Ancient Phoenix Sect.”
Instantly, everyone’s gaze turned towards the people from the Ancient Phoenix Sect.
Gu Wei slowly stood up, smiling and nodding at Yan Ruyu.
At this moment, Guardian Tian Tong continued, “As the saying goes, good things come in pairs. Besides the marriage of our clan’s Holy Maiden and Gu Wei of the Ancient Phoenix Sect, there is also a match made in heaven, our clan’s former Clan Master…”
“I won’t marry!”
Before Guardian Tian Tong could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a cold voice.
The one who spoke was not Yan Qingcheng, but Yan Ruyu.
Her expression was indifferent and arrogant.
In an instant, all eyes in the audience focused on her.
Subsequently, people looked at Gu Wei again.
The smile on Gu Wei’s face froze at this moment, and the corners of his mouth twitched violently a few times.
“Ruyu, don’t be absurd!”
The faces of the four Guardians turned ashen.
“I said, I won’t marry!” Yan Ruyu said firmly and resolutely. Her purple enchanting eyes swept across the audience, paused briefly on Jun Wuxie’s face, and then looked at Gu Wei, whose facial muscles were stiff, saying, “I, Yan Ruyu, do not need to rely on anyone. With my own abilities, I will be able to look down upon a region in the future, protecting the clan. Why should I condescend to marry someone else?”
“You shut your mouth!”
Guardian Tian Tong scolded angrily.
Yan Ruyu did not listen and remain silent, saying, “Today, I, Yan Ruyu, express my attitude in front of all the forces in the world! In the past, you intended to make me condescend to Jun Wuxie, and now you want me to condescend to Gu Wei! Whether it is Jun Wuxie or Gu Wei, neither of them is in my eyes! If I, Yan Ruyu, were to marry, I would only marry the strongest prodigy of the same generation in the world, and clearly they are not!”
“Yan Qingcheng, why don’t you discipline your disciple properly! Absurd, outrageous!”
Guardian Tian Tong was so angry that his beard was trembling.
“The matter of clan alliances through marriage is not something you can arbitrarily do as you please, let alone decide for yourself!”
Guardian Di Tong said coldly.
“Ruyu, don’t say anymore.”
Yan Qingcheng held Yan Ruyu’s hand and gently shook her head.
“Master, do you really want to accept such an arrangement?”
Yan Ruyu looked at her in disbelief. She knew her master too well. She was not someone who would accept things lying down, so why would she now?
“Ruyu, do you see? Even your master agrees. She is willing to give everything for the clan, but you only care about your own interests. Where do you place the clan?”
Guardian Gan Tong berated.
