But it just so happened that The Reed Family's Madam, even while she was still in the womb, disregarded everyone's objections and betrothed her to The Brooks Family's not-yet-born Ethan Brooks.

No one knew the reason.

Madam also never gave any explanation.

Later, not long after she was born, she was chosen by Frostshade Sect, destined to rise to the top, while all the news coming from Silvermoon City was about Ethan Brooks's foolishness and dullness.

The entire The Reed Family went mad over this, thinking that so-called engagement was utterly ridiculous and laughable, and she herself felt deeply humiliated.

From the time she could understand things, she was tormented by the name Ethan Brooks, and had, in tears, questioned Madam many times, "Why?!"

When she was about to threaten her life over it, Madam, finally pushed to the limit, gave a response: "I simply lost a bet, and... I must honor the wager."

The Reed Family was thrown into chaos over this matter, but in the end, before Madam passed away, she still kept her promise and demanded that she abide by the agreement, the engagement unchanged.

With half a year left before the wedding, she brought her servants ahead of time and moved into The Brooks Family during their time of crisis, both to observe Ethan Brooks's character and to help The Brooks Family with their troubles.

After entering The Brooks Family and truly coming into contact with Ethan Brooks, she no longer held any illusions, and her heart sank into an icy abyss.

Old Master Brooks, grateful for what she had done for The Brooks Family, once candidly told her that The Brooks Family possessed a piece of Ice Soul Cold Crystal from the Nine Nether Cold Abyss, aged tens of thousands of years.

If she would keep her promise and marry Ethan Brooks as scheduled, that piece of Ice Soul Cold Crystal would be given to her as a betrothal gift to aid her cultivation.

As someone cultivating the Frostshade Sect spiritual arts, she knew well that the Ice Soul Cold Crystal was the best natural treasure for her.

Even in Skyland and Silent Land, the Ice Soul Cold Crystal was a rare and wondrous treasure, enough to help her lay a solid foundation in the Huangting Realm, and help her stand out in Frostshade Sect in the future, surpassing all those so-called prodigies among her peers.

"There are still three months until the wedding. Just endure a little longer. I will honor Madam's last wish and marry that Ethan Brooks. By then, the Ice Soul Cold Crystal will be mine, and at most, I'll just have the extra identity of being The Brooks Family's granddaughter-in-law. Grandpa Brooks also said he won't interfere in anything I do."

Just thinking about Ethan Brooks's soul being destroyed and having to bear a bad reputation herself, Ashley Reed felt irritated and troubled. But Blake Turner was wholeheartedly devoted to her and loyal to The Reed Family, making it truly hard for her to speak harshly.

"You are the bright moon in the sky—how could you bear the title of husband and wife with that foolish Ethan Brooks?!" Blake Turner trembled with anger, his expression dark and cold. "When you set foot on Skyland and shine in Frostshade Sect, this matter will become an indelible stain in your life!"

"Just having that engagement is already a great humiliation in my eyes, a stain—let alone actually marrying him!"

"That fool Ethan Brooks is worthless. You can't let him bring shame upon you in Skyland in the future! Letting him die is the will of both The Reed Family and Frostshade Sect!"

"And I am merely following orders!"

Blake Turner spoke in a low, deep voice, murderous intent almost overflowing from his eyes.

"Frostshade Sect wants this too?" Ashley Reed asked in shock.

Blake Turner nodded heavily. "Frostshade Sect's intention is not only for Ethan Brooks to die and to ensure you obtain and refine that Ice Soul Cold Crystal, but also..."

"But also what?"

"But also to erase The Brooks Family from Darkmoon City and from the Silvermoon Empire! All those with the surname Yu must be wiped out!"

"Ah! How did it come to this?"

"As for your engagement, your future master has other plans." Blake Turner hesitated for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "The Grand Elder wants to erase all stains from your past, so that you can be pure and worthy of that person. Also, forcibly seizing the Ice Soul Cold Crystal is not an honorable thing, so it must be done cleanly, so that no one escapes and spreads rumors."

The still-young Ashley Reed was deeply shaken by Blake Turner's words, experiencing for the first time the dark and bloody side of the world.

"The Great Dao is merciless. To Frostshade Sect, you are an extremely important part of their sect's future. A small family like Darkmoon City, mere ants, can be crushed at will." Blake Turner's tone was indifferent. "The Brooks Family can only blame Ethan Brooks for getting entangled with you in this engagement."

Curling his lips, he sneered, "A toad lusting after swan meat! Old Master Brooks clearly knows his grandson is a fool, yet still covets your cultivation talent, wanting you to continue their The Brooks Family bloodline? Wishful thinking! It's only right that everyone in The Brooks Family should die out!"

"Mr. Turner, you, you still want to—?" Ashley Reed gradually came to her senses, screaming in terror.

"Yes, I am telling Miss everything today because I hope you won't get involved and will pretend to know nothing." Blake Turner said woodenly, "Don't worry, I will handle everything properly. All you need to do is wait a while, take the Ice Soul Cold Crystal, then focus on your cultivation and wait for the Grand Elder of Frostshade Sect to come and take you away."

"How could this be? How could this be?" Ashley Reed murmured in despair.

Blake Turner looked at her and said, "You'd better get used to this cruel world early, so you won't be at a loss or fall victim to your peers' schemes when you get to Frostshade Sect."

As they spoke, a blue-clad maid suddenly appeared, her figure darting like a bird as she sped over.

All the spiritual herbs and grasses in the many medicinal gardens shed their leaves and snapped their branches in her urgent passage.