Chapter 1417: Strong Marriage (First Update)

Jiang Fan's heart fluttered. Would Qingshuang be given to him too? How difficult was it to find a supreme-grade spirit sword? The reward of a high-grade spirit sword he had earned after a near-death reconnaissance mission in the Celestial Realm still hadn't been realized. Now, he could obtain it simply by marrying Fairy Ziwei.

Even Venerable Lianjing was tempted. She gently nudged his arm and whispered, "What are you still hesitating about? This is a wonderful opportunity to gain both a beautiful wife and wealth! Marrying the most beautiful woman in Guixu Continent and getting a supreme-grade spirit sword as a reward... even I, a woman, am tempted. No one would dare to dream such a dream, even in broad daylight, right?"

However, after a brief moment of temptation, Jiang Fan shook his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior. It's better for Zidian to return to its original owner."

He knew, of course, that this was a good opportunity. But he had his own considerations. Firstly, he wished for his women to be with him because of love, like Fairy Yunshang or Gong Caiyi. Relationships formed by external factors would eventually dissolve due to those same factors. Secondly, his lifespan was limited; why should he waste Fairy Ziwei's entire life? Fairy Ziwei had treated him kindly, and marrying her would, in fact, harm her. Finally, he also had to consider the aftermath of his own demise. All his magic treasures had their own origins. For items like Zidian, which already had an owner, returning them was the best course of action.

"Stubborn!" The Star Lord's phoenix eyes instantly grew cold. "Do you think I'm too easy to talk to?"

As a Great Venerable of the Five Declines of Heaven and Man, and the supreme leader of the human cultivation race in Guixu Continent, she had already lowered her dignity significantly. She had used clever schemes and offered inducements for her disciple's marriage. Jiang Fan's repeated rejections, however, undoubtedly embarrassed her.

At this moment, Fairy Ziwei, who had remained silent, spoke, her crystal eyes dimming. "Does Young Master Jiang look down on me? Do you need to see my true face?"

Jiang Fan sighed, "Fairy Ziwei, you misunderstand. For you to be called the most beautiful woman in Guixu Continent, your appearance must certainly be extraordinary. However, I still believe that matters between a man and a woman are not a game."

Fairy Ziwei found this somewhat ironic. Were there not enough women around Jiang Fan? Why did he not consider it a game with them? Was it only when it came to her that he used this as an excuse? Her gaze turned cold as she said, "What if I insist you marry me? You consumed my sixth-grade spirit elixir, received my starlight protection, and I was willing to sacrifice myself to save your life. Are you going to pretend none of that happened?"

Jiang Fan was speechless. He hadn't forgotten, but that didn't mean he had to marry Fairy Ziwei as repayment, did it?

Fairy Ziwei's tone grew sharper. "Whether you think I'm using moral blackmail or forcing your hand, it doesn't matter. You must marry me! And I want the wedding to happen today!"

The Star Lord rarely showed a hint of a smile. "Well said! My disciple should be like this."

She waved her wide sleeve, and a swath of starlight transformed into ropes, binding Jiang Fan. "Come with me to Star Mountain!"

Jiang Fan's expression changed slightly, and he cast a pleading look at Venerable Lianjing.

Venerable Lianjing frowned. Seeing Jiang Fan being forced into marriage made her uncomfortable. However, on second thought, she felt that Jiang Fan's views were too sentimental. Marriage between a man and a woman didn't necessarily require deep affection. If the benefits were sufficient, why not? Fairy Ziwei was as beautiful as a flower, her dowry included two supreme-grade spirit swords, and her background was that of a disciple of a Great Venerable of the Five Declines of Heaven and Man. There was absolutely no harm in Jiang Fan marrying her; only benefits.

Thus, not only did she not stop them, but she also advised, "Star Lord, keep a close eye on Jiang Fan. This brat is slipperier than a loach; make sure he doesn't escape."

Jiang Fan nearly spat blood. "I asked for a hand, and you kicked me instead?"

Then, she smiled brightly and said, "Son, enjoy yourself at Star Mountain, and hurry up and give your godmother a chubby grandson." With that, she instantly teleported away.

The Grand Wine Sacrifice couldn't help but shed tears, sobbing, "Why are some people so sought after, while I'm still single? Boohoohoo..."

The Star Lord cast a sidelong glance at her and said, "Once Jiang Fan is married, I will naturally let him go to the Myriad Demon Continent. Farewell!"

Before leaving, she glanced at Forgetful Elder. Seeing that he didn't intervene, she let out a soft "Hmph, you know what's good for you."

Jiang Fan, bound by the starlight and unable to break free, was forced to accompany the Star Lord to Star Mountain.

Forgetful Elder sighed, hopped onto the large white rabbit, and drunkenly mumbled, "There's nothing we can do, our destiny isn't as good as theirs. However, Jiang Fan's waters run too deep. The Star Lord won't be able to control him, hehehe."

The large white rabbit nodded, seemingly understanding, then spread its legs and ran off.

Seeing that everyone had left, the Grand Wine Sacrifice stopped crying. She flicked her sleeves and vanished.

The Celestial Relic City Lord wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, gazing at the ruined city walls and the mangled remains of the five marshals, his eyes gleaming with cold light. The Young City Lord clenched his fists, asking in anguish, "Father! Are we just going to let this go?"

For a thousand years, they, the Half-Giants, had only bullied others. When had they ever suffered such persecution? Jiang Fan had massacred their Half-Giants, yet he faced no repercussions. Not only were two Great Venerables of the Five Declines of Heaven and Man protecting him, but the Grand Wine Sacrifice also indulged him, and even the Ancient Sage shielded him. This was utterly unfair!

The Celestial Relic City Lord composed himself, crouched down, and patted his son's shoulder, his gaze steady. "As a competent hunter, one must know how to lie in wait. At the critical moment, deliver a fatal blow to your prey."

As he spoke, he silently looked up towards the Celestial Realm above.

The Seven Cities of Tianyuan.

Jiang Fan finished chanting the last Sanskrit word, having transmigrated the final departed soul. At his request, they had specifically passed through the Seven Cities of Tianyuan. Jiang Fan then successively transmigrated the souls from the other two devastated cities.

Just like before, two feathers of merit descended from the sky and were absorbed by the little Qilin. The Star Lord gazed at Tianzhu City, now reduced to ruins, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Jiang Fan closed his "Soul-Restraining Sutra of Suppressing Purgatory" and said, "Senior, I have a question I'd like to ask."

The Star Lord replied, "Speak."

Jiang Fan's gaze was profound. "Senior, do you truly believe that Marshal Zhengtian committed such an atrocious act merely to imitate the ancient giants' Great Hunt?"

The Star Lord's gaze remained calm; she did not speak.

Jiang Fan continued, "Presumably, Senior, you've also noticed that something is amiss? No matter how arrogant and unbridled Marshal Zhengtian was, he should have known what an enormous catastrophe it would be to devour the lives of three entire cities. How could he dare commit such a grave error for a mere bit of amusement?"

Even if Jiang Fan hadn't killed Marshal Zhengtian today, the Star Lord and Forgetful Elder would have personally executed him. The Great Hunt on three cities, devouring and massacring millions of lives, crossed the bottom line of the human race and would undoubtedly spark public outrage across half of Guixu Continent. How could Marshal Zhengtian not be aware of the consequences? And why would he dig his own grave in such a way?

Yet, he did it! Furthermore, Marshal Zhengtian had once threatened the Young City Lord, claiming to possess a certain secret. The Benevolent Sage had even personally intervened to erase Marshal Zhengtian's soul to preserve that secret. Therefore, there must be significant hidden truths behind the tragedy of the Seven Cities of Tianyuan.

The Star Lord turned her head, her phoenix eyes fixed on Jiang Fan, and said, "No wonder you were able to fight your way into and out of the Celestial Realm twice. Such a mind is truly rare."

Beneath Fairy Ziwei's mask, her face showed surprise. In half a year of being with her master, this was the first time she had heard her praise someone.