Fairy, you call this repaying a debt of gratitude?

The sect's forbidden area is shrouded in mist year-round, isolated from the world, making it an ideal place for secluded cultivation.

At this moment, Gu Hanfeng was sitting upright on a blue stone futon, constantly breathing and improving his cultivation.

Since he went into seclusion these days, he has cut off all external distractions, abandoned all extraneous thoughts, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to breaking through his cultivation level.

At the tender age of fifteen, he became famous at the Hundred Sects Alliance with his Golden Core cultivation. In an instant, his name, Gu Hanfeng, resounded throughout the Central Continent, and the entire Weishui Sect also enjoyed unparalleled glory.

The sect may appear prosperous, but its foundation is actually precarious, and it could fall to the bottom if it is not careful.

Aside from the five major immortal sects, there are countless other established sects in the Central Continent. They all possess abundant resources and are unwilling to share them with any more people, so they are extremely wary of the soon-to-rise Weishui Sect.

Gu Hanfeng came from humble beginnings and lost both his parents at a young age. His only memories were of the kindness of the Weishui Sect in taking him in and Chen Qiuyu's life-saving grace.

Therefore, he urgently needs to break through his cultivation level, consolidate his own strength, uphold the reputation of the Weishui Sect, shield the sect from all crises, and allow the people he cares about to live the life he wants in peace.

In this forbidden land, there is no day or night, and no distinction between hot and cold.

Gu Hanfeng focused intently on his cultivation, repeatedly using his spiritual power to cleanse his meridians, and his cultivation level steadily improved.

He had no idea what was happening in the outside world.

Since Gu Hanfeng went into seclusion, the sect leader of the Weishui Sect has always had some concerns in his heart.

He was well aware of the sect's current predicament. Relying solely on Gu Hanfeng's strength to rise to power, its foundation was ultimately too shallow, making it difficult to maintain its foothold in this chaotic world for long.

The disciples' overall cultivation level is mediocre, and resources are scarce. Without the support of top-tier forces, they will sooner or later be devoured and swallowed up by the major sects.

Desperate to expand his sect and solidify his foundation, he was eager to find a powerful backer to secure a long-term future for the Weishui Sect.

Just as the grand gathering of sects from all directions began, forces from all over gathered. The sect leader, unwilling to miss the opportunity to make connections with powerful figures, left his sect alone to attend the gathering.

It was at this grand event that he met Xie Lingran by chance.

At that time, Xie Lingran had not yet revealed his overwhelming ambition to restore the Great Chen Dynasty, nor had he shown his later obsessive and ruthless nature.

He disguised himself as gentle and refined, with an extraordinary demeanor.

He was eloquent and knowledgeable, speaking clearly and thoroughly about the world situation. He was also extremely humble and polite, showing no arrogance whatsoever among top experts.

Therefore, even though it was only their first meeting, the sect leader of the Weishui Sect developed a good impression of him.

Xie Lingran was well-versed in human nature and saw through the Weishui Sect Master's eagerness to expand the sect and curry favor with the powerful at a glance.

He proceeded cautiously, using every word to win hearts and minds, deliberately painting a grand picture for the sect leader.

He spoke at length about the foundation of the old dynasty of Dachen, and expressed his grand vision of unifying the world and restarting a prosperous era. His words were full of righteousness for the country and the well-being of the people.

Seeing that the sect leader of the Weishui Sect was stunned, he bluntly said that small sects like the Weishui Sect, which have no roots or support, will eventually become food for those big sects.

Then, he pretended to extend an olive branch, promising that if the Weishui Sect was willing to form an alliance with him, he would appoint the Weishui Sect as a top sect in the world after he achieved great success and the dynasty was restored, placing it on the same level as the five great immortal sects, bestowing upon it unparalleled resources and hereditary glory, allowing the Weishui Sect to escape a century of ups and downs and prosper forever.

The empty grand plans for a prosperous era and the arbitrary promises of power, layered upon layered upon each other, completely blinded the sect leader of the Weishui Sect.

All he sought in his life was for his sect to become powerful and renowned for generations to come.

Xie Lingran's sweet talk hit his sore spot perfectly.

In his eyes, Xie Lingran at this moment was a true dragon emperor lying dormant in the chaotic world, a chosen one who could lead the Weishui Sect to the peak.

After several encounters and persuasion sessions, the sect leader was completely won over, convinced that relying on Xie Lingran was the only way out for the Weishui Sect.

He felt he had seized the opportunity.

A verbal alliance is ultimately weak; only through marriage alliances can the alliance be made more stable.

After much deliberation, the sect leader made a decision.

He has only one daughter—Chen Qiuyu.

She was exceptionally talented and had an unparalleled beauty; she was his most prized possession.

If the daughter is betrothed to Xie Lingran, it will strengthen family ties, and if Xie Lingran achieves great success in the future, the Weishui Sect will be able to remain invincible.

Once this idea takes root, no one can shake it.

After returning to the sect, the sect leader immediately summoned Chen Qiuyu and informed her of the matter.

Chen Qiuyu was taken aback when he heard that he was to marry someone he had never met before, and immediately declined.

Faced with his daughter's resistance, the sect leader's expression was resolute, and his tone was heavy: "From childhood to adulthood, I have always cherished you and never let you do anything you didn't want to do. But this matter, no matter what, is not up to you."

In his eyes, personal feelings are far less important than the rise and fall of the sect; any personal feelings should give way to the great cause of the sect.

No matter how much Chen Qiuyu pleaded or tried to refuse, he remained unmoved and his attitude was firm and resolute.

He threatened the survival of his sect and the safety of all its disciples, forcing them to agree to the marriage.

Since the Hundred Sects Alliance, Gu Hanfeng's reputation has soared, and the elders and disciples of the sects have long since changed their opinion of him.

Gu Hanfeng and Chen Qiuyu spent every day together and were very close, which was obvious to everyone.

But none of the Manchu clan dared to speak out for justice, and none dared to step forward to dissuade their clan leader.

Even if someone genuinely felt sorry for them and offered words of advice, it was all in vain.

Because the sect leader is deeply obsessed and insists on going his own way, he has long been deaf to any dissenting opinions.

A few days later, the marriage agreement was finalized.

No one in the Wei River sect felt any further objection.

Inside the forbidden area, Gu Hanfeng continued his arduous cultivation, unaware of the changes happening outside.

He exerted all his strength in the forbidden area, just to become stronger, so strong that no one would dare to destroy everything he cared about.

Little did he know that what he cared about was about to collapse.

Meanwhile, when the news of the engagement reached Xie Lingran's ears, he remained calm, showing no sign of joy.

It was widely rumored that he admired the beauty of the eldest daughter of the Weishui Sect and took the initiative to start this beautiful romance within the sect. However, only Xie Lingran herself knew that it had nothing to do with love from beginning to end.

His only concern was to restore the Great Chen Dynasty and ascend to the pinnacle of power.

He lay low for many years, proceeding step by step, paving the way for his grand ambition. To him, matters of the heart were the most useless and burdensome things.

Upon first meeting the sect leader of the Wei River Sect, he immediately saw through the man's greed, shortsightedness, and eagerness to curry favor with the powerful, but he also recognized the value of the Wei River Sect.

Although the Weishui Sect has a shallow foundation and cannot be considered a top-tier power, it is more than enough for him at present. The Weishui Sect is just a stepping stone, and he will use it to complete his life's work step by step.

For Xie Lingran, this marriage was merely a transaction where both parties got what they wanted.

Empty alliances are ultimately useless; only marriage alliances can truly bind the Wei River Sect to one's own warship.

Chen Qiuyu's gentleness, purity, and exceptional talent held no appeal for him.

He didn't care who he married, nor did he care about her feelings, nor did he care whether this marriage would ruin a woman's life and a man's heart.

His only desire was to use this marriage alliance to completely subjugate the Weishui Sect and make them work for him.

All his previous gentle humility and sincere promises were merely a facade he deliberately adopted.

......

Only in this way can this world on the verge of destruction be saved.

Xie Lingran was well aware of this.