Xiang Zixuan and his men were still residing within a certain guest residence. After challenging the three trials, he had sustained some injuries. He was thus forced to recuperate in silence, temporarily setting everything else aside.

Today, he was finally done with recuperating and was prepared to leave. He couldn't accept his defeat, and he couldn't turn back time. Thus, his indignation no longer mattered.

He left the room and said to the Black and White Guardians, "Let's go back."

"There is no rush, young master. Hu Yanbo informed us that he has something to tell you after you have recovered," said the White Guardian.

"What's the point? The marriage is no longer possible," said Xiang Zixuan as he shook his head in a dispirited fashion.

"Don't rush to a conclusion, young master. Perhaps there is still a chance to change things," said Black Guardian.

Xiang Zixuan looked at the two guardians. Seeing the odd expressions they had, he realized that they must have learned something. He nodded. "Fine, I'll meet the third elder."

They thus went to pay the third elder a visit. When they arrived at the third elder's place, they found the seventh elder, Sha Hanbiao, there as well. Evidently, the two had been waiting for them.

Xiang Zixuan saluted them politely. "Greetings, seniors."

"Zixuan, are you fine?" Hu Yanbo asked.

Xiang Zixuan answered, "I'm all fine now. Thank you for asking."

"That's good to hear. If anything bad happens to you, I wouldn't know what to tell your grandfather," said Hu Yanbo. "Are you feeling discouraged right now?"

Xiang Zixuan nodded. "Yes, it is quite a hard defeat to swallow. Look at that kid's cultivation level. He had only been able to get through the trials through sheer luck."

"You're right. He had merely gotten lucky, but he won't stay lucky forever. Zixuan, you can't give up," said Hu Yanbo.

Xiang Zixuan's eyes lit up as he asked, "Senior, do you perhaps have a way to salvage this? I really like Lady Wan'er. I believe you don't wish to see a flower like her be matched with a pile of manure, right?"

"Of course. The young lady is talented and beautiful. Only a young hero like you is a worthy match for her," said Sha Hanbiao. "Based on what we know, that kid has offended the Coiling Snake, an organization within our city. The Coiling Snake is really nothing in our eyes, but they are more than enough to deal with that kid. We only need to watch on as they exact their revenge on him. With his death, you will naturally be the new son-in-law."

Xiang Zixuan was overjoyed. He thanked gratefully, "I will have to thank you for your assistance, then."

"Haha, just wait for a good show to unveil before us," said Hu Yanbo as he roared with laughter.

...

Within the palace, Xiang Shaoyun had given Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun a rough description of all that had happened. Both were filled with disbelief after listening to his story.

A look of envy covered Liang Zhuangmin's face as he said, "Brother Yun, you really have great luck with the ladies. What you get here will allow you to shave hundreds or even thousands of years of hardship. How enviable."

He spoke the truth, as anyone managing to get someone like Tuoba Wan'er as wife would obtain both her person and her wealth. He would no longer need to seek out cultivation resources alone, and there would no longer be any need for him to build an organization to prove himself. He could obtain everything here through marriage alone. There was no one who would not be envious of him.

Xiang Shaoyun smiled helplessly. "Be that as it may, it won't be easy for us to just leave. In any case, I don't want to be tied down by this identity."

Although he definitely had feelings for Tuoba Wan'er, taking her as his wife would turn him into a member of the Holy Hall. His responsibilities and duties would change, and he could no longer be free to act as he wished.

Of course, the Holy Hall would be a great help in his endeavor to reclaim his sect, but what he wanted more was to do the reclaiming with his own strength. One could say that this was one of the few principles he upheld, his value as a person.

"Shaoyun, you are probably worrying over it so much because you already have someone else in your heart," said Wu Zhijun with a smile.

Xiang Shaoyun scratched his head and gave a hollow laugh, "Yes, that is one of the reasons."

"Shaoyun is truly a loyal person," praised Wu Zhijun.

As a woman, the mere sight of Tuoba Wan'er gave her a sense of inferiority. She couldn't imagine any man who could reject the temptation. Xiang Shaoyun's attitude had proved that he was not a man who would be blinded by lust.

"Stop praising me, sister-in-law. My big brother is the true man here," Xiang Shaoyun did not forget to speak on Liang Zhuangmin's behalf.

Liang Zhuangmin laughed and said, "Haha, us brothers should really stop praising each other. It's getting embarrassing. So what should we do now? Do we stay or what?"

Xiang Shaoyun sank into contemplation before saying, "I've thought of it. After the engagement, I will have her send you away."

"How about you?" Liang Zhuangmin asked.

Wu Zhijun replied on his behalf, "After becoming the holy son-in-law, he won't be able to leave easily."

"Don't worry. After sending you away, I will be able to escape by myself. But if you stay, it will be much harder for me to escape," said Xiang Shaoyun seriously.

"Fine. Do you need us to do anything after our departure?" Liang Zhuangmin agreed readily as Xiang Shaoyun's argument was convincing.

"If possible, please help me send a message to the Bloodsin City," said Xiang Shaoyun after giving it some thought.

"Bloodsin City!" Liang Zhuangmin's expression visibly changed when he heard that.

He had long heard of the infamous Bloodsin City. However, he had never dared step foot there. After all, he was still too weak.

"Say it. We'll help," said Wu Zhijun.

"I'll thank you in advance, then," said Xiang Shaoyun. "After reaching the Bloodsin City, look for the Ghostface Sect. Look for someone called Devouring Ghost with this token in hand and tell him to come wait for me at the Dragon Phoenix City."

He then handed over the token Devouring Ghost had given him. He reminded them about the things they needed to take note of to avoid unnecessary trouble at the Bloodsin City.

Liang Zhuangmin slapped his chest solemnly and said, "Don't worry. Unless I die, I will definitely complete this task!"

"You don't have to be so serious. Just remember to be careful," said Xiang Shaoyun.