In the city just outside of the Black Paradise sect, a commotion broke out as news of the Matriarch's return began to spread. Besides the Elected Head, the Matriarch was the most respected and admired person in the entire province. So when the people heard that she'd be passing through their streets, of course, they all got excited.

Large crowds flocked to the streets or climbed up high places as they waited for the Matriarch's arrival. Eventually, the front gates opened then several beasts carrying a half-house-sized carriage came into view. The moment the people saw the large dazzling carriage they immediately began to cheer.

The beasts slowed down as they entered the city, and dozens of beautiful female experts could be seen escorting the carriage through the streets. Each of the female disciples around the carriage attracted the public's gaze because they were all top notch beauties that could only be found in paintings.

.

.

.

"Mommy, look. They're so pretty,

" one little girl said with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I can see that, dear. Maybe if you study hard you can be like them someday,

" her mother replied.

.

.

.

Inside the fancy carriage, Li Lian sat silently next to the Matriarch with a troubled expression on her face. Despite how much the people cheered, Li Lian seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.

"Li Lian what's wrong? Are you getting home sick already?

" The Matriarch asked.

Li Lian realized the expression she was making when she heard her master's voice.

"Ah, no. I was just thinking about something my mother said before we left.

"

The Matriarch was curious about Li Lian's personal life, so she asked,

"It must've been something important. What did she say?

"

Li Lian paused as she thought about what to say. Her mother brought up the topic of marriage, specifically if she was still going to marry Xiao Fang.

...

Perhaps it was because Gao Chen had died, Li Lian's mother was now being super supportive of her decision to marry Xiao Fang, she even got her husband to give her his blessing. Truth was, Li Lian's father was just proud that she became such a talented cultivator. His cultivation was deep, but he was a humble man with little ambitions, all he ever wanted was the best for his family.

Due to Li Lian's accomplishments, he garnered respect from his fellow clansmen and his position within the family sect sky rocketed. He was proud of her, so whatever Li Lian decided to do he would fully support her.

What Li Lian wanted to do was marry Xiao Fang, but she didn't know how the Matriarch would react.

...

After a few seconds passed, Li Lian finally replied,

"It's... It's about a man.

"

To Li Lian's surprise, the Matriarch seemed to get even more interested.

"Oh? What man? Is he from the Black Paradise sect?

"

The Matriarch tried to get more information out of her as she smiled gleefully from ear to ear.

Seeing that she wasn't mad, Li Lian spoke again.

"It's about my fiancé. My mother asked me if I still wanted to marry him.

"

Since she now got her parents' and Yu An's approval, she felt as if it was now appropriate to refer to Xiao Fang as her fiancé.

The Matriarch was speechless.

"You... You already have a fiancé? Aren't you too young?

"

...

Although it was common for girls Li Lian's age to be married off by their parents. It was extremely uncommon for cultivators her age to settle down, especially a cultivator as talented as Li Lian.

What the Matriarch didn't know was that Li Lian's parents didn't intend for her to become a cultivator. They had picked a fiancé for her before she got accepted into the Black Paradise sect. The only reason they let her go to the sect was to get closer to Gao Chen.

They had hoped that she would gradually learn to like Gao Chen and become his loving wife and mother to his children, but they didn't see through Gao Chen's intentions and underestimated Li Lian's passion for cultivation.

...

"My parents never intended for me to become a cultivator,

" Li Lian explained simply.

"I see. So, what are you going to do then? Do you want to settle down and marry him or do you want to be a cultivator?

" The Matriarch asked.

"I...

"

Li Lian froze when she saw the serious look on the Matriarch's face. She felt like her next words would determine her fate.

"C-Can't I do both?

"

The Matriarch didn't reply. She wanted Li Lian to think about it carefully.

Seeing that the Matriarch was silent, Li Lian spoke again, but this time she spoke with a little more confidence in her tone.

"I want to be a cultivator, but one day, I will definitely marry him.

"

The Matriarch finally sighed as she looked away.

Li Lian didn't know what to make out of her reaction. The last thing she wanted was to make the Matriarch upset, but she wanted to be straightforward with her about this.

"Master, am I not allowed to marry him?

"

"According to the sect's rules, you are not.

"

Li Lian felt as if her worst fears had come true.

"Master, I-

"

The Matriarch suddenly cut her off, and made Li Lian's eyes light up happily from her next words.

"However, many things have changed since the old days and I've never been too fond of the rules myself.

"

"Then does that mean...

"

"Don't get your hopes up. If he can't get my approval, then I won't allow you to marry him. I won't idly watch from the side as a precious gem like you gets tarnished by some dirt.

"

Li Lian smiled happily from her words,

"Master, thank you for being so understanding.

"

The Matriarch felt guilty for receiving her thanks, because she was the one who couldn't afford to lose Li Lian. Considering Li Lian's amazing talent, the Matriarch didn't mind breaking a few sect rules to keep her under her wing. Especially since she never really planned on letting Li Lian marry her fiancé.

"So, what's his name,

" the Matriarch asked.

"It's Fang.

"

"Just 'Fang'? Do you not even know his surname?

"

Li Lian scratched the back of her head as she smiled nervously. She was aware of the reputation the Divine Sword sect had, so she was wise not to say his full name.

"Aiya, how could you fall in love with someone so easily,

" the Matriarch complained.

"Master, have you ever fallen in love before?

" Li Lian asked to change the topic.

"Of course I have, but it was short lived.

"

"What happened?

"

"As I told you before, it's against sect rules, but in this specific case I fell in love with someone I definitely shouldn't have fallen in love with.

"

The Matriarch could tell that Li Lian was interested in her story. Since they were traveling slowly through the city, they had plenty of time to spare.

The Matriarch thought back to nearly 40 years ago when she was in her early 20s. Back then she was just a disciple named Shi Lan, but since her mother was the Matriarch of the sect, she was still treated favorably by her peers.

Her best friend at the time was not only popular for her beauty, but there were also many guys with prominent backgrounds visiting the Black Paradise sect just to ask her hand in marriage. However, she always rejected them. She was so beautiful it was an understatement to simply say that she was the most beautiful girl in the entire province. She might very well be the most beautiful girl in the entire country.

At the time, Shi Lan assumed it was because there was already a guy in her life, but no matter how many times she asked her about him she would just say he was a close childhood friend. However, the man she casually called a friend was the most handsome man she had ever met.

"What was the name of your friend?

" Li Lian suddenly asked.

Judging by the description the Matriarch gave and the time period, Li Lian could already guess who it was.

"Her name... was Yu An.

"

***

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