"Of course," Li Qiye replied calmly. "Once a word is spoken, there's no need to take it back."
Nan Huairen and Protector Mo exchanged a worried look.
"B‑b‑but she's the heir of the Nine Saint Demon Gate (九圣妖门), the Princess of the Gu‑Niu Kingdom (古牛疆国)!" Nan stammered.
"So what?" Li Qiye's tone was steady, as if such titles meant nothing.
Both men fell silent. That simple "so what" carried an arrogance and confidence few could ever dream to match.
Li Shuangyan — heir of the Demon Gate and Princess of Gu‑Niu — was among the top geniuses of their era, born with an Imperial Physique (皇体), Imperial Wheel (皇轮), and Sacred Life (圣命). Her talent and beauty were peerless throughout the Human Realm.
Countless young heroes desired her hand; their line could stretch from Gu‑Niu's eastern borders to the southern sea.
Yet Li Qiye treated her as no more than a possible Sword Attendant . If others knew, a thousand jealous geniuses would want him dead.
Protector Mo and Nan Huairen were left speechless. Li Qiye's calm was nothing new to them, yet they still marveled at it.
"Do the Elders know?" Li Qiye asked.
Protector Mo shook his head. "Not yet. We came to inform you first."
"Then go and report." Li Qiye nodded lightly, as though it mattered little. In his long life, such trivialities meant nothing. The world might revere the Nine Saint Demon Gate and Li Shuangyan, but compared to the Icefeather Immortal Empress (冰羽仙帝) of old, they were insignificant.
Protector Mo hurried to report to the Grand Elder Gu. When the elder heard the news, he shot up from his seat.
"What? The Princess herself is coming?"
He paced in excitement while Protector Mo looked on, sighing silently. The difference between the two men could not be starker — one calm as still water, the other nearly shaking with anticipation.
"Send word to Li Qiye to prepare his best state," the Grand Elder ordered. "He must welcome Her Highness with perfect etiquette!"
Protector Mo bowed without mentioning he had already spoken to Li Qiye.
"Inform every Elder, Protector, and disciple of the Washing Dust Sect (洗尘古宗)," the Grand Elder continued. "We shall hold the grandest ceremony. Not one mistake is to be made!"
Mo nodded. The Sect's dependence on the Nine Saint Demon Gate was understandable, yet Li Qiye's words had made him see that true strength must come from within.
"Did the Princess mention the marriage pact between our sects?" the Grand Elder asked softly.
"I doubt anyone knows but Her Highness and the Sun‑Wheel Demon Emperor (轮日妖皇)," Mo answered.
The Grand Elder took a deep breath.
"Then tell Li Qiye to treat Her Highness with the utmost care. If possible, let him win her favor and propose when the time is right. Should he succeed, the Sect will reward him heavily!"
Protector Mo could barely conceal his awkwardness — Li Qiye had no intent to marry Li Shuangyan. At most, she would be a Sword Attendant. He kept quiet, bowing instead.
"Yes, Elder."
He knew Li Qiye would only laugh at such orders.
By morning, the news spread throughout the Sect. Excitement boiled everywhere — especially among young male disciples. The Princess of Gu‑Niu, the Saint Heir of the Nine Saint Demon Gate — beauty and talent incarnate — was coming!
"The Fairy Li! They say she's the most beautiful woman in the Central Domain," one disciple gushed.
"Five years ago, I saw her from afar — I've never forgotten that face."
"If she notices me, maybe I'll be chosen!" a junior dreamed. "With her favor, I'll lead the Sect one day!"
The entire Sect shimmered in expectant energy. Everyone polished their robes and treasures as though heading to a festival.
When the day arrived, the disciples gathered outside the Dao Platform (道台).
Even the Six Grand Elders (六大长老) attended, along with Protectors and Hall Lords — anyone of rank within the Washing Dust Sect.
The crowd was dressed in full splendor. At the front stood two figures besides the Elders: Li Qiye and He Yingjian.
He Yingjian was tall, handsome, and confident — the promising prodigy of the Sect. As the Second Elder's disciple, he was hailed as the brightest among the third generation. After just twenty years of cultivation, he had reached the Canopy Realm (华盖境界) — a great feat for a sect in decline.
His master, Elder Cao Xiong, once dreamed of the Sect Master's seat but was defeated by Su Yonghuang. He now pinned that ambition onto He Yingjian.
Though Li Qiye had been named First Disciple, Cao Xiong saw him as mere mortal trash and commanded his pupil to seize this chance — if he won the Princess's heart, the Sect Master's seat would be his.
Today, He Yingjian shone in full regalia — a treasure robe radiating light, cloud‑walking boots beneath, eight ornaments clinking with the rhythm of dao. He was, in every way, the showcase of youthful arrogance.