LABMY CH103.1 [Arc 5]

Chapter 103: The Pitiful One Who Was Rejected in Marriage

Tai Shi Mountain City, the Mu family.

The fiancée of the young master of the Mu family, who had joined the Wenxian Sect a year ago, had returned. However, the atmosphere within the Mu family was heavy. Along with the fiancée and her parents, two elders from the Wenxian Sect had also arrived.

The Mu family, who had been eagerly preparing for her return ever since they received the news half a month ago, never expected things to turn out like this.

The entire house had been thoroughly cleaned, and the courtyard where the fiancée would stay was spotless, adorned with the freshest and most delicate flowers. Yet, at this moment, the atmosphere in the Mu family’s main hall was as if the air had frozen.

The head of the Mu family sat in the main seat with a grim expression, while the elders beside him lowered their eyes, hiding the mockery within.

The younger generation of the Mu family, sitting in the hall, were suppressed by the patriarch’s aura, their heads lowered like quails, not daring to make a sound.

Even the servants of the Mu family didn’t dare pass by the hall, hiding far away.

All of this was because the young master of the Mu family, Mu Jingzhuo’s fiancée, Shen Zhilan, had come not to visit, but to break off the engagement.

Because the message sent back mentioned that the elders of the Wenxian Sect would also come, the entire Mu family gathered in the hall. If it had only been Shen Zhilan, neither the elders nor the younger generation would have gathered like this.

Now, what was supposed to be the grandest reception had turned into a public humiliation for the Mu family patriarch in front of everyone.

No matter what others thought, everyone tried their best to lower their heads.

Mu Chuan stared deeply at Shen Zhilan’s father, Shen Siyan, and said, “Back then, it was you who insisted on arranging this marriage with my son. Now that you’ve brought people here, what? If we don’t agree to break off the engagement today, are you going to use force?”

Shen Siyan’s face showed difficulty as he replied, “Patriarch Mu, you know your son’s condition. Dragging this on benefits neither side.”

An elder in the Nascent Soul stage beside him said, “We are reasonable people. As long as Mu Jingzhuo and Zhilan have a duel, we will pretend this matter was never brought up.”

Mu Chuan slammed the table fiercely. The wooden table instantly shattered into pieces, “A ‘reasonable’ solution, huh? My son’s cultivation fell drastically three years ago. Who doesn’t know about this?”

“How do you expect him to compete with Shen Zhilan?”

Shen Zhilan, who had been silent, spoke, “Mu Jingzhuo is currently at the early stage of Qi Refining. I will suppress my strength to the same level. This should be fair.”

Shen Siyan added, “Patriarch Mu, let your son come out. Hiding like this won’t solve anything.”

However, Mu Chuan wasn’t hiding his son to avoid the marriage rejection. He truly didn’t know where Mu Jingzhuo had gone.

At that moment, deep in the mountains east of Tai Shi Mountain City, the person the entire Mu family was frantically searching for was hiding there.

Mu Jingzhuo was crouching behind a scorched bush, cautiously peeking ahead.

A rumbling sound echoed as the ground trembled. Countless birds were startled and flapped their wings, landing on tree branches.

A massive bird, covered in wounds and dripping blood, lay on the ground convulsing as if struck by lightning. With each twitch, the earth trembled.

Mu Jingzhuo had only come out to clear his mind, but who would have thought that a bolt of lightning would strike from the clear sky, bringing down this strange giant bird with it?

The bird’s wings drooped, each spanning over ten feet. Its half-open eyes revealed a human-like expression of agony.

Mu Jingzhuo didn’t dare get too close and could only hide nearby, observing. He guessed that this bird was likely a demon beast, though he wasn’t sure of its rank.

Even though it was severely injured, the pressure radiating from it made it hard for Mu Jingzhuo to breathe.

He hid there, hoping for the beast to die. A demon beast of such a high rank, capable of exerting such pressure, was likely to have a demon core.

A single demon core could be sold for thousands of spirit stones. Even as the young master of the Mu family, Mu Jingzhuo couldn’t resist such temptation.

Not to mention, the body of a demon beast was full of treasures, from flesh to bones, all valuable.

Consumed by the thought of the demon core, Mu Jingzhuo completely forgot that his fiancée was returning today. He lay hidden in the scorched bush for over an hour.

Though only sixteen years old, Mu Jingzhuo lacked the impulsiveness of his peers and was extremely patient. To avoid being detected by the beast, he remained motionless.

His youthful face was filled with focus. Outwardly calm, but inwardly in awe.

Perhaps because he had been in the area when the beast fell and hadn’t moved, the demon beast failed to notice him. However, the commotion of the beast’s fall attracted many wild animals from the deep mountains.

Tai Shi Mountain City wasn’t large, and the mountains here didn’t house many true demon beasts—only ordinary wild animals. Otherwise, Mu Jingzhuo wouldn’t have dared to come.

Under normal circumstances, these beasts would avoid trouble and never provoke a demon beast. But now, drawn by the thick scent of blood and sensing the dying state of the bird, they continuously charged forward.

The black bears, the most numerous beasts in the mountains, fell one after another. Just when the bird seemed on the verge of death, it would miraculously lift its wing and precisely slice the bears’ throats.

Mu Jingzhuo was only at the early stage of Qi Refining. One black bear, he could handle. But with so many, he would only be able to run for his life. Yet, this dying bird could still easily kill them all.

The smell of blood grew thicker, and the overwhelming scent of death scared away other beasts. Even the insects and birds fled.

Mu Jingzhuo still didn’t leave, patiently waiting. Finally, he saw the bird’s head droop.

To be safe, he waited a little longer. Then, to his astonishment, he witnessed the massive bird’s body shrink inch by inch until it turned into… an egg?

Mu Jingzhuo cautiously approached and reached out to touch the egg. The moment his finger made contact, a searing pain shot through him.

He even heard the sizzling sound of flesh being burned. Mu Jingzhuo gasped in pain, shaking his hand to ease the burning sensation.

When he looked at his hand, the skin on his finger had been completely burned off from that brief touch.

“It hurts!” Mu Jingzhuo had always lived a pampered life. Even after his cultivation fell, the suffering was internal, not physical. This kind of pain brought tears to his eyes.

Since no one was around, he didn’t bother holding back. Tears streamed down his face as he stared at the beautifully patterned egg in distress.

How was he supposed to bring this egg back?

Mu Jingzhu was dumbfounded as he tried various tools to pick up the egg, only for each tool to burst into flames the moment it touched the eggshell. The heavy scent of blood in the air made him nearly vomit. After much deliberation, Mu Jingzhu covered the egg with a blood-stained clump of soil to hide it, planning to discuss with his father how to bring it back.

With blood on his hands, Mu Jingzhu went to the river to wash them before rushing home.

“Young Master!” A servant ran toward him before he even reached the entrance. “We’ve been searching for you everywhere! Please head to the main hall immediately.”

Mu Jingzhu, confused, followed the servant. It wasn’t until he was near the main hall that he suddenly remembered — today was the day his nominal fiancée was returning.

He quickly entered the hall and immediately apologized, “Father, Elders, Uncle Shen, I apologize for being late.”

However, Mu Jingzhu’s mind was still on the egg and was eager to finish the meaningless pleasantries and speak privately with his father. He said, “It’s getting late, perhaps we could…”

Before he could finish, Mu Jingzhu noticed the dark expression on his father Mu Chuan’s face, and the heavy atmosphere in the hall became apparent.

Mu Chuan, as the clan leader, sat at the head seat. To his right sat five individuals, three of whom were strangers. Mu Jingzhu’s gaze briefly lingered on two elderly men. Despite being only at the Qi Refining stage, he could sense the faint pressure emanating from them.

Mu Jingzhu’s heart tightened. One of the elders gave him a feeling that rivaled his father, a Nascent Soul cultivator who held the position of clan leader. This implied that the elder’s strength was enough to be revered as an honored guest in any major sect.

The other elder, though not as powerful, exuded an aura that suggested he was likely at the Golden Core stage.

Compared to the two elders, Mu Jingzhu barely glanced at the other two. One was a young man in a dark green robe, appearing around eighteen or nineteen, with a handsome appearance.

Given Mu Jingzhu’s cultivation level, he could discern that the young man was at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

However, when Mu Jingzhu’s gaze fell on the young girl beside him, his expression slightly shifted.

The girl, slightly younger than the young man, was strikingly beautiful. Despite her age, it was clear she would grow into a peerless beauty. She carried a hint of impatience between her brows, but instead of being off-putting, it stirred a desire to soothe her worries and offer her treasures.

With her chin slightly raised and an air of pride, she exuded elegance. Her cultivation was already at the early Foundation Establishment stage, making her an undeniable prodigy.

This girl was none other than Mu Jingzhu’s nominal fiancée — Shen Zhilan.

Mu Jingzhu’s gaze didn’t linger on her for long. Although they were engaged, he felt nothing for her.

Shen Zhilan was indeed beautiful, but Mu Jingzhu was indifferent. After staying at the Mu family for less than half a year to “cultivate feelings,” Shen Zhilan had been taken as a disciple by an elder from the prestigious Wenxian Sect due to her Water Spirit Root talent.

Mu Jingzhu hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, “Father…?”

It was Shen Siyin, Shen Zhilan’s uncle, who finally spoke. “Jingzhu, it’s been a while. Has your cultivation improved?”

“My son, Clan Leader Shen, let’s not pretend to be close,” Mu Chuan said coldly. “Since you’ve come to break off the engagement, why the need for pleasantries?”

Break off the engagement?

Mu Jingzhu’s expression darkened.

Shen Zhilan, the delicate beauty, spoke up, “Mu Jingzhu, you and I are no longer on the same path. We are destined to have no future together. Therefore, we are here today to formally annul the engagement.”

The Nascent Soul elder beside her added, “Since entering the Wenxian Sect, Zhilan has been highly favored by the sect leader and has now become his personal disciple. At just fifteen, she has already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. With her future limitless, the sect leader has advised her to sever all emotional ties and focus solely on cultivation.”

The elder deliberately emphasized “sect leader,” making the message clear to everyone present.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire Mu family, expressions of pity, ridicule, and sympathy filled the hall as they all turned to the young Mu Jingzhu.

Mu Jingzhu found it laughable. He raised his head, flames of anger burning in his eyes. “Shen Zhilan, who do you think you are?”

The engagement? He didn’t care.

Shen Zhilan was beautiful, but Mu Jingzhu felt nothing for her. He would have accepted the annulment if she had approached him privately.

However, she chose to bring a Nascent Soul elder, make a grand scene, and humiliate him and his father in front of the entire Mu family.

Did she think he would cling to her like a lovesick fool?

Shen Siyin sighed and said, “Nephew, you know your situation. It’s been three years, and your cultivation hasn’t advanced. How could you possibly be worthy of Zhilan?”

Mu Chuan’s expression turned cold. “Don’t forget, my son reached half-step Foundation Establishment after just one year of cultivation. It was your Shen family who begged for this engagement back then!”

Shen Siyin chuckled. “That was in the past. Now, your son possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root but cannot absorb spiritual energy. How can you expect my niece to waste her future on a waste?”

Mu Chuan clenched his fists tightly, unable to refute, for every word spoken was the harsh truth.

The once prodigious young master of the Mu family, Mu Jingzhu, had now become a useless cultivator who could not absorb spiritual energy.

In the vast Ninefold Continent, to be born as a descendant of an ancient cultivation family yet unable to sense the omnipresent spiritual energy was nothing short of a joke.

In this world ruled by cultivators, all individuals would undergo a spiritual root test upon reaching the age of twelve. The quality of one’s spiritual root determined the future of their cultivation path. Without a spiritual root, one was no different from a cripple.

Those with spiritual roots who practiced cultivation techniques could absorb the world’s spiritual energy to temper their bodies. The cultivation path was divided into seven major realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Body Fusion, and Great Ascension.

Each realm was further divided into early, middle, and late stages.

In addition to a cultivator’s personal strength, the quality of the cultivation technique they practiced also played a crucial role. Techniques were ranked from low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, to the legendary Heaven-grade.

However, Heaven-grade techniques had long been lost to history, with none appearing for hundreds of years. Thus, in the Ninefold Continent, high-grade techniques were considered the pinnacle.

The quality of a technique determined one’s advantage in battle. A powerful technique could even allow a cultivator to challenge those of higher realms.

In this world, cultivation was everything. One could go without food, water, or sleep, but never without cultivation.

Mu Jingzhu was supposed to be one of the countless cultivators in this world. However, this statement was not entirely accurate—because, despite being at the early Qi Refining stage, he had yet to truly step into the gates of cultivation. Only by reaching Foundation Establishment could one be considered a true cultivator.

Yet, Mu Jingzhu might never have that chance.

Ever since his sudden drop in cultivation, although he could still sense the spiritual energy around him, no matter how hard he tried, he could not draw it into his dantian.

He was once hailed as the only genius in the Mu family to possess a Heaven-grade spiritual root. However, the moment he began cultivation, the spiritual energy that should have flowed into his body refused to enter.

Now, in front of the entire Mu family, being humiliated by his fiancée’s father, Mu Jingzhu clenched his teeth so hard he nearly crushed them.

At the age of twelve, he had awakened his Heaven-grade spiritual root and stepped onto the cultivation path. The first time he guided spiritual energy into his body, he absorbed dozens of times more than others. In less than a year, he reached the peak of Qi Refining and was half a step into Foundation Establishment.

At that time, Shen Siyin had not shown such a condescending attitude.

Yet now that he had become a “waste,” the Shen father and daughter dared to trample on him.

Shen Zhilan sighed softly, “Mu Jingzhu, whether you agree or not, this engagement must end. Hiding outside and avoiding us won’t change anything.”

Mu Jingzhu sneered, “Shen Zhilan, are you sure you’ve got things clear? Back then, who was the one following me around like a dog?”

“You stayed at the Mu family for half a year. Did I ever visit your courtyard once?”

“And now you claim I hid outside to avoid the annulment? Take a look in the mirror. Do you think you’re worthy of my attention?”

Shen Zhilan’s face turned cold. “I followed you because the Mu family held great power. I was alone and helpless. Do you think I enjoyed it?”

Mu Jingzhu almost laughed in rage. “Back then, your family begged for this engagement. And now, you dare accuse my Mu family of forcing you?”

“You want to annul the marriage, but you have to insult me along the way?”

His gaze swept over Shen Zhilan with disdain. “To be honest, I never found you appealing in the first place.”