Lei Ying took a sip of his tea, appearing calm and indifferent. His half-closed eyes suggested a man completely detached from the chaos around him. To those watching, it seemed as if he was oblivious to the uproar.
In reality, Lei Ying's mind was elsewhere. A translucent screen flickered in his thoughts—a gift from the heavens for someone like him who had transmigrated. He was carefully analyzing the functions of his system, getting to know its details.
Every protagonist had their advantage, and as a transmigrator, Lei Ying had his golden finger.
According to the original storyline, this was the moment when the "arrogant Young Master" Lei Ying was supposed to explode with anger, boasting and mocking Yun Xiao. This would give the righteous Yun Xiao the perfect chance to challenge him to a duel.
Once provoked, the original Lei Ying would have had no choice but to accept, to maintain his pride. In the ensuing fight, Yun Xiao would emerge victorious, delivering a humiliating defeat to Lei Ying and the Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect. It was the classic face-slapping moment, meant to establish Yun Xiao as a rising star and a righteous hero.
But Lei Ying had no plans to be a mere stepping stone. He had already devised a new strategy. This time, there would be no grand victory for Yun Xiao. Instead, Lei Ying aimed to resolve the situation in one swift move, shattering Yun Xiao's Martial Heart before eliminating him completely. A flawless execution would not only guarantee his survival but also bring him substantial rewards from the system.
At that moment, Yun Xiao's furious voice broke the tense silence of the hall.
"Lei Ying! Do you really think you can claim our Young Miss? Just because you come from a powerful family doesn't mean you can take whatever you want! If you had chosen any other woman in the sect, I might have let your arrogance slide. But since you have your sights set on our Young Miss, I have no choice but to challenge you!"
The hall fell into a heavy silence. The audience's faces turned pale as they absorbed Yun Xiao's words.
Fear flickered in the eyes of the onlookers. Everyone present understood the significance of the name Lei Ying. He wasn't just any Inner Sect disciple—he was a member of the Lei Family, a lineage so powerful that it rivaled, if not surpassed, the authority of the Southern Desolater's royal family.
Yun Xiao, a mere Inner Sect disciple, had just insulted him.
If Lei Ying truly lost his temper, this would escalate beyond a personal feud. The entire Southern Desolate could be engulfed in chaos.
The Elders of the Azure Cloud Sect exchanged anxious glances, their nerves on edge. They could have intervened to stop Yun Xiao—indeed, they should have—but they hesitated. Though none would admit it aloud, they harbored a quiet resentment toward Lei Ying.
The Young Miss was a rare treasure, a jewel of their sect. Her potential alone could elevate their standing among the great powers. But if she were to marry into the Lei Family, they would lose her forever, reduced to a mere pawn in the Lei Family's grand designs.
If Lei Ying had been the favored candidate for family head, the Azure Cloud Sect might have reluctantly accepted the match, unwilling to offend the Lei Family. However, Lei Ying's reputation within his clan worked against him—he was known as an arrogant, spoiled youth with little talent. A scion whose strength came not from himself, but from the family backing him.
The Sect Leader had no intention of sacrificing his daughter for such a union.
In truth, the Elders had subtly encouraged Yun Xiao to provoke Lei Ying, hoping for a confrontation.
Unaware of the complex schemes at play, Yun Xiao stood firm, his righteous anger unyielding. He had no clue that he was just a pawn in a much larger game.
A surge of fury welled up inside him as he contemplated this reality. He yearned to inflict a thousand cuts on Lei Ying, to tear him into countless pieces right then and there.
Meanwhile, Lei Ying remained composed, his calm demeanor unshaken. His fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Let them engage in their games, he mused.
Soon, he would reveal his answer—and with it, an outcome that no one in the hall would soon forget.
___
Lei Ying slowly raised his gaze, his piercing purple eyes locking onto Yun Xiao. They were cold and indifferent, lacking any trace of emotion. His long white hair flowed elegantly over his shoulders, framing a face that exuded serene detachment. To him, this was merely a mildly entertaining spectacle, one he had no desire to interrupt prematurely.
The tension in the hall thickened as the Azure Cloud Sect Leader finally spoke up. His voice was steady, but a hint of frustration seeped through.
"Young Lord Lei, I trust you won't take offense at this disciple's behavior," he said, inclining his head slightly in respect. His expression was somber, a shadow of gloom darkening his features.
"This Yun Xiao…lacks an understanding of etiquette."
The Sect Leader's words carried authority, yet they did little to mask the embarrassment creeping across his face. He glanced sideways, his eyes subtly signaling the Elders of the Sect—a silent command to rein in Yun Xiao.
The Elders stiffened, grasping the underlying message, yet none dared to act impulsively. The tension between Yun Xiao and Lei Ying was now under the scrutinizing gaze of numerous guests.
Around them, the audience buzzed with hushed whispers, their excitement palpable. The Azure Cloud Sect, long regarded as a symbol of strength and discipline, had never faced such a public disgrace.
A faint smirk played on Lei Ying's lips, so subtle it was nearly undetectable. He did not respond to the Sect Leader's words, nor did he acknowledge the apology. Instead, he leaned back slightly, his posture radiating confidence and indifference.
The room seemed to hold its breath, anticipating his reaction.
The Sect Leader's brow furrowed as the seconds dragged on, feeling like an eternity. Every guest was fixated on Lei Ying, wondering if he would explode in anger or dismiss the insult entirely.
To everyone's astonishment, Lei Ying finally spoke, his voice calm and unhurried, yet tinged with a hint of menace.
"Etiquette?" He chuckled lightly, the sound lacking warmth. "It appears your Sect has a unique interpretation of it. But no matter… I've always found amusement in the antics of small men with grand ambitions."
His words cut through the heavy silence like a knife, leaving a chilling atmosphere in their wake.
The Sect Leader clenched his fists beneath the table, his expression darkening. Around him, the Elders exchanged anxious glances, sensing the impending storm.
Lei Ying's purple eyes shifted back to Yun Xiao, who stood rigid, his righteous fervor undeterred despite the oppressive atmosphere.
"I hope," Lei Ying said softly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper that resonated throughout the hall, "you're ready to face the consequences of your performance, little monkey."
The hall erupted in murmurs, the tension escalating toward its breaking point. Yun Xiao's defiant expression wavered for the briefest moment before his resolve reignited, burning brighter than ever.
The farce had reached its crescendo, and all eyes were on Yun Xiao and Lei Ying. One held righteous indignation, the other an unfathomable confidence born of power and lineage.