Xie Hongchen publicly agreed to this marriage. Although Xie Lingbi was dissatisfied, he didn’t say much.

As the Ancestor, he couldn’t contradict the Sect Master’s words in front of Si Tianjian and He, Zhang, Wu, and the others.

However, He, Zhang, and Wu were extremely meticulous. Even though this matter was settled, they did not leave. Instead, as elders, they helped Yuhu Xuanzong begin arranging Huang Rang’s lifetime great event.

Needless to say, they handled the purchasing, and the sect’s arrangements were equally important and couldn’t be treated carelessly.

These three, as lords of their respective territories, now lingered at Yuhu Xuanzong personally managing these small matters. Huang Rang naturally knew who they were doing this for.

—They must know that Xie Lingbi was dissatisfied and feared he would make things difficult for her.

In this lifetime, Huang Rang had a father like Huang Shu and a mother like Xi Yin.

But at this moment, she saw what true elders should be like.

Under their management, Yuhu Xuanzong’s invitations were sent out one by one. Everything on the mountain, from the large venue to the small plants and trees, was decorated one by one.

This joyous occasion caused quite a stir. Whether in the immortal sects or among the common people, everyone was discussing this matter.

Some said this indicated that the court and the immortal sects would put aside past grievances. Some said Huang Rang was merely a spy the immortal sect planted in the court. Others said Xie Lingbi was forced by pressure from He, Zhang, Wu, and the others.

Rumors flew about, each different.

Jianzheng naturally didn’t care. Until another kind of rumor reached his ears, he finally couldn’t sit still.

—On this day, the court confiscated a batch of prohibited books. Upon seeing them, Jianzheng couldn’t help but ask Scholar Tang of the Hanlin Academy, “The court hasn’t issued any prohibition orders in many days. How can there still be prohibited books?”

Scholar Tang glanced at him and said, “Jianzheng asks well. Tang was just thinking of gifting a copy to Jianzheng.”

With that, he waved his hand, and a minor official presented the book.

Jianzheng casually flipped through it, and the expression on his face gradually froze.

—The book was a wild history that vividly explained the reason why Jianzheng was shamelessly persistent, willing to spend four Super Class A combat puppets to seek marriage with Huang Rang.

Jianzheng slowly continued reading and discovered the author’s explanation of this matter was truly original.

The author connected Jianzheng’s matter of being “girded with treasure” with “his childhood sweetheart’s death,” reaching the conclusion that “ordinary women are not blessed enough to bear it.” Then they linked this with Huang Rang, who cultivated the martial path and was born of earth demon origin.

Thus reaching the conclusion of why Jianzheng would marry no one but Huang Rang.

Of course, the depiction was so detailed, vivid and fragrant with not a single wasted word—only someone with twenty years of brain disease could recite it.

“Marketplace tumor…” Tumor indeed! Jianzheng placed the book back expressionlessly. “Arrest everyone who printed this into books!”

Time flew by and the wedding day arrived. Not only did Si Tianjian take it seriously, Yuhu Xuanzong also held a grand banquet for guests.

This day was even livelier than the day Huang Rang took her master.

What was even more rare was that even Miao Yunzhi from White Bone Cliff traveled ten thousand miles to come and drink this cup of celebratory wine.

Miao Yunzhi rarely concerned himself with immortal or mortal affairs. Over these years, he traveled the world practicing medicine, but his temper was quite bad.

Shi Wenyu had invited him several times for birthday celebrations, but he never even sent a congratulatory letter.

His appearance now was truly unexpected.

Because of his presence, some reclusive masters also arrived one after another.

This added much radiance to Yuhu Xuanzong. It didn’t seem like a disciple’s wedding but more like a grand event.

Early this morning, Huang Rang was roused early by the wedding attendant to begin dressing.

Her wedding dress was prepared by Si Tianjian, extremely elaborate and magnificent. Not to mention the pearl crown—personally crafted by Jianzheng himself, not the slightest detail was neglected no matter how minute.

When the auspicious hour arrived, the wedding attendant supported Huang Rang as she emerged from her residence. Xie Hongchen was already waiting at the door.

Wedding music floated by her ears, yet his expression remained cool and aloof as always.

“Miss Huang Rang’s father has passed away. Fortunately, the Sect Master, though master for a day, is father for life. Please, Sect Master, personally place the veil over Miss Ah Rang.” Even the wedding attendant’s voice was filled with joy. Such a wedding would be enough for her to boast about for a lifetime.

Xie Hongchen stepped through the door and slowly came before Huang Rang.

He saw the beauty in full dress, her eyes like cut water, her skin like congealed fat.

Seeing him, Huang Rang still performed a light curtsy, saying, “This disciple greets Master.”

The wedding attendant handed Xie Hongchen the veil, smiling as she waited to the side. Xie Hongchen took the eye-piercingly red silk, memories overlapping like double images.

In that instant, he saw red candles burning bright as he gently lifted the bride’s veil.

The person beneath the red silk was both shy and exquisitely beautiful, suddenly overlapping with this moment.

The world spun. He felt this wasn’t right.

Yet he couldn’t say where the strangeness lay.

“Sect Master, the auspicious hour is almost here.” The wedding attendant beside him urged softly.

Xie Hongchen lowered his head and saw the beauty’s condensed gaze as she smiled at him. He raised his hand, and the red silk between his fingers finally covered those eyes that lingered inescapably in his memory, turning to sand in an instant.

“Good, the Sect Master will escort the bride out!” the wedding attendant called loudly.

Outside, firecrackers erupted in unison, celestial music played together.

Xie Hongchen held Huang Rang’s hand and walked step by step, leaving Diancui Peak.

The wedding guests gathered at the mountainside. Di Yiqiu had already changed into his wedding clothes and waited ahead.

Red silk like the sea, firecrackers like thunder.

Xie Hongchen felt a layer of imprisoned memories, with this sound, trembling restlessly, as if about to be blasted open.

What was it?

Had he once led someone into Yuhu Xuanzong, along this mountain path upward, worshipping heaven and earth, entering the bridal chamber?

That golden autumn, who gave him a flower branch, and upon parting, what did they tell him?

Who earnestly called “Hongchen,” yet he refused to turn back?

His thoughts were in chaos, even his footsteps lost their rhythm.

But he still led Huang Rang before Di Yiqiu.

Di Yiqiu at this moment wore festive red. His gaze, long and lingering, remained fixed on Huang Rang.

Xie Hongchen stood opposite him. By measure, they were but a stone’s throw apart. But in that moment, he suddenly thought—why could this person marry her?

The relationship between Si Tianjian and Yuhu Xuanzong had grown increasingly tense in recent years. So why could he?

Xie Hongchen’s lips parted slightly, wanting to speak, but the voices by his ear were too chaotic.

“Separation… separation letter? What separation letter?”

“She asked you to do this?”

“Good… it’s good. After all, I’m now like a废person, no longer the phoenix tree she wishes to roost in.”

He held Huang Rang’s hand and passed it to Di Yiqiu, only feeling his brain boiling in his skull, the pain unbearable. Whose true feelings were buried in overgrown grass?

Di Yiqiu took Huang Rang’s hand, interlacing their five fingers. Huang Rang remained motionless for a long time, wanting to make this moment last longer.

A hundred years of turbulent time, too few reunions, joy too fleeting.

If time could freeze at this moment, at least we would both be full of joy, and could pretend it was complete.

But…

Huang Rang slowly released her hand.

But Xie Lingbi still had to die!

Otherwise, how could she be worthy of her hundred years of bitter cultivation?

Huang Rang raised both hands and gently lifted her veil.

The surrounding voices gradually ceased. Clearly, everyone noticed the bride’s action.

Originally, Yuhu Xuanzong was an immortal sect and didn’t need to strictly follow mortal etiquette. But Si Tianjian represented the court, so such behavior was still improper.

Zhang Shujiu said, “Ah Rang, you can’t lift the veil early.”

He stepped forward, preparing to re-cover Huang Rang with the red silk, but Huang Rang faced another person and said with a smile, “Ancestor Lingbi, this disciple is getting married today and will bid farewell to the sect. Before leaving, I have one more wish I hope the Ancestor will grant.”

Xie Lingbi was extremely dissatisfied in his heart, but in front of everyone, he couldn’t lose composure. So he asked, “What matter?”

Huang Rang still smiled faintly, saying, “This disciple has studied arts for many years, devoted to the way of the sword, yet has difficulty seeing the supreme method. Today, this disciple wishes to ask the Ancestor to bestow teachings in person, to let this disciple… hear the Way this very morning.”

The two words “hear the Way,” she enunciated clearly and decisively, even carrying a trace of fierceness.

Everyone hearing this was in an uproar.

This meant she wanted to publicly challenge Xie Lingbi.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Xie Lingbi. Xie Lingbi laughed coldly. As the sect’s Ancestor, being pushed to this point, he couldn’t retreat.

Otherwise, word would spread, and wouldn’t everyone laugh that he feared a junior in the sect?

He stood up and said softly, “The sea of learning is boundless. That you have this intention is very good.”

The two words “very good,” he spoke through gritted teeth.

“Ah-Ah-Ah…” In her urgency, He Xijin stuttered even more.

Fortunately, Wu Zichou beside her said urgently, “How confused is Ah Rang? This old thing was already dissatisfied with you. You still provoke him. If he secretly makes a killing move during the battle, what can be done?”

Zhang Shujiu was naturally also anxious. He smiled and said, “Since it’s the Ancestor bestowing teachings, it will naturally stop at the appropriate point. With Ancestor Lingbi’s capabilities, how would he hurt a mere junior? Sect Master Wu worries too much.”

These three spoke differently, but their words all meant one thing—protect Huang Rang.

Huang Rang felt this protection. It was like an outer garment—though invisible, it could resist the world’s cold.

She smiled and bowed to the three. The sincerity within exceeded half a lifetime of “filial piety” before Huang Shu.

“Ah Rang sincerely thanks the three of you.” After bowing to the three, she turned to look at Di Yiqiu.

Di Yiqiu gently released her hand, saying, “Though we haven’t yet worshipped heaven and earth, I now count as your husband. If your husband fought in your place, that would also make sense.”

He didn’t know why Huang Rang insisted on defeating Xie Lingbi.

But he didn’t ask either.

From that conversation in Kanyue City until now, he had silently assisted but never asked the reason.

Huang Rang smiled slightly, saying, “In my past half-life, I was accustomed to relying on myself for everything. So this battle, I’ll go myself.”

With that, she removed the outer layer of her wedding dress. Di Yiqiu naturally took it in hand.

Huang Rang drew two swords from the storage treasure at her waist. One was “A Single Exceptional Bloom” personally forged by Xie Lingbi years ago. The other was the golden sword forged by Di Yiqiu.

Huang Rang drew A Single Exceptional Bloom and strapped the golden sword on her back.

Xie Lingbi had already entered the martial arts field with a cold laugh. He extended his hand in a grasping motion, and a disciple’s sword was already in his hand.

Clearly, he intended to fight Huang Rang with this sword. Or rather, Huang Rang wasn’t worthy of him using his heart sword in battle.

Xie Hongchen frowned. Only he knew that Huang Rang’s cultivation was absolutely not weak. These years, she had been too diligent.

Everyone surrounded the field, both puzzled and somewhat excited.

This was Xie Hongchen’s disciple versus the sect’s Ancestor. Although using the word “versus” wasn’t quite appropriate, this was truly unprecedented in history.

Why would Huang Rang, on her wedding day, almost provocatively demand to battle Xie Lingbi?

Not to mention others—even Xie Hongchen didn’t understand.

These years, how Huang Rang had cultivated with almost demonic obsession—everyone saw it.

No one knew her purpose.

And a hundred years later, she pulled this stunt.

He Xijin was anxious, but couldn’t speak. He tugged at Zhang Shujiu, urgently saying, “Judge, judge, judge…”

Zhang Shujiu immediately understood. He said to Xie Hongchen, “Sect Master Xie, this battle will surely be spectacular. Why don’t you and I both enter the field to judge the outcome?”

After speaking, he quickly added, “Of course, the Ancestor’s cultivation is profound. A junior, no matter what, has shortcomings. But it’s just a formality.”

Xie Hongchen knew these people were worried about Huang Rang. He said, “Acceptable.”

However, in the field, Xie Lingbi laughed coldly, “Just giving guidance to a junior, why must the three of you be like this?” He stared at Huang Rang, his words like knives. “Even if Huang Rang marries into Si Tianjian, she will always be a disciple of my Yuhu Xuanzong. Could it be you fear I would harm my own sect’s disciple?”

Finishing, he said to Huang Rang, “If you want to test your skills, then come.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand, and the martial arts field’s barrier opened.

This barrier was quite particular—it prevented others from entering and disturbing the battle. But it also limited both parties’ cultivation levels.

Under the barrier, the standard was set by the one with lower cultivation.

Therefore, Xie Lingbi would also be limited by the barrier, his cultivation reduced to the same level as Huang Rang. This was often used when masters feared accidentally injuring juniors or intended to guide juniors. It showed painstaking care.

Of course, with the barrier now open, He Xijin and the others could no longer enter the field.

Xie Lingbi was willing to lower his cultivation to battle Huang Rang. This was equivalent to yielding to a junior disciple. His elder demeanor was fully displayed. The surrounding people all praised him profusely.

Xie Lingbi was an old senior of the immortal sects. Huang Rang had only entered the Way for about a hundred years.

For the mortal world, a hundred years was like a long river. But for immortal sect people, this actually wasn’t much.

Even if Xie Lingbi lowered his cultivation, no one favored Huang Rang.

“This disciple dares to presume, please instruct me, Ancestor!” Huang Rang drew A Single Exceptional Bloom. In that moment, her eyes blazed with fighting spirit, her wedding dress like fire.

All surrounding sounds quieted down. Di Yiqiu observed from outside the field, the doubts in his heart unresolved for a hundred years.

From the time she began learning, it seemed she had been waiting for this very battle.

So when proposing on Qilu Terrace, she had said, “There won’t be any marriage. It’s not worth it.”

But what deep hatred did she have with Xie Lingbi?

Xie Lingbi had semi-retired many years ago. Sect affairs had always been handled by Xie Hongchen.

Neither the Huang family ancestors nor the Xi family ancestors had any grudges with Yuhu Xuanzong. At Huang Rang’s age, what entanglement could she have with him?

Di Yiqiu couldn’t figure it out.

But he knew this was something Huang Rang had always wanted to do.

Then go ahead. He stared at the burning flame in the martial arts field, feeling this person’s blazing heat.

At this moment, Huang Rang finally struck her first sword blow.

Thousands of sword shadows overlapped and interlaced in the martial arts field. The light was so dazzling that everyone squinted their eyes.

Xie Lingbi’s face was frosty. He opened this martial arts barrier not only to yield and guide Huang Rang.

—Only this way would those crawling insects not come in and interfere.

He stared at the red light and shadow before him, killing intent gradually thickening in his eyes—Cheap slave, you brought this on yourself. You can’t blame this old man.

He used the ordinary treasure in his hand to battle Huang Rang.

In the field, only a crisp sound was heard, like metal and jade striking. Two swords crossed, a string of sparks falling like fireworks. Two sword immortals, amid heavy sword shadows, accurately found each other’s sword.

The unknowing crowd roared their approval. Only Di Yiqiu and the others looked grave.

Xie Hongchen stood at the position closest to Xie Lingbi. Clearly, he too didn’t understand why things had reached this point.

Light and shadow flickered frequently within the barrier, but the sword flowers quickly exploded again.

At first, people still commented and discussed, but soon everyone fell into contemplation.

—Huang Rang before Xie Lingbi didn’t seem as easily defeated as everyone imagined.

Not only that, one could even say Huang Rang had considerable battle strength.

The reason was simple—she understood Xie Lingbi’s techniques and moves far too well.

As soon as Xie Lingbi struck with his sword, she was already prepared with a counter.

At first, Xie Lingbi didn’t notice. Some of his moves were actually common sword techniques of Yuhu Xuanzong. It wasn’t strange that Huang Rang could react in time.

But… after a barrage of attacks swift as a sudden rain, Xie Lingbi only felt his wrist sting and go numb. Then, the precious sword in his hand cracked inch by inch with ice. Huang Rang struck again. Xie Lingbi’s sword finally couldn’t bear the burden and with a clang, shattered into several pieces!

After a long while, everyone finally realized what had happened—Huang Rang had shattered Xie Lingbi’s sword!

The surroundings erupted in uproar!

By rights, with Xie Lingbi’s sword broken, this battle had its result.

But at this moment, light and shadow gathered in Xie Lingbi’s hand, then sword light unfolded—a sword appeared again in his hand. It was the heart sword!

The sword immortal’s natal treasure!

Was the Ancestor getting serious?

Others looked at each other. Although still within the barrier, Xie Lingbi’s cultivation was still suppressed to match Huang Rang’s. But fighting with his heart sword was at least intentionally bullying.

He Xijin hurried to Xie Hongchen’s side, tugged at his sleeve, then pointed to the field. He was so anxious he couldn’t speak a single word.

Xie Hongchen also knew this was bad. He called out, “Master guiding a junior disciple brings honor to the entire sect. This battle should end here.”

But Xie Lingbi heard these words as if he hadn’t heard them.

He stared at Huang Rang, gathering power in his sword, and struck down with one blow.

The precious sword in Huang Rang’s hand was personally forged by Xie Lingbi. How could it withstand his full-force strike?!

In just an instant, the sword body turned red and transformed into flying ash.

Huang Rang flew backward in retreat but was still shaken by his sword energy. Her cheek was cut with an extremely long, thin wound. Blood seeped out, yet she was incomparably beautiful.

Xie Lingbi gained advantage with one strike but didn’t pause. The second strike came immediately, splitting heaven and cracking stone!

In the barrier, thousands of phantoms appeared. Huang Rang’s pale hand reached back, gripping the hilt of the golden sword on her back. Then she suddenly exerted force. A golden strong light burst forth from the scabbard, brilliant as the morning sun!

The golden light clashed with Xie Lingbi’s heart sword. Only a thunderous boom was heard, heaven and earth shaking.

In the barrier, only sky-filling dust was visible, and within the dust, sword light like lightning. Everyone found it extremely difficult to discern the battle situation, but all hearts held the same question—Huang Rang was actually this formidable, forcing Xie Lingbi to actually bring out his heart sword?!

At this time, Huang Rang’s hundred years of dedicated study and understanding of Xie Lingbi fully manifested.

With cultivation equal and treasure power temporarily matched, Xie Lingbi’s sword techniques actually held no advantage.

This point, Xie Lingbi refused to acknowledge no matter what.

Until his arm was struck by a sword.

Blood spurted out, soaking his right arm.

Xie Lingbi gripped the wound, his eyes full of disbelief. At this time, the dust thinned, and the people outside also saw the bloodstain on his plain clothes. The surroundings fell completely silent.

How could Xie Lingbi be willing to admit defeat?!

He roared wildly and charged forward again.

Huang Rang’s swift sword was no worse than his. At this moment, sword shadows touched and immediately separated, yet in truth, the people in the field had already walked through death’s gate several times.

Xie Lingbi was furious—he knew what it would mean if he lost to Huang Rang. His position in the immortal sect, where he stood like the noonday sun, would from then on become a laughingstock.

His entire life, whenever mentioned, would never escape this matter. This humiliation would accompany him forever, until he entered the earth.

Xie Lingbi was publicly defeated by a female disciple who had entered the Way for only a hundred years.

This sentence was like a terrifying curse.

But Huang Rang was fearless.

She had already striven for this her entire life, exhausted all her strength. Now she also had Di Yiqiu’s assistance.

Even if she lost, she could only blame herself for incompetence. No more resentment.

Xie Lingbi’s sword energy piled up heavily before her, one stronger than the last. This former sword dao master had reached his desperate end. Huang Rang’s body was cut with several wounds, but her clothing was bright red.

Redder than blood.

So when blood seeped out, it was like tears entering the sea, ultimately dissolving into nothing.

Xie Lingbi had already gone vicious, but she wouldn’t yield at all.

This match had changed flavor. One was determined to preserve his reputation and position, the other… wanted to win.

Unknown reason, but they wouldn’t compromise.

Everyone had already seen this, so they held their breath, afraid to miss a moment.

The golden sword forged by Di Yiqiu truly withstood the power of the heart sword.

This shattered Xie Lingbi’s hope of salvaging his dignity through his treasure. His sword techniques were sealed by Huang Rang, leaving him struggling left and right, gradually losing the sword immortal’s ethereal grace. The silence of those outside made him understand that to win, he could only break this barrier.

Only by breaking the barrier and recovering his cultivation could he possibly surpass Huang Rang.

But this would be far too ugly.

Xie Lingbi’s forehead was covered in fine sweat. His demonic cultivation couldn’t be revealed. And these years, he had gone too long without meeting a worthy opponent.

Now, a powerful enemy pressed closer step by step, and before this great crowd, he couldn’t flee.

Xie Lingbi’s sword momentum slowed slightly, but Huang Rang’s sword momentum grew faster and faster, and fiercer and fiercer.

The grievance of ten years’ imprisonment finally reached its moment of reckoning.

Huang Rang could no longer feel her own body. She seemed to have merged with her sword. Amid the chaotic, complicated sword light, only a soft sound was heard—Huang Rang’s sword pierced into Xie Lingbi’s chest!

She withdrew her sword. Xie Lingbi’s blood splattered everywhere.

He couldn’t stanch this blood, just as he couldn’t stanch his own decline!

“Huang Rang!” He roared furiously and finally broke the martial arts field’s barrier with one strike! Once the barrier broke, his cultivation immediately recovered! His eyes red, like a furious beast, he charged at Huang Rang, wanting to kill her dead under his palm!

At this moment, Di Yiqiu, Xie Hongchen, He Xijin, and others had already flown up!

Everyone didn’t know the origin of these two’s grievances, but all could see this was a death match!

Sure enough, before breaking the barrier, Xie Lingbi knew he would be obstructed. He suddenly roared violently, using all his cultivation, borrowing the barrier’s remaining force to block everyone for a moment. Then he flew at Huang Rang, vowing to kill this cheap slave!

He went mad, his long hair scattered, his face fierce, like an evil ghost.

Everyone only heard a bang. Xie Lingbi used all his force to strike down with one palm. Huang Rang’s chest caved in, and only after a long while did blood flow like a flood.

Just at this moment, Di Yiqiu and Xie Hongchen had arrived!

Xie Hongchen had just restrained the maddened Xie Lingbi when he suddenly heard a sound—a click, like the light sound of a mechanism turning.

The Super Class A combat puppet that had been standing quietly in the martial arts field suddenly raised its hand. Its weapon was a vajra staff!

At this moment, it thrust the staff straight into Xie Lingbi’s skull.

Xie Lingbi was completely unguarded.

Even Xie Hongchen at that time couldn’t react to the Super Class A puppet’s speed.

“Ah—” Xie Lingbi gave a miserable howl. Blood fell like red silk. Every struggle he made was torture.

The entire Yuhu Xuanzong immediately fell into chaos.

Huang Rang collapsed into Di Yiqiu’s embrace. Her chest bones were completely shattered, the blood and flesh on her clothes a blur. But she could still laugh. She tugged at the corner of Di Yiqiu’s bright red wedding clothes and said softly, “I adjusted the puppet in advance, knowing he would fly into a rage. I’m amazing, right?”

During the battle, she had still accurately turned the combat puppet’s bronze key. Knowing Xie Lingbi would break the barrier, she had calculated everything, using despicable means against vile methods.

Di Yiqiu gently stroked her head. On her head, that transparent tea needle gradually seeped water droplets.

It had begun to melt.

“Why do this?” Di Yiqiu’s voice trembled. “Ah Rang, is this what you sought your entire life? Cultivating the martial path you detest, not a moment’s rest, your entire life, just to scheme against this one person?”

Huang Rang could no longer breathe. Her body was like a broken bellows, yet she still smiled. “Yes.”

She struggled to raise her head and saw tears in the eyes of the person before her. Everywhere her gaze fell, inch by inch was love.

Huang Rang used all her strength to raise her hand and touch his face. His face was originally white as ice jade, but because he had just gathered power to save her, golden serpent patterns appeared again on his cheek. Huang Rang’s hand was covered in blood. Her touch stained half his face with blood.

Beautiful in its sadness and eeriness.

“Because at that time, I was cold for half my life and didn’t understand.” Each word dripped blood, yet each sentence contained a smile. “Di Yiqiu, you’re actually much more beautiful than hatred. It’s a pity I understood too late. Look, inside the dream and outside the dream, I always understand so late…”

“Not late…” Di Yiqiu lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers, saying softly, “We’ve already married, haven’t we?”

He wanted to press against her wound, but the blood flowed past his hand, gushing forth.