Chapter 447: Hooked (4k)

Zhang Zhao brought many strongmen of the Great Xia Dynasty to go and receive the bride.

Zhang Jian did not follow directly; he still had some arrangements to make.

Receiving the bride here necessarily involves facing the backlash from those opposing the Tongshan Dao Tong alliance.

With Zhang Jian secretly protecting Zhang Zhao, Zhang Jian believes he can certainly smoothly retrieve the bride of the Yi family, but Zhang Jian worries that someone might calculate his departure and prepare to raid his home.

The Great Xia Dynasty is his foundation; if someone calculates his departure and takes the opportunity to raid his home, others may not be able to stop it.

Therefore, this time he chose to spend a great cost, having Zhanmo Zhenjun invite a second-generation ancestral master to descend.

Of course, such an invitation also comes with a cost.

The cost is that drop of 'Triple Radiance Divine Water'!

Inside the main hall, at this moment a purple-robed Daoist gazed with a smile in his eyes, and he said to the Zhanmo Zhenjun beside him.

"Zhanmo Shifu, your disciple is indeed thoughtful!"

Hearing the string and knowing the melody, Zhanmo Zhenjun directed her gaze toward the door outside and said.

"Zidian Shishu, if it were not for his thoughtfulness and 'caution,' he would not have missed participating in even a single sect trial!"

"Master, disciple calls this 'foolproof'; how could you scheme against disciple behind his back!"

Outside the main hall, Zhang Jian walked in slowly.

At this moment he slightly bowed to the Zidian Ancestor.

"Zidian Shishuzu!"

The Zidian Daoist waved his hand and said.

"No need for excessive courtesy!"

Zhanmo Zhenjun let out a light hum and said.

"You worthless disciple, timid is just timid; the master calls it 'caution,' and that's already praising you!"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly, not taking it to heart; having the 'ancestors' in the ancestral shrine to exploit, guarding the ancestors and living well is enough—where would he still need to risk his life for a pittance of resources?

Zhanmo Zhenjun also fixed her wonderful gaze on Zhang Jian and said.

"Ah Yu, you must be careful; this time those intending to seize the bride are not just a single group—they probably intend to use you as a sacrifice to inaugurate their banner!"

"You could actually choose to have the sect's strong ones act; there's no need for you to bear it alone!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

"If the sect's strong ones act, it will trigger a great war, and then how would disciple counterattack and retaliate?!"

Zhang Jian smirked in his eyes.

Sect intervention means a melee of all major powers.

But if he alone acts, then at that time he can unleash unlimited, boundless counterattack and retaliation.

Even if the great powers' ancestors from beyond the realm appear at that time, they would have nothing to say.

The Zidian Ancestor gazed at Zhang Jian with calm eyes, and he calmly smiled.

"You little rascal, your scheming mind is indeed not small; you still want revenge? You'd better watch out not to capsize in the gutter—those holy king clans and true immortal families have truly substantial foundations!"

Zhang Jian's eyes flashed with a hint of ferocity, then he nodded and said.

"Thank you, Shishuzu, for the advice; disciple understands, and the interior and exterior of Haojing City are entrusted to Zidian Shishuzu!"

The Zidian Ancestor's deep eyes flashed with lightning as he slightly nodded.

Zhanmo Zhenjun also said.

"Rest assured and go; Shishuzu has suppressed the Tongshan Dao Tong for hundreds of thousands of years—there will be no problem!"

Zhang Jian, upon hearing this, lightly nodded and said.

"With Shishuzu present, disciple is reassured!"

Actually, Zhang Jian wanted to remind the Zidian Ancestor, to sense through the authority of the Son of Heaven Emperor that many strong beings of unknown qi have already appeared around Haojing City, and their number is not small.

But thinking that the Zidian Ancestor has guarded the Tongshan Dao Tong for hundreds of thousands of years, constantly present in heaven and earth, for such matters he should be extremely 'professional,' so there's no need to overdo it.

His figure instantly turned into an ice-blue light, chasing after Zhang Zhao's carriage.

……

Rear Court, Xuanyuan Small Cottage

At this moment a graceful and beautiful figure also gazed far off toward the direction of the imperial palace square.

Her jade countenance was tranquil; even without making any pose, she exuded a mature, alluring charm, dressed in a black robe, her curvaceous figure seemed filled with deadly allure.

Every movement carried a seductive grace.

She was Meng Bingyun.

Half a year ago, she was quietly sent into Haojing City by the Five Elements Immortal Sect, soon after being ennobled as a consort; although not one of the four consorts, she also belonged to the nine concubines, her status exalted.

What others do not know is that this low-key Meng consort has never yet been favored.

At this moment her eyes gazed toward the direction of the imperial palace, her pupils holding a hint of leisure.

She simply goes with the flow and does not worry about this.

Because she knows that beings like her can only gradually master their own fate by relying on the strong.

Moreover, after entering the Great Xia Dynasty for about half a year, she has also inquired clearly that this Great Xia Emperor is not a cold-hearted, unfeeling sort.

If he walked the path of indifference, he probably would not so exclusively favor the central palace, nor would he ennobles two attendants whose youth is about to fade as consorts, bestowing offspring upon them.

And for Meng Bingyun, this is already enough.

……

In the depths of the void, Zhang Jian's speed was like wind and lightning; he quickly caught up with Zhang Zhao's bride-receiving procession.

Zhang Zhao's bride reception, besides having some relatives and friends, was also equipped with some Great Xia Dynasty's Yuanshen True Persons.

Zhang Jian specifically had Dongshen Laozu, Taixian Xianzi, and the two True Persons invited from the Tongshan Dao Tong accompany him, including Zhenchen Zhenjun and Zhuxing Zhenjun.

As the elder brother, Zhang Yi was also among them.

Such a formation could indeed be considered grand and imposing.

In an era when true immortals rarely appeared in person, the three near-immortal primordial spirit true monarchs jointly welcoming the bride, accompanied by several primordial spirit grand true persons, possessed a force sufficient to match the orthodoxy of a major immortal sect.

The bride-welcoming phase proceeded relatively smoothly.

Zhang Jian hid in the shadows, his gaze scanning the surroundings; although many powerful beings had fixed their attention on Zhang Zhao's party in the depths of the void, none chose to act.

Zhang Jian knew this group's target was to seize the Yi woman.

Before receiving the Yi family's daughter, they would not act rashly.

Within about a day, the Zhang clan arrived at Ancient Yi Prefecture.

At that time, in Ancient Yi Prefecture, the ancient capital of the Great Yu dynasty, lanterns were hung and decorations strung, making it exceptionally lively.

In the city, the Yi family elders had long been waiting at the city gate; upon seeing the groom's party riding seven dragons through the void, they were slightly astonished before immediately smiling and welcoming everyone into the city.

Bai Xi Ju, Zhi Xin Xiao Zhu

Yi Li'er wore a phoenix crown and rosy robes; her slender figure, enhanced by this splendid attire, appeared even more radiant and captivating. Beside her, several other girls who witnessed the scene felt a touch of emotion.

"I never thought that among us sisters, the one to marry first would be the youngest!"

The girl in green robes, Yi Guan'er, had a hint of reluctance on her jade-like countenance.

Yi DouDou and Yi Yu'er also sighed; this parting meant the girls did not know when they might gather again.

Yi Li'er's jade-like face bore a faint smile as her eyes swept over the girls, and she said.

"Sisters, why such sorrow? Though I am marrying and cannot return often, you sisters may frequently visit the Eastern Continent; if you come to the Eastern Continent, I shall surely entertain you well!"

Upon hearing this, the girls all smiled faintly, though their hearts knew the truth.

The Eastern Continent is still too far from Ancient Yi Prefecture.

If the girls go once, they may only go once.

Yi Yu'er, at this moment, listened to the outside sounds and said.

"Come, let us first see how the bridegroom fares for our sister; DouDou, you are not skilled in observing qi, so why not examine this newlywed groom's fortune?"

Yi DouDou, hearing this, laughed and said.

"Of course I must look! I am also very curious!"

The girls then laughed and chatted as they left the bridal chamber of Zhi Xin Palace.

Yi Li'er gazed at her flower-like, moon-bright face in the mirror and let out a soft sigh.

"Even if one attains longevity, one cannot escape the vast flood of human affairs!"

Longevity is ultimately not immortality, nor indestructibility.

But even marriage, for her, is merely a change in cultivation environment.

With her foundation, she will eventually have the chance to grasp her own destiny.

……

Before the girls outside surged into the palace, at this moment, outside the palace walls, they had already seen Zhang Zhao riding his horse through the streets.

Zhang Zhao's appearance needs no further mention; the only thing somewhat disappointing to the girls was that his cultivation was not high, appearing only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, still some distance from forming the Golden Core.

Among the girls present, most had already formed Golden Core, some had even attained the Yin Spirit, and those only half a step from the Primordial Spirit realm were also numerous.

"DouDou, how is it?"

Yi Yu'er turned her eyes toward Yi DouDou beside her.

Yi DouDou possessed the Innate Supreme Fortune Dao Body; besides having excellent fortune, she also bore a pair of Heavenly Dao Divine Eyes capable of penetrating the source qi of heaven and earth, which were extremely keen.

"Do not rush, wait a moment!"

Yi DouDou muttered under her breath, her eyes seizing the opportunity; deep within her pupils appeared countless special purple-gold lights, within which faintly seemed to reflect the void and Heavenly Dao; her gaze fell upon Zhang Zhao, and merely taking one look, Yi DouDou's expression showed slight astonishment.

In her eyes, Zhang Zhao's entire body was suffused with thick purple aura, with majestic dragon shadows flowing within, the purple light dazzling.

At this moment, Zhang Zhao felt something; his eyes followed Yi DouDou's gaze and fell upon a playful girl in purple robes, his eyes showing considerable surprise.

Yi DouDou hastily withdrew her gaze.

"Imperial purple aura, supreme and noble..."

Although she had only glanced, Yi DouDou's eyes still held some astonishment deep within.

She could hardly believe her own eyes.

"Is he practicing the Imperial Secret Arts, or does he possess an Imperial treasure? It should be impossible for him to bear an Imperial destiny!"

Yi DouDou thought to herself.

Zhang Zhao's cultivation is too low; he should not possibly bear an Imperial destiny.

Those who bear an Imperial destiny are without exception sovereigns of dynasties, or at least contenders for the Imperial throne.

Such beings are rare in heaven and earth.

Even the heads of several sage-king clans have never been able to condense Imperial purple aura, let alone condense the Imperial throne.

However, bearing such thick Imperial purple aura, even if unable to condense the Imperial throne, on the Sage-King's Great Path in the future, they will surely proceed smoothly and achieve great accomplishments.

And at this moment, it was not only Yi DouDou.

The Yi family, as well as many of the Yi family's guests, more or less observed this welcoming party and its leader, Zhang Zhao.

At the palace gate, Yi Zhengqing merely glanced with his eyes, his pupils showing something unusual, then immediately smiled and stepped forward to welcome Zhang Zhao and his party into the residence of the Ninth Prince.

……

In the void outside the Great Yu ancient capital, Zhang Jian's figure did not follow the flow into the ancient capital.

He knew those people outside could not act on the Yi family's territory.

Doing so would undoubtedly provoke the Yi family.

Zhang Jian did not wait long in the depths of the void; after two hours, he saw that Zhang Zhao had already received the bride, and the party's procession had clearly expanded considerably.

For the leading seven dragons, many more dragon horses followed behind, carrying thick wooden boxes.

Ten miles of red bridal adornment.

This is probably more than just ten miles.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Jian smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth. He opened the Mountains and Rivers State Map at the crossroads, directly placing the procession inside, then chanted a spell—deep in the void, the seven dragons appeared, and even the scene of ten miles of red bridal adornment reappeared.

Not only the seven dragons, but even those divine and superb dragon horses exuded a savage and ancient aura, with no trace of any omen.

This is the Dream Roaming the Great Void Grand Method.

The Dream Roaming the Great Void Grand Method not only allows reincarnation in dreams, but can also manifest myriad living beings, with true and false transformations.

It contains the profound mysteries of the great Dao law of reality and illusion.

This second-rank immortal method is profoundly mysterious and unfathomable.

The procession continued with music and merriment, flying toward the direction of Haojing City.

At this moment, inside the Mountains and Rivers State Map, Si Li'er clearly felt the heavens and earth overturned before her eyes, as ten miles of red bridal adornment instantly fell into a completely unfamiliar space.

On the dragon's back, Zhang Zhao had already noticed this scene, and seeing it, he smiled reassuringly.

"Princess, do not worry—this is your father's secret method, the Mountains and Rivers State Map!"

"Mountains and Rivers State Map?"

Beneath the red veil, Si Li'er's voice carried a hint of astonishment. Zhang Zhao continued to smile.

"Princess, we just need to watch the show from now on!"

After a brief pause, Zhang Zhao spoke again.

"Zhao still needs to thank the Princess for the reminder—if not for your warning, our wedding procession might have fallen into the hands of these heretical cultivators!"

Beneath the red veil, Si Li'er remained calmly seated, only speaking softly.

"Since I have married into the Zhang family, as a wife of the Zhang household, I cannot stand by and watch the sons of the Zhang family be ambushed by those demons and heretics!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao's expression showed a hint of a smile.

This princess of the Si family is indeed quite unique.

Although he had never seen her before, this single encounter left him with a very favorable impression.

……

Meanwhile, outside, carriages and horses flew swiftly. After an unknown amount of time, suddenly the colors of wind and clouds shifted in the depths of the void—a gourd painted with mountains and rivers suddenly rose into view, swallowing everyone whole in an instant.

This sudden change caused everyone inside the Mountains and Rivers State Map to instantly change expression.

In the blink of an eye, a figure slowly emerged from the void, one hand gripping the gourd covered in mountain and river paintings—a being whose very form flowed with immortal Dao laws, his face bearing a smile.

"Having entered my gourd, this Si family maiden naturally belongs to my Ji family. Fellow Daoists, I accept your thanks!"

"Second-rank immortal treasure, the Mountains and Rivers Gourd!"

Gazing at this scene, Si Li'er's expression tightened, her voice also taking on a hint of solemnity.

Zhang Zhao looked over, astonished.

"Princess, do you recognize this treasure?"

Si Li'er nodded slightly: "This treasure is renowned far and wide—it is modeled after the Ji family's inherited Mountains and Rivers Cauldron, refined to possess extraordinary divine power, capable of refining heaven and earth, containing within it a self-contained world, profoundly mysterious!"

Zhang Zhao's expression stirred.

He had also heard of the name Mountains and Rivers Cauldron.

This is the supreme treasure of the Ji family's ancestral sage king, who once traversed heaven and earth, subdued demons and evil gods.

At this moment, however, the Ji family true immortal in the depths of the void suddenly changed expression after a moment.

"Fake!"

At this moment, a voice came through, slightly carrying a hint of coldness!

"The big fish has taken the bait!"