On his way to Tang Ruoxue’s residence, servants pointed and whispered everywhere Yi Xiaoyao passed.
"That useless Young Master of the Castle is going to see Miss Ruoxue again."
"But I heard Miss Ruoxue rejected the marriage proposal from Young Master Tang Ji!"
"No way! Young Master Tang Ji obtained a Sixth Grade Immortal Soul inheritance. Miss Ruoxue rejected him... could it be for that useless Young Master of the Castle?"
Hearing this news, Yi Xiaoyao’s brows shot up, and his heart filled with joy.
’I knew it! Ruoxue would never agree to marry someone else. After all, what we have is true love.’
At this thought, Yi Xiaoyao became even more anxious to see Tang Ruoxue. He had to let her know she hadn’t chosen the wrong person.
Soon, Yi Xiaoyao arrived at the courtyard where Tang Ruoxue lived.
Just as he was about to enter, Tang Long’s figure emerged.
"You’re here."
Tang Long stepped out of the doorway. His expression was no longer as gentle as before, and it seemed he had no intention of letting Yi Xiaoyao in.
"Yes." Yi Xiaoyao nodded. "Is Ruoxue here? I came to see her."
"Xiaoyao, it’s alright even if you didn’t receive an Immortal Soul inheritance and can’t practice Cultivation. Just try to look on the bright side."
Tang Long didn’t answer Yi Xiaoyao’s question, offering a few words of comfort instead.
Yi Xiaoyao smiled. "Long, believe me. Even without an Immortal Soul inheritance, I can still practice Cultivation and become a powerful expert!"
Tang Long just shook his head and smiled dismissively. In this world, it was impossible to sense Spiritual Power without an Immortal Soul inheritance. Even with a Cultivation Technique, one could not practice Cultivation.
Besides, everyone had witnessed Yi Xiaoyao’s three failures last night. How could he possibly believe Yi Xiaoyao’s words?
"I know you were hit hard by what happened last night, but you have to face reality."
Tang Long continued, "After I’m done with things in a few days, I’ll arrange a marriage for you. Or if there’s a servant girl you’ve taken a fancy to, you can tell me. Just get married soon and live out your days as an ordinary person."
Yi Xiaoyao froze on the spot. He looked at Tang Long, suddenly realizing just how distant this man, who had once treated him like his own son, had become.
"But... you know I love Ruoxue."
"Ruoxue has obtained a Seventh Grade Immortal Soul inheritance. Her future is limitless. If you truly love her, don’t hold her back. Stay away from her!"
Tang Long’s tone grew colder and colder.
Yi Xiaoyao frowned. "I want to see Ruoxue. I need to know her choice."
Before Tang Long could answer, a voice that was both familiar and strange rang out.
"What my father told you is my choice!"
"Ruoxue?"
Yi Xiaoyao turned to look, but in the next moment, his heart plunged into an icy abyss.
Because he saw the pride and indifference in Tang Ruoxue’s eyes as she looked straight at him.
"But I heard you rejected the other marriage proposal," Yi Xiaoyao said with a frown.
Tang Ruoxue sneered. "Yi Xiaoyao, you didn’t actually think I rejected that marriage proposal for you, did you? You’re far too conceited."
"The reason I rejected the marriage with Tang Ji is that he’s merely a Sixth Grade Immortal Soul inheritor. He’s not worthy of me!"
"I, Tang Ruoxue, possess a Seventh Grade Immortal Soul inheritance. My man can only be a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul inheritor. Do you really think a piece of trash like you is worthy of me?"
As she spoke, a mocking smile played on her lips, her eyes filled with icy contempt as she looked at Yi Xiaoyao.
"You’re calling me trash? Saying I’m not worthy of you?"
"Have you forgotten that I was the one who helped you raise your soul aptitude from the second grade to the seventh?"
"Without me, you would have only obtained a Second Grade Immortal Soul inheritance at best!"
Yi Xiaoyao’s brow furrowed. He was only now beginning to see the truth of things.
"You did that of your own free will. I never forced you."
Tang Ruoxue sneered again and continued, "Besides, I wasted ten years of my youth on a piece of trash like you. It’s only right that you helped raise my soul aptitude!"
A chill pierced Yi Xiaoyao’s heart. He couldn’t believe Tang Ruoxue could be so heartless.
"Were all our sweet nothings over the past ten years fake? Didn’t you say you wanted to marry me?"
Hearing this, Tang Ruoxue sighed with great impatience.
"I said I wanted to marry you, the one who would inherit the Fortress Master’s position and obtain a Ninth Grade Immortal Soul inheritance, not the piece of trash you’ve become now!"
"What’s the difference between marrying you now and marrying a servant? No, marrying a servant would be better than marrying you. At least a servant wouldn’t get kicked out of the Tang Family Castle. You’re about to be driven out, and you expect me to wander the streets with you?"
"Do you think I’m cruel? You can only blame yourself for not recognizing your own place. This humiliation you feel is entirely of your own making!"
Saying this, Tang Ruoxue laughed again. "But this is for the best. At least I’ve helped you see yourself clearly. Now you won’t bother me anymore."
Yi Xiaoyao finally saw the truth. The gentle, well-behaved girl who had clung to him for the past ten years was nothing but a facade!
This ruthless, sharp-tongued, and power-hungry woman before him was her true self!
Yi Xiaoyao had originally planned to tell Tang Ruoxue the news that he could cultivate, to give her a surprise. It seemed there was no need for that anymore.
At the same time, Yi Xiaoyao was even grateful. Thanks to his failure to receive the Immortal Soul inheritance, he had seen this woman’s true colors. Otherwise, he might have been stuck with someone like her for the rest of his life!
What a tragedy that would have been!
So right now, not only was Yi Xiaoyao not dejected, a slight smile even touched his lips.
Because he had escaped that tragedy.
Just then, an angry shout came from outside the gate.
"Tang Long! I just heard from the elders. You actually want to make Tang Ruoxue the new Fortress Master?"
A tall, middle-aged man barged in. He was stunned for a moment when he saw Yi Xiaoyao was also there.
Hearing this, Yi Xiaoyao turned to glare furiously at the father and daughter.
"Is it true?" Yi Xiaoyao asked.
"So what if it is? If you weren’t the Young Master of the Castle designated by the old Fortress Master, why would I have ever been with you? I was originally planning to be the Lady of the Castle by your side, but you, you useless piece of trash, were a disappointment. So, I’ll just have to become the Fortress Master myself."
Tang Ruoxue said dismissively, pursing her lips.
The middle-aged man who had barged in pointed at Tang Ruoxue and cursed angrily, "At such a young age, you’re even more insidious and vicious than your father! I will never let the Tang Family Castle fall into your hands!"
"Hahaha!"
Tang Long laughed smugly at the man. "Tang Feng, Yi Xiaoyao is a cripple who can’t cultivate. He no longer has the right to inherit the position of Fortress Master! And my Ruoxue is the only Seventh Grade Immortal Soul inheritor in the Tang Family Castle. The Elder Council has already decided to hold Ruoxue’s Fortress Master succession ceremony in ten days!"
Yi Xiaoyao’s expression was grim. The position of Fortress Master was left to him by his maternal grandfather. How could he possibly let a wretched woman like her snatch it away?
And there were other things he would take back as well.
"Give me back my mother’s bracelet!"
Yi Xiaoyao pointed at the Jade Bracelet on Tang Ruoxue’s arm—their ridiculous token of love.
Tang Ruoxue sneered, taking off the Jade Bracelet. "I wouldn’t deign to wear something you gave me. But since I’ve worn this bracelet, you’re not worthy of taking it back!"
With that, she threw the Jade Bracelet to the ground, and it instantly shattered into pieces!
"That was the only memento my mother left me to remember her by... and you..."
Yi Xiaoyao stared at the dust and fragments on the ground, his face pale and his voice trembling.
The next instant, a roar like that of a furious lion erupted from him.
"TANG! RUO! XUE! For what you’ve done today, I will make you regret this for the rest of your life!"
"You want to inherit the position of Fortress Master? Keep dreaming!"
"In ten days, I will fight you and take back the position of Fortress Master that belongs to me!"
There was no longer any trace of his former tenderness in Yi Xiaoyao’s gaze—only a bone-chilling coldness.
Stared at by Yi Xiaoyao, Tang Ruoxue felt as if she were being watched by a venomous snake, and she couldn’t help but shudder inwardly.
But a moment later, Tang Ruoxue and Tang Long looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing. The father and daughter found Yi Xiaoyao’s anger utterly ridiculous.
"I have obtained a Seventh Grade Immortal Soul inheritance, and my Cultivation has already reached the seventh level of Qi Condensation. I’ll be waiting to see how a cripple who can’t cultivate is going to defeat me!"
Tang Ruoxue snorted coldly and turned to leave.