CHAPTER 503: CHAPTER 502: THE DAY OF THE BIG WEDDING_1

"Simple."

Seeing that Ling Chen had finally regained some composure, Xia Yunxin also breathed a sigh of relief. A faint smile then appeared on her attractive face. "Disguises, changes in appearance, identity forgery, infiltration. These are all my specialties."

"Good. There’s no time to lose; let’s set off right away."

Ling Chen nodded. Xia Yunxin was resourceful. If she didn’t cause trouble, it would indeed be much more convenient for him to have her around.

Watching Ling Chen depart, Xia Yunxin whistled. A small black bird flew over from nearby. She tied a written note to the bird’s leg and then released it.

I hope we can emerge unscathed this time.

Xia Yunxin watched the black bird fly far away, a complicated look flashing in her eyes, before she too followed.

「...」

At night, the Sky Void Palace was hidden in darkness, its myriad lights scattered like fireflies across the mountains. Despite the late hour, the defense of the mountain peak was even stricter than during the day. Watchers within the darkness observed every movement on the mountain peak.

On the peak of the Sky Void Palace, the enormous sect stood tall. Under the dim cover of night, it seemed to be lurking like a beast, emanating a chilling oppression.

Deep within the Sky Void Palace, in a secluded great hall, the gentle flickering of a lamp in the breeze softly illuminated the space, dispelling the pervasive coldness.

The enormous hall was empty, save for a figure in a white robe at its center, the only sign of life in the vast room.

The woman sitting in the center exuded an aura of purity. Her skin was as white as snow, and her eyes were like serene pools. Her elegant and noble temperament was captivating, making others feel inferior and unworthy in her presence. Yet, the allure within her detached demeanor was irresistible, inevitably drawing others into infatuation.

Xu Ruoyan sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Her beautiful and noble face was covered with a layer of frost, as if anyone who met her gaze would instantly be plunged into an icy, frigid state.

Her eyebrows seemed brushed with a touch of light blue, emanating a hint of chill. If Ling Chen were here, he would undoubtedly be shocked by Xu Ruoyan’s transformation. Her temperament was colder than before, like a block of unapproachable ice.

SWISH!

Suddenly, Xu Ruoyan’s beautiful eyes swept towards the tightly closed door. Her fair, slender hand clenched. Moments later, her eyebrows furrowed, and she said coldly, "Since you are here, why not reveal yourself instead of lurking?"

"I didn’t expect that not only have Junior Sister’s martial skills greatly improved, but your perception has also become so acute... This Senior Brother is impressed." As Xu Ruoyan’s voice fell, a sigh, tinged with a helpless and bitter smile, slowly resounded in the great hall. Then, a tall figure gradually appeared from a corner. Judging by his familiar appearance, it was none other than Sky Heart Swordsman Feng Piaoling.

"So, it’s Senior Brother Feng." Recognizing Feng Piaoliu, Xu Ruoyan paused for a moment. Then, her brows twitched slightly, and she closed her eyes again. "Senior Brother, you’ve come here so late at night. Is there something urgent?"

"Tomorrow is your wedding day. As your Senior Brother who grew up with you, can’t I come and see you?"

Feng Piaoliu gave a bitter smile, sighing deeply in his heart. Ever since returning from the Human Emperor’s Underground Palace, Xu Ruoyan’s personality has changed drastically. She ignores everyone and is incredibly cold. Even I, her Senior Brother with whom she once shared a close bond, find it hard to exchange even a few words with her now.

"Senior Brother, your visit... I suppose there’s more to it than just seeing me. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Xu Ruoyan’s red lips moved slightly. She glanced at Feng Piaoliu and said faintly.

"You saw right through me."

Feng Piaoliu’s eyes flickered; he decided to stop beating around the bush. His gaze turned serious. "Junior Sister, are you really going to marry the Gentleman of the Wind? You’ve only met this man a few times and have already decided to marry him? I hope you’ll be more cautious when it comes to marriage."

"Isn’t meeting him a few times enough?"

Xu Ruoyan’s pretty face remained frosty and exceptionally aloof. "The Gentleman of the Wind has a good reputation in the Jianghu. He is also from a prominent family. The Feng family is one of the foremost families in the Five Kingdoms, and he has a strong chance of becoming the next Myriad Dao Sect Leader. If he isn’t a match for me, then who in this Martial World could be considered my equal?"

"Besides, knowing someone for a long time doesn’t mean they’re suitable to be a husband. There was someone I even thought I had a deep understanding with. But in the end? Wasn’t I still deceived and betrayed by him? He even caused my father’s needless death."

Hearing this, the bitterness in Feng Piaoliu’s eyes deepened. Of course, he knew who Xu Ruoyan was referring to.

"I know you hate Ling Chen."

Feng Piaoliu sighed. "But you can’t marry someone you don’t even like just because you were hurt once. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life. The one you truly like is still Ling Chen, isn’t it?"

"You changed so drastically because of that fellow. Even after all this time, though you never say it, you still can’t forget him in your heart. Why are you forcing yourself like this now?"

As Xu Ruoyan’s Senior Brother, he naturally cared deeply for her. He truly didn’t want to see her make a choice that would lead to lifelong regret.

"Silence!"

Xu Ruoyan suddenly opened her eyes, a chill gathering in their beautiful depths. "That boy... he has betrayed the Righteous Martial World and joined the Demon Cult! If I see him, I will kill him instantly!"

Feng Piaoliu wanted to say more, but Xu Ruoyan raised her jade-like hand to stop him. "My mind is made up. You don’t need to persuade me any further."

"All I want now is to crush the Demon Cult and avenge my father. Only through this marriage can Sky Void Palace and the Myriad Dao Sect, these two premier sects, be bound together. And only with our combined strength is there any hope of completely annihilating the Demon Cult and killing that fiendish woman, Liu Xiling."

Xu Ruoyan’s icy voice resonated, each word distinct in the great hall.

"Senior Brother, it’s late. You should go back."

Without giving Feng Piaoliu another chance to speak, Xu Ruoyan had already dismissed him.

Witnessing this, a profound sense of helplessness washed over Feng Piaoliu. Xu Ruoyan is consumed by hatred now; there isn’t a shred of affection in this marriage. If this continues, I fear her entire life will be ruined.

"Only the one who tied the bell can untie it." The only person who can resolve this situation, I’m afraid, is Ling Chen.

Stepping out of the great hall, Feng Piaoliu gazed at the sky and sighed deeply. The only one who can change any of this now is probably Ling Chen.

But tomorrow is the wedding day. Will that boy really show up? Or rather, would he even dare?