Chapter 13: If You Won't Break Off the Engagement, Then Die

"Enough of their nonsense. The annulment has already been announced. From now on, your engagement to Lady Qianxue is canceled. If you dare trouble Lady Qianxue again, you'll die." Liu Dong snorted coldly.

"The Tai Xuan Dao Sect truly has an overbearing way about it. Today, I, Zhou, have learned firsthand," came a voice just then.

Zhou Buer stepped forward, his tone icy.

"Who is it? Show yourself at once," Liu Dong barked.

"Insolence!"

Zhou Buer, a distinguished Elder of the Golden Core stage, found himself reprimanded by a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator. Rage flared within him, and a powerful aura erupted, surging straight at Liu Dong. He intended to teach Liu Dong a lesson.

"It's him," murmured Xiang Zhizhu as Zhou Buer struck. "Liu Dong is in danger."

Chu Feng asked, "You know him?"

Xiang Zhizhu nodded. "That man is Zhou Buer, a Golden Core cultivator from the Xuanxin Dao Sect and a direct disciple of the current generation. He's known for his ruthless and decisive nature."

"Liu Dong, that kid, has the potential to reach the Golden Core stage himself. We can't let Zhou Buer cripple him." With that, Xiang Zhizhu offered Chu Feng a respectful salute and stepped out of the void.

At that moment, Zhou Buer was about to teach Liu Dong—and by extension, Shen Qianxue and the others—a harsh lesson. How dare they humiliate his disciple? Unforgivable.

"Mysteries of the Xuanxin, Infinite Cosmos!"

A beam of white light shot toward Liu Dong. The Xuanxin Dao Sect's Divine Transformation-level technique, the Xuanxin Mysteries, was Zhou Buer's chosen cultivation method. Not only was he a Golden Core master, but he was also a prime candidate for the next sect leader.

A limitless longsword appeared from the void, slashing toward Liu Dong. If this strike didn't kill Liu Dong, it would surely cripple him.

Just as Liu Dong was about to be ruined, Xiang Zhizhu emerged from the void, hands weaving seals. A golden shield materialized before Liu Dong, blocking the sword's blow.

"Zhou Buer, do you intend to cripple a disciple of the Tai Xuan Dao Sect without consulting me, Xiang Zhizhu?"

The instant Zhou Buer saw Xiang Zhizhu, he snorted. "So it turns out Shen Qianxue dares annul the engagement because she's managed to catch your favor, Xiang Zhizhu."

"Honestly, Shen Qianxue was never qualified to be my disciple's Dao companion. I wouldn't have agreed anyway. But now, your Tai Xuan Dao Sect dares annul the marriage? Very well. I, Zhou Buer, declare here and now—the engagement will not be annulled."

Xiang Zhizhu began to laugh. "Zhou Buer, do you really intend to spar with me?"

Zhou Buer sneered, "If you want a fight, so be it. Now that Shen Qianxue has returned, she won't be leaving. She'll marry my disciple, but not as a Dao companion—as a concubine."

Xiang Zhizhu retorted coldly, "Zhou Buer, do you really think Lady Qianxue is someone I, Xiang Zhizhu, would dare touch? Perhaps you don't even know the meaning of death."

Zhou Buer frowned. "What do you mean by that, Xiang Zhizhu?"

"It means exactly what I said," Xiang Zhizhu replied. "If you know what's good for you, leave at once. The Zhao family matter doesn't concern you. If you're seeking death, I'll oblige—even your master couldn't withstand the consequences."

Zhou Buer grasped the implication in Xiang Zhizhu's words. If Shen Qianxue truly relied on Xiang Zhizhu, or had climbed into his bed, Xiang Zhizhu would never address her so deferentially as "Lady Qianxue." That could only mean that whoever stood behind Shen Qianxue was someone even Xiang Zhizhu dared not offend.

Though Xiang Zhizhu was merely a Golden Core elder of the Tai Xuan Dao Sect, his cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage, surpassing Zhou Buer himself and granting him significant status within the sect.

For him to show such respect, Shen Qianxue's backer must be of the highest rank—likely a Nascent Soul Patriarch.

If that were true, Zhou Buer truly couldn't afford to provoke them.

At this thought, Zhou Buer sucked in a sharp breath and began weighing his options. Should he intervene or not? If he did, he might provoke a Nascent Soul Patriarch. If not, what would his disciple think?

While Zhou Buer hesitated, Zhao Yan grew anxious.

"Master, he's just trying to intimidate you, throwing his weight around to scare you off. You mustn't let them get their way. Shen Qianxue must be mine. If she dares break off the engagement, she will pay dearly."

Murderous intent surged in Zhao Yan. If there had been any fondness for Shen Qianxue before, now only hatred remained.

Once he brought Shen Qianxue home, he vowed to torment her thoroughly.

But Zhou Buer was unmoved by his disciple's words and shook his head. "Enough. Let it end here. I agree to the annulment."

"No!" Zhao Yan protested. "Master, the engagement cannot be annulled!"

Previously, lacking the strength to resist, Zhao Yan could only swallow his anger. But now that Zhou Buer was backing him, he refused to accept it.

This engagement must not be annulled!

Zhou Buer frowned. "Enough. The matter is settled. No more discussion."

Zhao Yan persisted, "Master, are you really afraid of them? If we let them end the engagement like this, it shames not just your disciple but you as well, and even the entire Xuanxin Dao Sect. If word gets out, no one will say Zhao Yan's engagement was annulled—they'll say a disciple of the Xuanxin Dao Sect was jilted, and the sect didn't even dare protest!"

"Silence!" Zhou Buer's expression changed dramatically. Coldly, he looked at Xiang Zhizhu. "Xiang Zhizhu, the engagement stands. If you want a fight, then fight—we'll see who prevails."

Xiang Zhizhu showed no fear. Instead, he laughed heartily. "Zhou Buer, I've long found you disagreeable. You want a fight? I'll grant your wish!"

"Brothers, it's time for action!"

With those words, Xiang Zhizhu shot forward like a bolt of lightning, launching an assault on Zhou Buer.

The Tai Xuan Dao Sect, also known as the Tai Xuan Sword Sect, was famed for its swordsmanship, its reputation echoing throughout Sword Province. The very name of Sword Province was derived from the renown of its sword cultivators.

With a single sword strike, Xiang Zhizhu's overwhelming sword intent enveloped Zhou Buer.

But Zhou Buer snorted, unafraid. If it was a fight they wanted, so be it. He feared no one. In fact, he welcomed the chance to test his Xuanxin Mysteries against such a formidable opponent.

Yet in the next instant, his confidence faltered.

Liu Dong and the others, ignoring all convention, attacked Zhao Yan directly.

Zhao Yan was startled and infuriated. "You Tai Xuan Dao Sect people have no sense of propriety, attacking me outright!"

Liu Dong sneered. "Boy, do you really think you deserve courtesy? Letting you withdraw from the engagement was to save your face. Since you don't value it, we'll give you what you want."

"You refuse to annul the engagement? Then you can die. The dead have no need for an engagement."