Chapter 1078: Chapter 1078: Heart of Rebellion
The two clasped hands tightly, the golden rings shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
Then, Pu Chen brought forth a cup of wine. Ye You took a blade and sliced his finger, letting drops of blood drip into the cup. Qin Sisi followed his example, using a sharp tool to cut her finger and let her blood drip into the cup as well.
Ye You lifted the blood-infused wine, drank half, and handed the rest to Qin Sisi, who drank the remainder.
From that moment, they transformed from strangers with no blood ties into the closest of kin, sharing joy and sweetness, and facing hardships and agony together.
By the time the engagement ceremony concluded, the moon had risen high. Its radiant light spilled across the rugged mountains, akin to clouds and frost, adding a gentle beauty to the treacherous terrain.
Ye You and Qin Sisi toasted each guest present, although merely tasting a sip each time. Then, under the gaze of all, Ye You swept Qin Sisi into his arms and flew back to the cave where they lived.
There were loud congratulations, quiet whispers, hidden glances of anger—but the ceremony was accomplished nonetheless.
The proceedings went smoothly, owed not only to Ye You’s resolute demeanor but also to Pu Chen’s intelligence and experience, ensuring every detail was attended to perfection.
The Seven Major Families, whether willing or not, adhered to tradition and presented their gifts.
Ya Ling had initially been steadfast in her refusal to attend this engagement ceremony. Chief Gelun persuaded her, saying it was merely an engagement, and as long as the wedding had not yet taken place, there was still hope. At the critical moment, it was crucial to leave Ye You with a good impression of loyalty.
Only then did Ya Ling agree to come with her father, and even dressed extravagantly, harboring intentions of outshining Qin Sisi.
Yet Qin Sisi stood there quietly. Her regal and splendid gown, golden phoenix crown gleaming, dazzling crystal tassels—she needed to do nothing at all to command the center of attention.
Meng Yu attended alongside her father, Chief Lianfu, sitting discreetly in a corner of the guest seating. She raised her chin, her beautiful eyes tightly fixed on Ye You’s every action and movement.
With each step he took, her heartache deepened; with each smile he gave Qin Sisi, her resentment grew thicker.
She deliberately used this method to crush her own hopes and embrace despair, so she could pursue a new, unfaltering path to greatness.
After the engagement ceremony ended, Chief Lianfu used family matters as an excuse to leave Taiyi Mountain overnight, bringing Meng Yu and their entourage along.
Three carriages moved steadily through the dark night. Chief Lianfu and Meng Yu sat in the central carriage, the most spacious and comfortable of the three. With a hint of exasperation, Chief Lianfu remarked, "We attended the ceremony; would staying one more night matter so much? Why insist on rushing off overnight? You really are a handful, child."
Meng Yu glanced at Chief Lianfu and spoke softly yet firmly, "Father, we are nothing alike with them. Staying until now is already more than fair—can’t you see that?"
Chief Lianfu knew Meng Yu’s thoughts. He sighed, patted her hand gently, and consoled her, "My dear daughter, don’t be sad. Ye You doesn’t recognize a treasure when he sees one. As your father, I will certainly find you a worthy match. I won’t let you suffer such indignity."
Meng Yu’s face remained expressionless as she spoke each word deliberately: "Father, do you know what my dream is?"
"What dream?" Chief Lianfu looked at his daughter, sensing something unusual about her today. Perhaps she was still heartbroken over Ye You. Thinking of this, Chief Lianfu, too, began to feel a trace of resentment toward Ye You.
Meng Yu’s gaze turned dark and resolute as she declared, "My dream is to become the Sacred Empress. This ambition will never change, nor will I ever compromise."
"But..." Chief Lianfu’s expression shifted uneasily. Of course, he wished for his daughter to ascend to the exalted status of Sacred Empress, but Ye You himself was unwilling—how could he force Ye You into marriage?
First, the Jiuxi Royal Family bore the Phoenix’s bloodline, destined as rulers by nature—other families could not defy them. Second, Ye You’s own formidable power could certainly not be coerced, even with Illusion Techniques. One of the Jiuxi Royal Family’s intrinsic attributes, Thunder Magic, countered Illusion Techniques naturally.
Meng Yu’s voice lowered, as if murmuring to herself: "Father, I will become the Sacred Empress, no matter what. As for who the Sacred King is—I couldn’t care less."
Chief Lianfu was utterly shocked: "Daughter! What are you saying?"
Meng Yu fixed her gaze on Chief Lianfu’s eyes: "I’ve made myself clear, haven’t I? Father, wealth and power are earned through risk. Why must the Phantom Spirit family forever serve the Jiuxi Royal Family as vassals?"
Chief Lianfu nervously looked outside into the vast night. Beyond their carriage convoy, there was no one else in sight.
"Daughter, this is no small matter. Failure could doom the Phantom Spirit family eternally, dragging the entire clan into ruin," Chief Lianfu spoke, his voice tinged with concern bred from years of contentment.
"Father, how did the Sage King Tian Yu treat you and Aunt? And how has Ye You treated me? Do you truly think the Phantom Spirit family can prosper under Ye You’s reign? It would be wiser to act sooner and secure power and wealth by aiding Tian Xiaozi in rising as the true Sacred King. As founding heroes of his reign, our fortunes and influence will be unmatched, free from Ye You’s oppression." Seeing her father’s hesitation, Meng Yu began to persuade him earnestly, her words sharp and unyielding.
Chief Lianfu remained hesitant—it was, after all, an extreme decision, with dire consequences should it fail.
"Father, I’m not doing this just for my benefit. I’m doing this for you, too. For all these years, our Phantom Spirit family has been unwaveringly loyal, yet the Qing Ming Family, boasting two Sacred Empresses among their lineage, has constantly overshadowed us. Even Sage King Tian Yu gives them favor. Aunt finally found someone she loved and forged her destiny, but Tian Yu forced Chen Song back to Yi Rou’s side, locking Aunt outside Heavenly Magic God’s Castle while subjecting us to Meilan Family’s relentless mockery. Can you truly let these injustices go?" Meng Yu clung to Chief Lianfu’s hand, her reddened eyes reflecting her deep anguish.
Stirring her father’s emotions, evoking familial grief and unspoken anxieties—her determination began to shake Chief Lianfu’s previously resolute stance.
Indeed, Sage King Tian Yu and Ye You had wronged him first—why should he remain blindly loyal?
"Fortune favors the bold," he thought. Helping Tian Xiaozi ascend as the true Sacred King would make him the quintessential figure of newfound power. Once his daughter became the Sacred Empress, the Phantom Spirit family would undoubtedly rise as the second most prominent family, just below the Jiuxi Royal Family.
Moreover, Tian Xiaozi carried the Phoenix bloodline as well. Supporting him would not be violating ancestral laws.
In the boundless depths of the night, father and daughter locked eyes, their expressions united in ruthless resolve, consumed by the fever of a desperate gamble.
Meanwhile, in the far-western Midair City, within the opulent and lonely palace halls, Jiu Ge reclined idly on a low, ethereal bed adorned with light gauze.
Two beautiful women in scant attire accompanied him. One held a pale green palm fan, gently fanning him, while the other knelt beside the bed, offering a jug of wine with both hands.
The golden wine vessel was raised high, its spout releasing a stream of fragrant Jadescent Nectar directly into Jiu Ge’s waiting mouth.
