C2 Qiao Family's Marriage Proposal!

As dusk fell on the training field, a voice rang out, "Look, isn't that Jiaang Lin, the notorious failure of our Jiaang family?"

The training field was bustling with Jiaang family disciples. Upon spotting Jiaang Lin, one of them sneered derisively. "Looks like he's been roughed up by Jiaang Ren again!"

Laughter followed, as the disciples noticed the bruises marring Jiaang Lin's body, convinced he had suffered another beating at the hands of Jiaang Ren in the back mountains.

"It's such an embarrassment for the Jiaang family to be saddled with such a failure," another disciple scoffed.

"What can you do? He's lucky to have our patriarch for a father. Without that protection, he'd have been expelled from the family and left to his own devices long ago."

"Absolutely! He's useless. For over a decade, he's done nothing but hide behind his father's protection. And Jiaang Xue's unwavering loyalty to him is baffling. I can't fathom what she sees in him, considering she's such a distinguished figure."

The disciples whispered and jeered as Jiaang Lin walked past the training field, their eyes filled with scorn.

Unfazed by their mockery, Jiaang Lin continued on his path to the Family Medicine Pavilion. He paid no mind to their contemptuous stares. His only goal was to find the spiritual medicines necessary to unlock his meridians and awaken his Battle Soul.

"By the way, speaking of Jiaang Xue, didn't the Qiao family come to ask for her hand in marriage again?" one disciple suddenly remarked.

"Yes, I heard the Qiao family patriarch brought his son, Qiao Junhan, to our Jiaang family's doorstep to formally propose marriage, intent on securing Jiaang Xue as his bride," another confirmed, nodding in agreement.

At the sound of this, Jiaang Lin came to an abrupt halt, his brow furrowing in concern.

The Qiao family!

Jiaang Lin recalled that the Qiao family, much like his own Jiaang family, was a prominent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town. They controlled numerous trading companies, boasting a robust foundation and considerable influence.

In Clear Water Town, they were subtly on track to become the preeminent family, posing as the Jiaang family's most formidable rival.

Lately, the Qiao family had managed to enlist a Pill Refining Master, significantly elevating their standing in town.

Pill Refining Masters were exceedingly scarce on the Divine Martial Continent.

Cultivators seeking to enhance their Cultivation Level depended on various pills.

A Pill Refining Master, therefore, was held in high esteem by all cultivators, enjoying a position of great respect and admiration.

The greater the Pill Refining Master's skill, the more beloved and esteemed they became across the Divine Martial Continent.

In his past life, Jiaang Lin had been the First Pill Refining Master, honored with the title of Pill Saint.

He was well aware of the profound impact a Pill Refining Master could have on a Martial Dao Family like the Qiao family of Clear Water Town.

"The Qiao family is proposing marriage again?"

A cold light flickered in Jiaang Lin's eyes.

Previously, the Qiao family had approached his Jiaang family several times seeking to wed his adopted sister, Jiaang Xue, but his father had consistently turned them down.

Their repeated rejections infuriated the Qiao family, who then exerted relentless pressure on the Jiaang family in business dealings. With a Pill Refining Master among them, they usurped much of the Jiaang family's commerce, gradually cornering them into a precarious position.

Ultimately, their actions led to the downfall of the Jiaang family, the murder of his father, and the tragic forced suicide of his sister Jiaang Xue. Jiaang Lin was the sole survivor.

From that moment, fueled by a desire for vengeance and having stumbled upon a chance to awaken his Battle Soul, Jiaang Lin embarked on the martial path. Once he had bolstered his strength, he single-handedly annihilated the Qiao family.

Jiaang Lin steadily ascended to the pinnacle of power, becoming the most formidable warrior on the Divine Martial Continent and the First Pill Refining Master across the land.

Memories of his past life reignited the hatred in Jiaang Lin's heart, his gaze turning icy cold. A subtle yet terrifying aura of murderous intent emanated from him. "Qiao family, now that I, Jiaang Lin, have been given a second chance at life, I will not let you fulfill your desires to destroy my family ever again," he declared with a dark tone.

Turning on his heel, he made his way directly to the Jiaang Family Main Hall.

Inside the Jiaang Family Main Hall, Jiaang Zhengzu, the family patriarch, sat serenely at the head of the room. Beside him stood a young girl in quiet repose.

With her delicate features and fair complexion, the girl exuded an air of elegance. She was clad in a flowing blue silk gown that perfectly outlined her slender, graceful figure. Though young, her beauty was already remarkable, promising to blossom into unparalleled magnificence with time.

This girl was Jiaang Xue, an orphan rescued by Jiaang Zhengzu during a downpour outside Clear Water Town, hence her name. Jiaang Xue's Martial Dao Talent was exceptional; at just fifteen, she had reached the Qi Gathering Level One Peak and was soon to advance further, marking her as a standout among the Jiaang family's youth. She was adored by many Jiaang family disciples.

Her fame extended throughout Clear Water Town, where numerous young prodigies from Martial Dao Families held her in high esteem, each dreaming of winning her hand in marriage.

Among her admirers was Qiao Junhan, the esteemed young master of the Qiao family and recognized as the First Martial Dao Talent of Clear Water Town. At seventeen, his cultivation had already reached Qi Gathering Level Two, and he was on the cusp of attaining the Qi Gathering Level Two Peak.

In Clear Water Town, among the younger generation, Qiao Junhan held an exceptionally high reputation and status. His father, Qiao Kai, the head of the Qiao family, had twice approached the Jiaang family to propose a marriage for his son. Sadly, both attempts were rejected by Jiaang Zhengzu, the patriarch of the Jiaang family.

Undeterred, Qiao Kai returned once more, leading a delegation with generous betrothal gifts, in the hopes of securing this marriage alliance. He recognized the potential in Jiaang Xue's talents and believed that if she were to marry his son, Qiao Junhan, their children would undoubtedly possess Martial Dao Talent far surpassing that of average cultivators.

"Patriarch Jiaang, may I inquire about your thoughts on this matter?" asked a middle-aged man in a purple robe, his gaze fixed on Jiaang Zhengzu, a hint of a smile playing at his lips.

This man was none other than Qiao Kai, a Qi Gathering Level Nine cultivator and one of the formidable figures in Clear Water Town.

"My daughter, Jiaang Xue, possesses only modest talent. She truly does not merit such attention from the Qiao family. Therefore, the Jiaang family cannot in good conscience accept this betrothal gift," Jiaang Zhengzu responded with utmost courtesy.

As the Jiaang family patriarch, Jiaang Zhengzu had to weigh the welfare of his entire clan. He was careful not to rashly provoke Qiao Kai, to avoid incurring the Qiao family's enmity.

"Patriarch Jiaang, why would you say such a thing? Your daughter is widely known for her exceptional talent. At just fifteen, she has already reached Qi Gathering Level One, a feat that places her talent on par with, if not superior to, my own son's. Where does this notion of mediocrity come from? You are far too humble," Qiao Kai replied with a smile.

"Big brother, given the Qiao family patriarch's keen interest, why not accept his proposal? Aligning our Jiaang family with the Qiao family through marriage would surely allow us to thrive even more in Clear Water Town," suggested a middle-aged man in the hall, bearing a resemblance to Jiaang Zhengzu, as he spoke up.

Jiaang Zhengshan was the biological brother of Jiaang Zhengzu. Possessing the strength of Qi Gathering Level Six, he was among the elite experts of Clear Water Town.

At the head of the table, Jiaang Zhengzu's eyes narrowed upon hearing his brother's words, a flicker of displeasure crossing his gaze.

"Big brother, there's no need for anger. I'm simply speaking the truth. Nephew Qin is not only handsome and talented, but he also comes from an extraordinary family. With his abilities and status, he's more than suitable for Xue.

"If Xue were to marry him, it would be a match made in heaven.

"This marriage proposal is indeed worth considering!"

Jiaang Zhengshan was oblivious to Jiaang Zhengzu's feelings and continued to speak his mind.

Across the table, Qiao Kai, Qiao Junhan, and several members of the Qiao family all wore smiles at Jiaang Zhengshan's words.

"Indeed! Patriarch, please reconsider. Forming a marital alliance with the Qiao family would surely elevate our own. There's no reason to decline such a marriage."

At that moment, within the Jiaang Family Main Hall, other senior members of the Jiaang family began to chime in with their advice.

The rest of the Jiaang family's high-level members present nodded in agreement.

They were all aware that the Qiao family had grown significantly, boasting a robust foundation and vast influence, even rising to become the preeminent Martial Dao Family in Clear Water Town, complete with a Pill Refining Master in their ranks.

In comparison, the Jiaang family paled significantly.

An alliance through marriage with the Qiao family promised to bring considerable advantages.

As Jiaang Zhengzu watched his family's high-level members persistently plead their case, his expression darkened with growing resentment. He was acutely aware of the Qiao family's wolfish ambitions; they had long sought to eradicate the Jiaang family and claim dominance over Clear Water Town.

Given these circumstances, how could he, Jiaang Zhengzu, possibly consent to marrying his daughter to Qiao Junhan, the Qiao family's heir?

Yet, his family members were blinded by short-sightedness, fixated only on immediate gains, utterly disregarding the potential dire consequences that might unfold in the future.

How could he not be infuriated?

"The Qiao family thinks they're worthy of marrying Xue?"