A sharp intake of breath echoed through the crowd as sixteen figures materialized out of thin air, hovering motionless in the void. Only Martial Saints could suspend themselves in the empty expanse without revealing any fluctuation of soul power, yet here were sixteen of them—an utterly unbelievable sight. Furthermore, these sixteen Martial Saints had arrived uninvited. What did this portend?
The common folk remained bewildered, many unaware of what a Martial Saint truly represented or that the figures overhead were indeed such beings. However, the Jinwei Guards and the civil and military officials alike saw their faces blanch.
Luo Xiaofeng’s brow was deeply furrowed, and the Empress Dowager was visibly trembling with terror. Why these people, and why at this precise moment?
Luo Ruofeng tried to maintain composure. Though Ye Jingyu had elevated his cultivation to the peak of the Grandmaster realm with an inner core, there remained an insurmountable gulf between him and a Martial Saint. To have sixteen Martial Saints appear simultaneously was a terrifying strength capable of making even a Martial God wary.
Only Luo Lixuan, accompanying Luo Ruofeng, gazed up at the superior figures with unrestrained excitement. Ever since achieving the (Zongshi) realm, he had yearned for an opportunity to prove his might. Unfortunately, as the Crown Prince, common folk couldn't even approach him, let alone harm him. Now, with someone daring to disrupt his master’s wedding, wasn't this the perfect chance to strike? Truly, the young bull fears no tiger…
Beyond these principal members of the royal family, the assembled princes and nobles also wore expressions of stark fear, utterly clueless as to the reason for this sudden intrusion.
Luo Ling’er’s expression shifted subtly. Though she couldn't see the figures in the sky, her perception, amplified by her (Hun Xian) realm, was several times sharper than others'. How could sixteen powerful, spontaneously appearing auras escape her notice?
Just as she was about to lift the red veil, a pair of broad, warm hands gently grasped her delicate fingers. “We haven’t exchanged vows yet!” a soft voice whispered, instantly submerging the worry in Luo Ling’er’s heart. It felt as if, with this person present, even if the heavens collapsed, there would be nothing to fear…
Ignoring the commotion above, she proceeded to exchange vows with Ye Jingyu…
Sensing Ye Jingyu’s utter calm and collectedness, the assembled ministers and nobles found their anxiety significantly soothed. Wasn't Duke Ye a peerless master? Didn't he toy with Xiao Geng, a Martial Saint, in the palm of his hand that day? With him here, what was there to worry about?
At the side, Liang Xiaoke’s body already radiated a faint, cold intent. To interrupt his brother’s wedding—wasn't that simply courting death?
Only after Ye Jingyu and Luo Ling’er completed their rites was the wedding truly finalized…
With no time for the bridal chamber, Ye Jingyu, right before the assembled crowd, lifted the red veil from Luo Ling’er’s head. Gazing at her adorable face, at those pure and beautiful eyes, Ye Jingyu leaned his head in and pressed a light kiss upon Luo Ling’er’s lips…
Luo Ling’er wore an expression of profound happiness. From this moment on, she was Ye Jingyu’s wife, ready to shoulder the responsibilities of a spouse…
Just then, seeing the wedding concluded, Luo Xiaofeng was about to step forward himself when Ye Jingyu’s voice rang out.
“Father-in-law, please allow your son-in-law to handle these men…”
Seeing the unshakeable confidence in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, Luo Xiaofeng smiled and nodded…
“Ling’er, stay here and keep your father and mother company. Watch how your husband deals with these nuisances!” Ye Jingyu then turned to Luo Ling’er.
“No, I want to fight alongside you!” Unexpectedly, Luo Ling’er shot him a sly smile…
“Uh, haha, you should stay here and use your soul arts!” Ye Jingyu lightly patted Luo Ling’er’s shoulder as he slowly ascended into the air…
Watching his figure rise, many onlookers gasped in awe, especially those Jinwei Guards who had witnessed the civil war that day. It was as if they were seeing that scene again—Ye Jingyu thoroughly thrashing Martial Saints…
“Gentlemen, you’ve been observing me for quite some time. I chose not to bother you, but why grace my joyous day with an uninvited visit?” Ye Jingyu spoke coldly to the sixteen black-clad figures blatantly surrounding him, his eyes filled with disdain.
If they intended to kill him, they should have struck with maximum speed. Yet, they waited for him. Were they that self-assured?
Sixteen Martial Saints—were they truly that formidable?
Upon hearing Ye Jingyu declare he had known they were observing him for a long time, the faces of the Eight Heavenly Dragons and the Eight Pagodas flashed with astonishment. While they wouldn't claim their strength was unmatched in the world, their skill in concealing their presence was absolutely top-tier; even a Martial God might not detect them. Moreover, they had acted so covertly, completely masking their Martial Saint auras. How did he discover them?
“To kill you!” Despite their inner doubts, Zhan Futu stated coldly. With sixteen Martial Saints, even if Ye Jingyu’s strength reached the Martial Saint level, coupled with that one Martial God, they couldn't possibly overcome them.
They were not like Xiao Geng, who had only just entered the Martial Saint realm and couldn't even properly wield his power. These were beings who had reached the Martial Saint level years ago; in fact, Tie Futu and Long Yi both had one foot already stepping into the Martial God territory…
“Kill me? Heh, can you even manage that?” A cold sneer touched the corners of Ye Jingyu’s mouth…
Although it appeared he stood alone facing the enemy, below, Liang Xiaoke, Nangong Shang, Chi Yixiu, Hu Yanqi, Hu Yanmeng, and even Bieli were fully prepared. Bing Ming, already hidden in the void, was poised to deliver a fatal blow at any moment. It seemed the sixteen had encircled Ye Jingyu, but in truth, Ye Jingyu’s forces had surrounded the sixteen…
“Insolent fools!” Seeing Ye Jingyu’s mocking expression, Qiang Futu roared, his body erupting in dense black light, transforming into a streak of shadow as he charged toward Ye Jingyu…
But the instant he moved, a black meteor streaked across the sky, flying directly toward his face. Qiang Futu’s heart seized with terror. How could an arrow in this world move so fast? Sensing the immense power behind it, Qiang Futu dared not be careless, abruptly halting his charge toward Ye Jingyu and swiftly twisting to evade the lethal strike…
Just at that moment, a figure materialized before him, and an icy voice whispered into his ear…
“You shall be the first sacrifice!”