Devouring demons, I attain immortality.

"My lord, didn't you go to the capital to take the imperial examination? Why...?"

Lin An coughed lightly, turned his head away, and said, "We encountered heavy snow blocking the road. Even if we get there, it will be too late. Let's just give up! In this world... there's no point in taking the imperial examinations."

For a moment, Xu Qingyan didn't know what to say, after all, passing the imperial examinations had always been her husband's dream.

Looking at Lin Lang's lifeless body on the ground, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "Husband, Lin Lang is dead... His brother is working in the county and will be back in the next couple of days. If he finds out, he'll kill us!"

Lin An sighed and said, "If he doesn't die today, you'll be the one who suffers."

Xu Qingyan jogged to Lin An and hugged him tightly, venting all her pent-up grievances.

Lin An felt a pang of sadness, so he gently patted her back and quietly waited for Xu Qingyan to calm down.

"Let's escape... Let's hide in the mountains, work at sunrise and rest at sunset, he won't be able to find us."

Lin An shook his head.

"That wasn't my intention. Lin Lang deserved to die, and if Lin Xing comes back to cause trouble, I absolutely won't be polite!"

Xu Qingyan's lips moved, but she couldn't bring herself to say the words.

She didn't know why Lin An had changed so drastically all of a sudden, but she knew that she should just support her husband's ideas.

"Husband, why don't you come back to the Xu residence with me?"

Upon hearing this, Lin An remained silent for a moment.

The Lin family was once quite wealthy and a large family. By the time of the grandfather, the family had declined and gradually fallen into ruin. However, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse, so they arranged a marriage between the Lin family and the Xu family, another emerging family in Qingshi County, when the children were still in their infancy.

The betrothed children were Lin An and Xu Qingyan.

However, the Lin family declined faster than expected, and a few years ago, they were relocated to Linjia Village in the mountains.

Furthermore, with Old Master Lin and Lin An's father working day and night to salvage the family's decline and dying, leaving only the lonely Lin An alive, while the Xu family was thriving, it was natural that they would not agree to this marriage.

However, Xu Qingyan had already fallen in love with Lin An. Despite her family's objections, she secretly ran away to Lin Family Village, preferring to give up a life of wealth and luxury to follow him.

Seeing Lin An hesitate, Xu Qingyan leaned against him and said, "Husband, Lin Lang's elder brother, Lin Xing, is from the Zhan family. We can't fight against him for the time being. Come back to the Xu family with me. I'll plead with my father. He definitely won't abandon us..."

Lin An was somewhat at a loss. After hesitating for a while, he finally nodded.

Having received Lin An's permission, Xu Qingyan beamed and said, "Husband, please wait a moment, I'll pack my things and leave right away!"

Lin An looked at Xu Qingyan, feeling somewhat apologetic.

This silly girl would rather give up a life of luxury than follow me, but he is no longer the scholar who wanted to pass the imperial examinations.

"Now, I want to pursue a higher realm, to attain immortality!"

Half a day later, at the entrance of the Xu residence.

Xu Qingyan knelt on the ground, "Please tell Father that your unfilial daughter, Xu Qingyan, requests an audience with you!"

The servants stared at the woman dressed as a peasant woman for a long time before recognizing her as their eldest daughter, who had been away from home for a long time.

Could the man standing next to him be the legendary son-in-law?

"Miss, please rise quickly, I'll go in and inform the master right away!"

The servants were in a panic, and soon, a young man walked out of the Xu residence with a face full of anger.

"Little sister, how dare you come back?"

The newcomer was Xu Qingyan's second brother, Xu Shan. When he saw Lin An standing calmly beside Xu Qingyan, his eyes showed doubt. Then, he realized a possibility and questioned, "Are you that brat from the Lin family?"

Lin An clasped his hands in a fist and said, "If you're referring to Lin An, then it's me."

Xu Shan's anger intensified, and he waved his hand, saying, "Men, break his legs and throw him out! Take Miss back to the study to await the master's judgment!"

Lin An narrowed his eyes. "Let's see who dares!"

In an instant, Lin An suddenly took three steps forward, and his aura suddenly exploded.

The servants looked at each other, unsure whether to take action or not.

Seeing the servants hesitate, Xu Shan pushed them aside and stepped forward, cursing loudly. The aura of a noble family member vanished instantly: "Who do you think you are! You pedantic scholar who only knows how to read books, not only did you abduct my sister, but you also dare to act tough in front of my Xu family's gate?"

"Second Brother, that's not how it is!" Xu Qingyan quickly grabbed Xu Shan, afraid that he might attack Lin An in a fit of anger.

"Little sister, get out of the way! I'm going to teach this brat a lesson today! You have no idea how much Dad has worried about you since you ran away—it's all because of this brat!"

"Young Master Xu!"

Lin An finally spoke.

"I came to the Xu residence today to escort your younger sister. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't bother setting foot here. As for using intimidation to oppress people, I advise you not to do it."

The spiritual energy surged up, and Lin An's entire demeanor underwent a dramatic change. The gentleness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp and domineering aura.

Even Xu Shan, who was already halfway to the Foundation Establishment stage, couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension when facing Lin An's gaze.

"What's going on? Why is this kid so obviously intimidating to me?!"

Xu Shan was filled with surprise and doubt. Just as he was about to speak, he said, "You..."

Lin An had already withdrawn his spiritual energy and regained his calm demeanor. He spoke first, "Second Young Master Xu, I have sent your sister back. I apologize for troubling the Xu family with their worries these past few days. Now that my mission is complete, I will not stay any longer."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyan panicked and rushed over to grab Lin An, her eyes reddening as she said, "Husband, why...why are you saying this? Didn't we agree to stay at the Xu residence...?"

Xu Qingyan did not say what came next.

Lin An looked at Xu Qingyan and was deeply moved. However, this girl was too naive. How could he possibly stay in such a large household as the Xu family?

Moreover, the Zhan family is a behemoth to him now, and he must keep the danger away from the Xu family in order to ensure her safety.

He stroked Xu Qingyan's hair and said softly, "I have other things to do. Don't worry, I'll come back to see you in a while. Your husband is no longer that bookworm."

"No, I don't want to!"

Lin An pushed the tearful Xu Qingyan toward Xu Shan, saying, "Second Young Master Xu, I'll leave Qingyan to you."

Seeing Lin An's attitude, Xu Shan snorted lightly, but his attitude softened considerably. "Lin An, my Xu family is a large and powerful family. Although it was an arranged marriage back then, things are different now..."

Lin An smiled without saying a word, turned and left, then paused, "I understand. However... sending Qingyan back today was only out of necessity. I will return in the future, and if Qingyan suffers any injustice..."

The Xuan Tian Seal flashed above Xu Shan's head and disappeared in an instant. In a flash, terrifying pressure descended upon him. Before he could even react, the stone slab beneath his feet shattered with a loud crack.

Xu Shan's face turned pale, and he looked as if he had been drenched in water.

"How...how is this possible!"