The middle-aged man lowered his head and spoke in a hushed tone, “Miss, we should leave. The top figures from the major powers have accompanied these geniuses today; slighting them would not be advisable…”

Bai Yijun clenched her slender fingers tightly, the nails digging into her palm, drawing a few drops of bright red blood that drifted down into the cliff valley on the fierce, howling wind. Her delicate form seemed solitary and fragile against the gale. From the angle the middle-aged man couldn't see, she slowly lowered her head, her silken, smooth long hair cascading down her cheeks.

She gently bit her lower lip, an ineffable sorrow etched upon her features, enough to wrench the heart. In her sorrowful thoughts, she mourned, "He hasn't come. He definitely hasn't forgotten the five-year promise; it must be that his strength is insufficient to make the journey. From the White Lotus Divine Province to here is a vast distance; for him to traverse mountains and rivers to arrive, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"Me waiting here for nothing is just a waste of time."

But, but...

She tilted her head up to gaze at the sky. It was clear, with soft clouds drifting lazily, indescribably carefree, like a picturesque poem. She thought, I am already a person close to death. Why seek him out? Why burden him for his entire life...

"Besides," she bit down hard on her lower lip, her shoulders trembling almost imperceptibly, "the heroes of the world are waiting in the main hall now. If I leave at this moment, Father will lose tremendous face. He has nurtured me all these years—how could I be such an unfilial daughter?"

The thought twisted in her mind like dead ashes, the heartache so intense it nearly exploded, forcing her to endure until her body involuntarily began to shake.

She felt her eyes growing moist, yet a stubbornness, where it came from she didn't know, rose within her. She looked up at the heavens, allowing the tears at the corners of her eyes to retreat back into the sockets, refusing to fall.

She looked at the few wisps of pure white cloud curling in the vast azure sky, a yearning rising in her eyes, like a caged bird tinged with melancholy.

“Miss…” Seeing her silence for so long, the middle-aged man softly spoke again.

Bai Yijun’s frame gave a slight start. After a period of silence, she slowly withdrew her gaze, stood up, her white robes like snow, poised at the edge of the precipice. The biting wind whipped her garments into a fluttering dance, making her appear like an immortal maiden from a painting, possessing peerless grace that could topple cities.

She turned around. In that moment, the delicacy and sorrow in her eyes vanished, replaced only by an icy detachment. She glanced at the middle-aged man and said blandly, "Uncle Qin, let's go."

The middle-aged man scrutinized her face twice, sighing inwardly, but said nothing more, nodding once. "Yes."

Their figures flashed, vanishing into thin air.

…

At the main hall of White Spirit Mountain, around the grand combat stage, the assembled heroes stood in solemn attendance.

Silence reigned over the entire area, broken only by the ragged, uneven sounds of breathing. The disciples of the Bai Family watching from the periphery were tense, their eyes gleaming with a strange light. In the entire Bai Family, only three daughters had been born to Bai Tian; the Eldest and Second Misses had married years ago. Only this Third Miss remained an unplucked flower.

Moreover, the Third Miss surpassed even her elder sisters in beauty, possessing charm that could eclipse the moon and shame the flowers. Many who were fortunate enough to glimpse her countenance once would be captivated, losing their senses entirely.

Furthermore, this Third Miss was the reincarnation of an ancient, powerful figure. Her natural talent was extraordinary. At the moment of her birth, celestial phenomena manifested: Dao Beasts from all directions gathered as if to pay homage, accompanied by auspicious signs like wind, fire, lightning, and thunder spreading across the firmament. Even many reclusive, mighty figures had traveled to offer congratulations to Bai Tian.

Among the younger generation of the Bai Family, the Third Miss’s personal strength was absolutely top-tier. Over the years, even some veteran disciples had only witnessed her fight three times, and each time she had defeated the strongest of the Bai Family’s younger generation instantaneously!

Therefore, in the eyes of these Bai Family disciples, Bai Yijun was simply like a deity, not to be profaned or violated. If not for the awe inspired by the might of the youth in purple today, had an ordinary suitor arrived, these young men would surely have rushed forward first to "communicate properly" with the detestable fellow attempting to profane their inner goddess.

In this quiet waiting, ripples like water suddenly surged in the empty space. Immediately following, the middle-aged man was the first to step out. He moved aside, allowing the Divine Emperor experts seated in the VIP section to focus their gaze forward.

The outer Bai Family disciples, as well as the many geniuses on the competition platform who had come to propose marriage, felt an intense, breathless tension as they gazed, lost in thought.

From within the ripples, a delicate, jade-like foot slowly emerged, clad in an exquisite white boot. Then, the whole person stepped out. The gentle breeze in the surrounding sky seemed to hold its breath for that instant.

The outer Bai Family disciples and others revealed expressions of fervent adoration. Even the knowledgeable geniuses from various factions on the competition platform were momentarily stunned, before their eyes ignited with a fierce light, fixing unblinkingly upon that white silhouette.

The Divine Emperor experts in the VIP seats maintained calm, smiling expressions, yet their eyes flickered with sharp light, revealing a sense of gravity.

This white figure stood casually in the void. Her white robes were like snow, her figure slender, her skin fair as crystallized ice, faintly revealing a rosy hue. Her long, waterfall-like black hair hung loosely behind her, flowing freely. Most captivating was her face, a picture of peerless national beauty and breathtaking allure. Her facial contours were graceful, her skin delicate, and her eyes resembled a calm pool of clear water—serene and composed, compelling one not to stare too boldly.

The outer Bai Family disciples stared, utterly entranced for a moment.

Even the youth in purple standing on the combat stage had two brilliant beams flashing in his eyes, his countenance radiant with excitement as he looked toward the white silhouette.

Bai Yijun looked down upon the entire scene, not sparing a glance for the young geniuses from various supreme powers seated below. She only addressed the people in the VIP section, gracefully landing, and offered a slight, elegant bow. "Little Jun pays her respects to all the seniors."

The Divine Emperor experts nodded slightly, yet none truly regarded her as a junior. They were all affable. The white-robed, bald elder known as the South Sea Buddha smiled benevolently, his eyes kind. He spoke gently, "No need for ceremony, you must be Patriarch Bai’s daughter. Meeting you today, you truly are extraordinary. Surpassing us in the future is merely a matter of time."

A faint smile touched Bai Yijun’s expression, but she showed no pride, remaining poised and serene. "Thank you for the compliment, Senior Buddha."

The assembled figures glanced at her, each nodding slightly in approval.

Seeing the expressions of admiration and respect, Bai Tian felt a slight easing in his heart. He immediately announced, "Since everyone has gathered at our clan today, and the previous duel was witnessed by all, in the presence of so many Divine Emperor experts, I shall confirm this marriage!"

The whole assembly fell silent. For some inexplicable reason, no one dared to cheer.

Bai Yijun’s slender fingers tightened infinitesimally, her body trembling slightly, though she quickly returned to normal. From beginning to end, her expression remained cold and indifferent, showing no change.

The youth in purple on the combat stage was overjoyed. He immediately clasped his fists in a deep bow. "Thank you, Father-in-law!"

An elderly man in a green robe stood up from the VIP seats. His long beard was like silver threads, his face thin, and his eyes sharp as swords. At this moment, he smiled slightly and inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Patriarch Bai, for fulfilling this beautiful union. From this day forward, my Wind God Hall and the Bai Family are in-laws."

The other Divine Emperor experts standing nearby glanced at him, their expressions unchanged, yet inwardly they were cursing and begrudging him. They knew this elder was usually extremely stern, and his ability to smile today showed his boundless joy.

Why wouldn't he be overjoyed?

Countless forces in the world longed to curry favor with the Bai Family tree. It was known that the Bai Family was the head of the Nine Ancient Families. Moreover, their Eldest and Second Daughters had married the most promising royal princes of two major empires. If one of those princes were to inherit the throne in the future, the Bai Family’s influence would soar to the heavens, potentially making them the paramount power in the ancient world!

The Divine Emperor experts understood the stakes involved. Looking at the smiling green-robed elder now, they could only sigh in resignation, knowing that the Bai Family’s power was only set to grow stronger. Now that they were allied with the behemoth that was the Wind God Hall, the mutually beneficial relationship between the two powers meant significant gains for both sides.

Bai Tian showed a faint smile and waved his hand. "From now on, we are family, no need for formalities. Jun’er, go check on Young Master Feng’s injuries; he fought a great battle for you, after all. See if he is alright."

A collective scoff rose in the minds of the crowd, though none voiced it. In the preceding battle, everyone had fought in the virtual world and suffered no real injury. Bai Tian's action was clearly a public declaration that the matter was settled, while simultaneously issuing an implicit warning that no one should employ secret schemes or maneuvers to alter this outcome.

The green-robed elder smiled and subtly cast a look of gratitude toward Bai Tian.

Just then, everyone let out a startled cry. Bai Yijun remained rooted to the spot, her head down, utterly motionless, not obeying Bai Tian’s instruction to approach the youth in purple.

Bai Tian frowned slightly and murmured, "Jun’er, what are you thinking? Hurry up and go."

Hearing this, Bai Yijun's body trembled slightly. After a moment, she slowly lifted her head. Her dark hair obscured her eyes, so no one could discern her expression. She took steps that seemed slightly arduous, slowly walking toward the youth in purple.

All eyes followed her slow progress.

The youth in purple stared intently at the woman in white. In his life, he had seen countless women, yet none could compare to the beauty before him. For a moment, he felt a touch of nervousness mixed with anticipation.

Bai Yijun walked up to Feng Wuji, the youth in purple, stopping three feet away. After a pause, she murmured softly, "Hello."

The youth in purple frowned slightly but paid it no mind. He gave a graceful smile and elegantly extended his long hand. "Hello. I am Feng Wuji. Only today did I realize that I had been living in vain until now, ignorant that such a beautiful fairy existed in this world."

Bai Yijun remained silent for a beat, vaguely sensing her father’s gaze fixed upon her from behind. She bit her lip slightly, her heart feeling as if it were being twisted by a knife, delaying the extension of her hand to shake his, hesitant.

Just at that moment—

Whoosh!

A sharp sound, like a tsunami roaring, charged over from the distance, carrying with it an earth-shattering, murderous aura that made complexions pale, descending upon the scene!