"Thalia, is this really appropriate?" The head of the household couldn't suppress his concern. The family's honor hung delicately in the balance, making him resolute in this delicate matter.
"If you fail my son today, Oliver, I will never forgive you," Thalia, our main character's mother, retorted with palpable anger lacing her words.
Abruptly abandoning her meal, she rose from the table and marched toward her eldest son's location.
"Come, Finley. It's time to find you a bride," Thalia declared, a forced smile masking the tension in the room.
She gently helped her son to his feet and guided him away from the somber atmosphere of the dining table. In due time, they reached a secluded chamber within the house.
"So... what kind of woman do you desire, Finley?" Thalia inquired, her maternal concern palpable in her tone.
She sensed her son's underlying frustration, a mix of unspoken desires and the weight of societal expectations.
At 25, still unattached and solitary, the absence of meaningful relationships weighed heavily upon him.
Thalia, diligent in monitoring her children's lives, was privy to almost every facet, especially when it concerned Finley Stonewall, the least talented among them.
She wished Finley possessed a fervor for cultivation, allowing him to immerse himself in arduous training and spiritual growth.
Yet, he lacked the innate gifts that his siblings effortlessly wielded, adding to her son's struggle to find his place in a world dictated by prowess and achievements.
"I don't seek someone extravagant, Mother. Just a simple, kind, and genuine woman. Beauty isn't the priority," our sincere protagonist replied, his words carrying a weight of honesty.
After enduring the heartbreak of his girlfriend's betrayal, he harbored a cautious apprehension towards striking beauty.
His experiences had instilled a fear, a wariness of entrusting his heart to any stunning woman. As he met his mother's gaze in this unfamiliar world, an involuntary gulp betrayed his awkward reaction.
He could feel himself get super hard and ready since Thalia was such a beautiful woman to be had. At this distance, he could smell the lovely fragrance of roses and all things exciting.
Our mc also took this time to better observe his mother. Thalia possessed a timeless elegance that captivated those around her.
Her grace was as natural as the gentle sway of a blossoming lily in a summer breeze. With a regal posture and a serene countenance, she carried herself with an effortless allure that spoke volumes of her refined poise.
Her hazel eyes held a depth that seemed to mirror ancient wisdom, while cascading locks of chestnut hair framed a face adorned with subtle lines of wisdom and grace.
There was an undeniable allure in her presence, an understated beauty that emanated from within and graced every movement, making her a figure of both admiration and respect.
And she looked not a day older than 20 which depicted well enough how amazing a xianxia world was.
"Very well. Relax and leave everything to me. By day's end, your bride will be ready," Thalia assured with an encouraging smile, her eyes twinkling with a blend of determination and anticipation.
Stepping out of the room, her strides were imbued with a fervor rarely seen, driven by the rare opportunity to orchestrate her son's marriage.
For Thalia, this wasn't merely a duty; it was a chance to intertwine destinies, forge alliances, and ensure the lineage's prosperity in the intricate tapestry of the Xianxia world.
In this realm, where power and influence dictated the path of families, the union of clans through arranged marriages was a customary practice.
It was a means to harness strengths, solidify allegiances, and pave the way for a more potent and enduring legacy.
The prospect of being the architect behind her son's matrimonial union filled Thalia with a mix of responsibility and excitement.
Her steps echoed with purpose as she traversed the corridors, her mind abuzz with considerations of lineage, compatibility, and the subtle intricacies that would ensure a harmonious and advantageous match.
* * *
"Mother, is it truly necessary for me to wed Finley Stonewall today?" A beautiful woman asked.
Her voice bore the weight of dismay as she expressed her objection for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
Awakening to the startling announcement of her impending marriage to Finley, a man known more for his lack of cultivation talent than for any notable achievements, was an unexpected jolt.
The Stonewall family held prominence in the city, boasting a lineage of formidable cultivators, yet Finley remained an anomaly, struggling to progress beyond the rudimentary stages of qi gathering realm.
"Yes, Naomi. It's a matter of honor and a beneficial alliance for our family," replied Naomi's mother, her eyes alight with a fervent ambition that seemed to blaze with unending determination.
"But I don't hold any affection for him, Mother," Naomi sighed, her words carrying the weight of resignation. She understood all too well that her sentiments were futile against her family's aspirations.
"Love is a luxury, my daughter. I've raised you to understand that practicality outweighs such emotions. Don't be a fool, Naomi," her mother asserted, her tone carrying an unwavering resolve that left no room for debate.
Naomi, reluctantly accepting the situation, harbored a silent hope that her union with Finley wouldn't result in cruelty or mistreatment.
Amidst her compliant facade, she yearned for a partner who would offer more than just a prestigious name – someone who might see beyond the facade of societal alliances and grant her some semblance of compassion and understanding.
Amidst it all, she found herself wedded to a man she hardly knew, the union sealed hastily, leaving her to navigate the uncharted waters of matrimony with a stranger.
* * *
As midnight's chimes echoed, two strangers found themselves locked in an uncomfortable silence.
Caught in the entanglement of an arranged marriage, both were reticent, ensnared within the confines of their own contemplations.
'Hehehe. So this is how it feels like to be truly strong,' echoed within the inner recesses of our protagonist's mind as he basked in the rewards of his endeavors.
With a concealed laugh, he accessed the system once more, tinkering with it in a moment of quiet solitude.
"DING!"
* * *
Name: Simon Sawyer, Finley Stonewall
Cultivation: 10th Stage of Qi Gathering Realm
System Points: 1,000
System Shop
System Mission
* * *
'Sweet!' Our protagonist's smile expanded, radiating a mix of satisfaction and newfound strength that surged through his veins like a torrential wave.
The sensation was exhilarating, as if a reservoir of untapped power had been unleashed within him, granting him a potency he'd never experienced before.
It was an overwhelming rush, a sensation that left him feeling invincible, akin to possessing the collective might of a thousand men and more.
As his grin broadened, bordering on a near-sinister edge, it didn't go unnoticed by Naomi, his newly wedded partner. Her gaze flitted between confusion and a hint of trepidation.
The man she'd been joined to in matrimony displayed an alarming exuberance that bordered on the frenetic, an intensity that sparked a subtle unease within her.
'Is my husband... crazy?' Naomi's silent query lingered in her thoughts as she observed the peculiar antics of the man who now sat in front of her.
His jubilant demeanor, though bewildering, tinged her curiosity with a touch of concern. She found herself silently hoping for a happy marriage life.
Luckily for her, life would give her so much more.