Chapter 306 - Advancement Feast

In a quiet room, Yi Jiuyang gazed at Yi Qiushui before looking up and releasing a sigh. “Qiushui, I’ve let you down.

“Father...”

“Yi Jiuyang said, “Qiushui, that bastard Xu Hu is hell-bent on marrying you. In three days, he'll undoubtedly broach the subject of marriage at Xu Long's Advancement Feast, possibly threatening the entire Yi Clan. Qiushui, take Ling'er with you and leave the city immediately. The farther, the safer.”

Yi Qiushui shook her head and said, “Father, what will happen to the Yi Clan if I leave? Xu Long now reigns supreme over the city; our Yi Clan simply can’t bear the Xu Clan’s wrath if I am gone.”

“But I can’t just sit by and watch as you send yourself into the wolf’s den. Everyone in Thousand Waters City knows how despicable Xu Hu is. If you married him, that’s no different from walking into the tiger’s mouth. You won’t see the light of day.”

“I’m afraid this is my fate, Father.” Yi Qiushui desperately held back tears and said, “If I leave, the Xu Clan will eradicate the entire Yi Clan. Many people will die because of me.

“Besides, I’m already at the age to be married. It’s the same whoever I marry. That Xu Hu... although he’s ugly and is brutal, he does have extremely high talent in martial arts...”

Yi Jiuyang shook his head and said, “No way, Qiushui. That bastard Xu Hu has devastated countless women over the years. Marrying him would lead to nothing but misery for you."

“I’ve decided, Father. For the sake of the Yi Clan, I'm willing to marry Xu Hu. Plus, where could we possibly go even if we left?"

Yi Qiushui sounded sorrowful.

“But—”

Yi Jiuyang wanted to say more, but Yi Qiushui cut him off and said, “No need to say anymore, Father. Second Uncle is right. Marrying into the Xu Clan isn't a loss for me. Our ancestor worked hard to establish the Yi Clan in Thousand Waters City, and he wouldn't approve if he knew the clan might face its demise because of me."

“Father, I’ve made up my mind. You don’t have to persuade me any further. I’ll be taking my leave.”

Without waiting for Yi Jiuyang to respond, Yi Qiushui left the room.

Yi Jiuyang looked at Yi Qiushui’s departing back. He clenched his fists tightly, his veins bulging out. Eventually, he sighed helplessly, appearing as though he had aged a decade instantly.

......

Yi Clan, a guest room:

“Phew... whatever, I’ll repay this favor in three days and leave immediately.”

Chen Fan sat on the bed, his eyes flickering with determination.

In the Yi Clan’s main hall, he had sorted out the information he had heard and roughly understood the Yi Clan’s predicament.

A Xu Clan member was now a Yuanfu realm expert, and their young master coveted Yi Qiushui’s beauty. He planned to hold the entire Yi Clan hostage to make her comply.

“In three days, huh... That’s enough. My injuries are heavy, but killing a newly advanced ant should be easy.”

Chen Fan set aside his thoughts and focused on healing. Time flew, and before he knew it, three days had passed.

“Phew.” Chen Fan opened his eyes and exhaled a turbid breath.

After consuming plenty of Recovery Elixirs and recuperating for three days, Chen Fan had recovered about fifty to sixty percent from his injuries.

“Today is the Xu Clan’s Advancement Feast, huh.”

As he stretched, his movements produced popping sounds like crackling beans.

He opened the doors to his room and headed toward the Yi Clan’s martial arts arena. Along the way, the tense atmosphere within the Yi Clan was palpable.

Gathered at the training ground, many clan members seemed visibly frustrated and angry.

“Damn it, that scumbag Xu Hu isn’t worthy of Sister Qiushui.”

“How frustrating. Why am I only at the fifth level? Sister Qiushui wouldn’t have to sacrifice herself to protect the clan if I were stronger.”

“Shut up, all of you. Why aren’t you cultivating hard when you know Qiushui is sacrificing herself to protect the clan? Will you let her sacrifice herself for nothing?”

“......”

The Yi Clan’s juniors were all agitated and resentful.

Soon, Yi Jiuyang, Yi Qiushui, and others approached the crowd. The Yi Clan members immediately greeted them.

“Patriarch!”

“Second Master.”

“Mmm.” Yi Jiuyang responded indifferently. His expression didn’t seem well.

Following him, Yi Qiushui appeared distant and detached.

“Let’s go. To the Xu Clan,” Yi Jiuyang said.

Xu Long’s Advancement Feast was today. It was to celebrate Xu Long’s advancement into the Yuanfu realm. Of course, this was also a strategy of collecting wealth from people in disguise.

After all, one couldn’t possibly attend the Advancement Feast empty-handed. Naturally, they had to bring some gifts.

The group walked toward the gates.

“Hold on a moment.” A voice rang out. Chen Fan approached them and said, “May I accompany you?”

Before Yi Jiuyang could speak, Yi Yan rebuked coldly, “Why should you come? We’ve already let you stay and eat for free at our place for three days. What, are you planning to mooch off the Xu Clan too?”

Chen Fan ignored Yi Yan, his gaze fixed on Yi Jiuyang, awaiting his decision.

Yi Jiuyang frowned momentarily, then said, “Forget it. Since you want to come with us, then follow along. It doesn’t matter anyway.”

With a nod, Chen Fan fell in step with the group as they proceeded to the Xu Clan.

“Mister Chen Fan, can you help my sister? She's doomed if she marries Xu Hu."

Yi Ling’er and Chen Fan were walking in the back. Her big pair of bright and intelligent eyes were completely red right now.

Despite her youth, the gravity of the situation was not lost on her.

Chen Fan tousled Yi Ling’er’s head and smiled. “Sure. Don’t worry, I’ll help your sister.”

“Really?” Yi Ling’er was a little unconvinced and said, “Xu Long is very powerful, I heard. Not even my daddy is his match. Can you really help my sister?”

“Of course. I’m strong. I can smack Xu Long to death with a single slap.” Chen Fan smiled.

A scoff interrupted their exchange, coming from Yi Zhuang, the lean and muscular youth who had inquired about Chen Fan's identity three days prior.

“Tch.”

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Yi Zhuang looked at Chen Fan disdainfully and said, “What boastful words. You’re only at the fifth level of the Qigong realm, even weaker than me. Yet, you dare talk about killing Xu Long with a slap. You probably have no idea how terrifying a Yuanfu realm expert is. They’re like gods with the power to destroy everything. He can kill you a thousand times over by just blowing.”

Chen Fan only smiled in response, not saying a word.

Yi Zhuang pursed his lips, turned his head away, and continued walking.

The Xu Clan was on the eastern side of Thousand Waters City. Their residence was like an enormous castle, twice as big as the Yi Clan mansion.

Today was Xu Long’s Advancement Feast. All the respectable figures of Thousand Waters City had come.

The Xu Clan was already the number one clan of Thousand Waters City, with four Qi Grandmasters in their ranks.

Now that their patriarch, Xu Long, had advanced into the Yuanfu realm, it was like ascending to the heavens in a single step. Even if all the other clans joined forces, they would not be a match for the Xu Clan.

Now, the Xu Clan was the undisputed overlord of the entire Thousand Waters City. No one dared to provoke them.