On this day, the Yunlan Sect was a sea of joy, adorned with vibrant red, like lanterns decorating the massive mountain. The wedding of the sect leader Yun Yun was of utmost importance to the entire Yunlan Sect, and the man she was to marry, Gu He, was also highly esteemed within the sect. Thus, today’s wedding would undoubtedly be the most lively day in years for the Yunlan Sect. Under such jubilation, many people involuntarily forgot about the external storms. To some, the Yunlan Sect’s current strength in the Jia Ma Empire meant that even if the imperial forces united, they posed little threat. This confidence stemmed from their possession of the only Battle Sect in the Jia Ma Empire, Yunshan!
The joyous sounds filled the air from the early morning, and as the sun rose, the festive atmosphere grew more intense.
In one of the large halls of the Yunlan Sect, only two individuals were seated. Both commanded great respect within the sect. At the head sat Yunshan, while the groom, Gu He, was seated just below him.
“Ha ha, after today, you’ll be part of our Yunlan Sect. If I’m no longer around, I’m confident that the future of the Yunlan Sect will rest on your shoulders,” Yunshan said with a smile, listening to the cheerful sounds outside.
Hearing this, Gu He hurriedly waved his hand and replied, “Sect leader, you are already a Battle Sect and at the peak of your power. Why speak of such ill-fated words?”
Yunshan chuckled, lightly tapping his dry fingers on the table, and glanced outside. “If my guesses are correct, Xiao Yan and his companions will come to disrupt the Yunlan Sect today… That young man has always lusted after Yun Yun. In the past, Yun Yun, misled by his smooth talk, made some rash decisions. Now, hearing of this marriage, he will surely come out of rage and indignation to cause trouble.”
Gu He’s eyes flickered slightly, and then he said in a low voice, “I will not let anyone disrupt my wedding with Yun Yun…”
“Ha ha, with your reputation as the Dan Wang Gu He in the Jia Ma Empire, it would indeed be a great humiliation if your wedding were disrupted,” Yunshan laughed, his tone clearly encouraging.
“Sect leader, if the wedding goes smoothly today, please release the seal on Yun Yun and allow me to take her out for a bit. When she understands, she will see the sect leader’s intentions,” Gu He smiled and abruptly changed the subject.
Yunshan stroked his beard and nodded, saying, “Of course, that girl is someone I’ve raised myself. Keeping her sealed is not something I enjoy.”
Although he didn’t know how much sincerity lay in Yunshan’s words, Gu He still nodded and thanked him with a bow.
“Rest assured about today’s wedding. I have made proper arrangements. If that brat Xiao Yan dares to show up, I will use his life to add to the joy of your wedding!” Yunshan smiled.
“Thank you for your efforts. With many things to attend to today, I shall not linger…” Gu He thanked him again and slowly exited the hall after seeing Yunshan nod.
Watching Gu He leave, Yunshan’s smile gradually faded, and his old eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing through them.
“Heh heh, I never thought you would be willing to marry off Yun Yun to win over Gu He…” Soon after Gu He left, the main gates of the hall slammed shut without warning, and a strange black mist seeped out from the darkness, a peculiar laugh echoing from within.
“Gu He is well-regarded in the Jia Ma Empire. This time, let him go and fight Xiao Yan. Once they both suffer, we can reap the benefits…” Yunshan sneered.
“That’s fine, but don’t kill Gu He. His soul force is quite strong; he must be another excellent spirit body, heh heh…” Yunshan frowned, considering Gu He’s status as a sixth-grade alchemist, which was very beneficial to the Yunlan Sect.
“Huh, what’s wrong? You’re not happy? Yunshan, the Soul Temple allowed you to reach Battle Sect from the brink of death. We can easily strip you of everything. Everything you have is a gift from the Soul Temple. If they ever decide to take it all back… heh heh…” The black mist seemed to sense Yunshan’s displeasure, and a sinister laugh echoed from within.
Hearing this, Yunshan’s face changed slightly, and he chuckled dryly, “Guard Wugu, those words… The Soul Temple has bestowed great kindness upon me, and I won’t forget it. If the Soul Temple is interested in Gu He, then once this is done, I will deliver his soul to you.”
“You recognize the situation, Sect Leader Yunshan. It hasn’t been in vain that the Soul Temple has nurtured you. Today, your Yunlan Sect will face significant trouble. Be careful, or you might end up capsizing in the sewer…” The black mist spat out a chilling laugh.
“Thank you for the reminder, Guard Wugu. I will make sure to prepare thoroughly,” Yunshan replied with a smile.
“Very well, then. Today, this guard will watch a good show. Don’t disappoint me…” The black mist undulated, growing increasingly vague, and soon dispersed completely.
As Yunshan watched the black mist dissipate, his face twitched, and a flash of ferocity passed through his eyes before quickly fading.
… As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the joyful atmosphere of Yunlan Mountain reached its peak. Endless cheers and shouts reverberated, reaching the heavens.
The vast square was now a sea of red, with Yunlan Sect disciples, dressed in red robes, like a wave of crimson, filling the view. At the center of the square stood a large and grand dais, atop which Yunshan sat with a smile. Around him, guests chatted merrily. Given Gu He’s prominence, news of his imminent wedding naturally attracted many notable figures.
At the foot of the dais, Gu He, decked in resplendent red, exchanged greetings and thanks with the steady stream of well-wishers.
“The bride has arrived!” When the sun reached its zenith, a clear, crisp voice rang out, breaking the cacophony in the square. Voices hushed, and all eyes turned toward the sound. They saw a woman in a red bridal gown, her face obscured by a red veil, being escorted by a group of beautiful handmaidens, like a star amidst the moon, slowly approaching the dais.
Seeing the other main character of the day, the laughter in the square grew louder, and countless guests congratulated Gu He, envying him for his good fortune.
But amid the congratulations, no one noticed the slight stiffness in the bride’s steps, as if she were a puppet.
Gu He smiled, thanking the guests individually, then quickly approached the bride. But he couldn’t discern her expression behind the red veil.
Taking the red ribbon from a maidservant, the newlyweds began their slow procession to the dais under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
“Heh heh, today, my beloved disciple is getting married, and all of you have traveled far to join us. On behalf of the Yunlan Sect, I thank you all!” Yunshan beamed, looking down at the radiant couple, then raised his voice to the bustling square.
At Yunshan’s words, the square erupted in a wave of congratulations.
“Yun Yun is our next sect leader, and her status is high. But Gu He’s standing matches hers, making them a perfect match,” Yunshan added with a smile.
Below the dais, Gu He smiled and returned the felicitations, occasionally glancing at the silent bride beside him, his smile dimming slightly, and a shadow passing over his eyes.
“Today, I will declare before all the great warriors of the Jia Ma Empire that I am marrying my dear disciple Yun Yun to Gu He!” Yunshan cast a glance at Gu He, whose face had paled slightly, and smiled.
Amidst Yunshan’s laughter, the square buzzed with renewed excitement, and congratulations poured towards the happy couple.
Yunshan looked up at the sky, waved his hand, and boomed, “The auspicious hour has arrived! Let the wedding begin!”
At this moment, the festive atmosphere of the Yunlan Sect reached its pinnacle!
Suddenly, a sharp whooshing sound tore through the celebratory air, and a black shadow streaked across the sky, shooting towards the dais.
The sudden noise immediately drew all eyes. Amid the startled crowd, Yunshan’s face darkened, and he teleported to the dais. With a flick of his sleeve, a powerful gust of wind exploded, slamming into the black shadow.
“Clank!”
The metallic clash resounded, and the black shadow, repelled by Yunshan, spiraled in the air before crashing into the hard ground. Onlookers quickly realized it was a large, heavy black ruler.
“Heh heh, Sect Leader Yunshan, why the rush? Whether today’s event ends in joy or sorrow is still to be determined!” The ruler clattered to the ground, and a clear, young voice echoed through the sky.
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