Shang Yafang went straight to her father, Shang Yuanlan.

  Shang Yuanlan saw the wide smile on Shang Yafang's face. Before she could say anything, he smiled genially and said, "Little girl, why are you so happy? Have you found your father a son-in-law? That's why you're in such a good mood?"

  Shang Yafang blushed and said, "What nonsense are you saying, Father? Big Brother Shaoyun is big brother's friend. I was only bringing him back to wait for big brother."

  She knew that few things in the clan could be kept from her father. Someone had long reported to her father about the man she had brought home.

  "Shaoyun? Xiang Shaoyun?" Shang Yuanlan asked in astonishment.

  "Yes, him," Shang Yafang replied.

  "That doesn't make sense. Your brother left with some men to help him up, so why is he here alone?" Shang Yuanlan muttered doubtfully. "Bring him to me."

  "Yes, Father," Shang Yafang agreed, not daring to question her father.

  But before she could leave, Shang Yuanlan stopped her. "Wait."

  "Is there anything else, Father?" Shang Yafang asked.

  "You're already 19. It's time you found yourself a husband," Shang Yuanlan brought up a completely random topic.

  Shang Yafang's face turned unsightly as she said, "Father, are you chasing me out of the clan?"

  The moment the words left her mouth, tears trailed down her cheeks, making her look incredibly pitiful.

  Shang Yuanlan did not see that coming. He quickly explained, "What? So you don't like Xiang Shaoyun? Fine, forget it then. Just pretend I hadn't said anything."

  Shang Yuanlan had heard of Xiang Shaoyun's freakish physique from his son. Coincidentally, his daughter had suddenly brought that freak back home. He had assumed that his daughter had actually taken a liking to Xiang Shaoyun. It would seem like he had been making his conclusion too early.

  Shang Yafang stopped tearing and asked, "Father, y-you're going to match me with Xiang Shaoyun?"

  "Hehe, that was the plan. I heard from your big brother that Xiang Shaoyun is an outstanding young man. But since my daughter doesn't like him, for you, I won't," said Shang Yuanlan.

  A bashful look covered Shang Yafang's face as she said softly, "Father, i-if it's him, I c-can give it a try."

  By the time she finished her sentence, her face had turned completely red, and she no longer dared to meet her father's eyes.

  When Shang Yuanlan saw his daughter's expression, he laughed heartily and said, "Haha, very well. Bring him to me. Let me see just what's so special about this kid to be able to attract even my daughter."

  \r\r\r

  At that, Shang Yafang jogged away, her heart thumping heavily with embarrassment as she thought to herself, What is wrong with me today? Have I gone mad?

  After calming herself down, she returned to Xiang Shaoyun's guest house. She found that Xiang Shaoyun had already taken a bath and was dressed in a new clean outfit. Looking at the clean and smart Xiang Shaoyun exuding a graceful temperament, she could almost picture a halo hovering around him. She stared at him in a daze.

  His long hair drifted about freely, his person radiating confidence and a carefree bearing. His eyes were bright, and his perfectly proportionate figure seemed to contain boundless power, making him look incredibly noble and handsome. He was the kind of man that women of all ages would love.

  "Why? Is there something on my face?" asked Xiang Shaoyun as he rubbed his face.

  Only then did Shang Yafang recover from her daze. Too shy to meet his eyes, she said, "My father is inviting you over."

  "Sure. That's what I have in mind as well," answered Xiang Shaoyun. He then left with Shang Yafang.

  Along the way, Shang Yafang grew more and more nervous until she finally said, "Whatever my father is going to say later, please don't take him seriously."

  Xiang Shaoyun had no idea what she was talking about, so he nodded. "Alright."

  Soon, they reached Shang Yuanlan's place, and Shang Yuanlan was personally waiting at the door. The sight shocked many Shang Clan members, piquing their curiosity as to who Xiang Shaoyun was. After all, he was a young man whom their future patriarch was personally receiving.

  "This must be young Xiang Shaoyun. You are indeed an outstanding individual. I am Shang Yuanlan, Shang Jifeng's father," greeted Shang Yuanlan the moment he saw Xiang Shaoyun.

  Somewhat shocked by the politeness, Xiang Shaoyun quickly offered a salute and said, "This kid is Xiang Shaoyun. Sorry for keeping you waiting, uncle."

  "Haha, I am the host, and you are the guest. There is nothing to be sorry about. Come, let's have a talk. I heard that Shang Jifeng had gotten himself a boss. He has the utmost respect for you, you know?" said Shang Yuanlan with a chortle.

  The amount of politeness Shang Yuanlan was showing a junior displayed his strong frame of mind, and it earned Xiang Shaoyun's respect.

  After entering the building, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Jifeng has been too polite. It's just some minor conflicts between us fellow disciples of the academy. You don't have to take the stories too seriously, uncle. By the way, Jifeng should have talked to you about the trouble I was in, right?"

  "Yes. I was just about to ask why you two didn't come back together," asked Shang Yuanlan with a nod.

  An awkward look covered Xiang Shaoyun's face as he answered, "I didn't manage to wait until he was there. Something changed, so I was forced to make a move first. I was then forced to leave Nisha Range, so I might have missed Shang Jifeng's group. That is why I came straight here, so he wouldn't get too worried about me."

  "I see. Well, just stay here for a couple of days. Get Yafang to show you around," said Shang Yuanlan. "Young Shaoyun, are you married?"

  The completely random question caught Xiang Shaoyun by surprise. He answered honestly, "No."

  He then recalled something and wanted to make it clear that he already had someone he liked, but Shang Yuanlan laughed and said, "I see. You are still young, so it's right to focus on cultivation first and not waste too much time on romance."

  Xiang Shaoyun said, "You're right."

  Shang Yuanlan immediately said, "However, cultivating without a partner can be very dry. Also, the selection of a partner is very important. Not only does the partner need to have good looks, the partner also needs sufficient talent in cultivation. Only then can a couple be happy together. Am I right?"

  Xiang Shaoyun still couldn't understand what Shang Yuanlan was getting at, so he nodded blankly.

  "Um. You're a really smart young man," praised Shang Yuanlan. "The Shang Clan is one of the top clans of the Eastern Pass, while my Yafang is good looking, gentle, and refined. If it wasn't because she is still too young, she would have joined the academy with you guys as well. Therefore, when looking for a partner, someone like her should be your choice."

  Chapter 645: A Young Man Shouldn't Be Spending All His Time Thinking About Women

  Shang Yuanlan was speaking blatantly enough that Xiang Shaoyun had to be a fool to not understand him. To the side, Shang Yafang's face became the color of an apple. She lowered her head, too embarrassed to look at either her father or Xiang Shaoyun.

  From the very first time she saw Xiang Shaoyun, she had fallen for him. However, she had not expected her father to approve of Xiang Shaoyun so much that he mentioned it immediately.

  She had assumed that, like her, Shang Yuanlan's attention had been caught by Xiang Shaoyun after their first meeting. Little did she know, Shang Yuanlan was only trying to make Xiang Shaoyun his son-in-law after learning about his nine-star physique. Otherwise, a person of his status wouldn't so easily offer his daughter away.

  Xiang Shaoyun could see that this was Shang Yuanlan’s way of throwing him an olive branch. He also knew that Shang Jifeng must have told his father about his physique. He did not blame Shang Jifeng, but he had to think of a way to deal with this.

  After all, the Shang Clan had sent a group of people out to help him. It was a favor he could not forget. It wouldn't do him any good if he handled this matter poorly and spoiled his relationship with them.

  Xiang Shaoyun had always been a smart person, and his filthless soul had further boosted his intelligence. After a short thought, he replied, "Sister Yafang is indeed a lovable young lady, and my woman is definitely not comparable to her. However, my woman has been nice to me and has even helped me out in my moment of hardship. I can't abandon her just because I met a new girl. Of course, if I had met Sister Yafang earlier, I would have definitely done my best to win her heart."

  It was a smart reply. He indicated that he had a woman and also made it clear that the woman had helped him before, so he wouldn't abandon her. At the same time, he praised Shang Yafang to not make them feel insulted by the rejection. In short, he was saying that it wasn't that he did not like Shang Yafang but that he couldn't.

  Sure enough, not even Shang Yuanlan could feel angry from his reply. After all, it was a reasonable reply. There was nothing wrong with talking about the woman he already had. Shang Yuanlan also realized that he had been too pushy, so he quickly smiled and shifted the topic, "Haha, well said. That is how a man should be like. Ok, let's not talk about this anymore. Yafang, get the servants to prepare a feast. I'll drink with Shaoyun."

  Saved from her awkwardness, Shang Yafang quickly took the opportunity to leave. Outside the hall, she thought to herself in a dispirited manner, True, it is understandable that a man as outstanding as him would already have a woman.

  But I really like him. What should I do?

  While chatting in the hall, Shang Yuanlan asked about the academy and Xiang Shaoyun's background. Not intending to hide anything, Xiang Shaoyun gave a simplified version of his story. His tragic past caught Shang Yuanlan by surprise. Someone capable of growing and ultimately entering the academy under such pressure was indeed an outstanding individual.

  Even when facing him, Xiang Shaoyun was neither servile nor overbearing, conducting himself in a manner befitting of a young hero. Shang Yuanlan was certain that so long as Xiang Shaoyun managed to live through his youth, a bright future awaited him. He also asked Xiang Shaoyun about the rescue mission. And when he heard of its success, he was even more shocked.

  After all, Shang Jifeng had already mentioned that a few Sovereigns were deployed to deal with Xiang Shaoyun, which was why he had returned for help in the first place. Yet Xiang Shaoyun was still able to rescue his target and escape safely. Shang Yuanlan gained a whole new respect for Xiang Shaoyun after learning about that.

  \r\r\r

  During the feast, Shang Yuanlan was extremely friendly, while Shang Yafang had withdrawn her awkwardness and toasted Xiang Shaoyun confidently, displaying her heroic spirit. Xiang Shaoyun had an excellent impression of the two, and he also rejoiced that he had befriended Shang Jifeng.

  Looks like after returning to the academy, I need to do something to strengthen the bond between fellow members of the Overlord Legion, thought Xiang Shaoyun.

  After what he saw here, he was now certain that building his own network in the academy would be beneficial for his future growth. After the feast, Xiang Shaoyun became the Shang Clan's temporary guest. However, he was not given a chance to focus on cultivation. The day after the feast, Shang Yafang showed him around the city.

  Xiang Shaoyun treated her like his own little sister, and he even gave her a few treasures as gifts. Among them was a rare emperor medicine that was great at maintaining a woman's looks. Shang Yafang was thrilled to receive it.

  What Xiang Shaoyun had not expected was the trouble that would come from spending time with Shang Yafang. While the two were strolling near a beautiful lake at the city's outskirts, a group of youngsters mounted on Demon Kings surrounded them.

  For the stroll, Shang Yafang had not brought any of her attendants, as she did not believe anyone would dare to harm her in the city. As for the group of youths, they were not here for her. Rather, their target was Xiang Shaoyun.

  When Shang Yafang saw them, she berated, "Hui Yuzheng, what is the meaning of this?"

  Hui Yuzheng was the group's leader. He had a handsome face and was dressed in a luxurious outfit. A sixth-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator, he also had decent talent in cultivation. The moment he arrived, he glared at Xiang Shaoyun with hostility.

  Hui Yuzheng pointed at Xiang Shaoyun and questioned, "Yafang, who is he?"

  Hui Yuzheng was a famous young master in the city, and he came from a clan allied with the Shang Clan. As for himself, he had long seen Shang Yafang as his woman. When he heard that Shang Yafang was strolling around with a young man and was even behaving intimately, he couldn't help but come and figure out the truth himself.

  Through the question, Xiang Shaoyun finally understood why the man had appeared.

  A young man shouldn't be spending all his time thinking about women, thought Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh. He suddenly felt like an old man.

  "It doesn't matter who he is. Get out of my face!" said Shang Yafang without a trace of politeness.

  A different youngster spoke on behalf of Hui Yuzheng. "Sister Yafang, Brother Yuzheng has always been thinking of you!"

  "Who cares? Scram, or I'll beat all of you up!" berated Shang Yafang with her hands on her hips, finally showing her unruly side.

  Hui Yuzheng could only point at Xiang Shaoyun gloomily. He shouted, "Get out here if you have the guts. What kind of man hides behind a woman?"