Everyone in the Holy Land already knew—Qin Yuan had made his stance clear with Su Mengyao. There was no more room for ambiguity.
So naturally, the elder guarding the beast carriages felt no obligation to show her any courtesy. She was just an inner sect disciple now. Nothing more.
"I think you've got something wrong with your head," the old man scoffed, arms crossed. "Since when can a mere inner disciple ride the Holy Son's chariot?"
"You trying to make me break the rules on your behalf?"
He waved her off impatiently. "I'm done wasting breath. If you're in a hurry, there's a monster transport shop down the road. Spend some spirit stones and ride one back yourself."
And with that, he sank into his armchair, closed his eyes, and began dozing without another word.
"You—!" Su Mengyao was livid.
She had never suffered this kind of humiliation before.
The Su family disciples standing behind her all looked equally defeated, their expressions dark. Just yesterday, they could use these carriages freely. Today, they were being treated like outsiders.
Lin Yun saw the opportunity and immediately stepped forward, puffing up his chest.
"I'll handle this," he said confidently, and approached the old man, trying to cozy up and strike a deal.
But the elder didn't even lift an eyelid. Lin Yun's attempts at flattery were ignored, and within moments the man was dozing again.
Lin Yun's face turned red with embarrassment. He stood stiffly, fists clenched behind his back, trying to pretend he wasn't just publicly humiliated.
The surrounding disciples burst into laughter.
"Who's this clown? Thinks he can just chat up Elder Wang like that?"
"Yeah, what is he—some heir to the Supreme Clan?"
"I know that guy. That's Lin Yun, right? Su Mengyao's side piece."
"Side piece? Ohhh, now it makes sense why Qin Yuan broke off there engagment!"
"Wait, Su Mengyao? That's the same chick who used to have the Holy Son wrapped around her finger, right?"
"Yeah, her. Can't believe how pathetic she looks now."
The new disciples circled like vultures, throwing barbs like they'd been saving them for this very moment.
Su Mengyao's hands trembled with rage. She hadn't even made it onto the carriage, and now she was being mocked publicly. Her pride couldn't take much more.
"Mengyao, don't listen to them," Yu Ying said gently, trying to calm her. "They don't know the full story. Everything will be fine tomorrow."
"It's just a beast chariot. We can still rent a flying beast—it's just spirit stones, right?"
That helped ease the sting a little. Su Mengyao forced a breath, nodded, and led her group to the nearby monster transport shop.
"1,000 spirit stones," the shopkeeper said flatly, raising a single finger before she could even ask.
"…What?" Su Mengyao blinked. "Did I hear that right?"
The Su family disciples looked at one another, equally stunned.
A thousand spirit stones wasn't pocket change. It was enough to hurt.
"Forget it," Su Mengyao muttered. "One thousand it is."
She was already planning to guilt Qin Yuan into giving her more treasure after he inevitably came crawling back. It'd even out.
But then the shopkeeper added coldly, "That's 1,000 per person. There are 15 of you—15,000 total."
He tossed back the 1,000 spirit stones like they were trash.
"Fifteen thousand?! Are you robbing us?!" Lin Yun exploded, his voice rising before he could stop himself.
The shopkeeper's aura surged. It was suffocating.
"What are you screaming for, brat? If you can't afford it, walk."
"When I was your age, I knew how to show some respect."
"You—!" Lin Yun gritted his teeth, but he couldn't do anything. He couldn't beat this guy, and they both knew it.
"Mengyao, what now?"
"…Just pay him." Su Mengyao clenched her jaw.
It stung, but they had no choice. Reluctantly, she handed over all 15,000 spirit stones.
The shopkeeper smiled as he took the bag and waved a hand. A young man—probably their age—appeared, seated on a massive, flame-feathered bird.
Lin Yun looked at the mount and scoffed. "We paid all that for this?"
"You can ride it or not," the shopkeeper said without even glancing at him.
Lin Yun shut his mouth before making things worse. Yu Ying tugged on his sleeve and gave him a look that said drop it.
Su Mengyao stood in silence, face like stone.
This wasn't just bad luck. Something was off.
She could feel it—people were treating her differently. They used to smile when she walked by, used to greet her with respect.
Now they mocked her to her face.
What changed?
Naively, she refused to believe it was because of Qin Yuan.
No, she thought. He must have ordered them to do this—to shame her. That had to be it.
…
Back in the Holy Son Hall, Qin Yuan suddenly sneezed.
But he didn't think much of it. He just squatted down, closed his eyes, and began refining the treasures from the system rewards.
…
The next day arrived.
And with it, a storm of rumors. All of the Holy Land was buzzing about Qin Yuan and Su Mengyao's broken engagement.
It was the only thing anyone could talk about.
By now, Qin Yuan had already arrived at the Su family estate.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, dozens of Su clan members turned to face him. Their eyes were cold, judging.
Inside the main hall, Su Yuanshan—the family head—sat with Su Mengyao beside him. Lin Yun and Yu Ying stood nearby, their expressions guarded.
Just as Qin Yuan crossed the threshold, a shrill voice cut through the air.
"Qin Yuan! You show up empty-handed?"
"Did your elders never teach you manners?"
The speaker was Su Zhong, the Su family's butler. He stepped forward, his face full of disdain.
"You come here to win back my young lady, yet bring no gift?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Surely the dignified Holy Son isn't that stingy?"
"Yeah!" another voice chimed in—Su Meng, the son of the Su family's elder. He stepped forward, feigning righteous fury. "You broke off the engagement in public, humiliated our young lady in front of everyone!"
"She didn't eat, didn't sleep, spent the whole day crying—she even tried to hang herself!"
"If you're here to take her back, you better show some real sincerity. Otherwise, we won't let her go with you!"
He spoke with conviction, as if every word he spoke were the absolute truth.
…