Zhou Manor.
On this day, Zhou Manor was abuzz with excitement. Fortunately, Zhou Manor itself was a special treasure in the form of a residence; it could expand or contract, containing vast spatial dimensions within.
At present, Zhou Yi had enlarged Zhou Manor to the size of an enormous city—so much so that even the Holy City of Jia Ma seemed insignificant in comparison.
Yet, despite its immense size, Zhou Manor was still packed with people.
Zhou Yi had gone to escort his brides.
The journey was quite extensive.
According to his plan, he first traveled to Central Plains to pick up Han Yue, Han Xue, Ye Xinlan, and Tang Huo'er.
On his return, he passed through the Black-Corner Region, gathering Hu Jia, Liu Fei, Xue Ni, and Instructor Ruo Lin from Jia Nan Academy.
Finally, he made a detour to the Heavenly Serpent Empire to bring back Elder Lu Man from the Heavenly Serpent Mansion.
Meanwhile, back at Zhou Manor…
"It's so lively!"
Lin Dong, attending such a grand wedding for the first time with his younger sister, Qing Tan, couldn't help but feel awe and excitement—especially given the overwhelming presence of powerful cultivators.
If one were to casually throw a bowl into the crowd, it would likely land on a group of Dou Kings or even Dou Ancestors.
And it wasn't just strong cultivators from the Dou Qi Continent.
Many powerhouses from the Tianxuan Continent had also arrived.
After all, the interdimensional passage connecting the two worlds was located near Zhou Manor, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler from the Tianxuan Continent.
"Brother, are you from the Tianxuan Continent?"
Xiao Yan approached Lin Dong and asked casually.
He had chosen to approach Lin Dong because of an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
It was an indescribable feeling.
"That's right."
Lin Dong examined Xiao Yan, noticing they were about the same age and feeling an unexpected sense of kinship. He nodded in response.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Xiao Yan!"
"Nice to meet you. I am Lin Dong!"
"So, you are Lin Dong, Master Zhou's direct disciple?" Xiao Yan was a bit surprised.
He had heard that Zhou Yi had taken in a disciple, but he hadn't known much—only that the disciple's name was Lin Dong.
"Yes, I am fortunate that my master took me under his wing."
Lin Dong replied humbly.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a bit envious.
But he also had an unspoken thought:
Your master's wives sure are numerous!
The two instantly hit it off, finding a quiet corner where they conversed at length.
Lin Dong spoke about the Tianxuan Continent.
Xiao Yan shared stories of the Dou Qi Continent.
Meanwhile, as Xiao Yan and Lin Dong got acquainted, a young girl in a red dress was curiously surveying Zhou Manor, her beautiful eyes sparkling with interest.
"So, this is Zhou Manor?"
"I heard Zhou Yi is marrying nine wives today, and he already has dozens!"
The girl's charming lips curled into a smile as she lifted her exquisitely beautiful hand.
Her fingers were long and delicate, appearing as flawless as the finest white jade. The proportions of her slender fingers were near perfection, without the slightest flaw. As her hand moved, a soft glow shimmered, mesmerizing those who saw it.
She was none other than Ying Huanhuan, the little princess of Dao Sect, who had sneaked out despite her sister's warnings.
"One, two, three, four, five, six… Oh dear, I can't even count them all! How far down the line does Ling Qingzhu rank?"
The more Ying Huanhuan thought about it, the more amused she became. She had no fondness for Ling Qingzhu, that cold and aloof woman—especially since she was both her own and her sister's lifelong rival.
It would be great if she could run into Ling Qingzhu today.
"Huanhuan!"
Just as Ying Huanhuan was about to enter Zhou Manor, a cold and ethereal voice called out, startling her into freezing in place.
"Sister!"
Ying Huanhuan turned around sheepishly, looking like a child caught misbehaving.
"You sure have some nerve. I warned you repeatedly, yet you still dared to sneak out?" Ying Xiaoxiao sighed, clearly exasperated with her troublesome little sister.
"Sis, nothing happened! Besides, I wasn't planning on going anywhere else—just wandering around nearby. It's perfectly safe!"
Ying Huanhuan mumbled in a small voice.
"Safe?"
Ying Xiaoxiao's tone was filled with sarcasm. With so many powerful cultivators gathered in one place, she highly doubted it was 'safe.' "Enough. We're going back."
"Sister, since we're already here, let's at least go in and take a look." Ying Huanhuan clung to Ying Xiaoxiao's arm, acting coquettishly. "Aren't you curious about the man Ling Qingzhu is marrying? We might even see her!"
Ying Xiaoxiao hesitated. Since they had already come this far, turning back without entering did seem a bit pointless.
Besides, today was Zhou Yi's wedding.
With so many formidable cultivators present, it was unlikely anyone would dare cause trouble.
Moreover, she was curious about the man whom Ling Qingzhu, her greatest rival, had chosen to marry.
"Fine. But no troublemaking!"
Ying Xiaoxiao warned her sister.
"Got it! I knew you were the best, sis!"
The two entered Zhou Manor and presented a congratulatory gift.
Naturally, they received a return gift in exchange.
"Wow, sister, look! That little beast is adorable—so fluffy, with black and white fur! It's the cutest thing ever!"
Ying Huanhuan's eyes lit up as she spotted a round, cuddly creature chewing on a stalk of purple bamboo with an innocent and endearing expression.
She couldn't resist reaching out a hand.
The creature—Zhou Yi's pet and mount—was none other than a giant panda, known as a national treasure.
Ying Huanhuan slowly extended her flawless jade-like fingers.
The panda lifted its head.
Ying Huanhuan froze.
Luckily, the panda merely glanced at her indifferently before resuming its bamboo feast.
Delighted, Ying Huanhuan gently stroked its soft white head, then couldn't resist touching its fluffy black ears.
"Huanhuan!"
Ying Xiaoxiao sighed helplessly, shooting her sister a warning glare. "That's someone else's pet. Don't go around touching it. What if you offend its owner?"
"But it's just too cute!"
Ying Huanhuan was reluctant to let go. After all, who could resist such an adorable creature?
"Sister, this pet doesn't seem particularly strong. It just looks cute and eats bamboo. It can't be too expensive, right? Let's buy one!"
"You couldn't afford it."
A calm, icy voice interrupted.
A woman clad in a light-colored dress with a veil appeared behind the panda. Her delicate features, framed by flowing hair, exuded a breathtaking beauty that dimmed the world around her.
"Ling Qingzhu!"
Ying Huanhuan's head snapped up as she instantly recognized the newcomer.
Ying Xiaoxiao also looked at her long-time rival, sensing that Ling Qingzhu had grown even stronger. The pressure she emanated was far greater than before.
Ling Qingzhu had been in the rear courtyard but had sensed Ying Xiaoxiao's familiar aura, so she came to take a look.
"It's just a pet beast. Who are you saying can't afford it?"
Ying Huanhuan locked eyes with Ling Qingzhu. "Is it yours?"
Ling Qingzhu gently rubbed the beast's head and replied indifferently, "Half a year ago, the Soul Clan ambushed and kidnapped Zhou Yi's bride. Zhou Yi rode Rolling Thunder into battle."
"Rolling Thunder single-handedly annihilated four Dou Saints—one at the seven-star level, two at six-star, and one at five-star."
"Do you still want to buy it?"
As her words fell, both Ying Huanhuan and Ying Xiaoxiao were stunned speechless.
They could hardly believe their ears.
Anyone with some knowledge of the current power levels across the two continents understood what this meant.
A Dou Saint was comparable to a powerhouse at the Reincarnation Realm.
The Dou Saint ranks were divided into three tiers, each spanning nine stars.
Meanwhile, the Reincarnation Realm had three cycles of tribulation.
A seven-star Dou Saint was roughly equivalent to a terrifying existence at the third cycle of the Samsara Tribulation.
Their father, Dao Sect's headmaster, Ying Xuanzi, was merely at the Samsara Stage—not even at the Reincarnation Realm yet, let alone the third cycle.
In other words, this seemingly harmless pet could swat their father to death with a single strike.
It wasn't a pet—it was a monstrous beast in disguise.
"Hiss—!"
Ying Huanhuan's fingers stiffened.
She had actually stroked this terrifying creature's head… and even playfully pinched its soft, furry ears.
Would it swallow her whole in retaliation?
So terrifying!
But indeed, she couldn't afford such a beast—not even if she sold the entire Dao Sect.
At the same time, both sisters deeply felt the sheer horror of Zhou Yi's power.
If even his mount was this overwhelmingly strong…
Then what about Zhou Yi himself?
How strong, how terrifying must he be?
No wonder even someone as proud as Ling Qingzhu was willing to marry him.
No wonder the supreme sect, Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, had agreed to let Ling Qingzhu marry Zhou Yi—despite him already having dozens of wives.
He was simply too powerful.
Just then, a piercing cry echoed through the sky.
The clouds churned, and space trembled.
From the distant horizon, radiant lights flashed as an entire squadron of formidable Azure Luan birds flew in tight formation, their arrival disturbing the sea of clouds.
"Master Zhou has returned with his brides!"
Cries of excitement rang out, and the atmosphere at Zhou Manor reached a fever pitch.
Zhou Yi stood with his hands behind his back, poised atop a Azure Luan. His presence was radiant, otherworldly—like a celestial deity descending upon the mortal realm.
Flanking him on either side, nine additional Azure Luans carried brides dressed in magnificent phoenix coronets and crimson wedding robes.
Each of the nine brides—Han Yue, Han Xue, Ye Xinlan, Hu Jia, Liu Fei, Xue Ni, Mentor Ruolin, Tang Huo'er, and Lu Man—radiated unique charm despite wearing identical wedding attire.
Han Yue's silver hair danced in the wind, her beauty icy and unparalleled.
Instructor Ruo Lin exuded a gentle, serene aura.
Hu Jia burned with unrestrained passion…
"So handsome!"
Ying Huanhuan's gaze was dazed.
She had known that, given Zhou Yi's cultivation level, he couldn't possibly be the old, ugly man she had once imagined. She had even expected him to be fairly good-looking.
But she had never imagined he would be this stunning.
No wonder even Ling Qingzhu, who had always been proud and untouchable, had agreed to marry him.
He was just too handsome.
"These Azure Luans…" Ying Xiaoxiao, still mesmerized by Zhou Yi's unmatched appearance, suddenly snapped back to reality. She turned her focus to the majestic birds.
Each one radiated an overwhelming presence.
Their auras seemed even stronger than those of her father, Dao Sect's headmaster, Ying Xuanzi, who had already reached the Samsara Stage.
"Dou Saints! All of them are Dou Saint-level demon beasts, comparable to Reincarnation Realm powerhouses!"
"Terrifying!"
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