Chapter 262

He slowly raised his right hand, fingers slightly spread, a strand of crimson-gold true Gang surging from his palm, slowly swirling around his fingertips.

The color of this true Gang had darkened further since its refinement, the crimson-gold now deeper and duller.

Like a volcano sealed deep within the earth’s crust, its surface appeared calm, yet within lurked terrifyingly violent energy.

Each inhalation and exhalation at his fingertips caused the surrounding air to warp violently.

Even the sunlight above trembled slightly in this scorching heat.

With a thought, he directed this strand of true Gang at the blue stone in the courtyard, recently used as his target, and flicked his finger.

Shhh—

The crimson-gold true Gang shot forward like a meteor, silent and swift, sinking into the blue stone.

The next instant.

No earth-shattering explosion—only a grating, teeth-chilling hissing sound.

The entire half-man-tall blue stone erupted from within, melting into a pool of dark red magma that slowly oozed across the charred ground, bubbles still bubbling at its edges, releasing a searing, acrid stench.

Seeing this, Jiang Ye nodded in satisfaction.

He had seen Cheng Yuan’s primordial fire Gang .

In terms of power alone, his perfected Great Sun Heavenly Flame true Gang could stand equal to the other’s primordial fire Gang .

He couldn’t help but wonder—when he himself entered the primordial realm, how far would this Great Sun Heavenly Flame true Gang evolve?

Jiang Ye began to look forward to it.

Moments later.

He slowly lifted his head toward the direction of Spirit Snake Peak, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

He had not forgotten.

Tomorrow was the wedding day of Jiang Chuxue and Zheng Lin.

It was time for him to act...

Otherwise, tomorrow’s drama could not unfold.

Jiang Ye immediately activated the Monkey Form True Intent—“Spirit Monkey Thousand Transformations”—and his two hundred and six bones emitted a rapid, crisp series of pops.

His stature began to rise and shift.

His previously hunched back straightened joint by joint, his shoulders widened, his waist and abdomen tightened.

In an instant, he transformed from a withered seventy-year-old man into a tall, broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted youth.

Then.

He withdrew a thin, cicada-wing-like disguise mask from his sleeve and pressed it to his face; his aged features began to ripple like water, his facial contours reshaping until a white-haired version of “Zheng Lin” appeared.

Jiang Ye walked slowly to the bronze mirror in the room and studied his reflection, nodding slightly.

In appearance, this face was nearly flawless compared to the real Zheng Lin—even the sharp, aggressive edge in his brows was carved with uncanny precision.

As for this half-white hair, Jiang Ye had his own method.

The Green Wood Longevity Qi Cultivation Method recorded a secret technique: consuming a small amount of blood qi could temporarily restore hair to youthfulness; though not lasting, it would suffice for tonight.

In the northern district of Linzhou, the great city.

The Zheng family mansion stood here.

At this moment, the entire mansion was bathed in festive cheer.

Red silk hung from the eaves to the screen wall; giant red “ Xi ” characters adorned every window frame; servants bustled back and forth without pause.

Tomorrow was the wedding of Zheng family’s eldest son and the True Disciple Jiang Chuxue from the Upper Sect.

This was not merely a matter of Zheng family’s honor—it was the most watched wedding in Linzhou in the past decade.

Zheng Guang, head of the Zheng family, paced through the mansion, his stern face—resembling Zheng Lin’s—beaming with smug satisfaction.

“I wonder if Chuxue can persuade the master of Spirit Snake Peak to attend the banquet.”

Zheng Guang gazed toward the Upper Sect’s mountain gate, murmuring softly, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

Within the Upper Sect, the masters of Spirit Snake Peak, Spirit Ox Peak, and Spirit Monkey Peak held exalted status.

They were all—

Martial Dao Masters!

Those bearing this title no longer confined themselves to a single province; their fame resounded across the entire Zhou Kingdom.

The masters of Spirit Ox Peak and Spirit Monkey Peak were rarely seen within the sect, their whereabouts unpredictable.

The only one who might be persuaded to attend the banquet was the master of Spirit Snake Peak.

If such a figure could be persuaded to attend Zheng family’s wedding banquet,

The significance would be extraordinary.

From then on, Zheng family’s standing in Linzhou would subtly surpass the other four great families.

At that moment,

“Master, the unicorn horse has been brought back!”

A steward ran up to Zheng Guang, bowing respectfully.

“Oh? Finally brought back? Take me to see it at once!”

Zheng Guang’s eyes lit up, his tone brimming with eagerness.

Soon, under the steward’s guidance, Zheng Guang arrived at the family’s stable in the rear courtyard.

In the center of the stable, a pure white foal with a single spiral horn atop its head was chained tightly to a post by thick iron chains.

Clearly untamed, it pawed the ground incessantly, swinging its horn with a whistling sound, making the chains rattle as if about to snap and burst free.

Zheng Guang stood several zhang away, glanced once, and nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes: “Good. This is indeed an excellent unicorn horse.”

Though its name contains the word “horse,” it is in truth a full-fledged beast.

It carries the bloodline of some ancient monstrous creature, its wild nature hard to subdue.

Even powerful martial cultivators find it nearly impossible to tame and ride.

But it possesses one well-known peculiar trait.

It naturally favors virgins and recoils from women who have lost their purity; the purer the blood qi, the more docile it becomes.

Precisely because of this trait, it has become a prized centerpiece at noble wedding banquets.

Using it to publicly verify the bride’s purity is both dignified and a source of prestige.

“Send for a few people to test it.”

Zheng Guang glanced at the steward beside him.

“Yes, Master!”

The steward immediately obeyed.

Soon, he led two women into the stable.

One was a mature woman with a beautiful face and full figure.

The other was a maidservant purchased a few days ago, with a delicate face and a hint of youthful innocence still in her brows.

“You go first.”

The steward pointed at the mature woman.

“Yes, my lord.”

The woman smiled ingratiatingly, swaying her hips as she approached the unicorn horse.

But as soon as she entered the chain’s range, the unicorn let out a piercing neigh, reared its massive head toward her, shaking the chains violently, hooves pawing the ground as if desperate to charge and knock her down.

“My lord... this...”

The woman turned pale with fear, stumbling backward several steps, too terrified to take another step forward.

“Enough, come back.”

The steward waved impatiently, then turned to the trembling maidservant: “You go try.”

“Y-yes...”

The maidservant shuffled forward timidly, her youthful face filled with terror, legs trembling so badly she could barely walk.

To her surprise, as she drew closer, the once-fierce unicorn suddenly grew calm.

Its eyes, once filled with rage, softened; its massive head lowered gently, nudging toward her, emitting low, affectionate whinnies as if seeking affection.

Zheng Guang, standing nearby, watched the scene unfold, the last knot of tension in his chest finally loosening; he clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

Tomorrow, at the wedding, when the bride approaches this unicorn horse for inspection, it will be the ultimate proof.

Zheng family’s daughter-in-law is pure as ice, flawless.

Meanwhile,

In the Upper Sect of Linzhou, Spirit Snake Peak received an unexpected guest.