With one person speaking up, more and more cultivators rose to their feet and rebuked Qin Xuan.
Seeing this, Qin Xuan did not retort directly. Instead, he waited for everyone to voice their thoughts.
Ke Wudi and Zheng Wanqing exchanged glances, showing no inclination to speak either.
Their purpose in coming to the Lie family today was solely for combat. At all other times, Qin Xuan would have complete control.
"Alright, everyone be quiet!"
As the rebukes grew louder, Lie Quan raised his hands, channeling his spiritual energy to forcefully silence everyone.
However, at this moment, he too wore a displeased expression towards Qin Xuan.
"Today is my son Lie Feng's joyous occasion. As a relative of the bride, your presence for the ceremony would be most welcome, Lie."
"But young friend Qin Xuan, has your behavior today not gone a bit too far?"
"As the saying goes, 'A parent's command, a matchmaker's word.'"
"Marriage is a matter where, once parents have decided, the two parties can proceed with the ceremony."
"What right do you have to interfere?"
"And this notion of 'sharing the same enemy,' it is also baseless."
"The reason hidden families remain hidden is to avoid entanglement in the worldly affairs of right and wrong."
"Your attempt to incorporate us into the Dragon Kingdom is an act of disturbing our cultivation."
"If you remain obstinate, then do not blame us for rising up in resistance to protect our lives and freedom!"
Lie Quan's speech, though half of it mirrored the rebukes from other cultivators towards Qin Xuan, ultimately provided everyone with a justifiable reason to act.
After all, Qin Xuan represented the official Dragon Kingdom. While ordinary rogue cultivators might dare to scold him, they might not truly dare to make a move.
Now, with him taking the lead and providing a reason, coupled with the full support of the Lu family, these rogue cultivators would not be so easily appeased if Qin Xuan and his companions were to do anything that harmed their interests.
What Lie Quan did not expect, however, was that Qin Xuan was not paying attention to his provocative remarks at all.
He didn't even spare Lie Quan a glance, heading straight for Qin Ling'er, who was veiled in red.
"Ling'er, do you wish to marry him?"
Qin Xuan asked softly, ignoring the furious groom, Lie Feng, and addressing Qin Ling'er.
After some hesitation, Qin Ling'er tore off her red veil and shook her head vigorously.
It was a joke. She had never even met the so-called young master of the Lie family, so how could she possibly want to marry him?
If she hadn't been worried about Qin Xuan being troubled by the two family heads earlier, she would have already pushed Lie Feng away and run into Qin Xuan's arms.
But now, it seemed Qin Xuan didn't care about the opinions of the two family heads. Thus, Qin Ling'er gritted her teeth and stamped her foot.
Even if she had to die today, she would die alongside her brother.
Seeing this, Qin Xuan smiled slightly, gently took Qin Ling'er's hand, and pulled her behind him.
The words of the crowd had made Qin Xuan realize the selfishness of these so-called hidden cultivators.
Furthermore, Lie Quan's declaration meant that Qin Ling'er's matter could not be resolved peacefully.
Since that was the case, he saw no need to waste any more pleasantries or act like a well-behaved child.
Especially that Lu Ao.
Although he had always appeared friendly on the surface, Qin Xuan felt that he was sinister and untrustworthy behind the scenes.
After this recruitment process, he would have a good talk with this Lu family head.
"Stop."
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice rang out from Qin Xuan's side.
Qin Xuan turned his head and saw that the one who had spoken was none other than the previously unwilling young master of the Lie family, Lie Feng.
His face was ashen, clearly displeased with Qin Xuan's actions.
Especially seeing his fiancée holding hands with another man, his anger flared.
While it was true that he did not wish to compromise with his father's forced marriage, regardless, Qin Ling'er was now considered his fiancée.
To take his fiancée away without a word in front of him.
No matter who it was, they would not be happy about such a situation.
"Lu Ling'er, today is our wedding day. Are you really going to leave with a stranger without a word?"
"In your eyes, do you still have me as your fiancé? Do you still have the Lu and Lie families?!"
Whether intentionally or not, Lie Feng ignored Qin Xuan standing before him and instead questioned Qin Ling'er, who wore a smiling expression.
Qin Ling'er offered an apologetic smile and then explained her background.
"I was abandoned by my parents at an orphanage in the secular world since I was young. My brother and I relied on each other, he supported my studies and my life."
"When I returned this time, I was forced by the Lu family. Now that my brother is here, I naturally must leave with him."
"As for our marriage..."
"I can only say, I am sorry."
"In the secular world, love and marriage are already matters of free choice."
"We have never met before. Even if my brother weren't here today, I would bite my tongue and refuse to complete the wedding with you."
"Lu Ling'er, you!"
Lie Feng could understand Qin Ling'er's words. If it were yesterday, he would have let her leave without a second thought.
But what kind of occasion was this?
It was the wedding ceremony between him and her!
Even if he had no interest in Qin Ling'er, her words were a blatant slap in his face!
His hands trembling, Lie Feng produced a brush and a piece of paper from somewhere.
With a flourish, the words "Letter of Divorce" appeared directly at the top of the paper.
"Young man, today's events may indeed be difficult for you, and I apologize. However, let's dispense with this letter of divorce."
Seeing Lie Feng's action, Qin Xuan frowned.
He had indeed overlooked the other party's feelings for a moment, but Ling'er had no substantial relationship with him.
If Lie Feng were allowed to write this letter of divorce, even if Ling'er didn't mind, he would feel very awkward and resentful for his sister.
Therefore, with an apologetic smile, Qin Xuan waved his hand, turning the unfinished letter of divorce into ashes.
Lie Feng, who was already powerless, was startled by the flames and stumbled backward.
"You, you!"
His finger trembling, Lie Feng looked at Qin Xuan, tears welling up in his eyes.
Gritting his teeth, he managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Lu Ling'er, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, do not bully..."
*Thump!*
Before Lie Feng could finish speaking, Qin Xuan struck him on the neck with the edge of his palm.
With a look of terror, Lie Feng fell straight to the ground.
Seeing this, Lie Quan was immediately enraged.
If he had still harbored some apprehension towards Qin Xuan earlier, the fact that his son had been struck down made it impossible for him to tolerate it any longer.
Lie Feng was his youngest son. Although he couldn't cultivate, he was still his beloved.
Qin Xuan's action had touched his deepest anger.
From this moment on, he would seek an irreconcilable conflict with Qin Xuan!