My Path To The Supreme Peak

Chapter 8: The Unexpected Marriage Proposal

Laughter and conversation filled the Shen Clan's grand courtyard.

Cultivators from neighboring clans sat beneath embroidered canopies, their robes displaying symbols of their respective families.

Servants moved between the tables, carrying spiritual tea and delicacies, while disciples gathered in small groups to observe the distinguished guests.

Above them, several cultivators descended from flying swords, drawing admiring glances from the younger generation.

Shen Yuan watched one of them land gracefully near the Azure Cloud Sect's table.

“One day, that will be me,” he muttered.

He lifted his cup.

A sharp pain twisted through his chest.

His fingers tightened around the porcelain, but he maintained his composure.

[Supreme Path System Alert.]

[Abnormal energy remains present within the host's meridians.]

Shen Yuan's smile stiffened.

“Must you remind me in the middle of a celebration?”

[The energy continues to interfere with the host's meridians.]

“And I already know that. Unless you've discovered something useful, there's no need to keep repeating yourself.”

The pain intensified, spreading through his meridians.

He lowered his cup and pretended to examine the dishes before him.

[Warning: The effects of the abnormal energy remain uncertain.]

“Then we're in the same boat. Wonderful.”

The system fell silent.

Shen Yuan almost laughed. Even a mysterious ancient power could apparently be stubborn.

He had already tried questioning it about the strange energy. It couldn't identify its origin or explain why it had awakened inside him, and he wasn't about to follow its instructions blindly just because it had detected something unusual.

If the energy was dangerous, he needed to understand the danger before making a decision.

For now, he would endure the discomfort and find another way to uncover the truth.

“Are you all right?”

He turned toward a Shen Clan disciple staring at him suspiciously.

“Perfectly,” Shen Yuan replied, reaching for a piece of fruit. “Why wouldn't I be?”

“You look pale.”

“Perhaps the spiritual tea isn't as refreshing as everyone claims.”

The disciple gave him a strange look before returning to the celebration.

Shen Yuan exhaled slowly.

He would investigate the strange energy later. For now, he needed to understand the people around him.

A bell rang, and the conversations gradually quieted.

The First Elder rose from the raised platform.

“Honored guests, welcome to the Shen Clan's annual cultivation gathering! We are grateful for your presence and hope this occasion strengthens the bonds between our families.”

Applause followed.

The First Elder began introducing the visiting factions.

The Azure Cloud Sect had sent several outer elders and a group of young disciples. Their pale-blue robes bore a cloud-shaped emblem, and their arrival had earned them considerable respect.

The Ironridge Clan came next, renowned for its body-tempering techniques. Their disciples wore dark robes, and one carried a hammer nearly as tall as Shen Yuan himself.

Then came the Han Clan, whose members had arrived in an ornate carriage drawn by two white-maned spirit beasts.

Other smaller clans followed, each bringing gifts ranging from refined weapons to rare medicinal herbs.

Shen Yuan listened carefully.

The cultivation world was far larger than the Shen Clan's territory. Every sect possessed its own techniques, resources, and ambitions.

If he wanted to reach the Supreme Peak, he would need to understand more than cultivation alone.

He would need connections, information, and opportunities.

And preferably, a body that didn't feel as though it was being torn apart from the inside.

The presentation of the younger generation began.

One by one, disciples stepped forward to announce their names and cultivation levels.

A young woman from the Ironridge Clan demonstrated a palm technique that cracked a stone pillar. A disciple from the Azure Cloud Sect produced a blade of condensed spiritual energy, earning approving nods from the elders.

When Shen Hao's turn came, he stood proudly.

“Shen Hao. Fourth layer of Body Tempering.”

Several guests acknowledged his achievement.

Then the First Elder called another name.

“Shen Yuan of the Shen Clan. Third layer of Body Tempering.”

The courtyard stirred.

“Shen Yuan? The one who remained at the first layer for three years?”

“Didn't he defeat Shen Hao recently?”

“I thought those rumors were exaggerated.”

Shen Yuan rose and walked toward the platform.

The pain in his chest flared again.

For an instant, his steps faltered.

He steadied himself and continued forward, refusing to give the watching cultivators a reason to question his condition.

He stopped before the platform and bowed.

“Shen Yuan greets the esteemed seniors.”

An elderly cultivator from the Azure Cloud Sect studied him with interest.

“Three years without advancement, followed by such a sudden breakthrough. What changed?”

Shen Yuan smiled politely.

“Perhaps I finally understood what I had been doing wrong, Senior.”

It wasn't the complete truth, but it wasn't entirely a lie either.

The elder stroked his beard.

“An interesting answer. Remember, young man, cultivation is not merely about accumulating spiritual energy. Understanding your path is equally important.”

“I will remember your advice.”

Shen Yuan returned to his seat.

For the first time in years, the guests were discussing his potential instead of mocking his weakness.

Even the First Elder appeared satisfied.

However, Shen Hao looked as though he had swallowed something bitter.

Shen Yuan caught his expression and raised his cup in a silent toast.

Shen Hao immediately looked away.

Much better, Shen Yuan thought.

Then another surge of pain struck his chest.

His fingers trembled.

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

Shen Yuan pressed his lips together, fighting to keep his expression neutral.

“I know. You don't have to remind me every five minutes.”

He was beginning to suspect that the system's greatest talent wasn't helping him cultivate but testing his patience.

Unfortunately, ignoring the strange energy wouldn't make it disappear.

He would have to find out more about it eventually. Until then, he wasn't going to let an unexplained phenomenon ruin his opportunity to observe the cultivation world.

The gathering continued, with elders discussing spiritual resources, cultivation opportunities, and possible alliances between their clans.

Shen Yuan listened, occasionally joining conversations with the disciples seated nearby. He learned which clans controlled the nearest spirit mines, which sects accepted outside disciples, and which families had recently acquired rare cultivation techniques.

These details might prove more useful than he had initially expected.

After all, strength alone wouldn't take him to the Supreme Peak.

He had just begun to relax when a distinguished middle-aged man rose from the Han Clan's table.

“Elder Shen, I have a proposal.”

The First Elder turned toward him.

“Please speak, Elder Han.”

Elder Han's gaze settled on Shen Yuan.

“Your clan has produced an interesting young man. I admire his determination and the progress he has made despite his difficult beginning.”

Shen Yuan slowly lowered his cup.

Why did he suddenly feel that this conversation would become troublesome?

Elder Han continued, “My clan values promising young cultivators. I believe an alliance between our families would benefit both sides.”

The First Elder nodded cautiously.

“An alliance is always worth discussing.”

“Indeed. And what better way to strengthen such a relationship than through marriage?”

The courtyard fell quiet.

Shen Yuan nearly choked on his tea.

Marriage?

He had come to observe the cultivation world, not become the subject of a matrimonial negotiation.

Elder Han smiled.

“I have an unmarried daughter. If Shen Yuan is willing, I would like to offer her to him in marriage.”

Silence lasted for a heartbeat before whispers swept through the courtyard.

Shen Hao stared at Shen Yuan as though the heavens had personally insulted him.

The First Elder's eyes brightened with unmistakable interest.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan felt another sharp pulse of pain from the strange energy in his chest.

He set down his cup carefully.

"Wonderful. I haven't figured out how to deal with my own problems, and now someone wants me to get married." he thought.

He looked directly at Elder Han.

“May I ask why you chose me?”

Elder Han's smile remained, but something calculating flickered in his eyes.

“Because, young man, I believe your future is worth investing in.”

Shen Yuan didn't miss the careful wording.

Three years ago, nobody had considered him worth investing in.

Now, after a sudden breakthrough, a powerful clan wanted him as a son-in-law.

Either Elder Han possessed remarkable foresight…

Or there was something about Shen Yuan that he hadn't yet discovered himself.

Shen Yuan studied the older man's expression, searching for any indication of his true intentions.

Elder Han remained composed, his smile neither widening nor fading beneath Shen Yuan's scrutiny.

Whatever his reasons, he had made the offer in front of the gathered clans. Refusing outright might offend the Han Clan, while accepting without understanding the circumstances could bring trouble of its own.

Shen Yuan weighed his options.

An alliance with the Han Clan could offer resources, connections, and opportunities that the Shen Clan had never provided him.

But he wasn't about to mistake a generous offer for a selfless one.

If Elder Han wanted something from him, Shen Yuan intended to discover what it was.

For now, accepting would allow him to learn more.

Shen Yuan raised his chin and met Elder Han's gaze.

“I accept.”