The Plan in Motion

Qingxuan returned to Creation Heaven and told Nuwa about his arrangements. Nuwa laughed so hard that tears nearly streamed down her face.

A few days passed like this. On Di Jun and Tai Yi's side, they could wait no longer. They paced around the Sun Palace every day, eagerly awaiting good news from Qingxuan.

Qingxuan did not keep them waiting much longer, either. After all, having taken someone's money, one had to solve their problems.

That day, Qingxuan arrived at a leisurely pace, a radiant smile on his face, bright as a sunflower.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Qingxuan cupped his hands as soon as he entered.

"The matter is settled! The two fairies of the Moon Star finally came around after I appealed to their emotions and reasoned with them! They decided that Your Majesty was wise and mighty, and that the Demon Race had a limitless future. As for this Heavenly Marriage, they agreed!"

"Really?!"

Di Jun shot to his feet, his excitement making his voice crack!

Tai Yi was also wearing an expression of incredulous delight!

"How could it be fake?"

Qingxuan patted his chest.

"I personally took charge. Is there anything I can't accomplish? The two fairies were shy and embarrassed to come say it themselves, but they already nodded in agreement! I even helped Your Majesty deliver the betrothal gifts. They accepted them so readily!"

At those words, the final trace of doubt in Di Jun and Tai Yi's hearts vanished, leaving behind nothing but overwhelming joy!

The merit of the Heavenly Marriage! The Grand Formation of the Stars reaching completion! The Demon Race's destiny surging!

It was settled!

"Wonderful! Fellow Daoist Qingxuan, we truly have you to thank for this!"

Di Jun excitedly clasped Qingxuan's hand, his face filled with gratitude.

"The Demon Race will never forget your great kindness!"

"Think nothing of it!"

Qingxuan calmly withdrew his hand.

"Then shall we get the proceedings underway? Pick an auspicious day, first announce the engagement throughout the Primordial World, and establish the relationship officially! Once the Heavenly Dao senses it, perhaps it will advance us a little merit?"

"Exactly, exactly! That is what we should do!"

Di Jun nodded repeatedly and immediately issued his orders.

"Quickly! Make the preparations! We want the grandest ceremony possible! I want the entire Primordial World to know that I am marrying the Moon Goddess!"

Under the Demon Race's enormous influence, only a few days later, an extraordinarily grand engagement ceremony that shocked the Primordial World was held on the Sun Star.

Di Jun and Tai Yi even made another special trip to the Moon Star. This time, "Xihe" and "Chang Xi" indeed did not refuse.

Although their reactions were a little slow, their eyes somewhat vacant, and their speech a little mechanical, Qingxuan's "secret manipulation" and efforts to smooth things over prevented any major mishaps. They managed to go through the motions.

Di Jun and Tai Yi's minds were filled with the Heavenly Marriage merit they were about to obtain. Their joy had completely clouded their judgment, and they failed to notice these details at all. They merely thought the two "goddesses" were naturally aloof and shy.

The news of the engagement spread throughout the Primordial World as if it had grown wings!

"Have you heard? The Demon Emperor is going to marry both goddesses of the Moon Star!"

"A Heavenly Marriage! Witnessed by the Heavenly Dao! As expected of the Demon Race, overlords of the Primordial World. What an impressive display!"

"The Demon Race is going to soar to the heavens! Their destiny will become even more powerful now!"

"Tsk, tsk, His Majesty Di Jun is truly blessed..."

Throughout the Primordial World, everyone was discussing it.

There were those who envied them, those who were jealous, and plenty who were simply watching the spectacle.

At Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones merely cast a faint glance in that direction and said nothing. At present, all their thoughts were focused on how to become Sages.

Especially after Nuwa had become a Sage. As members of Pangu's True Lineage and personal disciples of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, they found it difficult to accept that a mere woman like Nuwa had beaten them to Sainthood.

In the West, Jieyin and Zhunti were so envious that they nearly drooled, pondering whether they could somehow share in the merit.

In the Blood Sea, Ancestor Minghe gave a cold snort and continued tinkering with his Asura Race.

At Wuzhuang Temple, Ancestor Hong Yun sighed and continued hiding nervously.

Among the Witch Race, Zhu Rong of the Twelve Ancestral Witches was so furious that he howled and ranted, feeling that the Demon Race was showing off again. Even the baleful aura within Pangu Hall grew several shades denser.

At that moment, in a Human Race tribe on the coast of the East Sea, the real Xihe and Chang Xi watched the phenomena in the sky announcing the Demon Race's Heavenly Marriage. Their expressions were indescribably complicated.

On one hand, they were glad to have escaped disaster. On the other, seeing their names replaced by two rabbits for a wedding made them feel... it was truly difficult to put into words.

By then, they genuinely believed that Qingxuan and the Demon Race had a grudge between them—and not an ordinary one, either.

Fuxi held back his laughter nearby and comforted them.

"Fairies, rest assured and stay here. The amusing events taking place here will surely become a 'beautiful tale' in the future."

Inside Creation Heaven, Nuwa and Qingxuan watched the farce and laughed until they doubled over.

"You rebellious disciple, you really are mischievous!"

Nuwa laughed so hard that tears were nearly spilling from her eyes, and she had completely forgotten her dignity as a Sage.

"When the wedding day arrives and the truth is revealed, won't Di Jun and Tai Yi be furious enough to go mad?"

Qingxuan also snickered.

"Master, you can't blame me for this. They were the ones who failed to see clearly. Let's just wait and enjoy the show! When the time comes, you can use the Red Gauze Ball to preside over the marriage. We'll get the merit and enjoy the spectacle. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"You're always full of schemes!"

Nuwa rolled her eyes at him, but the smile on her face would not fade.

Meanwhile, the Demon Race was celebrating joyfully, hanging lanterns and decorating everything. They had already begun making hurried preparations for the official wedding ceremony.

Di Jun even brought out the River Diagram and Luo Book to personally perform deductions. He selected what he believed was an exceptionally auspicious day, one rarely seen in ten thousand years, then sent invitations throughout the Primordial World. He was determined to make this Heavenly Marriage unprecedented!

The eyes of the entire Primordial World were drawn to this seemingly glorious Heavenly Marriage, which in truth concealed a tremendous trap.

Everyone in the Primordial World looked forward to the grand occasion of the first wedding in the Primordial World.

Yet they did not know that an unprecedented spectacle—a calamity that would later make Di Jun and Tai Yi wish they could flee the Primordial World whenever they thought of it—was quietly brewing...

All that remained was to wait for the moment the Demon Emperor lifted that bright-red bridal veil!