"Here already?"
"Someone from the Primordial Immortal Domain has arrived?"
"Could it be someone from the Mu family?"
Chen Chang'an could clearly sense Mu Yunyao's resistance. There was definitely something going on here.
"Hmm?"
"Not from the Mu family?"
However, when the figure emerged from the spatial rift, Mu Yunyao couldn't help but frown.
It wasn't someone from the Mu family after all?
"Could it be... someone from the Wang family?"
The Wang family?
What Wang family?
"Master, who are the Wang family?" Chen Chang'an asked.
"The Wang family, like the Mu family, is one of the Nine Great Immortal Clans of the Primordial Immortal Domain."
One of the Nine Great Immortal Clans, just like the Mu family? Then why had they come to the Tai Xuan Realm?
Were they here for Mu Yunyao?
After the Wang family member arrived in the Tai Xuan Realm, they frowned slightly, clearly looking down on this lower realm.
"She really is here."
Only after sensing Mu Yunyao's presence did a smile finally appear on their face.
In a flash, the figure appeared right in front of Mu Yunyao.
"Wang Zhiwei of the Wang family greets the young mistress of the Mu family."
Seeing that it was indeed a member of the Wang family, Mu Yunyao's expression darkened.
"Why is it someone from your Wang family?" Mu Yunyao asked coldly, her brow furrowed.
"Why shouldn't it be?"
"Your father agreed to this arrangement."
"Young Mistress Mu, do you have any idea what consequences your actions will bring?"
"Is marrying into our Wang family truly so unbearable for you?"
Marrying into the Wang family?
Running from an arranged marriage?
Only now did Chen Chang'an realize that Mu Yunyao had fled to the Tai Xuan Realm to escape a marriage alliance.
But since both families were among the Nine Great Immortal Clans, and Mu Yunyao was the Mu family's young mistress, could she really be forced into this marriage against her will?
Chen Chang'an couldn't understand—why would a family of such high status still need to use their children for political alliances?
"My husband will be someone I choose myself."
"What does your Wang family matter to me?"
"I despise being controlled."
"It has nothing to do with who the other party is," Mu Yunyao said coldly.
"Hahaha!"
"As expected of the Mu family's young mistress—such strong character."
"But the marriage alliance between the Mu and Wang families is already widely known."
"You cannot escape it."
"You should know that your actions not only disgrace the Wang family but also bring shame upon your own."
"Your father sent us to find you for one simple reason—to tell you that what's done cannot be undone," Wang Zhiwei said with a smile.
Cannot be undone.
Mu Yunyao already understood her father's intentions the moment the Wang family appeared.
In the end, there was no escaping it.
Would she really have to marry into the Wang family and wed someone she had never even met?
"I have to go now."
Mu Yunyao turned to Chen Chang'an and gave him a faint smile.
Seeing her expression, Chen Chang'an frowned deeply. His master had always been composed and unshakable—he had never seen her look so helpless before.
"Who is this?"
"Could he be... the husband you've chosen for yourself?"
Wang Zhiwei's gaze darkened as he scrutinized Chen Chang'an. If this man truly had an intimate relationship with Mu Yunyao, then he shouldn't be allowed to live.
"Nonsense!"
"This is my disciple!" Mu Yunyao snapped, her eyes warning Wang Zhiwei not to act recklessly.
"Disciple?"
"So, the young mistress of the Mu family has taken a disciple."
"To earn her favor, you must have some exceptional talent, no?"
Hearing that Chen Chang'an was merely a disciple, Wang Zhiwei relaxed. A mere disciple posed no threat.
"Master, do you want to marry him?"
Chen Chang'an ignored Wang Zhiwei entirely, his gaze fixed firmly on Mu Yunyao as he repeated the question with unwavering determination.
Mu Yunyao studied him for a moment. Knowing him as well as she did, she understood exactly what he was thinking.
"Don't be reckless," she said sternly.
"Master, do you want to marry him?"
Chen Chang'an smiled, repeating the same question in the same tone.
"Kid, you care for your master, I see."
"But this isn't something she can refuse just because she doesn't want to."
"There are far greater implications at play."
"With your level of cultivation, what could you possibly do?" Wang Zhiwei sneered.
"Master, do you want to marry him?"
Hmph!
What an arrogant brat!
Chen Chang'an's refusal to acknowledge him made Wang Zhiwei's expression darken. As a member of the Wang family, he was being outright disrespected by some ignorant fool who likely had no idea just how powerful the Wang family truly was.
"I know what you're thinking, but don't act rashly. If you do, even I won't be able to save you," Mu Yunyao warned seriously.
"Master, do you want to marry him?"
Chen Chang'an kept repeating the same question, his persistence slowly wearing down Mu Yunyao's resistance.
His expression had shifted from a faint smile to a cold, piercing glare.
Seeing him like this, Mu Yunyao sighed helplessly. After a moment of silence, she finally answered:
"No."
No?
Wang Zhiwei's face twisted in displeasure, though this was no surprise. Mu Yunyao's escape had already made her stance clear.
"Kid, your master may not want this, but the Mu family does. You—"
Before Wang Zhiwei could finish, Chen Chang'an suddenly laughed—a bright, unrestrained laugh.
From start to finish, Chen Chang'an had paid no attention to Wang Zhiwei, his focus solely on Mu Yunyao.
"If you don't want to, then you won't marry him!" Chen Chang'an declared.
"Hahaha!"
"What arrogance!"
"A mere frog at the bottom of a well—what right do you have to say such things?"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Do you even know what the Wang family represents?"
"If you interfere, you won't just offend the Wang family—you'll also cross your master's own Mu family!" Wang Zhiwei hissed.
This time, Chen Chang'an finally turned to face him.
He took a step forward, positioning himself between Mu Yunyao and Wang Zhiwei.
Standing protectively in front of her, Chen Chang'an made his stance unmistakable.
Mu Yunyao was stunned.
She never expected that the mischievous boy who had once followed her around would now be shielding her.
Memories flashed through her mind—every moment since Chen Chang'an was six years old, trailing after her, making her laugh. A faint, bittersweet smile touched her lips.
Their bond was complicated—part master and disciple, part family. But she had never considered the possibility of romance between them.
Yet now, Chen Chang'an's actions stirred something deep within her.
It was... moving.
"I don't care who you are."
"I don't care how powerful the Wang family is."
"If my master doesn't want to marry, then no one can force her."
"Not the Wang family."
"And not the Mu family either!"