AUOF - 104

In the blink of an eye, it was the wedding day.

Peacock Ling arrived at the small courtyard early in the morning, pulling Sang Li to dress and prepare her. She drew eyebrows and painted eyes.

After going through the complicated process of styling her hair, they finally reached the last step.

This was the first time Sang Li had seen her wedding dress. It was neatly hung on a wooden stand with mandarin duck patterns, red in color, embroidered with lifelike phoenixes using golden feather threads. Perhaps the fabric really contained powdered thousand-year-old mermaid pearls; it shimmered brilliantly, dazzling and radiant.

Four or five people attended to her as she changed into the dress, which was layered and required careful handling of the beads sewn into the wide sleeves. Just putting on the dress took quite some time.

Once dressed, everyone around her fell silent.

The woman reflected in the mirror possessed beauty comparable to that of the nine celestial maidens, with misty hair adorned with pearls, and a head full of jade ornaments. The wedding dress was extravagant but not bulky. Underneath the red brocade was a slender waist, graceful neck, and shoulders like carved marble. The long train trailed gracefully to the ground, flowing like clouds, and under the changing sunlight, there seemed to be a glow of pearls running through it, as if the evening glow had been draped upon her, filling the room with brilliance.

Today’s makeup was also exquisite.

A red flower design was painted on her forehead, accented with crushed jade, adding a touch of crystalline luster that further enhanced her beautiful features.

Peacock Ling was entranced for a long while before coming back to her senses, “Ali is truly stunning. Compared to the Celestial Lord, it’s you who’s at a loss.”

Though the Celestial Lord had treated the spirit tribe well, his identity was special. If not for Sang Li’s affection and his sincere commitment, the entire spirit tribe would surely have disagreed.

Sang Li smiled faintly, accepting the fan handed to her by someone else, and sat in the sedan chair with assistance.

The spirit tribe’s weddings were not elaborate.

Couples getting married would worship heaven and earth in front of the Spirit Altar, then plant the conjoined branch in the Lian Die Forest under the witness of the tribal elder. If the couple’s affection ran deep, the conjoined branch would quickly bloom and bear fruit. The deeper the affection, the less likely the conjoined tree would wither.

This could be considered a unique custom of the spirit tribe.

The flower car was carried by four snow-white spirit deer, swaying gently out of the courtyard. Through the pearl curtain, the sounds of children playing could be heard.

In this small world, it was a rare day of festivity.

After traveling a distance, the flower car came to a stop.

The surrounding noise abruptly ceased, and familiar footsteps grew closer.

A hand lifted the crimson pearl curtain, and she covered her face with the fan, raising her long lashes to meet Ji Hengyu’s lowered gaze.

Ji Hengyu rarely wore bright colors on regular days.

His robes were mostly silver, white, gray, or black. Now, at close range, he looked solemn in his red wedding attire, with vermilion cloud brocade accentuating his tall figure, like a jade statue. His lowered brow bones, usually cold, now seemed softened by the sun-like brilliance.

Ji Hengyu extended his hand to her.

Sang Li handed hers over, allowing him to lead her out.

A path strewn with flowers led the way, with blackbirds singing high in the sky. This clear path stretched all the way to the Spirit Altar.

“Be careful.”

As she stepped up onto the stairs, Ji Hengyu carefully supported her.

All the spirit tribe members were witnesses to this marriage, with the eldest turtle elder serving as the officiant and witness.

The two stood facing each other, looking across the space.

Sang Li’s lips behind the flower fan remained upturned, her joy spreading from her mouth to her eyes. She couldn’t resist her heartfelt fondness for Ji Hengyu. Even without saying a word, the atmosphere around them was sweet as honey.

“Sun and moon generate each other, heaven and earth reflect each other. Happy is this auspicious day, may your love deepen like that of paired birds, vowing loyalty as mandarin ducks.”

“Auspicious day, perform the rites of heaven and earth.”

“First bow to heaven—!”

“Second bow to earth—!”

“Bow to each other as husband and wife—”

After performing the three bows, Qu You handed the conjoined branch to the couple.

It was a broken-off branch, bare and unremarkable. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, they descended from the altar and chose a patch of soil to plant the conjoined branch. They each dropped a drop of blood, and the branch infused with their blood suddenly began to grow rapidly.

New leaves sprouted from the branch, growing swiftly, reaching over a person’s height in the blink of an eye.

Behind them came a chorus of amazement.

“Heaven-made match, like intertwined branches.”

Qu You laughed behind them, gazing upward at the conjoined tree full of new leaves, “By next year, it will likely be full of flowers and fruits.”

Sang Li smiled shyly, rubbing her reddened ears rather bashfully.

At this moment, Ji Hengyu unexpectedly leaned close to her ear: “Finished?”

She nodded dazedly.

When Peacock Ling told her about the wedding process, she was sleepy and didn’t catch much. However, judging from the tribe’s reactions, it should be more or less finished.

Ji Hengyu said nothing, scooping up Sang Li and flying off into the clouds.

The sudden sensation of being airborne was uncomfortable, and she gasped, instinctively tugging at his sleeve, asking, “Where are we going?”

“You’ll know in a moment.”

Ji Hengyu flew out of Chaohuang Tree with Sang Li, and just as his figure disappeared, a black shadow quietly followed.

Sang Li didn’t notice, but Ji Hengyu naturally didn’t miss it.

Pretending not to perceive it, he let it follow behind.

Flying all the way to the upper heavens, to a certain spirit island, Ji Hengyu pulled her hand down to land.

This floating isle could be fully surveyed at a glance. In the center was a huge red divine tree, occupying nearly half of the island’s area. Its fiery dense leaves illuminated the ground, resembling burning phoenix flowers, piercing and glaring.

Upon closer inspection, those weren’t “leaves,” but rather some sort of contract seal hanging from them, resembling leaves. The fiery tassels floated in the wind, very much like fluttering red leaves.

Sang Li was momentarily captivated.

Suddenly, Ji Hengyu opened his palm to her, revealing a contract leaf with both their names inscribed.

“For you.”

“What is this?”

“Just a customary ritual.” Sensing nervousness, Ji Hengyu pursed his lips, his voice soft and light, “This is the Unity Contract. If you hang the Unity Contract with both names on the Unity Tree, it seals a bond of unity. No matter this life or the next, even if separated by vast distances, the Unity Contract will always connect the two.”

He said—

“This is my promise to you for countless lifetimes.”

Surprise filled Sang Li’s eyes, and she remained silent for a long while.

Her silence made Ji Hengyu stiffen his fingers unconsciously, his voice tightening, “Unwilling?”

Sang Li snapped out of it, shaking her head.

She wasn’t unwilling; she just felt… these words didn’t seem like something Ji Hengyu could say.

Countless lifetimes, intertwined branches and wings.

This was something Sang Li had never thought of before.

Immortals had long lives, and for a long time, she didn’t know what lay ahead. If she could walk half her life with her beloved, she wouldn’t find the days boring.

Sang Li picked up the thin contract leaf, where Ji Hengyu’s name was written, followed closely by two characters—Sang Li.

Ji Hengyu, Sang Li.

Even the tightly coupled names felt intimate.

She leapt into the air, solemnly hanging the Unity Contract on the tree.

Once that blazing red leaf merged into the sea of red, it no longer stood out. Who knows how many lovers among so many contract leaves had walked through countless lifetimes together.

“There’s more.”

Ji Hengyu handed her another item.

It was an extraordinarily transparent and crystal-clear scale, as if washed in snowflakes, pristine and untouched by dust, enveloped in spiritual light, shining brilliantly in his palm.

“This is the Heartguard Scale.” Ji Hengyu said, “It’s the hardest scale on the chest, capable of protecting or harming me.”

Ji Hengyu raised his eyes to look directly at her, “I now give this to you, pledging our deep affection. May we… stay together forever.”

The cool scale touched her fingertips, sparkling, circling her finger once before merging with her body.

Ji Hengyu had… given her his heart.

Sang Li had nothing valuable to offer in return. Finally, tilting her head, she stood on tiptoe, laboriously kissing the corner of his mouth.

Just as she was about to lose balance, a pair of strong arms encircled her waist firmly.

Sang Li expected him to deepen the kiss, but instead, he only lightly and gently touched her, without excessive licking. What was meant to be a kiss felt more like an unspoken promise.

Sang Li was momentarily surprised by this unexpected purity.

Who knew he would immediately tighten his grip on her hand, his back hurried, quite impatient, “Alright, it’s time to go home for the nuptial chamber.”

Sang Li: “?”

She knew it; It's easy to change rivers and mountains, but you can't change your nature.

Noticing the exasperation in Sang Li’s eyes, Ji Hengyu chuckled, “Just teasing you. Your divine girlfriend sent you a reply, placed on the table. You can read it first, and then…” He paused, “the nuptial chamber.”

“...”

So, no matter what, the phrase “wedding chamber” couldn’t be avoided?

Though she thought this way, Sang Li was still very happy. She wrapped her arms around Ji Hengyu’s arm like an accessory and clung to him as they walked.

They walked like this for a while until, just before leaving the floating island, Ji Hengyu suddenly stopped.

Curious, she looked out: “What is it?”

It didn’t matter if she hadn’t looked, but when she saw who it was, she realized the visitor wasn’t there with good intentions.

Through the misty clouds of immortals, a fierce warhorse appeared, its body wrapped in flames.

On the horse sat a person clad in armor, exuding murderous intent, clearly prepared for battle.

The black armor couldn’t conceal the pallor on his face. His pupils deeply reflected their intertwined hands and the red wedding attire they hadn’t yet changed out of. The bitterness in his throat made his temples throb; he could only tightly grip the reins to avoid falling off the horse awkwardly.

The moment Yan Jinglou appeared, Sang Li’s expression changed.

Her smile vanished, replaced by coldness.

Yan Jinglou stared at her expression intently, hoping to see any emotion other than indifference on her face—even a trace of disgust would have sufficed. Unfortunately, her current demeanor resembled that of being interrupted by an unfamiliar passerby—just a fleeting dissatisfaction before maintaining decorum.

A bitter taste filled his heart.

He took out an elegant box from his storage pouch and offered it. “Wedding gift.”

Only fools would refuse free things.

Only those still living in memories would reject gifts. Since Sang Li didn’t care at all, she naturally accepted it.

She gladly received the box and tilted her chin: “Thanks.”

Proud and spirited, she had a bit of a fox spirit’s charm.

Yan Jinglou chuckled softly, his deep gaze tracing her appearance.

He had imagined countless times how Luo Wanwan would look wearing a phoenix crown and bridal veil marrying him. However, his imagination fell short; he always felt that the imagined Luo Wanwan wasn’t as beautiful as in reality. It turned out his guess was true.

She wore a sunset-like wedding dress, standing under the fiery Unity Tree exchanging deep affection...

Indeed, she was stunning.

More dazzling than any appearance in his dreams.

Yan Jinglou took a deep breath, shifted his gaze, and faced the silent Ji Hengyu, “But... I’m here to snatch the bride.”

Sang Li’s hand trembled, scared witless.

Just as she thought about returning the box to Yan Jinglou, Ji Hengyu grabbed her arm and whispered into her ear, “You go back first, I’ll follow soon.”

Sang Li’s eyes darted uncertainly between the two.

He comforted her with a smile: “Sang Sang, I promise I will return.”

She hesitated but ultimately couldn’t resist the determination in his eyes. She gently bit her lower lip, “Then... I’ll wait for you at Phoenix Grove?”

“Alright,” Ji Hengyu nodded.

Sang Li kept looking back every few steps, unwilling to leave.

She had originally thought Yan Jinglou would chase after her. If he really wanted to snatch her, he would definitely kidnap her and run. But he didn’t; his gaze remained fixed solely on Ji Hengyu. In that instant, Sang Li understood that the so-called bride-snatching was just a pretense; his real goal was to settle a score with Ji Hengyu.

The two were enemies. If not today, they would fight tomorrow.

Sang Li believed that Ji Hengyu wouldn’t easily lose to anyone.

Feeling reassured, she returned to Phoenix Grove alone.

Once Sang Li left, only two figures remained under the Unity Tree, tension rising.

“I didn’t expect the Demon Lord to actually follow us here.”

Once Sang Li was no longer by his side, Ji Hengyu shed his gentle facade, revealing his cold and unapproachable nature.

He smiled, his expression filled with mockery and disdain.

“Isn’t this exactly what Lord Tianheng intended?” Yan Jinglou opened his palm, holding an invitation above it. Expressionless, he clenched his fingers, and the thin paper instantly turned to dust, scattering with the wind.

Ji Hengyu composed his expression, “You should understand that now that you’ve come here, I won’t let you leave alive.”

Yan Jinglou neither dodged nor avoided: “You should also understand that I never intended to leave alive.”

He came with a death wish, ready for a battle he knew he would lose.

However, he was Yan Jinglou. Even if he couldn’t become a heavenly god, he was still the master of demons, commanding respect from all below the nine realms. Even in death, he would die gloriously.

Without wasting words, the two exchanged glances. Sword shadows flashed, black and white beams of light entwined, sword waves flew, and the intense sword winds instantly dispersed the misty immortal clouds for thousands of miles. This was the clearest sky the floating island had seen in ten thousand years.

Yan Jinglou was already formidable, and now, with a death wish, he sought Ji Hengyu for battle. The sword scabbard hummed, and the wrist holding the sword went numb from the recoil.

Magical light streaked, their figures like the wind.

From the floating island to the immortal mountain below, they fought fiercely, splitting peaks and stirring violent winds, startling birds and beasts in the forest.

Ji Hengyu naturally sensed the murderous intent in his eyes; every move aimed for his vital points.

In a duel, he wouldn’t show mercy. The long-awaited fierce battle made Ji Hengyu’s killing intent surge, exhilarating and reminiscent of the days when he was called the “War God.” Only battle mattered.

Ji Hengyu was completely immersed in this feeling, allowing karma to grow and wrap around his limbs, even his eyes turning crimson.

The two fighting shadows—one red, one black—like red clouds enveloping mist, exchanged blows, neither gaining the upper hand after several rounds.

Ji Hengyu’s unrestrained counterattacks pleased Yan Jinglou. He had come seeking death, and now without reservations, he could freely unleash his strength.

Their sword intents clashed violently; everywhere bore traces of brutal sword marks. Rocks split, peaks were cut in half, and thunderstorms accompanied the devastating sword arrays, causing the small mountain peak to collapse entirely.

Unyielding, they continued their struggle through the shattered cliffs overnight until there was no foothold left, then moved elsewhere.

The moon rose, the sun set, stars shifted, and time passed.

This chaotic battle lasted for seven days.

From the floating island to the small mountain peak, then from the small mountain peak to North Nan Mountain, wherever they went, not a blade of grass survived.

In the end, it was Yan Jinglou who lost first.

Breathing heavily, he met Ji Hengyu’s horizontal slash with raised arms to block. But lacking strength, the surging sword energy, like waves rushing from a thousand miles away, made him dizzy and his chest feel like it would burst.

Yan Jinglou stabilized his stance, gritted his teeth, and resisted, his body pushed back several zhang. Then his arm went numb, and the long sword guarding his chest was knocked away by the sword’s brilliance. With a piercing sound, cold steel penetrated his shoulder blade, pinning him to the stone wall.

The solid rock cracked, boulders rolled down from above, and countless small stones buried his vision, mixing with blood and sticking to his grotesque wound.

Yan Jinglou spat out bloody foam mixed with dust, recalled his long sword with a wave of his hand, formed a magical seal, transformed the sword into a bow, and with a flick of his finger, unleashed a rain of arrows.

While Ji Hengyu dodged, Yan Jinglou seized the opportunity to retreat into the forest.

He headed towards Little Zhongshan Mountain. After fleeing for a distance, strong winds loosened his bindings, and heavy rain poured down, battering his exhausted body. Eight days of fighting had depleted all his spiritual power, and now he was merely clinging to life.

Rain blurred his vision.

His body swayed unsteadily, and with a loss of strength, he collapsed into the cold mud.

Filthy, covered in blood and dirt, he resembled a wretched, abandoned beggar.

This scene felt somewhat familiar.

He remembered the night when he first learned that Luo Wanwan was terminally ill and bedridden—it was the same rainy night, and he had fallen into the same muddy ground.

At that time, Yan Jinglou had only one thought: to return to Little Zhongshan Mountain and see Luo Wanwan one last time.

Unfortunately... he didn’t see her.

Wanwan…

Luo Wanwan…

Yan Jinglou repeated the girl’s name over and over again, dazed and seemingly transported back to that night. He remained conscious, unwilling to fall into unconsciousness despite his body’s torment.

—I must go back. At the very least, I must die in the soil where she once lay.

Behind him, Ji Hengyu’s slow, approaching footsteps echoed. Yan Jinglou could barely rise, his dry eyes staring ahead as he crawled forward with great effort.

Ji Hengyu glanced at the horizon of the dark night and pierced his hand with a sword.

Yan Jinglou felt no pain, abandoning further combat. Supported by some belief, he had forgotten his initial purpose, focusing solely on moving forward.

Finally, they reached a desolate grave.

Yan Jinglou’s eyes brightened. Supporting himself with his hands, he staggered up and quickly ran to find the neat tombstone inscribed with Luo Wanwan’s name. Kneeling on the ground, he began digging with his bare hands.

Standing behind him, Ji Hengyu glanced at Yan Jinglou’s back, his gaze deepening, but his face remained expressionless.

He quickly dug a hole.

Yan Jinglou lay flat inside, hands crossed over his abdomen. In the pouring rain, he closed his eyes and took a long, relaxed breath.

—This was the most relaxed moment of Yan Jinglou’s life.

Ji Hengyu stood beside him, eyes lowered, suddenly realizing that he had been used by Yan Jinglou.

As he said, he came seeking death.

To find someone who could surely kill him.

Ji Hengyu’s expression was indifferent, but his contempt for him diminished slightly at this moment.

“I won’t kindly bury you.”

Yan Jinglou forced a smile, “I don’t dare hope that Lord Tianheng would hold my funeral.”

After a brief silence, Ji Hengyu raised his hand, covering it with his palm.

A scarlet magical light pierced through the rainy night, making the thunder more mournful. The rainbow glow illuminated his face, devoid of emotion, cold like a puppet.

How familiar was the excruciating pain of having muscles torn apart.

Yan Jinglou’s entire body tensed as he watched the soul pill and demon bones cultivated over years being stripped from his body, landing in Ji Hengyu’s palm.

Lofty and high above, cradling that divine light, Ji Hengyu lowered his lashes, seemingly contemplating something.

After the pain subsided, numbness set in.

Yan Jinglou’s chest vibrated as he coughed laboriously, his hoarse voice saying, “Even if this demon bone and soul pill can help you withstand karma, you are born with immortal bones and a divine fetus. You can only choose one, not both. Aren’t you afraid…”

“Yes?”

Ji Hengyu’s voice was calm. In the blink of an eye, he summoned Ji Wu.

Two identical people appeared before him, surrounded by a kind of Daoist spell never seen before.

Initially startled, he quickly realized.

Yan Jinglou couldn’t suppress his tears. Lying in the cramped, damp grave pit, he laughed aloud, his laughter tinged with mockery rather than bitterness.

“Ji Hengyu, you are defying heaven.”

“So what?”

Ji Hengyu absorbed his demon bones and soul pill into his body, closing his eyes to allow the two energies to slowly merge.

It was true that he was born with immortal bones and a divine fetus, but he practiced the Binding Karma Path. Evil souls and savage spirits inherently contained worldly suffering. After a brief backlash period, they would align with his spiritual platform, absorbing karma and removing its harm.

However...

The demon bones and soul pill would gradually replace his immortal body, causing him to fall into demonhood.

But so what?

The puppet snake trapped in the abyss of the sea could never become a god in the upper heavens.

“Ji Hengyu, you are arrogant and proud, adept at deceiving hearts with lies.” Yan Jinglou felt his spiritual power dissipating; he was dying. “Whether becoming a god or falling into demonhood, I only wish you treat him sincerely.”

“Don’t make her sad.”

He finally said—

“Don’t make her sad anymore.”

At this moment, the wind and rain ceased.

Grass and trees regenerated, flowers scattered on the ground. Suddenly, he was transported back many years ago.

He was seventeen then, a naive young man standing under the tree. Someone called out to him from the front: “A Yan.”

She smiled so beautifully, capturing the rest of his life.

Dazed, Yan Jinglou heard a little tune drifting by. A maiden walking through the bamboo grove sang cheerfully—

“Autumn moon, autumn moon, distant stars in the lunar palace. A fine wine to fulfill wishes...

“One wish for the immortal path to be long, to meet tonight;

“Two wishes to know each other’s intentions, year after year to evoke longing thoughts…”

He died three thousand years after losing her.

But finally… he could return to the past and spend his eighteenth birthday with his Wanwan.

The rain gradually subsided.

The man at his feet had completely lost all signs of life.

Ji Hengyu thought for a moment and ultimately didn’t leave directly. He raised his hand and covered the corpse with a handful of earth, casually flicked the rain and dust from his sleeves, turned around, and walked out of Little Zhongshan Mountain without looking back.