Chapter 1937: Single Xiaotian

"Never mind."

A moment later, the limping young man shook his head, a deep sense of loss evident in his expression. "I really don't deserve her. The annulment of our engagement was bound to happen sooner or later."

The so-called engagement was an ancestral arrangement from when their grandparents were good friends, a 'belly-to-belly' promise. Later, his family fortunes declined. After an injury destroyed his internal energy, making it impossible for him to continue cultivating, and permanently crippled his left leg, he became completely dejected. Moreover, his appearance truly wasn't a good match for hers. The annulment was just a matter of time.

With a sigh, he turned and walked into the room. A moment later, he emerged with a jade box and handed it over. "This is the engagement contract from back then. Give it to her. Tell her that from today onward, we have no further connection. I also hope she finds someone suitable for herself."

"Third Young Master!" Old Yi's face flushed red, and his lips, bitten by his teeth, turned bright crimson. He seemed about to say something but ultimately stopped, nodding. "Yes."

"He just gave up like that?" Zhang Xuan blinked. He had expected a furious outburst, perhaps leading to some grand display of determination and self-improvement. He never imagined that the Third Young Master would simply return the engagement contract, practically offering himself up to be trampled. As an observer, Zhang Xuan found it hard to watch. However, he always preferred to keep a low profile. Besides, he had just arrived in this world and didn't yet understand the situation, so he refrained from saying anything.

Holding the engagement contract, Old Yi turned and left.

Raising his long sword, the Third Young Master, filled with anger, brought it down with force. A nearby rock trembled, and a crack appeared. As he unleashed his power, Zhang Xuan could discern his cultivation level: Saint 6-dan. A Saint 6-dan at sixteen or seventeen years old would undoubtedly be a genius among geniuses on the Master Teacher Continent. Yet, judging by the Third Young Master's demeanor, he seemed to belong to the 'good-for-nothing' category.

After striking with his sword, the limping young man's suppressed frustration seemed to ease, and his mood brightened slightly. Only then did he remember the young man he had rescued standing nearby. His face reddened. "I'm terribly sorry for letting you witness my personal troubles. By the way, I still don't know your name, brother."

"I am... no, I'm Zhang Xuan." Zhang Xuan nodded.

"So it's Brother Zhang," the limping youth said. "My name is Shan Xiaotian, Third Young Master of the Shan family in Baiye City."

"Brother Shan," Zhang Xuan nodded, a look of confusion in his eyes. "Just now, I heard Brother Shan mention the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion. Is that a sect?"

"Brother Zhang doesn't know about the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion?" Shan Xiaotian was momentarily stunned by the question. After receiving Zhang Xuan's confirmation, he smiled wryly. "It's normal for Brother Zhang not to know, since you're not a cultivator. This place is called the Forsaken Continent, said to be a world abandoned by the gods. There are six major sects here, and the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion is one of them. Every year, countless people aspire to join them; even becoming a menial disciple would elevate one's family to power and influence in the region."

When 'Brother Zhang' was rescued, he was on the verge of death, and no trace of internal energy fluctuations could be detected within him. He appeared to be an ordinary person, not a cultivator. It wasn't surprising that a non-cultivator wouldn't know about the six major sects.

"Six major sects... Is there no Master Teacher Pavilion here?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"Master Teacher Pavilion? What's that?" Shaking his head, Shan Xiaotian looked puzzled.

"Just idly speaking," Zhang Xuan said, hearing the other's tone, which implied there was no such thing. He continued, "So, if I understand correctly, the Six Major Sects hold supreme authority on the Forsaken Continent?"

"Yes. However, besides them, there's another very powerful organization called the Divine Connection Hall. It appeared thousands of years ago, founded by a powerful expert, and controls the Divine Connection Jade Token. All cultivators on the continent who wish to become stronger or exchange resources must use this item."

"Divine Connection Hall?"

"Yes, it's virtually in every city. One can use their power to purchase a Divine Connection Jade Token. Upon contact, it draws one's consciousness into the Divine Connection Hall's marketplace. There, with sufficient means, you can learn cultivation techniques, buy medicinal herbs, find ways to improve your strength, or even hire assassins. Essentially, whatever you want, they have it. Even members of the six major sects use it."

"Draws consciousness?" Zhang Xuan was filled with curiosity. "I wonder if Brother Shan has one of these here?"

"My strength is weak, and I have no talent for cultivation. Even my fiancée directly annulled our engagement. How could I be qualified to possess such a thing?" Shan Xiaotian's face filled with embarrassment.

"My apologies, that was thoughtless of me," Zhang Xuan said, cupping his fists. He changed the subject and asked a few more questions.

After his thunder-induced coma, he must have torn through space to arrive here, and his internal energy had been completely depleted protecting himself. Although the Third Young Master wasn't articulate and harbored some inner self-doubt, he was truly kind-hearted. When he encountered Zhang Xuan, severely injured, he couldn't bear to leave him and rescued him. The bandages on Zhang Xuan had been applied by Old Yi. Three full days had passed since he was rescued.

The Forsaken Continent valued strength above all else. The Shan family, to which Shan Xiaotian belonged, had been glorious twenty years ago, on par with the City Lord's Mansion, which even relied on them. Unfortunately, after an accident ten years ago, almost all the family's strong cultivators died, and his two elder brothers also perished. Even he himself suffered foundational injuries, leading to his current state. With the family's decline, they faced ostracization, and previously allied forces turned against them. The once-grand family completely collapsed within a few years. Now, the Shan family possessed almost nothing except him and Old Yi, his old servant. Of their thousands of acres of estate, only this inner courtyard and the outer yard remained, a shadow of its former glory. If not for the engagement with the City Lord's Mansion, even this small property might not have been left to them. However, with the Second Young Lady annulling the engagement, it wouldn't be long before old enemies came knocking again. At that point, they would have no place left to stand.

"So that's how it is." Zhang Xuan shook his head. Any place, any force, without powerful strength to protect it, is destined to decline.

"Brother Zhang, you now understand my situation. I had thought that since the Soaring Cloud Sword Pavilion was making an exception to recruit menial disciples here, I might have a chance. But now, it seems completely hopeless, especially with Xue Qin annulling the engagement. We certainly won't be able to stay here for much longer." Shan Xiaotian shook his head with a bitter smile. A poor child learns to manage early. Having relied on Old Yi for so many years, he had long understood the harsh realities of life. "Since Brother Zhang has recovered, you should leave quickly to avoid being implicated."

With that, Shan Xiaotian took two specially minted gold coins from his pocket and offered them. "These are Divine Connection Coins, circulated by the Divine Connection Hall. Although it's not much, it should be enough for a few meals, so you won't starve."

"You're too kind." Seeing Shan Xiaotian's circumstances, yet still thinking of him, Zhang Xuan inwardly praised him. He couldn't help but look over and ask, "Brother Shan, would you mind performing your sword art once more for me to observe?"