Ways To Be Powerful

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Although Si Bai had not revealed his strength before, Si Ye was not even comparable to him based solely on talent. The only person who Duan Tianrao actually wanted to beat had always been Si Bai.

Yet, it was a pity that Si Bai did not seem to intend on participating.

After Si Ye came down from the worship stage, it was the Duan family’s turn to go on stage. With a jump, Duan Tianrao flew up to the stage.

When Duan Tianrao’s tall figure appeared on the worship stage, many looks of admiration from young girls below the stage landed on him.

In Lin Town, Si Bai’s appearance was the most outstanding among the males of the Si family. However, Si Bai had a weak body and rarely left the house. So instead, it was Duan Tianrao, who had a nice tall figure and a handsome appearance, who received the admiration of many ladies in the town.

Standing beside the Heaven-Spinning Wheel and fixing his eyes on the wheel, he directed his energy all at once and spun the Heaven-Spinning Wheel with all his might.

In an instant, the Heaven-Spinning Wheel turned. As it was turning, the citizens below the stage suddenly widened their eyes.

Under Duan Tianrao, the massive Heaven-Spinning Wheel actually spun three rounds!

This was exactly one round more than the number of rounds Si Ye spun previously!

It was the highest count in recent years.

“Second Young Master Duan’s strength has improved again!”

“Second Young Master Duan is certainly the successor of the next Duan family master. This kind of strength is not comparable to that of an ordinary person.”

Although Duan Tianrao maintained his usual expression, a hint of glee flashed in his eyes. Turning around to face the masses below the stage, he cupped one hand in the other and announced, “To be able to pray for Lin Town’s blessings today is my honor. On this day, I have two things to announce.”

Ye Ling, who was amongst the crowd below the stage, had a darkened expression. He instinctively looked towards Ye Qingtang beside him with eyes full of worry.

Everyone was still waiting for Duan Tianrao to speak. Glancing at the crowd, he announced without further ado, “Today, may everyone witness that the engagement between Ye Qingtang and me is canceled. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.”

The moment his words were said, gasps sounded throughout the public square.

“Duan Tianrao actually wants to cancel his engagement with Ye Qingtang? What is going on?”

“Isn’t he embarrassing the Ye family in public?’

Everyone was shocked by the surprising news. The Duan and Ye family are both part of the three greatest family clans, and the engagement between both families had long been a relish to people. Yet, Duan Tianrao actually announced the annulment of his engagement with Ye Qingtang today.

Ye Ling’s expression turned extremely ugly. However, he was aware that if he were to make trouble, Ye Qingtang would still be the one to suffer. Thus, he could only suppress his anger for now.

Duan Tianrao observed everyone’s response without caring much and continued, “This is the first piece of news. The second piece is that Lady Ye Xun from the Ye family and I are in love with each other and will be spending the rest of our lives together.”

As he spoke, he turned around to look at Ye Xun, who was standing beside Duan Tianrui below the worship stage. Following his gaze, everyone’s eyes turned towards Ye Xun.

Ye Xun was donned in a beautiful-looking white top. A faint smile which moved people was etched on her exquisite small face.

“Xun, come up.” Duan Tianrao looked at Ye Xun, who was even more beautiful with the elaborate makeup, and stretched his hands towards her.

With everyone’s eyes on her, she walked up the worship stage with a shy smile and stood beside Duan Tianrao while holding his hands.

“Xun Er, you are now my fiancée and will be a member of the Duan family in the future. On the worship day today, how about you pray for blessings for the citizens as a member of the Duan family as well?” Duan Tianrao looked at Ye Xun with gentle and doting eyes.

Ye Xun nodded her head obediently. Her gentle and appealing appearance stunned many.

Everyone in Lin Town knew that the top beauty in the town was Ye You from the Ye family. No one expected Ye Xun to be this beautiful as well. Standing beside Duan Tianrao in a white top, the two of them looked like a golden couple, picture-perfect.

“Lady Ye Xun was born with good looks and is really compatible with Second Young Master Duan.”

Everyone was stunned by the two announcements Duan Tianrao made. Just an instant ago, he broke off the engagement with Ye Qingtang, and in the next, he professed his love for the Ye family’s adopted daughter, Ye Xun, with whom his engagement was publicly announced.

However… Although everyone thought that Duan Tianrao’s sudden annulment of his engagement with Ye Qingtang was unexpected, they felt that the golden couple on stage was even more compatible.

Even though Ye Xun was adopted by the Ye family, she was very pretty and treated everyone well. Such a lady was naturally the most suitable choice as a wife in the hearts of many men.

“Since it’s what darling Duan wants, I’ll give it a try,” Ye Xun said humbly with a face full of smiles which infatuated many onlooking men.

Duan Tianrao nodded slightly and silently took a step back.

Ye Xun quietly directed her energy and took a sharp look at the Heaven-Spinning wheel in front of her. At that point, she was no longer the adopted daughter of the Ye family but Duan Tianrao’s fiancée and the future mistress of the Duan family.

When she thought up to that point, Ye Xun immediately spun the Heaven-Spinning Wheel.

Ye Xun’s force did not seem to be much, but the direction of her energy did turn the wheel.

In an instant, the Heaven-Spinning Wheel spun a whole round. When the dragon groan sounded, Ye Xun could not help but smile.

Seeing the scene, a look of satisfaction flashed across Duan Tianrao’s eyes.

“I never expected Ye Xun to actually improve so much. I remember that when she spun the Heaven-Spinning Wheel last year, she only managed to spin half a round. Who would have thought… she actually was able to spin the wheel for one whole round this year.”

“No wonder Duan Tianrao would like Ye Xun this much. With her natural talent and beautiful appearance, if Duan Tianrao becomes the family master of the Duan family, Ye Xun will also have the qualifications to be the mistress of the Duan family.”

Everyone was optimistic about Ye Xun and increasingly thought that Duan Tianrao’s annulment of his previous engagement to marry another woman was reasonable.

However…

“But… now that Ye Xun has gone onto the stage as a member of the Duan family, what will happen to the Ye family?”

Uncertainty aroused in everyone’s minds.

In the previous years, the Ye family had always sent either Ye You or Ye Xun up to the worship stage. However, now that Ye You left for Yunxiao Sect and Ye Xun went up the stage as a member of the Duan family, was not the Ye family only left with Ye Qingtang?

If it was in the past, it was without a doubt that Ye Qingtang would go up the stage. However… now that Ye Qingtang’s spirit root was broken, how would she be able to turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel?

At that thought, everyone’s gaze could not help but be directed towards where the Ye family was.

Under everyone’s watch, Ye Ling’s face darkened to a shocking shade. Although he knew that Duan Tianrao would cancel the engagement publicly, he never expected that Duan Tianrao actually got together with Ye Xun and would publicly announce his engagement with Ye Xun.

At this instant, Ye Ling had no time to attend to the onlookers’ gaze and hurriedly looked at Ye Qingtang beside him with mixed feelings.

He originally planned to send Ye Xun up the worship stage, yet he never expected such a turn of events.

“Tang Tang…” Ye Ling’s eyes were full of worry. Only the younger generation of the three greatest family clans could go up the stage. Even if he wanted to go on stage, the rules did not allow him to do so.

Now, there was only Ye Qingtang…

From the start, Ye Qingtang had been standing beside Ye Ling silently. Even when Duan Tianrao announced his engagement with Ye Xun, she had no reaction at all.

Ye Qingtang saw Ye Ling’s worry-filled eyes, and she could not help but look down.

Taking a deep breath, Ye Ling said, “Tang Tang, you’ll represent the Ye family and go up the stage.”

If not for the fact that there was no one else, Ye Ling would definitely not let his daughter go up the stage in front of everyone.

He was not concerned whether Ye Qingtang could turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel. All he wanted was to end the worship ceremony as soon as possible. Sending Ye Qingtang up was merely an act of formality.

Ye Qingtang nodded her head obediently as a sly expression flashed across her slightly droopy eyes. Lifting her eyelids, she glanced across at Duan Tianrao and Ye Xun, who were standing side by side on stage, as her lips covered under the veil curled into a slight smile.

The next second, Ye Qingtang slowly took a step forward and walked towards the worship stage.

Everyone had mixed expressions. Before Ye Qingtang’s spirit root broke, she had never gone up the worship stage. Even on normal days, Young Lady Ye rarely left the Ye residence.

Today was the first time Ye Qingtang appeared before everyone.

Ye Xun looked around at everyone and fixed her eyes on Ye Qingtang, who was gradually walking towards the worship stage. A hint of mockery flashed in her eyes, but she concealed it quickly before anyone could see it.

“Darling Duan, Tang Tang…” Ye Xun purposely looked at Duan Tianrao with an awkward expression.

Yet, Duan Tianrao shook his head and said, “That is the Ye family’s business and has nothing to do with you. I’ll marry you next year. Now, you’re no longer considered as a complete member of the Ye family. You don’t need to be worried about the Ye family’s business.”

Duan Tianrao looked satisfactorily at Ye Qingtang’s awareness of the situation to not blow matters up. However, it was only that much. He was not a tiny bit concerned about whether Ye Qingtang could spin the Heaven-Spinning Wheel and whether she would embarrass the Ye family.

As Ye Qingtang stood on the worship stage, Duan Tianrao held Ye Xun by her waist directly and went down the stage.

Only Ye Qingtang was left standing on the wide worship stage.

“Second brother, did the Ye family really send Ye Qingtang up the stage? Given her current condition, it would be weird if she could turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel,” Duan Tianrui said without covering up his malice as he looked at Ye Qingtang on stage.

“Tianrui, just be quiet…” Ye Xun frowned slightly with a helpless expression.

Duan Tianrui replied, “Sister-in-law, your temper is too good. When you wanted me to search for the Flower Moon Stone the other day, it was arrogantly snatched away by Ye Qingtang. And now, you’re still worried for her because of that good temper of yours.”

Ye Xun bit her lips and lowered her eyes, intentionally hiding the pride in her eyes.

“Xun, Tianrui is right. Regardless of anything, sending Ye Qingtang to the worship stage was a choice made by the Ye family. This has nothing to do with you. There’s no need to blame yourself for it.” Duan Tianrui could not help but comfort her when he saw that the beauty was worried.

“That’s right. Just watch the show, sister-in-law. Why worry about her?” Duan Tianrui echoed.

Ye Xun finally nodded her head in silence. No one knew that deep down in her heart, she was all but worrying for Ye Qintang. Raising her eyelids to look at Ye Qingtang on stage, a hint of mockery flashed in Ye Xun’s eyes.

Ye Qingtang stood on the worship stage alone and looked at the huge Heaven-Spinning Wheel before her with no change in expression.

Below the worship stage, citizens quietly shook their heads as they saw that Ye Qingtang had no intention of taking any action.

Given Ye Qingtang’s current condition, how could she even turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel? However, it was a pity that no one else from the Ye family could go onto the stage. If Ye Xun were not engaged to Duan Tianrao, she could go up the stage as a member of the Ye family, and Ye Qingtang would not have to do something she could not do.

However… Just as everyone thought that Ye Qingtang simply could not turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel at all, the corner of Ye Qingtang’s lips hidden under the veil curled up into a smile. She suddenly raised her small pair of fair hands, held the sides of the Heaven-Spinning Wheel, and fiercely exerted her force with a cold light flashing across her eyes.

A loud dragon groan filled the air and instantly pierced everyone’s eardrums.

Ye Qingtang was actually able to turn the huge Heaven-Spinning Wheel in front of everyone.

Furthermore, the Heaven-Spinning Wheel spun at an extremely fast speed. In the blink of an eye, it spun two whole rounds, only slowing down at the third round.

Finally, on the completion of the fourth round, the large Heaven-Spinning Wheel stopped turning.

The dragon groan vanished as followed.

The public square fell into a dead silence instantly.

Everyone stared with their mouths agape and looked at Ye Qingtang, who was standing beside the Heaven-Spinning Wheel.

“How could this be?”

“Is there… something wrong with my eyes? That Ye Qingtang actually spun the Heaven-Spinning Wheel for four whole rounds?!”

“Four rounds… Could it be that Ye Qingtang is already at Connate Level 7? But… but isn’t her spirit root broken already?”

Sounds of disbelief exploded in the crowd like a thunder’s rumble.

They originally thought that Ye Qingtang would not be able to spin the Heaven-Spinning Wheel at all, but she actually turned four whole rounds before their eyes.

This was one full round more than Duan Tianrao, who spun three rounds a while ago.

At this instant, everyone was completely shocked by what they saw.

Ye Ling, who was below the stage, widened his eyes in disbelief. He never expected that his own daughter could actually turn the Heaven-Spinning Wheel, and… it was for four whole rounds!

Ye Xun, who initially wanted to watch Ye Qingtang embarrass herself, purposefully feigned a gentle smile, which froze on her face after seeing that Ye Qingtang spun four whole rounds.

How could it be?

How could Ye Qingtang possibly be at Connate Level 7?

Wasn’t her spirit root broken already?

Slightly alarmed, Ye Xun instinctively looked at Duan Tianrao beside her, and shock was written on his face as predicted.

Duan Tianrao never expected that Ye Qingtang’s strength exceeded his by one whole level.

Duan Tianrui was also dumbfounded by what he saw. Looking at Ye Qingtang who stood naturally beside the Heaven-Spinning Wheel while the crowd was in exclamation, a look of detest shone across his eyes uncontrollably. While everyone was in a state of shock, Duan Tianrui suddenly spoke.

“Young Lady Ye, today is the day of worship, and the three great family clans have gathered to pray for blessings for the citizens of Lin Town. However, you are wearing a veil and are unwilling to show people your face. Isn’t that a disrespect to the worship ceremony?”

The moment Duan Tianrui’s words were said, everyone suddenly returned to their senses and realized only then that Ye Qingtang had been wearing a veil all this while.

Then, everyone’s expression turned weird inevitably.

“Ye Qingtang’s ability is indeed shocking.”

“What’s the point in having strength? Don’t you know that Young Lady Ye is infamous for being an ugly lady? Otherwise, why would Duan Tianrao annul his engagement with her?”

“A girl’s ability is not the most important; her appearance remains the top priority. No matter how powerful she is, it would be hard for her to be the mistress of the family if she had an unsightly appearance. Rather, I feel that Ye Xun’s ability is strong enough, and she is very beautiful in addition. It’s this kind of girl that makes people love them.”

Under Duan Tianrui’s words, everyone’s attention swiftly changed from Ye Qingtang’s abilities to her appearance. It was not weird for everyone to be this curious: Ye Qingtang had always been facing people with a veil on. As the Young Lady of the Ye family, if she wasn’t ugly, why would she need to cover up like this?

The sound of discussion rang through the crowd constantly, and the shock on Duan Tianrao’s face had already faded somewhat. Instinctively looking at Ye Xun, who was as beautiful as a flower, his astonishment slowly faded.

Seeing that his plan succeeded, Duan Tianrui could not help but feel even more pleased. He looked at Ye Qingtang, who had not once opened her mouth, and firmly believed that she did not have the courage to face anyone due to her ugly appearance. With that thought in mind, he was energized instantly.

“Lady Ye, since you are praying for blessings for everyone, shouldn’t you remove this veil to show that the Ye family truly does regard the Worship Ceremony as an important event?”

Ye Qingtang looked coldly at Duan Tianrui, who was inciting trouble and agitating the people, and her lips curled into a sneer.

“You want me to remove my veil?” Ye Qingtang said suddenly.

Duan Tianrui replied, “It is not me who wants it, but the protocol of the Worship Ceremony cannot be broken. Rest assured, Lady Ye. We are only concerned about the Worship Ceremony and will not be concerned if you are not good-looking.”

Duan Tianrui’s words may have sounded nice, but everyone could hear that his words were clearly aimed to expose Ye Qingtang’s ugly appearance.

On the side, Duan Tianrao and Ye Xun did not have any intention to stop this.

Ye Qingtang scoffed and looked towards an increasingly insolent Duan Tianrui. “As per your wish.”

Then, Ye Qingtang suddenly raised her hands and removed the veil that she had worn for over ten years.

As the veil was gradually taken off, the central square was filled with loud gasps!

A remarkably beautiful face suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes. The exquisite features were all god’s most pleased artworks. Her skin was fair as snow, and her rosy lips curled into a charming smile.

The moment she smiled, it was as though everything else had paled into insignificance.

No one expected that such an alluring beauty was hidden under the thin veil.

“What do you think? Third Young Master Duan, are you satisfied now?” Ye Qingtang smiled. Everyone’s spirits seemed to be enchanted by her smile as they forgot everything and could only look at the extremely gorgeous face with infatuation.

Duan Tianrui was completely dumbfounded. Even if you were to beat him to death, he would definitely not expect Ye Qingtang’s appearance to be this stunning.

Compared to Ye Qingtang, Ye Xun, who had previously been praised for her outstanding beauty, was as unbearably ordinary as a village girl. Even the rumored top beauty of Lin town, Ye You, was inferior to Ye Qingtang.

Duan Tianrui was dumbfounded, and both he and Ye Xun wore weird expressions.

Ye Xun immediately turned pale. If she hadn’t witnessed it for herself, she would never believe that the extremely alluring lady before her was actually Ye Qingtang!

How could it be… She clearly remembered… Ye Qingtang had a weird and ugly birthmark on her face.

Stunned, Duan Tianrao looked at the stunningly beautiful lady on stage. Under the sun, Ye Qingtang was like a fairy who landed in the mortal world whose beauty could not be compared to.

“Not good-looking? Who said that Young Lady Ye was ugly just now? If you still call this appearance ugly, is there even any beauty in this world then?”

The citizens stirred. They had never seen such a good-looking lady before.

“With Lady Ye’s appearance, only she is worthy of the title as Lin Town’s top beauty.”

Everyone praised Ye Qingtang’s looks. Now, thinking back to Duan Tianrui’s sarcasm from a while ago, they felt that he was narrow-minded and had gradually pressured her to unveil herself due to his evil intention to embarrass her.

Yet, unexpectedly…

Ye Qingtang was simply an outstanding beauty!

At that instant, everyone started to ponder.

Previously, they thought that Duan Tianrao canceled his engagement with Ye Qingtang because her spirit root broke and was not powerful enough. In addition, she was ugly and he could bear no longer.

But now…

Looking at the stunningly gorgeous Ye Qingtang on stage, plus the fact that spun four full rounds of the Heaven-Spinning Wheel, everyone’s thoughts were no longer that simple.

In ability and appearance, how was Ye Xun better than Ye Qingtang?

Unless he was crazy, why would Duan Tianrao give up on the engagement with Ye Qingtang and turn to marry Ye Xun instead?

Just when everyone was caught up in their discussions, a tall and straight figure suddenly walked up the worship stage and straight towards Ye Qingtang’s side.

Everyone fixed their eyes on the youth who stood beside Ye Qingtang. Wasn’t that the talented and elegant Third Young Master Si Bai from the Si family?

“Tang Tang, why waste time here now that the worship ceremony has ended? Grandfather ordered me to bring you back today to play chess with him,” Si Bai said with a smile as he looked at Ye Qingtang affectionately.

“Alright.” Without paying attention to everyone’s gaze, Ye Qingtang nodded with a smile and walked down the worship stage with Si Bai.

“What is going on? Third Young Master Si is actually on friendly terms with Lady Ye?”

“Didn’t you hear what Third Young Master Si addressed Lady Ye as just now? Tang Tang… Seems like their relationship is not ordinary.”

“Hasn’t the Si and Ye family always been on bad terms? Why would the Si family’s family master invite Ye Qingtang to go to the Si residence?”

A string of questions rose up in everyone’s minds as Ye Qingtang and Si Bai walked down the stage together. The sight of the beautiful Ye Qingtang and the handsome Si Bai walking together was like a painting that pleased one’s eyes.

Everyone knew that Si Bai had an indifferent personality and rarely interacted with anyone out of the Si family, yet he publicly invited Ye Qingtang to his residence today. Furthermore, Si Bai and Ye Qingtang seemed to share a close relationship. Could it be…

Instinctively, everyone turned to look at a stiff-looking Duan Tianrao below the stage.

Previously, they thought that Duan Tianrao initiated the breaking of his engagement to Ye Qingtang because he disliked Ye Qingtang. However, now it seemed that things were not that way.