“Qingxue, my betrothed! You’ve truly made me search far and wide!” Upon seeing Yun Qingxue, Cang Yan retracted the sharp aura he had just displayed toward the Purple Song Sage and his companions, his expression now tinged with complex, inscrutable emotions.
“Beast King, it’s been a long time. I trust you’ve been well?” Yun Qingxue replied with detached calm.
Cang Yan gave an ambiguous smile and cut straight to the point. “I’ve come specifically to take you back to the Beast Clan!”
“Beast King, your words are laughable! Luoyun Mountain is my home. Without reason, why would I go to your Beast Clan?”
“I still remember when the Flower King, lost in my domain, personally promised to marry me! What, after leaving the Beast Clan for a while, does the Flower King now intend to break that vow?” Cang Yan’s expression turned icy, his gaze at Yun Qingxue filled with profound complexity.
Yun Qingxue lowered her eyes briefly before meeting his gaze again, this time with a faint trace of mockery.
Cang Yan could clearly sense her coldness toward him. The subtle derision in her eyes was like a sharp blade, mercilessly piercing his heart.
He had searched for her for so long, deluding himself into believing she had left unwillingly…
But deep down, hadn’t he always known? She didn’t love him, did she?
That so-called betrothal had never been born of pure intentions.
Yet, despite its tainted origins, he had gradually given her his true heart.
Everyone called Cang Yan treacherous and cold-blooded.
But who knew how precious his sincerity was? Who understood the loyalty and value of a wolf’s devotion?
No matter why she had agreed to their betrothal back then, the feelings of the Wolf Clan could not be betrayed!
“Beast King, you know better than anyone the truth behind our betrothal. If I, Yun Qingxue, ever marry, it will be to the one I love! My marriage will never be forced or tainted by ulterior motives!”
“You are the one I love!” Cang Yan suppressed the dull ache in his chest, his eyes fixed on her.
“But you are not the one I desire,” Yun Qingxue replied coldly.
A desperate ferocity flashed in Cang Yan’s ice-blue eyes.
“You intend to break the vow?” His voice was devoid of warmth, like a wolf poised to tear its prey apart.
“It was forced from the start. Now, we have nothing to do with each other. Let it go, Beast King.” Yun Qingxue showed no fear of his imposing presence.
“Fine!” Cang Yan suddenly laughed, a chilling sound laced with bitterness and hatred. “Forced, you say? Nothing to do with each other?
My sincerity means nothing to you, does it? Yun Qingxue, let me make this clear—once the Wolf Clan gives its heart, it never changes! Either come with me, and I’ll let bygones be bygones, or…
I’d rather kill you myself than let you love another!”
“Beast King! Are you truly determined to make an enemy of Luoyun Mountain?” Jin Lin finally lost his composure. He stared firmly at Yun Qingxue. “Xuexue, don’t fear him! Behind you stands not just Luoyun Mountain, but us, your master and brothers, and the entire Water Clan!”
“And your senior brother, along with the forces behind him,” Mo Changxing added quietly, his calm tone carrying the weight of an unshakable vow.
Yun Qingxue turned to them with a grateful smile and a silent nod.
“Ah!” Cang Yan suddenly roared, lunging at Yun Qingxue with overwhelming force.
Jin Lin and Mo Changxing reacted instantly—one erected a defensive barrier before her, while the other struck at the enraged Beast King.
“Boom!” The clash of power echoed far and wide. Cang Yan, his attack thwarted, landed heavily. His ice-blue eyes gleamed with demonic coldness as he glared at Yun Qingxue, now shielded by both men.
“You refuse to come with me… because of these two?”
“This has nothing to do with them!” Yun Qingxue frowned. Cang Yan was undeniably terrifying now.
“Nothing to do with them? Do you take me for a fool?” Cang Yan narrowed his eyes. “If you care for them, then today, I’ll kill them both!
Whoever you love, I’ll slaughter!
If I can’t have you, neither will they!”
“Hmph! The Beast King speaks boldly. Let’s see how you kill me!” A golden glint flashed in Jin Lin’s eyes—a sign of his rising fury.
“Junior Sister, go to Master’s side,” Mo Changxing instructed calmly, clearly unwilling to let Yun Qingxue face Cang Yan alone any longer.
“Senior Brothers, I appreciate your kindness, but this matter is between the Beast King and me.
To untie the bell, the one who tied it must be present.” Yun Qingxue had no intention of running.
“Xuexue!” Jin Lin frowned deeply at her words.
Yun Qingxue smiled at them. “I know behind me stand my senior brothers, your forces, and Master.
With so many supporting me, I have confidence!
Don’t worry. If I truly can’t handle it, I’ll call for help.”
“Xuexue…” Jin Lin wanted to argue further. Cang Yan was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
“Trust me,” she said firmly.
“If it becomes too much, just say the word. Master and your brothers are here,” Mo Changxing said, pulling a reluctant Jin Lin back.
If Yun Qingxue wished to resolve this herself, he would give her the chance. He believed in her—and would watch over her every moment.
“Beast King! Let’s settle our grievances without involving others!” Yun Qingxue stepped forward again, her dark, clear eyes locking onto Cang Yan’s icy blue ones.
“How?” Cang Yan gritted his teeth, his eyes churning with dangerous undercurrents.
“A duel,” Yun Qingxue murmured, the two words leaving her lips like a quiet storm.
The declaration stunned everyone.
“Xuexue!”
“Qingxue!”
This time, even Mo Changxing and Jin Lin couldn’t stay composed.
It wasn’t that they doubted her—but the disparity in power was undeniable.
Cang Yan, though not born a divine beast, had defeated the White Tiger Beast King, a natural deity, and usurped his throne. His strength was beyond question.
And while Yun Qingxue had grown stronger after her trials in the Yunhuang Illusion, reaching the peak of Great Demon power, facing Cang Yan…
They weren’t belittling her—but the odds were slim.
A dark glint flickered in Cang Yan’s eyes. He never expected her to propose a duel.
“You… challenge me to a duel?”
He seemed almost disbelieving.
Yun Qingxue nodded firmly. “Since this is between us, we’ll settle it ourselves.”
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