“Exactly! These two girls are like budding flowers, their beauty unparalleled in the world. Shi Hao, you mustn’t let them down—this wedding must be grand!” Shi Lin Hu declared with an air of finality.
“No problem, we’ll help too!” The Nine-Headed Lion, the Fire Crow, and others, always eager for chaos, suppressed their laughter and joined in the clamor.
Shi Fei Jiao nodded. “These young men are clearly extraordinary, destined to soar like dragons. Let them act as the brides’ family and make this a splendid affair!”
The village erupted in excitement at the news of Shi Hao’s impending marriage. From Da Zhuang and Er Meng to Qing Feng, and even the uncles and aunts—everyone was buzzing with ideas, planning the celebration. The children ran around, giggling and making mischief, adding to the lively atmosphere.
“Tonight’s the wedding night! Once this rascal takes a wife, he better not leave the village until he’s fathered a few children!”
“Right! He’s always disappearing for a year or two—this time, we won’t let him go until he’s left some descendants!”
Amid the uproar, Shi Hao struggled to keep a straight face, barely suppressing his laughter. Yun Xi and Huo Ling’er, meanwhile, were mortified. They had only come to visit Stone Village—how had it escalated to childbirth plans?!
They tried to explain, but how could they? The villagers had seen Shi Hao carrying them back—exactly like the village’s traditional bridal custom. Blushing furiously, they pinched Shi Hao’s waist, urging him to clarify, but the little rascal stayed silent, secretly amused.
“Don’t be shy, girls! I’ve been through it all—I’ll teach you everything later,” Er Meng’s mother reassured them kindly.
Yun Xi and Huo Ling’er were both flustered and indignant. Even if they were to marry, it couldn’t be this rushed!
“Pah! Pah!” They quickly dismissed the thought, cheeks burning.
“Auntie, you’ve misunderstood!” they protested, faces crimson.
“Uncles, it’s not what you think!”
The crowd quieted, but their enthusiasm didn’t wane.
Da Zhuang’s mother broke the silence. “We know you’re shy, but don’t worry—no one will laugh. Just relax!”
“Right, just relax!” The villagers continued eagerly, debating the feast and wedding pranks.
The two girls, thoroughly panicked, pummeled Shi Hao before fleeing, their robes fluttering gracefully—a sight the villagers found enchanting.
“Shi Hao, go after them! They’re just shy,” an old woman urged.
Shi Hao coughed. “Uncles, aunts, Elder Chief—don’t worry. I can handle this. Today isn’t the right time. We’ve already agreed to wait another year—there are things we must settle outside the village first. I just wanted you to meet them. Are you satisfied?”
“What’s more important than an early wedding?” The villagers grumbled but eventually relented.
As the crowd dispersed to prepare a feast for the girls and the Nine-Headed Lion’s group, Yun Xi and Huo Ling’er remained mortified. Never had they been so humiliated! That wretched Shi Hao had deliberately stayed silent!
Their faces still burned as they returned, glaring at Shi Hao, who merely laughed and led them on a tour of Stone Village.
Everyone—Yun Xi, Huo Ling’er, and even the Nine-Headed Lion—was astonished by the village’s wonders. Dozens of spirit herbs grew in abundance, alongside a Silver Peach Tree, a quasi-saint medicine radiating brilliance.
“Only ancient powerhouses could cultivate such dense spirit herb fields. Stone Village surpasses even the great sects!” the Five-Colored Luan Bird marveled.
Yun Xi was equally stunned. Even Heavenly Deity Mountain had only a few such plots, remnants of divine arrays from the primordial era.
Shi Hao grinned. “I’m that powerhouse. Want me to plant a few dozen more to prove it?”
He retrieved spirit herb roots nurtured by the Everlasting Spring’s soil and replanted them, leaving everyone in awe.
They then noticed the village’s young spirit beasts—Lightning Hounds, Crimson-Feathered Cranes, Golden Monkeys—all rare and powerful. These would grow into formidable allies for the village children.
Finally, they approached the village’s centerpiece—the great willow, its emerald branches glowing with sacred light.
“Don’t fear. The Willow Deity is gentle—never oppressive,” Shi Hao assured.
As if to prove his point, a plump chicken strutted lazily beneath the tree, eyeing them disdainfully.
“An Eight-Treasure Chicken?!” the Nine-Headed Lion gasped.
Yun Xi’s heart skipped. Even Heavenly Deity Mountain had only a pair of these treasures—how did Stone Village have one?!
“Scram.” Shi Hao kicked the chicken away, earning indignant clucks.
“Willow Deity, I’ve encountered a great problem,” Shi Hao said, explaining his dilemma with Yun Xi’s input.
“Some truths are better left unknown,” the Willow Deity murmured, its soothing aura calming their minds.
“Why?” Shi Hao pressed.
“Knowing invites destruction. I am still recovering—I cannot yet intervene in this tribulation.”
The group paled. The implication was clear: if Shi Hao learned the truth, he’d be marked for death—and the Willow Deity would be dragged into the conflict.
“Willow Deity, will you leave?” Shi Hao asked, mentioning Heavenly Deity Mountain’s ancient teleportation array.
“I will not.”
“Why?”
“Because I came to this realm for a purpose.”
The words, spoken only to Shi Hao, stunned him. Had the Willow Deity descended from the heavens above?
“That insect on your head is unique—it does not belong to this world,” the Willow Deity added, eyeing the Emperor Butterfly nestled in Shi Hao’s hair.
Just then, the bald, featherless Two-Baldie sauntered over, smirking at Yun Xi.
“You! My grandfather chased you halfway across the land!” Yun Xi glared.
“Little girl, your family drove me into the Hundred Broken Mountains! Now you’ll stay here as a bride!” Two-Baldie sneered.
“You trespassed on Heavenly Deity Mountain, coveting our treasures!”
“Ancient history. But next time, your grandfather will beg me!” Two-Baldie boasted.
“Beg you?” Yun Xi scoffed.
“You think you’ve deciphered that ancient array? You’re far from the truth!”
“Arrogant fool!”
“In the Eight Domains—Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow, Cosmos, Eternity, Flood, Wasteland—no one knows more than me. Unless… someone from beyond arrives.”
The Willow Deity pondered. “A teleportation array to escape the Eight Domains… This matter is complex.”
Silence fell. After a moment, the Willow Deity decided: Shi Hao and Two-Baldie would visit Heavenly Deity Mountain to investigate.
Two-Baldie’s face fell. He’d wreaked havoc there before—returning now might get him boiled alive!
Shi Hao frowned. What could he discern about an ancient array?
Then—a miracle. A peerless figure stepped from the willow, majestic and untouchable. Yet only Shi Hao saw it.
The Willow Deity was with him.
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