Jiang Yanzhen had actually been hoping that Lin Mo would speak up for her.

In the past, whenever they met, Lin Mo had always respected her wishes and maintained an appropriate distance.

Yet now, she hadn’t expected him to be so assertive when it came to their engagement.

Had his true colors as a lustful man finally been exposed?

Was his previous persona just a facade?

Or was it because he now knew she was a prodigy, so he couldn’t wait to get married?

No matter the reason, it all disgusted her.

As expected, her decision to distance herself from this man had been the right one.

Lin Nantian noticed that something was off. His grandson had already backed down on so many occasions, yet this Jiang family girl was still hesitating and unwilling to give a clear response.

His expression darkened slightly. “Yanzhen, what is there to hesitate about?”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted as all the guests and members of the Lin family turned their attention to the scene.

At that moment, the white-clothed girl who had been standing beside Jiang Yanzhen finally spoke.

“Master Lin, Yanzhen has always seen Lin Mo as an older brother. There are no romantic feelings between them.”

Her tone was composed and unhurried, showing no fear even when facing Lin Nantian.

Many people in the hall were now curious about the girl’s identity.

Lin Nantian narrowed his eyes, his face gradually darkening. “And who are you? Since when was it your place to speak here?”

His voice carried no politeness whatsoever. After all, he was someone who had already stepped half a foot into the Soul Division stage. He released a wave of pressure, intending to put the girl in her place and teach her a lesson.

However, to his surprise, the white-clothed girl’s expression remained unchanged as she calmly introduced herself. “I am Yanzhen’s senior sister, a disciple of Cold Ice Palace.”

‘Oh? Using Cold Ice Palace to pressure my grandfather?’

Lin Mo sneered inwardly.

This Jiang Yanzhen was just as disgusting as Shen Ke’er.

Lin Nantian’s face shifted slightly.

Cold Ice Palace—one of the five top-tier immortal sects. Only the Lin family in the Upper Realm had the qualifications to contend with them.

And the intent behind this girl’s words was all too obvious.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, Lin Nantian’s expression turned cold as he asked, “This is a matter between the Lin and Jiang families. Even if Yanzhen has joined Cold Ice Palace, does your sect truly have a reason to interfere?”

He no longer addressed Jiang Yanzhen as a “girl” and instead directly used her full name.

The white-clothed girl remained indifferent. “Because Cold Ice Palace has already taken the Jiang family under its protection. Is that reason enough?”

Her words sent a shockwave through the hall.

No one had expected Cold Ice Palace to become the Jiang family’s backer. This meant that any trouble the Jiang family encountered would now be backed by Cold Ice Palace.

The only reason the Lin family had been able to maintain their standing was due to their ties to the Lin family in the Upper Realm. However, unless their bloodline in the Lower Realm was on the brink of extinction, the Lin family in the Upper Realm would never personally intervene.

In the past, the Lin family had always held the advantage over the Jiang family. But now, the situation had clearly changed.

Even though the outcome was already clear, Lin Nantian still maintained his composure and asked, “Then, what do you intend to do?”

The white-clothed girl’s expression remained calm. “Annul the engagement. People strive to move upward, just as water flows downward. A marriage should be between equals. Surely, Master Lin understands this principle?”

“Our sect leader values Yanzhen highly and respects her wishes. She will be matched with someone who suits her current status.”

Lin Nantian’s tea cup shattered into fine powder. “Does that old man from the Jiang family know about this?”

The white-clothed girl chuckled. “You needn’t trouble yourself over that. I will handle it.”

The news of an annulled engagement stirred various reactions among the guests and members of the Lin family.

Many people turned their gaze toward Lin Mo, watching to see his reaction.

Jiang Yanzhen, knowing that she had Cold Ice Palace and the Nangong family supporting her, finally spoke up, “Grandpa Lin, please grant permission to dissolve this engagement.”

The engagement between Lin Mo and Jiang Yanzhen had been arranged by Lin Nantian and her grandfather.

It was a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker approval. As long as Lin Nantian agreed, the two families could still maintain amicable ties.

Lin Nantian turned to Lin Mo. “Mo’er, what do you think?”

At that moment, Lin Zhan stood up angrily and shouted, “Mo’er, whatever you decide, just say it! Your father will support you!”

Then, he glanced at Gu Ningxin before adding, “Your mother supports you too!”

At this moment, the grandfather, father, and son stood firmly on the same front.

After all, they were still members of the Lin family in the Upper Realm—they had their own pride.

Even if Lin Mo truly fell out with the Jiang family, they would see it through to the end.

All eyes fell on Lin Mo, waiting to see how he would react.

Lin Mo’s expression remained calm as he looked at Jiang Yanzhen and asked, “Is annulling the engagement your decision as well?”

Some things had to be made clear, even if the answer was already obvious. This was something he owed to the original owner of this body.

Jiang Yanzhen met his gaze, her expression firm. “Yes, this is my decision. Over the years, I have always seen you as an older brother.”

Heh. Lin Mo sneered inwardly.

For years, the original Lin Mo had given Jiang Yanzhen elixirs and rare spiritual plants every year.

And now, after successfully forming a seventh-grade Golden Core, becoming a prodigy, and securing a place in Cold Ice Palace, she came back just to break off the engagement?

Didn’t this resemble those ancient tales of devoted women who silently supported their husbands, only to be abandoned once the man achieved success and married a noble lady instead?

Except, in this case, it was the woman playing the heartless role.

Right now, Jiang Yanzhen was no different from those kinds of people.

Especially that final sentence—”I have always seen you as an older brother.”

A classic scumbag line, if there ever was one.

But instead of getting angry, Lin Mo actually smiled. He asked lightly, “Over the years, have I ever wronged you?”

Jiang Yanzhen had expected Lin Mo to be furious, but instead, he was smiling?

What did that mean?

Not just her—everyone else was also confused.

Had Lin Mo gone mad, unable to accept reality?

Jiang Yanzhen shook her head. “No, you haven’t.”

“Who said he hasn’t?”

A sudden outburst drew the attention of everyone present.

The speaker was Nangong Xu, who looked extremely agitated. He still vividly remembered the Jiang Yue Tower’s scholar gathering, where Lin Mo had won first place and spent an entire night with Yan Ruyu.

If not for Lin Mo, he would have been the one spending the night with Yan Ruyu.

Now, old grudges and new resentment surged in his heart all at once.

Lin Mo, of course, understood exactly what Nangong Xu was thinking.

He smiled at him and asked, “Daoist Nangong, have we met before? What proof do you have that I wronged Jiang Yanzhen?”

Even though he had indeed done something, it was forced upon him.

Besides, the original Lin Mo had done nothing wrong.

And he was certain—Nangong Xu wouldn’t dare to bring up what happened at Jiang Yue Tower.

Sure enough, when Nangong Xu saw Lin Mo’s smiling face, he suddenly realized his mistake.

After all, he was an involved party in that incident. If the truth came out, it would absolutely affect Jiang Yanzhen’s impression of him.

Realizing this, he could only swallow his frustration and grudgingly change his words. “I must have mistaken you for someone else.”

“Tsk.”

The onlookers, who had expected some juicy gossip, were left disappointed.

Jiang Yanzhen also looked at Nangong Xu, confused by his sudden backtracking.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo returned to the main topic. “Since I have never wronged you, then we should properly settle our accounts now.”