Master Yuda sighed softly when he saw Li Gengxin remain silent. "Patriarch Li, I know this request is difficult, but it is the will of our Lord. For his sake, please consider allowing the marriage to be withdrawn. Our Shangguan family acknowledges that this goes against the original agreement, and we feel deeply apologetic. To show our sincerity, the Master is willing to offer your Li clan a piece of Qingyun Dan."
He placed a small green bottle on the table.
The hall was stunned at the offer
Qingyun Dan was a world-renowned treasure. It was a pill capable of allowing a person who could not cultivate to regain their spiritual channels. For anyone below the Elite realm, it could increase their level by one to five stars with no side effects. It was like a Super Serum but in a pill form.
Heaven's Gate's offering one showed just how determined they were to retreat from the marriage.
"Is this still not enough for Patriarch Li?" Master Yuda asked when he saw Li Gengxin's expression remain unchanged. "With this, Li Wei may even regain the ability to cultivate. It is the best future one could hope for."
But Li Gengxin merely glanced at the pill, then looked again toward Li Wei. He had already seen Li Wei's hidden strength last night. Li Wei was no longer a "waste."
That was why Qingyun Dan no longer tempted him.
Seeing his lack of concern, Master Yuda clenched his teeth. He reached into his luggage and produced a gleaming sword, its blade cold and pure white.
"This sword is called Baixue. It is a low-grade earth-rank weapon. If the Li clan accepts the divorce, this blade will belong to you."
The hall exploded again.
An earth-rank weapon.
Something even the Li clan patriarch didn't have.
Li Gengxin himself used only a top yellow-rank sword.
Compared to that, Baixue was like replacing a kitchen knife with a cannon.
This was real power, real status, something that could decide life or death for a warrior. Many disciples' eyes practically burned with longing.
But Li Gengxin still didn't reach for it. He simply looked at Li Wei again, weighing something silently in his heart.
Situ Qingfeng, seeing that even a Qingyun Dan and an earth-rank sword had no effect, finally lost patience. His voice cut through the hall like ice. "Patriarch Li, this marriage termination is ordered by our Lord himself. Your Li clan had better understand your position. Heaven's Gate is not something you can afford to offend."
His tone was cold, arrogant, and threatening. And with his aura radiating out, it was clear he had the strength to back those words.
Li Gengxin turned his head slightly. "And who are you?"
Situ Qingfeng's presence was powerful, far stronger than Li Gengxin's. He was about the same age as Li Wei, yet already a Five-Star Exalt Warrior. His strength easily overshadowed every youth in the Li clan.
If only Li Wei had that level of power…
Situ Qingfeng then spoke with his chin raised proudly. "My name is Situ Qingfeng, chief disciple of Heaven's Gate's Twelfth Peak."
"So," Li Gengxin replied coldly, "you're the one threatening my Li clan?"
Situ Qingfeng didn't bother to respond. Instead, he turned toward Li Wei with open disdain. "Li Wei, the trash who can't cultivate, yet dares to covet a swan like her? Ridiculous. Our Zimen Lord already refuses this marriage. It will be dissolved whether you like it or not. If you are smart, you'll take the benefits now. When the elders of Heaven's Gate arrive later, they won't be this polite."
"Brother Qingfeng! Mind your manners!" Shangguan Siyu snapped. Though she agreed with the divorce, she was embarrassed by his arrogance. If rumors spread saying they bullied a small clan into breaking a marriage contract, how would she face Heaven's Gate or her family?
Situ Qingfeng simply snorted and looked away.
Shangguan Siyu quickly turned to Li Gengxin with an apologetic bow. "Uncle, Patriarch Li, my brother was too impulsive. Please don't take it to heart."
But Li Gengxin shook his head. His voice was hoarse, but steady as he said. "I wouldn't dare compare myself with a genius from Heaven's Gate. And as for you, Siyu… calling me 'uncle' now is inappropriate. Please address me as Patriarch Li, or Li Gengxin."
With that single sentence, he made the boundary crystal clear. The warmth between the families of past generations was severed.
Bitterness flashed in Shangguan Siyu's eyes. She hadn't expected things to go this far, nor for Li Gengxin to reject even Qingyun Dan and Baixue Sword.
She glared at Li Wei from the corner of her vision, blaming him. If he wasn't so weak… if he weren't such a burden… they wouldn't be in this awkward, humiliating position.
Li Gengxin slowly continued, "Siyu, you are now a disciple of Heaven's Gate. Perhaps one day you will become master of the sect. But my Li Wei… he cannot cultivate. He is an ordinary person. He cannot..."
"Patriarch Li agrees?" Master Yuda brightened instantly, almost cutting him off. The Li clan disciples also leaned forward with eagerness. Qingyun Dan, Baixue Sword, either treasure alone was enough to make them drool. Both together were irresistible.
If Li Wei agreed, the Li clan would profit enormously.
But Li Gengxin had barely opened his mouth when another voice cut across the hall like a sharp blade.
"No. This marriage, I will not annul it." It was Li Wei who responded to it.
The hall erupted.
"Li Wei, you..."
"Elders are speaking! Who let you interrupt?!"
"Annuling the marriage is not for you to decide!"
"You're not worthy of her anyway!"
The Li clan disciples nearly leapt from their seats. In their eyes, Li Wei's refusal meant they would lose the Qingyun Pill and Baixue Sword, treasures that could raise the Li clan's strength overnight. Only Li Gengxin, Li Xue, and Li Wei himself remained unfazed.
"Li Wei, shut up!" the Seven Elder barked. "Know your place! Leave at once!"
"Why?" Li Wei replied calmly. "This is my marriage. Why can I not speak?"
"This matter concerns the entire Li clan!" the Seven Elder snapped, face trembling with rage.
Li Meiran also stood, pointing angrily. "You dare disrespect the elders? You've grown bold!"
Li Wei scoffed. "Bold? I am simply stating the truth. This marriage contract is with me. Not with you. Not with the Seven Elder. What right do either of you have to decide my marriage?"
He tilted his head, tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What next? Will you start managing other men's wives, too? If this happened to you, would you want me to handle your marriage as well?"
Li Meiran and the Seven Elders were struck speechless, their faces turning purple with humiliation and rage. Their eyes burned with murderous intent.
Both men thought the same thing:
As soon as this entire mess ends… Li Wei will pay.