270: Chapter 270 Arrogance and Prejudice in Arranged Marriages!

[Great Qin Royal First Cultivation Academy] is the highest-specification cultivation institution within the Human Race's territory, personally supervised and built by Su Chen.

At this moment, deep within the academy, inside a quiet courtyard by the lake.

Although the furnishings of this courtyard were simple and elegant, they hid a profound design.

Mountain and river reflections, spirit-gathering Formations—it had everything, and the Immortal Qi was so dense it almost materialized.

Ji Ruxue was very satisfied with this lodging Su Chen had arranged for her.

She walked to the edge of the clear pond, looking at her own reflection on the water's surface, her lips curling into a slight, satisfied arc.

This was a young girl who combined "wildness" and "mystery" to the extreme.

Unlike other female cultivators, she didn't wear elaborate immortal dresses; large patches of healthy, wheat-colored skin were exposed to the air. However, there were no flaws on this skin; instead, it was covered with mysterious, shimmering ancient runes!

Runes were a powerful auxiliary ability in the Three Thousand Upper Realms.

They could be inscribed on talisman paper as trump cards for attacking or escaping, or imprinted on Magical Artifacts to increase their power.

But Ji Ruxue was the most unconventional existence in this generation of the Rune Clan.

She had pioneered the direct imprinting of those violent Law runes onto her own Physical Body!

In the water's reflection.

The pale blue water-drop rune at the center of her brow was the [Ice Heart Mind-Soothing Talisman], which allowed her to maintain absolute calm at all times and significantly improved her Comprehension Ability.

The complex crimson totem on her right arm was the [Berserk Blazing Flame Talisman], which allowed her punches to carry the fire-system Law that incinerated everything.

And on those long, sturdy calves, the purple-and-blue [Wind and Thunder Dual Movement Talisman] was interwoven, granting her extreme speed that ignored spatial resistance.

Although her body was covered in runes, making her look like a delinquent girl.

This didn't destroy her beauty; instead, it filled her with a strange allure of power and wildness.

"Zhi zhi~~"

Suddenly, a tiny crack flashed in the space beside Ji Ruxue.

A cute little beast, also covered in golden runes and as round as a ball, squeezed out of the spatial crack with difficulty and then landed on the ground with a "plop."

Seeing this little fellow, Ji Ruxue's usually unruly Face immediately broke into a happy smile.

She scooped the little beast into her arms and squeezed its soft body hard, even causing the "ball" to be pressed out of shape.

"Little Zhi Zhi! Why did you run out of the ancestral land?"

Ji Ruxue teased the little ball of flesh in her arms with a smile.

At this moment, she had shed the coldness and defensiveness she showed to outsiders, looking like a pure and energetic girl next door.

This little beast named "Zhi Zhi" was no ordinary pet.

It was a variant of the Rune Clan's guardian Divine Beast, the [Primeval Treasure-Hunting Rat].

Usually, it was enshrined in the ancestral land by those old fogey Elders to guard the Luck. Why would it suddenly run to the Human Race's territory today?

"Ji ji... zhi zhi zhi..."

Zhi Zhi poked its little head out of her arms, its two little paws gesturing rapidly as it let out a series of urgent cries.

"Haha~ So those old guys are getting anxious now and sent you to follow the contract to find me and bring me back?"

Understanding the little beast's language, a hint of mockery and disgust flashed in Ji Ruxue's eyes.

"Don't mind them! Let them worry! Those short-sighted old things don't think about how to improve the clan's rune Legacy all day; their heads are filled with selling their daughters into marriage alliances for profit! They never look for problems within themselves; they deserve to be terrified now!"

Although Ji Ruxue was the target Su Feng had chosen for the marriage alliance, she was proud to her core and completely disdained being a bargaining chip in such political deals.

"You shouldn't go back either! Let me tell you, there are plenty of fun things in this Human Race territory. I'll take you out for some good food later!"

Ji Ruxue happily tossed Zhi Zhi into the air and caught it.

"Zhi zhi~~~!"

Hearing that it didn't have to go back and Face those boring old men, Zhi Zhi also chirped excitedly.

It was highly intelligent. If its ancestors hadn't sworn an oath to follow the ancient [Talisman Emperor], its restless nature would have led it to run off and play long ago.

"By the way, the academy has arranged a public lecture for me tomorrow. It didn't specify how many people would attend. You come with me then. Let's show these bumpkin Human Race youngsters what the true Dao of Runes looks like!" Ji Ruxue said confidently.

"Zhi zhi!!" The little beast waved its fist in agreement.

...

While Ji Ruxue and Zhi Zhi were happily planning how to "show off" in the Human Race academy.

Within the distant Rune Clan Holy Land, those high-and-mighty Elders were currently so worried they were almost losing their hair.

Seeing that the deadline for the marriage alliance agreed upon with Su Feng of the Human Race was only a few days away.

As it turned out, the main person they prepared for the marriage, Ji Ruxue, had actually disappeared at this critical moment!

Now even the guardian Divine Beast they sent out had gone missing!

"Is there still no news from Divine Beast Zhi Zhi?"

Inside the Discussion Hall, the Rune Clan's Clan Chief, Ji Fa, rubbed his throbbing brow. His Face, which was usually well-maintained, was now filled with deep worry.

"Reporting to the Clan Chief, there is no response yet. The Divine Beast seems to have... actively cut off its one-way connection with the Ancestral Hall." An Elder responsible for communication wiped away cold sweat, hesitating to speak.

"Speak. The fire is already at our eyebrows; what's there to hide?" Ji Fa sighed.

"Clan Chief, then I'll speak plainly." That Elder stood up, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Ruxue's talent is indeed a once-in-ten-thousand-years occurrence for our Rune Clan; there's no doubt about that. But she is extremely resistant to the marriage alliance and has such an unruly personality. If we really force her to go, and she causes some trouble in front of the Su Family's Old Ancestor, it would be detrimental."

"In my opinion, we can completely replace Ruxue with another gentle and obedient direct-line goddess from the clan!"

Another white-bearded Elder also nodded in agreement, his tone carrying the arrogance of an ancient race:

"Indeed, Clan Chief! This time, we are representing the entire Rune Clan in an equal strategic marriage alliance with the Human Race. It's not necessarily a private emotional transaction between Su Feng and Ji Ruxue!"

"Our Rune Clan's foundation is well-known in the Three Thousand Upper Realms! Don't forget, even when the God Race was at its peak, weren't they polite to us when they needed high-level rune Formations?"

"In the entire Three Thousand Upper Realms, our Rune Clan monopolizes ninety percent of the high-level rune imprinting and Magic Treasure enchantment market!"

"Although Su Feng's combat power is heavenly and the Human Race is currently in the spotlight, if they want to rule the Three Thousand Upper Realms for a long time, they absolutely cannot do without our Rune Clan's support! As long as the goddess we send has decent Aptitude and we give the Human Race enough Face, would Su Feng really fall out with us just because we changed the person?"

Listening to the Elders' "confident" analysis, Clan Chief Ji Fa fell into deep thought.

In the perception of these old fogeys, an existence of Su Feng's level would value the racial interests and resource sharing behind the marriage alliance.

As for which woman was sent, as long as she was a goddess of the Rune Clan, could there be any fundamental difference?

Ji Fa had a faint, uneasy feeling, but at this point, he had no better option.

"Prioritize finding Ruxue these few days. If she really can't be found, then send that girl Ruyan."

"Yes! Clan Chief!"

Ji Fa thought of the figure who had sent a Heavenly God Old Ancestor flying with a single palm strike and comforted himself.

"Should... nothing go wrong, right..."