"Into the bridal chamber." These four words signaled that the wedding ceremony was more than halfway complete.

No, there was still the traditional teasing of the newlyweds to go.

If the earlier stages, like drinking challenges or impromptu poetry sessions, involved the groomsmen lending a hand, the present situation of '' (nàodòngfáng - teasing the newlyweds in their chamber) was quite different. The groomsmen, along with several bridesmaids and other assembled guests, roared and made their way toward the bridal chamber, gathering outside the door.

However, every single one of them discovered the same thing: they couldn't get in. The doorway was already laced with countless strands of sword energy. These energies were incredibly soft, posing no threat of harm, but anyone who tried to force their way through was instantly blocked, utterly unable to enter.

At this point, everyone realized something: Lu Yuan was at the Civilized Realm.

A sword formation laid down by someone in the Civilized Realm was not something easily breached.

And among those who wanted to tease the newlyweds, not a single one possessed the power to break Lu Yuan's sword array.

There were a few others at the Civilized Realm, such as the Deputy Lord of the Martial Saint Civilization or the Deputy Lord of the Martial Vast Civilization, who could break this formation; their cultivation levels were even more terrifying. But these figures were all established veterans and elders. It was acceptable for such seniors to offer the groom a final drink, but joining in the boisterous teasing of the bridal chamber was simply inappropriate for them.

Thus, this became the most difficult bridal chamber teasing session recorded in this era.

Inside the chamber, which spanned about a hundred square meters, a grand bed covered in red dominated the center. On a nearby table sat a pair of red candles. The entire room, inside and out, was adorned with countless '' (xǐ - joy/double happiness) characters and various festive decorations. The atmosphere was saturated with the essence of marriage.

Bound tightly with binding grass, the three stars are in the sky. What night is this, to see this worthy man? Oh, my dear, my dear, what shall I do with such a worthy man!

Bound tightly with thatch, the three stars are in the corner. What night is this, to meet this unexpected encounter? Oh, my dear, my dear, what shall I do with such an encounter!

Bound tightly with twigs, the three stars are at the door. What night is this, to see this radiant one? Oh, my dear, my dear, what shall I do with such a radiant one!

Twin stars of the galaxy, hearts bound until the stones decay and the seas dry; companions on earth, soaring freely beneath the vast heavens.

This was becoming married!

The bridal chamber was quiet.

Yun Xiuxue, seated upon the large red bed within the room, was equally quiet. Naturally, she was happy, but she was also immensely nervous. Yun Xiuxue felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest—the tension was overwhelming! Lu Yuan, too, realized he was significantly tense; it was the first time in his life.

Lu Yuan remembered the steps; it was time for the joyous union wine.

The so-called joyous union wine involved circling each other’s hands while drinking.

This was the first time Lu Yuan drank without tasting anything. In the past, every drink held flavor. It seemed today was indeed an extraordinary day, full of many firsts. Lu Yuan gently lifted the phoenix coronet and veil, revealing a face of exquisite beauty. Yun Xiuxue’s cheeks were already flushed crimson; she dared not raise her head. Lu Yuan noticed just how nervous she was, and his own tension instantly dissipated. He smiled faintly, "Wife, it is time for the consummation."

Yun Xiuxue’s shyness deepened, and she still refused to look up. Lu Yuan chuckled softly, lifted her into his arms, feeling the slenderness and softness of her waist—the touch was exquisite.

It turned out a woman's waist felt this wonderful, a sensation no less satisfying than the grip of a sword.

Blossoms bright beneath silver lamps, the mandarin ducks dance paired; spring returns to painted beams, the swallows perch together. You borrow flower-like grace to enhance the moon’s soft light, joyfully meeting this autumn night to make a spring eve.

Mandarin ducks play together upon the water's surface; deeply connected hearts share mutual affection. The dazzling display delights the eye, a fortunate man encounters a virtuous maiden whose threads lead to a destined bond.

The night deepened!

......

Lu Yuan opened his eyes. He was lying on a soft, yielding red bed that carried a faint fragrance. He saw a graceful lady near the dressing table, casually arranging her hair. The bronze mirror reflected her pure and stunning beauty. Yun Xiuxue, who had worn the grand red bridal attire yesterday, possessed an extraordinary, vibrant splendor. Today, clad in simple, elegant pale yellow, she exuded a delicate, snow-like charm.

"You can sleep a while longer," Yun Xiuxue said as she smoothed her dark hair.

"No need, I’m awake now anyway," Lu Yuan replied, sitting beside her. "I've long heard tales of painting a beauty's eyebrows, but I've never done it myself. Today, I finally shall." Lu Yuan picked up the brow pencil. Yun Xiuxue allowed him to proceed. The two were already deeply attuned, having navigated countless trials together, and now, finally united, they reveled in their closeness. But eventually, Yun Xiuxue straightened up. "Today, we must pay respects to the elders; we cannot linger." It was the custom in the Central Heavenly Dynasty for the new bride to greet her in-laws on the morning after the wedding. Since Yun Xiuxue had married into the Lu family, she naturally had to meet Lu's elderly parents.

The first day was the new bride meeting the in-laws; the second day was the new son-in-law's formal return visit. Once this entire protocol was completed, Yun Xiuxue also received a new title: Empress Sword Spirit. Every legitimate wife of a Civilized Realm master was titled Empress; concubines were titled Imperial Consorts. As the principal wife, Yun Xiuxue was thus styled Empress Sword Spirit. During these two days, her hair was elegantly pinned up in the style of a married woman.

Lu Yuan’s marriage officially secured him as a powerful ally for the Martial Law Alliance. For Lu Yuan, this meant entry into the core of the Alliance, granting him access to information previously obscure. For example, where he once perceived an ancient civilization as having only one Civilization Master, closer contact revealed that such civilizations typically possessed two or three, more than expected, with some also existing within the Lost Lands.

As the second night after the wedding arrived, Yun Xiuxue mentioned, "These past two days have been so busy with the ceremony, I almost forgot to give you some things."

"What things?" Lu Yuan asked casually. Their relationship, initially tense, was now quite natural after they had truly connected.

"The dowry," Yun Xiuxue smiled, carrying a distinct cool elegance. "You presented nine betrothal gifts; Father naturally couldn't be stingy in return, so he prepared several gifts for us."

"There are three items in the dowry. The first is five hundred Heavenly-Rank Spirit Veins." Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan was astonished. The wealth of an average person from the Six Eras was usually around two hundred Heavenly-Rank Spirit Veins. The Master of the Ancient Martial Civilization was exceptionally generous, starting with five hundred veins. Lu Yuan previously possessed 280; with this addition, his total soared to 780 Heavenly-Rank Spirit Veins. He had gained significantly. His father-in-law was truly magnanimous; starting with 500 veins made Lu Yuan highly anticipate the next two gifts.

"The second item in the dowry is a fragmented map to the Ancient Sword Master's Tomb." After handing over the 500 Heavenly-Rank Spirit Veins, Yun Xiuxue presented a tattered map. Lu Yuan accepted it. Yun Xiuxue explained, "Father mentioned that the true Ancient Sword Master's Tomb was originally divided into eight pieces. The Ancient Martial Civilization holds one portion. Word is, gathering all eight fragments will reveal the tomb's location. This should be useful to you."

Indeed, this was more than just useful; it was profoundly significant. Lu Yuan examined the fragment but could discern nothing specific. Yun Xiuxue continued, "The Jian Civilization should possess one fragment, and the Evil Sword Civilization should have another. The Desolate Ancient Civilization holds one. As for the remaining pieces, Father is also uncertain."

Lu Yuan looked at the map fragment in his hand and vaguely recalled finding something similar in the Pseudo-Ancient Sword Master's Tomb—though he hadn't understood it then. Pulling that piece out now, he saw it was another fragment of the Ancient Sword Master's Tomb map. This meant he now possessed two of the eight necessary pieces.

Yun Xiuxue then added, "As for the third item, it is a Mid-Grade Divine Artifact."

"A Divine Artifact!" Lu Yuan couldn't help but gasp. This father-in-law, this 'Taishan' (respectful term for father-in-law), was truly generous, gifting a Divine Artifact right away—and not a low-grade one like he had consumed before, but a Mid-Grade one. Yun Xiuxue drew the artifact from her sleeve: a small, palm-sized inkstone that radiated an extraordinary divine aura.

Lu Yuan accepted the palm-sized inkstone without pretense, opened his mouth, and swallowed the Divine Artifact whole. Simultaneously, his 'Formless Devouring Art' and 'Ten Thousand Swords Returning to the Origin' techniques activated, circulating his Civilized Realm mana in a surging torrent, absorbing the artifact's essence.

Driven by this Divine Artifact, Lu Yuan felt another constraint within his New Sword World shatter. He felt a massive shock, as if struck by ten thousand bolts of lightning. After the lightning subsided, every inch of his bones and skin had undergone a profound transformation, and his mana reserves increased by about twenty percent.

This was the Six Eras!

Yes, he had advanced to the level of the Six Eras.

The limit of this world was twenty Eras, and he was now at the sixth. In fact, in the Central Heavenly Dynasty and the Lost Lands, individuals exceeding the Tenth Era were rare; even the leaders of major civilizations were often only at the Eighth or Ninth Eras.

He had advanced another step, Lu Yuan mused silently. But the path to true strength remained distant. He needed to constantly become stronger, stronger, and even stronger!

Following this, Lu Yuan enjoyed a period of relaxed leisure. Every day, he and Yun Xiuxue were tender and affectionate, living a life sweet as honey. They didn't just stay within the Ancient Martial Civilization; they traveled, visiting various beautiful landscapes, occasionally gazing at the brilliant stars beneath the Milky Way Map, observing the Cowherd and Weaver Girl stars—this period in the Central Heavenly Dynasty was termed their honeymoon.

(First update delivered.)