Lan Xueyi sat with her back to Ling Fan, silent.
Her back was exceptionally beautiful, her lustrous long hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist. Her slender waist was delicate, curving downwards with a stunning arc that was incredibly eye-catching.
Ling Fan merely glanced at her with a hint of appreciation before calmly waiting for Lan Xueyi to speak.
After a long while, she seemed to have made up her mind. She stood up, went to the desk, and swiftly wrote a letter, handing it to Ling Fan.
Ling Fan glanced at the contents, his expression unchanged, and asked, "Is this your father's idea, or your mother's?"
The letter bore the bold characters: Divorce Agreement.
Lan Xueyi wanted a divorce from him.
Lan Xueyi did not turn around and said, "This is my own matter, and I can make my own decisions. This is my own thought, and no one is forcing me."
Ling Fan responded with an "Oh," his voice and demeanor as calm as a deep, still lake.
Lan Xueyi was slightly surprised by Ling Fan's reaction.
In her imagination, Ling Fan should have been furious and opposed it.
However, she quickly thought that perhaps Ling Fan finally realized the magnitude of his mistakes and was too ashamed to speak.
If he could acknowledge his errors, it might not be a bad thing.
"Ling Fan, let's part on good terms. Moreover... from now on, the Lan family may struggle to protect themselves, and they won't be able to shield you. If you leave the Lan family now, you can avoid great disaster."
"They all say I betrayed the Lan family. Don't you blame me?"
Ling Fan asked curiously.
"What's the point? The Lan family is facing imminent disaster, and collapse is only a matter of time. We should think of a solution instead."
"Then why don't you leave with me?"
Ling Fan retorted.
"The Lan family is my home. My parents, my brother, my relatives are here. I want to stay and face it with them."
Ling Fan nodded.
He increasingly respected Lan Xueyi, this woman, his wife.
A person of such character was truly rare in this world.
In his previous life, as the Azure Cloud Emperor, he had seen countless women of unparalleled beauty, all of them noble Saintesses, princesses, and fairies, none of whom were less beautiful than Lan Xueyi, some even more so. However, most were mere vain women chasing fame and fortune, clinging to power. Few caught Ling Fan's eye.
It was rare to find someone like Lan Xueyi, who was as beautiful inside as out and possessed such respectable character.
The Ling Fan of the past was truly blind, not content with such a perfect and beautiful wife, only knowing how to waste his martial arts, eat, drink, and play. It was no wonder everyone looked down on him.
*Riiip.*
Ling Fan slowly tore the divorce agreement in his hand.
Lan Xueyi turned back in surprise, her body trembling as she stared at Ling Fan. "What are you doing! The Lan family is almost ruined, and you still won't let me go?"
Ling Fan shook his head and said, "I disagree."
If Lan Xueyi had wanted a divorce when he had just been reborn, he would have agreed without hesitation.
After all, there were no significant entanglements or karmic ties between them.
With his Azure Cloud Emperor's abilities, he could go anywhere in the vast world.
However, now, Lan Xueyi and Lan Tianxiong had done many things for him, making Ling Fan feel indebted. He had also come to accept Lan Tianxiong as his father-in-law and Lan Xueyi as his wife.
Therefore, he could not leave now.
What was the devastating crisis that Lan Xueyi feared compared to what he, the Azure Cloud Emperor, had faced?
In his previous life, he had encountered countless crises, any one of which was a catastrophe akin to the sky collapsing, all of which he had resolved with astonishing power. How much more so the mere Jin family.
"Don't worry, with me here, I won't let anything happen to you or the Lan family."
Ling Fan said this calmly, then turned and left.
He left Lan Xueyi standing there, stunned, Ling Fan's last words echoing repeatedly in her mind.
*Have you finally realized your responsibility as a husband...?*
*But is it too late now? Can these shoulders bear the weight of the Lan family's downfall?*
Three days passed quickly.
During these three days, Lan Xueyi cast aside all distractions and, in the weapon workshop, raced against time with Li Shan to hone her weapon forging skills.
As for the other members of the Lan family, many, in despair, chose to abandon the Lan family, including many artisans from the weapon workshop.
Even more people resigned themselves to fate, waiting for the final outcome as if awaiting judgment.
Three days later.
At the Jiangnan City Weapon Forgers Association, within the forging grounds capable of accommodating thousands of people.
The weapon forging competition between the Jin family and the Lan family had already spread throughout Jiangnan City, attracting countless martial artists and many distinguished weapon forgers to witness it.
The forging grounds were packed.
On the Jin family's side, Jin Wudao was present, along with the Jin family patriarch, Jin Dazhi, Jin Wudao's father, leading almost all the Jin family members, numbering several hundred.
Their presence exuded immense power.
Before them, a distinguished man in his fifties sat imposingly on a chair, while a handsome young man in his thirties stood respectfully beside him.
"Look quickly, that's Master Zheng! The Jin family spent a great deal to invite him from Yunmeng City! They say he's only one step away from becoming a Yellow-rank Weapon Forger, and he has even successfully forged a low-grade Yellow-rank spirit weapon before!"
"Hiss, he's that formidable?"
"Judging by his demeanor, he's definitely a master-level figure."
"The one beside him must be his disciple, also a man of great talent."
"The Jin family is determined to win this time and completely eliminate the Lan family!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"Look, someone from the Weapon Forgers Association has appeared. I wonder who will be presiding over this event?"
"It's Hu Hao! He's Master Wang's most beloved disciple. At such a young age, he's already a senior artisan, and they say he's close to becoming a top-tier artisan."
"Truly a young hero. At his age, he has a great chance of becoming Jiangnan City's second Yellow-rank Weapon Forger in the future."
"Of course. Master Wang sending him to preside over this weapon forging competition shows how much he values and trusts him."
As Hu Hao appeared, many prominent figures from Jiangnan City rose to greet him.
The status of weapon forgers was already high, and Hu Hao was very likely to become the future president of the Jiangnan City Weapon Forgers Association, a future Yellow-rank master!
How could these powerful figures of Jiangnan City not build a good relationship with Hu Hao in advance?
Perhaps someday, they might need Hu Hao to forge top-grade mortal weapons or even Yellow-rank spirit weapons for them, or to help repair their weapons.
Hu Hao beamed, frequently smiling and nodding, enjoying a moment of great prestige.
Countless young girls looked at Hu Hao with eyes like stars, screaming with delight.
"Young Master Hu, you've become even more distinguished, truly a dragon among men."
Master Zheng, for the first time, rose from his chair to greet Hu Hao personally.
Before, even in the presence of the Jin family patriarch, Jin Dazhi, he had remained seated. He had merely nodded to many famous weapon forgers who came to greet him.
"Greetings, Master Zheng! My teacher was asking about you."
Hu Hao said with a smile.
"Oh, I wouldn't dare! In front of Master Wang, what am I, Zheng Bicheng, to be called a master? You flatter me too much."
Master Zheng spoke courteously, though his expression was not entirely humble, clearly confident in his weapon forging skills.
"Has the Lan family arrived?"
Hu Hao asked.
"Not yet. They're probably too scared to come!"
Someone from the Jin family laughed, eliciting a chorus of dismissive laughter, with many powerful figures offering flattering agreement.
Just then, a group of people entered the forging grounds.
Leading them were the Lan family patriarch, Lan Tianxiong, and his wife, along with Lan Xueyi, Lan Junjie, Li Shan, and others. Ling Fan was also among the crowd, not standing out.
Compared to the warm reception the Jin family received, the Lan family's appearance was met with jeers.
Clearly, few people expected the Lan family to win this weapon forging competition.
"Since both sides have arrived, let the weapon forging大会 begin!"
Hu Hao declared.
"Today is the weapon forging competition between the Jin and Lan families, and I will be presiding and judging. The outcome will be decided by the forged weapons. The victor will receive our association's recognition and operating license, allowing them to continue their weapon forging business in Jiangnan City. The loser... I'm afraid you will have to voluntarily withdraw from Jiangnan City's weapon industry and are forbidden from ever returning."
Hu Hao's words caused a collective gasp of shock.
The Jin family's move was ruthless.
This was an attempt to completely drive the Lan family out of Jiangnan City and monopolize the city's weapon industry.
If the Lan family lost, they would be completely erased from Jiangnan City, with no hope of a comeback.