I am an incredibly handsome man, and my fiancée refuses to call off the engagement even at the cost

The Gu family patriarch and his wife glanced at Song Yan and the others beside them, instantly understanding that it wasn't appropriate to speak with outsiders present. Regardless of the reason, their son's cultivation had recovered—that was a cause for great joy!

The couple exchanged a glance, both unable to hide their excitement.

The others were utterly shocked. No way! Wasn't his spiritual root destroyed? Destroyed? How could his spiritual root possibly recover?

I've never heard of anyone whose spiritual roots have been destroyed and then recovered.

The arrogant young man and the gray-robed old man immediately began to suspect that Gu Yan had been lying before, that he had not become a cripple at all.

Gu Yan looked at Su Ningxue and Song Yan, and said with a smile, "Both of you are guests of the Gu family. Why don't we take this opportunity to sit down and have a proper talk?"

Gu Yan's tone was gentle and tender. Su Ningxue and Song Yan looked at his face and nodded shyly. Su Ningxue reached out and took Gu Yan's left hand, saying sweetly, "Brother Yan, you really scared me to death just now. I'm so glad you're alright. It's so good that your cultivation has recovered."

Seeing Su Ningxue holding Gu Yan's hand, Song Yan immediately became jealous and, not to be outdone, took Gu Yan's right hand, saying softly:

"Brother Gu Yan, I didn't start it, but I'll definitely fix everything that's broken. Brother Gu Yan, what kind of move was that? It was amazing! Can you tell me about it?"

Song Yan and Su Ningxue each held one of Gu Yan's arms. The two beauties were clinging to Gu Yan like this, and in theory, many people should have envied Gu Yan. However, in reality, even beauties like Song Yan and Su Ningxue paled in comparison to Gu Yan's face, which was favored by the gods.

The two women clung to Gu Yan's arms, making it seem as if they were taking advantage of her.

Especially now, Gu Yan's smile seemed somewhat forced. He tried to push them away, but they hugged him even tighter. His subtle resistance coupled with his forced politeness made him look more like a handsome young man forced into prostitution.

Yang Zhen watched with gritted teeth, his face filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

The old man in the gray robe stared in disbelief.

The Gu family members were used to this kind of small scene; it wasn't surprising that many girls wanted to throw themselves at the young master. The Gu family head cleared his throat and said, "Why don't we go inside and continue our conversation?"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the hall, everyone had already taken their seats again.

Song Yan and Su Ningxue glared at each other, the atmosphere thick with tension. The meal...

Gu Yan introduced Su Ningxue with a smile: "Sister Song Yan, this is Su Ningxue, the daughter of the sect leader of Yuansheng Sect."

When Su Ningxue was introduced, she slightly raised her chin towards Song Yan, looking arrogant.

Yuansheng Sect's strength is in no way inferior to Mingxiu Palace. She is also the sect leader's daughter, raised with the utmost care since childhood, and is a genius. It's normal for her to be proud, especially since Song Yan is now her rival in love. Naturally, she cannot show any weakness.

"You're Su Ningxue?" Yang Zhen said in surprise.

He had heard of the name of the sect leader's daughter before, as had Song Yan. Song Yan was the direct disciple of the second palace master of Mingxiu Palace, while Su Ningxue was the daughter of the sect leader of Yuansheng Sect. The two were about the same age and both geniuses, and people often compared them.

Although Song Yan had never met Su Ningxue, she had heard her name countless times.

She had long wanted to challenge Su Ningxue, but she never expected to become Su Ningxue's rival in love. Su Ningxue's looks and talent were no less than hers, and her status was even higher, which made Song Yan feel even more threatened.

"That's right, I am Su Ningxue. What? You have a problem with me?" Su Ningxue crossed her arms and glared coldly at Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen was annoyed by her glare, but thinking of her parents, the Spirit Kings, he could only suppress his displeasure for the time being.

"Ningxue, why aren't you staying at Yuansheng Sect to cultivate?" Gu Yan asked.

"Didn't I tell you? I heard that this guy came to break off the engagement. I was afraid that you would be bullied, so I came here specially. I didn't expect that you had already regained your strength. Xue'er has gone to great lengths." Su Ningxue said with a smile. She had been saved by Gu Yan before and had secretly fallen in love with him.

Ever since she learned that Gu Yan had a fiancée, she had been keeping an eye on Song Yan's movements. When she learned that Song Yan had come to break off the engagement, she was incredibly excited.

She dropped everything and rushed to the Gu family to comfort the injured Yan-gege and teach Song Yan, that ungrateful woman, a lesson. Who knew that this wretched woman would become lustful after seeing Yan-gege and refuse to annul the engagement?! She's furious!

"Brother Yan, now that you've recovered your cultivation, why don't you join our Yuansheng Sect and cultivate with me? Father and Mother have always liked you, and I'll ask Father to take you as his disciple." Su Ningxue's eyes lit up as she looked at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan smiled and said, "I have no intention of joining a sect."

"What Brother Gu Yan wants to do is his own decision, why are you interfering?" Song Yan was initially flustered when she heard Su Ningxue's suggestion, but she felt pleased when Gu Yan refused.

"You..." Su Ningxue glared at Song Yan, gritting her teeth as she was about to attack.

Gu Yan immediately said:

"It's getting late, why don't you two sisters stay here for the night?"

"OK!"

"OK!"

Song Yan and Su Ningxue said in unison, then glared at each other.

After Gu Yan finished speaking, she smiled and looked at the gray-robed old man and Yang Zhen: "Please stay at the mansion for now, and we can discuss other matters tomorrow."

The gray-robed old man cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Young Master Gu."

After saying this, he bowed to the Gu family head and Madam Gu, saying, "I'm sorry to have bothered you both!"

The Gu family patriarch and his wife smiled slightly and then instructed people to prepare the guest rooms.

Yang Zhen remained arrogant, and seeing Song Yan's gaze fixed on Gu Yan, he clenched his fists in anger, his fingernails digging into his flesh. "Just a pretty boy, so what if he's regained his strength? Using his looks to attract women, shameless!!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

With the new moon hanging in the sky, Gu Yan breathed a sigh of relief as she returned to her room.

Dealing with two young girls at the same time was exhausting for him. The two girls even fought over where to stay in the guest room; if he hadn't stopped them, they would have almost started fighting again.

Gu Yan walked to the table, picked up the teacup, and was about to take a sip when his parents arrived. Seeing them, he knew they were there to ask about his cultivation level. Sure enough, his mother immediately activated the room's protective barrier upon entering, and his father's first words were:

"Yan'er, what exactly happened? How did your cultivation level recover?"

Gu Yan had already prepared the story:

"Father, Mother, it's Master who has returned. He repaired my spiritual roots, reshaped my spiritual foundation, and helped me condense my spiritual core."