"Yunlong, my dear brother, I invited you here for two important matters!"

After taking a sip of tea, Jian Chen looked at Ling Yunlong with a smile.

Ling Yunlong responded with a smile as well, saying, "Oh, what are they? Brother Jian Chen, please speak freely!"

Jian Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "The first matter is, of course, the grand event in our Cultivation Realm held every 60 years—the Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition. What plans do you have for your Cloud Sea Sect regarding this?"

Upon hearing Jian Chen's inquiry, Ling Yunlong immediately felt a bit troubled. While the quality of disciples in their Cloud Sea Sect was decent, they lacked top-tier elites. They might secure a spot among the top hundred, but as for the top ten, there was little hope.

"Our Cloud Sea Sect disciples are not very capable; we'll just participate for the experience and broaden our horizons."

After speaking, Ling Yunlong decisively changed topics before Jian Chen could respond.

"I've heard that not long ago, Master Jing Yi of the Moon God Palace brought a promising candidate from the Mortal World with a Spiritual Body—someone not to be underestimated. The Sanskrit Temple also has two Heavenly Prides. Penglai Pavilion has at least three Heavenly Prides, and Heavenly Pool Saintess Zhao Ying is an elite among the new generation of disciples."

"The prodigies from the Four Great Families—Dugu Ming from the Dugu Family, Zhuge Lihuo from the Zhuge Family, Shangguan Changhong from the Shangguan Family, and Beichen Feng from the Beichen Family—are also exceptionally strong."

"However, when it comes to the most astonishing talent with the greatest potential, it would be Jian Wuheng from your Heavenly Sword Mountain. I believe the leader of this year's Immortal Sect Martial Arts Competition will most likely belong to your Heavenly Sword Mountain!"

"Yunlong, my dear brother, your praise is misplaced!"

Although he said this, the pride on Jian Chen's face was evident.

Ling Yunlong, not wanting to discuss such a distressing topic, smiled and asked, "Brother Jian Chen, what is the second matter you mentioned?"

Jian Chen gestured towards Jian Wuheng beside him and smiled, "The second matter is to discuss the marriage between your dear daughter Ling Shuanghua and my disciple Jian Wuheng. They are a perfect match, made for each other. I wonder what you, Brother Yunlong, and your wife think of this?"

Before Ling Yunlong could answer, Ling Shuanghua, standing behind him, trembled. A look of pain appeared in her clear eyes.

Noticing her daughter's discomposure, Su Yuru gently tugged her arm and asked softly, "Shuanghua, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Ling Shuanghua opened her mouth but felt as though there was a lump in her throat, unable to utter a word.

She then placed her left hand over her right and squeezed her arm through her sleeve.

That was the location of the Guardian Palace Sand!

Instantly, everyone's gaze shifted to Ling Shuanghua.

Jian Wuheng approached with concern, the tenderness in his eyes moved many female disciples.

However, Ling Shuanghua merely bit her lip and remained silent.

Su Yuru smiled softly and eased the situation, "Shuanghua might be a bit shy. It's nothing serious; she'll be fine after some time!"

Hearing her words, everyone kindly smiled, showing understanding.

Su Yuru took her daughter's hand and spoke firmly, "Shuanghua, Jian Wuheng is noble and exceptional, a perfect match. Entrusting you to him makes your father and me feel more at ease!"

Ling Yunlong remained silent, which was his implicit approval of his wife's words.

Immediately, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence. Everyone turned their gaze to Ling Shuanghua once more.

Yet, Ling Shuanghua bowed her head, biting her lip and speaking not a word.

"Haha, a daughter's shyness—remaining silent already signifies agreement. Wuheng, why are you still standing there? Hurry over and pay your respects to your future in-laws!"

Jian Chen laughed heartily, calling Jian Wuheng to step forward and perform the ceremony.

Overjoyed, Jian Wuheng hurried forward, preparing to kneel and bow to Ling Yunlong and Su Yuru.

"Hold on!"

The previously silent Ling Shuanghua suddenly spoke softly, stopping Jian Wuheng from his ceremony.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly!

Everyone's eyes turned towards Ling Shuanghua at once.

This time, Ling Shuanghua seemed resolute as she raised her proud head and slowly stepped forward.

"I disagree!"

"Shuanghua, what nonsense are you speaking?"

Su Yuru's face darkened as she sternly reprimanded.

"Mother, I'm not being impulsive. This concerns my lifelong happiness; I don't want to marry hastily this way!"

Naturally obedient to her parents, Ling Shuanghua remained unusually stubborn this time.

Su Yuru became somewhat angry and pressed, "Shuanghua, then tell me, in this entire world, who is more excellent than Jian Wuheng?"

"There is someone!"

Ling Shuanghua answered firmly.

Immediately, the entire room fell into dead silence.

Jian Wuheng's expression changed slightly, "Who?"

Ling Shuanghua bit her lip and uttered a name, "Li Chen!"

Upon hearing the name "Li Chen," most people in attendance showed confusion on their faces.

Su Yuru's face shifted slightly; her concerns had finally manifested.

Jian Wuheng's countenance grew solemn as he asked, "You're referring to the loose cultivator Li Chen?"

Ling Shuanghua remained silent, affirming his guess.

"What, a loose cultivator?"

Instantly, the entire room erupted in disbelief, many disciples showing shock on their faces. Some even began to doubt whether their ears were malfunctioning.

Jian Wuheng, enraged, laughed bitterly, "Haha, Li Chen as a loose cultivator surely has some skills. To be honest, not too long ago, my unworthy cousin, Jian Chenn, was defeated by him."

"But to claim that this rural loose cultivator is more outstanding than me, the Chief Disciple of Heavenly Sword Mountain—are you looking down on Heavenly Sword Mountain, or on me, Jian Wuheng?"

The final question with increased volume was compelling and clear.

The room was dead silent, not a sound to be heard!

Ling Shuanghua calmly met Jian Wuheng's fierce gaze, merely smiling lightly.

"If you can defeat him, I will marry you. Otherwise, forget about it; I, Ling Shuanghua, will marry no one but a peerless hero, not someone's defeated opponent!"

Though Ling Shuanghua's voice was soft, it struck Jian Wuheng like a heavy drum, making his entire head buzz loudly.

Having steadied himself, Jian Wuheng's expression grew ferocious as he roared like a beast.

"Fine, I'll let you watch me defeat Li Chen with your own eyes!"

...

"Ah-choo!"

In the mountain valley, Li Chen sneezed multiple times.

Rubbing his nose, he murmured to himself:

"Who could it be that thinks of me so intensely!"

Lian Hongshang rolled her eyes, "Pfft, you're so vain. Perhaps someone is cursing you instead!"

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