5: break off an engagement

The moon was bright, the stars were sparse, and a gentle breeze blew.

On the bed, Li Xingyan tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Although three years had accustomed him to the mockery of others, in the quiet of the night, a sense of indescribable irritation still gnawed at his heart.

Because he knew that his life should not have been like this; it should have been brilliant and renowned throughout the land.

“But…” Li Xingyan rubbed the ring on his finger, “But what good is being unwilling? It still doesn't change the fact that he is currently only at the third level of Qi Cultivation.”

Just then, a knock came from outside the door, “Dong dong dong~, Yan'er, Mother is coming in.”

“Mm~” Li Xingyan quickly got up, tidying his clothes.

Soon after, a gentle beautiful mother walked in and sat down by the bed.

The person was Li Xingyan’s mother, Qian Yun, the legitimate daughter of the Qian Family, one of the four great Foundation Establishment Families.

“Can't sleep?” Qian Yun asked, gently stroking Li Xingyan’s head.

“No, I was thinking about Cultivation matters,” Li Xingyan stubbornly turned his head away, not letting his mother touch him.

Qian Yun was somewhat amused, and laughed, “Alright, Yan'er has grown up, Mother won't touch him. But if you’ve grown up, you should act like it, don't secretly sulk like a child.”

“Who's secretly sulking?” Hearing this, Li Xingyan jumped up, his Divine Qi agitated.

Young and reckless youths always want to prove themselves, whether it's for recognition or ability, and Li Xingyan was no different.

“Alright~” Qian Yun reached out to soothe Li Xingyan, smiling, “No sulking is best, if not, then go to sleep! Don't overthink things.”

“Even if you can't Cultivate in the future, so what? With Mother here, I'll support you for a lifetime.”

“Mother, you’re so good to me!” Li Xingyan was somewhat moved and hugged his mother tightly.

“Hehe~, you are my child, if I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?” Qian Yun gently patted Li Xingyan's back, silently comforting him.

“Mother, I will definitely repay your kindness in the future…” Li Xingyan hugged his mother, mumbling, his voice growing softer and softer, as if he had fallen asleep.

After another moment, confirming that Li Xingyan was truly asleep, Qian Yun gently laid Li Xingyan down, tucked him in, and then quietly left the room.

“How is he?”

“He’s already asleep.”

“Still thinking about what happened today?”

“Mm~”

“Alas~, he was fine three years ago, how could it have turned out this way?”

“Forget it, as long as the child is healthy, that’s all that matters.”

“Alas~”

... Listening to the footsteps gradually fade away, a hot tear rolled down Li Xingyan's cheek.

Thinking of how much worry and sadness he caused his parents, an indescribable discomfort filled his heart.

But how could he tell his parents that his spiritual power had started to dissipate again?

That’s right, as soon as he returned to his room in the afternoon, Li Xingyan began to Cultivate.

Because now, he cherished every minute of Cultivation time, without exception.

But after a period of Cultivation, Li Xingyan was horrified to discover that his cultivation was actually regressing again.

Although the speed was much slower than three years ago, it was still like a bolt from the blue, causing Li Xingyan immense pain.

When would he be able to regain everything he once had, in this state?

Li Xingyan didn't know when he fell asleep, but when he woke up, the day was already bright.

After a simple wash, Li Xingyan went to a large hall for a meal. His parents were already seated at the table, and it seemed they had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing this scene, Li Xingyan said with some apology, “Father, Mother, your son is late.”

Qian Yun did not blame him, pulling out a nearby stool and saying, “Not late, let’s eat.”

Instead, the middle-aged man beside her hesitated before saying, “Yan'er, are you still thinking about yesterday's test?”

The middle-aged man was dressed in luxurious black clothes, his brows carrying a hint of authority. He was the current Clan Chief's youngest son, and also Li Xingyan's father, Li Xiaohai!

“No.” Li Xingyan feigned nonchalance and shook his head, but his smile was somewhat forced.

“Alas~” Seeing Li Xingyan's expression, Li Xiaohai was also in great pain, and the words on the tip of his tongue were difficult to utter.

So he could only change his approach, “Yan'er, you should be sixteen this year, right?”

“Mm, I'll be sixteen in another month.”

Li Xingyan felt that his father seemed a bit strange today, but he still replied.

“Sixteen years old, time really flies!”

Li Xiaohai sighed somewhat gloomily, then forced a smile and said, “You’re sixteen, you'll be an adult in two more years, and your father will have to find you a wife.”

“Didn't I have an arranged marriage since I was little?” Li Xingyan frowned, suddenly realizing something was wrong, and then understood, “Is it the Zhao Family?”

“If there's something, just say it directly, your son can handle it.”

Li Xingyan looked directly at Li Xiaohai with firm eyes. Having endured three years of mockery, what was a mere broken engagement?

Li Xiaohai gave a bitter smile, saying somewhat helplessly, “Yan'er, you are very intelligent, your father cannot hide it from you.”

“That's right, someone from the Zhao Family came today…”

“If that's the case, then let's go!”

Li Xingyan didn't wait for Li Xiaohai to finish speaking before he abruptly stood up, leaving the dining table first and walking towards the deliberation hall.

Li Xiaohai was somewhat surprised by Li Xingyan's reaction, but still quickly followed… As soon as Li Xingyan entered the hall, he saw that quite a few people were already seated in the spacious hall.

Seated at the head were the current Clan Chief of the Li Family and four Elders.

Among them, the Clan Chief's Realm was at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, while the other Elders were at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Below them sat four strangers.

Li Xingyan guessed that these must be the people from the Zhao Family, so he looked them up and down.

Among the four, the leader was an old man. Although his face was aged, he was full of vitality, and his smile was very warm.

Beside the old man sat a young man and woman.

The young man wore a long blue robe, distinct from the other three. He appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with handsome features and a tall, straight posture, possessing quite a bit of charm.

But at this moment, the young man's gaze was entirely on the young woman on the other side.

The young woman had delicate features and an elegant demeanor. Her beautiful dress, paired with ice-crystal-like jewelry, further enhanced her ethereal beauty.

It was no wonder that the young man's gaze remained on the young woman from beginning to end.

As for the last person, he was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. Li Xingyan quickly glanced at him and then paid him no further attention.

Besides these, there were other powerful members of the Family, presumably just spectators.

Li Xingyan's arrival naturally drew everyone's attention.

In an instant, more than ten gazes fell upon Li Xingyan.

The young woman was also like this; she was very curious about this “fiancé.”

She had almost grown up hearing legends about Li Xingyan.

First, a peerless Genius praised by thousands, then reduced to a worthless piece of trash mocked by everyone.

The blow he suffered during this was undoubtedly immense.

Therefore, the young woman couldn't help but scrutinize this renowned “fiancé.”

But she was quickly disappointed; he had an ordinary appearance, ordinary strength, and the only distinctive feature was his bright eyes.

Even when faced with such a scene, he remained unperturbed.

“Clan Chief, four Elders, greetings!”

Li Xingyan didn't know that he had already left a bad impression on the young woman. Instead, he quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the five people at the head of the room.

Of course, even if he knew, Li Xingyan wouldn't care.

Although the young woman was very beautiful, she was still a bit less than Xin'er.

For Li Xingyan, who lived with Xin'er every day, he was long past being moved by beauty.

Li Xingyan's casualness also caught the young woman's attention. She had been confident in her outstanding beauty since childhood.

Although the young woman did not demand that everyone be like the young man.

However, Li Xingyan's casualness still surprised the young woman, but that was all.

The young woman would not change her mind because of this.