Chapitre 8: The Reluctant Agreement
"Are we really going to go through with this?" Zhi Rui's voice echoed through the great hall, sharp and full of disbelief. He exchanged an exasperated look with Tian Ming, who just shook his head, lips curled in a slight sneer.
The air in the hall was thick with murmurs of disapproval as each suitor voiced their frustrations. They all stood together in a loose circle, eyeing each other with barely contained irritation. Their displeasure was more than clear—it was written on every single face.
Tian Ming snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "This… is ridiculous," he muttered, glancing at the others for support. "To be bound to… her?" He tilted his head, clearly incredulous. "Just look at her! She's not even remotely… impressive."
Li Xian'er, standing a few paces away, clenched her hands together tightly. She felt every cold stare, every whispered insult. (It's as if they can't see past what's in front of them… they don't know who I am, what I'm capable of becoming.)
One of the other suitors, Wei Jun, ran his fingers through his dark hair, sighing heavily. "I've heard enough," he grumbled, shaking his head. "I mean, what's even the point of these marriage contracts? Our ancestors' promises? This isn't ancient history! We have choices, don't we?"
An older, wise-looking man stepped forward—a family elder tasked with overseeing the arrangements. He cleared his throat, silencing the murmurs. "It may seem unreasonable to you now," he said in a calm, authoritative voice, "but there are reasons beyond what you can see. Li Xian'er's cultivation is… unique. She has yet to reach her full potential."
Zhi Rui rolled his eyes, still clearly unconvinced. "Unique? I don't see anything special. Just a girl with glasses and a talent for hiding in libraries," he scoffed, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
A small, painful lump formed in Li Xian'er's throat, but she swallowed it down, keeping her expression calm. (If they don't see who I am now, maybe they'll never understand… but does it really matter?)
The elder gave Zhi Rui a sharp look, silencing him before continuing. "Our ancestors made these promises with great wisdom. They saw the path that Li Xian'er is destined to walk. You may not understand it now, but patience will reveal everything."
Wei Jun raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk on his face. "So… what? We're supposed to wait for her to 'transform' or something? Become someone… worthwhile?"
The elder's eyes darkened with warning, and he nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Li Xian'er's journey is far from over. Her cultivation is still progressing, and there are stages she has yet to reach. Only then will her true power—and beauty—be revealed."
Li Xian'er's cheeks flushed with heat, partly from the elder's words and partly from the embarrassment of standing there while they spoke about her as if she weren't present. (True beauty? Power? Is that really all they care about? I don't need their approval… but why does it still sting?)
"Fine," Tian Ming muttered, his voice low but laced with annoyance. "So we're just supposed to wait around until she's… ready?"
The elder gave a solemn nod, his gaze steady. "Yes. Your agreement to marry her is still binding, and though you may not understand now, this union will benefit you all. Until then, you will each hold to the promises of your families."
Zhi Rui sighed heavily, looking visibly frustrated. He met Li Xian'er's gaze for a brief second, his eyes full of disdain. "I don't know what's supposed to happen when she 'matures,' but I don't have high hopes."
Li Xian'er's heart tightened at his words, but she kept her expression steady. (They can say what they want… One day, they'll see. One day, they'll realize who I really am.)
Tian Ming, still looking unimpressed, finally shrugged, a reluctant acceptance in his posture. "Fine. We'll play along with this charade, but don't expect us to be… invested."
One by one, the suitors muttered their reluctant agreements, each one making it clear they had no faith in the elder's words or in her. But despite the doubt in their voices, they knew they were bound by duty.
As they slowly filed out of the hall, leaving her standing alone, Li Xian'er let out a quiet, shaky breath. Her heart ached from their words, and a heaviness settled over her shoulders. She couldn't help but feel like she was trapped in a story she didn't belong in.
(Why should I care about what they think of me? I've worked hard, trained harder than any of them… and still, I'm just… nothing in their eyes.) She hugged herself, feeling the weight of their rejection.
But in the quiet that followed, she sensed something else. A shadow shifted near the corner of the room, and she caught a glimpse of a familiar masked figure—just for an instant before he disappeared into the shadows.
Her heart leaped. (Him… he was here, watching?) A strange warmth spread through her chest, a small spark of hope. (Maybe… maybe he sees something that they don't?)
But before she could dwell on it, the elder approached her, his expression softening. "Li Xian'er," he said gently, his voice full of encouragement. "I know it isn't easy to endure their words. But you are destined for greatness. In time, they will see it too."
Li Xian'er met his gaze, the pain in her heart slowly fading. "Thank you, Elder," she whispered, her voice steady. "I won't let their words discourage me."
The elder nodded, his face warm with approval. "Good. Remember, true strength lies not in appearance, but in one's spirit."
She took his words to heart, feeling a newfound resolve growing within her. (One day, I'll make them regret underestimating me. I'll show them who I truly am.)
As she left the hall, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the masked man and the elder's words, she didn't notice Zhi Rui lingering by the entrance. He watched her leave, a curious glint in his eyes.
"Let's see if she's really worth all this fuss," he murmured to himself, his lips twisting into a smirk.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone