The Lunar Star, abode of vast chill and clear emptiness.
This place was bathed year-round in cold, radiant moonlight. Unlike the blazing dominance of the Solar Star, the Lunar Star's power was tranquil and profound, capable of cleansing one's mind. The enormous canopy of the laurel tree cast dancing shadows, while a succession of palaces stood beneath it—the residence of the two goddesses, Xi He and Chang Xi.
At that moment, Xi He and Chang Xi were playing a game beneath the laurel tree. Both goddesses possessed peerless beauty and cold, elegant temperaments. The elder sister, Xi He, appeared dignified and steady, while the younger sister, Chang Xi, carried a touch of liveliness and innocent charm. Yet now, faint worry and hesitation lingered between their brows.
"Elder Sister, we accepted the betrothal gifts sent by Fellow Daoist Di Jun long ago. The date of the Heavenly Marriage is drawing near, and we..." Chang Xi placed a piece and spoke softly, uncertainty in her voice.
Xi He stared at the board for a long while before letting out a quiet sigh. "The Heavenly Marriage is ordained by the Heavenly Dao. It follows the balance of yin and yang and brings its own merit. Fellow Daoist Di Jun is the Heavenly Emperor, of noble status and extraordinary strength. He is indeed a suitable match. But..." She paused. "I have always felt uneasy, as though this matter is not as natural and proper as it appears."
They had been born of the lunar yin and preferred tranquility by nature. They had little desire to marry into the increasingly turbulent Heavenly Court and rule over countless members of the Demon Clan. Yet the great trend of the Heavenly Dao was thus, Di Jun had personally proposed marriage, the betrothal gifts were lavish, and there was the temptation of merit besides. They found it difficult to refuse, and did not know how to refuse.
Just as the sisters' thoughts were in turmoil, a blazing, domineering aura descended upon the Lunar Star without warning, shattering the peace of the place!
A flash of golden light appeared. A figure clad in an imperial robe, with a stern face and an intense aura of True Solar Fire surrounding him, appeared beneath the laurel tree. It was none other than "Di Jun"!
Yet this "Di Jun" was utterly different from the Heavenly Emperor they had met before, who had been imposing yet courteous. His eyes burned with undisguised aggression as his gaze swept over Xi He and Chang Xi, as though he were inspecting his own possessions.
"Xi He, Chang Xi!" "Di Jun" spoke in a booming voice, carrying unquestionable authority. "The date of the Heavenly Marriage is near. I have come today to personally inform you that all matters regarding the ceremony have been prepared. When the time comes, you need only wait peacefully and marry into the Heavenly Court!"
Xi He and Chang Xi both frowned. Although Di Jun was the Heavenly Emperor, he had previously treated them as equals and spoken politely. His nearly commanding tone today immediately displeased the naturally aloof sisters.
"Fellow Daoist Di Jun," Xi He rose, her voice cold, "the Heavenly Marriage is a matter of great importance. My sister and I still need to..."
"Need what?" "Di Jun" directly cut her off, impatience appearing on his face. "This is the Predestined number of the Heavenly Dao, and it is also your honor! Could it be that you still intend to refuse? You should know that in this Primordial World, countless female immortals would give anything for this position!"
Chang Xi's lovely face turned frosty. "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Di Jun? Do you think my sister and I are the sort to covet status and merit?"
"Are you not?" "Di Jun" sneered and stepped forward. His powerful aura pressed down upon them, carrying the scorching heat of True Solar Fire and warping the cold moonlight around them. "If not for the merit of this Heavenly Marriage and my status as the Heavenly Emperor, what is there on this desolate Lunar Star worth my lingering over? I came today to tell you so that you would know your place. Do not entertain delusions! Three thousand years from now, you will marry whether you wish to or not!"
As he spoke, he actually extended a hand, seemingly intending to touch Xi He's cheek. The gesture was incomparably frivolous!
"Insolence!" Xi He abruptly retreated a step. Lunar yin qi erupted around her, and her cold face was filled with shock and fury. Chang Xi directly brought forth a moon-wheel-shaped spiritual treasure, its chilling aura pointing at "Di Jun"!
"Di Jun! How dare you be so rude!" Chang Xi trembled with rage. "I thought you were a generation's Heavenly Emperor, yet you commit such acts!"
Rather than becoming angry, "Di Jun" burst into laughter, his bearing becoming even more unrestrained. "Rude? I will be your husband in the future. What is wrong with showing a little intimacy? Do not refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Obey me, and you will enjoy benefits in the future. Refuse... hmph, the Primordial World may be vast, but there may not be a place for you within it!"
This naked threat and contemptuous attitude completely ignited the rage and humiliation in Xi He and Chang Xi's hearts. They had been born of lunar yin and inherited innate yin virtue. When had they ever suffered such humiliation?
"Get out!" Xi He's face was covered in frost as she pointed outside the palace. "Leave the Lunar Star at once! Do not mention the Heavenly Marriage again! My sister and I would rather guard this cold moon palace forever than marry an arrogant, rude man like you!"
"Di Jun" darkened, seemingly wanting to say more. But when he saw the resolute fury in Xi He and Chang Xi's eyes, as well as the surging lunar laws around them that nearly resonated with the Lunar Star's origin, he knew he had acted enough. Too much would be as bad as too little.
"Good! Good! Good!" "Di Jun" said "good" three times in succession, the anger on his face growing even stronger. "You dare defy the will of Heaven and reject me! This matter will not end here! Just you wait!"
After delivering his threat, "Di Jun" transformed into a streak of golden light and, filled with "rage" (wild delight), instantly left the Lunar Star and vanished.
Once that detestable solar aura had completely disappeared, Xi He and Chang Xi still trembled with anger beneath the laurel tree.
"Elder Sister... how could he act like that?" Chang Xi's eyes reddened, both from anger and grievance. She had not expected anything from the Heavenly Marriage, but she had thought that since it followed the Heavenly Dao, it might not be unacceptable. Yet "Di Jun's" performance today had utterly shattered the tiny bit of fantasy remaining in her heart, leaving only endless disgust and rejection.
Xi He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the anger in her heart. Her gaze became incomparably resolute. "Younger Sister, it seems this Heavenly Marriage is no good match. Di Jun appears imposing on the surface, yet he is so domineering and overbearing within, treating us like playthings. If we truly marry into the Heavenly Court, our future circumstances are easy to imagine."
She looked at Chang Xi. "We shall immediately seek out Fellow Daoist Nuwa and tell her what happened today! We will ask her to uphold justice for us! This Heavenly Marriage must not happen!"
"Yes! It absolutely must not happen!" Chang Xi nodded forcefully, her eyes filled with lingering fear and determination.
Meanwhile, Xuan Wazi had long since left the Lunar Star. Hidden within a Chaos Qi Flow and restored to his original appearance, he watched the notifications flashing across the system screen in his mind and grinned from ear to ear.
[Ding! The host has successfully used the 'Heavenly Secret Concealment Mask,' perfectly portraying a 'Tyrannical Heavenly Emperor' and precisely planting 'disgust' and 'fear' upon the Lunar Star, deeply reversing Xi He and Chang Xi's impression of Di Jun and their willingness toward the Heavenly Marriage! Conduct evaluation: Extremely Not Being a Person!] [Mission 'Breaking Up Lovers by Force (Heavenly Marriage Edition)' completion: 80%!] [Stage reward issued: Unfilial Points +500,000! Innate Enlightenment Tea × 50 cubic meters has been deposited into the system space!] [Notice: Please monitor subsequent developments. Once the Heavenly Marriage is formally rejected, you may claim the full reward!]
"Hehe, even the stage reward is this generous!" Xuan Wazi sensed the mountain-like pile of Enlightenment Tea leaves within the system space, radiating enticing Dao charm, and felt incomparably delighted. "Next, it depends on how the two goddesses go cry to Nuwa... no, state the facts! Di Jun, Di Jun, you're carrying this blame nice and solidly!"
He could practically see Nuwa's astonished expression upon hearing of this, as well as Di Jun's bewildered face and furious rage when he received the news.
"This Primordial World really is most fun when you stir up trouble!"
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