"Fiancée?"
Ye Lingling blinked, clearly stunned. "You knew?"
"Yeah, I just found out," Ye Feng replied, reaching out and flicking her forehead lightly. "You're such a dummy. You really thought you could keep something like that from me? If Dong'er hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known we were engaged since childhood."
Ye Lingling hesitated. "So... what do you think?"
"Marriage is a serious matter, one usually arranged by a matchmaker," Ye Feng said calmly. "My parents are gone now. If I don't accept this marriage, wouldn't that be a betrayal of their wishes?"
Smiling, he wrapped his arm around Ye Lingling's slender waist.
His actions were all the answer she needed—he acknowledged their engagement. Of course, what truly moved him was her unwavering affection. And beyond that, Ye Lingling was graceful, elegant, and undoubtedly beautiful.
Her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head, heart pounding.
"Didn't you say you wanted to go home?" she asked suddenly, stepping out of his embrace.
"Let's go get someone to prepare two horses."
"Horses? For what?"
"To go home, obviously."
Ye Feng chuckled. "That's way too slow. I have something faster."
"What kind of transport?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Ye Feng reached out once more, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Ye Lingling instinctively tried to pull away, but before she could, the scenery around them began to blur. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, they were standing inside a spacious hall.
A man sat at the head of the room. He had a refined and composed appearance—handsome face, straight nose, calm eyes, and a spotless white robe. He appeared to be in his forties, with long black hair flowing freely behind him. Everything about him was effortless and natural.
"Dad?"
"Lingling?"
Father and daughter stared at each other in shock, speaking at the same time.
Two elderly men stood nearby, having just been speaking with the middle-aged man when Ye Feng and Ye Lingling arrived.
"Miss, why have you returned so suddenly?" one of the old men asked curiously.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't return to the clan until you brought Ye Feng back to recognize his heritage?" the other added.
Ye Feng looked at Ye Lingling in surprise. "You made a vow like that?"
Ye Lingling's face turned crimson. She pulled away from Ye Feng's arm, stormed over to the old man, and scolded, "Second Grandpa, what nonsense are you spouting?! I never said that!"
"Nonsense?" the Second Elder huffed. "Everyone in the clan knows about it!"
He paused, studying Ye Feng's face closely. His eyes suddenly widened. "Lingling, this boy… is he Xin'er's son, Ye Feng?"
Ye Lingling nodded. "Yes."
"My child, you're finally back!" The old man stepped forward emotionally, gripping Ye Feng's shoulders.
"Lingling, who is this?" Ye Feng asked gently.
"This is the Second Elder of our Nine-Heart Begonia Sect. The other is the Third Elder. They're both my grandfather's brothers," she explained.
Ye Feng nodded and greeted politely, "Greetings, Second Elder. Greetings, Third Elder."
"And the one sitting over there is my father—Begonia Spirit Master, Ye Chen."
Ye Feng turned to the man, clasped his fists and bowed slightly. "Uncle, it's an honor to meet you."
"Ye Feng, you're finally back."
Ye Chen appeared in front of him in an instant. He looked Ye Feng up and down, eyes filled with emotion. "You really resemble my sister. But why now? Have you found the one responsible for your parents' deaths?"
Ye Feng nodded.
"Who was it?" Ye Chen asked solemnly.
"Tang Hao. The Clear Sky Spirit Master."
Ye Chen's expression darkened. His hands clenched as he muttered, "I suspected as much. There are few people powerful enough to kill my sister and her husband… and he's certainly one of them. Don't worry, Ye Feng. I'll help you avenge them."
"Master, we must approach this carefully," the Second Elder reminded him. "Even though Tang Hao was expelled, he still carries the Clear Sky legacy. If we act recklessly, we may bring the entire clans wrath upon us."
"So we just do nothing?" Ye Chen asked with frustration.
"We're not doing nothing," the elder replied calmly. "We're waiting. If we strike, it must be to wipe the Clear Sky Sect out completely—so they can't retaliate."
Ye Chen sighed. "You're right." He patted Ye Feng's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, nephew. Leave this to me. I'll make sure justice is served."
"No need," Ye Feng said with a calm smile.
"There's no need to be polite—"
"You misunderstood, Uncle. I meant… Tang Hao has already been captured."
Ye Chen was stunned. "Captured?"
Ye Feng nodded. "Dong'er took care of it."
"Dong'er… You mean Bibi Dong?"
"Yes."
"Good." Ye Chen exhaled sharply. "He must not be allowed to go unpunished."
"Agreed," Ye Feng said firmly.
Ye Chen suddenly remembered something. "Ye Feng, there's something you should know. You and Lingling were betrothed before you were even born. The engagement was arranged when your mother was just pregnant."
"I know," Ye Feng replied with a smile.
"Lingling told you?" Ye Chen asked, glancing at his daughter.
"No," she quickly answered. "It was Sister Bibi Dong who told my cousin."
"Then... what are your thoughts?" Ye Chen looked intently at Ye Feng.
In response, Ye Feng gently took Ye Lingling's hand. She tried to pull away, but he held it firmly.
Her face turned bright red, but she didn't resist further.
"Hahaha! Excellent, excellent!" Ye Chen laughed heartily. "So, when are you planning to give me a grandchild?"
Ye Feng blinked. "Grandchild?"
Ye Lingling's eyes widened too. "Dad! Don't say such things!"
"Alright, alright. I won't pressure you," Ye Chen said with a grin. "You can have a child whenever you want. Even if it's before marriage, I won't care what anyone says. I'm open-minded like that."
"Dad…"
Ye Lingling was beyond embarrassed. Her ears turned red as she shot her father a deadly glare.
Ye Chen suddenly turned serious again. "Ye Feng, what are your plans moving forward?"
"I'm heading to the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow to negotiate with the 100,000-year spirit beasts," Ye Feng replied.
"Tomorrow? That soon? You just got back. Why not stay for a few days?"
"There's something important I need to confirm—besides the negotiation."
Ye Feng's gaze turned distant.
To him, none of the Five Supreme Gods were a threat. After all, he had inherited the throne of the God of Creation. But there was one thing that unsettled him: the Dragon God's legacy. Whether it was as he suspected—he could only be sure after meeting the Silver Dragon King.
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I didn't realize the Discord Link I shared had an expiration date, so I've updated it. Here's the new link
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Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters
Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03
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Discord Link Here:
https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9