Chapter 172: Fated Bond

Zhang Jian's palm condensed the righteous fire into a net-like form, tightly trapping that mass of black qi.

His control over the righteous fire was astonishing.

Though he had never practiced the orthodox cultivation of the sages' path, relying solely on his own insight, he had already reached this level.

Given time, for him to independently comprehend a method to condense righteous qi would not be difficult.

Gazing at the black qi still struggling in his palm, he explained.

"Great uncle, someone left a small trick on you, but it's nothing serious!"

Qi Yuanwu watched the black qi wriggling like a worm, feeling some unease.

"A Yu, what exactly is this thing?"

"This is a residual insect left by the Insect God, and there's still something else inside!"

Zhang Jian's eyes also showed some interest.

"Insect God? Is that the Xuan Du evil person who attacked our soldiers when we entered the city?"

Qi Yuanwu's expression suddenly turned grim; he had also been in grave danger then, surrounded by countless insects, and hadn't expected to still be afflicted.

"It's him—Yin God Venerable, with three hiding places, truly hard to kill, but his luck was poor; he actually chose Great Uncle as a vessel—today his life force will surely be cut off!"

Zhang Jian held the black qi in his hand; in his gaze, a peculiar black insect appeared—this insect should be the Insect God's natal worm, quite special.

He slightly activated the righteous fire to burn it, and immediately the insect let out shrill cries.

"Righteous qi?"

A thread of the Insect God's slumbering Yin God also awakened with it, stirring awake, and he instantly felt uneasy.

When he first crashed into the Heavenly Net, the True Person of Dong Zhen killed his true body with a Dong Shen Thunder Law, but his natal immortal worm was exceptionally special—it could split into many offspring worms; as long as one offspring worm escaped, it could continue surviving.

Relying on the offspring worms' marvel, these days he had hidden on Qi Yuanwu, continuously drawing his essence blood to restore his Yin God.

Who would have thought that in just a few days, he would be discovered again.

And the other party actually possessed righteous qi.

This thing is the bane of his soul-transformed insect.

"Don't move—I have a tremendous secret to tell you!"

At the moment of desperation, this thread of Yin God couldn't help but shout loudly.

Zhang Jian's eyes shifted, and he said calmly: "Oh, what other secret do you have?"

The Insect God's gloomy voice came from within the immortal worm: "As long as you release me, I will certainly tell you this secret!"

"Not only that, I can also tell you the location of my secondary residence—inside it are many secret medicinal formulas, not lacking extremely precious items—if you guarantee my safety!"

The Insect God's voice carried a tempting tone; he was still trying to negotiate with Zhang Jian.

"That's unnecessary trouble!"

Zhang Jian, however, had no such intention; he didn't lack such benefits.

But he knew someone would surely be willing to help.

At that moment, he infused his divine sense into a divine sense seal in his hand, and the sound transmitted.

"Master, I have captured a Yin God Venerable alive here, and he still has secrets—I don't know if you're interested?"

Deep within this divine sense seal, after a moment, it faintly emitted a black light.

A strange color flashed in Zhang Jian's eyes.

He had long noticed the divine sense seal left by the Slaughter Demon True Lord on his body, hidden within the three sword qi left by the Slaughter Demon True Lord; had he not sensed that the Slaughter Demon True Lord's divine sense was mostly inactive, he would have already used these three sword qi seals.

"... Your divine sense can actually detect my master's presence?"

At this moment, the Slaughter Demon True Lord's slightly astonished voice sounded.

She clearly hadn't expected Zhang Jian's progress to be so rapid.

How long has it been since he entered Golden Core, and yet he can sense her divine sense?

Zhang Jian merely smiled faintly: "It seems I can naturally feel the subtle changes around me, illuminating every inch of my body!"

"Possessing the Sage's Body is indeed extraordinarily miraculous!"

The Slaughter Demon True Lord was slightly surprised, also offering no further explanation, only saying: "Wait a moment—I'll have Yin Yin go on a trip; at this time, the Slaughter Demon lineage's Dharma Protectors will handle things. Benefits follow our lineage's rules: according to the harvest and risk inside the cave, either seven-three or five-five split—you take seven, or five!"

"Very fair!"

Zhang Jian nodded in agreement—he provided key information, the sect provided strong cultivators, resources, and techniques; obtaining this share was absolutely conscientious.

Zhang Jian first used a secret method to immobilize the immortal worm, then, under the reluctant pleas of Qi Yuanwu and his wife, left the Long Princess's mansion.

……

Not long after Qi Yuanwu's wedding, Zhang Lu also brought Zhang Yi and others into Hao Jing.

Zhang Jian was preparing to marry Qi Yuhua.

Qi Yuhua bore the Phoenix Destiny—a time bomb; marrying earlier would benefit both.

Fear not thieves stealing, but thieves coveting.

Who is this thief? No doubt!

Marrying earlier would benefit both.

At this time, the elders of both the Zhang and Qi families were in Hao Jing.

After obtaining Zhang Jian's consent, Zhang Yi and the Zhang Qi clan formally exchanged marriage documents with Qi Yuan Si and Qi Wan Shi according to the three matchmakers and six betrothals, simultaneously setting the auspicious time for marriage in a few days.

The Qi family side also worried that delaying the marriage would invite trouble—after all, Zhang Jian had already entered court, was so young, and many eyed the high gate of the top scholar.

Zhang Jian handled all this with ease; the wedding had Zhang Yi and Zhang Qi clan helping with arrangements—he only needed to personally write some gift letters and invitations.

As it was a grand wedding, naturally inviting relatives and friends.

Besides, there were also old classmates from the academy.

On the wedding day, Emperor Jingwu also sent an imperial edict, and specially bestowed a State Scholar's Mansion, congratulating Zhang Jian on his great success followed by lesser success.

In the Zhang family courtyard, as the wedding approached, Zhang Jian's gaze held a hint of sigh.

He had not thought too much about the wedding banquet of the Dragon Palace and Bai Li Ying!

At this moment, however, there were some ripples in his heart.

He glanced around; outside, the flowing banquet was also fully set up, specially arranged to entertain the four neighbors.

Inside, the hall was filled with distinguished guests!

After a slight hesitation, Zhang Jian pushed open the bridal chamber door, stepped inside, and then slightly cast a spell to seal the door.

As he had expected, not long after, a group of drunken classmates began to make a commotion outside; unfortunately, the door was tightly shut, and after making a noise for a while with no response, the many scholars dispersed.

At this time, Zhang Jian also saw the phoenix crown and rosy robes, with Qi Yuhua wearing a large red veil.

Although the veil was covering her, the exquisite and peerless jade-like face on the veil was clearly imprinted in his eyes.

Zhang Jian was no stranger to this; as an experienced hand, he was very adept, and after whispering a few words with Qi Yuhua on the dragon-phoenix bed, his new bride opened her heart.

After the veil was removed, Qi Yuhua's beautiful jade-like face, under the dragon-phoenix candlelight, seemed to radiate a lovely glow.

Qi Yuhua was essentially a gentle and traditional young lady, no different from the other noble daughters in the boudoir.

At this moment, however, she was especially moving.

Zhang Jian smiled faintly, then had someone bring hot water to help Qi Yuhua remove her makeup.

After bathing, a moment of intimacy need not be elaborated.

In early July, Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua completed their predestined lifelong vow amidst the lively wedding.

This early summer was also exceptionally joyful and lively.