"Xian'er, you've finally decided to return. You've been gone for decades. Do you know how hard it has been for me to wait?" A voice boomed from the void. Immediately, a group of people tore through space, emerging from the darkness. At their forefront stood a young man with a tall, imposing physique. His gaze held an arrogant disregard for everything, sweeping across the courtyard before finally settling on Liu Muxian.
"Pang Tianyun!" Liu Muxian's eyes flickered with disgust upon seeing the young man. It was precisely because of him that she had ventured out to wander the world.
"Tianyun, Xian'er has just returned to the family. Can we discuss your matters later?" Liu Chu felt a stir of dissatisfaction. The mother and daughter had barely reunited, and Pang Tianyun had already arrived with his entourage, descending directly upon the Liu residence.
"Uncle, Xian'er and I have already postponed our affairs for decades. I beg you to understand my feelings," Pang Tianyun said with a slight smile, cupping his fist in a bow towards Liu Chu. He continued, "I observe that Xian'er's Wuxiang Divine Body has reached great completion. Our previous engagement should now be fulfilled. I will send someone to propose tomorrow. Today, Xian'er is reunited with her family, so I shall not disturb you further."
Just as Liu Muxian was about to speak, her mother tugged at her, shaking her head as a silent signal. She could only watch helplessly as Pang Tianyun departed.
"Mother, must I really marry Pang Tianyun?" Liu Muxian's eyes welled up with tears, her heart filled with unwillingness.
"Xian'er!"
A figure shrouded in white light descended from the sky, his voice ancient and ethereal. As he landed in the courtyard, the divine radiance receded, revealing a slightly stooped figure clad in white robes, his demeanor exuding an aura of immortal grace.
"Old Ancestor."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Liu Mu and her parents hurriedly bowed and inquired.
Zhang Fan and his entourage stood to the side, observing the elder. Even with his aura completely restrained, creatures like the Blood Demon Flood Dragon felt an indescribable pressure, inwardly marveling, "Is this the might of a Dao Integration Immortal King?"
"Xian'er, the Pang family has aided us in saving the Liu God. Your cultivation of the Wuxiang Divine Body technique was also inherited from the Liu God. This marriage is unavoidable," the Liu family's Immortal King spoke to Liu Muxian.
"If Mu Xian is unwilling, why force her?" Zhang Fan interjected. Liu Mu's parents were astonished and turned to look. The Liu family Immortal King also shifted his gaze to Zhang Fan. His eyes, like primordial chaos, seemed to probe for understanding, yet the more he looked, the more amazed he became. This young cultivator in the Void Return stage seemed shrouded in a mist he could not penetrate.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Zhang Fan. I am Mu Xian's sworn friend. I cannot bear to see her suffer such indignity. If the Liu family finds this matter difficult, you can leave it to me," Zhang Fan said calmly.
His words drew a hearty laugh from the Liu family Immortal King. Even Liu Muxian shook her head at him. The Pang family's strength surpassed their Liu family. Although Zhang Fan's current power was top-tier beneath that of an Immortal King, he was still below that level. The Pang family's foundations ran even deeper than their own. Liu Muxian did not wish to involve him.
"Young friend Zhang Fan, I am delighted that Xian'er has a friend like you. However, this is not something you can interfere with. The Pang family's influence is far beyond your imagination. Perhaps when you cultivate to the Dao Integration Immortal King realm, you might have a word or two to say, but you still cannot change this reality."
After speaking, the Liu family Immortal King turned to Liu Chu and said, "The old ancestor of the Pang family has already contacted me. They will send someone to propose tomorrow. Prepare yourselves well and do not show any disrespect."
With that, the Liu family Immortal King vanished from the spot.
In the main hall, Liu Chu had prepared a banquet to entertain the guests. Zhang Fan, through Liu Muxian, learned the full story.
The Liu family possessed a divine tree known as the Liu Xiang, which had lived for tens of millions of years and was revered by the Liu family as the Liu God. However, a hundred years prior, during a great battle, the Liu God's trunk was severed by a cultivator of the Myriad Manifestations realm, leaving it critically injured and on the brink of death. Despite all their efforts, the Liu family could not save it. Finally, they invited the Pang family's ancestor, skilled in the Great Dao of Life and the Great Dao of Time, to intervene, but even he could not preserve the Liu God's life.
However, the Pang family ancestor proposed a solution: the Liu God's death was irreversible, but he could use the profound mysteries of the Great Dao of Life and the Great Dao of Time to delay its demise. During this period, the Liu family could send their most outstanding disciple into the Liu God's body to inherit its Dao techniques and its millions of years of knowledge.
There was a condition: only a female disciple of the Liu family could accept the inheritance, and upon completion, she must marry into the Pang family. This condition was agreed upon by the Liu family's Immortal King.
The young and innocent Liu Mu was thus chosen. She received the Liu God's inheritance, and the Wuxiang Divine Body she cultivated was also from the Liu God.
"No wonder," Zhang Fan nodded. When Liu Mu faced immense danger, a persona within her would awaken—cold and powerful. This was likely the residual consciousness of the Liu God protecting Liu Muxian.
Furthermore, Liu Mu's ability to cultivate the Sword Dao rules to perfection at the Nascent Soul stage, aside from her innate talent, was undoubtedly greatly aided by the Liu God's inheritance.
"So, you truly owe the Pang family a considerable debt of gratitude. I see that Pang Tianyun is exceptionally talented, a distinguished young man, and from an Immortal King's lineage. Why don't you like him?" Zhang Fan teased.
Liu Muxian shot Zhang Fan a glare, a hint of anger in her eyes. She didn't retort, her heart heavy.
"You carry the Liu God's inheritance, and you are destined to become an Immortal King-level expert in the future. The Pang family will indeed not let go easily. However, all of this boils down to interests. If a sufficient price is paid, the Pang family will likely consider it." Zhang Fan stated.
"What could be more attractive than a potential Immortal King-level expert?" All eyes turned to Zhang Fan, filled with questions. Even Liu Chu looked at him, wondering if he possessed something, or was willing to give something up for Liu Muxian, that would make the Pang family relent.
"How about a set of Divine Body techniques?" Zhang Fan smiled as he looked at Liu Chu.
"You have Divine Body techniques?" Liu Chu exclaimed in disbelief. While Liu Muxian cultivated a Divine Body technique, it was inherited from the Liu God. Without the Liu God's Dao techniques, others could not cultivate it.
If Zhang Fan could produce a set of Divine Body techniques, the Pang family would undoubtedly choose them. After all, such divine arts were rare, even among some Immortal Venerable experts.
"Since I dared to say so, naturally I possess them." In his past life, Zhang Fan had fought against Immortal Emperors of various races and collected countless Divine Body techniques. Producing one to help Liu Muxian out of this predicament was a small matter.
"Tomorrow, when they come to propose, leave it to me. I will go prepare first," Zhang Fan said to everyone before departing.
In his memory lay the Divine Body techniques. To inscribe a complete set that could be passed down would require some effort from Zhang Fan.
...