After Su You left, Xue Yu stood for quite a while under the eaves where raindrops were dripping down steadily. Shan Shu happened to push open the door at this moment, and after a light creaking sound, she said in a low voice: “A Yu, our identity tokens became invalid just now.”

After a long moment, Xue Yu withdrew her gaze and responded with a furrowed brow.

Inside the room, several people had gathered around a round table made by joining two rectangular tables. Some stood, some sat, each with their identity token placed in front of them. Without exception, all the characters on them had turned completely black, as if a hand in mid-air had simultaneously splashed a bottle of ink onto these six or seven identity tokens, playing a prank-like joke on them.

In this kind of weather, due to the dilemma they faced and the incomprehensible task, Ji Tingxi felt so stifled that sweat beaded on his forehead. He removed his cloak, hung it aside, steadied himself, and muttered to himself: “All black, what does this mean?”

Jiu Feng had completely lost the desire to speak.

Initially, the rule about not displaying identity tokens externally was because my identity was different. Though I am a ‘Demon Exterminator,’ the color and patterns on my identity token were different from yours. After guiding me to identify the demon woman’s secondary identity, this rule was broken.”

“We understand the next task. With Su You gone, everything now awaits what happens ten days from now.”

Xue Yu lowered her head, using a handkerchief to slowly wipe the winding water traces on the back of her hand. While speaking words to clear others’ confusion, her mind couldn’t help but occasionally recall Su You’s earlier laughing words: “Lady, wait for me.”

That tone, deliberate and burning, seemed to carry twelve parts of sincerity. Every word and sentence was difficult to resist, impossible to refuse.

Having lived two lifetimes totaling over a thousand years, Xue Yu felt for the first time that she might have truly inherited a bit of the Lord of Yedu’s romantic nature, harboring an obsession with beauty in her bones.

She pressed down hard on her knuckles and said: “The identity tokens turned black because this path has reached its end.”

Everyone’s spirits lifted, and they looked over in unison.

Yin Ling nodded: “To be honest, I have the same feeling. This task should not be dangerous. After all, the Fusang tree opens the Flying Cloud Peak to give young people a chance to climb to the top, not to deliberately kill Sacred Land successors.”

“No danger doesn’t mean what comes next will be easy.” Xue Yu continued: “Ten days from now, take the remaining letter and perform the Soul Seizing technique. The part that requires using our brains will be complete.”

She rarely spoke words without confidence, so when this statement fell, it brought sudden relaxed joy throughout the room.

To put it bluntly, each Sacred Land successor had their matters to attend to. Speaking seriously, they were all extremely busy with daily affairs. Except for Xue Yu, who often handled cases, people like Lu Qin, the Young Sect Master of Kunlun, were responsible for matters between disciples. As the saying goes, there’s specialization in every field. Having them unravel threads and follow spider-web-like clues aimlessly was making things difficult for them.

But in other aspects, such as those seven equally incomprehensible and extremely difficult to connect Soul Seizing array formations, they had only taken one day to completely understand and organize them all. What remained was diligent practice.

And for them, this was not a difficult matter.

Four days later, Jiu Feng, Shan Shu, Yin Ling, and Shen Jingshi gathered together to discuss details of the grand wedding five days hence.

Speaking of a grand wedding, the circumstances involved were hard to explain in words. Yin Ling spoke first, saying that someone of Xue Yu’s status, regardless of whether circumstances demanded it, was getting married for the first time after all. The ceremony should be grand, or it would seem neglectful.

A woman’s marriage was indeed a major life event.

Shan Shu, being more delicate in her thoughts, gently waved her round fan and said: “I think this is inappropriate. Everyone can see A Yu’s temperament. To complete the task quickly and for our sake, she says nothing with her mouth, but her heart may not be without thoughts. Originally planning just to go through the motions, if we make it truly grand, it will put both of them in an awkward position, adding embarrassment.”

“Eh, can’t you see it yet?” Yin Ling said with a smile, “These two are already a pair.”

Shan Shu truly hadn’t seen it.

She hesitated and paused for a while before saying: “Is this really the case? It doesn’t look much like it to me.”

“Think about it, Xue Yu is too lazy to speak, but she’s not someone who can’t speak when others manipulate her. If she truly didn’t want to, who could force her? Not to mention anything else, those two Holy Sons below definitely couldn’t beat her.” Jiu Feng pointed out sharply: “But now, she probably doesn’t quite understand her state. In matters like this, bystanders see clearly while those involved are confused.”

“Speaking of which, she asked me yesterday what it means to like someone.”

Hearing this, Shen Jingshi immediately perked up and said, “How did she ask? How did you respond?”

So for the next half hour, Shan Shu and Yin Ling discussed the wedding arrangements, while Jiu Feng and Shen Jingshi put their heads together, whispering to each other, analyzing everything from Su You’s personality to Xue Yu’s identity.

The more they talked, the more they felt the two were well-matched.

That night, Shen Jingshi pressed his palm against the ground and easily flipped over a wall, floating like a fallen leaf in the moonlight outside the residence. The threatened steward came out trembling from the back door, leading the way fearfully. Before long, they arrived at the Marquis of Dingjiang’s mansion.

Under flickering candlelight, fragrant smoke curled up from a small golden incense burner, winding through the air to form a white line that gathered without dispersing. Shen Jingshi briefly mentioned the situation at the mansion, then repeated the conversation between Xue Yu and Jiu Feng, laughing teasingly: “Didn’t expect your speed to be quite fast.”

“Thank you.”

Su You said nothing else, stood up to personally pour Shen Jingshi a cup of tea, and nodded: “If you need anything in the future, just ask.”

Shen Jingshi was a person difficult to see through. He was completely relaxed, whether wealthy or poor, living or dying. He seemed to have a good temper and could get along with anyone, but deep down, he was lonely, thus going with the flow and adapting to circumstances. The only person whose words he could truly listen to was Shan Shu.

“I have no use for Young Master Su You’s help, but people will always have difficulties in the future. If such a day truly comes, I hope Young Master will help Shan Shu a bit.” Despite his serious words, Shen Jingshi’s tone carried an inescapable teasing quality due to his casual nature.

What trouble could the Buddhist Woman of Northern Wasteland encounter?

Even if the dispute between her and the Buddhist Son ended in the future, at worst, she would be a Grand Elder, still holding real power. Throughout her entire life, she might never need to ask Yedu for help.

Perhaps seeing through Su You’s unspoken thoughts, Shen Jingshi patted his shoulder and said: “I’m just saying.”

Su You looked at him twice, set down his teacup, and said solemnly: “If you’re worried, watch over her yourself.”

Outside, the wind grew stronger, scraping against the window frame like someone crying out in a sharp, thin voice. Shen Jingshi looked at Su You’s face, shook his head with a smile, and said: “You should also know that Shan Shu initially asked Lu Qin for me to be by her side to save me and help her achieve perfect merit in cultivation.”

After saying this, he spread his palm open, looked at the marks on it, and said: “Now, it seems there are still a few final steps remaining.”

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, five days had arrived.

After a night of quiet cultivation, Xue Yu was awakened by persistent knocking before dawn. She rose and dispelled her barrier, but before she could ask anything, her vision was completely occupied by a golden, bright, and glittering scene.

Jiu Feng took the lead, holding a phoenix crown with a phoenix holding pearls, followed by Yin Ling, who was smiling and carrying jewelry boxes, and Shan Shu, who smiled embarrassedly. They set down what they were carrying, and immediately the entire room was brilliantly illuminated.

“Whether inside the task or outside it, this is at least a first marriage. Even if it’s just an act, it should be done properly.” When Yin Ling moved, the bells on her wrists and ankles all chimed together, clear and pleasant. She pointed behind her and introduced: “No one expected this twist beforehand, so none of us brought any ornaments. After rummaging through our storage rings, we finally managed to put together a complete set.”

“Get up quickly, let’s apply makeup.”

Having grown up, Xue Yu had never seen such a scene. She stood for a long while, then was pulled by Jiu Feng to sit before a large water mirror.

“No need to trouble yourselves.” After a moment of silence, she calmly reminded: “Tonight’s task doesn’t have much to do with the wedding.”

The focus was on the Soul Seizing Array.

“Whether it’s related or not is another matter. How can we be so casual about a Sacred Land successor’s wedding ceremony?”

It was clear that after more than ten days of stifling life, the three hadn’t encountered anything interesting in a long time. Now that they had caught an opportunity, they were particularly enthusiastic. Jiu Feng loved dressing up, so the makeup task fell to her, while Yin Ling and Shan Shu circled around Xue Yu’s flowing black hair.

“This is truly my first time doing this.” While examining the person in the mirror and looking at Xue Yu’s face, Jiu Feng said: “But you’re beautiful, so you can hold the scene even without powder and rouge.”

Four women who were usually served by others and held high positions gathered together. The entire process could only be described as bumbling and disastrous.

When the makeup and hair were finally finished, all three behind her sighed in relief simultaneously.

Next came the clothing.

The wedding dress was made from fine fabric that Shan Shu had found in her storage ring, taken to the city’s best embroidery shop to be rush-made. Golden threads strung bright pearls, and with just a bit of weak light, it shimmered brilliantly, filling the hall with radiance.

But there was one thing – it was extremely heavy.

After layering it on, Xue Yu couldn’t help but frown. As soon as she moved, Jiu Feng waved her hands repeatedly, saying: “Don’t move, don’t move, the phoenix crown will fall off.”

Xue Yu’s body stiffened.

The phoenix crown from Jiu Feng was a real phoenix crown, said to be a treasure her mother had spent enormous sums to create, given to Jiu Feng as a birthday gift. The phoenix pearls on it were real, the phoenix feathers were real too – calling it priceless wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

She opened her mouth with forbearance: “There’s still a task tonight. With this kind of dress, I’ll have difficulty taking action.”

“What are you afraid of? Let Su You block for you.” Jiu Feng concentrated on fastening her earrings, not even lifting her head as she said: “With such a beautiful lady delivered right to his eyes, if he lets even a speck of dust touch your face, it would be his fault.”

“…”

When she finally stood up, Yin Ling handed her a folding fan. The fan surface was also golden, and with a slight wave, it produced clusters of spirit clouds – another valuable spiritual treasure.

Xue Yu didn’t know how to feel inside.

She was truly not good at communicating with people. Even among Sacred Land successors, she would at most exchange pleasantries. Precisely because of this, their attitude of giving freely, even forcefully pressing things into her hands, carried a burning weight.

It seemed that in this moment, whether it was Shan Shu, Yin Ling, or Jiu Feng of the Demon Capital who was everywhere at odds with the Sacred Lands, they had all become true friends worthy of entrusting life and death to.

This word was actually as unfamiliar to her as “like.”

“Go quickly.” Jiu Feng circled Xue Yu several times, looking left and right, finally nodding with satisfaction: “The demon clan from Qiongzhou and the wedding procession from Marquis Dingjiang’s mansion are about to meet. As ‘Demon Exterminators,’ we should theoretically be unaware, so we won’t see you off.”

Xue Yu nodded and was about to step out when she saw Yin Ling take half a step forward. She leaned close to Xue Yu and said in a low voice: “Think about it – if the one marrying you today were Lu Qin or Ji Tingxi, even for the sake of completing the task, would you be willing?”

Xue Yu’s expression grew slightly stern, then she was stunned.

After that crimson slender figure disappeared from sight, Jiu Feng and Yin Ling looked at each other for a while. One shook her head, making the pearl hairpins on her head jingle, while the other sighed with a smile: “I have to say, usually hearing and seeing so much of Xue Yu’s decisive life-and-death methods, seeing her now – confused and bewildered about Su You, not understanding her state – is particularly —”

Jiu Feng continued, “— makes one want to tease her.”

The two exchanged a particularly knowing smile.

From noon to evening, Xue Yu sat in the narrow bridal sedan for over two full hours. Outside, gongs and drums sounded, creating a lively commotion. Due to the demon woman’s reputation, many citizens didn’t dare come out to watch the excitement, but unable to suppress their curiosity, they all hid in their homes, lifting windows to peek secretly. This scene became a strange sight in the imperial city.

The sky turned completely dark.

The bridal sedan stopped at Marquis Dingjiang’s mansion.

Su You dismounted from his tall horse, while Xue Yu was helped by female attendants from Qiong Island into the inner courtyard. When the two passed each other, both paused in their steps.

The sound of string and wind instruments continued until deep into the night.

Xue Yu sat upright on the bed, her mind occasionally turning over Jiu Feng’s words about “heart palpitations,” and at intervals, Yin Ling’s meaningful parting question, “Would you be willing?” Thinking and thinking, she suddenly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and lightly tapped the folding fan in her hand.

The emotional fluctuations of this period exceeded those of her past thousand years combined.

This was very uncomfortable to adapt to.

Treading through the deep night, Su You appeared at the doorway. He too wore deep red, his figure upright. When he leaned casually against the doorframe, every feature of his face carried a smile, both elegant and romantic.

He walked closer step by step, finally sitting on the edge of the bed. The two faced each other at close range, and for a brief moment, their breathing naturally intertwined.

Without the shyness of ordinary women, she was very beautiful. Her almond eyes lifted slightly, falling directly and searchingly on his face. Perhaps due to her makeup, the cold indifference had faded from her face, replaced by a rosy, sweet coloring that made it hard to look away.

“Still hasn’t appeared.” Xue Yu’s red-tinted lips moved slightly, her breath like orchids, her mind entirely focused on the task.

“Yes.” Su You responded without surprise, his voice particularly enchanting: “Shall we wait a bit longer?”

However, as time passed by a quarter hour, Xue Yu couldn’t contain herself and shifted her body. The large pearl held by the phoenix on her head began to sway accordingly. She looked at Su You and said softly: “Don’t sit so far from me, come closer.”

On a wedding night, with such a cold and respectful scene, how would the demon woman dare to appear?

These words sounded like a request, yet also like some kind of dissatisfied complaint.

Su You’s stiff knuckles hidden under his sleeves suddenly moved uncontrollably. His eyelids lifted slightly, creating a shallow crease. As he leaned closer, Xue Yu’s gaze kept wandering between his eye corners, nose tip, and lips.

“Lady.” His pupils were extremely dark, his voice a sigh-like tenderness: “…you keep looking at me.”

Xue Yu uttered an unclear syllable from her throat, a soft “mm,” not denying it.

He tilted his head, like a naturally born spiritual creature formed from heaven and earth’s essence, asking in an almost seductive low voice: “Am I good-looking?”

Good-looking.

The brilliant red color gave this face an ultimate opportunity to shine. Every detail was presented through meticulous carving, almost as flamboyant as the sword in his hand, sharp enough to wound from a distance.

The room was filled with steamy heat. He half stood, his palm braced on the bed surface, muscles and bones distinct, approaching Xue Yu with a gradually possessive yet restrained posture. This was an extremely ambiguous and dominant gesture, but when he lowered his eyes with a light laugh, it carried an astringent, pure innocence: “What should I do?”

He said word by word: “Your subject is a bit nervous.”

Xue Yu stared at the prominent veins on the back of his hand for a while, believed his claim of nervousness, and said: “Give me your hand.”

Su You couldn’t help but close his eyes.

Like this, he truly couldn’t restrain himself much longer.

The man’s fingers were well-proportioned, joints like jade and bamboo. Held in hand, they had a cool and flexible texture.

The candle flame “popped” and flickered. Su You looked at their intertwined hands, seeing her think this constituted intimacy, began to watch the movement outside with serious alertness.

He leaned close in an almost ear-nibbling intimate posture, his words wrapped in rose-like richness, heat diffusing, his voice innocent yet unclear, carrying a kind of gritted complaint: “You like looking at me so much — yet won’t say you like me.”

Time seemed to stop at this instant.

Su You withdrew, seeing that her previously concentrated gaze had scattered, replaced by an indescribable deep color.

Suddenly.

A green vine sprouted from where their fingertips intertwined, the thick end connected to her, the thin end to him, with a tiny, grain-sized flower blooming tremblingly in the middle.

Thousand Vine Connection.

Xue Yu’s entire body seemed to freeze. After a long moment, she reached out and very slowly rubbed the ear where he had leaned close to speak earlier.