The moment those words were spoken, the expressions on everyone's faces shifted.
The Lord of the Wandao Sacred Land narrowed his eyes as he glanced at the Palace Lord of Xianyun Dao Palace.
He was from the ancient clan backing this young master.
And this young master wasn't just anyone in that ancient clan—he was an individual of immense power, one who stood at the peak.
Whatever the young master ordered him to do, he would carry out without hesitation, even if it meant taking the holy maiden of a Dao lineage and offering her as a bed servant to this young master.
As for the Palace Lord of Xianyun Dao Palace, though he felt a wave of anger when he heard such blunt words, he was also somewhat pleased.
The young master was basically announcing to everyone present: I have my eyes on your daughter.
Yet, mixed with that discomfort was a hint of satisfaction. After all, if he could establish any connection with someone from the Upper Realm, it would bring tremendous benefits to his Dao lineage.
Still, the way it was said... It made him feel uneasy.
But if he didn't agree, who knew if he would make it out of this hall alive today?
The Palace Lord stole a glance at the Lord of the Wandao Sacred Land. Not only was his background more powerful than Xianyun Dao Palace, his cultivation far surpassed the Palace Lord's. And with this young master's unfathomable background, it was enough to make the Palace Lord's heart tremble with fear.
People who came down from ancient Dao lineages of the Upper Realm didn't need to explain themselves. Everyone knew that they belonged to some of the most powerful forces in the Upper Realm. After all, weaker lineages wouldn't even have the means to break through the barriers between the realms.
Only truly powerful ancient clans could achieve such feats.
The Palace Lord bowed slightly, his voice trembling, "Since the young master favors Qing Yao... it is indeed her good fortune. I, of course, have no objections."
He didn't dare look at his daughter, who was silently pleading with her eyes. There was nothing he could do.
Moreover, it might actually work out. After all, for an esteemed young master from the Upper Realm, obtaining the holy maiden of a lower realm was as easy as flipping his hand.
If he refused, he had no doubt he would die here today.
Xianyun Dao Palace would be wiped out.
The ancestral foundation he was tasked with preserving would be destroyed under his watch. And that, he could not allow.
"In that case, since you agree, Palace Lord, have the Holy Maiden Qing Yao visit my residence tonight," Qin Tian said with a faint smile. His gaze briefly swept over the Palace Lord before settling on a figure seated quietly in the corner.
I'm going to take your Fortune Female Lead.
What can you do about it?
The moment Qin Tian finished speaking, he suddenly pulled Qing Yao, who had been dancing before him, into his arms and began to touch her.
"Ah!"
Qing Yao's body stiffened in shock. This was happening right in the hall—in front of her own Dao lineage, her father the Palace Lord, and several elders and friends.
How could he dare?
Does having power and backing really allow someone to act with such impunity?
For the first time, Qing Yao felt despair. She looked toward her father and the elders who had always been so kind to her—yet they were all silent.
She was wearing thin garments, and now this man from the Upper Realm was sliding them off her, piece by piece.
She was on the verge of tears.
Even though it was only in front of him, and no one else could see, it still felt humiliating.
Her struggles were in vain as she was held firmly in his arms.
The silence from the people who had always treated her well—the father and elders who now dared not make a sound—only deepened her despair.
Suddenly, a sharp sound broke the tense silence.
Crack!
A wine cup shattered.
In the quiet hall, the sound was jarring, drawing all eyes to its source.
"Let her go."
A voice, filled with rage, echoed from the spot where the cup had broken.
As soon as the voice rang out, a handsome young man stepped forward. He moved as if carrying the weight of an abyss on his back.
His eyes were filled with unwavering determination and unyielding defiance. His posture was as straight as an ancient spear, ready to pierce the heavens.
"This is the famous 'unquenchable fire of defiance' I've read about," Qin Tian thought with amusement as he looked at Lin Fan, who clearly didn't know the limits of his own strength. How typical, Qin Tian mused, He's following the script perfectly—standing up at the most inopportune time.
He laughed and then buried his face in Qing Yao's chest, taking a deep breath before exhaling toward Lin Fan.
His expression was one of mockery, as if to say, What can you possibly do to stop me?
Tears welled up in Qing Yao's eyes, spilling over as she felt utterly helpless.
This was the darkest moment of her life.
"I said, let her go."
Lin Fan took another step forward, his eyes blazing with barely suppressed fury.
The aura around Lin Fan began to fluctuate.
He was clearly ready to make a move, but he held back. Despite his rage, he still had enough sense to know that he was no match for this man from the Upper Realm.
"Oh? And what does she have to do with you?"
"Wait... Are you two... involved?"
"If that's the case, Palace Lord, you'll need to give me an explanation today."
Qin Tian's lips curled into a cold smile as he turned to the Palace Lord, his tone carrying a hint of chilling threat.
His meaning was clear: If your daughter has a relationship with this man, then you've made a fool of me.
And the price for that would be simple—extinction. The end of your Dao lineage, your clan. No further discussion needed.
"No, no! There's nothing between them!"
Cold sweat dripped from the Palace Lord's brow as he hurriedly stammered in response. If the young master from the Upper Realm made such an assumption, Xianyun Dao Palace and its people would disappear by tomorrow.
It was not only possible—it was certain.
For someone from the Upper Realm, erasing a Dao lineage in the lower realm was as easy as breathing.
That was undeniable.
"From today onward, Lin Fan is expelled from Xianyun Dao Palace. He will be imprisoned, never to be released," the Palace Lord said coldly, his eyes closed for a moment before he gave the order to the elders in the hall.
He had no choice.
He didn't want to die.
"Do you wish to follow me?"
Qin Tian leaned closer to Qing Yao, whispering in her ear as if they were sharing an intimate moment.
It was a gesture of utter disregard for Lin Fan's presence. Lin Fan was already seething with rage.
"I will follow," Qing Yao replied coldly, addressing Lin Fan.
"Qing Yao, you—" Lin Fan's world shattered at that moment. His beloved had just agreed to become another man's bed servant.
Lin Fan's Dao heart took a critical blow, a wound unlike any he had ever known.
Qin Tian sneered coldly. The best way to defeat someone is to break them from within.
While it seemed like he had been getting intimate with Qing Yao, in truth, he had been using a sound transmission technique.
"If you refuse, Xianyun Dao Palace will be wiped out by tomorrow."
Qin Tian had no interest in dragging things out. With his power and backing, why bother with long-winded drama? He simply wanted Qing Yao.
Whether or not he had her heart didn't matter to him.
If he could break Lin Fan's Dao heart without diminishing his fortune, he didn't mind even killing Qing Yao.
But wasn't it far more devastating for Lin Fan to see his beloved ascend the bed of another man?
Wasn't that much worse than death?
Qin Tian intended to break Lin Fan—starting with his heart. He would take Lin Fan's goddess right before his eyes.
And what could Lin Fan do about it?
Qing Yao's face was ashen. She did have feelings for Lin Fan, but they hadn't blossomed into love—her admiration was mostly respect for his perseverance.
Although she loathed Qin Tian's actions, the thought of him threatening the lives of everyone in Xianyun Dao Palace left her no choice but to remain silent.
This despicable man held the power of life and death over her entire Dao lineage.
"Don't worry, I noticed your Dao injuries. Come to my chambers later, and I'll heal you. Consider it a token of my gratitude to the Palace Lord," Qin Tian said lightly, as if discussing something trivial.
"That will be all for tonight. Thank you for the hospitality, Palace Lord."
Qin Tian then glanced briefly at Lin Fan. He didn't even bother showing contempt or disdain—it was as if Lin Fan didn't exist.
Yet that indifferent attitude humiliated Lin Fan even more. His gaze locked on Qin Tian, filled with murderous intent.
"Palace Lord, I want him to have a broken leg by tomorrow."
Qin Tian spoke casually to the Palace Lord, making it clear that the Palace Lord was nothing more than a lackey.
How could you possibly think I can't play you to death?