The city of Yun Jing in the Southern Cloud Empire, built in memory of the ancient Yun Jing, served as the current imperial capital. Within its walls resided the high-ranking officials of the Southern Cloud Empire, including Luo Ruofeng and Liang Xiaoke. At this moment, the entire city was ablaze with festive decorations, particularly around the West City Gate. On either side of the gate stood a contingent of soldiers clad in gleaming armor. Nearly all the empire's elite—Luo Ruofeng, Liang Xiaoke, Fang Zhuguo, Yingkong Shi—were present, seemingly awaiting a guest of immense stature.

Of course, this grand reception was not for a bridal procession; Liang Xiaoke’s wedding day was still seven days away. Even a royal wedding wouldn't necessitate such an ostentatious display.

In the entirety of the Celestial Realm, only one person warranted such a welcome from them: Ye Jingyu, Luo Ruofeng’s sworn brother.

Millennia had passed. Today, they would finally be reunited.

The morning sun hung high, bathing the scene in golden light that warmed the Golden Immortal-ranked armored warriors. Curious murmurs rippled through the crowds gathered near the gate. They simply could not fathom who could merit their Emperor’s personal escort out of the city. Could it be one of the Immortal Sages? Yet, was the Southern Cloud Empire not currently at war with the Tianyuan Empire? How could they possibly be here?

As confusion mounted, a multi-hued cloud manifested in the sky. A group of men and women stood upon it. As the iridescent cloud drifted closer, the onlookers realized the central figure was a handsome man, flanked by three strikingly varied beauties and a monkey that shimmered with golden light from head to tail.

Behind them stood a dozen others, but the gazes of the common folk were inevitably drawn to the two exceptionally gorgeous women standing furthest back. One possessed a captivating, sensual allure; the other, a serene, refined elegance. Many felt they might never witness such beauty in their lifetimes. This man—who was he? To already possess three women as lovely as blooming flowers, only to be followed by two more peerless beauties—was he not inviting universal envy?

“Your Majesty, Brother, Zhuguo…” As the rainbow cloud settled, Ye Jingyu leaped down. Luo Ruofeng immediately led the welcoming party forward. They had already received word from Liang Xing: Ye Jingyu was arriving today.

Liang Xiaoke, while pleased, was less overtly emotional as he maintained some connection with Ye Jingyu all along. His eyes, however, frequently drifted toward Hanba and Houtu. But catching sight of the ten fierce-looking Divine Sovereigns standing behind them, he decisively turned his head away. He was a man soon to be married; how could he entertain thoughts of seducing other women?

Naturally, if those ten imposing figures hadn't been present, Liang Xiaoke might not have minded exploring a connection with the ladies—especially Hanba, the object of his deepest desires. Previously, lacking sufficient strength, pairing with a woman superior to him was inappropriate. But now, surely his power surpassed hers? He might finally be able to pin her down beneath him?

Fang Zhuguo, perpetually reserved, though inwardly overjoyed, showed little outward excitement. It was Luo Ruofeng who strode forward and embraced Ye Jingyu tightly.

“A-Yu, you’ve finally returned…” Luo Ruofeng spoke from the depths of his heart. He knew that everything he possessed today—his current stature—was due entirely to Ye Jingyu’s aid. Without him, Luo Ruofeng would still be nothing more than the insignificant third young master of the Shu Yun Kingdom.

“Heh heh, Your Majesty, it’s not just me who’s back. Look who I brought with me!” Feeling the sincere warmth of Luo Ruofeng’s embrace, Ye Jingyu was touched, but his face was wreathed in a broad smile. A reunion was a joyous occasion; crying was unnecessary.

While speaking, Ye Jingyu gently guided Luo Ling’er forward to stand before Luo Ruofeng. Seeing his most cherished sister so close after millennia, Luo Ruofeng visibly froze. Though Liang Xiaoke had informed him Ye Jingyu had gone to the Earth Alliance to rescue Luo Ling’er, the shock of seeing her again after so many thousand years was a sensation words could not capture.

“Third Brother, are you well?” Luo Ling’er, conversely, maintained a graceful composure. Having experienced her reunion with Ye Jingyu, she had developed a certain immunity to the overwhelming joy of such homecomings. A slight smile touched her lips, her rosy mouth softly speaking as her large eyes sparkled.

“Good, good. Third Brother is very well, Ling’er. You must have suffered all these years!” Luo Ruofeng struggled to suppress his surging emotions, managing only to speak, yet his tone remained anything but calm.

“Not suffering. Since he arrived, nothing has been difficult!” Luo Ling’er looked toward Ye Jingyu, the man she deeply loved, with undeniable happiness. No matter how long the separation, what hardship could exist when one is reunited with the beloved? This was merely the concept of suffering giving way to sweetness.

Yes, love is eternal. Regardless of poverty, life or death, or the span of time, their love would not waver, nor would it fade. Compared to those lovers who spend a lifetime together yet fail to truly connect, their journey was hardly bitter at all.

Truly, not bitter in the slightest.

Seeing the radiant happiness on the faces of Luo Ling’er and Ye Jingyu, Luo Ruofeng’s face broke into a brilliant smile. What in this world could bring greater joy than seeing his sister and his brother happy together?

“Right, A-Yu, and this is…?” It was then that Luo Ruofeng noticed the others behind Ye Jingyu, suddenly remembering his formal position. He swiftly pushed his personal joy aside and inquired. He recognized Zhurong and the others, and he had a strong inkling about the identity of those accompanying them. However, the monkey beside Ye Jingyu was utterly unfamiliar.

“Oh, right. This is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong…” Ye Jingyu seemed to suddenly recall the monkey at his side and quickly introduced him.

“The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong? The Sun Wukong from Journey to the West?” Liang Xiaoke, who had been secretly plotting a beautiful encounter with Hanba on his wedding night, let out a sharp gasp upon hearing that name.

(Heh heh, no matter how long it takes, the reunion of those in love is happiness. Such things only exist in novels, right? Reality? How many people actually find that in the real world? When you give your entire heart, what do you ultimately receive? Reality is truly brutal. True love, always sought after, but does it even exist? YYDI: 221924, 8 PM sharp, don't be late!)C