The next night, the moon hung high. Tomorrow would mark two days into the wedding.
I played the flute beneath its silver gaze, letting the notes drift softly into the air.
They curled through the silence, weaving into the breath of the realm.
As I looked up, my eyes wandered across the mountains, trees, and lifeforms scattered throughout Mìngjiè Xiānlù.
The realm pulsed with quiet beauty.
I saw an elk.
Its antlers glowed faintly, and flowers bloomed along them—delicate, ephemeral.
Then came a tiger.
Black, with white stripes and sabre-like fangs.
It crept through the undergrowth, silent and precise.
With a sudden burst of speed, it struck.
The elk barely had time to react.
The tiger killed it swiftly.
Moments later, its cubs emerged from the shadows.
They feasted on the fallen elk, tearing into the flowers still clinging to its glowing antlers.
I heard it all—the growl, the snap of bone, the rustle of leaves.
Though it was miles away, I saw and heard everything from where I sat.
Lingxue approached and sat beside me.
"Tomorrow marks two days into the marriage," she said softly.
"Then we can finally leave this place.
Our next target is the Luo family.
From what I've heard, the Luo Ancestor has returned—and she's staying there again, as her home.
I heard you met her. What was she like?"
"Powerful," I replied. "As expected of someone in the Divine Realm.
I found out she was best friends with Empress Lingxi."
"Everyone knows that, Shen. You should read the scrolls once in a while.
I also heard she approached you with Xu Yunfei. What did she ask you?"
"She thought I was related to Emperor Genesis."
Lingxue laughed, then paused.
"Are you?"
"No."
She gave me a look.
"Fine, whatever you say, Shen.
Either way, when this is all done, we'll both be rewarded for our mission.
Then I owe you one—whatever you're going to ask me, that is.
Have you thought of it yet?"
"No."
"I'm curious about one thing," I said. "You said the Slythrian Serpent spared you. What happened?"
"She nearly killed me.
At first, I was only being hunted by one of her assassins.
Then, all of a sudden, they stopped.
She appeared out of thin air and began hunting me herself.
She beat the hell out of me.
She's in the Divine Realm. I'm still in the Demigod Realm.
And she kept calling out a name—'So, Ren… you've taken an interest in this woman. Interesting.'
I didn't even understand what she meant.
She was about to kill me—but then one of her assassins arrived and gave her some news.
She looked at me, scoffed, and left me there.
"I'm guessing she's still planning on killing me. What a pain.
Luckily, I asked my family to help.
They gave me a talisman—it'll protect me from dying nine times."
"Aren't you an Ice Phoenix? You can resurrect, can't you?"
"Yes, I can.
But I'd still avoid dying if I can.
Why would I want to die if I don't need to?"
"Honestly, this is taking too long. I can't wait to leave this place."
"You keep saying that," I said.
"Because I mean it. That's why I want to go back to the Blackdragon Sect."
"Why?"
"That's none of your business."
I smiled. "Fine."
The next morning, I woke early and dressed in my cultivation robes and Blackdragon armour.
I glanced at the three of them.
I'd bought them plenty of new clothes—none of them had much, having worked at the Blooming Blooms brothel.
I continued to train them in cultivation.
They were adjusting quickly, rising fast with determination, grit, and perseverance.
Our children were helping them as well, though the three didn't seem to notice.
They simply continued to cultivate in peace.
I'd given them many resources—enough to rise quickly through their cultivation.
And they were doing just that, with quiet focus and unwavering resolve.
As I walked alone through the courtyards of the Xu estates, I entered their Sect.
A competition was underway.
I saw Xu Xiao fighting a woman—he defeated her effortlessly, showing no mercy.
Yet both bowed to each other with respect.
He noticed me and gave a sharp stare, as if to ask why I was here.
Then his expression darkened further as he saw his sister, Xu Yunfei, giggle and hug me from behind.
"What's the competition about?" I asked her.
"It's just a little game," she said. "For treasures and some cultivation techniques.
It's a bet—whoever wins takes it all.
We each gave something in return."
"Who's winning?"
"My brother, Xu Xiao.
Brother Yansheng didn't compete, and neither did I.
But I still gave something—and so did he."
She leaned her head on me and hugged me as we watched Xu Xiao face another opponent.
He had not lost once.
Eventually, he won—claiming all the treasures.
He approached us and returned the treasure Xu Yunfei had given away.
She shook her head.
"Keep it, big brother. You won it fairly, after all."
"You sure?" he asked, glancing at me, then back at her.
"I'm sure. Give it to one of your wives or children."
"Little sister, it's been a while since we spent time together. Would you like to today?"
She accepted with a soft smile, gave me another hug, then left with him.
Xu Xiao walked ahead with a gloating smile on his face.
I noticed someone watching me.
He wasn't wearing the Xu family emblem—he bore the mark of the Luo family instead.
He approached and bowed with respect.
"Greetings, Shen Wuyin. The Ancestor of the Luo family wishes to speak with you in private."
I looked at him.
He had to be Luo Zhenhai—the youngest son of the Luo Patriarch.
He seemed directly tied to her... the Luo Ancestor.
He'd married Zhang Moyan's daughter, Zhang Yuyan.
I glanced back in the direction Xu Yunfei had gone with her brother, then looked away.
"Take me to her," I said.
Of all the places she could have chosen, it was the Blooming Blooms brothel—the very place where I had first released Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura
As I walked beside him, the women who worked here—or came seeking pleasure—gathered around me.
Even the men were drawn in, now that I'd become popular for my skills in bed.
"It seems what they say about you is true, Shen Wuyin. You've become quite the sensation here in Blooming Blooms…"
We continued on, entering a highly esteemed VIP room—likely the finest in the establishment.
Inside, I saw the Luo Ancestor, surrounded by men and women.
None dared approach her directly, yet they entertained her from afar as she sat upon a throne.
The Madam stood nearby, smiling at me—clearly pleased to see me again.
She had flirted with me before… and had invited me to speak with her in private.
I looked at the Luo Ancestor as she watched me—those same eyes filled with intrigue, seriousness, and a flicker of wariness.
Once I was finished with the Xu family, the Luo would be my next target.
But for now, I stood in her presence.
"Welcome, Shen Wuyin. I told you we would meet again."
Her gaze drifted to my sword—the Blackdragon Sword—studying it with curious intent.
"May I look at your sword more closely?"
Without hesitation, I tossed her the blade.
She caught it with ease, studying its form in silence.
"You told me you weren't related to Emperor Genesis. Are you certain you're not a descendant?"
Her eyes locked onto mine—stern, searching.
"No," I said evenly. "I'm not related to him. The sword he wielded looked different from mine."
"That's true," she murmured, fingers gliding along the hilt. "But it gives off the same feeling I sensed from his portrait…"
"Tell me, boy—who are you really?"
"No one."
"No one? That's a very vague answer."
"Why did you invite me to speak with you? I thought it would be in private."
"Don't worry. No one will say a thing—I'll make sure of that."
She remained seated on her throne, posture relaxed but commanding.
Her voice dropped lower, deliberate.
"Anyhow… I want to propose marriage to you, No One. Do you accept?"
"Marriage? You barely know me. What made you want to marry me?"
"Because of that sword of yours. I don't care whether you're telling the truth or not.
And what does it matter? You should be honoured to marry a woman like me—desired by many, admired by more.
Even a man with a plain-looking face should feel fortunate."
"So… is it a yes or a no? I'm waiting."
"No."
"I see. What a shame. I don't take kindly to rejection."
She remained seated, her gaze steady, voice smooth as silk laced with steel.
"I'll let you give it a little more thought. One more thing—I'll be attending your wedding to Xu Yunfei, along with my Luo family. My husbands will be there as well. Expect them not to make it easy for you."
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming.
"The last man who refused me died by my hand. We both know how well that ended… for his sect, and for his master."
I said nothing.
She smiled.
"Enjoy your wedding, Shen Wuyin. I'll be watching."