Chapter 721: The Negotiation Collapses

Amid green mountains and crystal waters, a Spiritual Energy–rich lake shimmered like a flawless pearl embedded within the landscape.

At this moment, over the lake's surface, a massive creature coiled in the air — a Flood Dragon, its body adorned with radiant blue scales that gleamed under the sun, mist curling around its form, creating a dreamlike scene around the pavilion hovering at the lake's heart.

Yet within the creature's enormous eyes swam pure misery and grievance.

It had merely been cultivating peacefully in its lake when calamity descended from the heavens. Liu Xi had arrived out of nowhere, seized its Water Palace, and even dragged it out to serve as a "scenic decoration."

This Flood Dragon wasn't some ordinary beast — among the Heavenly Beasts of the Earth Ranking, it stood within the top twenty and carried a trace of True Dragon blood. In the future, it might even ascend beyond its current realm to join the ranks of Divine Beasts.

It had never suffered humiliation like this in its life.

Flood Dragon: (╥╯^╰╥)

Of course, Liu Xi bore no malice — he merely wanted to create a romantic atmosphere for Qing Yanjing. The poor dragon just happened to look pretty enough to be press-ganged into service.

Inside the pavilion, Liu Xi sat with Qing Yanjing in his arms. His brows arched slightly as he gazed toward the distant sky and chuckled softly. "They're here."

Qing Yanjing had sensed it as well. Her bright eyes flashed with worry as she twisted her slender waist, trying to break free from Liu Xi's grip — an attempt that was, naturally, futile.

"Stop struggling," Liu Xi murmured, his voice teasing. "Let me deal with that old man first… then I'll let you go."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate red, and she muttered in protest, "You—!" before sighing in surrender.

Liu Xi grinned, eyes glinting mischievously as his arms tightened slightly. "What's there to be afraid of? I'm not hiding from anyone. He's just an old man — if he doesn't know his place, I won't mind bullying the elderly."

"You…"

Qing Yanjing was both exasperated and anxious — not because he held her, but because he clearly didn't take Futu Xuan seriously at all.

Liu Xi might be an Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign, but Futu Xuan was a Mid-Level Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign. The difference between those two realms was an unbridgeable chasm.

After a brief pause, Qing Yanjing bit her lip and, with furrowed brows, explained everything she knew.

"The Grand Elder Futu Xuan is in the Mid-Level Saint Grade. His Celestial Body is the Great Pagoda Celestial Body, famous for its unparalleled defense even among Saints. He may not summon the Ancestral Pagoda, but his Pagoda has already evolved into a Saint Pagoda, comparable to a Peerless Saint Artifact. His inherited divine art — Yin-Yang Millstone — manipulates the boundless Yin and Yang of heaven and earth, its might comparable to one of the Thirty-Six Peerless Divine Abilities."

Futu Xuan, still on his way, had no idea that his entire repertoire had already been laid bare by his beloved Saintess. If he did, he'd likely cough up blood in fury.

Futu Xuan: (〝▼皿▼)

That alone proved how deeply Qing Yanjing loved Liu Xi. She had given him her trust, her affection — everything short of her body — and apparently, her clan's top secrets as well.

As the couple continued their lighthearted teasing, a violent aura suddenly tore through the horizon.

Futu Xuan had arrived.

When he saw the two holding each other so intimately within the pavilion, his rage surged like a storm.

First, he was furious that Liu Xi — a man of "lowly origin" — dared to taint the noble bloodline of the Ancient Buddha Clan.

Second, he was enraged that Qing Yanjing had abandoned the proud Maha Tian to throw herself into the arms of another man.

"Qing Yanjing!" Futu Xuan's roar cracked the heavens. "You would defy your clan and break the alliance with the Ancient Maha Clan for this man? Do you even remember what duty and honor mean?!"

His voice boomed like divine thunder, echoing across the mountains.

The ground trembled. Waves surged across the lake.

The Flood Dragon trembled uncontrollably, its enormous eyes filled with terror. A mere Heavenly Beast before a Saint Grade expert — one stray thought from Futu Xuan could erase it from existence.

Futu Xuan wasn't done.

"Have you forgotten the countless resources the clan poured into you? The expectations placed upon you? Do you intend to repay your lineage with betrayal?"

Standing in the sky like a wrathful deity, he swept his sleeve sharply.

An immense Spiritual Energy erupted, coalescing into a hurricane that ripped through heaven and earth, shredding clouds and twisting space.

The mountains quaked; colossal trees hundreds of meters tall were uprooted. Countless Spiritual Beasts were caught in the aftermath, torn apart into bloody mist.

The Flood Dragon's despair deepened. Bound in midair by Liu Xi's power, it couldn't even flee as the storm closed in.

Liu Xi's expression didn't change — instead, he smiled faintly.

The old man had quite a temper. Not even a greeting before trying to kill him?

But such pressure meant little to Liu Xi. Ever since mastering the Nine-Turn Profound Art, not even a Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign's aura could shake him.

He lifted a hand casually. Spiritual Energy roared forth like a storm tide, colliding head-on with Futu Xuan's destructive gale.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions rang through the air. Space split apart in jagged fractures, yet the pavilion in the lake's center remained perfectly intact.

After a few breaths, Liu Xi released his hold on the Flood Dragon.

"Go," he said lightly.

The thousand-meter beast dove straight into the lake with a splash, vanishing into the depths without a backward glance. Its eyes gleamed with pure relief — and trauma. It swore it would never return.

The battle's aftermath soon stilled. Only the deep scars in the sky bore witness to the devastation just moments ago.

Liu Xi rose, pulling Qing Yanjing gently into his embrace once more. Lifting his gaze toward the sky, he smiled brightly and called out,

"Grand Elder, why such a temper? Come down, have a drink — let's talk things over like civilized people… about me and Jing'er."

His tone dripped with sarcasm. He was doing it on purpose — a deliberate jab to provoke Futu Xuan for daring to scold Qing Yanjing.

If one must fight, then wound the heart first.

"Hmph!"

Futu Xuan's face darkened further. The brief clash had already shown him Liu Xi's frightening strength. Still, what mattered most now was Qing Yanjing's response — whether she was coerced or willing.

After a long silence, Qing Yanjing finally smiled faintly. Her voice, though soft, carried through the skies.

"Grand Elder, I refuse to be a tool for the clan's alliances. I already have someone I love. Tell Maha Tian to give up — even if I die, I will never marry him."

Her resolute words echoed across heaven and earth.

Liu Xi's lips curved upward in pride.

Futu Xuan, meanwhile, looked ready to explode — his fury burning so fiercely, one could almost hear his lungs crack.

(End of Chapter)

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