9. No, Qing Tan Cannot Marry Him

The female disciple nodded. "The spy did confirm this."

"I see," Ling Qingzhu replied before quickly heading towards the palace where her master resided.

Upon arriving at the palace, her master, Shen Qing, greeted her. "Qingzhu, you're here. Well done, breaking through to the Nirvana Realm so quickly."

Shen Qing, noticing her disciple's advancement, smiled brightly, clearly relieved. The day Chen Xuan confronted Ling Qingzhu, she had secretly examined her body and discovered some hidden secrets. This was one reason she chose to protect her.

Ling Qingzhu respectfully bowed, "Master, something terrible has happened!"

Qin Xiuqing raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Ling Qingzhu hesitated, "I heard that Senior Brother Chen went to the Great Yan Empire."

"That's nothing to worry about. Let him go. It'll give him a chance to clear his mind," Shen Qing replied, knowing full well what was happening but not interfering.

"But..." Ling Qingzhu trailed off.

"Are you worried about him being out there alone?" Shen Qing asked.

"Yes," Ling Qingzhu nodded.

Shen Qing was puzzled. "But haven't you two already divorced?"

If they've separated, why can't he move on and find someone else?

It didn't make sense to her. Although she secretly hoped that Chen Xuan would seek revenge in the Great Yan Empire and return to keep his relationship with Ling Qingzhu, thus preventing an irreplaceable loss to the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, she doubted it would happen.

However, Ling Qingzhu firmly replied, "Master, I never agreed to the separation!"

"This..." Shen Qing had no choice but to let Ling Qingzhu choose someone from among the Nirvana Realm elders to go to the Great Yan Empire

She instructed her disciple to maintain good relations and avoid conflict. Ling Qingzhu eagerly agreed and left to find someone.

Soon after, Elder Ma Fengbin approached her, volunteering for the task. "Qingzhu, I was already planning to visit the Great Yan Empire to see my family in a few days. Let me take care of this matter."

In reality, Ma Fengbin wasn't from the Great Yan Empire at all. The story about visiting family was entirely fabricated. His true goal was to search for the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, a powerful artifact rumored to be in the Great Yan Empire.

He feared Ling Qingzhu might refuse, but she surprisingly agreed. "Thank you for your help, Elder Ma."

"No problem at all," Ma Fengbin smiled, delighted at the opportunity to go openly to the Great Yan Empire in search of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.

Meanwhile, Ling Qingzhu clenched her fists, thinking to herself, Chen Xuan, you are my husband. As long as I don't agree to the divorce, you can forget about it!

…

In the Great Yan Empire, Tian Du Province, Qingyang Town, inside the Lin Family Hall, Lin Zhentian was holding a family meeting.

The Lin family had grown significantly, becoming the dominant force in Qingyang Town. Even the Yan City Lord's mansion treated them with great respect. This filled Lin Zhentian with confidence about returning to the Lin Clan.

Suddenly, Lin Zhentian's expression changed dramatically. He stood up abruptly, startling the others.

Lin Xiao asked curiously, "Father, what's wrong?"

Lin Zhentian, sweating profusely, replied, "I sense an incredibly terrifying presence approaching Qingyang Town."

Everyone was puzzled. What kind of power could make their family head so fearful?

At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the Lin Family Hall, with no prior warning. It was a young man, handsome and dashing.

This young man was none other than Chen Xuan, whose terrifying aura made it hard for everyone in the room to breathe.

Lin Zhentian, bracing himself, stepped forward. "I am Lin Zhentian…"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Xuan interrupted, "Is Lin Dong here?"

"Lin Dong?" The crowd was confused. Could this young man be Lin Dong's friend? He was so powerful that even their family head seemed afraid.

Lin Zhentian relaxed slightly and smiled. "Lin Dong left Qingyang Town a few days ago to prepare for the family competition. Before he left, he even sparred with the Yan City Lord, who has reached the Initial level of the Creation Realm."

This statement was clearly meant to subtly warn Chen Xuan.

However, Chen Xuan wasn't fazed. A mere Initial Creation Realm cultivator? He could crush such a person with just two fingers.

Scanning the hall and seeing no sign of Lin Qing Tan, Chen Xuan declared, "I'm here to inform you that Lin Qing Tan is now mine. In two years, at the Lin Clan's family competition, we will wed."

Lin Zhentian tried to respond, but Chen Xuan interrupted, "If you dare help her escape, I'll wipe out the entire Lin family!"

With that, Chen Xuan lightly flicked his finger.

Boom!

The table in the hall instantly shattered into dust. Lin Zhentian's eyes widened in shock. Such terrifying strength!

Even the Yan City Lord wouldn't stand a chance against him. Who is this young man? He had never heard of such an exceptional talent in the Great Yan Empire, not even Lin Langtian, who once injured Lin Xiao, could compare.

Even after Chen Xuan's departure, the Lin family members remained in stunned silence. They all turned to Lin Xiao.

Lin Mang suggested, "Father, for the sake of our family, we may have to let Qing Tan marry him. Besides, he is strong, so Qing Tan—"

Before he could finish, Lin Xiao interrupted, shaking his head firmly. "No, Qing Tan cannot marry him!"

Lin Xiao could sense the overwhelming malice in Chen Xuan, as if he wasn't marrying Qing Tan out of love, but out of vengeance. Sacrificing Qing Tan to keep the family safe wasn't Lin Xiao's way.

Lin Mang, glaring, questioned, "Lin Xiao! Are you willing to watch the family be destroyed?"

Lin Xiao responded forcefully, "I don't care. Qing Tan is my daughter, and I must protect her!"

"And what about the family? Will you just abandon it?"

"If I can't even protect my own daughter, what's the point of protecting the family?"

"How can you be so stubborn?"

"Regardless, I won't agree! If you want someone to replace Qing Tan, why don't you offer up your own daughter?" Lin Xiao's determination was unwavering.

Lin Mang wanted to argue further, but Lin Zhentian cut him off. "Enough. This is serious. I'll need to head to Lin City immediately."

After a long silence, Lin Ken suddenly spoke. "Should we tell Lin Dong about this?"

Lin Zhentian shook his head. "No. Lin Dong is our family's hope for the future. He must stay focused."