“How could it be me?”
Yan Wushen muttered in a low voice. Then he seemed indifferent and walked out.
The Path of Cultivation he practiced was destined to have no desires and no emotions in his life. Whether to have a spouse or not, was never important to him. However, since it was a marriage bestowed by a Reverend, there must be a deeper meaning. Hence, he had to agree.
Moreover, he had a good impression of Pan Ruo.
The ones who were most shocked were Pan Ruo and Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen’s expression did not change, but his pupils contracted quickly, and his breathing stopped for a moment. But soon, everything returned to normal.
Pan Ruo’s performance was much more obvious than Zhang Ruochen’s. She suddenly raised her head and looked at the Shadow of Fukurokuju in disbelief.
There were too many cultivators who were shocked. Even some gods were surprised. No one noticed her obvious expression.
In the distance, Sword Saint Xuanji’s heart skipped a beat. His expression changed. “Oh no, why did Fukurokuju do this?”
Empress of Thousand Bones said, “What are you worried about?”
Pan Ruo and Zhang Ruochen were both sword Saint Xuanji’s disciples. He knew their personalities.
He said, “The hardest trial in the world is love. Your highness should know that Zhang Ruochen is a man of his word. No matter how hard it is, he will do everything he can to fulfill his promise.”
“That’s true,” Empress of Thousand Bones said.
Sword Saint Xuanji said, “In the past, when Zhang Ruochen proposed marriage to Huang Yanchen, he said his feelings for Huang Yanchen would not change in three lifetimes.
“Due to past events, the two of them are estranged. Their ties have broken, but the feelings within Zhang Ruochen remain.”
Empress of Thousand Bones said, “Are you worried that Zhang Ruochen will not be able to control himself and stop Fukurokuju from marrying him?”
“I don’t know what he will do, but he will definitely do something.”
Sword Saint Xuanji said, “I’m more worried about Pan Ruo. She’s more stubborn than Zhang Ruochen, and she’s more affectionate than Zhang Ruochen.”
Empress of Thousand Bones said, “In a sense, Fukurokuju wants to marry Zhang Ruochen. He wants to use the relationship of in-laws to keep Zhang Ruochen in Infernal Court and make his relationship with Infernal Court closer. Therefore, Zhang Ruochen must not refuse. Once he does, he will be criticized and criticized.”
“Pan Ruo has practiced the Door of Trueself, but she hasn’t become the Scioness of the Fane of Destiny. It is already very dangerous. In a sense, Fukurokuju wants to protect her. If she refuses, she will be ignorant of the situation and will only accelerate her death.”
“But she is not afraid of death at all,” Sword Saint Xuanji said.
Ordinary cultivators did not dare to talk about a marriage bestowed by a Reverend. A deity snorted, “The Fane of Destiny wants to form ties with the two geniuses of the Yuanhui level in advance!”
This deity came from the Fane of Darkness, but he only dared to say this in his own Divine Plane.
Pan Ruo represented the Fane of Destiny, and Luo Sha’s mother was the former Scioness of Destiny. The two girls were deeply involved with the Fane of Destiny, and by marrying them to Yan Wushen and Zhang Ruochen, the Fane of Destiny was indeed trying to win them over.
…
After a moment of hesitation, Pan Ruo’s expression returned to normal. She walked to Yan Wushen’s side.
Fukurokuju said, “I intend to bestow a marriage for the two of you. What say you?”
“I’ll accept it with all my heart.”
After Yan Wushen said that, he could not help but look at Pan Ruo. He was surprised to find that her expression was strange. Her exquisite face was as cold as an iceberg. She did not look happy at all. Instead, she was filled with resistance.
“Why does she show this kind of expression? Could it be that she wants to reject the marriage?”
When this thought appeared in his mind, Yan Wushen’s expression became grave and unsightly.
In his opinion, Pan Ruo was a very intelligent woman. She should not have made such a stupid decision. Moreover, what was so bad about him. Countless women from the infernal realm wanted to marry him, but they did not have the chance.
If Pan Ruo really refused, Yan Wushen and Fukurokuju would soon become the jokes of countless cultivators.
Perhaps the Infernal Court cultivators did not dare to laugh at the Reverend. But what about the cultivators from Celestial Court?
Pan Ruo’s action might not bother Yan Wushen. That did not mean it wouldn’t offend the entire Yanluo Clan.
Seeing that Pan Ruo did not answer for a long time, the atmosphere gradually became tense. Not only the cultivators in Tungsten Square were shocked, but the deities in the Fane of Destiny also showed stern faces.
Black Robe High Priest, whose cultivation realm was high, was so scared that his face turned pale. He spoke to Pan Ruo telepathically, “It’s an honor to have a Reverend bestow you a marriage. Why don’t you bow and thank him immediately?”
Pan Ruo was not moved.
The surrounding atmosphere became tenser. All the voices disappeared as everyone fell silent.
Fukurokuju seemed to be very patient. He did not urge her but just waited quietly.
Lady Wind smiled and waited quietly for Pan Ruo’s suicidal act.
Luo Sha could not help but look at Pan Ruo. She could not understand why Pan Ruo was so resistant to the marriage arranged by the Reverend.
‘Was she unhappy because she failed to become the Scioness of Destiny?
‘It shouldn’t be!
‘Pan Ruo shouldn’t be such a short-sighted woman.’
Zhang Ruochen did not look at Pan Ruo, but he had an inexplicable feeling. It was as if Pan Ruo was waiting for him to express his stance or for him to protect her.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen let out a long breath.
The surrounding was too quiet that even the sound of exhaling was particularly clear, so he attracted the attention of many cultivators.
“It is a great honor to have a Reverend bestowed a marriage. I will protect Luo Sha for the rest of my life. I will never let her down.”
Zhang Ruochen raised his voice and said this. Then, under the gaze of many pairs of eyes, he spread his arms and hugged Luo Sha.
Zhang Ruochen kissed her fair forehead.
Luo Shengtian’s eyes were as wide as copper bells. He gnashed his teeth. He felt that Zhang Ruochen was out of line. ‘How dare this b*stard take advantage of my sis in front of so many cultivators.’
Luo Sha was at a loss at first. Soon, the corners of her lips curled into a smile. She lowered her head. Apparently, she was elated.
Anyone who was smart could see that Zhang Ruochen was breaking the oppressive atmosphere. He was also reminding Pan Ruo not to go against Fukurokuju’s decision.
After all, her response concerned the face of Fukurokuju, the Fane of Destiny, Yanluo Clan, and even Infernal Court.
Pan Ruo understood Zhang Ruochen’s intentions. She felt disheartened. The coldness in her eyes finally melted. “Thank you for bestowing the marriage. I’m grateful eternally.”
She knelt, pressing her nose against the ground. No one could see her expression at this moment.
The projection of Fukurokuju finally disappeared.
Black Robe High Priest threw a grateful look at Zhang Ruochen. Then, he made a few announcements about the Celestial-Hunting battle before wrapping things up.
When everything was over, the cultivators who participated in the Celestial-Hunting Banquet left Mount Destiny one after another.
Zhang Ruochen led Intergold Tiger, Xue Ningxiao, Xue Tu, Xue Chen, and other cultivators of the Bloodysky Clan, as well as Lian Xi, Gaunt, Zhou Zhen, and Shentu Yunkong, out of Tungsten Square and into Sevenstar Imperial Palace.
He turned around and saw that Pan Ruo was still kneeling at the square.
Beside her stood Yan Wushen.
Xue Tu said resentfully, “What’s wrong with this Pan Ruo? She had the audacity to show reluctance when accepting a marriage a deity bestowed.
“If a deity bestows me a marriage, I can do whatever I want at Infernal Court!” Supreme Saint Yi Xuan said enviously.
Gu Chenzi’s expression was solemn. “Luckily, she agreed. Otherwise, it would have caused a huge uproar.”
Xue Tu chuckled. “She should thank my senior. If he had not been kind enough to hit her at the critical moment, she would have lost her life because of her stubbornness.”
“Shut up,” Zhang Ruochen said coldly.
Xue Tu immediately felt a chill. He could not help but shiver. He did not dare to say anything else.
The eighteen Six-Tribulation Ghost Lords carried the Sevenstar Imperial Palace and headed straight to the Immortal Vampires’ territory.
In the Bingsi District of Winterpage City, tens of thousands of cultivators from the Bloodysky Clan had gathered. When they saw the Sevenstar Imperial Palace, Supreme Saint Yi Xuan, and the rest, they immediately let out deafening shouts and greeted them with joy.
In one of the manors in the city district, a banquet had already been prepared.
The important figures of the Bloodysky Clan walked out of the banquet venue one after another. They came to the main entrance and personally welcomed the triumphant return of Supreme Saint Yi Xuan, Gu Chenzi, and the others.
Top elites of powerful forces of Bloodysky Clan, including the three major progenitor families, the forces of the six seas, and the forces of twelve cities from the seven mountains, were present. Each force’s representative brought along the most beautiful woman in their respective faction. It was obvious that they were trying to rope in and befriend Zhang Ruochen.
The strength of each force was at least comparable to the top 4,000 Macroworlds of Celestial Court.
For example, “Southern Ridge” was one of the seven mountains.The Xia clan where Lord Xia Yu lived had 340 billion clansmen, and they used to have a deity overseeing them. However, the status of the Xia clan was only equal to one of the forces under the “Southern Ridge.”
The envoy of the Fane of Immortality, Lord Huoyuan, repeatedly looked in the crowd and asked, “Where is Zhang Ruochen?”
Zhang Ruochen was the main character of tonight’s banquet. All the major forces wanted to make friends with him, and they all wanted to marry their most beautiful descendant, whose cultivation was at Saint Realm, to Zhang Ruochen.
After all, the news that Wargod Bloodximius was interested to form marriage alliances with many powerful forces was spread.
Lord Xue Chen went up and bowed to Lord Huoyuan. He said, “Ruochen is injured and can’t attend the banquet. He has returned to Vastsea Manor to rest.”
Hearing this, Lord Huoyuan and cultivators from all the forces were stunned.
…
Vastsea Manor had been modified by Zhou Zhen, who was a High-Saint Array Master. The scenery was beautiful; the birds sang; the flowers were fragrant, and the lake was green. It was no different from the places for cultivation in Kunlun.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen was sitting by the lake, staring at the reflection in the lake.
Outside the manor, it was noisy. The lights were so bright, but he was not moved at all. He was completely immersed in his own inner world.
Intergold Tiger could sense what Zhang Ruochen was thinking, “Like you,” he said. “Your inner demon will become stronger. One day, it’ll devour you. Do whatever you want. The more you go against your heart, the more trouble you’ll face in the future. The path to godhood will be extremely difficult.”
Zhang Ruochen did not say anything.
Just like that, he sat by the lake all night. No one dared to disturb him.
The next day, Supreme Saint Yi Xuan, Lord Xue Chen, Xue Tu… all the cultivators who had participated in the Celestial-Hunting battle came to visit, but they were all blocked by Zhou Zhen.
On the third day, the leaders of the six seas, seven mountains, and twelve cities had come to visit with their beautiful successors, but they could only go back with disappointment.
On the fourth day, Lord Bladehell and Lady Wind came to invite Zhang Ruochen to attend the celebration feast hosted by the Fane of Immortality. Zhang Ruochen refused to attend.
…
Ten days passed, and countless forces were turned away. None of them saw Zhang Ruochen.
The reason he gave was still to seclude himself to heal his injuries.
During this time, Blood Empress came and asked Zhang Ruochen why he turned down all invitations. Zhang Ruochen gave an excuse that he did not like such a lively scene.
Blood Empress told Zhang Ruochen that since the deity had granted him a marriage, he had to go and propose marriage as soon as possible. At the very least, he had to completely settle the marriage in the Divine Domain of Destiny to show that he attached importance to this matter.
He did not need to personally prepare for the marriage proposal and engagement. The cultivators of the Xue Jue Family and Devala would discuss and take care of it.
However, Zhang Ruochen had to participate on the day of the engagement.
The date of the engagement had already been announced to the public. It was set to be held in five days, and it would be held in Fortune Palace. Yan Wushen and Pan Ruo were also engaged on this day.
…
Jianyin District, in a magnificent palace.
Yan Wushen stood alone in the center of the palace. His figure was outstanding, and he was imposing and calm. Streams of Yama Qi that intersected with light and darkness emanated from his body.
Crack!
Suddenly, the space above his head cracked, and a three-meter-wide hole appeared. It was as if the space-time door had been opened.
An ancient and shocking divine might was emitted from the hole.
Respect appeared in Yan Wushen’s arrogant eyes. He bowed and said, “Master, I’ve lost the Celestial-Hunting battle!”
“It’s not your fault. Didn’t Yan Huangtu lose as well?”
“Your opponent is this Yuanhui’s most outstanding prodigy. The Saintwill he cultivates is even stronger than that of Wargod Bloodximius and Huang Tian.
“It’s reasonable for you to lose to him.” The black hole spun. It was like a whirlpool.
Yan Wushen said, “But I refuse to admit defeat like this.”
“So, is this why you want to see me?” A majestic voice sounded.
Yan Wushen said, “Even if Zhang Ruochen walks the path of first-class Saintwill, I’m confident that I’ll fight him to the end.
“However, he’s the Master of Time and Space. His practice speed is fast. My cultivation progress is far behind him now.
“I have to catch up with him or even surpass him.”
The existence in the black hole was silent for a long time. He said, “To narrow the gap of strength, your answer lies in the third dark star.
“Why don’t you visit there? Not only does it have a shocking time difference, but it also has a great opportunity.
“If you can walk out of it alive, your cultivation will definitely surpass Zhang Ruochen’s.”
“I’ll go to the third dark star now.”
Although Yan Wushen had lost a lot of his life and knew that the interior of the dark star was extremely dangerous, he did not show any fear.
In this era, he did not want to be inferior to anyone.
Zhang Ruochen’s existence might be his motivation to force himself to become stronger. He could be an enemy for life.
The voice from the black hole rang out, “I can send you to the third dark star, and I believe you can come back alive.
“But have you really made a decision on the practice of the Saintwill?
“You must know that since ancient times, no cultivator has ever been able to practice a first-class Saintwill.
“At least not in the records of all the classics.”
There was no hesitation in Yan Wushen’s eyes. He said, “Zhang Ruochen practiced the Yin Yang Five-Element Saintwill, and he is walking the path of cultivating a first-class Saintwill. My Six Paths of Reincarnation Saintwill is also on the path to become a first-class Saintwill. If he dares to take the path, why shouldn’t I?”
A voice came from the black hole. “Do you really know what ‘The Six Paths of Reincarnation’ means? If you haven’t experienced it, you’ll never be able to understand it. If you can’t, you’ll never be able to practice it successfully.”
