Seven days later, at the Leng Family.
"Hey! Old Su, why'd you barge into someone's room without knocking?"
The moment Na'er, who was sprawled beneath the covers, sensed Su Jiu had come in uninvited, she hurriedly wrapped herself in the blanket and stared at him as if he were a thief. Her body seemed to be quietly gathering strength, ready to strike like lightning.
Hiss—!
A hiss!
"Heh~ Na'er, you've got some nerve. The sun's already high in the sky, and you're still not up? Did you forget what day it is?"
Su Jiu looked Na'er's little frame up and down, wearing the very expression he got when admiring a beauty.
But it vanished in an instant.
She was utterly ordinary. Aside from being a little too cute, all she had was that mischievous little-girl streak hidden beneath her adorable exterior. Na'er inspired not the slightest physical desire in Su Jiu.
Na'er immediately understood what Su Jiu meant, and she wasn't having it.
"Old Su, what's with that look? You're looking down on me, aren't you!"
As soon as Na'er finished speaking, Su Jiu casually tossed something to her. A small, exquisite silver qipao for a child landed on her head.
The fabric was soft satin with a delicate, subtle pattern, gleaming with a faint pearlescent sheen. Pale purple dragon patterns were embroidered around the collar and lapels, with silver-thread scales and a few fine amethyst tassels adorning the dragon's whiskers and tail. They glimmered softly with every movement, lending the little qipao both a lively charm and an air of nobility.
If she tied her hair into two little buns, she'd be so cute...
"Your big brother Su isn't interested in little kids. Come back in another ten years or so, little potato."
"Also, don't make me look bad today, my little child bride..."
After saying that, he left. He was terribly busy today and didn't have much time to trade barbs with the Little Silver Dragon.
As for whether Na'er could put on the qipao, A-Jiu was under A-Qi's temporary, graded control. Even if Na'er was as clueless as they came, she should still be able to get it on... right?
By ten in the morning, representatives from Soul Master families had begun arriving at the Leng Family one after another to offer their congratulations.
Since Leng Yaozhu hadn't imposed any restrictions, even more Soul Masters than before had come to the banquet this time. The bustling, lively atmosphere far surpassed the wedding of Chen Xinjie and Long Yeyue not long ago!
Worried the Evil Soul Masters would launch another surprise attack and catch them all in a trap?
Brother, don't joke around. The ground beneath their feet was Shrek City!
Setting aside those three special little boys, Shrek Academy, the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, the Tang Sect's main residence, and all the major Super families were based here. Without exaggeration, this was the safest place in all of Douluo Planet in the open, bar none!
Soul Masters from every corner of the world had gathered here, all to see with their own eyes and confirm for themselves just what kind of bearing and presence belonged to the new generation's unrivaled figure on the continent.
There was only one reason: the rumors spreading beyond these walls claimed that Leng Wuduan, with the power of a rank-96 Super Douluo, had defeated the previous generation's unrivaled figure, Yun Ming, a rank-99 quasi-god!
Who was Yun Ming?
He was the publicly acknowledged number one of the entire Douluo Continent, spanning both the Star Luo and Douluo continents—the famous Heaven-Propping Douluo!
Their first impression of such rumors was naturally that they were nonsense. Even reaching rank 97 from rank 96 was a struggle, let alone defeating a quasi-god at the very peak of rank 99!
That was absurd!
They might as well have said Yu Dashu had personally destroyed Spirit Hall; that would've been more believable.
It wasn't until Qiangu Dongfeng, the current Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, showed up in person with remarkable self-awareness to clear Su Jiu's name—and Shrek Academy made no response—that the public Soul Masters began to believe the story, at least a little.
It wasn't because Qiangu Dongfeng was especially kind to those under the Spirit Pagoda, nor because his resentment over Su Jiu stealing the "Phoenix" had disappeared.
In his heart, Su Jiu didn't even rank among the people he hated most. Shrek Academy and Yun Ming were far ahead!
Why not do Su Jiu a favor while openly and justifiably stomping on the supposed dignity and glory of Shrek Academy and Yun Ming? What was there to lose?
After all, chances like this didn't come around often!
Today, Leng Yaozhu wore a close-fitting crimson qipao, just like her.
The fabric flowed like glowing clouds and flickering flames, hugging her exquisite, graceful figure. A golden Sky Phoenix, wings spread as if about to take flight, was embroidered across the qipao, every feather rendered with lifelike detail, as though it might burst through the fabric and soar into the sky at any moment.
The qipao accentuated her curves to perfection, making her all the more alluring and bewitching. She was alluring in a thousand ways without losing an ounce of fierceness. One glance was enough to set countless men's hearts ablaze, their gazes unable to move away.
Yet she seemed utterly out of place in the vulgar world, cool and aloof, with an invisible boundary all her own.
Though she was alluring in a thousand ways, she could only be admired from afar, never approached. People could only look up to her, never profane her.
"Ya Li's here! Come on over and sit here!"
Once again, Ya Li was Shrek Academy's representative at the grand banquet.
For one thing, she had to represent Shrek Academy's public face. At an important and extraordinary banquet like this, the Sea God Pavilion Master of each generation had usually attended.
For another, Yun Ming had just been defeated. He'd been invincible for too long, crushing too many peerless talents of his generation. There were surely plenty of people like Qiangu Dongfeng, who'd been oppressed for so long and now wanted to gloat.
As Yun Ming's devoted wife, and as the vice master of the Sea God Pavilion, she had to bravely step forward and share Yun Ming's burden, even knowing this was a "Hongmen Banquet."
"Yaozhu, you look beautiful today! Just like you did when you were eighteen..."
Hearing the call, Ya Li walked over. Ignoring the mockery and gloating directed at Yun Ming around her, she offered a heartfelt compliment, her smile healing to behold.
"As Wuduan's wife and the Leng Family's matriarch, it's only natural for me to put effort into my appearance, isn't it?"
Leng Yaozhu covered her mouth as she laughed, pride and happiness filling her expression.
Ya Li paused for a moment, then sighed. Her smile held both a touch of bitterness and the sincere warmth of a blessing. Wasn't this exactly what she used to be like?
"Congratulations, Yaozhu. You've fulfilled your wish from back then, too—to marry the number one man on the continent. Now your life is complete, isn't it?"
Just then, Su Jiu emerged from the main hall in a fitted black Zhongshan suit, carrying Na'er in his arms. A-Qi had dressed her up so carefully that she looked just like a doll.
"Na'er, remember to play along with me later, okay? Afterward, I'll get you anything you want to eat!"
"Hehe~ Don't worry, Brother Su. Leave it to Na'er!"
Not that it had anything to do with the delicious food Su Jiu had promised her! Na'er had agreed beforehand, and she was a dragon of her word!
"Eh! Yaozhu, who's that in your husband's arms?"
Ya Li had always been terribly curious about Na'er's identity. To be honest, she wanted a cute little darling like her, too.
"My younger sister, Na'er. She's also Wuduan's child bride."
"What???"
Leng Yaozhu's answer left Ya Li dumbfounded, the smile freezing on her lips.
Had she really heard that right?
Or was it...
"Ya Li, you heard me right. You know my life is already half over, while Wuduan's has only just begun. If I leave this world first one day, I don't want him left here alone and lonely. I'm even more afraid that he'll... With Na'er by his side, I can rest easy..."
Leng Yaozhu said this because she refused to admit she was the third party. She was clearly the first wife!
"Dear, what are you talking about with Her Holiness Holy Spirit?"
"Na'er, come here to your big sister."
Leng Yaozhu took Na'er from Su Jiu's arms, her manner utterly doting, as though she were holding her daughter rather than her younger sister.
The two of them, one grown and one little, one red and one silver, one phoenix and one dragon, made a beautiful sight.
"Dear, leave my little sister here with me. Go greet the guests first..."
Just then, the eighteen War Gods of the War God Temple, the pride of the Federation, entered, led by Chen Xinjie. They were giving the Leng Family every bit of due respect.
Still, Su Jiu couldn't understand one thing: what on earth was that banner they were holding?
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