33: The ceremony begins

In the early morning, a ray of golden light pierced through the clouds and mist, landing on the ancient buildings, casting a unique hue. The long-unheard bell chimes awakened the slumbering people.

In just a moment, the surroundings of the tall Dao Platform were already overflowing with people, encircled by crowds.

Not only Cultivators, but even many Mortals living in Purple Cloud City came to join the excitement.

“You!”

“Stop looking, I’m talking about you.”

“Did you present your gift? And you’re pushing your way in?”

“And you, what’s a Mortal doing joining the fun?”

On the periphery of the Dao Platform, Hu Han San guarded the passage, full of Divine Qi. His nostrils were practically pointing to the sky.

Hu Han San hadn't expected that he had only come to Purple Cloud City to join in the fun, but he unexpectedly joined the Li Family.

Watching many powerful Cultivators obediently give way under his reprimand, Hu Han San flicked his sleeve, feeling extremely imposing.

The people beside him watched enviously, laughing and cursing, “That damned Hu Han San, you really hit the jackpot, climbing onto the Li Family. Don’t forget us brothers.”

Hu Han San cautiously looked at Li Xiangyun beside him, and after confirming that his wife's expression was calm without any dissatisfaction, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

But he still impatiently urged, “Scram, scram, scram! I’ll come find you guys for a drink in a couple of days. Don’t delay me from my duty.”

The man gave Hu Han San a resentful look, but still walked away, feeling unbalanced, “Why can Hu Han San soar to the branches and embrace the Phoenix? I’m not bad either!”

Thinking this, the man touched his somewhat rugged face, very dissatisfied.

It truly was a case of “fearing a brother’s hardship, yet also fearing a brother’s success with a rich woman.”

As the number of people increased, gifts began to continuously enter the inner plaza.

“Dong~”

“The Wang Family presents a second-grade low-tier Flying Sword.”

“Dong~”

“The Qian Family presents a bottle of second-grade low-tier Medicinal Pill, Qingyuan Pill.”

“Dong~”

“The Zhao Family presents one thousand Spirit Stones.”

Accompanied by a series of bell chimes, Fourth Elder continuously announced the identities of the arrivals in a loud voice.

The first to arrive, as expected, were the three great Families: Wang, Qian, and Zhao, which had been a habit of the four great Families for hundreds of years.

This symbolized the four great Families standing together, advancing and retreating as one.

But now, this alliance had clearly changed its flavor.

The gifts from the Wang and Qian Families were acceptable; although they were both second-grade low-tier, they were still worth two to three thousand Spirit Stones.

As for the Zhao Family’s gift, it was extremely perfunctory. Not only did they directly give Spirit Stones, but the value was also less than half of the other two great Families.

“Hmph, it seems the four great Families of Purple Cloud City have indeed fallen out.”

Among the crowd, there were not a few who came to watch the excitement, and even more who gloated.

After all, previously, the four great Families advanced and retreated together, making them impenetrable.

Now, Ice Peak Zhenren is severely injured, and the Li and Zhao Families have conflicts. Once Ice Peak Zhenren dies, the vast Purple Cloud City will be a delicious cake waiting to be divided.

“What, not letting this old man in?”

The Clan Leader Zhao raised his eyebrows, looking at Li Xiangyun before him.

At this moment, countless gazes were fixed on Li Xiangyun, causing her to bear immense pressure, and a slight sweat beaded on her fair forehead.

Blocking the Zhao Family's group was originally just a momentary venting of her anger, so once the initial emotion passed, what remained was endless nervousness.

But her own pride would not allow her to easily bow her head, especially not to the enemies of their Li Family.

Fortunately, Hu Han San, who was beside her, noticed this and quickly pulled her away.

Thus, the Clan Leader Zhao led his people inside with great swagger.

But just as he passed Li Xiangyun, the Clan Leader Zhao stopped and said playfully, “Little girl, let this old man give you a piece of advice: when you do things, you can’t just rely on personal preference and righteousness, otherwise, it’s your Li Family’s own face that will be lost!”

Li Xiangyun trembled with anger, wanting to act several times, but was stopped by Hu Han San each time.

As someone of the same generation as Li Xingyan’s father, and assigned to guard one of the eight entrances, Li Xiangyun’s strength was naturally not low; she was in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Because of this, she had witnessed the entire process of the Zhao Family coming to annul the engagement, especially Tian Linfeng’s humiliation, which further ignited her righteous anger, leaving her unable to let it go.

This was one of the reasons why she blocked the Zhao Family. Besides that, it was also because of the Zhao Family's gift.

Of course, Li Xiangyun wasn't truly trying to stop them; she merely wanted to vent her anger.

Yet, she didn't expect to try to steal a chicken and end up losing a handful of rice.

Hearing their Clan Chief's mockery, the Zhao Family Disciples behind the Clan Leader Zhao also became energetic, whistling and smiling lewdly, their meaning self-evident.

These Zhao Family Disciples were the Genius Disciples of this generation of the Zhao Family.

Although the Zhao Family had already planned how to deal with Li Xiangyun, the Golden Core True Person’s lecture was still very beneficial for cultivation.

Anyway, they had already paid, so it was a waste not to listen.

Li Xiangyun's pretty face grew increasingly flushed; if it weren't for the grand ceremony, she would have certainly made a move.

Even Hu Han San was the same, his eyes spitting fire as he looked at the Zhao Family and others. He had even planned to ambush them with his brothers after the ceremony.

“I can’t beat the old ones, but I can kill the young ones? If I can’t kill you for bullying my wife, then I, Hu Han San, will take your surname!”

Hu Han San thought viciously in his heart, but his hand tightly held Li Xiangyun.

But just as everyone thought the farce was about to end, a faint voice suddenly rang out, “The Clan Leader Zhao enjoys lecturing so much?”

Although the words were a question, the tone was filled with an accusatory flavor, carrying a powerful authority.

The Clan Leader Zhao, who was walking in front, immediately changed his expression. How could he not recognize this voice? It was precisely the person he dreamed of killing – Li Xiangyun!

Even now, whenever the Clan Leader Zhao thought of his figure struggling like a maggot, he felt a huge sense of humiliation.

But even so, the Clan Leader Zhao still turned around and said with a fawning expression, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Ice Peak Zhenren!”

The surrounding crowd bowed in unison.

Li Xiangyun waved his hand, signaling them not to be overly polite, then continued, “When does the Clan Leader Zhao intend to give me the fifty thousand Spirit Stones?”

“What’s going on? The Zhao Family owes Ice Peak Zhenren fifty thousand Spirit Stones?”

As soon as these words came out, there was a commotion in the crowd.

Some people were excited, which meant there was more drama to watch. Seeing the rumored high and mighty Foundation Establishment experts so humble thrilled those common folk.

“I heard that ten days ago, the Zhao Family went to annul the engagement…” Someone who knew the inside story began to narrate.

“This…” The Clan Leader Zhao was a bit embarrassed, “You also know that fifty thousand Spirit Stones is indeed a huge amount, so my Zhao Family is still raising it.”

The Clan Leader Zhao naturally wouldn't say that he had no intention of giving it at all, so he still used the tactic of “delaying.”

As for after the ceremony, “Heh heh, he should worry about surviving first!”

The Clan Leader Zhao’s heart was filled with murderous intent.