Chan Wei arrived early the next morning at the gates of the Inscriptionist Association. Director Ye Zhan welcomed him at the door, accompanied by a stern-faced man with sharp features.
Chan Wei immediately recognized the man as the current Lord of the City, Ye Zong. He was surprised to see such an important figure there to greet him, but quickly composed himself, offering a respectful smile.
"Good morning, Director Ye Zhan. Good morning, Lord Ye Zong," Chan Wei greeted, bowing slightly with courtesy.
Ye Zhan returned the smile warmly. "Good morning, Chan Wei. I spoke to Lord Ye Zong about your accomplishments. He insisted on attending our meeting."
"Yes, congratulations, young man," added Ye Zong, his tone serious but respectful.
"Thank you very much, Director Ye Zhan, Lord Ye Zong," replied Chan Wei with gratitude. "I'm honored to receive your congratulations."
The three of them proceeded to the director's office, where Ye Zhan placed a seal on the door to prevent any eavesdropping or unwelcome intrusions.
"Before we begin, Lord Ye Zong, could you show me your strength through your Soul Flame?" asked Chan Wei. (Author's note: this technique replicates the effect of evaluation crystals for those at Gold rank and above.)"My master taught me how to identify specific elements within a Soul Flame, so that I can offer you one of the techniques I've learned," the young man added respectfully.
The City Lord was about to humor the youth—manifesting the Soul Flame wasn't difficult—but he was intrigued by what followed. With a wave of his hand, he conjured an ethereal Soul Flame, icy blue in color, resembling an aurora borealis, with a snowstorm swirling at its core. The flames danced gracefully, like stars in the night sky, bathing the room in a strange and mysterious glow.
After carefully inspecting the City Lord's Soul Flame, Chan Wei took out a cultivation technique he had created, inspired by the one Nie Li had given to Ye Ziyun.
Unlike the "Nine Revolutions of the Ice Phoenix" technique, which granted the user a chance at survival, Chan Wei's technique had only one purpose—to increase power and accelerate cultivation speed.
The technique was named "Shattering of the Immortal Ice". The young man handed the scroll to Ye Zong, who reacted like an impatient child. Considering the technique came from a legendary-rank expert, his eagerness was understandable.
Ye Zong took the scroll carefully, his eyes scanning the characters across the parchment. He became completely absorbed in the text, his Soul Flame intensifying as he read.
Slowly, he closed his eyes, clutching the scroll tightly. Around him, the Soul Flame surged, pulsing with growing intensity. Snowy whirlwinds rose around him, spinning in a mesmerizing and beautiful dance.
Suddenly, Ye Zong's Soul Flame burst into a brilliant light. The blue flames fused with the snow vortex, creating a dazzling spectacle of light and ice.
A chill passed through the room as Ye Zong focused deeply. The entire space buzzed with energy, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Then, with a booming sound like an explosion, a surge of white light erupted from Ye Zong's Soul Flame. Beams of radiant energy streamed from his body, filling the room with blinding brilliance.
A halo of light formed around Ye Zong as he raised his arms skyward, his face locked in intense concentration. The snowy vortex gradually dissipated, giving way to a solemn silence.
Slowly, Ye Zong lowered his arms, and his Soul Flame began to stabilize. When he reopened his eyes, they glimmered with newfound determination and renewed strength.
"Chan Wei, I'd like you to convey my deepest thanks to your master," Lord Ye Zong said in a deep voice filled with gratitude and respect. "Thanks to this technique, I've been able to take a decisive step in my cultivation. I don't know how I could ever repay him."
"My master prefers a peaceful life," replied the young man with a faint smile. "By helping you grow stronger, he's purchasing his own tranquility while also securing the safety of the city.""However, that scroll was meant for you and you alone, so I'd appreciate it if you could return it to me."
Having perfectly memorized the technique, Ye Zong handed back the scroll without hesitation—though Ye Zhan, watching from the side, wore a mournful expression as if mourning the loss of a legendary-rank cultivation manual.
Chan Wei then presented the scrolls he had crafted using the Association's resources: ten scrolls containing fire-attributed Gold-rank demonic beasts—equivalent to 100 Gold-ranked creatures—and 200 Silver-rank scrolls containing venomous beasts, amounting to 2,000 Silver-ranked creatures.
Thanks to the creation of these scrolls, Chan Wei had moved a step closer to his breakthrough. At his current pace, it would take no more than half a month for him to achieve it. The Association had also granted him access to several Dragon Crystals.
He was waiting to reach the Black Gold rank before integrating them into his shadow beasts and beginning the creation of an aerial unit. He had even devised a new kind of scroll that functioned like a spatial ring but could hold only one large object—and that object would explode on impact.
The first bomber of this world will bear my name, Chan Wei thought proudly, while Director Ye Zhan thanked him for his contribution.
"Director Ye Zhan, Lord Ye Zong, I'd like to ask a favor," Chan Wei said. "I would like your support in requesting the hand of the girl I love from the Winged Dragon Family."
"Chan Wei, we are honored to support you in this matter," Director Ye Zhan replied with a warm smile.
"Indeed, you have our full trust. We will support you completely," added Lord Ye Zong, his gaze firm and resolute.
Together, they began to plan the necessary arrangements for the official betrothal proposal. Chan Wei would receive full logistical and diplomatic support from both the Inscriptionist Association and Glory City itself. Invitations would be sent, and a proper ceremony would be organized to seal the union.
Director Ye Zhan took charge of organizing the ceremony, while Lord Ye Zong handled the diplomatic aspects, ensuring that every detail would be flawlessly executed.
Chan Wei thanked them both sincerely, well aware of the significance of their support. With their backing, he felt ready to take this next step in his life with confidence and resolve.
The news spread rapidly, stirring up the city with whispers and chatter.
"The prodigy from the Winged Dragon Family is going to marry the inscription genius—what a magnificent ceremony that will be," people murmured in the bustling streets of Glory.
"Wasn't she already promised to Shen Fei from the Sacred Family?" someone asked in surprise.
"Pfh," scoffed another, contempt clear in their tone. "After all the girls he's hurt, he ought to disappear. Besides, a member of that family tried to kill a student during the assessment exam—one with the strength of a Gold-rank warrior!"
"Seriously? No wonder no one's heard much from them since."
"They were warned personally by the City Lord. Rumor has it he's reached the Legend rank," whispered a voice filled with awe.
In front of the ancestral home of the Winged Dragon Family
A grand procession arrived, led by Chan Wei, dressed in a sky-blue ceremonial robe that matched his eyes in a mesmerizing way. At his side walked Huyan Xiong, eyes filled with pride.
Behind them, four different factions composed the impressive parade.
About thirty inscriptionists, clad in black robes adorned with golden runes, carried several talismans intended to be hung in the household of the young woman to protect its inhabitants. These were gifts from Director Ye Zhan, lending a solemn air to the occasion.
Next came ten alchemists, dressed in red silk robes with golden embroidery. They had come at Nie Li's request, bringing a full assortment of the newest pills from the Glory City market as a show of respect and support for the coming union.
Ten members of the City Lord's family followed, bearing low-grade demon spirits and artifacts meant to enrich the Winged Dragon Family's treasure vaults. Their garments reflected their high status, with intricate embroidery and symbolic patterns.
Lastly, a group of elders from the Huyan family brought up the rear. They had accepted Chan Wei as a core member of the family due to his prestige and the contributions of his parents.
Chan Wei himself had prepared a gift of 200 million demon spirit coins as a betrothal offering on behalf of the Huyan Family. He also crafted a personalized engraved necklace for Xiao Ning'er. This necklace contained a life-saving technique and housed a Gold-rank stone elemental, capable of intercepting a fatal blow on her behalf.
The young woman waited at the gate, dressed in an orange qipao that enhanced the brilliance of her eyes—two stars blazing in the night. She looked absolutely graceful, almost otherworldly, in contrast to the eight men accompanying her.
Among them were elders and the patriarch of the Winged Dragon Family, their faces solemn and weathered by years of experience—except for one, whose gaze sparkled with greed, as if the unfolding festivities stirred hidden ambitions.
"My respects to the patriarch of the Winged Dragon Family," Chan Wei said, bowing courteously. "I've come today to request your daughter's hand in marriage. I've brought gifts to demonstrate my sincerity." He then presented the offerings, which visibly moved the elders and the patriarch.
Xiao Yi, the man with the greedy eyes, stepped forward calmly.
"Is that all?" he asked sarcastically. "You should know that the young lady here has reached the Soul Formation stage and is almost certain to attain the Legend rank. I find your offerings unworthy of her standard."
"How dare you?" retorted Huyan Xiong, unleashing his aura—Black Gold Rank, 4-star—frightening the elder. Yet despite his fear, Xiao Yi didn't retreat, his mind clouded by greed.
"Father, please let me handle this," said Chan Wei, calming the angry man.
"I'd like to ask—who are you? Just an elder, and you speak before the patriarch of your own family. Do you even understand the rules of decorum?" Chan Wei challenged him, targeting the man's lack of propriety.
"I am Elder Xiao Yi," said the man in a syrupy voice, casting a hypocritical look across the gathering. "And I only have my niece's best interest at heart."
"Liar!" the young lady shouted, her voice filled with fury. "You tried to steal the funds entrusted to me by the Inscriptionist Association! You pressured me for more benefits!" Her tone was bitter and full of disappointment.
Her words sparked anger throughout the procession. All eyes turned toward Xiao Yi, now viewed as a traitor. One member of the City Lord's family stepped forward, his stern gaze fixed on the patriarch.
"Are her words true?" he asked.
The patriarch solemnly nodded, confirming her statement. Xiao Yi's face turned pale as he realized the gravity of his situation.
"Elder Xiao Yi, you are under arrest for attempted theft from one of Glory City's major institutions and for seeking to undermine the city out of greed," the man declared, seizing the elder and escorting him away.
After Xiao Yi's removal, Xiao Yunfeng, the patriarch, officially approved the engagement between his daughter and Chan Wei. Like a gentle breeze after a storm, peace and joy spread through the courtyard. The two betrothed embraced warmly, their hearts beating in harmony.
For the young woman, it was the relief of being freed from the oppressive fate once tied to the Sacred Family. For the young man, it was the pure joy of finally being united with the woman he loved—two stars destined to shine together in the boundless universe.
(Author's Note: And that's one elder arrested! Hehe ^^. I admit I'm being petty, but I wanted justice since, in the original, he got off way too easily.)