âYes.â Bingning replied to the inquisitive matron.
âTaking a stroll can be good, but if you are finished, it is time to come back. Everyone is worried about you.â The matron didnât care about the validity of the excuse.
âI have no intention of returning right now.â Bingning maintained her ground.
âThe martial court needs you.â The matron continued: âAs the successor, you have tasks to do and disciples to lead.â
âMaster and the elders can handle everything, my absence is inessential to the prosperity of the martial court.â She shook her head.
The matronâs eyes became serious after hearing this. Everyone was watching and could sense the change in mood.
âIâm not asking, this is an order from the sect, you must return to the court right now.â Her eyes turned cold as she emitted her aura.
âIâm sorry, Ancestor, I wonât be returning right now.â Bingning remained steadfast.
âSuch impudence!â The matronâs divinity was frightening: âDisobeying a direct order is a great crime, not even a successor is above the law!â
âIâm aware of the gravity of this crime.â Bingning responded seriously.
âYou should know that a light punishment consists of expulsion, a heavy one is crippling their cultivation! Itâs not too late to go back with me now!â The matron uttered coldly.
The crowd was shaken. Disobedience was indeed a serious issue. Once expelled, the person would have nowhere to go in Myriad Lineage. As for the worst case scenario, they would become a mortal again.
The goddess was the successor with limitless potential and prestigious status. She was also considered by some to be more talented than the three young nobles. Itâs just that she had a late debut versus them.
She was a promising imperial candidate, and anyone else in her shoes would be appreciative of their circumstances. Being kicked out of Vermillion was akin to falling down from the clouds to an abyss, no chance to climb back out.
Bingning took a deep breath and said: âThank you for your reminder, Ancestor, and for everything the court has done for me, but I still wonât be coming back.â
She couldnât make her stance any clearer. The crowd gasped in response. This was a betrayal of sorts. How could she dare to do such an unfilial and rebellious act?
âTraitor! Do you think your wings are tough now?â The matron became furious: âThe court has expended countless effort to groom you, yet you dare to be so stubborn? The court wonât stand for this!â
âAs I have said, Iâm appreciative of what the court has done for me. As a disciple of Vermillion, I will repay the court with my life when it needs me. But that is limited to upholding my responsibility to protect the court. However, each disciple of the system is family, not an item to be traded! Thatâs all I have to say.â
âFool. The ancestors only want whatâs best for you so they chose the easiest path. You canât understand their wise intent.â
âI will pick my own path.â She said firmly.
âHave you no shame?! I will not allow you to do as you please today and will take you back for re-education!â The matron declared.
âReturn from whence you came.â A leisure voice suddenly jumped in: âDonât needlessly cause trouble and humiliate yourself.â
Everyone looked over at the speaker - Li Qiye.
The matronâs sharp eyes fell on him as well; they flashed with murderous intent.
âYouâre that Li Qiye!â She uttered.
âThatâs me.â He seemed nonchalant and dismissive of the matron.
âYouâre the one egging our disciple toâ¦â She scowled.
âIncorrect. Everyone makes their own choice. I simply appreciate her talents.â He interrupted again.
âJunior, no need to be arrogant for this is not Insane Court, but so what even if it was? Itâs only a fallen dao system, canât reach the apex. Be smart and scram or it wonât end well for you!â
The harshness of her words had a strong effect on the crowd. Her master was Dracoform Martial God, the number one expert of Myriad. Thus, her words carried immense weight. All systems and ancestors would feel trepidation right now.
âThis is a big deal.â One ancestor murmured.
Though the Mu Clan was frightening indeed, they were still not in Myriad Lineage. This was a threat looming in the mind, different from the threat posed by Stormchaser Matron and Dracoform Martial God. This threat was right here in Myriad Lineage. Dracoform himself could flatten any sect or even an entire system in just a short time. In fact, people would bet on Dracoform over most True Emperors.
âIs that so?â Li Qiye ignored the threat.
âJunior, you arenât qualified to pair with our successor!â The matron continued: âInsane Court is in ruination, so stop dreaming about marrying the successor of Vermillion Martial Court like a frog wanting to eat the swan! Scram now or you wonât be able to keep your life, and your court will turn to ashes!â
The crowd took a deep breath. If Dracoform were to join, all of this could happen. After all, he was an invincible Eternal.
âYou think too highly of yourself and your system. Just one system alone is no different from a dog to me, canât reach the apex.â Li Qiye retorted.
The blatant provocation to both Vermillion and Dracoform stunned the crowd. These words would never come out from anyone else in Myriad Lineage.
Some ancestors who have met him before smiled wryly for they have experienced âFiercestâ before. This madman didnât care about anyone, whether it be the strongest in Myriad or the Mu Clan from Imperial. No one knew why he was so confident.
The matron was ready to kill. She said with a threatening inflection: âI will let you know now that only Young Lord Mu is worthy of our successor. We will never spare anyone who tries to break this marriage!â
This was the first time the martial court had confirmed this marriage alliance despite the previous rumors. It seemed to certain now since it came from the matron.
Moreover, this wasnât only for Li Qiye to hear, but also for the rest of the crowd - telling all of her fans to drop this idea.
Thus, the youths who liked her were shocked and unwilling to see this development. Everyone also understood why she chose to disobey the sect. So it turned out that she didnât want this particular marriage.
Alas, a single disciple like her couldnât refuse. It seemed like Dracoform himself had decided so no one could change it.