After the lightning tribulation, Chenxia Peak’s pill refining chamber was razed to the ground. Qingyuan clutched his precious pill furnace, grateful for his own foresight in packing both the pill furnace and precious medicinal herbs into his storage pouch before bringing them out.

The place that had been struck by lightning was entirely charred black. As wind blew and clouds moved, sweet rain descended from the sky.

Kong Hou lifted her skirt hem and ran toward where Huan Zong was. Seeing him completely pitch black as ink, not even knowing where his hair crown had gone, looking more disheveled than he ever had before, she covered her mouth and laughed.

Huan Zong sheathed Longyin Sword and walked step by step slowly before Kong Hou: “You’re actually laughing at me, hmm?”

“No.” Kong Hou shook her head, her eyes brilliant as stars. “How could I mock my own man?”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Huan Zong extended both arms and drew Kong Hou into his embrace. He wouldn’t tell Kong Hou that in his consciousness, many people and many things had appeared, but ultimately it was her face that allowed him to cross that threshold of his inner demons.

Fearing separation, anticipating eternal companionship—all fears and anticipations couldn’t compare to one of her smiles, one soft and sweet “Huan Zong.”

Why do sword cultivators carry swords?

To protect the world, protect the sect, protect themselves, protect… those they love.

Having someone to protect in one’s heart makes one stronger. Previously he didn’t understand, but now he finally comprehended. Having fear, worry, joy, and sorrow wasn’t wrong. Since people were born endowed with these emotions, why forcibly abandon them?

Before, he thought being emotionless meant being invincible. Now he finally understood that understanding emotions was true strength.

“Ah ah ah, this is my favorite flying immortal dress!”

Kong Hou lay against Huan Zong’s chest, reaching out to pinch his waist. After Huan Zong rubbed against her like this, the clothes on her body were thoroughly filthy beyond looking at.

“Am I more important or are the clothes more important?” Huan Zong’s tone carried grievance.

Kong Hou’s heart trembled. She reached out to pat Huan Zong’s back: “Of course you’re more important, you’re important.”

Huan Zong smiled with satisfaction: “I knew that in Kong Hou’s heart, I’m the most important.”

Several elders with excellent hearing couldn’t bear to listen anymore and very tactfully changed direction to walk outside. Wuming Zhenren stroked his snow-white beard, sighing: “I never would have thought that Zhenren Zhongxi in front of his beloved would be so…”

“Young people having good feelings for each other is a good thing.” Qingyuan coughed dryly. “It’s a good thing.”

Wuming Zhenren smiled and didn’t make any more jokes about the younger generation’s romance.

In a small town neighboring Yong City, Jiu Su sat askew on a carved wooden chair, lazily watching the subordinate kneeling on the ground: “You’re saying that the people we sent were discovered by ordinary people in Yong City the moment they entered the city?”

The subordinate’s teeth chattered as he carefully nodded: “Yes, Venerable Master.”

“Heh.” Jiu Su sneered coldly. “Can’t even deceive ordinary people—what use are you all?”

The entire room fell silent, with no one daring to make a sound.

The Venerable closest to Jiu Su took a deep breath and summoned his courage to say: “Venerable Master, this place Yong City is extremely uncanny.”

“No matter how uncanny, they’re just lowly common people incapable of cultivation.” Jiu Su scoffed. “You’ve all lived hundreds or thousands of years, yet you can’t handle these people.”

Everyone fell silent again, not daring to contradict the Venerable Master to his face. In their hearts, they had already developed a faint psychological shadow regarding this place Yong City.

Having no interest in discussing such trivial matters with these useless subordinates: “Send people to continue gathering information. Have those righteous sect people arrived in Yong City yet? Can we obtain any useful information from them?”

“Ever since our people sent to Yunhua Sect were discovered last time, when the major sects go out, they bring along magical tools to discern illusion transformation techniques. Our people can no longer disguise themselves as righteous sect disciples to approach them. Moreover, they’re extremely vigilant. When small sect disciples go out, major sects arrange disciples to accompany them. Even if our people try every method to approach them, we can’t find out any useful information.”

Nowadays the righteous cultivators were becoming increasingly united, making it inconvenient for their evil cultivators to do bad things.

“The people from the ten major sects are still so fond of meddling in others’ business.” Jiu Su’s face darkened. “No need to be concerned. Right now, there are only so many people with high cultivation in the cultivation world, and none of them are this seat’s match. On the eighth day, I’ll make the cultivation world run with rivers of blood.”

“Venerable Master, my subordinate has heard a piece of information. I don’t know if it’s useful or not.”

“Speak.”

“Rumor has it that Jiufeng Sect intended for their sect disciples to become dao companions with Zhongxi, but Zhongxi was infatuated with Yunhua Sect’s Kong Hou and refused Jiufeng Sect’s marriage alliance idea. However, Zhongxi and Kong Hou’s dao companion ceremony was orchestrated by Yunhua Sect’s Heng Yan and Liuguang Sect’s Jin Yue. Kong Hou’s master Wang Tong isn’t satisfied with this marriage.”

“Interesting.” Jiu Su raised an eyebrow. “But what use is knowing about these romantic entanglements?”

Everyone: “…”

Jiu Su laughed mockingly. Emotions—such things were illusory. Being moved to tears could only move oneself. Back then he had wholeheartedly doted on Hong Yan, but in the end, didn’t she risk her life to wound him?

If not for her, ten years ago he could have trampled the entire cultivation world. Why would he need to wait until today?

In Yong City, people came and went. Cultivators from all directions arrived bearing gifts to attend Zhenren Zhongxi and Fairy Kong Hou’s dao companion ceremony. The shops in Yong City also took this opportunity to launch many new products. It was said that the flying sword identical to Zhenren Zhongxi’s model sold very well—many young cultivators bought one to hang at their waist.

There were also hairpins that Yunhua Sect female cultivators all loved, flowing immortal dresses, and dried meat that even Liuguang Sect’s sect master said was good after eating it—all very popular among cultivators from various places.

The cultivators guarding Yong City’s gates appeared ordinary but were all at Golden Core cultivation and above. Those leading were all personal disciples from various peaks. Seeing Yunhua Sect being so vigilantly prepared, the various sects felt more secure.

Jiufeng Sect’s Peak Master Zhihe and the sect’s lead disciple Lingyue had just entered the city when they were attracted by the lively atmosphere inside and the red flowers and red silk that could be seen everywhere. Along the streets were quite a few vendors. What surprised her was that not a single vendor pestered her to promote their products, nor were there any children running before her to beg.

Hawking cries rose and fell continuously. The entire city was permeated with a joyful atmosphere.

“To celebrate Fairy Kong Hou and Zhenren Zhongxi’s dao companion ceremony, this shop offers twenty percent off everything.”

“Never Apart Noodles—after eating one bowl, you’ll want another. Noodles that Fairy Kong Hou and Zhenren Zhongxi have eaten. Male cultivators who eat them will find flower-like beautiful female cultivators. Female cultivators who eat them will find jade-faced, devotedly unchanging male cultivators.”

Lingyue couldn’t help but laugh. When she came to Yong City ten years ago, she already felt the citizens of Yong City were different from citizens elsewhere. Seeing them again today, she found these citizens even more interesting.

She walked up to that noodle shop selling “Never Apart Noodles” and asked the server attracting customers: “Did Zhenren Zhongxi and Zhenren Kong Hou truly come here to eat?”

“Naturally. How would this humble one dare to lie about such a matter?” The server smiled as he invited Zhihe and Lingyue to sit. “Immortal sir, fairy lady, do you two have any dietary restrictions?”

“No.” Lingyue looked around inside the noodle shop. Quite a few were cultivators from other places, with accents of every variety, making the noodle shop very lively.

Yong City, a place filled with delicious food—the noodles made here wouldn’t disappoint either. After Lingyue and Zhihe finished eating and came out, they hadn’t walked far when they saw a shop selling glutinous rice balls calling for customers, saying something about “Zhenren Zhongxi ate them and said they were good.”

Lingyue, Zhihe: “…”

They inexplicably felt they’d been deceived.

Walking all the way, nine out of ten shops claimed to be establishments that Kong Hou and Zhongxi had eaten at and praised. The remaining shop didn’t make such claims only because it had too many customers and no time to hawk.

“The citizens of Yong City have quite the nerve, actually daring to use Fairy Kong Hou and Zhenren Zhongxi to attract customers.” Zhihe didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Yunhua Sect is quite tolerant of these people.”

Just as they were speaking, the disciple Yunhua Sect sent to receive them rushed over. These past days there had been too many guests. Both Liuguang Sect and Yunhua Sect disciples were running up and down the mountain, extremely busy.

Seeing Yunhua Sect disciples arrive at the mountain gate to receive them, Peak Master Zhihe smiled: “We’ve troubled the daoist friend to welcome us from afar.”

“This junior is Yunhua Sect disciple Gui Lin. Peak Master and fairy lady have traveled from afar. You’ve worked hard. Please.” The Yunhua Sect disciple summoned immortal cranes, inviting the two to ascend the mountain.

Lingyue saw this disciple’s appearance was outstanding. His bone age was only a bit over twenty years, yet he’d already reached Foundation Establishment cultivation: “Which sect’s disciple is the daoist friend?”

“This junior is the lead disciple of Qiyue Peak’s Zhenren Cheng Yi. Ten years ago at the exchange conference, I was fortunate enough to meet Peak Master and fairy lady.” Gui Lin wore a blue robe with a jade crown binding his hair, carrying elegance mixed with some solemnity.

Ten years ago he was just a youth of ten-some years. Even if he’d attended the exchange conference, he would have been very inconspicuous, so it was no surprise to him that Lingyue didn’t recognize him.

Lingyue was secretly shocked. So this was Gui Lin. News that Yunhua Sect had recruited a disciple who achieved Foundation Establishment in less than ten years of cultivation had long spread to the major sects. Though this cultivation speed couldn’t compare to people like Kong Hou, Zhongxi, and Lingyue, looking across the entire cultivation world, it was already a terrifyingly fast cultivation speed.

Luck—such a thing truly couldn’t be envied.

In Yunhua Sect’s oldest generation, there were three elders including Qiushuang to provide backing. In the elder generation, there were Wang Tong and Qingyuan standing firm. Among peers, there were disciples like Kong Hou, Wu Chuan, Cheng Yi, Tan Feng, and Linghui. Among the younger generation, disciples like Gui Lin were beginning to emerge. They didn’t need to worry about the sect’s strength for the next thousand years.

“Just now at the foot of the mountain, many food establishments all claimed to be delicacies that Fairy Kong Hou and Zhenren Zhongxi had tasted…” Lingyue tactfully mentioned this.

Gui Lin’s expression became somewhat subtle. He cupped his hands toward Lingyue: “Thank you for informing me, fairy lady. However, those shop owners weren’t lying. Martial Uncle Kong Hou and Martial Uncle Zhongxi… indeed tasted food at these establishments.”

He really couldn’t bring himself to say that Martial Uncle Kong Hou had brought Zhenren Zhongxi to taste delicacies from one end of the city to the other, not even sparing the street food stalls.

He truly didn’t know with what kind of feelings Zhenren Zhongxi had accompanied Martial Uncle Kong Hou in doing these things. In his youth when harboring romantic feelings, he had once vaguely had favorable impressions of Martial Uncle Kong Hou. However, this favorable feeling turned to smoke and clouds after seeing how Zhenren Zhongxi treated Martial Uncle Kong Hou.

For no other reason than that he couldn’t act spoiled with such ease as Zhenren Zhongxi did.

The imposing Zhenren Zhongxi actually had that kind of appearance before Martial Uncle Kong Hou—who would believe it if told?

Seven days before the dao companion ceremony, according to old custom, Kong Hou and Huan Zong couldn’t meet. Huan Zong couldn’t even stay at Yunhua Sect.

Without Huan Zong to play with, Kong Hou was bored to death, so she ran off to teach disciples techniques. Back and forth, she actually became one of the most popular senior sisters among the new disciples.

The night before the dao companion ceremony, Kong Hou thought she would meditate the entire night and couldn’t possibly sleep. Who knew that the moment she touched the bed she fell asleep, and even had a strange dream.

This dream was somewhat odd. She didn’t see herself, nor did she see her master. She only saw her two senior brothers and Martial Uncle Qingyuan not getting along well. Later Gui Ning joined the sect and was taken under Martial Uncle Qingyuan’s tutelage. The sect frequently had conflicts.

Where was Huan Zong?

The moment Kong Hou had this thought, the scenery around her changed, becoming beautiful Liuguang Sect.

Huan Zong sat quietly on a massive stone, the expression on his face neither joyful nor sorrowful, just his complexion terrifyingly pale. When coughing, he actually spat out quite a bit of fresh blood.

“Huan Zong!” Kong Hou discovered she was a wisp of wind, a mass of transparent air. No one could see her. She was merely a powerless bystander. She watched as Huan Zong’s body grew worse and worse, watched as evil cultivators suddenly ambushed the cultivation world. The ten major sects suffered countless casualties. Huan Zong dragged his diseased body to fight entangled with Jiu Su, the black hair on his head turning to white snow, his spiritual platform shattering.

The entire cultivation world became an ocean of blood. Though Jiu Su was ultimately defeated, not a single Yuexing Sect disciple survived. Less than ten percent of Qingjing Temple remained. Several major sword cultivator sects suffered more than half casualties. Three of Yunhua Sect’s elders died with their dao dispersed. The conflicts between the five peaks became irreconcilable, ultimately parting ways.

Waking with a start from the dream, Kong Hou hugged her blanket and climbed up from bed. Looking at the still-dark window outside, she felt somewhat dazed. After a good long while, she got up and pushed open the window. In the early morning of the eighth day, the moon couldn’t be seen. What she saw was only a sky full of stars.

“On such an auspicious day, couldn’t you let me have a good dream?” Kong Hou bowed to the heavens. “Dreams are reversed, dreams are reversed. Grandfather Heavenly Dao, you must protect the entire cultivation world to be well. Thank you.”

After bowing, she placed the pastries and fruit from the table on the windowsill: “Offerings for you. Let’s consider this settled between us.”

The stars in the sky twinkled and twinkled. Several shooting stars streaked across the sky—extremely beautiful.

After gazing at the sky for a while, Kong Hou finally emerged from the tragic scenes in the dream. She put on the neatly folded wedding garments and wedding crown, and began applying makeup before the mirror.

The cultivation world didn’t bother with hiring any wedding matrons, nor did they make female cultivators wear veils. Legend had it that a thousand years ago, a male cultivator from the mortal realm wanted the female cultivator becoming his dao companion to wear a veil and was severely beaten by this female cultivator.

After the beating, the female cultivator said: What kind of terrible habit is this? A woman’s face can’t be seen by other men at the wedding feast, but a man’s face can be seen by other women?

The two’s dao companion ceremony was canceled because of this incident. This male cultivator used his own tragic true experience to advance the speed of gender equality throughout the cultivation world. At least no male cultivator dared to make female cultivators do things they were unwilling to do anymore.

Dawn broke. Kong Hou heard music sounding throughout the entire sect. Her senior sisters surrounded her, praising her from head to toe.

“Senior Sister Linghui.” Kong Hou grasped Linghui’s hand. In her dream, Linghui had been killed by an evil cultivator disguised as Senior Brother Tan Feng, her newly changed flowing immortal dress dyed red with fresh blood.

“Don’t be nervous.” Linghui patted the back of her hand. “It’s all just going through the motions anyway. You and Zhongxi are already so familiar. What’s there to be nervous about?”

“The groom has arrived!”

The citizens of Yong City looked up at the flying pegasus team galloping past in the sky, and the red envelopes and fresh flowers descending from heaven, clapping excitedly and repeatedly.

After the flying pegasi came two rows of magnificent flying vessels with musicians playing aboard—immortal music sounding continuously.

Behind them were dancing flying female cultivators, magnificent flying palaces, and a rain of red envelopes that never stopped.

When the low-key Liuguang Sect flaunted their wealth, no sect could compare.