Snatching the Bride

Above the Heavenly Court, the immortal music grew ever more melodious, with auspicious lights and radiant mists swirling.

Countless celestial maidens and colorful attendants, holding flower baskets, scattered a vibrant rain of flowers, filling the air with a delicate fragrance.

The assembled immortals and gods chatted and laughed, their cups clinking in a scene of peace and festivity.

Suddenly, a clear dragon's roar echoed from the heavens!

Immediately after, a second, then a third... nine dragon roars reverberated through the thirty-three heavens!

The sound shook the universe, majestic and vast!

The immortals and gods all looked up.

They saw in the distant sky, beneath the wondrous sight of the sun and moon shining together, nine colossal beings breaking through the sea of clouds, charging forward!

Each one was ten thousand feet long, with scales of gold that shone like the sun, fiery red beards, and eyes like torches, exuding divine might!

These were precisely nine ancient divine dragons, each with profound cultivation and pure bloodlines!

Behind the nine divine dragons, they pulled a magnificent, dazzling, and enormous bridal carriage!

The carriage was forged entirely from solar essence gold and lunar cold jade, inlaid with countless star gems, shimmering with radiant light.

Dao patterns covered its surface, evolving into images of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers, emitting a majestic imperial aura and the Dao rhythm of Yin and Yang in harmony!

This was precisely the Heavenly Emperor Dijun's wedding carriage!

Dijun, clad in the Heavenly Emperor's ceremonial robes and wearing a sun crown, stood before the carriage. His face was like jade, his eyes like bright stars, his bearing majestic, and his spirit soaring.

The Solar True Fire flickered around him, as brilliant as the great sun in the sky!

"What grand pomp!" exclaimed an immortal.

"Nine dragons pulling a chariot, the sun and moon shining together – this is an auspicious phenomenon of heaven and earth, showcasing the Heavenly Emperor's majesty!" another agreed.

Dao Xuan watched quietly, thinking to himself, "Dijun has certainly spared no expense for this heavenly wedding, creating quite a spectacle."

The nine dragons pulled the carriage, speeding like lightning, heading straight for the cold and pure Lunar Star.

Before long, the carriage was seen returning from the Lunar Star.

On the carriage, two peerless divine maidens had joined them.

The one on the left, dressed in a moon-white palace gown, possessed a serene aura like moonlight and a peerless beauty; she was the Moon Goddess Changxi.

The one on the right, dressed in a pale gold palace gown, had a gentle yet dignified demeanor, and was equally stunning; she was Xihe.

The two divine maidens stood beside Dijun, the light of the sun and moon interweaving, a breathtaking sight.

Pulled by the nine dragons, the carriage followed its predetermined route, traversing the vast starry sky, and speeding towards the Heavenly Court's Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

The immortal music grew more impassioned, and the rain of flowers became even denser.

On the Heavenly Court plaza, all the immortals and gods rose, preparing to welcome the newlyweds.

Dao Xuan also set down his wine cup, his gaze fixed on the increasingly approaching magnificent carriage.

At that very moment!

An unexpected change occurred!

Rumble--!

From the vast and boundless Great Desolation below, three earth-shattering roars suddenly erupted!

The roars contained boundless malevolent energy and ferocious power, instantly dispersing some of the auspicious clouds and immortal music!

"Little Dijun! Must you be so noisy even when getting married! You're annoying these grandpas!"

A rough and violent voice echoed through heaven and earth!

Immediately after, three colossal figures, reaching into the sky, carrying the terrifying might of burning heavens, boiling seas, overturning rivers, and tearing apart the firmament, suddenly blocked the path of the nine-dragon carriage!

The one in the lead:

Ten thousand feet tall, with fiery red hair standing on end!

His face was like a ripe date, fangs exposed, eyes like bronze bells, spewing scorching flames!

He wore a crimson scale fire dragon armor, stood on two ancient fire dragons, and was engulfed in raging flames, as if about to ignite the void!

This was the Ancestral Witch of Fire—Zhurong!

The one to his left:

Equally ten thousand feet tall, his entire body was indigo, his muscles coiled like dragons!

His face was indigo, his hair and beard bristled, like the furious waves of the deep sea!

He wore black heavy water armor, stood on two ferocious water dragons, and was surrounded by mist and surging waves, as if capable of drowning everything!

This was the Ancestral Witch of Water—Gonggong!

The one to his right:

His physique was as imposing as a mountain, his skin earthy yellow, exuding an unparalleled, heavy aura of the earth!

His face was like the bottom of a pot, his eyes like lightning, wearing an E-Tu Qilin armor, and standing on rolling yellow sand. With every step he took, the void trembled, and the earth resonated!

It was the Ancestral Witch of Earth—Houtu!

The three Great Ancestral Witches, their killing intent soaring to the heavens, were like three primeval demonic mountains, blocking Dijun's wedding procession!

The oppressive aura of the rampaging Ancestral Witch true forms caused the nine primeval divine dragons pulling the carriage to whinny uneasily, their dragon bodies trembling!

In the Heavenly Court square, there was an uproar!

"The Witch Clan! It's the Ancestral Witches!"

"Zhurong! Gonggong! And Houtu! How dare they disrupt the Heavenly Emperor's wedding!"

"How audacious!"

The joy on Dijun's face vanished in an instant, replaced by bone-chilling killing intent!

"Zhurong! Gonggong! Houtu! You are seeking death!"

The Emperor's wrath ignited the Solar True Fire, causing the void temperature to soar!

He stepped out of his imperial carriage, intending to suppress them himself!

"Big Brother!" Eastern Emperor Taiyi's voice arrived in time.

Taiyi, clad in a Golden Crow imperial robe and wearing a golden crown, had a face like jade and eyes as sharp as knives.

He instantly appeared beside Dijun and placed a hand on his arm.

"The auspicious hour must not be missed! Big Brother, quickly take your sisters-in-law back to the Heavenly Court to complete the ceremony!"

Taiyi's gaze swept over the three Great Ancestral Witches, his eyes radiating cold light.

"Mere brutes, leave them to your little brother to deal with!"

Dijun's eyes churned with rage, but looking at the two goddesses beside him and then towards the Heavenly Court, he suppressed his anger.

"Good! Second Brother, be careful! Don't get entangled, make it quick!"

"Rest assured, Big Brother!"

Dijun no longer hesitated. He channeled his magic power, pacified the nine dragons, and steered the imperial carriage, bypassing the three Great Ancestral Witches, accelerating towards the Heavenly Court!

"Trying to leave? Did you ask Grandpa's permission first!" Zhurong roared, unleashing a punch. Boundless flames transformed into a roaring fire dragon, lunging directly at the carriage!

"Hmph!"

Taiyi snorted coldly, his figure flickered, and he stood before the fire dragon.

In his hand, he held a small, ancient, mysterious yellow bell.

The sun, moon, stars, earth, water, fire, and wind swirled around the bell's exterior, while mountains, rivers, the Great Desolation, and all the myriad races were faintly visible within!

It was the Primordial Supreme Treasure—the Chaos Bell!

"Clang—!"

Taiyi flicked his finger!

A melodious and majestic bell chime echoed throughout the universe!

Wherever the sound waves passed, space solidified like ripples on water!

The roaring ten-thousand-zhang fire dragon, as if crashing into an invisible barrier, instantly disintegrated, scattering into a sky full of sparks!

"Chaos Bell!" Gonggong's pupils contracted, his face showing solemnity.

"Let's go together! Smash this damn bell!" Zhurong ignored everything else, stepping on a fire python, his fists blazing with world-burning flames, and charged again!

"Roar!" Houtu also roared, stepping on yellow sand, her giant fist smashing down like a mountain, carrying unparalleled gravitational force!

Gonggong stirred up monstrous waves, transforming into countless water blades that tore through the void, shredding towards Taiyi from all directions!

The three Great Ancestral Witches joined forces, with fire, water, and earth!

The power of three primordial laws raged, turning that patch of starry sky into a complete realm of destruction!

"Excellent!"

Taiyi was fearless, his fighting spirit surging in his eyes!

He held the Chaos Bell above his head, and Mysterious Yellow Qi cascaded down, protecting his body.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The bell chimed repeatedly!

Each chime shook the heavens and earth, stabilizing the elements!

The Mysterious Yellow sound waves spread, scattering the world-burning flames, calming the monstrous waves, and nullifying the earth's gravity!

Taiyi stood beneath the bell. Though his figure was not as colossal as the Ancestral Witches', his aura was as brilliant as the midday sun, blindingly magnificent!

He sometimes threw a punch, his fist prints like the great sun traversing the sky, repelling Zhurong!

He sometimes pointed a finger, his finger-light piercing the void, tearing apart Gonggong's tidal wave of water blades!

He sometimes moved with profound footwork, channeling the power of the Chaos Bell to hard-counter Houtu's heavy earth fist!

For a time, the starry sky erupted with divine light and colliding laws!

The chime of the Chaos Bell mingled with the roars of the Ancestral Witches, shaking countless stars and making the creatures of the Great Desolation tremble!

The celestial gods and immortals on the Heavenly Court's plaza watched, dumbfounded and awestruck, as this earth-shattering battle of Quasi-Saints unfolded.

"Eastern Emperor Taiyi, truly lives up to his name! Fighting three at once, yet not at a disadvantage!"

"The Chaos Bell is indeed a Primordial Supreme Treasure, its defense unparalleled, its offense integrated!"

"The Ancestral Witches' true forms are also terrifying; every movement possesses the power to destroy heaven and earth!"

Zhenyuanzi stroked his beard and sighed, "The conflict between the Witches and Demons can be seen in this battle."

Old Ancestor Hongyun, however, was somewhat worried, "Although Taiyi is strong, prolonged fighting may not be advantageous, as they are three Ancestral Witches."

Kunpeng's eyes flickered, lost in thought.

In the West, Jieyin and Zhunti wore sorrowful expressions, yet their eyes gleamed with sharp light.

Empress Nuwa's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and Great God Fuxi also appeared solemn.

Dao Xuan took in everyone's reactions, understanding dawning in his heart.

Most of them are just here to watch. The Witch Clan's actions are intended to disrupt the situation and dampen the Demon Clan's morale, not necessarily to fight to the death.

Just as Dao Xuan had predicted.

The three Ancestral Witches, though appearing ferocious with their fierce attacks, were not truly fighting with all their might.

Zhurong roared, unleashing torrents of flames, but they were always dispersed by the Chaos Bell's chime.

Gonggong's surging waves were grand and powerful, yet they couldn't breach the defense of the Mysterious Yellow Qi.

Houtu's heavy punches were each cleverly deflected by Taiyi.

After a brief struggle, seeing that Dijun's imperial carriage had safely entered the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Zhurong suddenly pushed Taiyi back with a punch and roared, "This is boring! Dijun the brat has already run off! I'm not fighting anymore!"

Gonggong also withdrew his watery waves and snorted, "Taiyi, you're lucky today! We'll play with you again another day!"

Houtu cast a deep look at Taiyi and said gravely, "Demon Clan, take care of yourselves!"

With that, the three Ancestral Witches, showing no desire to prolong the fight, took a step with their massive bodies, shrinking the ground beneath them, and instantly vanished into the depths of the Great Desolation.

They came quickly and left just as fast!

All that remained was a scarred and broken starry sky with chaotic laws.

Taiyi stood in the void, the Chaos Bell slowly rotating above his head, the Mysterious Yellow Qi retracted.

His expression was stern as he gazed in the direction the Ancestral Witches had disappeared, killing intent still lingering in his eyes.

"Hmph! A mere clown!"

Knowing it was not advisable to pursue further today, Taiyi let out a cold snort and transformed into a golden light, returning to the Heavenly Court.

On the Heavenly Court's plaza, the celestial gods and immortals, seeing the battle subside, had mixed feelings.

Some regretted not witnessing a more intense clash.

Some were relieved that the conflict had not escalated.

More, however, turned their gaze back to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

Dijun, accompanied by the two divine maidens Changxi and Xihe, stood on the high platform before the hall.

Despite the setbacks, the auspicious time had not yet passed.

Empress Nuwa gracefully rose, holding an object.

The object was shaped like a ball, entirely crimson, emitting myriad rays of divine light and streams of auspicious colors, its dao rhythm naturally formed. It was the Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure—the Red Embroidered Ball!

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

Empress Nuwa's voice, clear and resonant, spread throughout the Heavenly Court.

"Today, the Heavenly Emperor Dijun, embodying the essence of the sun, presides over the order of the Heavenly Court."

"The Lunar Divine Maidens Changxi and Xihe, receiving the essence of moonlight, are blessed with spiritual grace."

"With the union of Yin and Yang, the order of heaven and earth is established, conforming to the Heavenly Dao, the ceremony of the Heavenly Marriage shall be performed!"

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Dijun, along with Changxi and Xihe, faced the vast Great Desolation and bowed.

"Second bow to the Great Dao!"

The three turned towards the mysterious void and bowed again.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Dijun and Changxi, Xihe stood facing each other and bowed.

The moment the husband and wife's bow was completed!

Boom--!

Above the nine heavens, an anomaly occurred!

Endless auspicious clouds gathered, and auspicious energy descended in a thousand streams!

The vast and boundless Mysterious Yellow Merit Qi poured down like a heavenly river, surging from beyond the nine heavens!

The golden light of merit, resplendent and dazzling, illuminated the entire Heavenly Court in a golden hue!

The majority of the merit, about seventy percent, flowed directly into Dijun's body!

Dijun's aura suddenly surged!

The Qingyun above his head churned, his Three Flowers swayed, and the Five Qi within his chest surged like the sea!

The bottleneck in his cultivation, originally at the mid-Quasi-Saint stage, shattered under the impact of this immense merit!

A more powerful, more profound aura, closer to Hunyuan, permeated the surroundings!

Dijun, relying on the merit from the Heavenly Marriage, had broken through to the late Quasi-Saint stage in one fell swoop!

He was now only a hair's breadth away from severing his third corpse and achieving the peak Quasi-Saint realm!

Another twenty percent of the merit flowed into the Red Embroidered Ball in Empress Nuwa's hand.

The Red Embroidered Ball shone brightly, its Dao rhythm flowing.

Empress Nuwa had a flash of inspiration, a compassionate smile appearing on her face.

"Good!"

With a clear shout, a pure spiritual energy flew out from Empress Nuwa's auspicious clouds and entered the Red Embroidered Ball.

The Red Embroidered Ball flashed, transforming into a female immortal dressed in a crimson palace gown, holding a red thread, with a face seven parts similar to Nuwa's, and a gentle and kind temperament!

This was the Good Corpse severed by Empress Nuwa using the Red Embroidered Ball as a vessel – the Matchmaking Fairy!

Empress Nuwa's aura also surged, and her Dao cultivation advanced greatly!

The remaining ten percent of the merit was divided into two, falling into the bodies of Changxi and Xihe respectively.

The two Lunar Goddesses already possessed considerable cultivation. With the help of this merit, the Three Flowers above their heads became even more solidified, and the tendency of the Five Qi within their chests to ascend to the origin stabilized.

Their auras rose simultaneously, and both of them severed one corpse, stepping into the mid-Quasi-Saint realm!

For a time, above the Heavenly Court, the auras of Dijun, Nuwa, Changxi, and Xihe, four Quasi-Saints, shone together, their might pressing down upon the Great Desolation!

The strength of the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court had instantly surged!

On the Heavenly Court's plaza, immortal music played, heavenly flowers rained down, and golden lotuses sprang from the earth!

The assembled immortals and gods all rose and congratulated in unison:

"Congratulations to His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor on the successful Heavenly Marriage! May your Dao cultivation advance!"

"Congratulations to Empress Nuwa on successfully severing her corpse!"

"Congratulations to the two Empresses on their great advancement in cultivation!"

The sound waves surged like a tide, shaking the thirty-three heavens!

Dijun, full of high spirits, accepted the congratulations with the two goddesses, his majesty even greater.

Taiyi returned and stood beside Dijun. Seeing his elder brother's breakthrough and the Demon Clan's increased power, his eyes were filled with relief and pride.

Dao Xuan congratulated along with the other immortals and gods, but his heart was clear.

* "When things reach their peak, they decline; when things reach their extreme, they reverse. Today, the Demon Clan has gained such great fortune, and their strength has surged. It seems like a roaring fire and blooming flowers, but in reality, they have completely pushed the Witch Clan into a corner. How can those Twelve Ancestral Witches be people who will swallow their anger?" *

He swept his gaze across the Great Desolation below, as if he could pierce through endless space and see the majestic Buzhou Mountain.

* "A greater storm is likely brewing." *

At the same time.

Deep within the Great Desolation, at Buzhou Mountain.

Inside Pangu Hall.

A dense aura of killing and a surging blood energy filled the air!

Twelve figures, towering like pillars, sat in a circle – the Twelve Ancestral Witches!

In the center, a large water mirror reflected the grand scene of the Heavenly Marriage in the Heavenly Court and the magnificent spectacle of merit descending.

When they saw Dijun break through to the late Quasi-Saint stage, Nuwa sever her corpse, and Changxi and Xihe both advance to the mid-Quasi-Saint realm.

The killing aura within Pangu Hall almost solidified into substance!

"Roar--!" Zhurong was the first to erupt in fury, flames erupting uncontrollably from his body, scorching the stone walls of the hall red!

"Outrageous! Dijun, that brat, gets such immense benefits just from getting married!" Gonggong also roared, phantom waves churning behind him.

"The Demon Clan's strength has greatly increased! Taiyi was already difficult to deal with with the Chaos Bell, and now Dijun has also reached the late Quasi-Saint stage, not to mention Nuwa and those two women!" Jumang (Wood Ancestral Witch)'s face was grim.

"And that Hongyun! Zhenyuanzi! Those two thieves from the West! They were all present at the Heavenly Court today, looking like they were on good terms with the Demon Clan!" Rushou (Metal Ancestral Witch)'s voice was icy.

Shebishi (Weather Ancestral Witch) grunted, "If this continues, our Witch Clan is in danger!"

Xuanming (Rain/Ice Ancestral Witch)'s body exuded cold air. "We must show them some color! We can't let them have a peaceful wedding night!"

Tianwu (Ancestor Witch of Wind) stirred up gusts of wind, "That's right! They got their way during the day, how can we let them have peace at night?"

Qiangliang (Ancestor Witch of Lightning) crackled with electricity, "Attack the Lingxiao Treasure Hall! Flip over his wedding bed!"

Xizi (Ancestor Witch of Electricity) sent electric snakes dancing wildly, "Exactly! Let's turn this place upside down!"

Houtu looked at her agitated brothers and sisters, her brow furrowed slightly, but she didn't speak out against them.

Dijiang (Ancestor Witch of Space) sat high in the main seat, his face ashen.

He surveyed all the Ancestor Witches, the laws of space flowing in his eyes, profound and immeasurable.

The harassment by Zhurong and the other two during the day, though it disrupted the ceremony, failed to stop the Heavenly Marriage. Instead, it allowed the Demon Clan to reap immense benefits.

How could the Witch Clan, from top to bottom, swallow this insult?

"What my brothers say is absolutely right!"

Dijiang's voice was low, yet it carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing the clamor in the hall.

"The Demon Clan's arrogance today has grown, and their strength has greatly increased. If we allow them to solidify their foundation further, they will surely become a serious threat to our Witch Clan in the future!"

"Taking advantage of their wedding today, when their defenses might be lax, is the perfect opportunity for us to strike!"

He suddenly stood up, his ten-thousand-foot Ancestor Witch true form exuding a terrifying pressure that tore through space!

"Issue the order!"

"Gather all the Great Witches! Muster the sons and daughters of the Witch Clan!"

Fierce light flashed in Dijiang's eyes, and a ferocious smile spread across his lips.

"Follow us..."

"To Dijun's brat--"

"To crash the wedding chamber!"

"ROAR--!!!"

In the Pangu Hall, the Twelve Ancestral Witches roared in unison!

Their malevolent aura soared to the heavens, their battle intent ripped through the firmament!

Below Buzhou Mountain, countless Witch Clan tribes were set in motion upon hearing the news!

War drums thundered, their sound shaking the Great Desolation!

Countless Great Witches, hundreds or thousands of feet tall, their blood essence like dragons, roared and converged!

Even more, hundreds of millions of Witch Clan warriors, wielding giant axes, bone clubs, and stone spears, their malevolent aura condensed into clouds, forming torrents of terror!

Led by the Twelve Ancestral Witches, this terrifying torrent, composed of pure strength and malevolent aura, swept across the land, crushing mountains and rivers, tearing through the clouds, and charging straight towards the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court in the ninth heaven!

A cataclysmic battle that would sweep across the Great Desolation was about to erupt on Dijun's wedding night!