Chapter 821: A Century of Solitude

This time, without waiting for Li Hao to refuse, Su Zhenyuan ordered his personal guards outside the hall to go and summon his three daughters.

Aside from Su Muqing, the four little phoenixes of the Su family had three other daughters, all of whom were peerlessly gifted. They were extremely famous on the Gusu Emperor Star and had gained the favor and affection of other great clans, all of whom wished to marry into their family.

……

In the martial arts practice field of the Su family's inner courtyard.

After Su Muqing and Su Qiyu made their appointment, the atmosphere among the many Su family disciples present became heated. The Immortal King elder saw the thoughts of these Su family disciples and asked Su Muqing to take the stage to show off a little, which could also be considered a demonstration for the Su family disciples.

Su Muqing did not refuse; she went on stage with Su Wanqing, and the two engaged in a simple sparring match.

Although it was a friendly exchange, the movement techniques and immortal arts they displayed, along with the power of the Final Realm they revealed, shocked the many Su family disciples off the stage, making them admire the two even more.

"That child Muqing, once she enters the Primordial True Realm, it surely won't take long before she can step into the Immortal King Realm."

The Immortal King elder stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes filled with pride. After all, several hundred years ago, the young girl before him had also learned her craft on this very practice field, babbling as she did so. At that time, he had taught her personally; her comprehension was astonishing, and she mastered things extremely quickly, far surpassing others within just a few months.

Counting it up, he was also half a master to her.

"Mm."

Su Qiyu nodded, but when he heard the four words "Primordial True Realm," his eyes flickered slightly. This time, he would not miss the opportunity either.

"That child Wanqing is also rare, but it's a pity that compared to Muqing, she is ultimately still a bit lacking. That my Su family could give birth to Muqing can be considered the condensation of our good fortune."

The Immortal King elder looked at Su Wanqing, his gaze extremely gentle. If not for the existence of Su Muqing, who was excessively monstrous, Su Wanqing would absolutely be as dazzling as a bright pearl within the Su family.

But unfortunately, since ancient times, once the bright moon appears, the stars grow dim; there is only one sun and one moon in the world, and they cannot compete in brilliance.

As the two women stepped off the stage, the smile on the Immortal King elder's face bloomed even more. Su Muqing was preparing to bid farewell to the two when suddenly, a ripple of energy surged over from the void in the distance.

Immediately following, a figure descended here with extraordinary boundary power, deliberately emitting only a trace of fluctuation to avoid startling the two young ladies abruptly.

"Miss Wanqing, the Clan Master invites you to the Minghuang Hall."

The Minghuang Hall guard said respectfully.

Seeing this guard, whom only her father could mobilize, Su Muqing and Su Wanqing were both stunned. They had heard that their father left earlier to handle a major matter; had he returned already?

"Why does Father want me?"

Su Wanqing asked in confusion, while simultaneously looking at Su Muqing beside her.

If her father had returned and there was a major matter to discuss, he should have sought out Su Muqing first.

The Minghuang Hall guard's expression was gentle. Having watched these two young ladies grow up since childhood, and with no one in the Su family failing to love these two bright pearls, he said softly:

"I heard it is to discuss your marriage."

"Marriage?"

Su Wanqing was stunned, frozen in place.

Su Muqing raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn't expected that just after she had gotten engaged to that person from the Lin family, her father would find a marriage for her younger sister Wanqing as well. Was the situation at the border really that urgent?

"Miss Wanqing, please."

The Minghuang Hall guard said respectfully.

Su Wanqing came back to her senses, a hint of resistance appearing in her eyes. But with the words on the tip of her tongue, she still didn't say anything, knowing that since her father had summoned her, she had to go regardless.

Moreover, she had understood since childhood that being born into a great clan like the Su family, while enjoying countless cultivation resources and glory, meant one could not escape the sacrifice of clan marriage.

"I understand."

Su Wanqing's gaze dimmed, her emotions somewhat low, and she replied.

Su Muqing knew that this younger sister of hers had been soft-natured and submissive since childhood. Although she was a famous prodigy of the Gusu Emperor Star, who would have thought that her personality was extremely easy to get along with—gentle, soft, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to even call her weak.

"I'll go with you."

She immediately grabbed Su Wanqing's wrist, her eyes bright and flashing with a hint of sharpness. "If you don't like him, just tell me, and I will plead with Father for you!"

Su Wanqing felt moved upon hearing her thoughtful words and nodded.

The Minghuang Hall guard opened his mouth slightly, but seeing Su Muqing's sharp gaze, he ultimately said nothing. He enveloped the two in his boundary, nodded slightly to the Immortal King elder and Su Qiyu nearby, and then bid farewell and left.

At the same time, Minghuang Hall guards also headed toward two other courtyards.

……

In the Minghuang Hall.

Li Hao was staying here with Su Zhenyuan and Su's wife, Su Qingmei.

When the guard summoned them, Su Zhenyuan had asked Li Hao many questions, such as where he had lived previously, what kind of techniques he was most proficient in, which Great Dao origins he cultivated, and so on.

Li Hao answered selectively, without revealing anything about his own cultivation or techniques.

Regarding this, Su Zhenyuan did not force him. After all, the youth before him was peerlessly gifted and would be under the tutelage of that Emperor in the future; matters concerning his own cultivation and methods could be considered secrets, so keeping them confidential was normal.

He granted Li Hao a seat and ordered tea to be served. In the slightly dull and awkward atmosphere, with the return of the guards, the atmosphere in the hall was broken, becoming a bit more relaxed and cheerful.

"Daughter pays respects to Father."

Two figures entered the hall. Seeing Su Zhenyuan and their mother above, they both bowed in worship, but then their gazes quickly swept toward the youth in the seat to the side.

When they saw the youth's appearance, both women were stunned, astonishment appearing in the depths of their eyes.

Isn't this the... lecherous scoundrel who blocked them earlier?

"Muqing, why have you come?"

Seeing that Su Muqing had also come, Su's wife Su Qingmei's expression changed slightly. She subconsciously looked at Li Hao sitting opposite, only to see the youth's gaze fixed squarely on her own daughter, Su Muqing. Her expression immediately turned ugly and somewhat gloomy, her eyes mixed with irritated anger.

Su Muqing withdrew her peripheral vision from Li Hao, her mind turning. Is this the ideal husband her parents found for younger sister Wanqing? Their taste is too poor!

Her voice grew cold without her realizing it, and she said: "Daughter came here to vet him for my sister, to see which prodigy has come to propose marriage and wants to marry younger sister Wanqing."

As she spoke, she straightened her waist, turned her head, and looked at the youth with a gaze like a sword.

But as she stared, she saw the youth looking at her blankly, and she couldn't help but change her expression, feeling somewhat ashamed and angry.

Su Wanqing also noticed this scene. She didn't feel much, but instead, curiosity and confusion appeared in the depths of her eyes. Although she was soft-natured, she was meticulous. The youth's love for elder sister Muqing was undisguised and clearly deep-seated; she feared that proposing to marry her to her parents might just be a way to get close to elder sister Muqing.

Regarding this, she didn't feel angry. After all, she had experienced such things since childhood; there were those who pursued elder sister Muqing but didn't dare face her directly, so they would inquire about her preferences through other sisters.

Su Zhenyuan also noticed Li Hao's gaze and couldn't help but cough lightly, saying:

"Xiao Hao, this is my young daughter, Su Wanqing, currently 670 years of soul-age, at the Fifth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, and she possesses the rare Underworld Blood constitution; she is nearly invincible among her peers."

He introduced her softly, only to find that the youth's gaze had not shifted even a fraction, but remained fixed on Su Muqing.

Moreover, that gaze was definitely not one of a first meeting; it carried some kind of indescribable emotion. He couldn't help but be stunned and looked at Su Muqing suspiciously. Could it be that these two had interacted before?

"What are you looking at? How dare you be so rude in front of my sister! If you look again, I will dig your eyeballs out."

Seeing Li Hao so undisguised, Su Muqing couldn't help but say in shame and anger.

Li Hao came back to his senses. That moon-blue dress, fluttering in the light breeze in the hall, seemed to leap out from beside that tea stall, making a cheerful sound that summer day:

"My name is Ying Xiaoxiao. 'Ying' as in 'Ying Yun Er Sheng' (born to meet fortune), 'Xiaoxiao' as in 'Xiaosa' (carefree). How should I address you?"

Time flowed, and that voice, which seemed to come from the years, passed through the girl with the same face and nearly the same attire before him. Her lips were moving, as if telling those words from the past.

Li Hao couldn't help but say softly:

"You can call me Haotian."

It was as if it echoed through the years, the same response as that first meeting.

Su Muqing was stunned, and the few people beside her were also stunned. Su Muqing couldn't help but laugh out of extreme anger, saying: "Who asked your name? I don't care if you're called Haotian or Haodi; if you stare at me again, I will dig your eyeballs out, believe it or not!"

As she spoke, her whole body exuded the might of the Sixth Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm, and a flowing, colorful light appeared between her brows, as if space and time were reversing.

This kind of might was already enough to make an ordinary Seventh Level Immortal Monarch speechless.

And Li Hao also sobered up. Seeing those angry eyes, he was quickly attracted by the space-time origin power on the other's brow.

His heart shook slightly. That thick time origin power... Sure enough, he hadn't recognized the wrong person. The other party was indeed the reincarnation of Shi Miao, who would awaken memories along with Shi Miao. By then, she should also awaken the memories of that lifetime as Ying Xiaoxiao!

Seeing that this youth still refused to repent, Su Muqing was completely enraged and was about to erupt, but Su Zhenyuan to the side raised his hand, suppressing her power and forcing it all back into her body.

He felt somewhat helpless, gave his daughter a soothing look, and said to Li Hao:

"Xiao Hao, I know you want to marry Muqing, but she is already engaged. Why must you suffer like this?"

Hearing his words, Su Muqing opened her eyes wide, looking at her father in disbelief, then reacted and looked at the youth in surprise and anger.

Who is this sacred being, daring to come to the Su family to propose to her? And her father actually had such a gentle attitude; if it were anyone else, he would have been obliterated with a palm strike long ago!

Beside her, Su Wanqing's curiosity grew even stronger. At this moment, as the main subject of the summons, she instead had a feeling of being an outsider, filled with curiosity and a desire to gossip.

Li Hao came back to his senses and was just about to speak when the aura of two guards came from outside, along with the aura of a woman.

"Daughter pays respects to Father."

A snow-white, bright figure stepped into the hall, step by step on a lotus pedestal, bowing lightly.

Her black hair was like a waterfall, sliding naturally from her shoulders as she bent over, emitting bursts of fragrance that drifted in the air.

Su Zhenyuan, as if rescued, immediately said to Li Hao: "Xiao Hao, this is my second daughter, Su Wanxue, 820 years of soul-age, Seventh Level of the Immortal Monarch Realm!"

Su Wanxue raised her eyes in confusion, her gaze flowing to Li Hao beside her, only to see the youth also looking at her. But there was no amazement in his eyes like those other prodigy scions; instead, it was as if he were somewhat numb and calm, and he shook his head slightly.

"Clan Master, please grant this."

Li Hao stood up and said with his head lowered.

Su Zhenyuan's lips twitched slightly; he was angered and also somewhat speechless.

At this moment, he looked at the guard who had returned empty-handed and immediately vented this anger: "Where is Wanyi?"

"Miss Wanyi is cultivating at her master's sect outside and has not yet returned."

The guard lowered his head in a panic. As an Immortal King, he was actually trembling a bit at this moment.

Su Zhenyuan fell into silence. Among his four daughters, the eldest, Su Wanyi, had the most beautiful appearance, but her talent was slightly inferior to Su Muqing's.

However, regarding the youth before him, if he were truly coveting beauty, he feared there was no need to be so persistent. After all, they were immortals; if they couldn't see past appearance, let alone cultivation.

"Father, what is going on?"

Su Wanxue asked curiously in confusion, while simultaneously looking toward her two younger sisters to inquire about the situation.

Su Muqing immediately sent a voice transmission, briefly explaining the matter, only adding fuel to the fire by saying how hateful the youth before them was.

Su Wanxue was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but size up Li Hao. Who is this person, actually making Father concede to this extent?

"Youth, do not bully people too much. Do you really think that just because you have an Emperor behind you, you can threaten our Su family?!"

Beside her, Su Qingmei was indignant, her eyes filled with coldness.

Li Hao glanced at her, then lowered his head, cupped his hands, and said: "Madam, this junior only wishes to stay by Miss Su Muqing's side. I hope Madam will grant this."

"Hmph!"

Su Qingmei couldn't help but sneer.

Su Zhenyuan fell into silence. At this moment, the smile on his face also faded, and the hall fell into a deathly silence, the air seeming to become extremely heavy.

Su Muqing was just about to speak, but seeing her father's gloomy expression, she quickly held back.

"If you are truly insistent on this..."

After a long time, Su Zhenyuan finally spoke, his eyes as black as stars, staring at Li Hao. At this moment, there was no previous scholarly gentleness, but instead, an extremely strong, domineering might, with a kind of imperial power leaking out.

"I can give you a chance, but whether you can grasp it depends on yourself. If you fail, that marriage contract will be voided, and it won't count as my Su family breaking the ancestor's promise. What do you think?"

Li Hao's heart tightened, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath. He knew that perhaps this was the only chance.

After all, this marriage contract was only gifted by the Daoyuan Immortal Emperor, and he was able to stand here only because of this object. Aside from this, in front of this behemoth of the Su family, he was nothing.

"What chance?"

Li Hao asked in a deep voice.

Su Zhenyuan said slowly: "Muqing already has a verbal marriage contract with the Lin family's Emperor's son, but the betrothal hasn't been sent yet. If you can make Muqing change her mind and gain Muqing's approval, then I will allow you to be together!"

Just as he finished speaking, Su Muqing to the side hurriedly said:

"Impossible, I could never like him, don't even think about it!"

Su Zhenyuan's gaze condensed, and a heavy pressure was released, immediately causing Su Muqing's expression to change greatly, her face turning pale, and she dared not make another sound.

She knew that her father loved them extremely much, but no one had ever been able to change some of her father's ideas; he was a man of his word and extremely hated anyone who disobeyed him.

Beside her, Su Qingmei's expression also changed, but seeing Su Muqing's reaction, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, looking mockingly at the youth, the sarcasm in her eyes undisguised.

Li Hao also heard Su Muqing's words. Although he knew that the Su Muqing at this time was not Ying Xiaoxiao, nor was she the Shi Miao from the past and future, for some reason, he still felt a bit of heartache from those words.

However, he quickly restrained his mind, his thoughts turning rapidly, and then he said:

"Is there a time limit?"

"Ten years."

Su Zhenyuan said.

Li Hao's expression changed slightly. He shook his head slowly but firmly, saying: "Too little."

The other party exchanged her life for his survival; a mere ten years of companionship was too little.

"Mm?"

Su Zhenyuan frowned.

Li Hao was silent for a long time before saying: "One hundred years! For these one hundred years, I need to have the same rights as Miss Su. She cannot drive me away from her side!"

"You're dreaming!"

Su Muqing was so angry that her face flushed red, and she couldn't help but turn to look at her father.

Su Zhenyuan fell into silence, and the hall became quiet. Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue both opened their eyes wide, looking at their father in astonishment. He actually didn't refute it on the spot? Could it be that Father really...

Su Qingmei's expression also changed, somewhat ugly, her hands clenched tight.

"Fine, I agree to you."

As the atmosphere condensed to the point of being breathless, Su Zhenyuan spoke.

"Father!"

The blood drained from Su Muqing's face, and she was in disbelief. ===== CHAPTER 822 =====