Translator: Anubis Translations
The grand competition of the three major families was taking place in Cloud Dwelling City.
The residents of Cloud Dwelling City regarded this triennial event as a grand occasion.
Not only could it reveal the development status of the three major families over the past three years, but it could also hint at their future aspirations.
The top 50 participants in the competition were highly likely to pass the entrance examination of Sunset Glow Sect.
As one of the top sects in Cloud Prefecture, even becoming an outer disciple of Sunset Glow Sect held infinite possibilities for the future.
On the stage, figures were darting back and forth, while the audience below cheered enthusiastically. In the stands, influential members of the three major families whispered among themselves, commenting on the participants.
Among them, the most active and conspicuous was a young man of about sixteen or seventeen.
The young man was handsome, with a tall and upright figure. When he smiled, his rows of white teeth sparkled in the sunlight, giving him a very cheerful appearance.
From time to time, he erupted into enthusiastic applause, pulling at the sleeves of the elders beside him and pointing animatedly, laughing heartily.
The elders he pulled at, though they smiled and responded, could not hide the impatience in their expressions.
His name was Gu Feng, the nominal young master of the Gu family, one of the three major families.
The reason he was only nominal was that Gu Feng's father, along with his mother and their lineage's top experts, had all perished while protecting the family's mineral vein.
As the sole survivor of his lineage and the descendant of a family hero, Gu Feng was appointed as the young master of the Gu family.
However, everyone in Cloud Dwelling City knew that it was only a matter of time before this young master was dethroned.
This had little to do with his poor talent; without backing, even if he were exceptionally gifted, he could not escape being cast out. The power struggles within small families could be even more ruthless and heartless than those in larger factions.
"I heard Gu Feng is deeply ostracized at home, living worse than a servant. But from what we see today, his situation doesn't seem as dire as the rumors suggest!"
"The elders and disciples of the Gu family ignore him, yet here they all seem to be getting along so well. It's quite strange."
"A few years ago, I heard Gu Feng moved into a dilapidated small courtyard, living all alone without even a servant."
"..."
Gu Feng heard the murmurs from below, and his smile widened. He was deliberately provoking the elders of the Gu family.
His joy was built on the pain and discomfort of others.
As the rumors suggested, apart from not having to do manual labor, his treatment was no different from that of a servant.
The elders despised him, and the disciples ignored him. This was no secret.
If it weren't for the fear of his nominal fiancée, they would have stripped him of his position as young master long ago.
His fiancée was well-known throughout Cloud Dwelling City—the first in the city's history to be exceptionally admitted as an inner disciple of Sunset Glow Sect, a true prodigy.
She had a beautiful name—Qu Yanran.
Before the age of ten, Qu Yanran also lived in Cloud Dwelling City, and their engagement was arranged during that time.
As a transmigrator, Gu Feng was mentally mature from a young age and knew they would eventually marry. From childhood, he took extra care of Qu Yanran.
Later, Gu Feng's parents perished, and Qu Yanran's family also experienced a tragedy. She left Cloud Dwelling City, and the two never saw each other again.
It was only heard that she had displayed extraordinary cultivation talent and was exceptionally admitted as an inner disciple of Sunset Glow Sect three months ago, gaining great fame.
From that day on, Gu Feng knew their engagement was over.
After all, he was now just a minor cultivator at the first level of the Body Refining Realm, the lowest among his peers in the Gu family, let alone compared to Qu Yanran.
Even if they married, they could still divorce. What was just an engagement cancellation was nothing humiliating to Gu Feng, and he took it lightly.
He tugged at an elder's sleeve and exaggeratedly cheered.
The elder's constipated expression made him feel pleased.
After the engagement was canceled, he would leave the Gu family. Why not take this rare opportunity to annoy these bastards?
Large families had their own face to maintain, and internal conflicts could not be brought into the open, so he didn't have to worry about them openly turning against him.
Just as the competition was nearing its end, several figures flew in from the horizon and landed in the stands.
"Elder Liu, what brings you here?"
The heads of the three major families stood up and bowed respectfully to the middle-aged man at the front.
The middle-aged man nodded slightly, scanned the arena, and his gaze settled on the smiling Gu Feng.
Then he looked inquiringly at the young woman beside him, who nodded.
This scene was noticed by Gu Feng, and he quickly realized that this young woman was probably his fiancée—Qu Yanran.
She had been stunningly beautiful since childhood, and now, after several years, she had grown even more outstanding.
Her tall figure, delicate features, and waist-length black hair flowed smoothly, exuding a cold aura that made ordinary people feel inferior.
Noticing Gu Feng's gaze, Qu Yanran looked back expressionlessly.
Her gaze went over his head, and Gu Feng understood that they were now in different worlds. She was no longer the cute little girl who used to chase him for candies.
"Whatever, let's part on good terms. It's no big deal."
Gu Feng thought. In this world, breaking off an engagement was extremely humiliating, but since they had a good relationship in childhood, she probably wouldn't bring it up in public.
However, reality was cruel and bloody.
The moment the competition ended, Elder Liu, along with Qu Yanran and another young cultivator, walked toward Gu Feng.
The arena fell silent, and tens of thousands of eyes focused on one spot.
"No way, are they going to break off the engagement in public?"
"Poor Gu Feng. After today, he probably won't be able to hold his head high in Cloud Dwelling City anymore."
"Ah, Gu Feng has such good looks, but his cultivation is too weak. In a world where strength reigns supreme, being weak means enduring humiliation."
"The Gu family members are just standing by, watching. Gu Feng's humiliation is inevitable."
"He should just bow his head, return the engagement letter as soon as possible, and leave this place of trouble. Maybe he can preserve some dignity."
"..."
A pitiful child who lost his parents at the age of ten, now enduring the oppression and bullying of his own family, couldn't help but evoke sympathy.
Yet, no one could help him. This trial was one he had to face alone, and this humiliation was something he had to endure himself.
Elder Liu and the other two walked steadily toward Gu Feng. The elders of the Gu family, who had been pretending to be friendly, now stood aside, their eyes filled with mockery.
They didn't want to interfere, nor could they. Sunset Glow Sect was a major sect, and major sects had their dignity. A public engagement annulment was something no one could stop.
When the three were almost in front of him, Gu Feng stood up.
He smiled, showing his rows of white teeth, not showing a trace of humiliation or nervousness.
This composure earned him some silent nods from the audience.
At least he was holding up well, not completely losing face.
"Gu Feng..."
"Elder Liu, let me speak to him!"
Qu Yanran interrupted Elder Liu and stepped forward, appearing in front of Gu Feng.
"Our engagement was just a childhood promise made by our elders. Let's end it here."
Qu Yanran's expression was calm, her emotionless gaze always looking over Gu Feng's head.
Like a goddess standing above the clouds, looking down at a mortal in the mundane world.
Gu Feng wasn't intimidated by her aura. He just looked puzzled and casually said, "Who are you?"
(End of the Chapter)
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