Li Lingsu stumbled backward in shock, turning his head to look at his good brother Yang Qianhuan.

Through the curtains, Yang Qianhuan also gazed at Li Lingsu.

Their goal had been to humiliate Xu Ningyan in front of everyone, but now that all the guests had left, what was the point of continuing to disturb the newlyweds?

The only outcome of persisting would be the two brothers suffering Xu Ningyan’s revenge, dying in ways they couldn’t even imagine.

Li Lingsu cleared his throat with a cough and said, “Ningyan, it’s getting late. Brother Yang and I will take our leave now. We won’t disturb you and your bride’s wedding night.”

Yang Qianhuan opened his mouth, wanting to say some words of submission, but as Senior Brother Yang was a proud man who cared about his face, he wasn’t as adaptable as the Holy Son. Therefore, he merely grunted in agreement, and a clear light appeared beneath his feet as he prepared to teleport away.

But at that moment, his head grew dizzy, his body went limp, and the teleportation spell was interrupted, leaving him in place.

The poison gu had paralyzed his muscles and meridians, making it impossible for him to use magic.

“Don’t rush to leave, let me see you both out!” Xu Qi’an rose with a cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

This is bad… Li Lingsu made a split-second decision to abandon his physical body, his soul attempting to escape.

Xu Qi’an gave a gentle whistle, and the Holy Son’s soul froze in mid-air, unable to move.

Heart gu!

Yang Qianhuan and Li Lingsu’s hearts sank.

“We can talk this out, we can discuss this reasonably…” Li Lingsu’s soul returned to his body as he backed away, readily admitting defeat.

“Hmph, Brother Li, in matters of victory and defeat, there’s no need to fear him,” Yang Qianhuan, proving himself worthy as the Supervisor’s disciple, showed his backbone.

“Excellent!”

Xu Qi’an applauded. “I admire Senior Brother Yang’s unyielding spirit.”

You fool… Li Lingsu cursed inwardly, thinking that Yang didn’t know how black-hearted Xu Ningyan could be.

Xu Qi’an dragged Li Lingsu and Yang Qianhuan out of the bridal chamber.

Sun Xuanji took Guardian Yuan and teleported away.

…

A quarter-hour later, he returned alone. The last remaining guest in the bridal chamber was the Ruler of the Myriad Beasts Kingdom, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, along with the White Princess in her arms.

Because there was still a guest present, Lin’an maintained her dignified posture, sitting at the edge of the bed with her hands on her knees, though she didn’t speak with the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox.

One sat with an elegant posture, back straight, while the other lounged with legs crossed, occasionally stroking the fox cub in her arms.

“What brings Your Majesty from the distant lands to the Central Plains?” Xu Qi’an composed his expression.

“This isn’t the place to discuss such matters. Let’s find somewhere more private and secluded,” the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox said coolly.

Xu Qi’an nodded gravely, then turned to Lin’an and said, “I’ll step out for a moment and return shortly.”

“Mm!”

Though reluctant, Lin’an could only nod in agreement seeing that there was important business to attend to.

Xu Qi’an led the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox to his former quarters, which still stood empty. He pushed open the door, lit the candle on the table, and in the dim yellow glow, gestured for the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox to take a seat.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox placed White Princess on the table and said with a smile, “Go find your new master.”

“Oh!” White Princess responded with a sweet voice before darting out the door in a white blur.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox waved her sleeve, closing the door.

“When do you plan to attack Arantha?”

The silver-haired demon beauty asked directly.

“After we’ve completed the initial exploration of the sea routes,” Xu Qi’an said.

The silver-haired beauty frowned slightly, not understanding, but before she could ask for clarification, she heard him continue:

“I just got married, so we’ll wait a while longer.

“However, we can begin planning the rescue of Divine Monk’s head. Does Your Majesty have any thoughts?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox smiled and said, “We’ll choose an ‘auspicious day’ and launch a surprise attack on Arantha.

“The Buddhist sect doesn’t have the divination arts of the Witch Doctors to avoid misfortune, nor do they have the Heaven Gu’s ability to glimpse corners of the future. As long as we choose any time to launch a surprise attack on Arantha, we can catch them completely off guard.”

In the plan to attack Arantha, she actively excluded ordinary soldiers and demon troops.

This would be a war of transcendent beings.

Xu Qi’an analyzed: “Though the Buddhist sect cannot avoid misfortune, foreknowledge doesn’t necessarily require magic—it can come from using one’s brain. Do you think the Bodhisattvas haven’t considered the possibility of the demon race and Central Plains joining forces to attack Arantha?

“Won’t they inform the Witch God Cult in advance, giving Saren Agu a chance to launch a surprise attack on the capital? Perhaps the Witch God Cult and Buddhist sect are waiting for us to launch our surprise attack on Arantha.”

In simpler terms, this was called—I’ve predicted your prediction.

“That possibility can’t be ruled out!”

The silver-haired demon beauty nodded in agreement with the crude warrior’s view.

Xu Qi’an continued: “Therefore, Great Dafu must leave enough powerful transcendent experts to guard the capital.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox mentally calculated the number and power levels of the transcendent experts on each side. Though the Buddhist sect had suffered heavy losses along the way, they still had many high-level transcendent experts.

First-rank realm: Vidyaraja Bodhisattva, Calotropis Bodhisattva, Guangxian Bodhisattva.

Second-rank realm: Duzhou Arhat.

Transcendent realm: Buddha.

Even with Buddha being handled by Divine Monk and thus excluded from consideration, the Buddhist sect still had three first-rank experts. She and Asura working together could barely contain two Bodhisattvas excluding Calotropis, and if they had another third-rank non-martial expert assisting, their chances would be better…

Xu Ningyan would deal with Calotropis Bodhisattva, and the remaining Bodhisattva could originally have been handled by Luo Yuhen, but considering the Witch God Cult lying in wait, Great Dafu needed to leave at least one first-rank expert, one second-rank expert, or two third-rank experts.

“Even with the most optimal combination of the various systems to maximize combat effectiveness, we still lack the numbers to deal with both the Buddhist sect and Witch God Cult simultaneously,” the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox frowned deeply.

“That’s why I said we need to wait a while,” Xu Qi’an said solemnly.

“Before long, Great Dafu will have two more third-rank experts. One third-rank martial artist and one third-rank Yang Spirit.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s eyebrows twitched as she stared at him: “Really?”

Xu Qi’an nodded: “Huai Qing has already reached the peak of fourth rank. After consuming the blood pill, she can advance to the third rank. Li Miaozhen’s primordial spirit has already begun a transformation, and after she converts to studying Earth Sect merits, she should be able to smoothly enter the transcendent realm.”

The silver-haired demon beauty’s clear eyes grew somewhat dazed. She pursed her lips and exhaled: “After quelling the Yunzhou rebellion, the gathering of fortune marks the Central Plains’ transition from extreme adversity to prosperity, making This Ruler somewhat envious.”

Xu Qi’an shook his head: “The Central Plains has always had many transcendent experts, no weaker than the Buddhist sect. It’s just that before Yuan Jing, these transcendent experts were like scattered sand, each with their thoughts.

“Back to the matter at hand, the Witch God Cult has a single system, so dealing with them doesn’t require considering combinations of various systems. We just need to leave behind experts of roughly equivalent levels. Therefore, leaving behind Luo Yuhen, Kou Yangzhou, Huai Qing, and Yang Gong will suffice. Oh right, Yang Gong has also successfully entered the transcendent realm.

“Although he’s too inexperienced having just entered third rank, a Confucian third rank is still quite good.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox ground her teeth: “Are you trying to provoke me?”

No, I’m just being pretentious… Xu Qi’an continued: “The remaining people will join us in attacking Arantha, which should be enough to deal with the Buddhist sect.”

The attack roster:

Xu Qi’an, Divine Monk, Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, Bear King, Asura, Zhao Shou, Sun Xuanji, Li Miaozhen, Daoist Golden Lotus.

Among them, the Daoist Golden Lotus, Sun Xuanji, and Zhao Shou were essential personnel for the Western Regions expedition, because only these flashy individuals could counter the Dharma forms of first-rank Bodhisattvas.

“With so many transcendent experts gathering at Arantha, we might end up reducing that Buddhist holy mountain to rubble,” Xu Qi’an joked, then continued:

“Your Majesty didn’t seek me out just to discuss these matters, did you?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox responded with an “Mm” and said: “Some time ago, I sent Night Princess to seek out the descendants of a former Demon King, and learned some clues about the Buddhist-Demon war from five hundred years ago.”

“What did you learn?” Xu Qi’an raised an eyebrow.

“The Mahavairocana Dharma form was born from within Divine Monk,” the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox said in a low voice.

In the candlelight, Xu Qi’an’s expression froze for a long while as he stared blankly at the table surface. After a long time, he slowly exhaled: “I understand. This expedition to Arantha might uncover the secrets of Buddha.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox nodded slightly, and was about to take her leave when she withdrew her divine sense, only to see Xu Qi’an pull out a broken bronze mirror and suddenly shine it at her!

This… The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s divine sense froze, like a cow trapped in mud, temporarily unable to break free.

Xu Qi’an swiftly pressed a point on her forehead, applying a layer of seals.

“What are you doing?”

The silver-haired demon beauty’s beautiful eyes widened, gazing at him with a mixture of thin anger and coquettish complaint.

Xu Qi’an ignored her and said casually, “Fuxiang, it’s been a long time since we’ve shared a bed.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s eyes widened instantly as she glared at him fiercely, threatening: “If you dare touch me, I’ll sell Night Princess.”

…

In the bridal chamber.

With the help of her dowry maids, Lin’an changed out of her wedding dress and washed off her makeup. She sat on the edge of the bed waiting for a long while until the door creaked open and Xu Qi’an stepped across the threshold.

“You’re back?”

Lin’an went to meet him, secretly sniffing for any suspicious scents while worrying aloud, “Will Huai Qing and the Imperial Preceptor take revenge on me?”

Amateur with big ambitions… Xu Qi’an thought wryly before reassuring her: “You’re already married into the family. Even if they wanted revenge, they couldn’t exactly storm the Xu residence.”

Lin’an considered this and found it reasonable, but then suddenly frowned: “What’s that strange smell… did you eat tangerines?”

Xu Qi’an poured himself a cup of water and explained, “I saw some green tangerines in the hall earlier and ate one to help with the alcohol and rich food.”

Lin’an wrinkled her nose in disapproval, pushed him lightly, and urged: “Go take a bath quickly.”

So she arranged for the palace maids to fetch water from the courtyard well.

During this process, Xu Qi’an sat with Lin’an at the table and reflected: “Tonight’s commotion caused by Guardian Yuan revealed so many people’s true nature. It’ll take them a while to recover.”

Lin’an recalled her own embarrassment at having her thoughts revealed and punched him angrily, but then thinking of those poor souls who fled in panic, she felt both irritated and amused: “Then why did you let it cause such chaos?”

“Well, they were the ones with ill intentions first,” Xu Qi’an chuckled.

“So Si Mu was actually that wary of Aunt? And your sister is quite nasty, always criticizing me in her heart. Even your birth mother isn’t simple, though she does have good intentions toward me.” Lin’an pretended to be an expert in household politics as she analyzed the situation.

When the maids had filled the bathtub, she urged Xu Qi’an to bathe.

Xu Qi’an initially wanted to invite her to join him but then thought better of it. If experienced women like Mu Nanchi and Luo Yuhen couldn’t fully let go in such matters, how could Lin’an?

After a quick bath, Lin’an arranged for the maids to heat more water. To save time, Xu Qi’an used his qi to heat the cold water, shortening Lin’an’s bathing time.

When Lin’an, wearing a white simple garment, shyly climbed into bed, Xu Qi’an looked at the senior maid preparing to sleep on the couch in the hall and said irritably: “Why haven’t you returned to your room yet?”

The two dowry maids’ quarters were in the outer chamber.

The senior maid replied matter-of-factly: “This servant must attend to Her Highness.”

This was tradition.

Xu Qi’an thought to himself that this wouldn’t do—he couldn’t let some young maid freeload off his dual cultivation technique.

So he sent her away.

Lin’an hadn’t spoken throughout this exchange but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She certainly didn’t want to consummate her marriage under the watchful eyes of a maid.

The bridal chamber grew quiet, and Lin’an curled up motionlessly.

Xu Qi’an could hear his beautiful bride’s heart pounding wildly.

As an experienced hand, he knew he should offer some comfort at this moment rather than rushing in, so he said softly: “Your Highness, do you remember when we first met?”

Lin’an pressed her lips together, her eyes darting about as she whispered: “At the banquet by the Imperial City Lake.”

Xu Qi’an teased: “That’s right, you wanted to show off by riding the spirit dragon, but ended up being thrown into the water.”

Lin’an pinched him and huffed: “Back then, you were just Huai Qing’s follower.”

She had indeed relaxed somewhat.

They continued chatting, discussing how Xu Qi’an’s first fortune came from saving Lin’an from the berserk spirit dragon, for which Lin’an had asked Emperor Yuan Jing to reward him.

At that time, the Xu family had been quite tight on money, and that reward had eased their financial difficulties.

After that, Lin’an had frequently found excuses to send him gold and silver, when he was just a lowly Bronze Gong.

As they talked, Xu Qi’an sighed with feeling: “Your Highness, I owe you so much. I must find a way to repay you.”

Lin’an lifted her snow-white chin, returning to her usual manner, and hummed: “How do you plan to repay me?”

Xu Qi’an pondered, and just when Lin’an thought he would say “I’ll spend a lifetime repaying you,” she heard him say in a deep voice:

“I’ll repay it all at once!”

Taking advantage of Lin’an’s wide-eyed confusion, he lifted her simple garment, revealing her delicate, boneless, smooth white waist.

Indeed, a perfect willowy waist… Xu Qi’an sighed inwardly.

[The next few paragraphs have been tastefully omitted while maintaining the story’s continuity]

That night, Xu Qi’an opened the door to a new world for Lin’an.

…

The next day.

At the Xu residence, Old Zhang the doorkeeper opened the gates and froze in shock.

Three people were suspended in front of the mansion’s gates, each wearing two banners. The person on the left wore a hood, and his banner read:

“Grasping the moon and plucking stars, Great Dafu’s number one spendthrift.”

The middle person’s banner read:

“Unworthy disciple, betraying teacher and ancestors.”

The right person’s banner read:

“I am the world’s most fickle man, Heaven Sect’s Holy Son Li Lingsu.”

There weren’t many people on the street, but those present stood pointing and discussing.

“You all…”

Old Zhang was dumbfounded, thinking to himself that these were the mansion’s honored guests—how did they end up hanging at the front gate?

Li Lingsu and Miao Youfang wore expressionless faces, looking as if “life had lost all meaning.”

Yang Qianhuan had the advantage of wearing a hood.