[Major Chapter] Rich Lady, Give Me a Hug

Night fell.

Across the grasslands, candlelight flickered and bonfires blazed.

Majestic ceremonial music mingled with laughter and cheerful chatter.

The gentle evening breeze carried the fragrance of wine, roasted meat, and grain for a hundred miles.

The local Immortal Commoners, especially the women, were remarkably good at making a scene. Though they knew the sect had little time left and felt a touch of sorrow, they sang and danced all the same. Seven hundred people somehow made as much noise as seven thousand.

Even the refugees from other places were swept up in the festivities. The women clapped along, the beggars swayed, and a group of gaunt, sallow children joined in the revelry.

Little Bamboo Spring Mountain.

On the eastern side of the summit, in Ning Zhongzi's bedchamber.

Before dressing and applying makeup to Liu Xuanye, Ning Zhongzi first had to dress the groom.

She had personally made the wedding attire overnight.

She tied a red sash around the Bamboo Spring Sect's green robe, stitched red trim onto the collar and cuffs, and hung a red tassel from his sword.

It looked elegant and airy, with just the right touch of celebration.

Lu Ya found the whole thing bizarre.

What was it like to get married on his third day after transmigrating?

It was his first time getting married.

He had thought it would just be a formality, but seeing how lively things were outside suddenly made it feel kind of thrilling.

"It's lively out there."

Lu Ya found himself a little curious.

Ning Zhongzi straightened Lu Ya's lapels, stitched on the red trim, and snipped off the loose threads.

She was exceptionally meticulous.

Even though she was standing very close to Lu Ya, there was not the slightest feeling of unfamiliarity between them.

Three days together felt like three years—or even thirty years—of kinship.

"Today's festivities are all thanks to you."

"Is there anything extra I need to do during the wedding ceremony?"

"An immortal's wedding doesn't need too many formalities. Senior Brother, just play it by ear. The important thing is that after the ceremony, I'll announce your plan to build a city in front of everyone."

"Mm."

Lu Ya nodded, then casually asked:

"Who was that half-fox woman earlier?"

"The Sect Resident Envoy Black Stone sent. Her background and motives are complicated. She's a woman even more ominous than the sect master, so Senior Brother, you mustn't provoke her."

"Mm."

Lu Ya agreed aloud, but thought to himself:

Isn't this reverse psychology, hinting that I should go provoke her?

You want me to sound her out?

Not happening.

The wedding banquet began.

The master of ceremonies was a tall, lean old man with the cultivation of a one-star Immortal Monarch. He was hale and hearty, his expression solemn, and he carried himself with an otherworldly air.

At least, that was how he looked through mortal eyes.

At the Old Master of Ceremonies' direction, four sturdy local women carried a huge wooden vat onto the Bamboo Platform.

The vat was filled with Immortal Beer that Lu Ya and Ning Zhongzi had brewed overnight.

They had been a little pressed for time, but with max-level cultivation backing max-level brewing skills, it was no problem.

In a voice like a mountain stream, yet strong and resonant, the Old Master of Ceremonies introduced it to the guests:

"This is Iced Malt Ale, brewed personally by Elder Lu for all of you. It's made with locally grown Immortal Wheat. Since it was brewed overnight, we only managed one vat. Everyone gets a bowl. In addition, each person will receive a jug of Immortal Brewed Rice Wine from East Floating City."

Most of the guests were women and weren't particularly interested in alcohol. They only drank on celebratory occasions, and even then, just a little.

Wine Fox Immortal was different.

She was a connoisseur of wine.

Full of anticipation, she soon received a serving tray from a local woman.

On it sat a jug of Immortal Rice Brew and a bowl of malt ale.

Sitting cross-legged atop her large gourd, Wine Fox Immortal narrowed her eyes and turned the jug of Immortal Rice Brew over in her hands, judging the porcelain, craftsmanship, and calligraphic talisman inscriptions.

She flicked open the stopper, sniffed the wine, and took a small sip with her eyes closed, making a solemn ceremony of it.

Only then did she savor the Immortal Rice Brew.

Mm... it was fragrant.

First-rate stuff from East Floating City. Ning Zhongzi had spared no expense.

Thinking this, she downed it in one go, finding it rather flavorful.

Then she looked at the other bowl, the so-called malt ale.

She had never heard of malt ale before.

Looking closely, it had hardly any spiritual power. The liquor was pale yellow, bubbling strangely, and giving off a bizarre smell like urine.

"Iced Malt Ale?"

"What's this strange smell?"

"What's so good about unranked malt ale?"

"Is this the only thing that woman Ning Zhongzi prepared?"

Wine Fox Immortal studied the drink and muttered nonstop.

Perhaps because they were both Beast Immortals, Muyu Feifei felt a natural affinity with Wine Fox Immortal. They had already become familiar with each other, and now she too licked her lips and climbed onto the large gourd.

"This is wine made by Little Martial Uncle. I really want to try it."

"Darned nanny, we're almost six hundred years old and she still won't let us drink."

"She says we can't set a bad example for the Immortal Commoners' children..."

"I think she's just stingy!"

The two little girls were indignant.

Wine Fox Immortal curled her lip and said disdainfully:

"What's so good about wine made from Mortal Wheat? If I weren't investigating... ahem, researching the brewing process, would I drink horse piss?"

With that, she lifted the bowl and took a sip, her face full of disgust.

Suddenly, a ripple of delight crossed her pretty, round face.

Muyu Feifei licked her little lips and hurriedly asked:

"Is it good?"

"It's awful."

Wine Fox Immortal knitted her brows, looking utterly pained.

So pained she wanted to ascend to heaven...

Her bright fox eyes darted about. Suddenly, she pulled a pouch of Immortal Crystals from her robes and tossed it to Muyu Feifei.

"As the Sect Resident Envoy, I can't let the Immortal Commoners suffer this indignity. You two, go ask around for women and children who aren't drinking. I'll trade with them: one Immortal Crystal for each bowl of wine, and I'll give you each another Immortal Crystal as a commission for every bowl you get. Hurry!"

The two little girls bounced up in delight.

"Sure thing! You're truly great, Senior!"

"You're leagues above those humans!"

They dashed away.

They dashed back.

Since it was celebratory wine served in bowls, everyone drank it quickly. The two girls managed to collect only a dozen or so bowls of malt ale, which they handed to Wine Fox Immortal somewhat reluctantly.

They sighed at how cold and heartless their nanny was. At least the Immortal Crystals in their hands still held some warmth.

"You did great!"

Wine Fox Immortal couldn't bear to drink it right away. She carefully tucked it into her wine gourd, intending to savor it in private...

To study it.

On the Bamboo Platform.

Before long.

At the Old Master of Ceremonies' direction, a huge roasted falcon was carried onto the Bamboo Platform.

"This is a wedding gift from Deacon Black Stone of the East Floating Immortal Court—a Hunting Falcon of Immortal Master rank. It is offered in celebration of Sect Master Liu and Elder Lu's happy union!"

The Immortal Commoners were suddenly stunned.

So the Immortal Court's Hunting Falcons were for eating?

"Wow, it smells amazing..."

"The Immortal Court sure is generous!"

"Will it cause problems if we eat an Immortal Master-level spirit beast?"

The master of ceremonies quickly explained.

"Though it was an Immortal Master-level Hunting Falcon, Elder Lu personally roasted it, so even mortals can eat it without worry. There's no need to fear that their bodies won't be able to handle it."

Wine Fox Immortal was a little bewildered.

A Hunting Falcon as a wedding gift?

Elder Lu roasted it himself?

What did any of this have to do with anything?

"Wait... where did you get a Hunting Falcon? Black Stone wouldn't have the guts to—"

Muyu Feifei toyed with the Immortal Crystal in her hand, holding it up to the bonfire and narrowing her eyes as she peered through it at the flames.

Following Ning Zhongzi's instructions, she gave the same story as everyone else:

"Two Immortal Court deacons got into trouble and left their mounts as collateral with the Bamboo Spring Sect."

Immortal Court deacons had gotten into trouble and left their mounts as collateral with a sect?

Wine Fox Immortal had roamed the world for thousands of years and had never heard of anything so bizarre. She couldn't help feeling suspicious.

"That guy even dared to roast and eat the Immortal Court's Hunting Falcon?"

Muyu Feifei nodded as if they shared the same thoughts.

"Pretty awful, right?"

"He has no regard for us spirit beasts at all."

"..."

Wine Fox Immortal felt like she couldn't keep up with the two little girls' train of thought.

On the Bamboo Platform.

The chef sliced the Hunting Falcon and placed the pieces on platters. The women of Clear Spring Village handed them out to every guest.

Before long, a platter of falcon meat reached Wine Fox Immortal.

Even Muyu Feifei received two platters.

There were ten slices per platter, around a pound of meat in total.

Without a second thought, the two little girls swallowed everything, platter and all.

In an instant, their qi seas churned. A mighty wave of spiritual energy crashed onto their Immortal Platforms—

With two surges of power, they both advanced a rank!

They rose from one-star Immortal Monarchs to two-star Immortal Monarchs!

Wine Fox Immortal, sitting beside them, stared in stunned disbelief.

What the hell? That worked too?

In Wine Fox Immortal's eyes, the two Tiger Immortals had very ordinary talent. Being enlightened into immortals had already been a miracle; they would most likely remain one-star Immortal Monarchs for the rest of their lives.

And now, one bite of meat had made them ascend?

Even eating immortal pills like ordinary food wouldn't do that!

Wine Fox Immortal was a dignified three-star Immortal Sect Master, yet the two little Immortal Monarchs before her had left her thoroughly dumbfounded.

"Are you sure you're not putting me on?"

Muyu Feifei was honest enough.

"We already ate half a roasted falcon yesterday, but the seasoning wasn't as good. This one tastes way better, though it's a shame we only got a few slices..."

Wine Fox Immortal was half convinced. She no longer cared about the Immortal Court's spirit beast and grabbed a slice of meat, eating it at once.

The fragrance of the meat rippled through her mouth. Tender and smooth, crisp and fragrant, savory, spicy, and rich, all the flavors surged and danced across her palate in an instant.

Even more incredibly, the spiritual essence of the Immortal Master-level Hunting Falcon spread through her Immortal Platform and qi sea without losing a trace. Her whole body grew warm, as if she were about to ascend to heaven.

If this had been Immortal Sect-level falcon meat, wouldn't she have advanced a rank on the spot?

Wiping the fine sweat from the hollow of her chest, Wine Fox Immortal's curiosity about Lu Ya exploded.

What kind of immortal were you, exactly?

It didn't take long.

The vow-taking ceremony officially began.

With the master of ceremonies presiding, Liu Xuanye, accompanied by Ning Zhongzi, and Lu Ya, accompanied by the old village chief of Clear Spring Village, slowly walked up the bamboo steps to the Bamboo Platform, one from each side.

Liu Xuanye wore a green bamboo-woven hat, with a thin red veil cascading over it like a waterfall. A Red Silk Sash was tied around her waist, and a woven red tassel hung from her sword.

The look was festive without sacrificing an immortal's graceful air.

Her figure was like green bamboo, exuding a cold, awe-inspiring Sword Qi. Her elegant, rippling curves seemed naturally sculpted, carved by spirits and gods.

Wine Fox Immortal didn't even glance at Liu Xuanye.

Back at the East Floating Immortal Academy, Wine Fox Immortal had sneaked into a private bath, hoping to bathe with Liu Xuanye. In return, Liu Xuanye had run her sword through Wine Fox Immortal's Immortal Platform. She still hadn't fully recovered...

If not for that wound, she would have been an Immortal Venerable long ago.

Wanting to look but not daring to, Wine Fox Immortal could only avert her gaze and stare fixedly at Lu Ya.

She looked at him again and again.

"What the heck? This guy's utterly ordinary. He's nowhere near as good as little sister Xuan Ye!"

"And he doesn't look like he's hiding his strength or that he won Xuan Ye over with his cooking?"

"What was that bamboo slip just now?"

Wine Fox Immortal couldn't make heads or tails of it. She could only gulp down some Immortal Nectar before continuing to watch.

The Immortal Commoners hadn't expected much of Lu Ya to begin with. But when they saw him, they discovered he was unexpectedly handsome, and his imposing immortal aura was no weaker than any other immortal's.

"Drink the nuptial cups—"

At the officiant's direction, Lu Ya and Liu Xuanye took turns drinking from the nuptial cups and paid their respects to the elders representing each side. After a few perfunctory formalities, they were ready to leave the stage.

After all, the ceremony wasn't really about the ceremony. The Partner Sealing Ceremony was just a formality. Its purpose was to publicly demonstrate that Liu Xuanye's husband-cursing constitution could be controlled.

Only then could they attract Immortal Commoners from other regions to do business or settle in Bamboo Spring Sect.

Under the effect of the Protective Bamboo Slip, none of the guests present felt anything amiss. Even the officiant, an old man standing close by, remained hale and hearty, reciting his lines with great spirit.

Just then—

Wine Fox Immortal suddenly stood up on the Hanging Gourd, planted her feet apart, pointed at Lu Ya, and shouted:

"What kind of wedding ceremony is this? With such a beautiful immortal wife before him, the groom is being far too perfunctory! Does he think little sister Xuan Ye isn't good enough for him?"

Ning Zhongzi hurriedly shouted:

"Stop fooling around!"

"Fooling around?"

Wine Fox Immortal suddenly burst into laughter, and the vast spiritual pressure of an Immortal Sect Master instantly enveloped the entire Bamboo Platform.

"I'm the Immortal Court Sect Envoy. I represent the Immortal Court, and even the Heavenly Dao itself. If Bamboo Spring Sect wants to prove its innocence and dispel everyone's doubts, I doubt a mere formality will convince anyone."

The entire venue fell silent.

The officiant was sweating profusely.

Ning Zhongzi held her tongue and looked toward Lu Ya.

Beneath the red veil and bamboo hat, Liu Xuanye stood like a sword suspended in midair, her expression unreadable.

Muyu Feifei sensed that something was off and hurriedly leaped down from the Hanging Gourd, distancing herself from Wine Fox Immortal.

Suddenly, Lu Ya asked with interest,

"You represent the Heavenly Dao?"

"The Immortal Court is the Heavenly Dao."

Wine Fox Immortal's gaze was clear and her words rang with conviction.

"Is that so?"

Lu Ya suddenly raised his sword and lightly swept it forward.

Liu Xuanye's green bamboo hat split in two and slipped gracefully to the ground, revealing a face of peerless beauty that could take one's breath away.

Her exquisite, immortal features seemed to have stepped straight out of a poem or painting. Dignified and poised, yet youthful as a girl, she wore a faint touch of vermilion makeup. In the swaying candlelight, she looked like a celestial goddess.

Her dark hair was coiled up like clouds suspended in the sky. Her brows were lightly inked, sweeping toward her temples. Her clear eyes shimmered like a lake beneath a starry sky as she gazed straight at Lu Ya, a rare hint of tenderness appearing in them.

"Oh, no."

After sneaking a glance at Liu Xuanye, Wine Fox Immortal immediately sensed trouble and regretted it bitterly. In the blink of an eye, her old injuries flared up again, and her blood and energy ran in reverse.

She immediately closed her eyes and sat in meditation. Her face turned deathly pale, and sweat poured from her brow.

The guests stared in shock at Liu Xuanye's peerless beauty. Someone couldn't help exclaiming:

"The bride is so beautiful..."

A local Immortal Commoner immediately clapped a hand over their mouth, afraid of provoking some unexpected reaction.

How could there be a woman so beautiful in this world?

In that instant, Lu Ya felt Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart.

Gazing at his peerlessly beautiful immortal wife, he felt as if ten thousand ants were gnawing at his bones. In an instant, he had fallen into an Abyss from which there was no escape.

Liu Xuanye, who had always presented herself as aloof and heartless, could be tender, too.

Who could possibly withstand that?

Fortune favors the bold, Lu Ya thought. Wine Fox Immortal was right: going through the motions was meaningless. He wouldn't actively pursue anything, but if something came his way, he'd never back down.

Could this be love?

No, I'm just lusting after her... I'm doing this for the sect!

Liu Xuanye's sword-like brows knit slightly, as if she had sensed something. Without thinking, she instinctively darted back three steps, afraid she might hurt Lu Ya.

Only then did she realize that tonight was her wedding ceremony, and Lu Ya was her destined immortal partner. A dreamlike unreality overcame her, and she abruptly froze, unsure what to do next.

Lu Ya noticed how awkward Liu Xuanye was and found it rather endearing. He almost wanted to say, "Rich lady, give me a hug," but restrained himself in the end. After all, all eyes were on them at this wedding, and the ceremony deserved its due.

With Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart.

Lu Ya raised a hand.

With an irresistible force from afar, he swept Liu Xuanye into his arms and held her sideways.

Before Liu Xuanye could react, Lu Ya had already bent down and kissed her with overpowering force...

The night sky split open.