Returning to his own courtyard, even though he hadn't been back for a year, it was still spotless, a sign that people often came to clean.
After tidying up his bedding, Chu Ming sat cross-legged on the bed, quietly cultivating, slowly consolidating his cultivation.
...
The night faded away, and dawn arrived.
Early in the morning, the Chu family welcomed a guest, Bai Xuefeng, the patriarch of the Bai Family!
Beside Bai Xuefeng was a girl about sixteen or seventeen years old. She wore white clothes, had a graceful figure, and a soft, beautiful face. She was undoubtedly a budding beauty, destined to be stunningly beautiful in the future.
In the council hall, Chu He, dressed in purple, warmly greeted them, with Yu Guxue standing by his side.
"Brother Bai, what wind brought you here, and also niece Han Yan!"
Although Bai Xuefeng had an elegant name, he was eight feet tall, with a build like a bear. He said somewhat awkwardly, "Today, I have some urgent matters to discuss with Brother Chu!" Standing next to him, Bai Hanyan remained silent, but there was a slight look of arrogance in her eyes from time to time.
"What matter could it be? Come in and sit down. Someone, serve tea and get seats!"
Chu He laughed heartily, but the more he saw Chu He acting this way, the more awkward Bai Xuefeng felt. However, thinking of his daughter's future, he bit his lip and walked into the hall.
After they were seated, Chu He curiously asked, "I wonder what urgent matter Brother Bai has come to discuss this time?"
Blushing, Bai Xuefeng asked, "I wonder if Young Nephew Chu Ming has returned from the Cyan Yang Sect?"
Chu He immediately laughed, "Ming'Er just got home yesterday, I didn't expect Brother Bai to visit today. Could it be related to Ming'Er?" After saying that, he cast his eyes on Bai Hanyan, becoming more satisfied the more he looked.
"It does have a bit to do with him!" Bai Xuefeng said with some embarrassment.
"Oh?" Chu He's expression changed, he glanced at Bai Hanyan, and his heart stirred. Yu Guxue by his side also seemed to be deep in thought.
"A few days ago, my daughter was encountered by a mysterious master passing through the Great Yan Kingdom. He checked her physique and found it to be the rare Water Spirit Body and personally accepted her as a direct disciple. He will take her for cultivation in a few days!" Bai Xuefeng gritted his teeth and fully revealed the whole situation.
"Let me first congratulate Brother Bai then. Being accepted as a direct disciple by a mysterious master means niece's future is sure to be bright!" Chu He said cheerfully, but suddenly, his face turned ugly, as Bai Xuefeng mentioned that the mysterious master would take Bai Hanyan away.
"Then what about the engagement between Ming'Er and niece..." Chu He said grimly. If he still didn't understand Bai Xuefeng's purpose by now, he wouldn't be fit to be the Chu family's patriarch. Yu Guxue's face also turned ugly, and a surge of anger was forcibly suppressed.
"The engagement between the two...I think we should call it off!" Bai Xuefeng said with a face full of shame, feeling a sense of relief after speaking.
"How can that be? We agreed on this back in the day! How can you go back on your word!" Chu He's face turned ugly, veins bulging on his hands.
"This is not only my decision but also that of the mysterious master, and Han Yan agrees as well!" Bai Xuefeng said lightly, taking out a porcelain bottle from his storage ring, inside was a blue elixir, spinning.
"This is a True Dao Elixir. Consider it compensation for breaking off the engagement with the Chu family!"
"Han Yan, you..." Chu He did not look at the True Dao Elixir, but looked at Bai Hanyan with a face full of shock and dismay. He never expected that the obedient Bai Hanyan who always appeared so compliant had been against her engagement to Chu Ming all along.
"Yes, breaking off the engagement was also my idea. My master is a supreme strongman in the Realm of Transcendence. My future is boundless, while Chu Ming has reached his limit and will only be a True Dao Martial Artist at best. The difference between us is too great. Uncle Chu, you wouldn't want Chu Ming to live in my shadow forever, would you?"
Bai Hanyan said calmly, like a proud peacock, each word hitting Chu He's heart.
"Brother Chu, that's all I have to say. This time it's our Bai family's fault. I'll take my leave now!"
Taking a deep breath, Bai Xuefeng stood up, bringing Bai Hanyan with him to leave.
"Take the elixir with you!"
Chu He waved his hand, and an invisible Qi Force sent the porcelain bottle flying towards Bai Xuefeng.
Catching the bottle, Bai Xuefeng left silently with Bai Hanyan.
Crack!
After Bai Xuefeng left the hall, Chu He squeezed the armrest of his chair into pieces, his face livid. Yu Guxue by his side was also visibly angry, complaining, "The Bai family really has no decency!"
"Sigh!" Chu He sighed, the joy of seeing Chu Ming transform into a genius had long been overshadowed by this matter.
"Don't tell Ming'Er about this for now, to avoid affecting his cultivation!" Yu Guxue said worriedly, and Chu He nodded in agreement.
However, paper cannot wrap fire. Three days later, the Bai family sent a letter to annul the engagement, and soon, the entire Chu family and even the whole Great Yan City knew about it.
Unwittingly, the Chu family and Chu Ming had become the laughing stock of everyone, a topic of conversation over tea. The only comparable topic was Bai Hanyan being taken as a direct disciple by a master in the Realm of Transcendence. Everyone understood that the Bai family was about to soar, with a master from the Realm of Transcendence, even the smallest gesture could shake the entire Great Yan Kingdom.
From then on, even the Five Great Sects would have to treat the Bai family with respect.
Chu Ming also heard the news. Instead of feeling troubled, he felt a sense of relief, no longer fearing being forced into the marriage by his parents. As for Bai Hanyan being accepted by a master in the Realm of Transcendence, he was indeed surprised.
The Realm of Transcendence is above the Guiyuan Realm and below the Life and Death Realm. In the Celestial Realm, where no Life and Death Realm strongmen had appeared for five hundred years, the Realm of Transcendence was essentially the peak of power in the Celestial Realm.
After three days of cultivation, Chu Ming had fully consolidated his Spiritual Power within his body. Feeling bored staying in the Chu family, he decided to go for a walk in the city.
Great Yan City, the capital of the Great Yan Kingdom, had a vast number of martial artists. The streets were bustling with people coming and going. The shops along the streets mainly sold items needed by martial artists, with much higher quality than what was generally available in the market, naturally at higher prices.
"Chu Ming!"
However, shortly after Chu Ming left the Chu Mansion, a delighted voice suddenly called out.
Hearing this voice, Chu Ming froze for a moment and turned around, only to see a seventeen-year-old youth looking at him joyfully from not far away. This young man was at the Fifth Layer of the Transcendence Realm, with traces of Evil Qi around him, evidently having experienced real battle.
Recognizing the person, Chu Ming's face broke into a smile, "Qiwen, long time no see!"
Chu Qiweng was Chu Ming's childhood playmate. When they were young, Chu Qiweng often defended Chu Ming when he was bullied. They had a very close relationship. After Chu Ming joined the Cyan Yang Sect, Chu Qiweng also apprenticed under a True Dao peak master and went out to train for years, only returning to the family at the end of the year.