The most conflicted were the old Ji family members.
Full of joy, they'd planned to curry favor with the new power. They thought—everyone sharing the surname Ji, wouldn't they be closer than other families?
After seeing the new Ji family head, their hearts filled with chagrin and regret.
The Luo family members hadn't expected this either.
"Thank you all for coming to support us."
Ji Yunman's expression remained normal. After observing everyone's reactions for a while, she smiled and greeted them, then added, "Since you're here, everyone needn't be polite. Please eat and drink well."
Everyone exchanged glances. Eat well, drink well? How could they possibly eat and drink well?
Ji Yunman leading the new Ji family into the world so dominantly clearly intended to disrupt and redistribute resources. To ensure the major powers' interests, whenever new powers appeared, before they could rise, they'd join forces to suppress them, making these new powers dependent on the original old powers.
It had been many years since resources had been disrupted and redistributed.
The Eastern Cloud Continent prioritized strength above all.
Its resources and territories were all determined by strength.
Now with the new Ji family's appearance already impossible to obstruct, they'd originally planned to probe and see if they could fool them. However, with Ji Yunman as the family head, their original plans fell through.
At this moment, their gazes uniformly fell on the old Ji family. These two families were originally one—if Ji Yunman returned to the old Ji family, resources wouldn't need to be disrupted and redistributed.
The old Ji family members also had this plan. The new Ji family was full of talented people—if Ji Yunman returned, it would truly be too profitable.
Ji Yunman caught these people's expressions, a smile crossing her lips. She opened her mouth and said, "Since everyone has come, let's next discuss when to hold a grand competition."
This competition would determine resource and territory distribution.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed in unison. Ji Yunman's meaning was she didn't plan to return to the old Ji family but insisted on holding competitions? They truly were unwilling. Right now, who wasn't tightly gripping their resources? Having finally formed a scale, who was willing to divide them out?
"Everyone can consider it slowly. Before that, you can first attend my wedding." Speaking of the wedding, Ji Yunman's smile became much more genuine. Under everyone's astonished gazes, she grasped A-Xin's hand. "On the eighth of next month will be my and A-Xin's wedding. Everyone remember to come."
With that, she had people distribute invitations to those present.
Everyone held invitations made from red jade tablets. Especially feeling the mysterious restrictions on them and that unmatched carving skill—particularly the image of two women together, so lifelike they seemed like real people. Viewing from different angles, the movements actually had subtle differences.
Though red jade was clearly very fragile, they could sense that even with a full-force strike, they couldn't shatter this invitation made of red jade. They looked at each other, bitter smiles crossing their lips. Where was this inviting them to a wedding? Clearly using formidable strength to intimidate them.
A small invitation with so many tricks—one could see how powerful the other was.
In just over twenty years, the once weak and bullied genius young lady Ji Yunman had already grown to a level they couldn't reach. Though unwilling in their hearts, they didn't dare say much.
Most terrifying was that the person Ji Yunman was marrying was actually that mysterious white-robed woman from years ago. If they could still guess at Ji Yunman's strength, this white-robed woman—that move from years ago had already intimidated them for many years.
"Does everyone also think the invitations are exquisite and beautiful?" Ji Yunman asked with interest, gripping A-Xin's hand without releasing it.
Openly holding the hand of the person she liked, publicly announcing their relationship before everyone—this feeling was truly wonderful. She couldn't defeat A-Xin and might never surpass her, but being able to beat these people was enough.
Everyone looked at Ji Yunman helplessly, not understanding her meaning but vaguely sensing they should say some praise. They quickly said, "These invitations are indeed extremely exquisite. The patterns on them are ingeniously crafted. The restrictions are also unheard of. Clearly the person who made the invitations must be a formidable expert."
"Haha, naturally." Hearing praise for A-Xin's craftsmanship made Ji Yunman happier than being praised herself. She said, "My A-Xin made these. Naturally they're the best."
She'd simply wanted to show off having a beautiful and formidable wife, but unexpectedly this statement once again intimidated everyone. Sure enough, this white-robed woman called Yin Xin was truly extraordinary.
A-Xin sensed everyone discovering clues from the invitations. Seeing their cautious and wary appearances, she understood her purpose was achieved. Unknowingly intimidating everyone saved them from creating trouble and making Yunman uncomfortable. No matter where, women together would always be questioned. But when both had absolute strength, no one dared say anything.
Anyone with some sense, after seeing these invitations, wouldn't dare provoke them again. However, those without brains—that wasn't necessarily so.
Sure enough, the old Ji family members, hearing Ji Yunman wanted to marry a woman, couldn't help jumping out to say, "How can woman marry woman? This violates human ethics."
Ji Yunman's smile disappeared. Her gaze turned to the old Ji family elders, sneering. "Who are you to interfere in my affairs?"
The old Ji family elder's face flushed red. "You were once a Ji family member."
"You said it yourself—once was." Just as Ji Yunman was about to say more, A-Xin pressed down on her hand. The anger in her heart immediately dissipated by more than half. She heard A-Xin say, "Yunman, in future situations like this, just throw people out directly."
"You've already cultivated to first-tier Spirit Saint realm. Whoever disobeys you, beat them once to teach a lesson. If once isn't enough, beat them again. If they truly aren't afraid, just slap them to death." A-Xin's smile was faint, her voice incomparably gentle, sounding like she was speaking sweet nothings. "Under absolute strength, all things are ants. Why get angry with an ant? Heaven can cause mountains to collapse and earth to split when displeased. Whoever makes you unhappy, just beat them."
Everyone's hearts turned cold. This metaphor was truly too vivid. They had to admit—what A-Xin said truly had no flaws. When peerless experts entered the world, everything became ants. Such people transcended complex powers—destroying a power was but a finger's snap, completely beyond reaction. Just as A-Xin said, when Heaven was unhappy, heaven and earth could collapse at any time, all living things destroyed.
This was the world of the strong.
Next, they saw A-Xin flick her sleeve, sending that elder who'd jumped up to reproach Ji Yunman flying out without any resistance. The other old Ji family members were about to say this was excessive when Ji Yunman sneered and, imitating A-Xin's manner, with several sleeve flicks threw all the old Ji family members out without a moment's hesitation.
A-Xin was right. Her current strength was rarely matched—explaining and debating everything with others didn't fit her character. Why should she reason with someone hundreds or thousands of times weaker? That lacked prestige.
Such nonsense people—just throw them out. Saying more to them was useless. She didn't need their approval. She only came to announce her and A-Xin's relationship, not to receive everyone's blessings.
These people just needed to fear her.
A-Xin smiled with complete satisfaction. That was right. As someone at Spirit Saint realm, doing anything required no explanations. Being questioned—one sleeve flick could resolve it. Wasting words only made oneself troubled. The powerful shouldn't be bound by worldly rules. Otherwise, cultivating to the peak—what meaning would it have?
Ji Yunman also had some enlightenment in that instant. Her eyes slightly dazed, the surrounding spiritual energy actually madly surged into her body. Seeing this, everyone's faces showed great shock. No way—she could break through even now?
Especially sensing the terrifying aura from Ji Yunman's body, those present endured for quite a while but ultimately couldn't resist—thud thud thud, all pressed down onto the ground. An inadvertent breakthrough intimidated this group of people. The effect was unexpectedly good.
When Ji Yunman opened her eyes again, her expression held more freedom and transcendence. Everyone clearly felt that when Ji Yunman's eyes looked at them, only indifference and coldness remained.
Only when looking at the white-robed woman beside her did her gaze become gentle and warm.
They understood—from now on, unless their strength surpassed Ji Yunman's, don't think about discussing sentimentality before her or using worldly morality to pressure her.
At this moment, her mental state had caught up with her actual cultivation. No matter what happened, she'd never again be bound by worldly constraints. Powerful, cold, unrestrained—this was a strong person's terrifying aspect. All living things weren't even in her eyes.
"Next month, everyone is welcome to attend my and A-Xin's wedding." Ji Yunman said happily with a smile. Everyone quickly nodded, offering blessings one after another, stating they'd definitely attend.
Everyone tremblingly finished their food, then bid farewell and left. They even proactively discussed the grand competition between major powers. Ji Yunman only said, "Let's discuss it after my wedding. I want to get married first."
Fine, fine, fine—you're the greatest, you have the final say.
After the Ji family entered the world so high-profile, they became everyone's topic of conversation. Those from the major powers who attended that day—no one dared say half a bad word about Ji Yunman. Especially the old Ji family being directly flicked out by two sleeves made passersby understand. Ji Yunman had returned dominantly—no one in the Eastern Cloud Continent could do anything about it.
Seven Star Sword Sect, learning of this, also sent an invitation to Ji Yunman. The invitation's address read: Family Head Ji.
Ji Yunman glanced at it and brought A-Xin to Seven Star Sword Sect to visit her master, Elder Bai. She first went to see Elder Bai. Seven Star Sword Sect members didn't dare say anything improper about her. Those arranged to wait on her all smiled apologetically throughout, staying by her side.
Elder Bai had long known of Ji Yunman's strength. Very gratified, he watched Ji Yunman's arrival. His only disciple no longer needed his worry, so he could often enter seclusion without frequently emerging. He was actually a cultivation fanatic. Being surpassed by his disciple made his old face somewhat unable to bear it.
That Ji Yunman and A-Xin would marry was within his expectations. Long ago, he'd discovered Ji Yunman's little thoughts. Such a formidable woman being together with his disciple—he felt Ji Yunman had stumbled into incredible luck. It wasn't that he was belittling Ji Yunman, but this woman was truly too outstanding.
"After you two marry, I'm going into death seclusion." Elder Bai said. Even if he couldn't surpass his disciple, at least he should be somewhat more formidable.
Ji Yunman knew of Elder Bai's awkwardness and agreed repeatedly. Then she and Elder Bai together went to visit the Seven Star Sword Sect's sect master.
She held A-Xin's hand entering the great hall. Before she could greet the sect master, he first stood up, looking at A-Xin with a horrified expression, his voice somewhat trembling. "Demon Palace Master, why are you here?" He glanced at A-Xin and Ji Yunman's intimate appearance, his head spinning. His gaze turned to Ji Yunman. "Family Head Ji, she's the woman you have feelings for, the person you plan to marry next month?"
Ji Yunman nodded. "Naturally. What, does Sect Master have objections?"
"No, I don't." The Seven Star Sword Sect master quickly answered, looking at A-Xin with great wariness. How could it be this demoness? The Demon Palace hadn't had news these years, but as a sect master, he naturally had to pay attention to such powers' existence.
Over twenty years ago, the Demon Palace suddenly disappeared without a trace under his surveillance. Finally, he and several elders went to confirm, concluding that the Demon Palace must have set up a hidden mountain-protecting formation. Some years ago, someone expelled from the Demon Palace was brought back by his people for questioning. Only then did he learn that Demon Palace Master Yin Xin's strength had become unreachable. He'd always been celebrating—fortunately the Demon Palace had no interest in the outside world. Otherwise, with Yin Xin's strength, all powers would suffer calamity.
Long ago, in a secret realm, he'd encountered Yin Xin, which was why he could recognize A-Xin.
Back then their strengths were similar. Now looking at Yin Xin before him, closing his eyes and using divine sense, he completely couldn't sense the other's existence. Looking with the naked eye, this person seemed utterly ordinary. The truth was exactly the opposite—this was her terrifying aspect.
"Palace Master, long time no see." The recovered Seven Star Sword Sect master sighed, his face showing a smile. "Here I must also congratulate the Palace Master on her approaching joyous occasion."
Ji Yunman was not to be trifled with.
Yin Xin was someone who couldn't be provoked—provoking her meant death.
A-Xin smiled and nodded, indicating she accepted his blessing.
Originally, the Seven Star Sword Sect master had wanted to say some nice words to see if he could win over Ji Yunman. After all, Ji Yunman still nominally carried the status of Elder Bai's disciple.
After seeing A-Xin and confirming their relationship, he let out a long breath. All such thoughts vanished.
Who knew to what level the Demon Palace had reached now? All were people who couldn't be provoked. Speaking of regrets—he had no regrets, at most some disappointment.
Everyone would have different opportunities. Back then with Ji Yunman's matters, given her status and position, she truly wasn't enough for the sect to risk offending the ascendant Luo family for her alone. He hadn't helped her, nor had he chosen to kick her when she was down. As sect master, he had to consider the sect's future, not disregard the sect's safety for a single talented disciple.
So he had no regrets, only some disappointment. This couldn't be blamed on anyone—only that everything was choice, ordained by fate.
After adjusting his mindset, conversing with A-Xin and Ji Yunman became much easier. Then they confirmed the marriage date, stating he'd definitely attend.
Leaving Seven Star Sword Sect, Ji Yunman glanced at A-Xin, pulled her to a secluded tree, her eyes looking straight at her. "Demon Palace Master?"
"How did I not know you were actually a demoness?"
A-Xin said, "You never asked."
Ji Yunman choked, hooking around A-Xin's waist. "If I never ask, you'd never tell?"
"Palace Master."
At this moment, a group of women in white clothes with veiled hats leaped from the distance, gracefully landing before them, calling out in unison, "Subordinates greet the Palace Master."
"This is your Palace Mistress."
"Subordinates greet the Palace Mistress."
Ji Yunman's face instantly flushed. She pushed A-Xin, but fearing she'd push her away, quickly wrapped her arms around A-Xin's waist again, raising her chin at those people. "All rise."
"From now on, all listen to Yunman."
The Demon Palace members quickly answered, "Yes, thank you Palace Mistress."
Ji Yunman's eyes held only laughter. Holding A-Xin's hand, she said, "Fine, I know. A-Xin, you definitely just haven't had time to tell me. You'd tell me sooner or later, right?"
"Mm."
"No wonder... I wondered how I could like a beautiful woman. Turns out this woman is a soul-stealing demoness. How strange—this demoness looks like a celestial fairy."
The Demon Palace members' hearts trembled. From the corners of their eyes they glanced at their Palace Master, seeing her face full of indulgent smiles. Exchanging glances—got it. From now on, listening to the Palace Mistress was correct.
So their Palace Master also had a day without principles.