Chapter 56: Jiang Yuan's Father, a Martial Artist of the Sovereign Rank

This time, Jiang Yuan actually dared to defy her like this?

Hmph, it's all because of that good-for-nothing Xiao Bei. Otherwise, how could Jiang Yuan be like this!

Even if he won first place in the first half of the Xiao family's trial by hunting demon beasts, what does it matter? He's still a bastard, isn't he?

Last time, his body was crippled from using the 'Blood Sacrifice Technique' in a duel with Xiao Li. How could he still have a future? I thought he might soar to the sky, but from the looks of it, he won't have much of a future. It's over; I must make sure Yuan'er breaks ties with him...

He Qiu's outstretched hand fell, and her eyes turned cold as she stared at Xiao Bei.

However, with a shift in her gaze, He Qiu focused her attention entirely on Zhang Lan, who was trying to persuade her.

After some thought, He Qiu decided she should change her approach, or rather, shift her attack to the weakest link.

"Big Sister, you are a reasonable person. As a woman, you should understand my thoughts." He Qiu moved closer, standing beside Zhang Lan.

"Tell me, Big Sister, can a toad eat the flesh of a swan? Cough, cough... Let's put that aside for now. What I mean is, can someone who gains power in a moment guarantee that they will always be successful? Remember, gaining power in a moment doesn't mean they will have power for a lifetime... There are no one-time solutions in this world."

He Qiu was always the same cruel He Qiu. After just a few words, her cold ridicule of Xiao Bei erupted again.

The underlying meaning was the same as always: Xiao Bei doesn't deserve the Xiao family!

"But, little sister, my son Xiao Bei can now cultivate and is about to advance to the Xiantian realm... Yuan'er has already agreed that if Xiao Bei wins first place in this family trial, she will marry him."

Zhang Lan immediately became anxious when faced with He Qiu's words, grabbing He Qiu's hand and hurriedly speaking.

He Qiu didn't immediately shake off Zhang Lan's hand, but she gave her a cold look and said, "Xiantian realm? A Xiantian realm martial artist at seventeen? Big Sister, are you sure?"

Then, He Qiu laughed, "A Xiantian realm expert at seventeen? Not just in Wu Kingdom, but even in Luzhou, Bianzhou, or even on this continent, there is no such thing, let alone..."

He Qiu then glanced at Xiao Bei with disdain, noticing that his expression remained calm, which made her even more uncomfortable. Her disdainful look became even more obvious.

"Moreover, I heard that Xiao Bei used the 'Blood Sacrifice Technique' twice in his duel with Xiao Li. The 'Blood Sacrifice Technique' is an evil technique that trades life force for strength. I'm sure that Xiao Bei's so-called talent, which he gained by sheer luck, has been worn away."

"Little sister, it's not like that, not like that. After that time, Xiao Bei didn't..." Zhang Lan immediately explained.

At this moment, He Qiu pulled her hand away.

Xiao Bei, who had remained expressionless, frowned at this point.

Jiang Yuan seemed to sense Xiao Bei's displeasure and moved to stand in front of He Qiu, separating her from Zhang Lan.

"Auntie, go rest. Don't worry, everything is fine here... I promised you before, and I will keep my word. Even if Xiao Bei doesn't win first place in this family trial, I... will still be with him!"

Jiang Yuan said to Zhang Lan, pausing for a moment but still speaking her mind.

Everyone around, of course, understood the meaning of her words.

Zhang Lan, of course, knew He Qiu's character and was familiar with her tone and expressions. The only thing she didn't expect was that even with Xiao Bei's current status and strength, He Qiu still wasn't satisfied.

"Yuan'er, you... you..." He Qiu was enraged by Jiang Yuan's words, her chest heaving as she pointed at Jiang Yuan, trying to say something.

"Leave."

Xiao Bei shook his head, turning to face He Qiu directly.

"What did you say?"

He Qiu stared at Xiao Bei with wide eyes, "You're dismissing me? You, Xiao Bei, now that you have some strength, dare to defy me..."

"I said, go back."

Xiao Bei continued to shake his head, "Yuan'er won't marry anyone else. You don't need to meddle. In this life, Yuan'er is mine, and no one can stop that."

His calm words carried a powerful, unyielding authority.

"Xiao Bei, you have a lot of nerve. I won't let you—"

He Qiu was cut off by Xiao Bei's words, her face turning red with anger. She raised her hand to strike Xiao Bei under his gaze.

"Enough, go back. You are not needed here."

A voice suddenly came from the other side.

Accompanied by these words, a dignified middle-aged man emerged from the crowd heading towards the door in the martial arts hall.

The man had a strong face with a mustache, wearing shiny demon beast leather boots and a blue robe, giving him a manly appearance.

Xiao Bei sensed the aura of the middle-aged man, which revealed that he was a martial artist of the Sovereign Rank! Although the aura was somewhat unstable, there was no doubt he was a Sovereign Rank martial artist!

At the same age as Xiao Feng and Xiao Qi, he was a Sovereign Rank martial artist. This person must have excellent talent... This is Jiang Huan?!

Looking at the man's face, the name flashed through Xiao Bei's mind.

Jiang Yuan's father, Jiang Huan.

Moreover, there was no doubt that this Jiang Huan supported Jiang Yuan being with him. According to the memories of the previous Xiao Bei, about two years ago, Jiang Huan suddenly encountered a bottleneck in his martial path and announced that he would enter seclusion.

It was from that time on that He Qiu began to collude with her sister He Zhi, preparing to marry Jiang Yuan to Xiao Yun. When Jiang Yuan refused, He Qiu became increasingly hostile towards her, making her suffer.

He broke through... Xiao Bei recalled that at that time, Jiang Huan was only a Saint Rank martial artist. Two years later, Jiang Huan broke through the bottleneck and became a Sovereign Rank martial artist!

Indeed, at this moment, Jiang Yuan immediately called out to the man as her father.

"Jiang Huan, you're bullying me in front of others..." He Qiu's words were cut off by Jiang Huan's stern gaze, leaving her speechless.

She gave Xiao Bei a final, mocking look and then turned and walked away without looking back.

Watching He Qiu leave, Jiang Yuan playfully patted her chest, then turned and smiled as she hugged Jiang Huan, saying to Xiao Bei, "Xiao Bei, my father, hehe, you didn't know, did you? Father emerged from seclusion yesterday. These two years of seclusion in cultivation have been tough on me, but now..."

"At least I know why you were so bold just now." Xiao Bei realized his words sounded a bit frivolous as soon as they left his mouth.

The fusion with the previous Xiao Bei's soul had become even tighter, affecting him more.

"Hmph, what are you talking about? I've always been steadfast," Jiang Yuan said, stamping her foot in embarrassment.

"Uncle, hello." Seeing Jiang Huan dote on Jiang Yuan and then look at him, Xiao Bei continued, "Congratulations, Uncle, on successfully advancing to the Sovereign Rank."

The words came out smoothly.

The people around, who had been paying attention, were stunned by these words. Their gazes turned to Jiang Huan with a mix of awe and fear.

Sovereign Rank martial artist, the Jiang family, Jiang Huan!

People who had been close to Xiao Bei, eager to hear the suddenly talented Xiao Bei being ridiculed by He Qiu, immediately stepped back. A gossipy young man and his equally gossipy mother, who had been the closest, moved to a position more than twenty meters away from Xiao Bei and Jiang Huan.

Jiang Huan saw this and waved his hand.

Xiao Bei immediately felt that Jiang Huan had released some of his martial aura, making the air unstable and limiting the sound to only a few people, including himself, Jiang Yuan, and her mother.

Jiang Huan, his future father-in-law, was a cautious person, indeed.

Xiao Bei thought to himself.