Chapter 518: Who Is Worthy
On Boundless Cliff Mountain, still within the Star-Gazing Pavilion, this time Duan Wuya had not only invited the guests from Dragon Mountain Empire but also another group, who were none other than Yue Tianming and Yue Tianchen of the Yue Clan.
When Lin Feng and Duan Xinye arrived hand in hand, Yue Tianming saw their intimate closeness, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. His gaze flickered, carrying a hint of displeasure.
Yue Tianchen, on the other hand, showed undisguised anger, glaring directly at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with intense fury, as if he wished to strike Lin Feng immediately.
Stepping into the Star-Gazing Pavilion, Lin Feng seemed to sense Yue Tianchen's gaze. He swept a cold glance over him, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. That piercing look made Yue Tianchen shiver and grit his teeth slightly.
Back in the Longing Forest, he was the young master of the Yue Clan, while Lin Feng was merely a talented youth in the Spirit Martial Realm, someone he didn't take seriously at all. That time seemed to be the first time Lin Feng had met Princess Duan Xinye. In his view, Lin Feng and Duan Xinye could never be together. Lin Feng was a lowborn commoner, while the princess was exalted and lofty—how could Lin Feng be worthy of her?
But now, Lin Feng possessed the formidable strength of the Mysterious Martial Realm, had obliterated Dapeng Gongzi among the Eight Young Masters, led people to destroy several sects like Hao Yue Sect and Ice and Snow Mountain Villa, and even massacred Snow Moon Holy Academy. Moreover, he was the biological son of his aunt, Yue Menghe. In a short span of time, Lin Feng had left him far behind. Now, with just a single glance, Lin Feng sealed his mouth shut, and he didn't even dare to meet Lin Feng's eyes.
Perhaps this was what they called life being like a play, full of unpredictable changes. Yue Tianchen had never imagined such a day would come.
Lin Feng only glanced at him before shifting his gaze to Yue Tianming. Their eyes clashed in the air.
Yue Tianming, ranked second among the Eight Young Masters of Snow Moon Kingdom, possessed undeniable strength with the bloodline power of the Yue Clan. To be precise, he was still Lin Feng's elder brother.
In the past, Yue Tianming had no particular feelings toward Lin Feng, but now, his gaze seemed less friendly, carrying a hint of coldness. Occasionally, his eyes would fall on Duan Xinye, who stood beside Lin Feng.
After bathing, Duan Xinye wore a formal gown that trailed on the ground, her long hair draped over her shoulders. Though she lacked the adornment of jewels and treasures, she still exuded a nobility that made people dare not look directly at her. She was too beautiful. Under the moonlight, just like last time, she was as beautiful as a fairy maiden.
It wasn't just Yue Tianming looking at Duan Xinye; many from Dragon Mountain Empire also gazed at her. Some admired her, while others had different meanings in their eyes.
Of course, out of courtesy, their gazes only lingered for a moment before shifting away. Otherwise, it would have been rude and disrespectful, and angering Lin Feng would not have been wise.
"Lin Feng, Xinye, we've been waiting for you two. Come over and sit down."
Duan Wuya called out as he saw Lin Feng and Duan Xinye arrive. This time, Ruo Lanshan and his group were seated in the main seats, with Duan Wuya next to them. The seat opposite him was empty, and Duan Wuya pointed to it, indicating that Lin Feng and Duan Xinye should sit there.
Lin Feng didn't stand on ceremony. He and Duan Xinye went over and sat down. As the princess of Snow Moon Kingdom, Duan Xinye was naturally entitled to sit in the upper seat beside the main one. Since Lin Feng accompanied her, sitting in a lower position would have made him seem unworthy of her. Lin Feng naturally wouldn't do that; instead, he sat openly and confidently beside Duan Xinye.
"Alright, Senior Ruo, Lin Feng and Xinye are here. Let's begin the feast."
Duan Wuya said with a smile. Ruo Lanshan nodded slightly, and then a group of women came to serve wine and dishes, respectfully placing them on the red sandalwood tables in front of each person.
"Senior Ruo, I hope these days haven't been too poorly hosted. Please don't take offense. I'll drink a cup as an apology."
Duan Wuya said politely, downing a cup of wine first.
"Not at all, Prince Duan Wuya has gone to great lengths. How could there be any poor hospitality?" Ruo Lanshan replied courteously, raising his cup toward Duan Wuya from across the room and drinking it all in one go, showing great ease.
"Alright, since we're all gathered here, let's all drink a cup together." Ruo Lanshan smiled, raising his cup again. Then he looked at Lin Feng and Duan Xinye and said, "Lin Feng has extraordinary talent, and Princess Xinye is as beautiful as a fairy. You two are a perfect match. Come, let's drink together."
"Lin Feng thanks Senior Ruo." Lin Feng said politely, and everyone raised their cups, toasting Ruo Lanshan before drinking together.
After the cups were empty, they gently set them down.
"Clatter!"
A soft sound broke the silence of the Star-Gazing Pavilion, drawing everyone's attention. The sound came from Yue Tianchen.
Yue Tianchen stared at Lin Feng with unfriendly eyes. Deep in his pupils, there was also a hint of jealousy.
"Lin Feng is a lowborn commoner. How could he be worthy of Princess Xinye? My elder brother, Yue Tianming, is ranked second among the Eight Young Masters of Snow Moon Kingdom and has long been betrothed to the Imperial Duan Clan. Princess Xinye should be matched with my elder brother. What is Lin Feng?"
Yue Tianchen spoke coldly, his voice harsh and grating. In truth, he himself liked Duan Xinye. He had always hoped the Yue Clan would let him marry her, but after Yue Tianming returned, he gave up that idea. The Yue Clan also planned to have Yue Tianming fulfill the marriage contract with Duan Xinye.
But he never expected that his former rival, Lin Feng, would step in and become so intimate with Duan Xinye, seemingly by mutual consent. This naturally infuriated Yue Tianchen. If he couldn't have Duan Xinye, how could Lin Feng?
Ruo Lanshan was taken aback, looking at Yue Tianchen. This man was too reckless, lacking manners.
Then he shifted his gaze to Duan Wuya, only to see Duan Wuya lowering his head to savor his wine, remaining silent without saying a word.
This scene made Ruo Lanshan show an intrigued expression. Could it be that there really was a marriage contract between Yue Tianming and Duan Xinye?
Lin Feng turned his gaze to Yue Tianchen, a cold light flashing like a sharp sword, causing Yue Tianchen to swallow the words he was about to say. He just stared at Lin Feng.
"Marriage contract? Who arranged it?"
Lin Feng asked coldly. Since he had accepted Duan Xinye, he wouldn't allow anyone else to tarnish her reputation. No matter what, Duan Xinye now belonged to him, Lin Feng. Even if there was a marriage contract, it didn't count.
"The Imperial Duan Clan and our Yue Clan once had an agreement. If descendants of both clans inherited bloodline power and possessed bloodline martial souls, and were of opposite sexes, they would be betrothed to combine their bloodlines. Princess Xinye's status is noble. How could you be worthy of her?"
Yue Tianchen said coldly. He wasn't lying. The Yue Clan and the Duan Clan did have such an agreement, just like when the imperial family tried to break up Yue Menghe and Lin Hai. In the imperial family's view, Yue Menghe was betrothed to the imperial family, so how could Lin Hai interfere? That was why they went to great lengths to kill Lin Hai.
The ancestors of both clans made this agreement to combine bloodlines, allowing their descendants to merge two bloodline powers and become stronger.
"Are you trying to compare whose bloodline power is richer? Or whose martial soul is stronger?"
Lin Feng said coldly, making Yue Tianchen pause. That's right, Lin Feng also possessed the Nine Dragons Heaven Devour martial soul, inheriting Yue Menghe's bloodline power. Whether in bloodline or martial soul, he was far stronger than Yue Tianchen. What right did Yue Tianchen have to compare with Lin Feng?
"You are not a member of the Yue Clan." Yue Tianchen said with a dark face.
Lin Feng snorted coldly and said, "I never claimed to be a member of the Yue Clan. You just said the purpose of the union was to combine bloodline powers. If that's the case, why does it matter whether one is a member of the Yue Clan? If I'm not worthy of Xinye, who in your Yue Clan is worthy?"
Lin Feng's voice was domineering. If he wasn't worthy, who in the Yue Clan was?
At this moment, Lin Feng had to fight—not for himself, but for Duan Xinye. The man of Duan Xinye couldn't be incompetent; otherwise, it would only make Xinye lose face. That was why Lin Feng was so forceful and aggressive.
Faced with Lin Feng's pressing questions, Yue Tianchen had no momentum at all. He couldn't even look Lin Feng in the eye.
"Ridiculous. How can Xinye's marriage be decided by an agreement? If everyone in your Yue Clan is as cowardly and incompetent as you, Yue Tianchen, then what?"
Lin Feng pressed further, his words like knives, making Yue Tianchen raise his head to stare at Lin Feng again, pointing at him and saying, "You..."
"Put your hand down."
Before Yue Tianchen could finish, Lin Feng shouted three words. A terrifying aura of slaughter descended on Yue Tianchen, making his whole body stiffen. His hand instinctively dropped, and his face instantly turned an extremely ugly shade of red.
P.S.: Tears streaming down my face.