Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 308 - 308 307 The Protagonist Template

308: Chapter 307: The Protagonist Template 308: Chapter 307: The Protagonist Template The wine cup made a turn in the meandering stream and each reached a height of over three feet, with barely any difference; that is to say, about thirty cultivators each expressed adoration for the two sisters, of course, among them were those who bet on both cups, treating women purely as cauldrons for alchemy.

There are all kinds of extraordinary people and events in the Cultivation World, so it’s not strange; at least he made his stance clear in an upright and candid manner, and this person can also be considered forthright.

Once the cups reached a height of a foot, it became difficult to push the wine upward without spilling or toppling over in the flowing water.

Whether it was one situation or the other, both signified the participant’s defeat.

But when the cups made their way back, the participants could not just stop there; stopping would mean admitting defeat in the competition for a Daoist couple, accepting an inferior position in the future pecking order for winning beauty.

In essence, it would mean being beneath others.

So, even though pushing the cup further up became increasingly challenging, every participant still gave it their all, each hoping to be the one to push it the highest, to be the last one standing.

At this moment, the control over one’s mana determined one’s level, with some bowing out in disappointment, and others stubbornly persisting.

Those who were still standing in the end were the truly exalted ones.

“Not considering willingness, just speaking of mana control techniques, brother, could you push it up an inch if you gave it a try now?” Daoist Wang was very curious.

Hou Niao didn’t feel ashamed; if he could do it, he could, and if he couldn’t, there was no shame in admitting it.

“No, controlling mana is a process that takes time.

There may be no essential difference between ten years of Tongxuan and twenty years, but there is definitely a huge gap between ten years and two years.

So I say this method is unfair; what can it prove?

It would be more straightforward to just hold a martial contest for marriage.”

Daoist Wang smiled faintly, seeing that this Brother Hou was a man of integrity who never hid his shortcomings.

But if anyone underestimated him because of this, they would be in big trouble; those three cultivators from the Wu Sect were a warning from the past.

He might be lacking in mana control, but if it came to killing, that was another story altogether.

“Look, that Qiao Xiaoxiu is making his move again, truly fearless,” Daoist Wang said.

The Xiaoxiu mentioned by Daoist Wang was the only variable in this event of Floating Cups Along the Stream, a Qiao Xiaoxiu struggling amidst competitors who were all upper-level Tongxuan cultivators.

He kept trying, again and again, failing each time but never becoming discouraged and constantly attempting anew.

“He’s a disciple from Miao Gao Town who possibly developed some feelings for the Dugu sisters during their interactions and has come here to make his presence felt.

It’s laughable, so overconfident.”

However, Hou Niao had a different opinion, “Not necessarily so?

It also takes guts to express love like this.

Who knows where his limits lie?

Maybe by next year, he will have succeeded in ascending to the Upper Realm?”

Daoist Wang shook his head noncommittally, clearly not approving of such behavior; for cultivators, keeping proper measure is paramount.

Being swayed by emotions and throwing tantrums in public, showing weakness is not the way of a cultivator.

Eventually, an outspoken Tongxuan cultivator couldn’t hold back and spoke out, “One should know their limits; do not overreach.

To pester persistently is not the ethos of a sword cultivator.

Whose disciple are you, to be so relentless and bothersome here?”

The disciple’s face turned deathly pale, yet he remained defiant, standing up and bowing to the people around him,

“To all the seniors present, I am not blindly fixated.

Indeed, Miss Dugu and I have been betrothed since childhood.

It is only because my family fell into decline that the Dugu Family broke off the engagement.

Therefore, I had no choice but to come here today.

I hope the seniors will forgive me.”

The room fell into silence, leaving Dugu Lan standing there blushing, hesitating whether to explain for fear of being deemed cold, yet worried about being misunderstood if she remained silent.

She silently resented herself for having been too indulgent with this person in the past, which led him to harbor inappropriate thoughts.

Fortunately, she had a sister by her side who knew the whole story.

Xiao Qiang stood up, her voice strong and clear, “Let it be known to all fellow sect members and elders, what this man has said is not unfounded; the truth is exactly so without any exaggeration or distortion.

Thirty years ago, a promise was made between the elders of both families following a Daoist gathering.

Although there was no written agreement, an item of significance was exchanged as a token of assurance, with a vow that if both families had descendants of the same sex, they would be sworn siblings; if of opposite sexes, they would be betrothed as Daoist couples.

The Dugu Family does not deny this point.”

A murmur ran through the crowd, wondering why this woman was speaking so.

Xiao Qiang remained composed and continued, “Upon reaching adulthood and learning of this, Sister Lan outright rejected this marriage proposal!

Not because of wealth or poverty, not because of worldly or practitioner status, and not because of other suitors!

For above our parents, there are heaven and earth!

We cultivate not for longevity, not for power and prestige, not to be invincible, but for one thing—our freedom!”

Xiao Qiang raised her voice, “Sister Lan has already made many concessions for the sake of the family; otherwise, there would not have been today’s Floating Cups Along the Stream event.

All this talk of high culture, nothing but a façade!

We’ve backed down to the point where there’s no turning back; are we not even allowed our final right to choose?

My sister renounces this marriage promise!

From the day she began to cultivate, she has been an independent person who will not sell herself for a decades-old jest!

I too renounce this cup of wine!

I have vowed to follow the Dao and remain unwed for life.

This gathering has been a disturbance to all, and we, the sisters, are genuinely troubled, but we feel compelled to speak our hearts.

Otherwise, we would be betraying the spirit of our ten years of cultivation!

We appreciate the well-wishes and gifts, which we will respectfully return later; whether we remain friends or become strangers is up to you.”

Someone stood up and shouted out loud in applause, “Women should not be underestimated.

Regardless of anything else, we are sure to be friends with this one.”

With him leading the way, everyone present was impulsive and straightforward, and they all stood up and applauded the two women.

A marriage meeting turned into a declaration of independence; no one would be petty at this moment.

This was the way of cultivators—they acknowledged the path of these two women, and so everything else became immaterial.

In fact, compared to who would succeed and who would fail, this outcome was more acceptable to everyone.

Daoist Wang whispered with a smile, “I thought you would be the first one to stand up and cheer, how come you’ve become so cautious?”

Hou Niao smiled faintly and did not answer, quietly approaching the stubborn disciple.

The young man’s face had drained of color, and he seemed ready to collapse,

He patted the disciple’s shoulder, “Even the women understand the desire for freedom and independence, do you consider yourself less than them?

Liking someone is not wrong; why rely on a paper promise?

If you’re capable, win the woman back yourself, instead of depending on your family’s elders.”

The disciple was shocked as if struck by thunder and suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with resolve.

He shouted,

“Let all of you be my witnesses, the marriage agreement is nullified!

The annulment of this agreement does not mean my feelings have ended; I, Mo Qiqiong, will come back for you!”