My Path To The Supreme Peak

Chapter 10: The Marriage Condition

Night had settled over the Shen Clan.

Shen Yuan sat cross-legged on his bed, a worn cultivation manual resting open before him. A small oil lamp flickered beside him, casting dancing shadows across the walls.

He had spent the better part of the evening studying the manual he obtained from the Scripture Pavilion. Most of its contents were incomplete, but the unusual circulation method hidden between its damaged pages had caught his attention.

According to his Insight ability, the method could improve the efficiency of spiritual energy circulation.

Unfortunately, understanding it was another matter.

“This thing is determined to give me a headache.”

He rubbed his forehead and returned to the page.

A dull ache stirred in his chest.

Shen Yuan's expression darkened.

The strange energy inside his body had been troubling him throughout the day.

But... he wasn't about to let an unexplained presence ruin his night as well.

He closed his eyes and tried to regulate his breathing.

Inhale. Exhale.

Gather the spiritual energy.

Then— Pain shot through his meridians.

His eyes flew open. “Heavens!”

[Supreme Path System Alert.]

[Abnormal energy detected within the host's meridians.]

Shen Yuan glared at the notification. Then he ignored it and leaned back against the headboard, pressing a hand against his chest.

The energy had awakened after his encounter with the ancient ruin. He had remembered the strange sensation that had swept through his body, the pain that followed, and the unfamiliar power that seemed to have settled deep within him.

Yet he still didn't understand what it was or why it had chosen him.

He had considered trying to suppress it, but he couldn't ignore the possibility that doing so might make things worse.

For now, he would observe it.

And when he had enough strength, he would investigate its origin.

Before he could return to the manual, a knock sounded at his door.

“Young Master Shen Yuan.”

A guard stood outside when he opened it.

“The First Elder requests your presence immediately.”

Shen Yuan glanced at the night sky beyond the courtyard.

“What could possibly be so urgent?”

The guard lowered his head.

“I wasn't informed of the details.”

Shen Yuan sighed, picked up his outer robe, and followed him.

He had a terrible feeling that his peaceful night had just been cancelled.

...

The First Elder's residence was brightly lit.

Shen Yuan entered the reception hall and immediately noticed Elder Han seated beside the First Elder. Two Han Clan guards stood behind their representative.

Elder Han greeted him with a pleasant smile.

“Ah, Shen Yuan. I'm glad you came.”

Shen Yuan bowed politely.

“Elder Han.”

The First Elder gestured toward a seat.

“Sit. We need to discuss the marriage proposal.”

Shen Yuan remained standing.

“Then let's discuss it.”

Elder Han's smile didn't falter.

“My daughter is a promising young cultivator. Our family has sufficient resources to support your development, and the marriage would strengthen the relationship between our clans.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Shen Yuan replied. “But I believe I already made my position clear.”

“Of course. However, there's another matter you should understand.”

Elder Han folded his hands.

“After discussing the arrangement with the First Elder, we've agreed that you will marry into the Han Clan and live with us after the wedding.”

For several seconds, Shen Yuan said nothing.

Then he laughed.

Not because anything was funny.

“You want me to become a live-in son-in-law?”

Elder Han's expression remained composed.

“It's a reasonable arrangement. My clan has greater resources, and you would benefit from our guidance. Naturally, you would be expected to contribute to the family's future.”

Shen Yuan's laughter stopped.

There it was. Not an alliance or an offer.

They wanted him to leave his own clan, enter theirs, and become a convenient investment they could control.

“And what happens to my cultivation?” he asked coldly. “Would I be free to pursue my own path, or would your clan decide what I should do with my life?”

“Such matters can be discussed after the marriage.”

“How generous.”

The First Elder's expression hardened.

“Shen Yuan, watch your tone. Elder Han is offering you an opportunity many young cultivators would gladly accept.”

“Then perhaps you should offer it to one of them.”

“Shen Yuan!”

He ignored the warning.

For three years, his clan had watched him struggle at the first layer of Body Tempering. Nobody had offered him an opportunity then.

Now that he had finally taken his first step forward, everyone suddenly wanted a piece of him.

He turned toward Elder Han.

“My answer is no.”

The older man's smile finally disappeared.

“You should think carefully before rejecting this arrangement. Opportunities like this don't come twice.”

“Neither do people who agree to trade their freedom for a few spirit stones.”

Shen Yuan bowed stiffly to the First Elder.

“Forgive me, Elder. I have other matters to attend to.”

Then he walked out.

Behind him, Elder Han's voice turned cold.

“That young man has quite the temper.”

The First Elder said nothing, which unsettled the air more.