Two Noble Families Come to Propose Marriage

The words of the Head of the Gu Family caused Ye Liuyun's expression to shift.

Gu Fengyao was engaged? Such a major event—how had he not heard of it?

To whom was she engaged?

When had this engagement taken place?

Logically, as the prodigy of the younger generation of the Gu Family, if Gu Fengyao were engaged, how could there be no news at all?

Yet, judging by the Head of the Gu Family's demeanor, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

"Could it be with the Nie Family?"

In Ye Liuyun’s mind, if Gu Fengyao were truly engaged, the other party would undoubtedly be from one of the three great families.

If not the Ye Family, then naturally, it would be the Nie Family.

Could it be Nie Haotian?

Had the Nie Family already taken the lead?

"Elder, forgive my bluntness, but our two families have never been particularly close. Ye Beiming and Fengyao have no prior connection either. Why propose a marriage alliance so suddenly?" the Head of the Gu Family asked curiously.

Ye Liuyun gave the Head of the Gu Family a strange look. Could he truly be unaware? If so, why would he arrange an engagement with another family?

Unless… the two youngsters had fallen for each other?

"Then I’ll speak plainly."

"With the Human Ranking now unveiled, the situation closely resembles the last time the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings appeared."

"Surely the Gu Family hasn’t forgotten what happened back then?"

"Currently, the top three spots on the Human Ranking are occupied by three individuals of unknown origins."

"These are people blessed with immense fortune—killing them won’t be easy."

"So, we have only two choices. First, establish good relations with them—either by winning them over or submitting to them."

"Second, spare no effort to eliminate them while they’re still vulnerable. But if we fail, we’ll earn their enmity."

"When they grow powerful enough, they’ll come for us."

"That’s why I believe it’s necessary for us to unite."

"Surely the Gu Family shares the same intention?" Ye Liuyun asked with a frown.

Only then did the Head of the Gu Family realize that this was the Ye Family’s plan. Truthfully, the Gu Family had never considered such a course of action.

After all, the Gu Family had never intended to provoke those individuals.

As for what happened the last time the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings appeared, the Gu Family knew all too well.

Every top-tier power had fallen and been replaced—even the current three great families, the Gu Family, Ye Family, and Nie Family, had risen to prominence only later.

Because the factions established by those monstrous geniuses who rose through the rankings all shared the same fate.

They soared swiftly—and collapsed just as fast. Their founders grew too powerful, advancing too quickly.

Before their factions could stabilize, they had already ascended to higher realms.

Leaderless, these factions inevitably splintered.

Yet even the remnants of these factions remained formidable, now holding sway over half of the Tai Xuan Realm.

"Elder Ye fears that the Ye Family will eventually be overthrown?"

"In my opinion, the best way to weather this turbulent era is to remain cautious and unprovocative."

"Even if we lose our status as one of the three great families, so what? Fourth or fifth place is still acceptable, don’t you think?" the Head of the Gu Family said with a smile.

Regarding the Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings, the Gu Family had indeed held discussions.

Getting involved was inevitable—the key was how to navigate the crisis.

In chaotic times, no one could remain untouched. The best one could do was seek stability.

Avoid conflict, refrain from provoking others, and follow the middle path.

But to Ye Liuyun, the Head of the Gu Family’s words were utter nonsense—nothing but cowardice.

If all three great families thought this way, what dignity would they have left?

Besides, if the Gu Family truly believed this, why arrange a marriage alliance?

Excuses. These were nothing but excuses.

Ye Liuyun was deeply displeased by the Head of the Gu Family’s attitude and remarks. But since this was the Gu Family’s territory, he couldn’t act recklessly. Antagonizing them would bring no benefit to the Ye Family.

"If this is the Gu Family’s stance, then why arrange a marriage alliance at all?"

"Unless the engagement with the Nie Family is meant to counter the chaos?" Ye Liuyun pressed, frowning.

Hm?

The Nie Family?

The Head of the Gu Family was momentarily stunned but quickly understood—Ye Liuyun had misunderstood.

"Our Gu Family is not engaged to the Nie Family. Fengyao’s betrothed is not from the Nie Family."

Not the Nie Family?

This answer left both Ye Liuyun and Ye Beiming stunned.

Would a family like the Gu Family really arrange a marriage with just anyone?

Especially for Gu Fengyao?

How was that possible?

"Head of the Family, representatives from the Nie Family have arrived."

"What? The Nie Family is here too?"

The Head of the Gu Family was now struggling to maintain his composure. First, no one came—now two arrived at once?

Did you all plan this together?

"Show them in."

Outwardly calm, the Head of the Gu Family was inwardly cursing.

Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun and Ye Beiming exchanged glances. It seemed the Gu Family truly wasn’t engaged to the Nie Family.

This matter was growing stranger by the minute.

Before long, Nie Pengju, a supreme expert of the Nie Family, arrived with Nie Haotian in tow.

Nie Pengju was surprised to see Ye Liuyun. What was he doing here? Could their purposes be the same?

Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming locked eyes, their gazes brimming with intense rivalry.

Had the circumstances been different, the two might have clashed immediately to settle their rivalry.

Both were proud individuals who refused to acknowledge inferiority. Though the Human Ranking placed them in order, Ye Beiming was convinced that in a real battle, he might not lose to Nie Haotian.

"What a surprise to encounter Elder Ye here at the Gu Family. Quite unexpected," Nie Pengju remarked with a faint smile.

"I could say the same about you. We’re in the same boat," Ye Liuyun replied indifferently.

The two were old rivals, evenly matched in strength, yet neither acknowledged the other’s superiority.

Ahem!

"May I ask the purpose of Elder Nie’s visit to our Gu Family?"

The Head of the Gu Family cleared his throat, feeling increasingly uneasy. He even considered summoning his grandfather—after all, they were of the same generation.

Though he was now the Head of the Gu Family, his seniority was lower than these two.

"Hahaha! The Nie Family doesn’t visit without reason. We’ve come to propose a marriage alliance."

"Between our Nie Haotian and your Gu Fengyao. What does the Gu Family say?"

Fearing the Ye Family might share the same goal, Nie Pengju cut straight to the point.

Just as expected.

The Head of the Gu Family had already guessed their purpose and could only sigh inwardly.

If both families wanted an alliance, why not marry each other? Why fixate on the Gu Family?

Just because the Gu Family had Gu Fengyao? Did your great families not have any women of your own?

"Elder Nie Pengju, Fengyao is already betrothed. I'm afraid you're too late," the Head of the Gu Family said helplessly.

Hmm?

Already betrothed?

"To the Ye Family?"