Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 555 Mu Linyue's Condition

"Miss Mu... your current condition is truly admirable. However, might I suggest selecting a different candidate?"

Yu Longxuan inquired.

Yu Wenzhao offered his concurrence.

"After all, Young Master Bai's might is renowned. Within our generation, few, if any, can truly rival him."

That statement, at least, was phrased with a degree of politeness.

Every individual present was aware of the true state of affairs: there wasn't merely a scarcity of rivals; there were none at all.

No prince among them possessed the foolishness to publicly confront Bai Zihan and face utter humiliation.

Had such a possibility existed and yielded a favorable outcome, they would have pursued it long ago with the objective of wedding Bai Xueqing.

Mu Linyue tilted her head slightly, a gesture that suggested contemplation of their pronouncements.

Then, her voice, steady and composed, broke the silence once more.

"That would not be quite fitting. Cousin Bai has playfully tormented me since our youth."

Mu Linyue continued, her expression unwavering.

"Therefore, it stands to reason that my future husband must possess superior strength to him... so that assistance in seeking retribution may be obtained."

Her tone remained utterly earnest, as though this reasoning was the most natural thing in the world.

The instant her words concluded, several individuals present nearly sputtered.

Tormented?

Retribution?

Who among them had not, in some manner, endured hardship at his hands?

If a contender capable of truly avenging them against him existed, then Bai Zihan would certainly not be present at this very moment.

Though the notion sounded highly appealing, the practical reality presented a starkly different picture.

It would be considered a significant success if they could merely cease to be subjected to his antagonistic actions.

Yu Wenzhao managed a strained smile.

"Miss Mu, Young Master Bai is a paragon of gentlemanly conduct. How could he possibly torment a maiden as lovely as yourself? It must surely be in jest, and Miss Mu ought not to lend such serious consideration to it."

Yu Wenzhao, in his attempt to curry favor, not only lauded Bai Zihan but also subtly endeavored to cajole her into reconsidering her stipulated requirement.

Indeed, the royal family members exhibited remarkable eloquence in their discourse.

Mu Linyue regarded them silently for a moment before giving a slight shake of her head.

"This is my condition!"

There was absolutely no room for further negotiation.

Well, in truth, there shouldn't be any, given her objective was to rebuff their advances and simultaneously dissuade any other prospective suitors from harboring thoughts of marriage with her.

Mu Linyue's stipulated condition hung in the expectant air, met with a collective unwillingness to acquiesce.

Even the two princes contemplated setting the matter aside for the present, intending to revisit it at a later juncture.

Just as it appeared the discussion would reach an impasse and conclude, a voice pierced through the assembled gathering.

"Do you speak with genuine conviction?"

All heads turned in unison.

A man elegantly stepped forward. The instant his presence became known, recognition swept through the crowd like an untamed wildfire.

"It is he...!"

"Feng Xuanye!"

"The Void Refinement prodigy hailing from the Tianyan Empire!"

Murmurs of astonishment erupted from all sides.

Feng Xuanye!

A name that resonated with an undeniable aura of prestige and consequence.

He had attained the Void Refinement Realm at the tender age of forty, a feat widely acknowledged

as one of the most expedited progressions to that level ever recorded within the Eastern Region.

Furthermore, whispered rumors persisted of his having once engaged a Great Ascension Realm expert in combat, managing to achieve a stalemate.

Regardless of whether these accounts were embellished or factual, not a soul dared to underestimate his capabilities.

He was unequivocally regarded as one of the preeminent martial geniuses of his epoch.

Had it not been for the emergence of extraordinary talents such as Bai Xueqing and Bai Zihan, his renown would undoubtedly have eclipsed its current standing.

His intense gaze locked directly onto Mu Linyue.

"I presume your stipulations extend to embrace my candidacy as well."

His voice betrayed no hint of hesitation whatsoever.

It was abundantly clear that his arrival was specifically for her.

Diverging from the two princes, whose primary interest lay in her esteemed lineage, his focus was captivated by her intrinsically.

Her unparalleled beauty.

Her exceptional innate talent.

Within the confines of his perception, only an individual possessing qualities akin to Mu Linyue's was deemed worthy to stand by his side.

A discernible ripple of astonishment spread through the contingent representing the Desolate Heaven Empire.

The most formidable prodigy of the Tianyan Empire!

Among the numerous empires encircling the Desolate Heaven Empire, the

most powerful was unequivocally the Tianyan Empire.

Frequent skirmishes erupted along their shared border, and it could be asserted that the relationship between these two empires was the most acrimonious among all neighboring

powerhouses.

Many observers regarded him with surprise, while others offered looks of pity.

His current actions were undeniably daring—especially to those from the Desolate Heaven Empire who had personally borne witness to Bai Zihan's formidable

display of power.

However, more than sheer bravery, a significant portion perceived his conduct as utter foolishness.

Feng Xuanye, conversely, held a different perspective.

He had been privy to the circulating rumors concerning Bai Zihan.

Specifically, tales suggesting Bai Zihan had vanquished Great Ascension demonic elders.

Rumors asserting his strength as being monstrous and unparalleled.

Yet, he remained unconvinced by mere hearsay.

He himself had previously engaged in combat with esteemed elders from his own Sect—individuals of true Great Ascension

stature—and had successfully maintained his footing, neither yielding nor achieving outright victory.

And in his considered opinion, those particular elders possessed a considerably greater martial prowess than simple demonic cultivators.

If Bai Zihan had achieved such a feat, then logic dictated he should be capable of the same.

Operating under this line of reasoning, he harbored a firm conviction of his potential to emerge victorious.

However, this was not the sole impetus behind his audacity in confronting Bai Zihan.

His gaze subtly shifted towards Bai Zihan's direction.

A faint, almost imperceptible, spark of competitive spirit flickered within his eyes.

He harbored a distinct desire to ascertain the truth firsthand.

This supposed genius who had persistently overshadowed his own name and reputation.

Were his celebrated accomplishments authentic manifestations of power?

Or were they merely inflated exaggerations born from rumor?

Was Bai Zihan's reputation truly earned?

Or perhaps-

Was he merely a legend amplified by the Desolate Heaven Empire?

The delegates from the Tianyan Empire made no move to halt Feng Xuanye's challenge.

Indeed, they offered smiles, appearing to endorse his decision, as if proclaiming, 'Bai Zihan may strike fear into others, but not us!'

They also sought to assess Bai Zihan's actual power, recognizing him as a potential future adversary to their own empire.

Even if Feng Xuanye were to lose, they felt it wouldn't significantly impact their interests.

Furthermore, should Mu Linyue become Feng Xuanye's wife, she would integrate into the Tianyan Empire.

Such a gifted individual, if acquired, would undoubtedly boost their standing in alchemy.

Moreover, a victory for Feng Xuanye over Bai Zihan would tarnish Bai Zihan's current renown while simultaneously elevating Feng Xuanye's status.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome, it presented a favorable scenario, though Feng Xuanye's triumph would be the most desirable.

A subtle line creased Mu Linyue's brow.

She had assumed that merely invoking Bai Zihan's name would suffice to deter any challenger.

Within the Desolate Heaven Empire, that name alone was sufficient to silence even the most self-assured prodigies.

However, she had failed to consider one crucial aspect.

This name did not carry the same weight with external powers, especially not for someone like Feng Xuanye.

For a fleeting moment, a sense of a headache began to surface.

Nevertheless, her composure was swiftly restored.

Since the declaration had been made, there was no retracting it.

In addition, she held confidence in Bai Zihan's capabilities.

Despite not having witnessed his prowess firsthand, based on all accounts, she believed a loss was highly improbable.

Mu Linyue offered a slight nod.

"My words remain firm."

A smile played on Feng Xuanye's lips.

"Excellent!"

His aura emanated subtly, a keen glint of anticipation appearing in his eyes.

"Then let us not delay any further."

His gaze shifted, settling directly upon Bai Zihan.

"I formally challenge Bai Zihan to a duel!"