The morning sun bathed the Tang family estate in a warm glow as the preparations for the festival reached their peak. Banners in crimson and gold fluttered from every corner, and intricate lanterns lined the pathways leading to the grand hall. The festival, held in honor of Tang Weihao's return, was a grand affair, with every member of the Tang family dressed in their finest silks. Musicians played soft, melodic tunes as servants moved gracefully between the guests, offering trays of delicacies and fine wine.
Long tables were laden with food—roast meats, fragrant rice dishes, and sweet pastries filled with lotus and red bean paste. The aroma of spices and freshly grilled dishes filled the air, creating an atmosphere of celebration. Children ran between the tables, laughing and playing as the elders of the family engaged in serious conversation, occasionally glancing at the empty seat where Tang Weihao would soon sit.
Xian Di remained on the outskirts of the festival, watching quietly. The joy and revelry around him felt distant, as if it were happening in another world. His focus was elsewhere, his thoughts already on the challenges that awaited him. Still, the significance of Tang Weihao's return could not be ignored. The Tang family's future hinged on their rising star, and today's festival was not just a celebration—it was a statement of power.
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As the festival reached its height, Tang Weihao finally arrived, entering the hall with a commanding presence. His tall, broad-shouldered frame was draped in the finest robes of dark blue and gold, and his sharp, refined features made him the center of attention. His every step exuded confidence, and as he sat at the head of the table beside the clan leader, the family members cheered, raising their cups in his honor.
After the meal, Tang Weihao leaned over to the clan leader, speaking in hushed tones. The festive atmosphere subtly shifted as the clan leader's expression darkened. He nodded gravely, and soon after, the elders were called to meet in private. The joyous mood began to dim as whispers spread through the hall.
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Meanwhile, a servant approached Xian Di, bowing deeply.
"The clan leader has summoned you to the elders' hall."
Xian Di nodded and followed without hesitation. He had known this moment was coming ever since his mother told him of Shen Yulan's arrival.
---
Inside the elders' hall, the atmosphere was tense. Tang Weihao stood tall beside the clan leader, his expression unreadable. Beside him stood Shen Yulan, her presence elegant and commanding in its own right. She was dressed in flowing robes of white and pale blue, embroidered with delicate silver patterns resembling wind and clouds. Her long, black hair was adorned with intricate silver pins, cascading down her back in soft waves. Her face was ethereal—porcelain skin, a delicate nose, and high cheekbones that gave her an almost otherworldly beauty. Her eyes, cold and distant, were a pale gray, resembling the calm before a storm. Her movements were graceful, every step she took measured and controlled, a testament to her upbringing in one of the most powerful families under the Heavenly Cloud Sect.
Zhao Sheng stood a short distance away, his arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. The elders were seated in a semi-circle, their expressions stern as they waited for Xian Di to enter the room.
One of the older elders, his eyes deep and sharp, spoke as Xian Di approached. "Xian Di, you are aware of the engagement that was arranged between you and Shen Yulan years ago. She has expressed her desire to cancel this arrangement."
The elder's tone was calm, but as he spoke, his Foundation Stage aura slowly spread through the room, pressing down on Xian Di with invisible force. The pressure was immense, but Xian Di's expression remained unchanged, his body tense but unyielding.
"Do you have any objections to this?" the elder asked, his aura intensifying.
Xian Di met the elder's gaze, his voice calm despite the growing pressure. "No, I have no desire for a non-existent fiancée."
His words hung in the air, cutting through the tension like a blade. The elder's aura faltered momentarily, caught off guard by Xian Di's cold dismissal.
Suddenly, Zhao Sheng stepped forward, his face twisted in anger. "You dare speak so lightly of this? You lowly fool!" His aura exploded outward, far stronger than the elder's, bearing down on Xian Di with crushing force.
Xian Di's knees threatened to buckle under the weight of Zhao Sheng's Foundation Stage aura. The air grew thick, and blood began to pool at the corner of his lips, but still, Xian Di did not waver. He stood firm, his eyes locked forward, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
"You think you can stand here and mock us?" Zhao Sheng snarled, his fury boiling over.
"Enough," Shen Yulan's voice cut through the room, sharp and commanding.
Zhao Sheng's aura receded slightly as Shen Yulan stepped forward. She glanced at Xian Di, her cold gray eyes showing little emotion. "Let him go. As long as he understands, this matter can end here."
Zhao Sheng clenched his fists, his face still twisted with anger, but he stepped back, allowing his aura to dissipate.
Xian Di wiped the blood from his lips, his expression unchanging. Without another word, he turned and left the elders' hall.