Mizu Pass was festooned with lanterns and banners. Feng Xiuyun was efficient as ever—before long, Serena Yunxiang had been dressed up beautifully by a squad of female soldiers, crowned with phoenix regalia and bridal robes. Quinn Shepherd was also strapped with a giant red flower, his head forced down as he and Serena Yunxiang were made to bow and wed.
"Little Feng is quite impressive—so quick and capable, I don't need to lift a finger."
Grandpa Blind was grinning ear to ear, thinking to himself, "I wonder if she's married yet..."
At the wedding feast, Lina the Spirit Fox—currently in the form of a little girl—cried so hard her face was streaked with tears, clutching a wine jug and unable to stand straight, declaring again and again that Grandpa Blind's word couldn't be trusted and that he was a shameless old liar.
The many soldiers at Mizu Pass who had come to offer congratulations exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding why this six- or seven-year-old girl was so heartbroken.
After all the raucous celebration, the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber. Serena Yunxiang quietly hid a dagger on her person, waiting for Quinn Shepherd to lift her bridal veil—then she would strike, fulfilling her duty as Saintess: assassinate the debauched Cult Master.
She waited for quite a while, but Quinn Shepherd never came over, leaving her feeling rather bitter: "Am I not even as good as that chubby Lynn Ling? Grandpa Blind may be blind in the eyes but not in the heart—yet some people are blind both ways, and still prefer a fuller chest?"
She waited a little longer, but Quinn still didn't sit beside her, nor did he lift her veil.
She secretly peeked out from under the veil, only to see Quinn sitting at the table, absorbed in reading a book. Serena Yunxiang fumed—on her wedding night, a beautiful bride sat waiting on the bed, and this fool was buried in his studies. What a wasted spring evening!
Serena Yunxiang threw off her veil and tossed it aside, walked over with a bright smile, and teased, "What book has the Cult Master so engrossed tonight?"
But the most terrifying thing of all is if something goes wrong with the teleportation divine art—your entire body could be torn apart in the void!
The hardest part is that teleportation requires calculating countless transmission nodes in an instant—every node must be flawless, and you have to keep recalculating as you travel. The sheer volume and precision needed make it almost impossible to pull off!
Throughout the history of the Heavenly Demon Cult, many powerful cultivators have been crippled, killed, or vanished by failed teleportation divine arts. There are even plenty who were simply disintegrated by it!
What’s even more frightening is that all these experts were masters of numerology!
Quinn studied the numerology canons, constantly running calculations as he tried to work out each spatial transmission node. He said, "Dao Heir Lucas Lin gave me the Mystic Maiden Numerology Canon months ago, and I've been researching it ever since. As for the Grand Mystery Numerology Canon, I've nearly mastered it. Dao Gate’s numerology is the best in the world—if I combine both canons, I can unlock the secrets of teleportation. Don’t worry, tonight I’ll finish studying the Mystic Maiden Numerology Canon. At dawn, when the darkness of the Great Ruins fades, I’ll use this divine art to leave. Once Grandpa Blind sees I’m gone, he won’t trouble you anymore."
Serena Yunxiang’s expression was complicated as she spoke gently, "Why do you have to go to such lengths? Sure, Grandpa Blind forced us here and is making us marry you, and you’ve been thinking only of our well-being. But have you ever asked if we’re willing to marry you?"
Quinn stopped his calculations, surprised, and looked up. Under the lamplight, Serena Yunxiang was both shy and defiant.
"Serena, do you want to marry me?" Quinn asked, eyes wide.
Serena Yunxiang lowered her eyes, blushing. The pearls on her phoenix coronet trembled, catching the candlelight with a tempting gleam.
"I don’t believe you," Quinn said.
Quinn kept his head down, reading. "You were hiding a dagger in your sleeve just now, waiting to stab me the moment I came close. No way I’m buying it."
Serena Yunxiang’s fists clenched, her teeth grinding audibly. Suddenly, she whipped out the little dagger and lunged at Quinn.
Quinn burst out laughing, sprang up, dodged the dagger, and flicked its blade with his finger. Serena spun, her red bridal robe swirling like a blooming lotus as she attacked with cold flashes of steel, launching a wild assault on Quinn.
The bridal chamber erupted in crashes and bangs as furniture was smashed to pieces.
"What a lively night," someone remarked.
Grandpa Blind set down his wine cup, his ears twitching as he listened. Calm and smiling, he asked Faye Houston, who was pouring drinks, "General Houston, have you ever been married?"
After a brief scuffle, Quinn gained the upper hand. He snatched away the dagger, toppled the Saintess onto the bed, and smacked her a few times on the rear—getting revenge for her raid on his savings. Then he buried himself back in his books.
Serena Yunxiang huffed and burrowed under the covers, turning her back to him.
Unnoticed, the sky gradually brightened, though the world of the Great Ruins remained cloaked in deep darkness. Quinn had read through the night and was still full of energy.
Serena Yunxiang woke to find herself facing Quinn, having somehow turned over in her sleep. She snorted softly.