The sound of the 3,000 armored cavalry was deafening, causing everyone’s hearts to tremble uncontrollably.
For a brief moment, the atmosphere at Tianmen Pass became deathly silent before erupting in a roar.
“Prince Consort!”
“Ning Ye is actually the Prince Consort of the Jun family!”
“Wait! The Jun family has two young ladies—do you think Ning Ye will marry the eldest or the second daughter?”
“Are you an idiot? The Jun family’s eldest daughter, Jun Wulei, has been missing for ten years. There’s no way it’s her!”
“Exactly! That means… Ning Ye is about to marry the legendary Second Miss of the Jun family!”
“It seems so!”
“Oh my god! This is huge! If the Second Miss of the Jun family marries, countless prodigies from across the continent will have their hearts shattered!”
…
In an instant, the previously heavy and oppressive atmosphere at Tianmen Pass turned vibrant and lively.
All the cultivators present were looking at Ning Ye with envious eyes.
The Second Miss of the Jun family, Jun Qianyue, was a symbol of pride not only for the Jun family but for the entire Junlin, and even the entire Eastern Wilderness!
From the moment she first ascended to the battlefield at just nine years old, her name had spread throughout the Eastern Wilderness.
She had annihilated the Rakshasa Manor, drawn the Sacred Sword from the Sacred City, and spent three years honing her skills beyond the Abyssal Wall.
Though her eyes had been blinded during that time, she became the youngest general of Junlin upon her return.
Her life, her achievements, and her legend had been dazzling and awe-inspiring to countless people.
Most importantly, she was only twenty-four years old!
After experiencing countless battles, she remained as youthful as ever—her fame and reputation seemed eternal.
At one point, she was undoubtedly the brightest star in the entire Nine Heavens continent. In the eyes of countless prodigies, she was a figure who could never be reached.
“Ning Ye… he… he’s going to be the husband of the Second Miss of the Jun family!”
Ye Wuya opened his mouth in shock, his heart filled with bitterness. He was also twenty-four, the same age as Jun Qianyue, and he had once seen her at Hidden Sword Mountain Villa. That single encounter had made him realize how ordinary all other women were. Jun Qianyue had that kind of magnetic allure—her very presence could make one lose their senses in an instant.
“Heard from my master… the Second Miss of the Jun family is incredible.”
“Even ten of me couldn’t compare to her!”
Xuan Zang murmured in a serious tone.
“How so?”
Ye Wuya looked at Xuan Zang with curiosity. Clearly, this young master of Hidden Sword Mountain Villa was particularly interested in discussions about Jun Qianyue.
“The Buddha Sect’s Golden Body Technique…”
“She mastered it just by glancing at it!”
“What do you think?”
Xuan Zang spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face.
Hearing this, Ye Wuya looked at Xuan Zang with sympathy. He could imagine how hopeless Xuan Zang, as the top disciple of the Buddhist sect, must have felt when someone like Jun Qianyue mastered the Golden Body Technique after a single glance, something even he had struggled with for a year.
Hearing their conversation, Wu Yao couldn’t help but sigh softly and speak.
“She is incredible.”
“Enough to drive others to despair.”
“My master once said… if Jun Qianyue were to focus solely on the Sword Dao, then in the entire Nine Heavens continent, she would become the highest peak, the longest river, in the realm of Sword Dao.”
Hmph!
Xiao Tu let out a cold snort.
“Even so,”
“What difference does it make?”
“Even now, she’s still blind!”
“For several years, she locked herself away in the Jun family without stepping out.”
“Her legend is already over.”
Hearing this, Ye Wuya, Xuan Zang, and Wu Yao all glanced at Xiao Tu. They knew his disdain for the people of the Jun family, and what he said was, in many ways, the truth.
“Even so…”
“I, Ye Wuya, would still be willing to protect her for a lifetime.”
Ye Wuya gazed up at the sky, his expression filled with deep emotion.
“Hey, hey, hey!”
“She’s about to marry Ning Ye!”
“Snap out of it!”
“Little Villa Master, you’ve got no chance!”
Xuan Zang’s words were merciless, as he reminded Ye Wuya.
Sigh.
Hearing this, Ye Wuya couldn’t help but let out a long sigh before gritting his teeth and muttering bitterly: “Ning Ye… that bastard… truly deserves to die!”
Xuan Zang: “…..”
Wu Yao: “…..”
Xiao Tu: “…..”
Now, as the atmosphere at Tianmen Pass was still buzzing with excitement…
Ning Ye stood warily, his gaze fixed on the military officer, Xuan Kai, as he asked: “Was it her who sent you here?”
“Yes,”
Xuan Kai nodded in response.
“The young lady heard that the Tenth Prince was being attacked by the Xie Sect at Tianmen Pass.”
“So, she personally dispatched the Divine Strategy Iron Cavalry stationed in the first city of Tianmen Pass for your rescue.”
“However, unexpectedly… the Tenth Prince displayed such bravery, killing the Elder of the Xie Sect, Xie Shan, and their junior sect leader, Luo Zhiye, along with several other powerful members of the Xie Sect!”
“I must admit, I’m impressed!”
Upon hearing this, Ning Ye furrowed his brows. In truth, this move by Jun Qianyue had caught him off guard.
In his estimation, Jun Qianyue wouldn’t compromise or submit due to some so-called marriage contract.
Even if she didn’t send the Divine Strategy Iron Cavalry after him, at the very least, she would have sent an assassin, right?
But… what was this all about now?
“What exactly is this woman planning?”
Ning Ye’s mind raced, and at that moment, he noticed that Jun Qianyue’s personal maid, Qianye, was nowhere to be seen—clearly recalled by her.
Recalling her maid…
Dispatching the Divine Strategy Iron Cavalry…
It didn’t make sense. Completely baffling!
Ning Ye rubbed his temples, utterly perplexed by Jun Qianyue’s intentions.
Just then, Xuan Kai smiled and spoke: “Has the Tenth Prince prepared himself?”
Prepare for what?
Ning Ye looked at Xuan Kai with confusion.
“Of course…”
“To go to Wudu!”
“The young ladu instructed us to ensure your safety and escort you to the capital!”
“She will be waiting for you there!”
Xuan Kai’s smile was calm and reassuring.
Hearing this, Ning Ye fell silent for a moment before responding: “Let’s go.”
“It’s time I meet her.”
For Ning Ye, the answer was simple. Since he couldn’t guess her intentions, he’d go and find her himself.
With that, Ning Ye took Su Su’s hand and stepped into a palanquin.
The 3,000 cavalry guarded the palanquin as it made its way to Wudu.
As the palanquin gradually disappeared into the distance, it was then that Elder Tianji came to his senses. He yelled: “May I ask, Tenth Prince…”
“The technique you used earlier, when you combined the two unique flames and killed Xie Shan—what was it called?”
Hearing this, everyone turned their attention to the palanquin. In truth, they were all curious.
A moment later, Ning Ye’s calm response echoed from the distance:
“Angry Buddha Lotus Flame!”
With those four words, Elder Tianji took a deep breath and nodded heavily. He had originally intended to ask when Ning Ye would head to the Sacred Mountain, but when he looked again, the palanquin had already vanished from his sight. It didn’t matter, though. He had already decided—he would make sure Ning Ye entered the Sacred Mountain!
After all, that technique, Angry Buddha Lotus Flame, was enough to shake the heavens!
And with Ning Ye being Jun Qianyue’s fiancé…
With all these conditions added together, Ning Ye had become the most coveted target in Tianji’s eyes!
Just imagine: if Ning Ye entered the Sacred Mountain, Jun Qianyue might follow him as well!
If this pair of husband and wife both entered the Sacred Mountain under his influence, Elder Tianji would have accumulated immeasurable merit. Rising to the position of Grandmaster of Tianji Pavilion wouldn’t be impossible!
For the first time, he felt his future was so bright.
With these thoughts, he hurriedly left Tianmen Pass. His next destination was the Tianji Pavillion, where he planned to announce this battle to the entire continent and devise a plan to recruit Ning Ye and Jun Qianyue. Their future now rested in the hands of this couple.
As he departed…
The countless cultivators within Tianmen Pass began leaving as well. They needed to quickly return to their respective kingdoms or sects to report this matter.
“Let’s go!”
Xuan Zang waved and left Tianmen Pass leisurely. His master had sent him to witness the world—gain experience, and now that he had seen, he felt his task was complete. From now on, he needed to focus on cultivation and strive to restore his honor when he next encountered Ning Ye.
“Let’s go!”
Ye Wuya also departed. Upon returning, he would enter the forbidden grounds of Hidden Sword Mountain Villa to undergo the dangerous and forbidden Sword Dao inheritance. Though he had suffered a setback, he still carried an indomitable spirit for the Sword Dao.
“Brother Xiao Tu!”
“What are you planning next?”
Wu Yao asked softly.
“I have one more place to go.”
“After that, I’ll come to Wudu to settle everything.”
He left those words behind as he staggered off toward an unknown destination.
Sigh.
Wu Yao watched Xiao Tu’s fading figure and couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. She then turned in the opposite direction toward Wudu. It had been so long since she left home, and it was time to return. She had heard that during the years she was away, her father, the Emperor, had gone into closed-door cultivation, while the Empress of the Junlin Empire had assumed power. Something didn’t feel right to her.
…
Meanwhile, on the road from the Tianmen Pass to Wudu, the Divine Strategy Iron Cavalry protected a splendid carriage as it made its way forward.
Ning Ye held the sleeping Su Su in his arms, watching as the destination grew closer. His heart was filled with both tension and anticipation.
“Finally… I’m going to meet that woman.”