Inside the main hall of Clear Breeze Manor, the scent of sandalwood and wine blended in the air.
Dozens of gazes fell on Yang Cheng and Lin Shu, sharp and focused like spotlights, freezing the atmosphere for a brief moment.
"Lin Shu, my dear cousin, we've all been waiting for you."
Lin Kun stepped forward quickly, his face wearing an overly warm smile. "Come, let me introduce you to some of our distinguished guests. They're all among the most outstanding talents of the Southern Domain's younger generation—and close friends of Brother Huang Yuan."
As he spoke, his eyes deliberately skipped over Yang Cheng, pretending not to see him at all, focusing only on Lin Shu.
Gesturing politely to the side, he continued, "This is Miss Meng Xuerong of the Meng family—accomplished in both literature and martial arts, famous throughout the Southern Domain. This is Lu Guan, young master of the Lu family, whose 'Mountain-Splitting Fist' has already reached perfection. And this is Song Zhen, your cousin from the Song family. He's already half a step into the Insight God Realm and is one of the Southern Domain's most exceptional young experts."
As Lin Kun made the introductions, murmurs of surprise rippled through the hall.
The Meng, Lu, and Song families were all deeply rooted noble clans of the Southern Domain, their power vast and influence widespread.
Meng Xuerong was renowned for both beauty and talent, and her martial aptitude was impressive as well. Lu Guan was the Lu family's chosen heir, while Song Zhen was a true standout among the younger generation—his half-step Insight God cultivation alone could make even the older generation take notice.
Having these three gathered together was like a perfect snapshot of the Southern Domain's elite youth circle.
Lin Shu nodded slightly toward them, her expression calm and unruffled.
Meng Xuerong curved her lips in a faint smile, but her eyes brimmed with open hostility.
She had admired Huang Yuan for many years—and naturally viewed Lin Shu as a thorn in her eye.
Lu Guan, full of arrogance, let his gaze linger on Lin Shu, his eyes carrying a hint of playful provocation.
Song Zhen merely gave a cool nod, his brow showing polite detachment. Clearly, he didn't take this "sudden cousin" seriously at all. Having already formed a poor impression of her, he wasn't interested in changing it.
But Lin Shu remained unfazed by their looks.
"And this…"
Lin Kun's tone shifted as he turned aside with a smile, gesturing toward a young man with a refined appearance. "Lin Shu, this is your fiancé—the young master of the Huang family, Huang Yuan."
Huang Yuan stepped forward, his gaze landing on Lin Shu's face. His pupils shrank, and a flash of genuine astonishment flickered in his eyes.
He had always assumed Lin Shu was just a common girl from some backwater, and had long resented the engagement. But now that he saw her in person, he realized she was stunningly beautiful—graceful, refined, and pure, her aura surpassing even that of Lin Qing, the woman he once admired.
For a moment, his resentment faded, replaced by a trace of reluctant admiration.
However, when his gaze lingered on her, Lin Shu frowned slightly, her expression cool. She instinctively stepped back half a step and moved behind Yang Cheng.
That small, unconscious action felt like a needle stabbing deep into Huang Yuan's heart. Whatever fondness had just bloomed instantly turned to ash, replaced by raw anger and possessiveness.
He turned his gaze toward Yang Cheng, his eyes freezing cold. 'A wild brat from the barren lands dares to stand in front of my fiancée?'
"And this one is…?"
Lu Guan finally seemed to notice Yang Cheng, feigning curiosity but unable to hide the contempt in his tone. "Brother Lin Kun, who might this be? Funny, I've never seen him before. Who invited him here?"
An awkward look flashed across Lin Kun's face. He hesitated before replying vaguely, "This is Young Master Yang Cheng. He once helped Lin Shu. Since we're all young people, I thought I'd invite him to join us."
"Helped her?"
Lu Guan cut him off immediately, lips curling in a sneer. "Brother Lin Kun, everyone here is one of our own. But inviting some stranger with an unknown background—don't you think that's a bit inappropriate?"
"He's not an unknown stranger."
Lin Shu lifted her gaze, her voice cold as ice. "He is my master, and I am his servant. Before Young Master Lu speaks again, I suggest you think carefully."
"Master?"
Lin Jiao burst out laughing as if she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world. "Lin Shu, are you serious? Our Lin family is one of the top clans in the Southern Domain, and the direct-line pearl of the family actually calls herself someone's servant? If word gets out, people will laugh their teeth out!"
Lin Xiao chimed in right after, his tone dripping with contempt. "That's right. My Lin family has a thousand-year heritage, our traditions are ancient and strict. You grew up wandering outside, so you don't understand the rules—fine. But now that you've returned, you should behave properly and stop mingling with these shady people. Don't disgrace the Lin family's name."
"Shut up."
Lin Shu's gaze turned icy, her chilling aura spreading through the hall. "Whoever dares show disrespect to His Highness again… will be my enemy."
The hall fell silent in an instant.
No one had expected this quiet and delicate-looking girl to speak with such sharp defiance. For the sake of an "outsider," she was actually willing to stand against her own family's younger generation.
Yang Cheng gently patted Lin Shu's arm, signaling her to calm down.
Then he lifted his head and looked straight at Lin Jiao and Lin Xiao. His expression was calm, but his tone was arrogant enough to shake the heavens. "My maid only follows my rules. As for your Lin family's so-called 'family traditions'… in my eyes, they're worth nothing but shit."
"Wh—what!"
The entire hall erupted instantly.
Everyone stared at Yang Cheng in disbelief, as though he'd just said the most outrageous thing under heaven.
A wild brat from the desolate realm dared to insult the Lin family's ancestral traditions right to their faces? That was pure madness!
"What a joke!"
Lin Xiao's face went dark with fury. He jabbed a finger toward Yang Cheng, shouting angrily, "You're just a frog from a dry well in the barren lands! You think you're qualified to speak here?"
"That's right!"
Lu Guan rose to his feet, his aura flaring out violently. The pressure of a Martial Emperor Fifth Layer filled the room like a mountain crushing down. "You're not welcome here. If you've got any sense, get out on your own before I throw you out myself. Otherwise, don't blame me when things get ugly."
Around them, the other young nobles immediately joined in, their expressions filled with scorn and hostility.
"This guy must be crazy. He really thinks he can do whatever he wants just because Lin Shu's standing up for him?"
"Exactly. He's just some backwater native from the wasteland realm. Does he really think he can challenge the noble heirs of the Southern Domain? He must be tired of living."
"Heh, I'd say he's asking for a beating. Brother Lu, teach him a lesson—let him learn what 'the sky beyond the sky' really means."
Meng Xuerong folded her arms, her face gleaming with gloating amusement as she waited for Yang Cheng to be humiliated.
Huang Yuan also watched coldly from the side, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips. He wanted to see just how long this ignorant brat could keep up his arrogance.
Lin Shu's eyes turned glacial. "I'll say it one last time. Anyone who shows disrespect to His Highness… is my enemy."
Lu Guan sneered, not taking her words seriously at all. "Lin Shu, out of respect for Brother Huang, I'll let your rudeness slide. You're too impulsive with your words anyway. But this brat—he'd better be smart enough to leave now. If I have to move, it'll ruin everyone's mood… and things might get unpleasant."