Qin Wujian was momentarily stunned as he looked at Qin Qing with disbelief.
The people of the Qin Residence also all revealed a look of astonishment.
Could it be... could it be that Qin Qing had truly awakened his Martial Soul?
And that his Martial Soul grade was even higher than Qin Lie's?
Especially Qin Zhen, who was currently staring wide-eyed; he had long suspected in his heart that Qin Qing might have concealed the fact of his Martial Soul awakening.
Just as the people of the Qin Residence were all waiting with different thoughts for Qin Qing's next move, a voice suddenly came from the entrance of the Qin Residence.
"The esteemed daughter of the Mu Family, Mu Yunlan, has arrived!"
The sudden call shocked everyone in the Qin Residence.
Mu Yunlan was the hottest figure in the entire Tianjue City as of late.
Having awakened the Seventh Rank Martial Soul, the Luan Dragon, she caught the attention of many Martial Institutes in the imperial city. It was said that she had been taken in as a Direct Disciple by a highly reputed elder from the Great Qian Martial Institute.
The Mu family also rose to prominence because of this. On the very night Mu Yunlan awakened the Luan Dragon Martial Soul, the city lord personally visited the Mu Residence and presented the plaque "Pride of Tianjue."
Qin Qing was equally startled—Mu Yunlan had come?
Originally, Qin Qing had planned to manifest the Dragon Soul to take back the Nirvana Pill for his little sister, Shuang'er.
But now, Qin Qing stopped.
He wanted to see what Mu Yunlan's arrival at the Qin Residence was for...
"Hmph!"
Qin Wujian gave Qin Qing a sidelong glance and snorted coldly as he swept his sleeve and walked towards the entrance.
The people of the Qin Residence also rushed to the entrance of the residence; everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the unmatched elegance of Mu Yunlan, the favored lady of the heavens.
"Hahaha..."
Qin Lie, however, laughed loudly and mockingly said, "Qin Qing, guess why Mu Yunlan has come to the Qin Residence? She must be here to break off the engagement! You trash, just wait to be humiliated by Mu Yunlan!"
"Qin Lie, it seems breaking your arms wasn't enough; do I need to cripple your legs too?" Qin Qing sneered coldly.
A flicker of fear passed through Qin Lie's eyes, and he hurriedly shut his mouth and turned to leave. His arms had just been treated, and the broken bones were temporarily joined. If he didn't have the Nirvana Pill, he feared it would take a year and a half to slowly recover.
"Brother!"
Qin Shuang saw everyone leaving and nestled in her brother's embrace, her eyes filled with concern.
"Little Shuang, don't be afraid. With your brother here, I won't let anyone bully you ever again!" Qin Qing picked up Qin Shuang and walked towards the entrance of the Qin Residence.
In the courtyard at the entrance of the Qin Residence, Mu Yunlan was standing there, dressed in a long purple gown, her skin smooth like fine jade, her gaze deep and lofty, sweeping the people of the Qin Residence as if she was a fairy from the Nine Heavens looking disdainfully upon a group of mortals.
"Miss Mu's honored presence, please take a seat in the guest hall."
Facing Mu Yunlan, Qin Wujian's earlier dignity as the Qin family elder seemed to fade away, replaced by a fawning demeanor.
Because he was very clear about what it meant to awaken a Seventh Rank Martial Soul as a Heavenly Soul Warrior.
Qin Wujian had spent his entire life unable to condense a Golden Core, and that was because his talent was insufficient; his Martial Soul was only a Fourth Rank Martial Soul.
If he had a Sixth Rank Martial Soul, condensing a Golden Core would be much easier, and he might even be able to attack the Nascent Soul Realm.
As for Mu Yunlan, who possessed a Seventh Rank Martial Soul, it wouldn't be surprising if her minimum was the Nascent Soul Realm martial ancestor, or she might even step into the Divine Transformation Realm and become a Martial Spirit capable of controlling the spiritual power of heaven and earth.
Therefore, Qin Wujian seeing Mu Yunlan, flattery exuded from the depths of his bones.
Moreover, Qin Wujian was shocked when he saw an old man with white hair and beard, dressed in a dark purple robe, behind Mu Yunlan.
This old man gave him a tremendous sense of oppression.
A Golden Core Realm Martial Dao Master?
The terrifying aura emanating from this old man indicated that he was at least a Golden Core Realm Martial Dao Master, and perhaps even a Nascent Soul Realm Martial Dao Master.
"Could this be the elder from the Great Qian Martial Institute who has taken Mu Yunlan as his Direct Disciple?"
Immediately, Qin Wujian's already slightly bent body bowed even lower.
"There's no need for seating!" Mu Yunlan spoke, "I have come to the Qin Residence today to inform the Qin Family that the marriage contract between me and Qin Qing, as of today, is null and void! Today, my master, the Great Qian Martial Institute's elder mentor, Jun Jiulin, has come to bear witness. I request the Qin Residence to produce the marriage contract immediately and destroy it on the spot!"
As Mu Yunlan's words fell, many people from the Qin Residence couldn't help but show their indignation.
Especially Qin Tong and others, on the one hand, they felt outraged on behalf of Qin Qing; on the other hand, they believed that Mu Yunlan was trampling on the dignity of the Qin Family.
"What's the matter? The Qin Family perhaps has objections?" Jun Jiulin's half-closed eyes suddenly snapped open, flickering with a sharp glint.
Instantly, a formidable pressure overflowed, so oppressive that everyone from the Qin Residence didn't dare to even breathe heavily!
"Senior, Miss Mu, our Qin Residence naturally wouldn't dare to have any objections!" Qin Wujian hurriedly explained.
Qin Lie also spoke up, "Miss Mu, with your esteemed status, for Qin Qing to covet you is like a toad lusting after a swan's flesh, wishful thinking. You asking to dissolve the engagement, we all think it's only proper. However, Qin Qing is currently in the Qin Residence, and I believe it's best for him to come out and clear things up with Miss Mu in person!"
Upon hearing Qin Lie's words, a sharp light flashed across Mu Yunlan's eyes.
"Qin Qing, he's not dead?"
"What, Mu Yunlan, my being alive disappoints you?" Qin Qing, holding onto Qin Shuang, walked out from the inside.
"Whoosh!"
Mu Yunlan's gaze fiercely focused on Qin Qing.
Qin Qing was really not dead!
But upon careful reflection, Mu Yunlan was certain that, on that night three days ago, the sword in her hand had definitely pierced Qin Qing's heart.
Mu Yunlan was inwardly astonished, but she quickly reverted to normal, with her expression returning to being indifferent, "Qin Qing, three days ago you attempted to defile me. Initially, I wanted to kill you to vent my anger but took pity at the last moment, sparing your life, crippling only your Soul Palace as a punishment!"
The words of Mu Yunlan instantly revealed different expressions on the faces of those around her from the Qin Residence.
Although there had been rumors that Qin Qing attempted to commit impropriety towards Mu Yunlan, after all, they were merely rumors. But now it was different, as these words came directly from Mu Yunlan's mouth.
Particularly Qin Lie, Qin Zhen, and others, upon hearing that Qin Qing's Soul Palace was destroyed, they were overjoyed beyond measure.
Yet, Qin Qing merely smiled coldly, saying, "Mu Yunlan, you're truly malicious. It was clearly you who harmed me, and yet you claim that I intended to defile you?
Heh, what are you, anyway? If I wanted to defile you, back when you were a mere slave in the Qin Residence, if I wanted you to warm my bed or empty my chamber pot, would you have dared to have any grievances?
What, now that you, this vile slave, have turned over a new leaf, you despise your master?"
"You!" Mu Yunlan's rage surged, but she quickly regained her composure. She suddenly felt that the Qin Qing before her was different from before.
The Qin Qing of the past was always submissive to her, even when she was a slave in the Qin Residence, he had been extremely gentle towards her.
But now, in Qin Qing's eyes, she saw only indifference and hatred.
For some reason, Mu Yunlan felt a sense of desolation in her heart, as if suddenly there was an emptiness, as though she had lost something very precious and could never find it again.
However, on second thought, now Qin Qing was nothing but a cripple with his Soul Palace destroyed, while she, Mu Yunlan, was destined to soar to the heavens, destined for great heights. Thus, she quickly shook off that whisper of melancholy in her heart.
At this moment, the elder standing behind Mu Yunlan named Jun Jiulin snorted coldly and said,
"Yun Lan, there's no need for idle talk. You are here at the Qin Residence today to dissolve the engagement. With your master here to decide for you, no one dares to say a single 'no'!"
On saying this, Jun Jiulin's icy gaze enveloped Qin Qing, and he spoke coldly, "You say Mu Yunlan was born a slave, but what of it?
In this world, what's pitiful isn't your lowly birth, but the inferior talent of your martial arts.
Mu Yunlan's natural gifts are far superior to yours, leading to a fate much nobler than yours.
Even if she was born a slave, she managed to rise from the lowly beginnings, shining brightly in the Great Qian Dynasty. And you… with mediocre talent and now with a destroyed Soul Palace, are doomed to be a cripple for life…...
Enough, I won't waste more words on a wretch like you. You should understand the principle that a dragon does not live with snakes. Your martial arts talent dictates that you are unworthy of Mu Yunlan! Bring out the marriage contract, and destroy it!"
Jun Jiulin's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
"Qin Qing, did you hear that? Hurry up and bring out the marriage contract to dissolve your engagement with Miss Mu. A person should recognize their own worth; you know what kind of a thing you are now!" Qin Lie shouted loudly.
Qin Qing looked indifferently at Jun Jiulin and shook his head, "You say I am not worthy of Mu Yunlan? Heh, who is worthy of whom isn't for you to say!"
"Heh… A despicable character, utterly lacking self-awareness," Jun Jiulin sneered.
Qin Qing smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and his gaze shifted to Mu Yunlan, saying, "Mu Yunlan, even if you do not dissolve our engagement, I would cut off any ties with you. Do you want to dissolve our marriage ties today? Fine, just wait!"
Having said so, Qin Qing turned and headed for the study.
In the study, Qin Qing's writing was brisk and forceful, and soon he filled a sheet of paper.
"Mu Yunlan, remember this! Today, it's not you coming to dissolve our marriage, but me, Qin Qing, casting you off, casting off you, this vile slave! From this day forward, there is no longer any engagement between us!"