Chapter 893: This Damnable Love

"Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg of what the Nine Realms Alliance has revealed so far."

"Take a look at the streets now..."

As he spoke, Xiong Tian pushed open the window, revealing the vast expanse of the street below.

Elder Zhen walked over to the window and looked outside.

He discovered that the entire city had transformed into a romantic haven, with couples passing by, sweet and affectionate.

Aside from the usual pairs of men and women, there were even quite a few like Wen Jie and Fang Yu...

And, of course, female cultivators paired with female cultivators...

The sight left Elder Zhen utterly dumbfounded.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Elder Zhen was completely baffled.

Although the path of cultivation often included dual cultivation partners, those who practiced such techniques were already focused on that aspect. Those who practiced regular cultivation techniques rarely devoted their hearts to matters of love.

While there were a few cultivators who found soulmates and paired up, they were still the exception rather than the rule.

Seeing one or two couples was normal, but now the streets were filled with them—something was definitely off.

"This is unusual. We must investigate what's behind this," Elder Zhen said with a serious expression.

"Indeed, it's strange. The headquarters of the Nine Realms Alliance has turned into a chaotic mess, reeking of the sour stench of love everywhere. This can't go on," Xiong Tian said solemnly, his voice filled with righteous indignation. "Elder Zhen, rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this."

"Good."

Elder Zhen sat back down, nodding in approval. "That's the right attitude. If there's nothing else, you may go."

"Uh..."

Xiong Tian showed no intention of leaving. He awkwardly scratched his nose and hesitated before speaking. "Elder Zhen, actually, there's a personal matter I'd like to discuss with you."

"Xiong Tian, we've known each other for so long. We've defended the boundary walls together, led the people of the Nine Realms to prosperity, and faced life and death together. Officially, I hold the title of leader, and you're my subordinate, but privately, I've long considered you a brother."

"So why are you hesitating? If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Elder Zhen took a small sip of tea and smiled at Xiong Tian.

"Well, in that case, Elder Zhen, I'll just say it?" Xiong Tian asked nervously.

"Between brothers, speak freely."

Elder Zhen smiled warmly, encouraging him.

"Elder Zhen, I came here to confess that Qing Lan and I are together now. I hope you can give us your blessing," Xiong Tian said, lowering his head.

"What?"

Hearing Xiong Tian's words, Elder Zhen choked on his tea, spitting it out. He slammed the teacup on the table, stood up, and pointed at Xiong Tian, his eyes wide with fury. "You bastard, Xiong Tian! I treated you like a brother, and you go after my daughter?"

With a wave of his hand, his lifebound staff materialized out of thin air, and he swung it at Xiong Tian.

Xiong Tian leaped to the side, narrowly dodging the strike, but the staff hit the wall of the building, which was reinforced with arrays, leaving a large dent.

"Elder Zhen, calm down, please!"

Xiong Tian waved his hands, trying to soothe the enraged elder.

"You go after my daughter and tell me to calm down? Calm down my ass!"

Elder Zhen was in a full-blown rage, swinging his staff at Xiong Tian again.

Xiong Tian dodged once more, shouting, "It's true love, Elder Zhen! Qing Lan and I are truly in love!"

"True love? You dog!"

Elder Zhen didn't listen, continuing to swing his staff at Xiong Tian.

The room quickly descended into chaos.

After a long while...

Elder Zhen sat on the steps, panting heavily.

Xiong Tian, meanwhile, was hiding in a corner, clutching a large vase, sweat pouring down his face.

"Let go of my vase!" Elder Zhen raised his staff and shouted.

"No!"

Xiong Tian pouted stubbornly. "Qing Lan and I are truly in love. It's wrong for you to try to separate us. If you insist on being a tyrant, then go ahead, kill me! But I'll take your vase with me!"

"You... you dog!"

Elder Zhen pointed his staff at Xiong Tian, cursing furiously. He was so angry that he started coughing violently. "If it weren't for my vase, I'd blast you to pieces right now!"

"Tell me, how long has this been going on?" he demanded.

"Three months."

Xiong Tian answered truthfully.

"Three months?"

Elder Zhen's eyes widened in shock. "You sneaky bastard! You've been after my daughter for three months, and you're only telling me now?"

"Well, I was afraid you'd get angry," Xiong Tian said with a sheepish grin, still clutching the vase.

"Hmph, so you knew I'd be angry?"

Elder Zhen glared at him. "Well, aren't you going to help me up?"

"Of course!"

Seeing that Elder Zhen was starting to calm down, Xiong Tian quickly ran over and helped him to his feet.

Once Elder Zhen was seated again, Xiong Tian eagerly brewed him a fresh cup of tea.

Elder Zhen reluctantly took a sip.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his face stern. "I'll only say this once: if Qing Lan suffers even the slightest bit of hardship, I'll tear you apart."

"Don't worry, Elder Zhen. I swear to the heavens, I'll treat Qing Lan well and never let her suffer," Xiong Tian said, raising his hand in a solemn vow.

"Now get out of here. You're getting on my nerves."

Elder Zhen waved his hand dismissively, his expression one of annoyance.

"Alright, Elder Zhen, I'll leave you to your work. I won't disturb you any longer."

Xiong Tian said with a satisfied smile, then quickly retreated.

After Xiong Tian left, Elder Zhen sat alone in the now-empty room, lost in thought.

"This damnable stench of love... why is it making me so sentimental?"

"This damnable, fluttering, restless heart of mine..."

He twisted the storage ring on his finger and pulled out a red handkerchief.

He examined it carefully, then brought it to his nose, inhaling its scent. His expression turned wistful, as if he were reminiscing about the distant past.

"Ah, Hua, Qing Lan has finally found her true love. As her father, I can finally rest easy."

"But while my daughter is taken care of, I'm still suffering..."

"After you left, I raised Qing Lan all by myself, through thick and thin. For her happiness, I turned down so many temptations, endured countless lonely and empty nights."

"Now, at last, someone has come along who has rekindled my spirit, revived my youth..."

"I, too, want to pursue love once more!"

"Her name is Mie Jue. Though she's older now, it's clear she was as beautiful as you in her youth. And her personality... it reminds me of you..."

As he spoke, tears streamed down Elder Zhen's face, and he clutched the handkerchief tightly.

"Before you passed, you told me to find someone else. I always refused, unable to move past the pain. But now, I've decided to listen to you and take a brave step forward."

"Please, watch over me!"

With that, he carefully put the handkerchief away, his eyes shining with determination as he slowly stood up.

In that moment, he no longer looked like an old man, but like a victorious general about to march into battle, his face glowing with confidence.

He straightened his back, ran his hands through his hair, and with a flourish, a red rose appeared in his mouth, clenched between his teeth.

He took it out and gave it a gentle sniff.

"Ah, this damnable love... how it stirs the heart."

"Mie Jue, I'm coming!"

A gust of wind blew through the open window, and the room was empty, save for the sound of the fluttering curtains. Elder Zhen was gone.