A Celestial Beauty's Shell, a Serpent's Heart!

Xuan Hall beneath the curtain of night.

The eternal lamps before the corridor cast the large red double-happiness paper cutouts on the window lattice onto the walls within the hall, like man-eating behemoths.

Chen Xuan sat upon the Saint Son Throne carved from Millennium Warm Sun Jade, staring self-mockingly at the pair of Dragon-Phoenix Candles before him, each as thick as a child's arm...

Tonight, he should have been too excited to sleep, eagerly awaiting tomorrow's wedding.

But now?

He had likely already become the target of secret mockery throughout the sect!

"Xuan Ge!"

With a booming shout, a burly young man built like a bear, his entire body bronze-colored, strode swiftly inside. He was Chen Xuan's sworn brother, the man with whom he had entrusted his life and death.

Du Meng, True Disciple of Boulder Peak!

The moment Du Meng entered the hall, he began cursing with a dark expression.

"Fuck their immortal ancestors! That pretty boy Ji Wushuang is chatting with that slut Liu Ruyan by Crescent Lake right now. They're making eyes at each other—there's obviously something between them!"

"I'd bet that Liu Ruyan's Virginity Mark was rubbed away from fooling around with Ji Wushuang..."

Chen Xuan's gaze dimmed at those words.

He clenched his fists hard and said through gritted teeth, "It doesn't matter! It's enough that I've seen that bitch's true face! Tomorrow, I'll announce the annulment of our engagement!"

"What? Announce an annulment?"

Du Meng was startled, then immediately raised a thumb.

"That's a domineering decision! Liu Ruyan may be beautiful as a celestial fairy, but since she's a fickle, loose woman, she isn't worthy of you, Xuan Ge!"

Chen Xuan gave a listless smile.

Then his heart abruptly tightened!

Liu Ruyan had deliberately revealed that her Virginity Mark was gone because she wanted to force him to annul the engagement!

After suffering such unparalleled humiliation, how could he still have the face to remain Saint Son?

That way, Liu Ruyan would not have to marry him, and she could also help her adulterous lover seize the position of Saint Son!

Everything made sense now!

"Ji Wushuang!!!..."

Chen Xuan nearly crushed his steel teeth, his eyes splitting with rage!

That dog man and dog woman were truly vile and shameless!!!

Suddenly!

"Ahhh!..."

Chen Xuan's head suddenly felt as though it were being torn apart. He screamed in agony as vague images seemed about to surface in his mind.

Du Meng hurriedly checked on him, only to end up frowning deeply.

He said worriedly, "Xuan Ge, this headache of yours seems like someone erased a portion of your memories! You must be careful—an ordinary man commits no crime, but possessing jade becomes his crime!"

Chen Xuan shook his head. "Erasing memories is a Forbidden Technique, and the backlash comes easily. Who would go to such lengths for a cripple like me? Besides, even if some villain took the Haotian Sword and Panlong Treasure Ring, they wouldn't dare use them lightly, would they?"

As he spoke, he suddenly realized something!

Chen Xuan's voice turned faint and ghostly. "If I had voluntarily given those two treasures away, it would be different..."

"What do you mean?..."

Du Meng stood stunned, his eyes filled with deep pity and helplessness!

Had a once-peerless genius, after losing all his cultivation overnight, already begun helplessly sliding into the abyss of becoming one of the ants?

Yet after Du Meng left, Chen Xuan's heart remained unable to settle for a long time.

Ji Wushuang and Liu Ruyan had very likely gotten together and were plotting against him!

Did his master know about this?

Still... he absolutely could not honor his promise to surrender the Saint Son position and those two treasures!

Chen Xuan then entered the cultivation chamber and sat cross-legged within the Spirit Gathering Array, emptying his mind...

After the time it took to burn an incense stick.

Chen Xuan sensed the petrified "True Dragon Heart" within his dantian. It immediately shone like a dazzling golden sun!

This True Dragon Heart had been an unexpected gain when Chen Xuan explored the Ancient Sacred Land Ruins.

Moreover, a large part of the reason Chen Xuan had been able to condense the unprecedented Ninth Grade Golden Core was due to the aid of the True Dragon Heart.

At a certain moment.

An excruciating pain swept through Chen Xuan's entire body!

Yet he gritted his teeth and endured it, his eyes brimming with excitement... because that dazzling golden light was healing his collapsed dantian bit by bit!

The healed portion of his dantian seemed even more extraordinary, faintly emanating Dragon Might!

Morning.

Chen Xuan opened his eyes, wild ecstasy bursting from them!

His collapsed dantian had healed by roughly one-tenth!

And beyond that, the True Dragon Heart had also passed an ancient miraculous art to Chen Xuan—the "Nine Yang True Dragon Art"!

Cultivating this art required the coordination of the True Dragon Heart!

The "Nine Yang True Dragon Art" had nine levels in total. Once he mastered the first level of the Qi Refining Stage, he could condense the True Dragon Overlord Body and Nine Dragons True Essence! When he broke through to the Golden Core Stage, he could even condense an Immortal Grade Golden Core surpassing the Ninth Grade...

This was a truly supreme, unyielding, blazing, and domineering Invincible Method!

Chen Xuan clenched his fists and murmured in extreme excitement, "In another ten days, I'll be able to cultivate the 'Nine Yang True Dragon Art'!!!"

At the same time.

Within a tranquil Ancient Hall, a White-Browed Daoist who had been meditating cross-legged abruptly rose to his feet, overwhelmed with excitement!

With a wave of his hand, he summoned an ancient bronze mirror. A figure appeared upon its surface—it was none other than Chen Xuan!

"Hahaha! This little fellow possesses the True Dragon Qi of utmost yang, with a Golden Dragon Shadow hanging above his head. He is the ideal candidate to reinforce the seal of the True Dragon Grand Array! I had thought that in three years, the Great Dark Heaven Demon Lord in the Black Sin Abyss would surely break through the grand array's seal and bring about a world-destroying calamity!"

"Now, at last, I have found a way to break this deadlock! Wild Heaven Region is saved!..."

The White-Browed Daoist laughed loudly, causing the entire Ancient Hall to tremble as though it could not bear the power contained within his laughter!

He was none other than Mu Yun Sanxian, the publicly acknowledged strongest expert of Wild Heaven Region!

At that moment, a dim Shadow flickered in the corner of the Ancient Hall, revealing a man in black robes.

He immediately fell to his knees and said excitedly, "Congratulations, Master! This subordinate knows this boy—he is Chen Xuan, Saint Son of the Vast Sword Sect! Unfortunately, he detonated his Ninth Grade Golden Core over a month ago and became a cripple. I fear..."

Yet Mu Yun Sanxian's smile remained unchanged as he said with certainty, "As the saying goes, without breaking, there can be no rebuilding! The True Dragon Qi of utmost yang that this little fellow awakened is restoring his damaged dantian. His future achievements will surely surpass mine!"

"I had intended to try my luck at the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony, yet the disciple fated for me has appeared early! Splendid! Splendid!..."

"Shadow, hurry to the Vast Sword Sect and protect Chen Xuan. While you're there, secretly observe his character as well!"

"As you command!"

The black-robed man responded respectfully, then suddenly vanished into the void!

The next day.

Festive music rang out across Jade Maiden Peak, while streaks of light flew over from every mountain peak.

Some rode flying swords, some commanded flying boats, and some walked upon clouds...

Supported by her bridesmaids, Liu Ruyan, dressed in a crimson wedding gown, descended from the clouds and headed toward Xuan Hall.

Her steps were light and elegant, every bit the bearing of an immortal maiden.

The brilliant sunlight fell upon her, making her Phoenix Crown and Rosy Cape gleam. As the Pearl Tassels swayed gently, they framed a peerlessly beautiful face capable of toppling kingdoms!

All around her rose gasps that could not be suppressed and whispered discussions, while many gazes stared blankly at her...

This was the charm of Liu Ruyan, the number one beauty of the Vast Sword Sect!

She walked with graceful allure, her figure so beautiful it stole one's breath!

Even a casual frown or smile from her seemed enough to enchant the world!

Everyone on Jade Maiden Peak had been alerted and hurried over.

When Chen Xuan appeared, the jealousy in the eyes of the Vast Sword Sect's younger male disciples nearly shot out like flames!

Thinking of how Liu Ruyan, a heavenly daughter as beautiful as a celestial fairy, would soon be married by Chen Xuan, that cripple, and would lie beneath him, yielding in soft turns...

Many male disciples felt more disgusted than if they had swallowed a dead rat!!!

Jealousy, mockery, disdain, unwillingness, resentment, envy—these gazes all fell upon Chen Xuan.

Of course, a small number of disciples still held great respect and gratitude for Chen Xuan, their eyes carrying blessings.

Chen Xuan and Liu Ruyan gazed at each other from afar!

Both their eyes were icy cold, seemingly devoid of even the slightest trace of emotion.

At this moment, whispers rose from the crowd.

"Senior Sister Ru Yan possesses such celestial beauty, yet she has to marry our crippled Saint Son... what a waste!"

"She is the foremost pearl of our Vast Sword Sect, and even throughout the entire Wild Heaven Region, she is among the most stunning beauties. What a pity..."

"The immortal maiden of my dreams is actually going to marry that trash Chen Xuan. I'm so unwilling I want to die! Ahhh!..."

Ji Yaoyue raised her delicate brows and snapped unhappily, "All of you, shut up!"

At her sharp rebuke, the whispers finally ceased.

At that moment, Ji Wushuang also stood up and declared righteously, "The marriage between my senior brother and Senior Sister Ru Yan was personally approved by the Sect Master and blessed by all the elders! How can you allow yourselves such reckless slander?"

His outstanding and extraordinary bearing made the eyes of many female disciples bloom with affection.

A young man clad in armor stepped forward and said with righteous indignation, "Saint Son Chen Xuan has lost all his cultivation. He cannot even defeat the sect's menial disciples now, while Senior Sister Ru Yan has a bright future ahead of her. Therefore, I believe he is no longer worthy of Senior Sister Ru Yan!"

His name was Dai Tao, and he had always been Chen Xuan's mortal enemy.

As soon as Dai Tao spoke, a wave of agreement immediately sounded throughout the scene.

"Disciple..."

Ji Yaoyue spoke, glancing at Chen Xuan to signal that he should make the announcement.

"Tap!"

Suppressing the fury in his heart, Chen Xuan stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Today's wedding is canceled! I apologize for making all my fellow disciples come here for nothing!"

The moment he said this, the entire scene exploded into uproar!

Who could have imagined that Chen Xuan would truly annul the engagement?

Some began secretly mocking Liu Ruyan over the matter of her Virginity Mark, while others sarcastically ridiculed Chen Xuan for not knowing what was good for him.

Dai Tao laughed heartily and raised his thumb in praise. "Saint Son Chen Xuan, admirable... Though with your status as a cripple, I fear no one will marry you in the future! Let me offer you some advice: among the female menial disciples, there are a few with decent looks. You can try flirting with one or two of them."

"Flirt with your mother!"

An angry curse came from afar. Du Meng had rushed over, glaring furiously at Dai Tao.

For a moment, the air was thick with the stench of gunpowder!

"Enough!"

Liu Ruyan let out a cold, despairing cry, instantly restoring silence to the scene.

Her clear, beautiful eyes revealed a shattered, mournful sorrow.

Under everyone's gaze, Liu Ruyan said in utter disappointment, "Chen Xuan, three days ago, beneath the flowers and moonlight outside Xuan Hall, I gave you my pure body to prove that my love for you would endure until death!"

"And you? Today, you actually want to cancel the wedding... humiliating me in such a cold and heartless manner! Ru Yan's heart hurts so much..."

Boom!

Liu Ruyan's words shocked everyone present!

Those who had suspected Chen Xuan of being cuckolded all shut their mouths.

However, the way they looked at Chen Xuan became even more contemptuous and disdainful.

What a pathetic coward who put on his pants and refused to acknowledge what he had done!

Chen Xuan was stunned!

He could say with certainty that three nights ago, he had drunk alone until deep into the night. He had never spent the night beneath flowers and moonlight with Liu Ruyan, listening to the cries of mandarin ducks.

She was lying!!!

Looking at Liu Ruyan, whose face was streaked with tears like pear blossoms in rain, Chen Xuan suddenly felt that this woman was so unfamiliar...

Beneath that celestial beauty's shell, what kind of venomous, serpent-hearted malice was hidden?

Only when waves of condemnation and curses erupted did Chen Xuan suddenly realize something in horror!

The slander of that bitch Liu Ruyan was truly a blade that killed and pierced the heart—she wanted to completely ruin his reputation and cast him into a state of eternal damnation!