Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 110: Refusal of the Proposal
A young man dressed in white entered the hall, his handsome features and extraordinary demeanor radiating confidence and pride.
This individual was He Rongsheng, the most outstanding young disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect, the foremost sect in Zhongzhou, ranked first on the Stele, and a rare talent known as the Eye of Destiny.
By the age of thirteen, he had reached the pinnacle of Fate Realization, setting a record as the youngest to achieve such a feat.
From the moment he was born, auspicious signs appeared, marking him as exceptional. Every step he took on his cultivation journey drew the attention of all Zhongzhou, breaking record after record in the Cultivation World.
He Rongsheng began his training at five, established his Foundation at six, cultivated at seven, reached the Mid-Life Realm at eight, attained Fate at nine, and progressed to mid-stage Fate Realization by ten. By twelve, he had reached late-stage Fate Realization.
It was said that before reaching Fate Realization, breaking through was as simple as raising a hand for He Rongsheng. To solidify his foundation, he deliberately suppressed his Foundation cultivation, progressing steadily at a rate of one Foundation per year.
After entering Fate Realization, Lin Feng found that his cultivation growth had become exceedingly slow. Under normal circumstances, after battling against demons and Barbarians and consuming the flesh and blood of Seventh-Grade Beasts while absorbing vast amounts of spiritual energy, he would have been able to break through a significant Foundation. Yet so far, his cultivation remained stuck at early-stage Fate Realization.
Watching He Rongsheng only made Lin Feng feel the widening gap between them.
Though He Rongsheng was proud, he was also respectful. Upon entering, he bowed to Yue Zhuofeng seated at the head of the table and said, “He Rongsheng from Azure Cloud Sect pays respects to you, senior.”
Yue Zhuofeng nodded appreciatively. He relished this moment; it had been over a decade since anyone had visited Lone Moon Villa. With He Rongsheng—the one ranked first on the Stele—coming to visit today, wouldn’t Lone Moon Villa’s reputation soar throughout the capital tomorrow?
The more Yue Zhuofeng thought about it, the more pleased he became. Unable to contain himself, he smiled and asked, “What brings you to Lone Moon Villa?”
“I wish to meet Lin Miaomiao,” He Rongsheng stated directly.
Yue Zhuofeng pointed to Lin Miaomiao on his left and said, “She is right there.”
Only then did He Rongsheng take a closer look at Lin Miaomiao. Dressed in a purple skirt, she appeared ethereal and charming; her lively big eyes brought joy to anyone who gazed upon her.
He Rongsheng looked at Lin Miaomiao with a serious expression and said, “I began my training at five years old. I broke through one realm by age six, shocking Zhongzhou. My name became known on the Stele for breaking the record that only those who achieved Fate Realization could enter. Ultimately, when I reached Fate at nine years old, I became First on the Tablet.”
Lin Miaomiao listened to He Rongsheng's account with confusion and asked, “What does that have to do with me?”
He Rongsheng seemed unconcerned with Lin Miaomiao's words and continued, "And you, similarly, are at the Nurturing Origin Realm. Currently, you rank second on the monument."
"I spent four years climbing to the first position on the monument. You, however, reached the second position in just two years."
"I've inquired about you. You only began your cultivation in Solitary Moon City two years ago. To be precise, it took you two years to achieve what others take decades to accomplish. In terms of time, I cannot compare to you."
"So, did you come here today to challenge me?" Lin Miaomiao asked tentatively.
He Rongsheng shook his head and said, "I am the Eye of Destiny, and you are the Ethereal Body. Both of us are rare talents in a millennium. Therefore, I came today to propose marriage."
"Propose marriage?"
Yue Zhuofeng looked surprised, even somewhat shocked. He Rongsheng not only had a reputation for his talent but also an incredibly powerful father.
He Rongsheng's father, Helan Mountain, was the leader of the Qingyun Sect, the most prominent sect in the Nine Provinces.
In the Nine Provinces, any young female disciple from a top sect would surely be moved to tears upon hearing that He Rongsheng had come to propose.
"So your earlier introduction was just to propose?" Lin Miaomiao asked seriously.
He Rongsheng nodded and said, "I have been waiting for you. Thus, upon learning that you arrived in Zhongzhou, I came to visit immediately."
He Rongsheng then took out a white porcelain bottle and said, "This is an Insight Pill, as a token of our meeting."
"An... Insight Pill?"
Xu Butler couldn't help but tremble slightly at those three words. For a Walker, this pill was incredibly precious. Xu Kuan had lingered at Fate Realization for over ten years without any signs of breakthrough.
Fate Realization was the greatest threshold in a Walker's lifetime of cultivation and was notoriously difficult to surpass. The Insight Pill could help a Walker break through to the Enlightenment Realm in one go; its effects and allure were evident. However, it also had significant side effects.
The refinement of an Insight Pill was extremely challenging; even top sects like Azure Cloud Sect possessed no more than two pills. Sects like Fire Departure Sect, Flowing Cloud Sect, and Solitary Moon City didn't even have a single one.
Xu Kuan gazed at the white porcelain bottle, unable to suppress his swallowing reflex as an uncontrollable fervor flickered in his eyes.
Lin Miaomiao suddenly chuckled lightly, revealing two shallow dimples. She said with delight, "Zhongzhou is indeed interesting. I never expected such a wonderful thing to happen."
"Lin Feng, how do you think I should refuse him?" Miaomiao asked as she looked at Lin Feng beside her.
Lin Feng gazed at He Rongsheng and replied quietly, "Just be honest."
"That makes sense," Lin Miaomiao nodded and said, "I'm sorry, but my heart already belongs to someone else."
He Rongsheng was not surprised by the rejection. After all, this was Lin Miaomiao, and he had investigated her. He knew that there was someone named Lin Feng by her side.
What astonished him was when he took out the Questioning Pill; Lin Miaomiao showed no concern at all. Even for himself, he regarded this pill as a treasure.
"I understand. I came here today knowing it wouldn't be successful. The Jiuzhou Gathering Conference is to be held next month, and I have plenty of time. Today was merely an introduction; I shall take my leave now."
"Don't bother seeing me off."
He Rongsheng bowed and left, never once glancing at Lin Feng. Even though he was aware of Lin Feng's presence beside Lin Miaomiao, a person of the Nameless Stone Tablet could hardly catch the eye of someone like him.
After He Rongsheng departed, a servant came to report, "Greetings, steward. Someone wishes to see you."
"So soon? Who is it?" Yue Zhuofeng asked cheerfully.
"She comes from the Red Flower Palace and is looking for Lin Feng," the servant replied.
Before Elder Yue could speak, Lin Feng interjected, "Don't let her in."
"Understood."
The servant retreated but returned after a while to say, "That person isn't leaving. If Lin Feng doesn't go out to meet her, she will just stand there."
"Then let her stand," Lin Feng said.
Lin Miaomiao looked at Lin Feng and asked, "Who is she? Do you know her?"
"I don't know her. I just caught a glimpse of her in the Tang Dynasty palace. Her name is Magenta, and she comes from the Red Flower Palace," Lin Feng replied.
"Knowing each other's name and background doesn't mean you don't know her at all."
Lin Miaomiao glanced at Lin Feng, sensing something was off. She stood up and walked out of the hall.
"Miaomiao, where are you going?" Lin Feng asked as he got up.
"I'm going to check on that person."
Lin Miaomiao quickly made her way outside the manor and spotted a woman dressed in a red skirt. She was beautiful, with a hint of shyness. Lin Miaomiao approached her and asked, "Are you the one looking for Lin Feng?"
Magenta nodded and said, "Ever since Young Master Lin left the palace without a word, I've been searching for him. Today, upon learning where he was staying, I hurried over."
Lin Miaomiao felt increasingly uneasy about the situation. She asked, "Are you very familiar with Lin Feng?"
"Not really; I've only met him once," Magenta replied honestly.
"What do you want with him?" Lin Miaomiao inquired.
Not far away, Lin Feng hid behind a large tree, quietly observing everything. He felt anxious and reluctant to approach Magenta.
"I come from the Red Flower Palace."
"I know that. What do you want with him?"
"I come from the Red Flower Palace," Magenta repeated, her voice growing softer.
"What do you want with him?" Lin Miaomiao began to grow impatient.
Magenta silently regarded Lin Miaomiao, wondering if she too was unaware of what the Red Flower Palace signified, just like Lin Feng.
"I just want to be his maid," Magenta said.
"I'm sorry. He doesn't need one," Lin Miaomiao replied directly.
"I can do many things—serve tea, wash clothes, cook, carry luggage. I can do anything," Magenta added anxiously.
"I'm sorry, but he doesn't need you. Do you have anything else to discuss?" Lin Miaomiao's tone suggested it was time for Magenta to leave.
Magenta's eyes reddened slightly. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Can I see him?"
"No. I have the authority to decide on his matters," Miaomiao firmly refused.
Seeing Magenta fall into silence again, Lin Miaomiao continued, "If there's nothing else, you can go."
Magenta remained quiet but showed no intention of leaving.
The next day, Lone Moon Villa gained a new maid—one who had reached the early stage of Fate Realization in her cultivation. As the master of Lone Moon Villa, Yue Zhuofeng was in a very good mood.
"Ever since the arrival of the Ethereal Body, everything has been slowly changing. This change is wonderful."
Yue Zhuofeng spoke with more confidence and walked with a straight back, feeling that everything around him was vibrant with life.
On this day, news spread quickly throughout Zhongzhou.
"Did you hear? The Azure Cloud Sect's eldest disciple, He Rongsheng, has proposed."
"Of course I heard. He proposed to Lin Miaomiao, who is ranked second on the Ranking on the Stele. They really are a talented pair."
"I heard that Lin Miaomiao rejected him."
"Yes, it's hard to believe she would turn down such a talented man from our Great Zhou."
In the streets, in the mansions, and within the palace walls, everyone was discussing this secret matter.
Of course, the one who leaked this news was Yue Zhuofeng. He was quite pleased with the impact this news had created. In a few days, he planned to embellish it further.
"The Questioning Pill has also been rejected. Once this news spreads, the young people in the Fate Realization Realm will surely go crazy, right?"
Imagining the scene of his doorstep being overwhelmed, Yue Zhuofeng couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"Bring someone here! Expand the village gate a bit." (To be continued)
Comment 0 Comment Count