Grrr!
Inside a deep and endless canyon,
Thousands of beasts roared, their sonic waves reverberating with terrifying power capable of tearing hearts and lungs.
“Heh… Unexpectedly, the location deduced from intelligence as the most likely to hide the Martial Emperor’s treasures has turned into a beast’s lair!”
Around Wu Ming, water surged and solidified into threads, slicing through with invincible force, leaving behind a field of dead black-furred, three-eyed monkeys soaked in blood.
These three-eyed monkeys were merely grunts. Within the beast horde existed a special breed covered in golden fur. Even Wu Ming’s previously unstoppable water threads could only leave a wound on them before they screamed in fury, their ferocity further ignited.
“Good beast!”
Wu Ming laughed heartily, slashing downward with one palm. His inner energy surged like mighty rivers, manifesting as relentless waves of force. Even the golden-furred monkeys, after receiving the palm strike, flew backward instantly, reduced to pulp.
Grrr!
Eventually, the monkey swarm thinned, finally revealing a king.
It stood eight chi tall, had four arms, its entire body covered in golden fur. Two sharp fangs protruded from its mouth. Suddenly, it pounded its chest four times, emitting a deafening roar.
“An ancient ferocious beast, the four-armed savage ape?”
Wu Ming shook his head helplessly: “My luck… How should I describe it?”
“You managed to survive until now, so you must possess some intelligence. Now, immediately clear the path. I only need to search inside your nest…”
He tried to negotiate, but was quickly interrupted by a violent assault from the four-armed凶猿.
Grrr!
Roaring, it raised its four knee-length arms over its head, fingers interlocked, resembling a heaven-shaking sledgehammer crashing down.
Boom!
Dust surged. At the spot where Wu Ming stood, a massive crater several zhang wide appeared, with dense cracks spreading like a spider web.
Boom!
After one strike came another. The double hammer assault was truly heaven-shaking and ghost-piercing. The crater expanded further, countless fragments of stone flying like they had eyes, shooting toward Wu Ming.
Buzz!
At the same time, a wave of earth-yellow light emanated from the four-armed ferocious ape, spreading rapidly.
Wu Ming immediately felt a weight on his body; his Qi flow became sluggish. His expression changed slightly:
Earth-moving ability! The power of the Dharma Realm?
This earth-yellow light, once expanded, seemed like a domain, carrying gravity auras capable of restricting all living beings entering its range. Its power was formidable.
Moreover, the four-armed ferocious ape’s foundation and vitality surpassed that of ordinary fifth-stage beasts. Overall, even the previously mentioned Heaven Maimed and Earth Mutilated would have to flee upon encountering it, or else face annihilation!
“It seems… I’ll definitely miss the appointment at the Tianyuan Holy Land… I hope the Heaven Wind Venerable and the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden can hold up until I arrive…”
Swish!
A phantom of a long river emerged, splitting into four tributaries, fiercely clashing with the four-armed ferocious ape.
Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled, the vibrations reaching far beyond, like a natural disaster.
…
Tianyuan Holy Land.
“The auspicious moment has arrived! Groom and bride, bow to heaven and earth!”
The master of ceremonies, with a ruddy face, projected his voice throughout the square, clearly possessing notable inner cultivation.
“My lady, please!”
Dugu Ao, dressed in red ceremonial robes, exuded unmatched dominance in every movement, yet it harmonized well at this moment.
He strode to the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden, eyes gleaming with a hint of greed, and extended his right hand.
“Wait!”
A loud shout interrupted.
“Oh? Do you have objections, Venerable Heaven Wind?”
Dugu Ao turned, eyeing the Heaven Wind Venerable emerging from the grand hall, his gaze playful.
“Heaven Wind Venerable!”
Across the square, numerous guests stiffened, some even silently gripping their weapons.
“The Heaven Wind, Xuan Shui, Li Huo, and Qing Lei Holy Lands are acting together?”
Ding Jiao, watching the three martial artists beside the Heaven Wind Venerable, eyes lit with excitement: “Perhaps…”
“Oh? I respect you as seniors, yet I never expected you to harbor such ill intentions, disrupting my wedding?”
Dugu Ao smiled, as if everything were under his control.
“Not so!”
The representative from the Li Huo Holy Land, a middle-aged martial artist with flaming red hair, immediately replied: “We are delighted about your marriage to the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden, but we cannot allow you to use this union as a pretext to annex the Azure Lotus Holy Land into your Tianyuan Holy Land!”
“You won’t allow it?”
Dugu Ao seemed to hear the funniest joke in the world, even bending over laughing. Suddenly straightening, his expression turned cold: “Who are you to interfere in Azure Lotus matters? They themselves haven’t spoken yet!”
“Or perhaps, Venerable Li Huo, you find your sect too peaceful lately? Have you consulted the three Elder Enforcers?”
Upon hearing this, the Li Huo Venerable’s expression changed dramatically, falling silent, as if his weakness had been exposed.
“Correct! Brother Sect Leader, interfering rashly in other Holy Lands’ affairs is a grave taboo!”
Three elders who had been following the Li Huo Venerable stepped forward, their expressions grave: “Upon our return, we must convene the Patriarch’s Hall to impeach you!”
“You!”
The Li Huo Venerable became furious, his eyebrows seemingly ablaze.
Sssk!
The atmosphere turned extremely tense as another group of martial artists emerged from the grand hall, wearing the insignias of the Tianyuan, Di Ji, and Qian Shan Holy Lands, clearly opposing the other four Holy Lands.
Even amidst the other side’s internal conflict, their overall strength was superior.
“Qian Shan Sect Leader, are you truly going to betray the pact signed by the Eight Great Clans five hundred years ago?”
The Heaven Wind Venerable gazed at the front, a fat man in earth-yellow robes wearing a crown, murmuring.
“My humble abilities are barely sufficient to lead Qian Shan Holy Land, let alone…”
The Qian Shan Sect Leader sighed: “Martial artists have fragmented the nation, causing endless wars and suffering. We enlightened individuals all believe that only an extraordinary hero, a mighty warrior wielding a three-chi sword to unify the land, can bring peace to heaven above and the people below. For this… What is my personal power and honor?”
His words were sincere and logical, even moving the Heaven Wind Venerable: “So in your eyes… The savior you envision is Dugu Ao!”
“Exactly!”
The Qian Shan Sect Leader affirmed decisively: “Today, amidst this joyous occasion, I hereby declare again! My Qian Shan Holy Land willingly submits to Dugu Ao. From now on, I shall relinquish my Sect Leader title, and all Qian Shan disciples are ready to serve under his command!”
Swish!
The crowd erupted in shock.
Although many had anticipated Dugu Ao’s ambitions, hearing the Qian Shan Sect Leader announce it so casually, especially relinquishing the Holy Land status passed down for five hundred years as if it were nothing, even Earth Yuan martial artists like Ding Jiao felt disoriented, as if witnessing a dream.
“Willing to serve under your command!”
Instantly, dozens of figures emerged, all Earth Yuan cultivators, their auras suppressing the entire crowd.
The battle was about to ignite!
“What now?”
Dugu Ao wore a confident smile: “Esteemed elders, do any of you still have objections?”
Asked thus, the Heaven Wind Venerable and others exchanged glances, hesitating.
After all, Dugu Ao’s thorough preparations exceeded their expectations, giving them an ominous premonition.
Especially since it was his wedding day, neither side had spoken yet. They indeed lacked any legitimate reason to disrupt, appearing unjustified.
“If you have nothing more to say, please take your seats and do not delay my auspicious moment!”
A smile appeared on Dugu Ao’s lips, but then he heard the Azure Lotus Holy Maiden’s calm voice beside him: “I… Refuse!”
“Lin’er!”
The Azure Lotus Sect Leader cried out in alarm.
“Holy Maiden, do you realize what you’re doing?”
Among the Nine Lotus Attendants, five changed expressions, their gazes turning hostile as they surrounded her.
Their previous subtle positioning now allowed them to more conveniently capture Shui Lin’er. Almost simultaneously, these five launched attacks, fingers flying to seal her mute acupoint.
“It’s useless!”
A mist emerged from Shui Lin’er, warm and moist, spreading outwards. Her Qi surged, manifesting the image of a mythical beast: “You think sealing my powers will make me submit?”
“Holy Maiden, you’ve gone too far!”
The five Lotus Attendants, their expressions stern, were about to attack when their faces changed dramatically, collapsing to the ground.
Shui Lin’er slowly said: “How does the Nine-Flower Bone-Eroding Powder taste? Originally intended for me, using it on you is merely poetic justice.”
“Lin’er, you’ve finally made your choice!”
At this moment, the Azure Lotus Sect Leader sighed deeply.
Clearly, such a transformative event—if she claimed to have sensed nothing, how could that be possible?
“Exactly! Dugu Ao, with his wolfish ambitions, seeks to annex the Eight Holy Lands, and we must unite against him!”
The Azure Lotus Holy Maiden whistled sharply. Outside, a flurry of sword and knife flashes approached as numerous Azure Lotus disciples, led by the Divine Water Elder, rushed into the arena.
“Good! Very good!”
Being publicly rejected at the altar was an immense humiliation for any man.
Yet Dugu Ao gazed at Shui Lin’er with admiration: “To struggle this far, you truly deserve to be the woman chosen by me, Dugu Ao! Now… Kneel and submit, and you still have one last chance!”
As he spoke, his martial power condensed, radiating an oppressive force outward.
Caw! Grrr! Howl!
Three massive phantom figures emerged behind him, suddenly transforming into three mythical beast phantoms—the Heavenly Phoenix, the Earth Dragon, and the Black Tortoise!
These legendary primordial beast kings, appearing together behind him, began intertwining, seemingly forming a terrifying divine manifestation! Even Heaven Manifestation cultivators felt their inner Qi stall!
At this moment, Dugu Ao intended to suppress the entire crowd with his unparalleled martial prowess!
But having meticulously planned with the Heaven Wind Venerable and Azure Lotus Holy Maiden, could they really leave such a loophole?
“Where is Master Ao? The Whirlwind Martial Saint has come to challenge you!”
Outside the mountain gate, a sharp Qi presence emerged, rushing in like lightning.
“A defeated opponent dares…”
Halfway through his sentence, Dugu Ao’s expression changed drastically as his satchel suddenly exploded violently!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage