The Grand Wedding

Translator: CinderTL

Five days later.

Outside the Xu residence, a long line of carriages blocked the street, creating a cacophony of noise mixed with the joyous sounds of gongs and drums.

A servant loudly announced the gifts, "The Fifth Young Master presents a pair of pearl jades, a pair of South Sea mermaid pearls..."

"The Cui Family presents a jade ruler, a golden scale..."

"The Eldest Son presents... presents..."

At this point, the servant suddenly faltered, rubbing his eyes as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The surrounding guests turned their heads, curious about what the Eldest Son had sent.

Xu Sanyan, who was greeting the guests, turned to look. The servant, with a troubled expression, handed him the gift list, "Master, please take a look."

Xu Sanyan took it and read:

"One human skin mask, taken from the face of a sixteen-year-old maiden, skinned alive, soaked in human oil until soft, covered with bone powder, and dried in a cool place."

"One prosthetic right leg, made from the slender and smooth leg bone of a maiden. One prosthetic left arm..."

The Eldest Son's gift list not only detailed the items but also their origins and methods of creation.

Xu Sanyan looked up at Yang Xinyu, who had come to deliver the gifts, and calmly said, "Please convey my thanks to the Eldest Son."

Yang Xinyu looked somewhat embarrassed; he naturally knew what the Eldest Son had sent.

It was well-known that Yang Qiyuan was disfigured, with a spasmodic right leg and left arm. The Eldest Son's choice of gifts was clearly intentional.

"Please," Xu Sanyan said, gesturing to Yang Xinyu.

Yang Xinyu sighed, "I won't stay. I wish the two of you a happy union. Farewell."

With that, he hurriedly left.

Ever since Xu Sanyan had killed Wang Chengming in front of him, Yang Xinyu had always felt uneasy in Xu Sanyan's presence.

The guests, seeing this, exchanged glances, and many began to make excuses to leave.

Soon, less than half of the guests remained, most having left after presenting their gifts.

Xu Sanyan remained calm, unbothered. He knew these people feared offending the Eldest Son.

"The Prince has arrived!"

At that moment, a shout came from the street entrance. Xu Sanyan turned to see a large sedan chair appear, the crowd parting and bowing as it approached.

Prince Rui stepped down gracefully, followed by the Princess.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Princess," Xu Sanyan bowed.

"Rise, rise. From now on, we are family. No need for such formalities," the Prince said warmly, personally helping Xu Sanyan up. He glanced around at the remaining guests, frowning slightly but saying nothing.

Everyone entered the residence.

The bride was then brought out, and under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the wedding rituals proceeded, followed by a banquet for the guests.

After everything concluded, the residence returned to tranquility, with only the Prince and Princess remaining.

Prince Rui waved his hand, "You may leave."

"Yes."

The Prince took a sip of tea and sighed, "Now that you've married my daughter, we are no longer strangers. There are things you should know."

Xu Sanyan listened attentively.

"The situation at the front is dire. The imperial court's six hundred thousand troops are advancing fiercely. Silver Mountain Pass is in grave danger, and other passes are struggling to hold."

Xu Sanyan frowned. If they weren't ready, why had they rushed to rebel?

Prince Rui continued, "I have decided to lead the campaign myself, departing in ten days. Since you've just married my daughter, I won't take you with me. You will stay and guard Xiang City."

Xu Sanyan nodded silently, "And the Eldest Prince..."

"He will also stay," Prince Rui's eyes flickered, his thoughts inscrutable.

Then, the Prince took out a book and a wooden box from his sleeve, placing them gently on the table, "This cultivation method is a path to immortality. The box contains three elixirs to aid your cultivation. Consider them my daughter's dowry."

Xu Sanyan sighed inwardly. These items were of little use to him; he already had a cultivation method, and he dared not consume the elixirs.

But he still feigned excitement, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Prince Rui stood up, adding, "The method is flawless. You can cultivate with confidence."

With that, he left.

After seeing everyone off, the courtyard quieted down. Xu Sanyan, dressed in his red wedding robes, sat in a chair and casually picked up the cultivation manual.

"Heart Devouring Yin Technique"

Xu Sanyan frowned at the ominous name and continued reading,

"To cultivate this method, one must nurture a heart of killing and malice, using slaughter to enter the Dao and evil as sustenance."

"Those who eat hearts will have five orifices of clarity. Those who eat livers will have eyes like torches. Those who eat lungs will have bodies as strong as dragons."

"To eat a heart, swallow it whole with Aperture Opening Powder. To eat a lung, grind it into powder..."

The latter part detailed how to consume internal organs for cultivation.

Xu Sanyan instinctively narrowed his eyes. This method was even more sinister than the Supreme Truth and Absolute Stillness Sutra he practiced, actually guiding people to cannibalism!

He finally understood why Prince Rui had emphasized that the method was flawless. Anyone reading it would hardly believe it was a path to immortality.

Steadying his mind, he continued reading,

"Those who eat hearts will form the Heart Serpent Dao Foundation, able to transform into a Heart Serpent. Those who eat livers will form the Hundred-Eyed Dao Foundation, able to transform into a hundred-eyed being. Those who eat lungs will form the Desolate Worm Dao Foundation, able to transform into a Desolate Worm."

The method only detailed up to the Peak Stage of Foundation Establishment, with no further progression.

Xu Sanyan closed the book and pondered. This method also formed three Dao Foundations, but unlike his own, these three seemed to have no hierarchy.

Unlike his own method, which started with the Blood Demon Dao Foundation, followed by the Muddy Water Dao Foundation, and finally a Dao Foundation forged with a Heavenly Earth Treasure, the superiority of each was clear.

Moreover, this method felt... incomplete.

As if something was deliberately hidden.

Xu Sanyan shook his head. It didn't matter; he had no intention of switching methods.

He then opened the wooden box, which contained three Spirit Ascension Pills.

Xu Sanyan touched the tightly wrapped Blood-Red Dagger in his chest, wondering what kind of Dao Foundation it would forge if used for Foundation Establishment.

"Soon... soon..."

Xu Sanyan murmured to himself. Once he accumulated enough Vitality, he would break through to Foundation Establishment in one go!

Putting the items away, Xu Sanyan headed to the inner chambers.

Creak—

The door opened. Yang Qiyuan, veiled, sat on the bed, her body trembling slightly, instinctively feeling inferior.

Her mother had told her that her husband was not only highly skilled in cultivation but also exceptionally handsome, making her feel even more unworthy.

Xu Sanyan casually sat beside her, then got up to fetch two wine cups from the table, filling them. This was his first marriage in this life, and he hoped to make it as perfect as possible.

"Don't be nervous, my dear. Let's drink a cup of Marriage Unity Wine," Xu Sanyan said softly, sensing her tension.

Yang Qiyuan, her hands hidden in her sleeves, clenched them slightly before extending her right hand to take the cup, "Yes, husband."

Her voice was clear, with a slight tremor.

Their arms intertwined, they raised the cups and drank.

(End of the Chapter)

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