A majestic war chariot, ten thousand meters in length, adorned with many precious jewels and stones, each corner carved with lifelike dragons and tigers.
A hundred people from the Mysterious Sacred Ground arrived, all clad in white robes as pure as snow, untainted by dust.
Leading them was the Sacred Ground's Grand Elder, with white hair and white robes, exuding an aura of immortal grace.
Standing beside the Grand Elder was a young man, also dressed in white, holding a folding fan, handsome and graceful.
He was the Holy Son of the Mysterious Sacred Ground, known as the foremost of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Wilderness, Zhangsun Fengye.
"Esteemed guests, please come in."
To show respect, Clan Leader Song Xiufeng of the Song Family personally led a group to welcome them, flanked by charming maids dressed identically, very neat and orderly.
"Clan Leader Song is too kind."
The Grand Elder's face lit up with pride as the Clan Leader personally came to greet them, smiling brightly and returning the gesture with a clasped fist.
The high-ranking members of both powers exchanged pleasantries and compliments as they entered the grand hall together.
Chen Qingyuan admired the grandeur of the Mysterious Sacred Ground with relish.
Zhangsun Fengye had already heard rumors that Chen Qingyuan had accompanied Song Ningyan back to the Song Family. He was quite interested in Chen Qingyuan.
Since Chen Qingyuan was in a distant corner, Zhangsun Fengye glanced around the hall but did not see him. However, it was likely that they would meet again soon.
"Let the young ones spend some time together first. If there's fate, our families can unite through marriage and grow together. If not, the Song Family and the Mysterious Sacred Ground can still form an alliance, unaffected by the marriage of the younger generation."
Song Xiufeng entertained the high-level members of the Mysterious Sacred Ground, sharing his views.
"It would be our great fortune to form an alliance with the Song Family."
In the Northern Wilderness's three core Star Domains, all were equal, with no hierarchy.
The Mysterious Sacred Ground held a high status in the Human Spirit Star Domain, slightly overshadowing other top powers. If they could form an alliance with the Song Family, they might lead the Human Spirit Star Domain in the future.
Similarly, if the Song Family could support the Mysterious Sacred Ground, it would consolidate their own status and promote the clan's development.
"We must consider the feelings of the young people; the future belongs to them, and we cannot force them."
Song Xiufeng said.
"Clan Leader Song speaks wisely."
The Grand Elder was momentarily taken aback, then agreed. However, he was puzzled as to when the Song Family had ever considered the wishes of their women.
It was well-known that the women of the Song Family had low status, and their marriages were arranged by the clan, not to be defied.
Hearing Song Xiufeng say this, the Grand Elder's hand trembled as he held his wine cup.
The Song Family had kept Chen Qingyuan's previous actions in the grand hall a secret, not letting word spread. It concerned the face of the Song Family, so they tried to cover it up.
Although there are no walls in the world that do not leak, it would not spread in a short time.
Thus, the Song Family and the Mysterious Sacred Ground discussed cooperation over fine wine, such as exchanging secret realm resources and allowing the younger generation of both families to cultivate in each other's secret realms.
Mutual benefit for joint development.
Zhangsun Fengye disliked such occasions and had long since found an excuse to leave the grand hall.
A Song Family elder, upon receiving a signal from Song Xiufeng, immediately went to the inner residence to relay a message to Song Ningyan, earnestly saying, "Ningyan, try to get along with Young Master Changsun for a while. The family has already compromised; you can't be willful anymore."
"Young Master Changsun has come from afar; I will certainly entertain him well."
Song Ningyan knew the importance of the situation; if she was disobedient now, it would be a slap in the face to her family.
"Hmm." The elder nodded in satisfaction and returned to the grand hall.
Outside the grand hall, a corridor led to the lakeside.
Zhangsun Fengye walked slowly, admiring the scenery of the Song Family from every corner, secretly praising the richness of the leading Ancient Clan of the Northern Wilderness.
"Song Ningyan pays respects to Young Master Changsun."
Following her family's instructions, Song Ningyan came to interact with Zhangsun Fengye, bowing slightly, her voice crisp and enchanting.
Zhangsun Fengye was not surprised by Song Ningyan's sudden appearance and returned the greeting with a calm bow: "Miss Song."
"As a distinguished guest, perhaps I could show you around."
Seeing Zhangsun Fengye for the first time, she found him exceptionally handsome, not an ordinary man. Even so, Song Ningyan did not feel any particular fondness; she did not judge a person's character by their appearance.
It could only be said that upon their first meeting, Song Ningyan did not dislike Zhangsun Fengye, who seemed like a gentleman.
"Very well, I'll trouble Miss Song then."
Zhangsun Fengye understood the arrangements of both families and could not refuse.
Thus, the two walked side by side in awkward silence. After half an hour, they arrived under a willow tree by the lakeside.
From a distance, an exquisite ancient pavilion stood in the middle of the lake, surrounded by lotuses, very picturesque.
"I heard Chen Qingyuan is visiting the Song Family, is that true?"
After such a long silence, Zhangsun Fengye started the conversation, not about romance, but about Chen Qingyuan.
"Yes." Song Ningyan was startled, thinking Zhangsun Fengye would talk about love and wondering how to respond, but he mentioned Chen Qingyuan, her expression slightly surprised.
"Could you introduce me to him?"
Zhangsun Fengye turned to look at Song Ningyan beside him, smiling slightly, making a request.
"This… I need to ask his opinion first, and only after he agrees can I promise Young Master Changsun."
Song Ningyan said.
"Of course." Zhangsun Fengye nodded slowly.
Perhaps because he was about to meet Chen Qingyuan, Zhangsun Fengye was in a good mood, opening his folding fan and gently waving it.
The fan stirred a breeze, fluttering the hair at Zhangsun Fengye's temples, adding a touch of ethereal charm.
"Forgive my boldness, but may I ask what business Young Master Changsun has with Chen Qingyuan?"
Song Ningyan did not know Zhangsun Fengye's intentions; if he meant harm to Chen Qingyuan, she could not introduce them.
"I've long heard of him and have never met; I'd like to make his acquaintance."
Zhangsun Fengye spoke honestly.
"No other reason?"
Song Ningyan asked again.
"No more." Zhangsun Fengye shook his head, smiling lightly: "Miss Song, rest assured, I have no ill intentions towards Chen Qingyuan; I just wish to get to know him."
"That's good." Song Ningyan nodded lightly.
"Miss Song seems to care a lot about Chen Qingyuan!"
Talking about Chen Qingyuan, Zhangsun Fengye found much to discuss.
"He and I are from the same sect, and strictly speaking, he is also my Senior Brother, so naturally, I don't want anyone to harm him."
Song Ningyan quickly explained.
The common people did not know that Chen Qingyuan had entered the Dao Academy, but the Mysterious Sacred Ground naturally had heard. Moreover, a few disciples from the Mysterious Sacred Ground had participated in the academy's recent assessment but were unfortunately eliminated.
"I see." Zhangsun Fengye looked at the lotuses in the center of the lake and said softly, "Actually, Miss Song, you and I are alike in our distaste for arranged marriages. I can see it in your eyes, that kind of thing; you're somewhat resistant to me, but you have to interact with me because of your family's orders."
"You're also against it?" Song Ningyan asked in surprise.
Proofreader & Editor: Lotas