Engagement

The beautiful maiden before them was none other than Princess Duan Xinye, the sister of Duan Wuya and a prominent figure in the royal family. Not only was she beautiful, but her status was also prominent. More importantly, Duan Xinye, currently without a suitor, naturally drew the envy of numerous noble youths in the imperial city. To win her hand would be a marvelous achievement, elevating their status and granting them more influence within their families. After all, many of them were born into prominent families with numerous siblings, where the struggle for power and profit was inevitable.

Duan Xinye walked straight ahead and took her seat at the main position. Duan Wuya sat beside her and said with a smile, "Xinye, you've met most of the people here. Let me introduce you to one person." With that, Duan Wuya pointed at Lin Feng and said, "Lin Feng, a disciple of Tianyi Academy, possesses exceptional talent, and at a young age, has the strength to defeat Nie Yan."

Duan Xinye raised her head and glanced indifferently at Lin Feng, but when she saw his ragged clothes, she couldn't help but pause. Among the youths present, each was of distinguished status, handsome, and well-dressed. However, Lin Feng, with his tattered clothes, couldn't avoid drawing attention.

But soon, Duan Xinye looked away and did not glance at Lin Feng again. "Xinye, as you can see, many talented youths from the imperial city are here. Have a drink of lovesickness wine and see if anyone catches your eye," Duan Wuya said with a smile. Duan Xinye raised her head, looked at him, shook her head, and said, "Second Brother, what are you talking about?"

"Duan Xinye, with your talent, the youth of the imperial city are eager to compete for your favor," Duan Wuya said with a hearty laugh. Duan Xinye remained silent, showing no interest in anyone present.

At that moment, Yu Tianchen stood up, holding a glass of wine, and walked forward. "Xinye, it's been a while. How have you been?" he asked.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Tianchen. I've been well," Duan Xinye replied calmly, taking a sip of the lovesickness wine.

"I'm relieved to hear that. Grandfather asked about us recently, hoping that I could fulfill his wish and fulfill our engagement," Yu Tianchen said. As his words fell, many people's eyes turned to him, filled with jealousy. Compared to them, Yu Tianchen's background gave him a significant advantage.

While the Yu family had always been low-key, no one dared to underestimate them. Many understood that when it came to the careful division of families, the royal Duan family and the Yu family were truly on the same level. They shared an extremely terrifying commonality, one that the imperial city's Yu family did not possess.

Upon hearing Yu Tianchen mention the engagement, Duan Wuya's gaze deepened as a sharpness flashed in his eyes. "Brother Yu, is that engagement really not with you?" he asked with a faint smile.

"Your Highness, forgive my frankness. With no sons under grandfather's knees and only one daughter, and considering the secrets of my Yu family, Your Highness should be clearer than anyone else. Although I am not the direct descendant of grandfather, the current Yu family regards me as such. Therefore, Xinye's engagement should naturally be considered with me," Yu Tianchen replied confidently, surprising Duan Wuya somewhat. It seemed that Yu Tianchen was in a hurry, as discussing such matters openly in public was unexpected.

"Perhaps the Yu family has a direct line after all," Duan Wuya said with a meaningful look, watching Yu Tianchen.

"It's impossible. Your Highness should be more aware than I am that this situation is impossible to occur," Yu Tianchen asserted confidently. Duan Wuya smiled but said nothing. "In any case, until this matter is settled, Xinye's engagement does not count. She can choose whomever she likes," he said.

"Come, Brother Yu, let's have a drink," Duan Wuya changed the subject, raising his glass with a smile.

Yu Tianchen, knowing this matter couldn't be rushed, drank with Duan Wuya.

Duan Xinye, a member of the royal Duan family, inherited the family's power, possessing a bloodline martial soul. Whoever married her would also benefit greatly, as their future children would inherit the family's power and martial soul.

How could such a woman not attract the attention of the talented youths of the imperial city? Unfortunately, the princess, Duan Xinye, remained indifferent to the matter, showing no interest in finding a suitor, and no one had ever heard of her favoring anyone.

As a princess of the royal family, she had seen too many outstanding youths. Her two elder brothers, Duan Wudao and Duan Wuya, for example, were both extraordinary. Duan Wudao had peerless talent and was domineering, while the Second Prince was also talented and gentle, making it difficult for anyone to compare. It was unlikely that an ordinary person could capture Duan Xinye's heart.

Lin Feng sat quietly, drinking alone. He still didn't understand why Duan Wuya had invited him to the gathering. However, during the banquet, Duan Wuya had given him several meaningful glances, but Lin Feng didn't understand their significance.

"Here, there are beautiful scenery and beautiful people, but it seems to lack something," a voice spoke, and everyone's gaze turned to a person beside Meng Chong.

"Brother Feng, what do you mean?" Meng Chong asked with a smile.

"We young talents are here, so why not add some excitement with martial arts? Let the princess enjoy a bit," the man replied. His words sparked interest among many, as martial arts were always a hot topic. Displaying their strength in front of the princess would indeed be a good idea.

"How do you propose to add excitement?" someone asked, and the man continued, "Of course, through battle. We can choose opponents and have a sparring match."

"Good idea. Brother Feng is extraordinary. I am not a match for him. Whom do you want to spar with, to entertain the princess?" Meng Chong smiled and asked, and Lin Feng, who had been drinking with his head down, felt a gaze land on him. It was from the man named Feng.

Seeing this scene, many eyes turned to Lin Feng. It seemed that the show was about to begin.

"I heard that Brother Lin can defeat Black Demon," Feng Xiao said, raising his cup. "I'm willing to learn from you, Brother Lin. Please enlighten me."

Lin Feng looked up at Feng Xiao and Meng Chong. Seeing the smile in Meng Chong's eyes, Lin Feng sneered inwardly.

"I concede," Lin Feng responded indifferently, then continued to lower his head, not looking at Feng Xiao. His practice of martial arts was not for entertaining or pleasing women.

The crowd was surprised by Lin Feng's quick surrender. It seemed that he was all talk and no skill. If the Second Prince had not exaggerated, how could

 he not even have the courage to accept Feng Xiao's challenge, let alone surrender, losing face in public?

Duan Xinye glanced at Lin Feng, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. Martial artists were often eager for victory, and surrendering so easily was not something a martial artist would do.

"Hehe, Lin Feng, both the prince and the princess are here. Brother Feng invited you to spar with the princess present. Isn't it inappropriate to refuse so directly?" Meng Chong smirked and stared at Lin Feng.

"Are you saying that here, whoever is called upon to spar must agree, no matter what?" Lin Feng looked at Meng Chong and asked.

"It is our honor to entertain the princess. We must do so," Meng Chong replied.

"Very well." Lin Feng nodded slightly, looking at Meng Chong. "Then I'll spar with you now, to entertain the princess. How about that?"

"You..." Meng Chong's gaze froze, a cold light flashing. Although Lin Feng's strength might not be as good as Black Demon's, he was definitely stronger than Meng Chong. Seeing the playful look in Lin Feng's eyes, if he agreed to spar, it would probably not end well for him.

"What's wrong? Didn't you say that it's our honor to entertain the princess? Why are you silent now?" Lin Feng looked at Meng Chong's frozen eyes and asked, making Meng Chong's gaze gradually darken.

Lin Feng didn't care about his eyes, his expression also slightly cold. He said, "If you can't do it, in the future, don't talk nonsense."