The next morning, the atmosphere in the Yunlan Family's main hall "Mist Hall" was solemn.
Matriarch Yun sat in the main seat, silver hair neatly coiled, purple sandalwood cane tapping the ground with steady thuds. Though over seventy, her Foundation Establishment cultivation gave her undiminished presence. Her sharp eyes swept over everyone below, full of authority.
Patriarch Xiao Zhengxuan stood beside her, sword brows slightly furrowed, his Golden Core pressure hidden but present. He wore a dark brocade robe with a long sword at his waist—the representative of the Yunlan Family's sword art lineage.
Below, Xavier Xiao lounged lazily in his chair in a moon-white robe, fan waving gently, still wearing his usual carefree expression. Liora Liu and Violet Lan sat on either side. Liora had changed into a light pink long skirt today; her complexion was noticeably better, yet she kept her head lowered modestly. Violet wore a water-blue dress, dignified and virtuous, holding a delicate pill box.
"Today I have summoned you all for Yichen's marriage." Matriarch Yun went straight to the point, her aged voice still strong. "Yichen is already twenty-one—long past the age to marry. The Lan merchant family has longstanding ties with our Yunlan Family. This Violet child has a pure Water Spirit Root and excels at pills and arrays; she is perfectly suited to become the Yunlan young madam."
Xiao Zhengxuan nodded in agreement. "The Matriarch is right. The Lan family is financially powerful and can help our Yunlan Family stand firmer in Chang'an. Moreover, Violet is virtuous and graceful, with both talent and appearance—perfectly matched with Yichen."
Violet flushed slightly at the words but rose gracefully and curtsied. "The Matriarch and Uncle overpraise me. Violet has received the Yunlan Mansion's care since childhood. If I can form a marital alliance with Young Master Xavier, I will naturally do my utmost to assist and never disappoint the family's expectations."
Her voice was gentle yet carried the resilient spiritual qi unique to the Water Spirit Root, making listeners feel favorable.
Xavier, however, remained silent, merely toying with the Immortal Jade at his waist. Today the jade faintly glowed with a faint crimson-gold halo—the trace left from last night's foundational dual cultivation with Liora.
Seeing his silence, Matriarch Yun frowned and tapped her cane. "Yichen, what do you say? Are you still thinking of that sickly Jiangnan girl?"
The moment these words fell, the hall's atmosphere tightened.
Liora trembled slightly, her pale fingertips secretly pinching her skirt hem. She kept her head lowered, her voice almost inaudible. "Liora… is merely an outsider lodging in the mansion and dares not reach high. Young Master and Sister Violet are a match made in heaven. Liora… is willing to step aside."
Her tone carried hidden, bitter forbearance. The Phoenix Spirit Root in her dantian trembled faintly, sensing its master's heartache.
Xavier finally raised his head. His gaze first swept gently over Liora, then turned to the Matriarch and his father. His tone was calm yet resolute. "Grandmother, Father, this child has already decided. In this life, I only wish to marry Liora Liu and no one else."
The single sentence was like a thunderclap; the hall erupted in uproar.
Xiao Zhengxuan's face darkened. "Nonsense! The Liu family is merely a small Jiangnan clan. Now both parents are gone, leaving only one girl whose spirit root suffers backlash. How can she be worthy of my Yunlan legitimate son? Moreover, although her Phoenix Spirit Root is rare, it is weak and frail—how can it assist you in cultivating the Mist-Phoenix Dual Cultivation Manual?"
Matriarch Yun also snorted coldly. "Yichen, do not be momentarily bewitched by that girl. Violet's Water Spirit Root is stable and she excels at refining pills and laying arrays—greatly beneficial to your future cultivation. As for Liora Liu's Phoenix Spirit Root… hmph, it is merely a defective thing. Forcing dual cultivation will only drag you down!"
Violet heard this and a trace of gloom flashed in her eyes, yet she still spoke gently. "If Young Master Xavier's heart already belongs elsewhere, Violet will never force the matter. It's just… Sister Liora's body is weak. If she truly wishes to dual cultivate, she may need a more stable spirit root to assist. Violet is willing to step back as a concubine and jointly support Young Master and Sister Liora."
Her words displayed both magnanimity and subtly pointed out Liora's "shortcomings," advancing and retreating with perfect measure.
Xavier, however, laughed heartily. He stood, and the Immortal Jade at his waist suddenly shone with bright white light. A surge of pure spiritual qi instantly filled the entire Mist Hall.
"Grandmother, Father, do you know why this Spirit-Communing Immortal Jade trembles?"
His gaze swept over everyone and finally rested on Liora. His voice was gentle yet carried unshakeable determination.
"Because it has resonated with Liora's Phoenix Spirit Root! Last night when Liora fell ill, I used the Immortal Jade to treat her. The two of us have already performed foundational dual cultivation in private. Her Phoenix Spirit Root is rapidly stabilizing, and my Immortal Jade spiritual power has also advanced. This is a heaven-bestowed immortal destiny that human power cannot change!"
He publicly took out the Phoenix Spirit Chant silk scroll Liora had given him the previous night and held it high. "This is the Liu Family's secret conditioning method, perfectly complementary to our Yunlan Mist Dual Cultivation Manual. This child and Liora have already tried it; the effect far surpasses any alliance partner. If Grandmother does not believe it, you may test it on the spot!"
Matriarch Yun's face turned iron-green; her cane struck the ground three times in succession. "Outrageous! Private dual cultivation? You two actually dared to do this behind the family's back…"
Xiao Zhengxuan also roared angrily. "Yichen, do you know this violates family rules! If word spreads, where will our Yunlan Family's face be?"
Xavier, however, did not retreat. He closed his fan and declared loudly, "Family rules are made by people; immortal destiny is decreed by heaven. This child is weary of mortal fame and only seeks true love and freedom on the immortal path. If Grandmother and Father insist on forcing the marriage, then this child will…"
Before he finished, he activated the Immortal Jade. Spiritual power mixed with phoenix spirit flame coalesced in his palm and struck a testing spirit stone pillar in the hall.
Boom!
Spiritual power collided with the pillar. The column instantly lit up with dazzling intertwined crimson-gold and pure-white light. Crimson-gold represented the Phoenix Spirit Root; pure white represented Immortal Jade spiritual qi. The two fused perfectly, far exceeding the resonance strength of ordinary dual cultivation.
Spiritual qi surged throughout the Mist Hall; everyone's expressions changed.
Matriarch Yun's pupils contracted. "This… such strong resonance?"
Violet also covered her mouth in surprise. With her Water Spirit Root's sensitivity, she clearly felt the perfect harmony between the rebirth-through-fire phoenix power and the Immortal Jade's purity. She sighed inwardly: So Young Master Xavier and Sister Liora's destiny has already reached this depth.
Liora raised her head, eyes moist yet firm. She walked to Xavier's side and gently took his hand. "Matriarch, Uncle, Liora knows her status is humble and dares not hope for the position of principal wife. If I can accompany Young Master as a concubine and dual cultivate the immortal path together, Liora… will already be content."
Her voice was soft yet carried the stubbornness and poetic quality unique to the Phoenix Spirit Root.
Xavier's heart ached. He gripped her hand in return and declared, "Liora, you need not wrong yourself so. In this life, I, Xavier Xiao, will marry no one but you!"
The hall's atmosphere reached a deadlock.
Matriarch Yun was silent for a long time before finally sighing. "Enough… Today's matter is temporarily set aside. The Lan family's visit was originally for marriage discussion. Now it seems we must reconsider at length. Violet, you may return first."
Violet rose, gave Liora a gentle look, and said, "Sister Liora, take good care of your health. If you need any pills, feel free to come to Sister."
With that, she gracefully departed, her back dignified yet carrying a trace of loneliness.
After everyone dispersed, Xavier and Liora walked out of the Mist Hall side by side. Sunlight bathed them, casting long shadows.
"Young Master… today, for Liora's sake, you publicly refused the marriage and likely offended the Matriarch and Uncle," Liora said softly, her voice full of guilt.
Xavier stopped, turned, and pulled her into his embrace (the action discreet, only when no one was around). He lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Liora, I have wronged you. But I have no regrets. The Immortal Jade has already recognized you as its master, and the Phoenix Spirit Root has resonated with me. In this life and this world, I only wish to dual cultivate the great path with you and ascend the immortal journey together."
Liora leaned against his chest, listening to the strong heartbeat. The Phoenix Spirit Root in her dantian felt warm and lively. She recited softly:
"Before the marriage discussion hall, winds and clouds rise; immortal jade and phoenix share one heart. Fear not the family's thousand pressures; only wish to walk the dual cultivation path with you."
Xavier continued:
"Though the Lan family is good, it is not my destiny; one wisp of Liora tugs at my soul. One day when we ascend to the immortal realm, we shall walk hand in hand, watching the endless mist."
The two smiled at each other; affection quietly deepened in the sunlight.
In the distant purple bamboo grove, Flora and Sunny hid together, peeking.
Flora's fox ears twitched. She whispered, "Young Master this time… has really angered the Matriarch. But it looks like the Matriarch is also wavering."
Sunny clenched her small fists and said hotly, "Exactly! Only Miss's Phoenix Spirit Root is worthy of Young Master! Although Miss Violet is good, matters of the heart… how can they be forced?"
The storm in the Mist Hall temporarily subsided.
However, no one expected that on that very night, faint demonic qi would quietly seep into Chang'an from outside the city. The prelude to the An-Shi Rebellion had already begun brewing in silence.
And the Yunlan Family's immortal array, for the first time that night, emitted a faint warning hum.
(End of Chapter 3)