Song Ningyan regarded Chen Qingyuan with an indifferent expression before walking to one side and taking a seat.
Originally, Song Ningyan had planned to handle this matter alone, and Zhao Yichuan had agreed. However, Yu Chenran suddenly pushed Chen Qingyuan onto Zhao Yichuan, prompting him to change his mind.
During these days, Song Ningyan had been striving to prove herself. Through relentless effort, she had finally gained Zhao Yichuan's recognition and truly became his disciple.
Since he had taken Song Ningyan as his personal disciple, Zhao Yichuan didn't hesitate to decide on a gift for their first meeting.
Song Ningyan refused the gift, instead making a request.
Freedom!
Song Ningyan was the legitimate daughter of the Song Family from the ancient clans of the Star Domain of Tianhe. Her talent was exceptional, and she was highly valued by her family.
However, since ancient times, the Song Family had been male-dominated, and no matter how strong a woman was, she could never touch the core power and was ultimately reduced to a tool for marriage alliances.
The Song Family of the Star Domain of Tianhe was the leader among the ancient clans, with profound heritage. If Song Ningyan wanted to change her fate, she had to bet everything on the Dao Yi Academy.
Only with the support of the Dao Yi Academy could Song Ningyan break free from her predetermined destiny.
Fortunately, her efforts were not in vain, and at least for now, there seemed to be great hope.
"I am from the Song Family of the ancient clans of the Star Domain of Tianhe. I was secretly nurtured by my family from a young age with one purpose: to marry into other powers, consolidate our family's status, enhance our strength, and gain benefits."
Song Ningyan turned to Chen Qingyuan and briefly explained the situation.
"The Song Family of the Star Domain of Tianhe is quite something!"
The strongest among the ancient clans of the Northern Wilderness, without a doubt.
Chen Qingyuan would find it hard not to know of them.
The Song Family had formed marriage alliances with many powers, and their interests were intricately intertwined. It's no exaggeration to say that most of the top powers in the Northern Wilderness had, at some point in the past tens of thousands of years, been allied with the Song Family.
"I'm going back this time to sever this karma and regain my freedom."
Song Ningyan stated bluntly.
"This is no easy task!"
Chen Qingyuan remarked.
"If you're scared, there's no need to follow."
Perhaps it was the pride in her heart, but Song Ningyan didn't want Chen Qingyuan to see her weak side. Once back in her family, Song Ningyan wouldn't be as assertive as she was now; she would be restricted at every turn.
"My Master and Elder Zhao have spoken; I can't refuse to go even if I don't wanted to."
Chen Qingyuan felt a bit frustrated, thinking that he wouldn't have any peaceful days ahead.
"The Song Family's heritage and strength may not match the Dao Yi Academy, but the gap isn't huge. If you accompany me to resolve this matter, even as the disciple of the Vice Dean, you might still face difficulties."
Song Ningyan already knew who Chen Qingyuan's Master was, and at the time, she was quite shocked, not understanding how Chen Qingyuan had managed to gain the favor of Vice Dean Yu.
"Does the Song Family dare to kill me?"
Chen Qingyuan asked.
"That's impossible," Song Ningyan shook her head.
If the Song Family dared to make a move on Chen Qingyuan, the Dao Yi Academy would be ready to wage war against them the next day.
Looking across the Northern Wilderness, any power that knew of the existence of the Dao Yi Academy was well aware of its fearsomeness and wouldn't dare to offend it.
"Then there's nothing to fear."
Chen Qingyuan's lips curled into a slight smile.
Song Ningyan opened her mouth, intending to persuade him further, but the words wouldn't come out. Having someone accompany her back gave her a sense of security.
After all, even though Song Ningyan had become Zhao Yichuan's disciple, deep down, she still harbored a profound fear of the colossal entity that was the Song Family.
"Who is the betrothal partner the Song Family has arranged for you?"
Chen Qingyuan asked with a gossiping tone, his eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity.
After a moment's hesitation, Song Ningyan said gravely, "Zhangsun Fengye of the Piaomiao Sacred Ground in the Star Domain of Renling, acclaimed by many as the foremost of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness."
"Who?" Upon hearing this, Chen Qingyuan's face changed dramatically, his pupils constricted, and he exclaimed, "Zhangsun Fengye?"
Not long ago, Chen Qingyuan had met Zhangsun Fengye and thought it unlikely they would cross paths again anytime soon, yet here he was hearing his name again.
"You know him?"
Song Ningyan's eyebrows furrowed.
"I've met him once."
Chen Qingyuan nodded lightly.
"Any enmity?"
Song Ningyan probed further.
"Not at all. The guy shamelessly asked me for a jug of wine."
Chen Qingyuan recounted the encounter with Zhangsun Fengye honestly.
"Asked for wine?" Song Ningyan's expression tightened. In her impression, although Zhangsun Fengye appeared gentle and scholarly on the surface, he was always somewhat distant and wouldn't do such a thing.
The heritage of the ancient Song Family was indeed powerful, but they shouldn't underestimate the Piaomiao Sacred Ground of the Star Domain of Renling, especially Zhangsun Fengye, the Holy Son.
Zhangsun Fengye, hailed as the leader of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness, was highly talented, to say the least. As long as he didn't die young, he was destined to become a powerful figure standing at the pinnacle.
For the Song Family, forming a marriage alliance with a future top figure was all benefit and no harm.
"That guy is the strongest evildoer in the Northern Wilderness. Becoming his Dao Companion wouldn't be a loss for you. Besides, looking across the entire Northern Wilderness, there are countless exceptional ladies who would want to marry him."
Chen Qingyuan couldn't understand why Song Ningyan would be reluctant to marry such an ideal Dao Companion.
"I don't like the feeling of being controlled like a puppet, and I'm not interested in Zhangsun Fengye. It doesn't matter if he's the leader of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness or if he has suppressed all the evildoers of the Imperial Province. If I don't like him, I just don't."
Song Ningyan revealed her inner thoughts.
"As a member of the Song Family, you've been given status and resources since childhood. From this perspective, it's your duty to marry into the Piaomiao Sacred Ground."
If every member of an ancient family with a long heritage were as disobedient as Song Ningyan, the family would have perished long ago and wouldn't have its current glory.
"I agree with you," Song Ningyan said expressionlessly. "If I had no ability, I would let the family arrange my future. But since I have a chance to change my destiny, why not fight for it? If I succeed, I will bring benefits to the family. If I fail, let the family deal with me, and I can serve as a wrong example to others in the clan, a warning to others."
"By your logic, whether you succeed or fail, there's no downside for the Song Family."
Chen Qingyuan commented.
"Everyone thinks differently. I just don't want to have regrets. The status of women in the Song Family is too low. I want to fight for it, even if I fail, I won't regret it."
For countless years, although the women of the Song Family were not lacking in resources, they lacked dignity. They either had to become very strong themselves or find a Dao Companion with a strong background.
Even if both conditions were met, the Song Family would never allow a woman to hold a core high-level position.
What Song Ningyan was attempting to do was not only for her own freedom but also to try and change the outdated rules within the clan.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas