Marrying Cao Ying, Generous Rewards

Cao Ying's silence did not last long.

The temptation of a Heavenly Flame was simply too great for her.

Although Shen Wen's conditions sounded absurd, after careful consideration,

it seemed she had not actually lost anything of substance. On the contrary, she might gain an opportunity to soar to the heavens in a single step.

A wedding in name in exchange for a confirmed Heavenly Flame.

This deal did not seem like a loss for her.

"Fine."

"I agree. But you must establish a Soul Contract to guarantee what you just said: 'We will have only the name of husband and wife, but not the reality for now,' and 'You will never force the reality of husband and wife upon me.'

"And after the Grand Wedding ceremony, you must immediately give me the detailed information on the Green Lotus Core Flame."

"Deal!"

A smile bloomed across Shen Wen's face as he agreed without hesitation.

With the Cao Family's resources, obtaining a Soul Contract was no difficulty. After Cao Ying returned to the Cao Family, she brought back the Soul Contract.

[1. Shen Wen shall never use any method to force Cao Ying into the reality of husband and wife.]

[2. After the marriage alliance is formed, Shen Wen must help Cao Ying search for the Green Lotus Core Flame.]

The two entered into this seemingly absurd engagement, each taking what they needed.

When Old Monster Lin learned that the two had settled the matter, he stroked his beard and studied his disciple with a strange look for quite some time.

In the end, he merely sighed. "You young people... forget it. Since both of you are willing, this old man shall honor his promise."

He found it rather strange.

But since both sides had confirmed it,

as their Master, he naturally had to fulfill his promise.

Thus,

Old Monster Lin personally went to the Cao Family. As the Great Elder of the Pill Pagoda and a Dou Sheng expert, he proposed marriage for his disciple.

The entire Cao Family was first stunned, then overjoyed.

To form a marriage alliance with the Pill Pagoda, and for Cao Ying to marry an unparalleled genius like Shen Wen—a mere Eighteen Years Old yet already at the Dou Huang Peak and a Seventh-Grade Alchemist—

was simply a windfall from heaven for the Cao Family!

As for Cao Ying's slight "hesitation,"

under the immense pressure of the family's interests and a Dou Sheng personally proposing marriage, it seemed utterly insignificant.

The Cao Family accepted the marriage proposal almost impatiently.

Once the news spread, it immediately caused a tremendous uproar throughout the Pill Pagoda and even the entire Central Continent.

Shen Wen, Final Disciple of Old Monster Lin, the Great Elder of the Pill Pagoda, was going to marry Cao Ying, the Demoness of the Cao Family!

When Xuan Kongzi, Tian Lei Zi, and Xuan Yi heard the news, their feelings were rather complicated.

They had all thought highly of Cao Ying's talent in alchemy and had intended to take her as a disciple.

Cao Ying had been hesitating before.

But now she was going to marry Old Monster Lin's disciple. If Old Monster Lin also intervened, he would certainly have a greater advantage than they did.

Yet Old Monster Lin held an extraordinary position within the Pill Pagoda, and his strength was unfathomable. Though they had some complaints,

none of them would offend him over a disciple who had not yet formally taken a Master. They could only accept the matter as settled.

The wedding preparations proceeded at an astonishing pace.

Both Old Monster Lin and the Cao Family mobilized vast resources, determined to make this marriage alliance as grand as possible.

Invitations flew like snowflakes toward the major powers of the Central Continent.

The Flower Sect, Sound Valley, Blazing Flame Valley, Ice River Valley... nearly every influential faction received a joint invitation from the Pill Pagoda and the Cao Family.

"Shen Wen, Final Disciple of the Pill Pagoda's Great Elder, and Cao Ying, daughter of the Cao Family, are holding their Grand Wedding!"

Like a storm, this news swiftly swept across the entire Central Continent, stirring countless discussions and curiosities.

An Eighteen Years Old Dou Huang Peak, a Seventh-Grade Alchemist, marrying the equally gifted Demoness of the Cao Family.

It symbolized the further strengthening and union of the Pill Pagoda and the Cao Family, enough to alter parts of the Central Continent's future balance of power.

On the day of the Grand Wedding,

Sacred Pill City, where the Pill Pagoda headquarters stood, was more bustling than ever before.

Across the skies, magnificent carriages pulled by rare Demonic Beasts and streams of powerful figures flying through the air continuously entered the city.

Inside and outside the Pill Pagoda, lanterns and decorations adorned every corner. A rich fragrance of pills mingled with the festive atmosphere, permeating every inch of the air.

The ceremony was held in a magnificent grand hall within the core area of the Pill Pagoda.

The hall was packed with guests. Leaders and representatives from every faction gathered together, chatting and laughing, though their gazes frequently drifted toward the entrance as they awaited the arrival of the day's protagonists.

The Auspicious Time had arrived.

Ceremonial Music began to play, and the noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Shen Wen entered the hall in a bright red robe tailored perfectly to his frame, tall and upright, handsome and composed.

At his side,

Cao Ying wore a Phoenix Crown and Brocade Robe, her Wedding Dress blazing like fire.

Beneath the exquisite phoenix crown, her already breathtakingly beautiful face became even more dazzling under the Red Makeup.

Crimson was the color that best highlighted her beauty, let alone Cao Ying herself, who was renowned throughout the Central Continent for both her seductive charm and genius.

It could be said that

when news of Shen Wen and Cao Ying's Marriage Alliance spread, countless people across the Central Continent were heartbroken.

They inwardly hated Shen Wen, thinking, Revenge for a Stolen Wife—an Unforgivable Grudge!

Without a doubt,

the moment she appeared, she instantly seized everyone's attention and became the focus of the entire hall.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, their red garments complementing one another, they looked like a perfect couple, drawing countless sighs of admiration and envy.

Old Monster Lin served as both Shen Wen's elder and the Officiant.

Seated in the place of honor, he looked at his proudest disciple and the Cao Family's most outstanding young woman, a rare gratified smile appearing on his face.

This was good too.

After all, he did not want his disciple's future wife to become a burden to him.

He had no descendants and no other disciples. Shen Wen was his only disciple, so naturally, he treated him like a son.

The Cao Family Old Ancestor and the others were positively glowing with pride.

"First Bow to Heaven and Earth!"

"Second Bow to Esteemed Master!"

"Couple's Mutual Bow!"

Under the Officiant's booming calls and the gaze of the hall full of guests, Shen Wen and Cao Ying completed the elaborate and solemn wedding rites.

At the instant the final Couple's Mutual Bow was completed, the crisp notification Shen Wen had awaited for twelve years finally rang out in his mind as promised:

[ Ding! Detected that the host has successfully married Cao Ying (Rating: 95), meeting the system reward criteria! ]

[ Congratulations, host, for winning the beauty's hand. Reward: Devouring Ancestral Symbol, Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art (already contains Heavenly Dragon Qi). ]

[ Detected that the wedding has been finalized. Betrothal Gift issued: Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi, Sky Burning Cauldron. ]

[ If the affection between the two increases, further rewards may be obtained for every 10% increase. ]

[ Current affection: 10% ]

It was here! Finally here!

Shen Wen forcibly suppressed the wild joy and excitement in his Inner Heart, doing his best to maintain a calm exterior.

The Devouring Ancestral Symbol—this was that illiterate Lin Dong's starting Golden Finger.

Awesome!

And this Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art.

Good heavens.

Had he become Lin Dong in Battle Through the Heavens?

There were also the "Betrothal Gifts" prepared for Cao Ying: the Red Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi and the Sky Burning Cauldron.

Naturally, he knew the former. It was a cultivation technique from another immensely powerful world, capable of controlling the Myriad Flames beneath heaven. The latter appeared to be a Medicine Cauldron.

A wife was married with a Betrothal Gift, while a concubine was taken with a dowry.

This system really knew how to handle things.

It was somewhat regrettable that he could not use either of them. They were Betrothal Gifts for Cao Ying.

But... forget it.

She was his wife, after all.

Besides, increasing their affection could earn him further rewards, which was certainly a good thing.

He had not expected Cao Ying to actually have even a tiny bit of affection for him.

It was quite a good beginning.

He slightly turned his head and looked at Cao Ying beside him, who had drawn a little closer while performing the bows.

Beneath the Red Veil, he could not see her expression, but Shen Wen could sense the slight stiffness in her body.

"Don't be nervous," Shen Wen whispered with a smile, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Cao Ying's eyelashes trembled lightly beneath the veil.