Chapter 121: The Matter of the Betrothal (Part Two)

Lie Batian, the head of the Lie clan’s main branch, smiled faintly. With his level of cultivation, he had naturally sensed Lie Ruge slipping out earlier, but he had chosen not to speak, curious to see what she was up to. Originally, he had come to see the young man his clan’s future Saintess had set her heart on, but he expected to return disappointed.

"She has already returned," Lie Batian said with a smile.

Lie Ruge was no longer a child; she understood that the arrival of the main branch members was meant for her. Their bloodline restriction could only be resolved by returning to the main branch. Regardless of her feelings, she knew she had to leave.

"Grandfather, Father, I am here," Lie Ruge’s voice sounded from outside the door. She walked into the hall with graceful, measured steps.

"Girl, have you made up your mind?" Lie Batian asked.

"I will return to the main branch with you, but the main branch must not force me to do things against my will," Lie Ruge stated firmly.

Lie Batian was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "That goes without saying. You will be the future Saintess of our Lie clan. Except for myself and the ancestors, no one has the authority to command you."

"Very well, we will depart for the Lie clan today," Lie Ruge said.

"Girl, you..." her grandfather began, sounding hesitant.

"Grandfather, I have thought it through. For all these years, I have known that were it not for the bloodline restriction, you would have already reached the Profound Monarch Realm. We cannot let this continue; we must return to resolve it," Lie Ruge explained.

Lie Chong sighed softly. The bloodline restriction had always been the bane of the Lie clan. No matter how hard they cultivated, they could never break through to the Profound Monarch Realm. In Maple Leaf City, while the younger generation of the Lie clan often far outpaced those of the Lu and Li families, they would always be caught up in the later stages; the root cause was this very restriction.

"As for my marriage to Brother Lu Han, I believe he will come to find me," Lie Ruge said, clutching her hands into small fists.

"Oh?" Lie Batian asked, surprised. He had initially intended to help her sever this attachment so she could focus on her cultivation, as the prophecy of the Heavenly Secret Elder was fast approaching. He did not want any lingering resentment to cloud her future. He had never considered Lu Han's prospects, believing that for someone in the barren Northern Yue region, crossing the Shura Sea to reach the Central Ancient Domain was an nearly impossible feat.

"I believe in Brother Lu Han!" Lie Ruge’s eyes were filled with resolve.

*If not for the urgency of taking this girl back to meet the ancestors, I would have liked to meet this young Lu Han, who has inspired such confidence in our future Saintess,* Lie Batian thought.

*Hmph, I don't care what he thinks. In time, I will return to find Brother Lu Han myself,* Lie Ruge mused.

Lie Batian was oblivious to her internal thoughts; he only required her willingness to return.

"Ruge, you..." Meng Wan'er started to speak but stopped herself. She had heard that the main branch was incredibly far from Maple Leaf City; she wondered how Lu Han would ever find her.

"Auntie, it is like this..." Lie Ruge stepped forward, took Meng Wan'er’s hand, and whispered into her ear. She briefly explained the situation regarding their bloodline restriction. While Lie Batian could have easily overheard, he deemed it beneath him to eavesdrop.

"So that is how it is," Meng Wan'er murmured. The Lu and Li families had long suspected this, as no matter their talent, the Lie clan never had any Profound Monarch Realm experts, with their strongest only reaching the peak of the Ninth Heaven of the Innate Realm.

On the Heavenly Vault Continent, where might was everything, such a bloodline restriction was essentially a death sentence for their cultivation. With the Profound Monarch Realm as an insurmountable barrier, Meng Wan'er understood why returning to the main branch was essential.

"Once this girl reaches the main branch, her cultivation will surely progress by leaps and bounds. With our clan’s boundless resources, her future achievements will be limitless. I am curious to see if this boy Lu Han can truly reach the Central Ancient Domain. Though the chances are slim, if he does, tell him to find the City Lord of Tongtian City and simply mention the name Lie Batian," Lie Batian said.

He shook his head, feeling that his actions today were inexplicable—negotiating with a minor city lord was something that would surely shock many if word reached the Central Ancient Domain. *Regardless, in a couple of years, she will surely see reason. There are many talented youths in those other families; we shall see,* he thought.

"I observe that your brow is darkened and your internal energy is suppressed. I suspect you have been poisoned. For the sake of the girl, I shall clear it for you." Lie Batian flicked his hand, and a fiery red radiance passed through Lu Tianhong’s body before returning to his palm. "This appears to be Tiger-Toad Poison. While it is trivial to me, you would not have lasted a year. That boy Lu Han is a filial son to have gone out seeking an antidote for you."

He looked at the green speck within the red light. To him, this was a simple gesture. He was satisfied by the fact that Lu Han had ventured out for his father’s sake, regardless of his talent. "The poison is gone, and I have expanded your meridians; your cultivation will be much faster from now on."

"Many thanks, Senior Lie!" Lu Tianhong exclaimed with joy. He worried for Lu Han in the treacherous Soul-Chaos Plains, but he knew his son’s temperament and that he could not stop him.

"Now that the matter is settled, are you ready to return to the main branch with me?" Lie Batian asked.

"I..." Lie Ruge began, but Lie Batian silenced her. "Girl, do you think I didn't know what you were doing when you slipped out? You’ve likely already said your goodbyes in that letter, haven't you?"

Lie Ruge was startled. He knew about the letter she had surreptitiously passed to Meng Wan'er.

"Brother Lu, this matter..." Lie Xiong said, feeling awkward. He had remained silent throughout the proceedings, and despite his close friendship with Lu Tianhong, he felt guilty toward the Lu family.

"Do not worry. I am a reasonable man. When Han'er returns, I will certainly pass on Senior Lie's words," Lu Tianhong replied. He looked at Lie Batian with a trace of awe; to resolve the poison with a mere wave of his hand—what level of power must that be? Even an Earth King might not be capable of such a feat.