Bab 9: The Shattering Vows
"Three minutes into this marriage, and already I feel trapped!" Tian Ming exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Who thought binding us to… to her was a good idea?"
Li Xian'er's heart twisted, but she kept her expression calm. (They really despise this… despise me. But they don't understand. I'm more than what they see, more than this outer shell…)
The other suitors exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. They were all gathered in the central hall again, mere moments after the brief marriage ceremony. The energy was tense, almost electric, as each suitor voiced his complaints openly.
"I mean, come on!" Wei Jun sneered. "A bookworm like her? She's not even on our level of cultivation!" He rolled his eyes dramatically, glancing at the others for support. "This whole marriage feels like a bad joke."
"She's nothing like the powerhouses we're used to seeing," Zhi Rui added, crossing his arms. "And now we're supposed to pretend this arrangement has any real meaning? Ridiculous!"
Their dismissive laughter echoed around the hall, filling the space with a harsh, mocking energy. Li Xian'er stood at the center, her fists clenched, but she stayed silent, holding her emotions in check.
The suitors continued, oblivious to her turmoil. "We're meant to marry for power, for strength!" Liang Chen declared. "Not to some… well, no offense, but you're barely even noticeable!" His words dripped with scorn as he looked away, clearly not caring if she took offense.
Li Xian'er's eyes stung, but she kept her gaze steady. (They think I'm weak… invisible. But I'll show them. Just wait…)
Suddenly, the doors swung open again with a dramatic slam, and the mysterious figure from earlier, Zhao Ren, strode in with the same air of confidence, an amused smile on his lips.
"Now, now," he drawled, waving a hand as though to quiet the group. "You're all sounding very… impatient. Marriage isn't something to throw away lightly, you know."
The suitors turned to him, a mix of irritation and confusion on their faces. "Who are you to lecture us?" Tian Ming snapped. "You just walked in here, spouting nonsense about annulment, and now you're back?"
Zhao Ren shrugged, unbothered by the animosity. "I'm simply here to help. You don't really want to be bound to her, do you?" He shot a quick, conspiratorial look at Li Xian'er, though she kept her face neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Oh, please!" Wei Jun scoffed, rolling his eyes. "We're bound to her because our ancestors ordered it, not because we actually want to be here!"
One of the elders, sensing the rebellion in the room, cleared his throat. "This arrangement is not to be taken lightly. Li Xian'er possesses a potential that… well, let's just say it's beyond your understanding at this point."
"What potential?" Zhi Rui cut in, exasperated. "She doesn't even seem to have reached the basic immortal realm, let alone anything more powerful. We're leagues ahead of her!"
Another elder raised his hand, silencing the growing murmurs. "Enough, all of you. Li Xian'er's strength is hidden for now. Her cultivation path is unique and complex, one you may not understand. But her power, once fully awakened, could change the fates of those tied to her. And as her husbands, you are bound to share in that fate."
The suitors went silent, their eyes widening in confusion.
"Change our fates?" Liang Chen muttered, his brows furrowing. "What does that even mean?"
"Yes," one elder affirmed, his tone heavy with certainty. "In time, you'll understand. Divorcing her now would be… well, you'd be rejecting a power unlike any other. A force strong enough to bring unimaginable prosperity and protection to those who stand by her."
Li Xian'er looked down, hiding a small smile. (They have no idea just how powerful I really am… or how close I am to surpassing even their wildest expectations.)
Zhao Ren, undeterred by the elders' words, let out a loud, theatrical sigh. "Oh, come on! You're all talking in riddles and prophecies. Why bind yourself to something uncertain when you could be free to choose your own path?"
The suitors shifted uncomfortably, his words striking a chord. Tian Ming stepped forward, a defiant glint in his eye. "If she's so powerful, then why doesn't she just… show us? Prove that she's worth our time and commitment."
Li Xian'er's heart pounded, the desire to show her true self burning within her. But she knew it wasn't time yet. (Not yet. They aren't ready to see who I really am… but soon.)
Another elder stepped forward, his expression stern. "You are all speaking out of turn. You have no idea whose future you are rejecting. To divorce her now would be to turn away from a destiny greater than any of you understand."
The words settled over them like a heavy weight, and for a moment, the suitors fell silent. But Zhao Ren's mischievous voice cut through once again.
"Oh, so we're to believe she has some hidden strength we're all just too blind to see?" he teased, throwing a mocking glance Li Xian'er's way.
The elders exchanged worried looks. This stranger was stirring up doubts, planting seeds of rebellion in the suitors' minds.
Wei Jun folded his arms defiantly, his gaze hard. "Well, maybe we're just not interested in hidden strengths or destinies! Maybe we're not willing to waste our lives on something that might never come to be."
Zhao Ren grinned, nodding approvingly. "Exactly! Why wait around for something that might never happen? Just cut the ties now and go on your way."
The elders' expressions darkened, but before they could speak, another voice broke the silence—a voice that was strong, steady, and filled with determination.
"Enough," Li Xian'er said, her voice calm but firm. The hall fell silent, every gaze turning to her. She took a step forward, her chin raised, meeting the suitors' eyes one by one. "You can mock me, belittle me, dismiss me all you want. But I'm here because of a promise, a promise made by our ancestors. If you don't want to be part of it, that's your choice. But don't pretend you're making this decision out of bravery. You're just afraid."
A hush fell over the room as her words settled in, her gaze unwavering. The suitors shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by the quiet strength in her voice.
Zhao Ren's grin faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Well, isn't that brave of you to say?" He leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough for her to hear. "But do you really think they'll stay, after all this?"
Li Xian'er held his gaze, a calm defiance in her eyes. (They don't need to stay. I'm stronger than any of them know. One day, they'll see what I'm truly capable of.)
Just as she was about to respond, a sudden, intense pressure filled the room, making everyone freeze. The air grew thick, heavy with an unseen force that sent chills down their spines. It was as if an invisible presence had entered, watching, waiting.
The elders exchanged knowing looks, a hint of concern flickering in their eyes.
"What… what is this?" Zhi Rui muttered, glancing around with wide eyes.
"It feels like… like someone is watching us," Tian Ming whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
One of the elders stepped forward, his voice solemn. "This is the presence of the ancients, a reminder of the vows you have taken. Do not take this lightly. If you choose to walk away, you do so at your own peril."
The suitors fell silent, their bravado fading as the weight of their decision settled on them. Even Zhao Ren looked slightly unnerved, though he quickly masked it with a casual shrug.
Li Xian'er took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. (This is just the beginning. I will prove myself, even if they don't believe in me now.)
And as she stood there, surrounded by her skeptical suitors and the quiet, powerful presence of the ancients, she felt a surge of determination unlike any she had ever known.
Zhao Ren's smirk returned, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes as he looked at her. "So, what's it going to be, gentlemen?" he asked, his tone teasing but uncertain. "Will you stay… or will you leave?"
But before anyone could respond, a booming voice filled the hall, echoing with authority.
"If you walk away now, you will never know the power she holds," the voice declared, sending a chill through everyone present.
Li Xian'er's heart raced, her gaze flicking to the suitors as they hesitated, torn between doubt and curiosity.
And in that moment, she knew…
This was just the beginning of something far greater than any of them could imagine.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone