Volume One, Chapter 21: So This Is How Graceful and Elegant His Lawfully Wedded Wife Truly Is

Within the city of Yunfu, the infighting among the disciples of the Cloud Dragon Sect had descended into a chaotic slaughter. Driven to desperation and spurred on by the secret agents of two major factions, they began to turn their blades against their own brothers-in-arms. In less than a day of internal strife, nearly a hundred lives had been claimed, and the violence only intensified, showing no signs of abating.

"The Great Tang shall not fall!" Li Jing gazed at the cloth bundle resting beside his seat, still stained with black blood and faint with the stench of decay. A fierce, ruthless light ignited in his eyes as he turned toward the direction of Chang'an and muttered to himself.

Since the Qing Dynasty had been the first to propose the marriage alliance, and given that the most effective way to solidify such an alliance was through mutual intermarriage, the Austrian Emperor's proposal perfectly aligned with the Qing court's own intentions.

Tian Gua hurriedly issued orders to withdraw all cultivators back into the city, where they sought refuge behind the protective barrier, leaving the magical beasts to batter the shield in vain.

Hu Ming nodded, accepting the task, and immediately ordered an investigation into the explosion at the Heavenly Heart Legion base.

Most of them were in their early teens, not yet fifteen or sixteen. They were too young for military service, and as for schooling, their minds had grown too wild to settle down. Thus, Wu Ming came up with a crooked idea: he would simply have them sell newspapers.

Upon entering, one was greeted by a retro-styled bar spanning a few dozen square meters. Wooden tables and chairs were arranged with meticulous precision and wiped spotlessly clean, while rows of diverse liquor bottles stood in orderly formation behind the counter. Yet, there were no patrons to be found.

Following the Hi-Show Group, the K-Song Group also posted on Weibo, announcing their intention to enter into a partnership with Huayu Company.

Five figures dressed in adventurer’s gear were struggling to climb the icy mountain, shivering in the bone-chilling cold.

After taking leave of Murong Zhen, Liang Chen headed straight for Nangong Qingyun. With this matter concluded, he felt it only right to bid him farewell; after all, it was Nangong Qingyun who had brought him to the Nangong estate, and as the host, he deserved a proper parting word.

Yet, Madam Wu San remained acutely aware that this was the Imperial Palace, where walls had ears. She forcibly swallowed the final words that had risen to her lips.

Lu He hurriedly helped Xu Shu onto the bed, fetching clean garments and quilts for her to change into. She then poured tea for Xu Shu to rinse her mouth; the water she spat out was streaked with thin, red filaments of blood, a sight that left Lu He trembling with fear.

There were ten rules in total, covering every scenario that might lead to an unfair duel. Even talisman masters were granted a certain amount of time to engrave talismans of their rank, while array masters were entirely prohibited. Naturally, the consumption of medicinal pills during the duel was strictly forbidden.

Yu Heng looked out into the distance and noticed many fishing boats along the edge of an island ten miles away. Opening an apothecary there would surely be a lucrative business.

***

Therefore, even if Wu Mengchen’s cultivation was two tiers higher, it was of no consequence; the victor would undoubtedly be Su Lejing.

Xu Shu watched the two of them playing and could not help but smile. Glancing back inadvertently, she saw the Empress smiling at her and suddenly recalled that she had just been looking at Zhou Xun. Remembering the fervent promises she had made before the Empress, she could not help but sigh—now, even if she had a thousand mouths, she would never be able to clear her name.

Su Lejing spoke at length, relaying many matters. Mu Qingqiu looked at him with misty eyes, longing to rush forward and etch every detail of this youth into her heart.

"Who the hell knows first aid? Help him hold onto his life, we must withdraw from this building first!" Yan Beixun commanded.

"It’s nothing, just recalled some sad memories," Zhao Feng said, waving his hand and wiping away his tears.

It seemed that Angelina had truly put a great deal of effort into establishing this base camp.

When Koster visited the Sork Base, he was greeted with the utmost reverence by all, yet when Jiang Nan arrived at the Andrew Base, not only was he left waiting for an eternity, but he was also met with ambushes and interrogations.

So this is how time changes people, Li Er thought as he looked at the young dandy before him. He had known the boy had potential, but he never imagined he would reach such heights.

Seeing them depart, Lu Jiunan let out a sigh of relief. He could not help but wipe the sweat from his forehead, only to find his hand moist. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was blood.

The voice was familiar, yet now it felt strangely alien. He mused that perhaps with greater power, many things were no longer as they once were.

The first to charge forward was naturally Kong Renyi’s "Corki," as his health was already critically low. Had he lingered in the Blood Pool a moment longer, he surely would have been finished off by the "Draven" ultimate.

"Tired? Why?" Zhao Feng asked, puzzled. By all accounts, Qing'er spent her days in this space and shouldn't be tired. Furthermore, as an elf, how could she grow weary?

Yang Yuting scanned the crowd below and immediately spotted Ye Xiaofeng, who was sitting there, watching her with a beaming smile.

Finally, the incantation ended, and the man picked up a delicate glass cup, pouring the liquid inside onto the candle.

***

Knowing he was no match for Zhang Hao, Old Gao raised a hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly retreated, not daring to initiate another strike.

Zheng Zeming’s head was spinning from the slap, his face swollen to a massive size. Squinting, he failed to notice the shattered marble floor beneath him.

"Love? That’s what monks do during their practice, it’s called meditation. Though, I truly admire them; they can even fall asleep while sitting, and they sleep for a whole day without suffering from insomnia at night," Happy replied while gnawing on a fish.

With a crisp sound, Feixue’s blade grazed my armor, leaving a visible gouge across my chest.

"Eh? A heavenly omen signifies a great event. Po Tian, let’s go! Could it be that our master has been reincarnated?" Mie Tian said, filled with suspicion, while directing the Po Tian sword to fly toward the pillar of light.

To understand all these things for the sake of the farce currently unfolding, and to witness this so-called reality, one could not help but feel a sense of unease.

With a single strike, Yue Leng Hu Han spun rapidly; as the blades of his dual swords flashed, a whirlwind erupted from the center of the blue light.

"Knife-Brother," he said, "have I ever lied to you? Reality is not a pleasant thing. Even a single glance will fill you with the terror of feeling as though you are already dead. It is not a voluntary pursuit; it is a forced one. One is compelled to seek reality because they can no longer endure their present state, even if it means dying in the process."

Having said this, Jiang Qi pointed casually at four strapping young men on either side of the street, who were watching the scene with unusual intensity.

After a long while, You Youle suddenly leapt up. He felt as though there was a boundary around him; though it could neither be seen nor touched, it was undeniably there—a domain that only he could perceive.