Meeting again—the person remained, but the feelings had long since become entirely different.
By now, the events of the past had long since faded away—there was no longer any question of grievances or entanglements. That had been nothing more than a brief interlude from long ago. Ye Fan expressed his thanks and invited her inside.
Feng Huang had already removed her five-colored mask, revealing a face of transcendent, incomparable beauty. She let out a quiet sigh to herself and walked into the grand hall.
After so many years had passed, what she could only reflect on was this: how immeasurably difficult it was to become a quasi-emperor or to attain the Dao—in all one’s years, it was nearly impossible to see even a single person manage it.
This world was too vast and boundless. Extraordinary individuals arose in every generation—but for someone to truly attain the Dao, barring some extraordinary circumstance or the mysterious events of the mythological era, only one person could ever succeed.
The bold declarations of youth—viewed from the present, they could only be regarded as aspirations too grandiose ever to be realized, all but impossible to fulfill. But such was life. Many things in the years of youth were imagined so beautifully—yet when the day truly arrived, it was always a different scene entirely. Life continually cut things short for us, delivering its disappointments.
This was the truth of life. No matter how beautiful the dream, it could not be made real. In the end, one had to face what was.
“Congratulations, Sister Ziyue, heehee…” Huo Lin’er had also arrived. Her long water-blue hair was particularly striking, her figure tall and graceful, radiant and luminous—she could be called peerlessly beautiful in bearing.
On this day, every manner of figure had arrived—all come to attend this grand and magnificent wedding, giving one the illusion that the great gathering of all clans across the world was taking place here. Every conceivable race was represented.
The ancient clans were moved most deeply of all. In the days when Ye Fan had been in the Northern Dipper Starfield, it was not far from the truth to say he had been hunted by the sacred beings on all sides with nowhere to flee—no path to heaven, no way into the earth. He had been left with no choice but to go far away to the outer regions, where he remained for over a hundred years. When he returned, everything had been rewritten. He had already reached the point where he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the first ancient patriarchs of every clan—as equals. No one dared pursue or capture him any longer.
And now, he had become a figure of tremendous influence and weight in the Northern Dipper Starfield—there were few who dared provoke him.
What mattered most of all was that people saw in him a glimpse of the future, brilliant and glorious beyond measure. The full completion of the Holy Body was an inevitability, and when that day came, he would be capable of challenging a Great Emperor!
In this world, while others still struggled and fought for a single path, Ye Fan already possessed a rare and unparalleled advantage—one that set him apart from all others. Regardless of who ultimately attained the Dao, when his cultivation was refined to its absolute peak, he would have the strength to contend with them. And this was the fundamental reason why the Celestial Court’s Emperor Lord valued him so highly and personally wrote to draw him in.
The banquet tables were set in numbers beyond counting. The sacred beings alone could not all be present—there were simply too many great figures in attendance. From the Northern Dipper to the outer regions, the number of clans was impossible to enumerate, and powerful cultivators stood like a forest.
The Ji Family estate was filled with jubilation, brimming with festive joy. Firecrackers burst and bloomed, all manner of divine music struck up, and young women graceful as fairies gliding over waves soared through the air. Auspicious birds—azure phoenixes, lightning phoenix birds—danced and wheeled overhead; white mist curled and drifted; and swaths of palace buildings floated suspended high in the sky, as if one had arrived in the celestial realm.
The atmosphere here was jubilant, warm, and harmonious—peaceful and serene. Cup after cup of wine was raised and drained, keeping the entire wedding feast at a constant fever-pitch of celebration.
Children ran to and fro, treating the occasion as the most festive holiday imaginable. Xiao Nannan was lively and spirited, leaping and making merry with children of the same age, weaving through the crowd. Across her rosy little cheeks was written nothing but pure, beaming happiness.
Her every movement and gesture was being watched by a great many people, for she was far too extraordinary—the mere sight of her had terrified an Emperor’s Child into a frenzy of wailing sobs, and what had manifested behind her back—those ascending immortals—was truly shocking beyond all telling.
Indeed, a portion of those present had thoughts of spiriting Xiao Nannan away for a thorough investigation, to discover exactly what her origins were. Of course, these were thoughts alone—who would dare use force in the Ji Family’s estate? And besides, even the Emperor’s Child had been frightened into that state, so no one was willing to risk their life on such a venture.
“Little Chengdao, once you attain the Dao, you can call me big brother. I’ll teach you supreme divine arts and guarantee you’ll be undefeatable across all under heaven—naturally, aside from me!” The Divine Child was bragging, spinning a string of tall tales to little Chengdao.
In truth, the Divine Child looked far younger than Chengdao. The child was already six years old, quite vigorous and spirited, with a bold and striking bearing—quite unlike the little one who was still round and plump all over.
Ji Chengdao pursed his lips and completely ignored the little chubby one.
“Hey, didn’t you see me beat up that grandson of the Xian Ling Ancient Emperor? Don’t you believe in my strength?” The Divine Child was dissatisfied.
Nearby, the crowd broke into cold sweats. How could those words carry such enormous ambiguity? If they truly reached Xian Ling’s ears, it would likely enrage the ancient supreme sovereign’s descendants into charging over in fury.
“Ahem!”
The Black Emperor coughed, stood upright on its hind legs—truly a dog affecting a human manner—clasped its forelegs behind its back, and sauntered over with a slow and deliberate air, doing its utmost to project a benevolent expression as it broke into a toothy grin.
Nearby, several small children from the Ji Family immediately burst into tears of fright, wailing as they ran off.
“The big black wolf is here—it’s going to eat people!”
“The most wicked big evil wolf!”
The Black Emperor was mortified. Who was the one teaching children such things? How could they slander it so? It was furious beyond measure.
“Little Chengdao…” The big black dog smiled—it really did resemble a big bad wolf wearing a friendly disguise. It considered itself to be exuding absolute benevolence, yet the moment it bared a mouthful of gleaming white teeth, the surrounding sacred beings all felt their skin crawl.
“Uncle Big Black Wolf, is something the matter?” Ji Chengdao blinked his large, clear eyes and looked at him with puzzlement.
“Who taught him that?” The big black dog seethed. To be classified as a wolf was outrageous—though, in fairness, it really did resemble one.
“Big bad wolf grandmother, what are you looking for Little Chengdao for? Want to bully him? You’ll have to go through me first—he’s my little brother,” the Divine Child called out.
“Annoying little brat, go play somewhere else.” The Black Emperor swatted it aside and turned to Ji Chengdao with a beaming smile. “I see your bones and constitution are extraordinary—it seems as though a supremely divine and sacred blood flows within you. Why not let me guide your cultivation for a few years? I’ll take you on as a nominal disciple.”
A troubled expression appeared on Ji Chengdao’s small face. He looked left and right without giving an answer.
“What is it? Still hesitating?” the Black Emperor asked.
“When my father was in the outer regions, he told me to guard against Duan De and guard against the big black wolf,” the little one answered honestly.
“For crying out loud!” The big black dog grew even more indignant, and then, with an air of upright and dignified seriousness, declared: “Follow me and I guarantee you won’t go wrong!”
Just then, a shocking killing intent surged forward. Not far away, Ji Haoyue appeared, face dark as thunder, eyes gleaming with murderous intent, staring the big black dog down.
The Black Emperor dry-coughed. “I say—Holy Body of the Ji Family—I’m not trying to abduct your child. I’m speaking with complete sincerity when I say I wish to guide his cultivation for a few days.”
“Absolutely not!” Ji Haoyue refused—decisively and without hesitation. He wouldn’t feel at ease regardless of who it was. The Divine Child was barely the size of a thumb, and having it guide someone for a few days had produced the results it did. To hand Little Chengdao over to it—that would be asking for disaster.
“The children I’ve mentored are adorable and lively, each with their own personality. Isn’t that right, Little Divine Child?” The Black Emperor turned to the little chubby one standing beside it.
The Divine Child immediately stuck out its little bottom and turned its back, offering nothing but the back of its head in response—utterly ignoring it.
“Every child I’ve guided has been a genius. Even that little divine child was made to shine brilliantly, and there was also Hua Hua before that—these are ironclad proof of my ability,” the big black dog declared shamelessly.
“Who’s calling me?” Hua Hua came running over and, upon learning the truth of the situation, said, “Elder Ji, please rest easy. If you’re uncertain, just hand Little Chengdao over to me—I’ll guarantee he’ll be undefeatable in the future.”
Smack!
Ji Haoyue gave him a light rap on his smooth, gleaming head. “Go cool off somewhere else.” He was reluctant to lay hands on the Black Emperor, but with a junior there were no such reservations.
Hua Hua felt deeply aggrieved and indignant. He walked off to one side, grumbling, “What did I do to deserve this? Why does everyone love smacking me on the head? One of these days I’ll leave the cultivation world behind!”
Long Ma’s group finally appeared in time—also arriving to attend the wedding—though Ji Haoyue remained vigilant against them as always, face dark as he stood guard, refusing to let them anywhere near Little Chengdao.
“Bow first to heaven and earth, then to the honored elders, and now the husband and wife bow to each other…”
Within the Ji Family estate, the auspicious announcements rang out at the highest pitch—the final moment had come, filled with the sound of joyous laughter.
“Sister Ziyue, you’ll have to keep your man under control,” Huo Lin’er teased in a soft, privately transmitted voice.
On the other side, many familiar faces were raising their cups—Zhang Wenchang, Liu Yiyi, the Sacred Lady of Yao Pond, Jiang Yifei, and others had all come, each stepping forward to offer their blessings.
Candlelight flickered and danced. Ye Fan entered the bridal chamber. It was a brilliant, starlit night; the room was filled with warmth. A graceful, captivating young woman sat within, draped in a red veil.
To lift the red veil was to pledge a lifetime together. Ye Fan stepped forward and gently raised it, revealing a face of extraordinary, world-eclipsing beauty. In the candlelight, her long lashes trembled softly; her large eyes were full of lively expression. With a faint smile, her little dimples appeared, and her bright, distinctive little canine teeth gleamed—quite unlike anything else in the world.
A woman is at her most beautiful in this very moment—one of the most stirring instants of a lifetime.
Ji Ziyue, possessing a spirited and lively nature, rose to her feet. Her skirts swayed; her slender waist was graceful and full; her lovely figure was entirely revealed. She walked of her own accord to the table. “I’ve been smelling the food for a while now,” she said. “Just sitting there was truly dull.”
The luminous fairness of her cheeks glimmered with a translucent luster; her dark hair fell softly. She was not the least bit nervous—lively and cheerful, she poured a cup of wine for Ye Fan as well, her smile bright and radiant.
“Ziyue, it grows late.”
“Mmm, I know. I’m hungry—I want to eat.”
“You mustn’t drink too much wine.”
“It’s only one small jar. Back in the day I drank five jars—and then my skills were peerlessly mighty, and I went and suppressed my own brother right on the spot.” She was telling a charming and amusing little boast, possessing a singular and captivating air.
“If you drank ten jars, you could certainly suppress me,” she said with a giggling smile.
At last, the night deepened. Ye Fan said, “It’s time to rest.”
“I haven’t had enough to drink yet,” Ji Ziyue said, stretching her slender waist with a small, wine-tinged hiccup, her cheeks flushed rosy and warm—like a ripened fruit.
That night was tender and radiant, impossible to forget. No matter how many years passed, no matter when it might be, Ye Fan could never put it out of his heart—it was carved there forever, becoming the most precious memory he possessed.
Boom!
Heaven and earth shattered. A sound that trembled the very soul rang out, and the entire Southern Region convulsed. More than half of the Eastern Desolation was thrown into turmoil. Brilliant light surged to the heavens, shaking the world.
Throughout the entire Northern Dipper, mighty winds and towering clouds surged. Every cultivator was struck with astonishment!
“The immortal path has collapsed—the road to immortality is about to open!”
“The immortal domain is about to be pierced through—the two realms connected. Becoming an immortal in this lifetime is no longer a dream—it is about to become reality. Someone is about to take that step!”
“The immortal gate has exploded open—truly connected to the immortal domain—and immortal beings are falling out from within!”
The entire world was shaken to its core. The sacred beings of ten thousand clans cried out in shock.
At the same time, all seven great Life Forbidden Zones erupted with radiance that tore through heaven and earth, piercing through the nine heavens and ten earths, shaking the mortal realm to its foundations. Within the Life Forbidden Zones, the ancient supreme sovereigns had all awakened!