Chapter 70: I Choose No One

Gu Qing'er spoke urgently, "These women are only after your bloodline and talent—they have no true feelings for you. If you fall for their tricks, you'll end up no more than a breeding stallion. Don't let yourself be fooled!"

She rushed forward, blocking Ye Tian's path, her beautiful eyes ablaze.

"Oh my, Qing'er, you've arrived too," Zhu Feng replied coolly, unruffled by the accusation, and retorted with a sneer, "You speak as if you have no such intentions yourself!"

"Such righteous indignation!" Ji Yanyan, who had just been railing at Zhu Feng moments before, now joined in with a sarcastic tone.

"Miss Gu, I believe you only met Ye Qiu today. Since you don't have a formal engagement, the rest of us families have every right to compete for his favor," said Huang Qiu'er. "Am I wrong?"

"Go to hell, Huang Qiu'er! You're already forty and still fighting us for a man—have you no shame?" Ji Yanyan blurted out, only to shut her mouth instantly.

Huang Qiu'er's eyes were brimming with murderous intent, as if she might devour someone whole. The air around her, despite her youthful appearance, radiated a formidable aura.

She, too, was a master at the peak of the Mount Tai Realm! As a direct descendant of the Xuanwu Clan, her talent was truly terrifying.

Ye Tian was secretly astounded. The Xuanwu Clan was known for their long lifespans—some said they could live for centuries. If Huang Qiu'er had another two hundred years to cultivate, wouldn't she be invincible?

Just as quickly, Huang Qiu'er suppressed her overwhelming presence and donned a gentle expression, gazing at Ye Tian with deep affection. "Sir Ye, I greatly admire you," she said softly. "If you don't mind, I am willing to become your wife. Any conditions you have, I can fulfill!"

"Before that, let me tell you about my advantages. You may not yet realize it, but you are an Immortal Seed, aren't you?"

"Me?" Ye Tian echoed in surprise. "Immortal Seed?"

"Yes, just like me. The direct line of the Huang family, like you, are born with a long life. If we combine this with special cultivation methods, living for a thousand years is entirely possible!"

"We are different from ordinary people—not only do our looks hardly age, but our vitality is also astonishingly strong."

"That’s why, when it comes to choosing a partner, I am your best option!"

Ye Tian was shaken, not by Huang Qiu'er's admiration, but by the revelation that he, too, was an Immortal Seed.

There was no doubt that the Ye family in the capital had only ordinary bloodlines. His grandfather had died young, and his grandmother of natural causes; there had never been any legend of longevity in the family.

So why did Huang Qiu'er claim he was one as well?

Pondering this, Ye Tian considered two possibilities: first, his transplanted dragon heart; second, the golden core from the wandering immortal he had encountered.

True dragons had long lifespans. With a dragon’s heart, he might very well inherit that longevity. And as for that land-bound immortal—rumored to be ageless and deathless—perhaps these two factors together had transformed his own lifespan.

"Brother Ye, don’t listen to her. So what if it’s about longevity? There’s nothing the Azure Dragon Society can’t get their hands on," Ji Yanyan interjected, stepping in front of Huang Qiu'er.

"I have a Xuanwu Headpiece, too! If I wear it, I can stay with Brother Ye until we both grow old!"

"Oh, please. You haven't even reached the threshold of a martial artist—you’ll be a nobody all your life, yet you dream of marrying Ye Qiu?" Zhu Feng scoffed. "And with that tiny frame of yours, are you even up to the task, little sister?"

Hearing the innuendo, Ji Yanyan blushed furiously, squared her shoulders in indignation, and snapped, "Don’t look down on me—I’m still growing!"

Gu Tianzhen couldn’t hold back his laughter, pointing at the petite girl until he was doubled over. "Honestly, if I were looking for a wife, I’d never choose someone like her," he said. "Isn’t that so, Brother Jiang Cheng?"

"Heh..." Jiang Cheng shrank his neck, not daring to respond.

Brother, do you even know who’s standing in front of you? The only daughter of the Azure Dragon Society’s leader, the vice-captain of the Vermilion Bird Squad, the third princess of the Xuanwu Clan! With such heavyweights here, aren’t you afraid they’ll kill you for your insolence?

"Compared to them, I think I have the most to offer," Zhu Feng said, volunteering herself. "I’m both a martial artist at the Northern Dipper Realm and an inner alchemy cultivator."

"In talent, I can just about match Sir Ye Qiu; in longevity, once an inner alchemist reaches a certain level, premature aging is no worry."

"And, unlike certain stubborn women, I won’t demand absolute fidelity. As long as you’re willing to leave your bloodline with the Vermilion Bird Squad, we’ll give you anything you desire—more wealth, higher status, more women!"

"Whatever you want, you can have!"

The heated debate among the group quickly spread through the entire banquet hall.

"What? All four famous heiresses want to make Ye Qiu their son-in-law?"

"That’s unbelievable!"

"Please, it’s nothing new," someone scoffed, sounding world-weary. "How do you think these old martial families and the Four Great Powers of the North, South, East, and West got so strong? By constantly bringing in fresh blood and expanding their clans!"

"With Ye Qiu’s monstrous martial talent, even if their descendants inherit just a fraction, their families will prosper for centuries!"

"Exactly!" The explanation was quickly accepted by all.

For powerful clans, especially ancient martial families, what mattered most was strengthening their core. Only with mighty heirs could the family survive and thrive.

"In that case, Ye Qiu is really living a charmed life!"

"Marry into a powerful family and enjoy a life of luxury!"

Someone sighed in admiration, only to be met with rolling eyes.

"Idiot!"

Someone else berated him outright, laughing at his shortsightedness.

With Ye Qiu’s abilities and talent, he could enjoy wealth and glory anywhere—why become a live-in son-in-law for some grand family? That would be the real foolishness.

Sure enough, surrounded by the women, Ye Tian waved his hand and announced loudly, "Sorry, I’m not interested in being your breeding stallion."

"I’m not choosing any of you!"

!!!

"He turned them down!"

The entire hall was stunned.

"Is Ye Qiu not afraid of death? To reject all four of them to their faces—isn’t he worried they’ll take revenge?"

"You don’t get it, men need their freedom!"

"A man should love fiercely when in love, and leave decisively when the love is gone!"

"Once you’re married, freedom is gone for good. Sir Ye is truly a dragon among men!"

A portly businessman teared up with emotion, praising Ye Tian at the top of his lungs.

His friend immediately burst out laughing. "Is that why you spend all your money on hostess bars?"

Amidst the commotion, Ye Tian strode away, only to have Zhu Feng block his path.

"No way, Ye Qiu—you can’t just leave!"