He belonged to the Victorious Fighting Buddha's lineage, so naturally he did not want such a thing to happen.
"Buzz!"
The Divine Silkworm Princess said nothing. With a wave of her right hand, she cast out a streak of seven-colored divine light. It instantly drove itself into the gate of the Great Thunderclap Temple, where brilliant radiance flowed across it. Even the light of Immortal Gold flickered there, as captivating as the stars.
It was a piece of divine jade, seven-colored throughout. The characters on the jade document shone brightly, written in ink made from the powder of several kinds of Immortal Gold. Even wisps of Emperor Dao Qi coiled around them, spellbinding beyond measure, yet dreamlike and beautiful.
The gorgeous light of Immortal Gold illuminated the heavens. Strands of Emperor Qi echoed the bronze plaque on the Great Thunderclap Temple, suffusing the air with streaks of divine splendor, thousands of auspicious colors and ten thousand rays of immortal light.
It was a special magical artifact, an engagement contract personally written millions of years ago by the last Ancient Emperor of the Primordial Era, the Fighting Saint Emperor, and entrusted to the Divine Silkworm Territory.
The jade document bore the words: "Never lose, never forget, may immortal life endure and flourish. Never part, never abandon, may youthful beauty last forever!"
Chapter 59: Last Night's Stars, Last Night's Wind
Having personally returned the marriage contract, the Divine Silkworm Princess grew even paler. She gazed wistfully at the vast sea of clouds. The world was so vast, but where could she go? The Divine Silkworm Territory had yet to emerge into the world; she had only summoned the Ancient Emperor's robe through the God Emperor's secret method...
At last, the Divine Silkworm Princess left a white jade box and a purple jade bottle beneath the bodhi tree, then flew into the sea of clouds without looking back. Turning her divine sense into a voice, she spoke toward the Great Thunderclap Temple: "Now you have your wish. The past is settled. Back then, you fought Di Que for my sake and were badly injured. Today I return your Sacred Fruit and Divine Spring, and we are even! I owe the Holy Emperor a great debt. I will look after the Holy Emperor's Son myself from now on, so there is no need for the Victorious Fighting Buddha to trouble himself!"
The jade bottle contained five jin of Divine Spring from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, and the jade box held a Sacred Fruit. Su Yu had given her all of them after retrieving the lid of the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar, both because he feared her injuries would flare up again and because he hoped she could use them to advance further, break through to Saint King and reach the Great Saint Realm as soon as possible.
He had not expected these things to be used here, to settle this karma.
As the betrothal document left her hands, the Divine Silkworm Princess felt somewhat empty. In the end, her journey to the Western Desert left her with only sorrow and an ending. She had seen the Victorious Fighting King as she wished.
Yet the king who had once fought his way across the world had now taken refuge in Buddhism, becoming a Buddha and a patriarch. He seemed to have cast everything aside.
If this was because of his path, she was unwilling to act like a lovesick girl. Rather than cling to him and wear out his patience, she would let him have his way.
She was the daughter of the Divine Silkworm Lord of the Primordial Era and had cultivated all the way to the peak of the Saint King realm. Her pride ran far deeper than that of others, and as a member of the Divine Silkworm Clan, she was unwilling to bring shame upon the Ancient Emperor Clans on her account.
Moreover, she felt somewhat guilty toward someone, which dispelled some of her sadness. This time, she had used the Sacred Fruit and Divine Spring Su Yu had given her. No matter who possessed such divine treasures, they could never have too many...
With the Divine Silkworm Princess's departure, Mount Sumeru returned to its former state. Inside the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Victorious Fighting Buddha remained seated in meditation beneath the bodhi tree, contemplating Buddhist teachings. He paid no attention to the Divine Spring and Sacred Fruit outside the temple, utterly detached.
The old monk returned and opened the temple gate. He bent down to collect the jade box and jade bottle, and the life essence Qi emanating from the Sacred Fruit nourished even his aged flesh. The wrinkles on his hands lessened a little, and even his cracked Immortal Platform gave off light.
Drawn by the medicinal fragrance, the old monk knew that if he could refine it, he would surely step into the domain of the Saint Dao. This was an incomplete Immortal Divine Medicine, a divine treasure that ranked among the finest in the entire universe. Yet he was not tempted in the least. He merely gazed deeply at the Sacred Fruit, then silently sealed the jade box with his magical power to prevent too much of its medicinal power from escaping.
The old monk walked beneath the bodhi tree and looked up at its ancient, gnarled trunk. More memories came back to him...
His clear eyes stirred slightly as he headed for the steps. When he reached the temple gate, he stopped and looked at the jade document, Emperor Qi spilling from it and a keen Saint Dao presence coiling around it.
The old man hesitated, but ultimately used the power of faith to take it down. He could only handle it by isolating it with that power; otherwise, the Emperor Qi escaping from it would wound his flesh.
The jade document was translucent and crystalline, wreathed in immortal light and Divine Radiance. Looking at the marriage contract written in Immortal Gold powder, the old monk was moved.
He felt quite satisfied. He had witnessed a love story spanning millions of years, and one party was the master of Mount Sumeru, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, who had reached the very end of the Great Saint Realm. The other was a princess of an Ancient Emperor Clans, also just one step away from becoming a Great Saint.
Both were supreme beings who had traveled far in the domain of the Saint Dao, and both possessed Emperor Weapons... A princess of an Ancient Emperor Clans had brought an Extreme Dao Ancient Emperor Weapon to Mount Sumeru in search of the Primordial Battle King of days past, and neither of them was human. Across the whole river of time, this was far more interesting than the mortal legend of Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen.
Such a thing was rare throughout the ages. Even if it would not be the last of its kind, at least it had never happened before. He would have something to tell his disciples and their disciples in the future...
In the blink of an eye, the old monk arrived in the Mahavira Hall. Standing behind the Victorious Fighting Buddha, he respectfully offered the Divine Spring, Sacred Fruit and jade document in both hands. His bearing was solemn and dignified, the very image of an enlightened monk. "Victorious Fighting Buddha, these are an incomplete Immortal Divine Medicine and Divine Spring from the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land! And... the jade document left by the Divine Silkworm Princess!"
The Victorious Fighting Buddha sighed and hesitated for a moment, but finally accepted the jade document. Looking at its familiar presence and golden characters, he felt a stir within him, though he soon grew calm again.
After another moment's hesitation, he tucked the jade document into his robes. Its Extreme Dao Qi was very gentle and showed no sharpness. It was the presence his elder brother had left behind.
He also put the Sacred Fruit and Divine Spring inside the Immortal Iron Staff. He searched his heart and asked himself: if his brother's flesh and blood came to him, what would he do? If he truly severed everything and the bond of marriage was dissolved, what of the bonds of blood?
A shadow fell over the Victorious Fighting Buddha's state of mind, and he sank into a long contemplation. To see the four elements as empty and sever worldly ties was not so simple as it sounded...
The other monks in the Mahavira Hall sat cross-legged respectfully behind the Victorious Fighting Buddha, chanting Buddhist scriptures together and reciting the way of rebirth and karma.
The Victorious Fighting Buddha did not pursue the matter with them either, for the Divine Silkworm Princess had been discourteous first, and Mohe's branch had merely gone along with events. It would not be fitting to act rashly and make everyone lose heart...
In the Northern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, within the small world left behind by a sage.
Su Yu sat alone on a bluestone at the edge of a mountain peak. His black hair flew and his sleeves fluttered, making him look like an immortal.
The mountain breeze blew quietly in the depths of the night, carrying the tranquil air of a midsummer evening. Moonlight flowed like a song. Though these were two different worlds, there was no difference between them when it came to admiring that jade disk. The silver moonlight was like silk, its radiance like water, silently soaking into the grass.
The Indestructible Heavenly Art's unique divine power circulated, and Su Yu's brow shone brightly. The heartwood of the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree on his wrist was crystal clear, blooming with brilliant light that made him look like an immortal.
Ever since devouring the Heavenly Emperor's Son, he had been tempering his origin, hoping his Chaotic Blood would undergo sublimation and take on a flawless form.
A complete Chaos Body could fight and kill a Heavenly Venerable of its age before attaining the Dao, nearly costing an ancient Heavenly Venerable the reputation of a lifetime. Such a feat truly defied the heavens, and Su Yu naturally longed for it.
Clouds in the Azure Sky, Water in the Vase changed silently. Clusters of pearly mist churned within it, and a dragon of the phenomenon coiled about, flecks of light flowing across its scales, incomparably sacred. Gentle moonlight descended slowly, mingling with starlight as it scattered over the mortal world. The cloud dragon grew ever more terrifying, while the Great Dao Treasure Vase spewed dark light, as though portraying a world of chaos.
This was the result of the insights he had gained from discussing the Dao with the Peacock King.
Without a sound, Su Yu's phenomenon reached major completion, and he entered the ranks of the powerful in the present age. With this phenomenon alone, he could crush a Half-Step Great Power to death.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Yu emerged from seclusion, his Qi nearly surging into the next realm. Moving through the mist with a gentle smile on his face, his black hair reaching his ankles, he rose from the bluestone, handsome in face and graceful in bearing, radiant as a divine being...
He was going to attend his wedding!
To join in marriage and meet the first Dao companion of his life!
Chapter 60: The Helpless Fallen Scion of the True Green Lotus Banner
That night, stars filled the sky. After putting an end to the idle fantasies of his leisure time, Su Yu returned to his palace. As he passed the steps carved from green jade slabs, a pair of incomparably long, jade-like legs came into view.
A distinctive, delicate fragrance wafted toward him. She was an enchanting temptress, her long red dress trailing along the ground and her golden hair flying, utterly captivating.
She held a silver-framed lantern threaded with gold in both hands. The candlelight flickered, illuminating her alluring face. A small red mole graced her brow, with a faint divine glow flickering within it, unfathomable yet extraordinarily charming, enough to make one's blood surge.
"Your Highness, Heavenly Emperor's Son!" Seeing Su Yu approach, Qin Yao hurriedly bowed. Her pink, translucent arms moved as she bent at the waist, displaying her figure without reserve, her curves undulating and utterly seductive.
She gazed at Su Yu's handsome, flawless face, somewhat entranced. Then she remembered something and hurriedly pressed her legs together. Her beautiful face reddened slightly as she looked at him with a dreamy glimmer in her eyes.
"Thank you for your trouble!"
Su Yu gave a slight nod in greeting, his gaze falling upon her. He admired her outstanding features for a moment, then thought of the beauty he had seen a few days ago.
He knew this maid, Qin Yao... She was also a character from the original story, and a tragic one at that. A slight ripple stirred in Su Yu's heart. He then gave Qin Yao a jade chip and strode into the palace with a light step.
"This is... Purple Light Jade Marrow!" Qin Yao stared at the purple jade chip in her hand. It was actually the legendary Purple Light Jade Marrow, and it was as large as her palm. That amount was enough to forge a divine weapon.
She had served at Yan Ruyu's side for years and knew this kind of divine material very well. Her heart filled with joy.
She had not expected His Highness to be so generous, and so gentle and refined, treating even a maid with such tenderness...
Her opinion of Su Yu instantly turned a full one hundred and eighty degrees.
Qin Yao had not known the hidden circumstances before and had only been told that evening, leaving her deeply ashamed. She and Yan Ruyu had wandered from place to place together since childhood, and she had long regarded the princess as family. She had never expected things to turn out this way.
His Highness had originally forced the princess's hand like this, which frightened her somewhat. After all, he was an Immortal Platform cultivator, possessed an Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon and had a Saint's protection. A marriage alliance between the Demon Emperor's clan and His Highness the Heavenly Emperor's Son was indeed a match above their station, but that meant a proper marriage with formal rites, not becoming a concubine like this. Helpless though they were, they had no choice but to accept it.
When their group had hurried over from the Southern Region, the old lord's injuries had been extremely severe, his oil almost spent and his lamp nearly out. After they arrived in the Northern Region, they had received the highest level of hospitality.
Upon hearing of the Green Lotus King's condition, His Highness the Heavenly Emperor's Son had set aside his own cultivation and offered the Ageless Hall for the Green Lotus King's use, even giving him a Sacred Fruit and Divine Spring. This kindness was greater than the heavens; how could they not repay it? Besides, the Undying Heavenly Emperor Lineage was at the height of its power. Even the Peacock King had lowered himself to pay his respects to His Highness the Heavenly Emperor's Son, so how could they dare defy him?
Qin Yao hurriedly put away the Purple Light Jade Marrow, then trotted after Su Yu. Looking at his back, countless thoughts ran through her mind, recalling the plots of all sorts of mortal storybooks.
The Overbearing Prince Falls in Love with Me!
Becoming His Highness's Cherished Darling!
The Ancient Emperor's Son's Substitute Wife!
I Wandered into the Imperial Clan and Somehow Became Empress!
The Little Maid's Happy Life!
Besides, His Highness perfectly matched what she wanted in a partner. She liked them young, a tender fourteen-year-old morsel...
Qin Yao's thoughts strayed further and further, until she even touched upon the River Crab God.
After receiving a warning from the River Crab God, Qin Yao could only press her legs tightly together, aggrieved. Her slender, fair calves swayed gently as she kept pace with Su Yu...
Su Yu glanced at the daydreaming little maid but paid her no further attention. Today was not the day to eat her.
Sooner or later, this little temptress would also be a morsel of cabbage in his mouth.
In his eyes, the entire Green Lotus Clan belonged to him, including the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon still inside the Demon Emperor's Tomb Grave.
Before he had even entered the bedchamber, he sensed the scent of vegetation and a faint, secluded fragrance.
Su Yu seemed to understand something. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, and he felt a little joy, casting his earlier gloom to the back of his mind.
He thought to himself, The old demon seems to have moved quickly. Very good. It looks like talent like this deserves special cultivation. The Demon Emperor's Tomb will open before too long...
It seemed as though he had spent a long time in the Shrouding the Heavens World, but that was not the case. According to the original story's timeline, even the first opportunity Ye Fan encountered after setting foot on the path of cultivation-the Dao Scripture Golden Paper-had yet to appear.
The events at the Demon Emperor's Tomb Grave took place one year after the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin. Su Yu had done quite a few things in this time: rescued the God King and obtained the Nine Secrets: Dou, cut open stones in the Holy City and saved the Divine Silkworm Princess, made the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar whole, and then cultivated without end.
A year had not yet passed, but it was close!
Coercing the old, weak, sick and disabled was a somewhat despicable method, but it was highly effective, and the Green Lotus Emperor Weapon was involved as well.
For the sake of this Emperor Weapon, Su Yu was willing to cast aside his conscience and play the devil!
He slowly came to the bedchamber entrance and looked at the magnificent palace, red divine talismans pasted upon it. Qin Yao stepped forward to guide him and opened the doors. Su Yu restrained the stirrings in his heart, assumed a composed expression and entered the room alone.
Yan Ruyu wore a long red dress. It was her first time wearing clothes of this color. The hardships and displacement of her childhood had made her deeply sensitive; she did not want to draw too much attention and only wished to protect the Green Lotus Clan and live on in peace.
She had also heard the movement outside. She bit her lip lightly, both happy and helpless, her beauty faintly reminiscent of flowers opening like a painting.
She was happy because the Heavenly Emperor's Son was indeed very suitable for her. For someone who had grown up never knowing whether she would survive the day, a sense of security mattered most.
His Highness had entered the Immortal Platform Secret Realm at such a young age, and his clan also had a Saint King. Most important of all was the Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon, which mattered more than anything else. In truth, she was very satisfied with Su Yu.
Among the younger generation of demons in the Southern Region, the most outstanding was the Golden-Winged Little Peng King. His One Hundred and Eight Thousand Swords reigned supreme among the younger generation of demons, and his fame was known throughout the Eastern Wasteland.
Yet even the Golden-Winged Little Peng King's true combat strength was inferior to hers. How could he catch her eye?
Her helplessness stemmed from her status.
Her wedding should have been incomparably grand, yet it had come to this. This was the lot of a concubine, no different from a maid, without the slightest dignity. But the Green Lotus Clan's dignity had long since ceased to exist.
That granduncle was the Green Lotus Clan's last Immortal Platform cultivator, its protector and its last hope. Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
Yan Ruyu also felt somewhat guilty, regretting that she had agreed so quickly. She had taken the initiative to come here this time. If she put herself in his place, what would His Highness think of her? Would he look down on her for it?
Her thoughts tangled, the fallen scion of the True Green Lotus Banner finally calmed her mind and looked ahead with composure.
The Demon Emperor Lineage was her deepest obsession. For the sake of her clan, she was willing to give up everything!