Chapter One: You Dare Propose to Me?

“Do you even deserve to propose to me?”

“I am a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. My lifespan could reach up to two hundred years!”

“You were born with a crippled body, unable to cultivate, yet you dare to harbor such delusions about me?”

In the Western restaurant, the woman curled her hair in luxurious waves and wore an expensive gown, her tone defiant and haughty.

Gu Liuyun was impeccably dressed in a suit, holding a bouquet of flowers, kneeling on one knee with a vacant stare.

What was going on?

Wasn’t he supposed to be competing with many powerful figures in the secret realm for the opportunity to ascend to immortality with the ‘Ascension Stone’?

Why was this happening to him all of a sudden?

Just as Gu Liuyun was perplexed and uncertain, a wave of unfamiliar memories flooded his mind.

Moments later, he was dumbfounded.

He had transmigrated!

Moreover, he had landed in a parallel world where spiritual energy was scarce and cultivators were few and far between!

The lack of spiritual energy was one thing, but this body had no spiritual roots at all—not even qualified to cultivate...

“Gu Liuyun, silence won’t solve anything.”

The girl’s gaze was hostile, her tone growing colder. “You don’t really think you can marry me just because of a betrothal set more than ten years ago, do you?”

Gu Liuyun narrowed his eyes and patted his clothes as he sat on the sofa.

He studied the girl before him, memories about her surfacing in his mind.

Ye Qingqing, eighteen years old, from one of the ancient cultivation families of Xia Kingdom. Her family ran a vast corporation in the secular world. In terms of background, she was an elite heiress.

As for the betrothal, it was arranged fifteen years ago when Ye Qingqing’s grandfather was on the verge of death, pursued by enemies, and was saved by Gu Liuyun’s parents.

To express their gratitude, the old man arranged a childhood engagement between the young original owner and Ye Qingqing.

Gu Liuyun’s parents were independent cultivators, and though their realms weren’t high in the current environment, they were still respectable enough to justify the betrothal paper.

However, ever since his parents disappeared three years ago in an ancient secret realm, Ye Qingqing’s attitude toward him had grown increasingly cold.

“Gu Liuyun, don’t blame me for being unkind, but it’s because you’re a useless wretch.”

“Blame your parents’ weakness for dying in the secret realm.”

“If you know what’s good for you, go to my house and break off the engagement.”

Ye Qingqing rambled on while Gu Liuyun ignored her, leisurely savoring the red wine before him.

Before transmigrating, he had seen such scenes many times.

Big families were like this—only strength mattered, not right or wrong—and he could understand that.

But for the sake of face, even if an engagement was broken, compensation would be given, preserving dignity on both sides.

People like Ye Qingqing who were so arrogant often only produced ruthless characters who would shift fortunes over decades.

One can be pragmatic, but not lack social grace.

“Is this your decision, or your grandfather’s?”

Seeing Gu Liuyun finally speak, Ye Qingqing snorted coldly.

“Of course it’s my decision. Don’t expect my grandfather to back you up.”

Gu Liuyun nodded slightly upon hearing this.

It seemed Ye Xifu still knew how to behave and was not ungrateful.

Otherwise, the Ye family wouldn’t still exist.

“Since that’s the case, let’s break off the engagement. I never liked you anyway.”

Gu Liuyun’s tone remained calm as he tossed the wine aside, frowning slightly—he disliked this stuff that tasted like horse urine.

“What did you say?”

Ye Qingqing doubted her own ears.

Gu Liuyun, who always indulged her, how could he say something like that?

Wasn’t he afraid she’d get angry?

“You don’t like me?”

“Shh.”

Gu Liuyun raised his middle finger. “Don’t make a scene in public. Don’t you have any manners?”

“You…”

Ye Qingqing’s face darkened, her teeth itching with anger.

But moments later, she smiled again.

Folding her arms, leaning back in the sofa chair, she said, “I get it. You’re trying to deliberately anger me to make me care more about you, but let me tell you, such childish tricks won’t work.”

Hearing this, Gu Liuyun gave a disdainful look.

Though Ye Qingqing was stunningly beautiful, with a seductive fox-like face and an alluring figure,

she was arrogant, conceited, opportunistic, and of poor character.

A flaw hidden beneath her beauty.

“You overestimate yourself.”

Gu Liuyun awkwardly cut into the steak before him.

“Even if you hadn’t brought it up, I would have broken off the engagement. Being with someone like you is simply nauseating.”

“Gu Liuyun!”

Ye Qingqing lowered her voice, gathering spiritual energy in her palm.

“Do you believe I could kill you with one strike?”

Gu Liuyun chewed calmly, expression impassive as still water.

“First, I remind you, my parents are missing, not dead.”

“Second, if you kill your benefactor’s son, do you think your grandfather will let you off easily?”

Ye Qingqing’s gaze was fierce, but after weighing her anger, she swallowed it back.

“Since you agree to break the engagement, stop wasting words.”

Rising from the sofa chair, Ye Qingqing’s face was cold.

“From today on, do not show yourself in front of me, and do not mention our engagement to others.”

“Wait.”

Gu Liuyun spoke slowly, calling after the departing Ye Qingqing.

“What? You’re not going to back out, are you?”

Ye Qingqing paused, a smirk curling her lips.

Sure enough, Gu Liuyun was just bluffing; he must still be reluctant to end this marriage.

Gu Liuyun wiped the corner of his mouth and shook his head indifferently.

“The engagement was arranged by your grandfather. The marriage contract is with him. Since you want to break it off, you should arrange for me to meet him.”

Ye Qingqing sneered repeatedly.

“Your true colors have finally shown. After all this talk, you still want to complain to my grandfather.”

Gu Liuyun’s expression darkened, frowning.

He hadn’t encountered such a pure fool in a long time.

“Don’t worry, you’re not worth my effort.”

“Breaking off the engagement is good for both of us. I don’t want to be held back by you in the future.”

Ye Qingqing was so furious she nearly bled from all her orifices.

Held back?

Who was holding whom back?

A useless wretch with no cultivation and no background—how dare he speak this way?

Taking a deep breath, Ye Qingqing forced down her fury.

“Good. Remember what you said.”

“When you meet my grandfather, if you dare to back out, even if it angers him, I will definitely kill you!”

Gu Liuyun nodded slightly, stood, and brushed past her.

“Send me the time and place once it’s confirmed.”

“Also, settle the bill.”

Ye Qingqing clenched her fists until they cracked, completely off balance.

Who gave him the right to speak to her with such superiority?

Before, whenever they met, hadn’t he treated her like a puppy, doting and obedient?

“You want the girl to pay the bill?”

“Isn’t that shameful?”

Gu Liuyun turned his face away, his gaze indifferent.

“Is that how you want to ask for help?”

Annoyed! So annoyed!

The sycophant who had fawned over her for years suddenly stopped—and with such a rude attitude.

Ye Qingqing felt utterly uncomfortable all over.

“Fine! I’ll pay!”

Ye Qingqing ground her teeth, “Remember what you did today. Even if you kneel and beg me in the future, I will never forgive you!”

Such a foolish creature.

Gu Liuyun shook his head and reached out to open the glass door.

“Always consider if you’re worthy before you act.”

Ye Qingqing, furious and humiliated, smashed the dining table into pieces.