104: The engagement was successfully broken off, and Xuanjianmen showed goodwill again.

"Zhou... Steward Zhou?!"

Han Li's mind went blank with a 'buzz'!

He looked at the Steward of Profound Sword Sect, who usually had to bow and scrape before him, now bowing subserviently to those young people he considered "country bumpkins." His posture was even more respectful than when he faced his own father!

Was he... wasn't he dreaming?!

"Steward Zhou, you... are you mistaken?" Han Li's voice trembled, his face filled with disbelief. "They... they are just a few mountain villagers who popped out of nowhere! How could they..."

"Impudent!"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Qing suddenly turned his head, his eyes, usually shrewd, now blazing with chilling light!

"Han Li! Do you know what kind of people you have offended?!"

"These four Seniors are the most distinguished guests of my Profound Sword Sect! Even our Sect Leader treats them with respect! How dare you speak such wild words to them?!"

"From today onwards, you are no longer a Disciple of my Profound Sword Sect! Take care of yourself!"

Boom!

He was completely stunned!

His greatest reliance, his proud identity, just... gone?

He looked at Zhou Qing's genuinely respectful expression, then at Lin Fan and the other three's calm demeanor, and a bone-deep chill instantly enveloped him!

He had offended the wrong people!

He had provoked a terrifying existence he didn't even dare to imagine!

"Thud!"

Han Li's legs went weak, and he no longer cared about his young master's dignity. He knelt directly on the ground, frantically kowtowing and begging for mercy from Lin Fan and the other three.

"Senior, spare my life! Please spare my life! I was blind! I spoke like a dog! Please, you are magnanimous, just treat me like a fart and let me go!"

"Mistaken? Steward Zhou, you must be mistaken!"

The Xie Family Matriarch, who had just climbed to her feet, was also utterly bewildered. She pointed at Lin Fan and the other three, shrieking, "They are just a few unknown wild boys! How could they be distinguished guests of the Profound Sword Sect!"

"Silence!"

A furious roar interrupted her clamor.

It was Xie Tianxing!

He endured the sharp pain in his chest, slowly rising with Xie Xiaozhao's support. His usually refined face was now filled with endless lingering fear and... bitterness.

He glared fiercely at his foolish wife, who was good for nothing but causing trouble. His gaze seemed to want to devour her alive!

Then, he ignored everyone else, his gaze falling only on his disobedient daughter, Xie Xiaozhao, his expression extremely complex.

There was anger, unwillingness, disappointment, yet also... a hint of imperceptible relief.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that the air around them almost solidified.

Finally, he slowly turned his head to look at Han Li, who was still kneeling on the ground, trembling like a sieve. His voice was hoarse, yet filled with an undeniable resolve.

"Nephew Han, the marriage alliance between our two families is hereby dissolved."

"The losses of your Han Family will be borne solely by my Xie Family."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene was shocked.

Han Li's face turned ashen. He knew he was finished.

Completely finished.

His Profound Sword Sect identity was gone, and his delicate fiancée was also gone.

...

Xiao Huohuo stretched lazily, watching the farcical scene unfold before him.

"Alright, since things are resolved, it's time for us to go."

With that, he was about to lead Lin Fan and the others away.

"Wait... wait!"

A timid voice sounded from behind them.

It was Xie Xiaozhao.

She mustered all her courage and ran in front of Xiao Huohuo. Her usually delicate face was now filled with determination.

"Benefactor, I want to... I want to follow you!"

Xiao Huohuo was startled at first, then shook his head helplessly.

He reached out, habitually wanting to ruffle her head, but then felt it was inappropriate and awkwardly pulled his hand back.

"Miss Xiaozhao, you are a good girl." His voice was uncharacteristically gentle. "However, I only see you as a younger sister."

"But we are not from the same world, and our path is very dangerous, not suitable for you."

A hint of sadness flashed in Xie Xiaozhao's eyes, but more than that, there was a sense of relief.

She knew that she and they were, after all, not people from the same world.

Just then, Zhou Qing, the Steward of Profound Sword Sect, rolled his eyes, a plan forming in his mind.

He rushed forward in a single stride, facing Xie Tianxing with a beaming smile, "Patriarch Xie, I see that your daughter has an extraordinary bone structure, a rare martial arts prodigy in a hundred years! Wouldn't it be a pity to let her talent go to waste?"

"How about I make the decision to accept your daughter into my Profound Sword Sect? What do you say?"

His words were both a favor to the Xie Family and an indirect gesture of goodwill to Lin Fan and the other three.

Xie Xiaozhao's eyes lit up when she heard this!

That's right!

She was too weak!

So weak that she couldn't even control her own destiny!

Staying by their side would only be a burden!

Only by becoming stronger! Stronger than anyone else! Only then would she be qualified to stand before them again in the future!

"I am willing!"

Without the slightest hesitation, she bowed gracefully to Zhou Qing.

"Disciple Xie Xiaozhao, wishes to join the Profound Sword Sect!"