The bride and groom's disappearance sent the guests into a sudden panic.
At Ning Zhongzi's reminder through her divine sense, the Old Master of Ceremonies hurriedly took charge:
"There's no need to panic. The bride and groom have gone ahead to the bridal chamber, but the wedding banquet isn't over yet. Elder Ning has something important to announce to everyone."
The guests held their breath.
Ning Zhongzi tidied her appearance, clasped her hands behind her back, and walked up to the platform. Her usual solemnity gave way to an approachable expression.
"On behalf of the Bamboo Spring Sect, I thank you all for coming. I thank you for continuing to believe in the Bamboo Spring Sect and in our sect master, even to this day."
The guests' expressions grew solemn.
Ning Zhongzi continued:
"All this time, the sect master has been mistaken for a witch because of the restrictions inside her body. But that was a misunderstanding. You all saw just now that Elder Lu could become the sect master's Dao companion. And those of you carrying the bamboo slips personally crafted by Elder Lu were unharmed by the sect master as well. This shows that as long as you carry a Protective Bamboo Slip, you can live normally within the Bamboo Spring Sect."
Ning Zhongzi had lowered herself so much that she seemed less like an Immortal Master and more like an ordinary Immortal Commoner.
Only then did the local Immortal Commoners begin to recover their composure.
They suddenly realized that when they had seen the sect master blush shyly after being kissed, they had come to no harm at all!
They hadn't felt anything unusual...
After all, those present included not only women, but also a few elderly people and boys. The cooks, musicians, and even the Master of Ceremonies on the Bamboo Platform were men, and none of them had been affected either.
A slightly plump woman asked:
"Did Elder Lu share his power of fate with us?"
"That's right. Elder Lu is protecting everyone with the bamboo slips."
"Does that mean the sect is planning to take on disciples again?"
Some local children chimed in.
"I want to cultivate immortality too!"
"I'm not afraid of the sect master!"
"The sect master is a good person!"
Ning Zhongzi gave a rare smile and shook her head.
"The Bamboo Spring Sect won't be expanding or taking on disciples for now. Our plan is to build an immortal city on Floating Mountain."
"An immortal city?"
"That's right. We've already chosen a name: Azure Phoenix City. Elder Lu Ya will be its new city lord, and the Immortal Sect steward Wine Fox Immortal, who comes from the East Floating Immortal Court, will serve as its resident envoy."
At this point, Ning Zhongzi added:
"Wine Fox Immortal was once the sect master's closest friend. With her here, everyone will be completely safe."
Wine Fox Immortal's ill repute was known only among a small circle of immortals. The Immortal Commoners knew nothing about her.
Hearing that she was an Immortal Sect steward and a friend of the sect master, the Immortal Commoners suddenly felt much more at ease.
"But East Floating City is nearby, in a better location, and has the Immortal Court stationed there. How will Azure Phoenix City develop?"
Ning Zhongzi answered calmly:
"Elder Lu plans to turn Azure Phoenix City into the Colored Cloud Immortal Domain's first food city. We'll make use of Floating Mountain's abundant spiritual energy and fertile soil for farming and herding, then develop our grilling and winemaking."
"A food city? Do immortals need to eat too?"
"Elder Lu is a remarkably skilled culinary immortal. You've already tasted his immortal pheasant and malt wine. These delicacies and fine wines don't just taste good; they can greatly benefit your cultivation, just like pills."
"It's true! My lower belly feels warm..."
"Elder Lu is amazing!"
"Elder Ning, can we refugees join Azure Phoenix City too?"
"Anyone can join, as long as they're not a rogue immortal of ill repute. Even if you don't have a skill, you can farm, herd livestock, or do odd jobs in a tavern."
"Really?"
"That's wonderful!"
"Local Immortal Commoners, you can have your husbands and children return to develop their hometown. Those from elsewhere, go home and tell everyone the truth about tonight. Spread the word that the Bamboo Spring Sect is building a city."
Ning Zhongzi stood tall, her gaze earnest beneath her slender, elegant brows.
"Azure Phoenix City will begin construction tomorrow. Any Immortal Commoners who want to join can go to Clear Spring Village at the foot of the mountain and register whenever they like."
She hadn't even finished speaking before someone was seen running toward Clear Spring Village.
Ning Zhongzi hurriedly said:
"There's no need to rush. The banquet isn't over yet. You can keep eating and drinking, and take home whatever you can't finish."
The guests had long since stopped thinking about eating and drinking.
With Lu Ya and Wine Fox Immortal involved, they were filled with boundless anticipation for Azure Phoenix City.
"We'll be city folk soon!"
"Mom, could you call Dad and my big brother back?"
"I'll eat and drink as much as I can to improve my talent. One day, I'll cultivate at the Bamboo Spring Sect!"
Some refugee children shouted excitedly:
"Mom, we have a home now!"
"Everyone here is so nice!"
"We'll never go hungry again!"
Ning Zhongzi stepped down from the platform and gazed at the Immortal Commoners brimming with hope, her heart full of relief.
She had been somewhat pessimistic, but she hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly under Lu Ya's seemingly unreliable arrangements.
Senior Brother Lu really was a remarkable man...
Just then, she looked up and saw Muyu Feifei riding the Giant Gourd around wildly in the sky.
She walked over to Wine Fox Immortal, glanced at her indecorous sprawl, and couldn't help shaking her head.
Then she took out a black pill and stuffed it into Wine Fox Immortal's mouth.
She'd done her work and slipped away, leaving neither trace nor fame behind.
A quarter of an hour later, Wine Fox Immortal awoke with a sneeze.
She scrambled to her feet, immediately feeling something revolting in her mouth. Clutching her throat, she retched violently.
"What kind of medicine did that woman feed me?"
Looking around at the guests, she saw smiles all around. There was none of the earlier sorrow, none of the forced cheer, and none of the bewilderment about the future.
What had happened after that brat forcibly kissed Liu Xuanye?
She looked again and saw Muyu Feifei riding her Giant Gourd all over the place.
Wine Fox Immortal flashed over and appeared atop the Giant Gourd. She asked without warning:
"Is your Elder Lu still alive?"
The two girls jumped in fright.
They spun around, crashing right into the Great Snow Mountain covered in footprints.
They wiped it clean as they went.
"The sect master went to the bridal chamber."
"Pfft—"
The Bamboo Spring Sect.
The evening breeze was intoxicating, and the bamboo rustled softly.
The stars were like jewels scattered across the night sky, casting a crystalline, gentle glow that made everything in the Bamboo Spring Sect seem especially elegant, quiet as a dream.
Standing with his hands behind his back on the eastern cliff of Sword Terrace, Liu Xuanye's heart beat a little erratically. Her cool, peerlessly beautiful cheeks were faintly warm; in daylight, a hint of pink might have been visible.
But the sword restriction quickly suppressed it.
Liu Xuanye stood suspended in the air, straight as Sword Bamboo, her hands behind her back. She soon regained her usual presence.
As she gazed at the distant, scattered campfires to the east of Floating Mountain, she felt a strange wonder.
Even in the open-minded Immortal Realm, becoming Dao companions was a sacred matter.
In three thousand years, she'd never imagined she would one day have a Dao companion...
Still less had she imagined that her Dao companion would be more mysterious than she was.
She extended her slender, pale hand.
An immortal sword the color of blue-green jade appeared in it.
It had no scabbard. It was slender and long, and though its blade bore no engraved runes, it radiated an extraordinary, icy aura.
"This is the sword I've carried for two thousand years. Xuanye, I'm giving it to you now."
Lu Ya thought that if she wasn't giving him a luxury car, then a famous sword she kept close at hand was a pretty good gift.
But from the rare solemnity in Liu Xuanye's expression, the significance of this blue sword might far exceed what he had imagined.
Taking the Xuanye Sword, Lu Ya asked:
"Why this sword?"
Liu Xuanye's sword-bright eyes were as clear as water, reflecting the stars. Her voice was perfectly calm:
"If I ever lose control, use this sword to kill me."
I need a sword to kill someone? Lu Ya thought.
Wait, how could I, Lu Ya, ever kill my wife?
This is a question with only one wrong answer!
Avoiding the trap, Lu Ya softened his expression and replied calmly:
"Maybe the you that loses control is the real you. Wouldn't that be more interesting?"
"You think it's interesting?"
Liu Xuanye's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Our ultimate enemy is far stronger than that black arm tonight. Perhaps you're the one chosen by fate and won't be affected by it, but everyone else will be unable to escape the calamity. When that time comes, killing me will be the only solution. The only person who can kill me is you, holding the Xuanye Sword."
Lu Ya gazed at her calmly.
It seemed this woman wasn't entirely ignorant of what was happening to her body. She'd already prepared for the worst.
What could Lu Ya say?
He couldn't exactly tell her, Your husband has maxed out every class. You don't need to die at all.
"Fine."
After receiving Lu Ya's assurance, Liu Xuanye relaxed a little. She seemed much more at ease, and a gentle, almost wifely light even flickered in her clear eyes.
"Is the Bamboo Cottage Senior Sister built for you comfortable?"
Whenever Lu Ya caught a glimpse of Liu Xuanye's fleeting softness, a ripple stirred in his heart, making him a little less like a salted fish.
That was only natural. He was invincible in the game, but in real life, he was still a virgin.
"Mm. The bed's a little hard, but everything else is fine."
"You can live with me."
"Hmm?"
"Senior Sister said Dao companions are supposed to cultivate together."
"Hmm?"
Sure enough, women took the initiative as soon as they got married!
You call that liking me?
You just want my body!
You're shameless!
Lu Ya was furious.
Liu Xuanye's voice was like a suspended moon, solemn yet touched with a hint of lazy sensuality.
"You ran away when I underwent my tribulation the night before last. Tonight is our wedding night. You won't run away again, will you?"
Lu Ya wasn't particularly eager to take things this far, but he wasn't a eunuch or a monk either. Today was their wedding day. For the sect's sake, and for Liu Xuanye's, he ought to see the whole thing through.
They might bring the ultimate boss down on them early, but it was only a small scene.
With the air of a man facing his death, Lu Ya nodded.
"It's only right."
Liu Xuanye suddenly took his hand.
"Come with me."
The western side of Little Bamboo Spring Mountain.
Liu Xuanye's bedchamber.
Although Muyu Feifei had been desperate to crash the wedding night, and Wine Fox Immortal had wanted to sneak into the bedchamber and spy on them, Ning Zhongzi had turned them both away.
After one night.
Daylight shone bright.
Lu Ya drowsily opened his eyes.
He found himself sitting in the sword formation on the second floor.
He was in almost the same position as the night Liu Xuanye had undergone her tribulation, only closer to Liu Xuanye, with barely a foot between them.
Liu Xuanye wore a neat white gown.
She was clear, slender, and captivating.
Eyes closed, she channeled her power, seated cross-legged in cultivation. The Immortal Platform and sea of qi within her were extraordinarily calm.
She had cultivated like that all night.
Lu Ya had cultivated all night too...
By the end, he was so sleepy that he simply fell asleep sitting up.
When morning came, he snapped his eyes open. His back and waist ached, and his vision went black.
Lu Ya's eye twitched as he asked:
"Is this what you call dual cultivation?"
Bathed in the rosy dawn, Liu Xuanye closed her eyes and spoke softly:
"Is there another kind of dual cultivation?"
"There will be soon."
Seeing how utterly guileless Liu Xuanye was, without a trace of affectation, Lu Ya decided to postpone the service. He rose and left the bedchamber.
He had sat cross-legged for so long that both his legs were sore and numb, trembling uncontrollably.
Lu Ya thought...
He should've gone and hauled bricks instead!
The bricks might've been scorching hot, but at least his legs wouldn't tremble.
Stop asking. They'll consummate their marriage before the story goes on sale; this isn't being used to drive subscriptions!
Before you continue