Chapter 367 Zi Yan's Wedding

Soul Realm.

Unlike the tranquil Ancient World, the sky of the Soul Realm was forever gray, devoid of sun or moon.

Hun Tiandi sat in the deepest part of the grand hall, a purple-gold invitation spread out on the table before him.

He didn't reach out to touch it, merely staring at it with a gloomy gaze.

An old man in black robes stood in the hall, hands hanging at his sides, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Zhu Kun..." Hun Tiandi whispered the name, his tone carrying a suppressed anger.

He turned his head to look at the pitch-black flame in the corner of the hall.

The flame condensed into a human shape with a blurred Face, only the eyes standing out, revealing an ancient and eerie light.

Void Swallowing Flame.

"He has come out." Void Swallowing Flame spoke, its voice hoarse and filled with disbelief, "How is it possible for him to come out?"

Hun Tiandi frowned deeply: "Do you know him?"

Void Swallowing Flame did not answer.

It stared at the purple-gold invitation, the pitch-black flame flickering as if suppressing some emotion.

"He shouldn't be able to escape."

Void Swallowing Flame's voice tightened, "When we were sent out, the Formation had safeguards.

Those trapped inside could never come out on their own—"

Hun Tiandi took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Can he enter and leave the Ancient Emperor Cave at will?"

"Impossible!" Void Swallowing Flame said decisively, "Without the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, it is impossible to enter.

He must have used some other means... he is only out temporarily."

It paused, its tone becoming urgent: "We must speed up.

That guy definitely has his eyes on the Ancient Emperor Cave too. If he gets there first—"

Hun Tiandi didn't speak.

He paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, his brow furrowing tighter.

The Ancient Clan had been making too many moves lately.

He didn't know how the matter of the Spirit Devouring Life-Extinguishing Array had leaked out, but that old thing Gu Yuan had sent a large number of people to investigate everywhere, leaving him tied up and unable to act freely.

"Which Emperor Clan should we attack first?"

Hun Tiandi stopped, turned to look at Void Swallowing Flame, and said in a cold tone: "Get the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade first."

Void Swallowing Flame was silent for a moment before speaking slowly: "The Ling Clan is already gone. The next one is the Shi Clan. They are the weakest and the easiest to target."

Hun Tiandi nodded, his gaze returning to the purple-gold invitation.

He hated this feeling of being out of control.

Zhu Kun's return, Shen Wen's rise, the Ancient Clan's relentless pressure—everything was developing in a direction beyond his expectations.

"Go prepare." He waved his hand, his tone indifferent, "For the Void Ancient Dragon Clan's grand wedding, we of the Hun Clan should also send a gift."

The old man in black robes bowed and retreated.

The hall fell silent, leaving only the pitch-black flame flickering silently in the corner.

Hun Tiandi stood in the darkness, hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the hall doors toward the gray sky in the distance.

...

Zi Yan's grand wedding was grander than anyone had expected.

It wasn't about the spectacle; it was about the scale.

The Void Ancient Dragon Clan had been silent for thousands of years after Zhu Kun went missing. Now that the Dragon Emperor had returned and his daughter was getting married, this wasn't just a family affair; it was a declaration.

A declaration that the ancient clan, which once dominated the Demonic Beast world and stood on equal footing with the Human Race Emperor Clans, was back.

The day the invitations were sent out, the entire Central Plains was shaken.

The Ancient Clan, Yan Clan, Lei Clan, Medicine Clan, Hun Clan, and Shi Clan—all the Emperor Clans sent people.

Some Clan Chiefs came in person, others sent the most important Elders of their clans.

They weren't doing it for Shen Wen's Face, but for Zhu Kun's Face.

A Nine-Star Dou Sheng Peak, an existence with one foot already inside the Dou Di realm.

People like this could be counted on one hand across the entire continent.

On the day of the wedding, Ancient Dragon Island was decked out in festive decorations.

To say "decked out" wasn't quite accurate. The Void Ancient Dragons didn't hang red silk or paste up "double happiness" characters; instead, they lit Dragon Flames on every mountain Peak.

Purple-gold flames rose from the mountain tops, shooting straight into the clouds, illuminating the entire sky in a magnificent glow.

That was the unique way the Dragon Clan celebrated; the brighter the flame, the deeper the blessing.

Shen Wen stood in front of the council hall in black robes, hands behind his back.

He wasn't wearing anything special today, just a brand-new black brocade robe with a purple-gold belt at his waist, which Zi Yan had sewn for him personally.

Old Monster Lin stood by his side, wearing gray cloth robes, his hair and beard white, his Face square.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the guests arriving from all directions, before suddenly turning his head to look at Shen Wen.

"When I first found you, you were just an infant in swaddling clothes." His voice was low, filled with emotion, "Back then, I thought that once this kid grew up, he'd be extraordinary."

Shen Wen turned to look at him.

Old Monster Lin continued: "But I didn't expect your ability to marry wives to be greater than your ability to Cultivate."

Shen Wen's mouth twitched.

Old Monster Lin counted on his fingers: "The Cao family's Young Miss, the Snake-People Clan's Queen, the Calamity Poison Body, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, the Dan Family's princess, the Burning Flame Valley's successor—"

He paused, looking at the purple-gold Dragon Flames in the distance, his tone carrying a complex meaning: "And now, the Dragon Emperor of the Void Ancient Dragons."

He shook his head, his usually smiling Face showing a hint of helplessness: "I've lived for so many years, and I've seen everything. But this scene? I've truly never seen it before."

Shen Wen coughed lightly, not answering.

Old Monster Lin didn't expect him to answer, just withdrawing his gaze to look into the distance again.

"But that's fine." He said suddenly, his tone becoming more serious, "With Zhu Kun here, I don't need to worry about the Ancient Clan and the Hun Clan."

Shen Wen was silent for a moment and nodded.

Old Monster Lin patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

The auspicious time arrived.

Zi Yan walked out from behind the hall.

Today, she wore a purple-gold phoenix coronet and robes—not the bright red wedding dress of the Human Race, but the unique ceremonial attire of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan.

Dragon Phoenix patterns were embroidered on the hem of her skirt, lifelike and seemingly alive as they fluttered gently with her steps. She wore a purple-gold phoenix coronet, with a fist-sized dragon pearl embedded in it, emitting a warm, gentle glow.

She walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and raised her head.

Her Face, having shed its childishness, bore a faint blush, and light swirled in her purple-gold eyes.

Her gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Shen Wen.

Shen Wen looked at her too.

The two met each other's eyes for a moment, and the corners of Zi Yan's lips curved slightly, revealing a smile.

The smile was bright, carrying a hint of shyness, a hint of joy, and a hint of relief that this day had finally arrived.

Zhu Kun stood before the ancestral tablets, hands behind his back.

He wore purple-gold brocade robes today, his long hair tied up, his Face firm, and his golden eyes filled with complex emotions.

He looked at Zi Yan, the daughter he had owed for thousands of years, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Perform the rites."

His voice was low, clearly transmitted to everyone's ears, wrapped in powerful Qi.

Zi Yan walked to the ancestral tablets, knelt, and kowtowed.

One bow, two bows, three bows.

Zhu Kun stood to the side, watching his daughter's back as she knelt before the ancestors, his golden eyes slightly reddened, but only for an instant before he regained the dignity befitting a Dragon Emperor.

Zi Yan stood up and walked to Shen Wen.

Shen Wen also walked up to her.

The two stood facing each other.

Zhu Kun took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "With heaven and earth as witness, and the ancestors as proof. Zi Yan, Shen Wen, are to be joined as partners. From this day forward, share life and death, never to be separated."

Zi Yan looked at Shen Wen, light swirling in her purple-gold eyes.

"Share life and death, never to be separated." She repeated softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Shen Wen looked at her and smiled slightly: "Share life and death, never to be separated."

Zhu Kun nodded, turned around, faced the ancestral tablets, and bowed deeply.

The ceremony was complete.

No tedious formalities, no long rituals.

Just bowing to the ancestors and making vows.

Simple, yet solemn.

Old Monster Lin sat in the seat of honor, watching this scene, his eyes slightly red.

He remembered when Shen Wen was just a little kid, hugging him and saying he wanted to marry a wife as soon as he grew up; now, this was something else.

He had even married the Dragon Phoenix of the Void Ancient Dragons.

Now, he was standing here, having married the Dragon Emperor of the Void Ancient Dragons.

Old Monster Lin picked up his wine cup and took a sip, suppressing his emotions.

The banquet was set in the square outside the hall.

Dragon Flames burned on the mountain Peaks, illuminating the entire sky in a magnificent glow. Long tables were lined up, filled with delicacies, dragon liver and phoenix marrow, and fine wine and nectar.

The guests toasted each other, the atmosphere lively.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

The guests gradually dispersed, the Dragon Flames slowly extinguished, and Ancient Dragon Island returned to its usual tranquility.

...

The bridal chamber was set in a courtyard behind the council hall.

The courtyard was small but decorated with great care. Purple-gold gauze curtains hung from the ceiling beams, enveloping the entire room in a hazy halo. Two purple-gold candles sat on the table, the candlelight flickering gently, casting their shadows on the wall, intertwined.

Zi Yan sat on the edge of the bed, her purple-gold phoenix coronet and robes glowing with a warm luster under the candlelight.

She lowered her head, her hands twisted together, not knowing what she was thinking.

Shen Wen sat down beside her and reached out to hold her hand.

Her hand was cool, soft, and her fingertips were trembling slightly.

Zi Yan raised her head, looking at Shen Wen, light swirling in her purple-gold eyes.

"Brother Shen Wen." She called out softly, her voice sweet and soft, a completely different person from the dignified Dragon Emperor she was on ordinary days.

Shen Wen reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Zi Yan leaned on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, as if wanting to carve his scent into her bones.

"I've finally married you." She said softly, her tone filled with satisfaction, joy, and a trace of indescribable trance.

Shen Wen lowered his head, his chin resting on the top of her head, smelling the faint, clean fragrance of her hair.

"Hmm."

Zi Yan rubbed against his chest, then suddenly raised her head, looking at him, her purple-gold eyes carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Brother Shen Wen, guess what my Cultivation is now?"

Shen Wen looked down at her, carefully sensing for a moment, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Three-Star Dou Sheng?"

Zi Yan laughed triumphantly: "More than that."

She sat up from his arms, took a step back, and twirled in front of him.

The purple-gold dress fluttered gently with her movements, and the Dragon Phoenix pattern on the hem was lifelike, as if it were about to come alive.

"I've only digested half of the Dragon Phoenix Bloodline's power."

She paused, light swirling in her purple-gold eyes: "Once I fully digest it, I should be able to reach Five-Star Dou Sheng."

Shen Wen looked at her, feeling gratified.

This little girl, from that little girl running around the back of Jia Nan Academy to the Dragon Phoenix standing before him now, the Dragon Emperor of the Void Ancient Dragons.

She had grown up.

Zi Yan sat back down beside him, leaned into his arms, and said softly: "Brother Shen Wen, thank you."

Shen Wen looked down at her: "Thank you for what?"

Zi Yan buried her Face in his chest and said muffledly: "Thank you for taking me away back then, thank you for helping me refine the dragon phoenix origin fruit, thank you for helping me subdue those Ancient Dragons, thank you for saving my father—"

She paused, her voice dropping a little lower: "Thank you for marrying me."

Shen Wen smiled and reached out to rub her head.

"Silly girl."

Zi Yan rubbed against him, no longer speaking.

The red candles flickered, and the wax dripped slowly down the candles.

The moonlight outside the window spilled in through the gauze curtains, intertwining with the candlelight, spreading a hazy light and shadow on the floor.

Just then, that familiar mechanical sound rang in Shen Wen's mind—

[Ding! Detected that the host has successfully married Zi Yan (Rating: 99), meeting the System reward criteria!]

[Congratulations to the host for winning the beauty. Reward: Heavenly Emperor Dragon Control Scripture]

[Detected that the marriage is settled, issuing betrothal gifts: True Dragon Body, Heavenly Dragon Origin]

[If the favorability between the two increases, for every 10% increase, you can continue to receive rewards.]

[Do you wish to accept the reward?]

Shen Wen's thought moved: Accept all.

The next moment, three vast forces surged into his body simultaneously.

The Heavenly Emperor Dragon Control Scripture was a Cultivation Technique specifically for controlling Dragon Clan power, perfectly compatible with the dragon phoenix ancient armor, Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, and primordial dragon bone in his body.

This Heavenly Emperor Dragon Control Scripture integrated the existing dragon phoenix ancient armor, Azure Heaven Dragon Transformation Art, and primordial dragon bone within him.

He felt that even without using any amplification, he could fight a Dou Sheng.

Shen Wen opened his eyes and looked down at Zi Yan in his arms.

The girl had already closed her eyes, her breathing even, a smile still on her lips.

He smiled and reached out to hold her tighter.

The next morning.

Sunlight spilled into the room through the gauze curtains. Zi Yan opened her eyes and met Shen Wen's gaze.

He didn't know when he had woken up, but he was leaning against the head of the bed, looking down at her.

Zi Yan's cheeks turned slightly red, and she buried her Face in his arms, saying muffledly: "What are you looking at?"

Shen Wen smiled: "Looking at you."

Zi Yan hummed, not speaking, just holding him tighter.

Just then, the mechanical sound rang in Shen Wen's mind again—

[Ding! Detected that the favorability of the Lady of the House, Zi Yan, toward the host has increased, current favorability: 20%!]

[Reward: Chaos Dragon Scale, Undying Phoenix Heart]

[Ding! Detected that the favorability of the Lady of the House, Zi Yan, toward the host has increased, current favorability: 30%!]

[Reward: Chaos Dragon Tendon, Nirvana Phoenix Marrow]

[Ding! Detected that the favorability of the Lady of the House, Zi Yan, toward the host has increased, current favorability: 40%!]

[Reward: Dragon Phoenix Resonance Scripture]

[Do you wish to accept the reward?]

Shen Wen's thought moved: Accept all.

Chaos Dragon Scale, Chaos Dragon Tendon, Undying Phoenix Heart, Nirvana Phoenix Marrow.

Four forces constantly intertwined in his body, their aura expanding crazily.

Although his Dou Qi didn't increase by much, his Physique was increasing at a very fast speed.

As for the Dragon Phoenix Resonance Scripture, it was a Dual Cultivation Technique that allowed the practitioner to simultaneously increase their Cultivation during Dual Cultivation, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

Shen Wen looked down at Zi Yan in his arms, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

This girl had actually given him a great gift.

Zi Yan seemed to sense something and raised her head, her purple-gold eyes filled with confusion.

"Brother Shen Wen, what are you smiling at?"

Shen Wen shook his head: "Nothing."

Zi Yan stared at him for a moment, hummed, and buried her Face back in his arms.

"Liar."

Shen Wen smiled and said nothing.

The sunlight outside the window grew brighter, spilling onto the two of them, plating them in a warm light.

In the distance, the sound of dragon roars could be faintly heard; that was the clansmen of the Void Ancient Dragons doing their morning exercises.

A new day had begun.

Zi Yan nestled in Shen Wen's arms, listening to the dragon roars from afar, and suddenly spoke: "Brother Shen Wen, what do you think my father is doing right now?"

Shen Wen thought for a moment and said: "Probably handling clan affairs."

Zi Yan was silent for a moment and said softly: "He seemed to cry yesterday."

Shen Wen looked down at her.

Zi Yan continued: "When I knelt to the ancestors, he stood on the side, and his eyes were red."

She paused, her voice dropping lower: "Although he didn't say anything, I know that in his heart, he has always felt he owed me."

Shen Wen reached out to rub her head: "He is your father. What happened back then was not his fault."

Zi Yan murmured, not speaking again.

Shen Wen didn't say anything else either, just holding her, quietly watching the sunlight outside the window.

After a while, Zi Yan suddenly raised her head, looking at him, her purple-gold eyes carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Brother Shen Wen, are the things you said last night still valid?"

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow: "What things?"

Zi Yan's cheeks turned slightly red, she turned her head away, and said muffledly: "That is... those things."

Shen Wen looked at her appearance and suddenly laughed.

He lowered his head and whispered something in her ear.

Zi Yan's cheeks turned even redder, red enough to almost drip blood.

She reached out and punched him, saying muffledly: "Pervert."