He was from Earth, just like me.
I had to stay calm, to stay alert. Then, she appeared before me. Nyra.
Jin was stunned by her beauty up close. Nyra also noticed something different about Jin—he looked more handsome when standing just a few steps away.
"Hi," she said softly, her eyes a little unsure. "Sorry about what happened."
Jin shook his head. "No, I should be the one apologizing. I injured you."
Nyra smiled faintly. "It's okay. I was being arrogant."
An awkward silence followed until Nyra broke it.
"That outfit you were wearing... what was it? It looked good on you."
"It's called a suit," Jin replied.
"A suit?" Nyra blinked, then thought to herself, So he knows about suits. Could he be... like me?
"Where did you get that suit?" she asked.
"My grandfather gave it to me."
So his grandfather might be from Earth too, she thought.
"Where did he get it? I want one as well," she asked, trying to sound casual.
"For who?" Jin raised an eyebrow.
"Someone special. Just tell me," Nyra replied with a little blush.
"He bought it from the Central Dynasty," Jin said simply.
"Central Dynasty?" Nyra tilted her head in confusion. "What's that? I've never heard of it before."
Jin smiled. "It's one of the five great realms of our world—the political and cultural heart of the human empire."
"Really?" Nyra leaned in, curious.
"Yeah," Jin nodded. "Our world is divided into five realms: Celestial Sky, Demonic Abyss, Ancient Wastes, Central Dynasty, and Rogue Territories. The Central Dynasty is where the Emperor resides, and it's also where many of the most powerful clans and magical academies are located."
Nyra was in awe. "So that's what it's like... I didn't know."
"My grandfather taught me about it," Jin said, a bit proudly.
"How do you know all this?" she asked.
"My grandfather told me," Jin replied.
Nearby, the adults were beginning to gather.
Nyra's grandfather stepped onto the stage.
"Greetings, everyone," he began, his voice echoing through the hall. "Thank you all for attending this special ceremony. As you know, today is my granddaughter's birthday. But on this special day, I have an important announcement to make—one that concerns her future."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"As many of you know," the old man continued, "Nyra has been engaged to the young master of the Yan family, Xiao Yan. However, today, I officially announce that the engagement is annulled."
The crowd gasped.
Nyra's eyes widened. I don't have to marry him?
Among the guests was the Lan family, rivals of the Yan family. Their young master, Ming Lan, smirked creepily. He had long desired Nyra.
Meanwhile, the Yan family, until now smiling confidently, looked stunned.
The Yan Clan leader stood. "What is the meaning of this?!"
Nyra's grandfather remained calm. "Do you have something to say?"
"Yes, I do! How dare you cancel the engagement at such a public event! This was a matter of pride between our two families."
"The engagement was agreed upon years ago," Nyra's grandfather said. "But now I know my granddaughter loves someone else."
Nyra's jaw dropped. What? I love someone? Did he find out about Wang Ling?
"You could have told us in private! Are you trying to humiliate us?!" the Yan Clan leader shouted.
"Don't forget your position," Nyra's grandfather replied coldly. "Your family is weak now. Your son may have been a genius, but now his cultivation has stagnated. Do you really expect my granddaughter to marry someone who no longer progresses? Forget it. She loves another, and I plan to arrange her marriage with him. He is here in this hall."
Gasps echoed. Nyra looked around, excitement rising. Wang Ling is here?! Where?
The Yan Clan leader asked, "Then who is it?"
"It is Jin Tian," Nyra's grandfather declared. "Heir of the Demon Clan and Young Master of the Tian Family."
The entire hall was shocked. Whispers flew.
Nyra froze. Jin?! I thought the engagement was broken... not replaced!
Jin sighed internally. I knew something like this would happen.
The Yan Clan leader scowled. So this is it. We were never enemies before. Why now? Because of the Demon Clan?
The Yan family felt humiliated.
They began to leave when suddenly—
The doors burst open.
A boy with blue hair and black eyes entered, a glowing ring on his finger. A master resided within that ring.
"Xiao Yan!" the Yan Clan leader exclaimed.
The crowd stared.
"That's Xiao Yan? He doesn't look useless."
Nyra studied him. He's handsome... but not more than Wang Ling or Jin.
Jin narrowed his eyes. So, the protagonist finally appears.
Xiao Yan stepped forward, furious. "How dare you cancel the engagement and humiliate our family!"
The elders tried to calm him.
"So what if they're a big family? Their younger generation is nothing before me! If the engagement had to be broken, it should've been by us!"
With that, he released his aura.
Gasps erupted.
"He's at the 1st level of Foundation Establishment! At only 13?!"
All except Nyra's grandfather were shocked. He stayed calm. He knew Jin's talent surpassed Xiao Yan's by far.
Xiao Yan's father smiled proudly. "You regained your cultivation..."
Xiao Yan turned to Nyra's grandfather. "Do you regret your decision now? Replacing me with that loser Jin? He's only here because of his family."
Jin frowned. Why is he blaming me? What did I do?
But he noticed Nyra's grandfather was silent, watching.
"If the engagement is to be broken," Xiao Yan said, "then we demand a Sian Battle!"
Gasps.
A Sian Battle—a ritual duel to validate or annul an engagement. The challenger must either fight or bring their lover to fight.
"Prepare the arena!" Xiao Yan shouted.
Nyra's grandfather smiled mysteriously. "Very well."
The crowd moved to the arena, excitement thick in the air.
Xiao Yan stood in the centre. "Nyra, come fight me."
Nyra hesitated. She knew she couldn't win. She looked to her grandfather for help.
"Send Jin in your place," he said calmly.
She nodded and approached Jin. "He's my lover. He will fight in my place."
Another wave of shock.
"Jin? He's only five!"
Jin was speechless. Why me?!
But then, his grandfather's voice echoed in his mind through a voice transmission technique.
"Go and fight."
Jin stepped into the arena.
Xiao Yan smirked. He's just a kid. No match for me.
But his master frowned. Something's wrong. I can't detect his cultivation level.