Elder Mo turned ever so slightly, lifting two fingers in a subtle gesture.
One of the Divine Ice Sect disciples stepped forward.
He was a tall young man, sharp-featured and dressed in the standard glacier-blue robes of the sect. His steps were precise, his demeanor respectful—no arrogance, but certainly no humility either. The kind of calm only those raised in the presence of power could naturally carry.
Fang Yuan's eyes narrowed faintly.
Middle-stage Qi Transformation.
And barely twenty years old, if that.
His mind flicked back to the sect elders of the Fang clan. Most of them… were still lingering around that same stage.
He couldn't help but sigh quietly in his heart.
This was the difference between a colossus like the Divine Ice Sect and a regional family like his.
The disciple bowed politely, a crisp ninety-degree arc, and placed a long jade box upon the polished pavilion floor with careful reverence.
Then, without a word, he turned and stepped back into the line of disciples, eyes downcast once again.
Elder Mo offered a thin smile and gestured toward the gift.
"Clan Head Fang," he said coolly, "this is a token from our Divine Ice Sect to the Fang family. A humble gesture in recognition of old ties."
His voice was calm, measured.
But there was something guarded behind it, as if waiting for a response before he committed further.
Fang Yuan's smile bloomed instantly, wide, bright, and full of thorns.
"Ah, how generous!" he exclaimed, folding his hands behind his back as he stepped forward. "I must say, I truly appreciate the betrothal gift. It warms this humble brother's heart to see the Divine Ice Sect honoring such a cherished agreement."
He looked around, allowing his voice to carry just enough for the elders of the four families, and their spies hidden among the guests, to hear.
"The engagement between Fang Tian and Lady Gu Xin was arranged so many years ago," he continued with a wistful sigh. "It's touching to know that the prestigious Divine Ice Sect still honors the promises made between two sincere families."
Elder Wu almost choked on his tea.
Elder Zhao's fingers paused mid-fan stroke.
Elder Lin raised a brow, sharply amused.
And Elder He—well, he simply looked away as if this didn't concern his ancient bones.
Fang Yuan, of course, was lying through his teeth.
He had already pieced together the real reason for this sudden, uninvited visit.
The Divine Ice Sect didn't come bearing gifts to strengthen an engagement.
They came to annul it.
He was certain of it.
But instead of resisting outright, he'd chosen to strike first.
To take the stage.
To flip the board before the players even sat down.
Because now, if Elder Mo did say anything about annulling the arrangement… it would appear they were going back on a noble pact.
That they were the ones breaking tradition. Undermining sincerity.
And in front of four influential families, dozens of powerful guests, and countless subtle ears?
That wasn't a position even the Divine Ice Sect would walk into casually. Their reputation was at stake.
Elder Mo's expression didn't shift much.
But for just one fraction of a breath, the corner of his left eye twitched.
A single flicker of frustration.
Fang Yuan smiled even brighter.
Checkmate?
Maybe not.
But the first strike had landed.
Elder Mo's fingers curled just slightly behind his back.
A minor motion. But to Fang Yuan—who had spent his entire life navigating Coldwind's spiritual courts and poisonous banquets—it was as loud as a slammed teacup.
The old man was annoyed.
Good.
Elder Mo gave a light laugh, elegant and practiced. "Ah… Clan Head Fang certainly has a flair for words. Your hospitality is as bold as your cultivation."
Fang Yuan inclined his head with a modest smile. "One must always show proper respect when receiving guests bearing gifts of such… significance."
Across the pavilion, several clan heads and foreign envoys exchanged barely hidden smirks and quick whispers behind silk fans.
They could already taste the political tension—this was better than any duel.
Elder Zhao leaned slightly toward Elder Lin. "He's drawing blood with a smile. That boy might be more dangerous than we thought."
Elder Lin grunted softly. "He's cornered a dragon and offered it wine. Let's see if the beast drinks… or breathes fire."
Back near the center, Elder Mo stepped forward, each step slow and deliberate, his hands clasped behind his back in a position of absolute composure.
"I must clarify," he said lightly, "the Divine Ice Sect treasures sincerity. However, time changes many things. Circumstances shift. Promises made in youth… are not always suited for the world as it becomes."
A murmur passed through the crowd, no longer whispers, but rustling winds of curiosity and thinly veiled amusement.
Fang Yuan's smile didn't falter.
"Oh? Then I must be terribly outdated," he said with mild surprise. "I had thought that cultivators, of all people, would treasure vows and legacies above passing convenience."
Elder Mo's gaze sharpened ever so slightly.
The ice behind his eyes glittered.
He had come to Coldwind expecting a simple procedure—hand over a gift, explain the annulment, offer a polite compensation, and leave with the engagement dissolved.
Instead, he was being publicly forced into the role of the side breaking an oath.
To do so now would mean disrespecting not just the Fang family but every custom held sacred among noble clans.
And worse… it would give the impression that the Divine Ice Sect feared a mere low-tier alliance.
Fang Yuan pressed the advantage with gentle sincerity. "Of course, if the sect feels the engagement no longer suits their aspirations… we would be saddened. But we would not complain. After all, not all gifts are given with intention to keep them."
Gu Xin remained silent, her expression frosted over, still no emotion, not a flicker of disagreement or support.
But even that silence spoke volumes.
Elder Mo exhaled slowly, the faintest mist escaping his lips.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "we spoke too soon."
A small victory.
And Fang Yuan knew it.
He bowed just enough to be courteous but no more. "Your wisdom, Elder Mo, is as clear as glacier springwater. Let us drink together, and leave the rest for the young ones to decide in time."