"Next up is my wedding with Qingzhu."
As for Ling Qingzhu's marriage, Huang Yueqing no longer had any objections. After all, Zhou Yi had already claimed her completely.
"Palace Master, you know I come from the Dou Qi Continent. When I arrived, I used a supreme treasure to establish a stable interdimensional passageway between the two realms."
"I plan to open this passageway to the public. As long as they pay a toll, anyone can use it."
"As for the toll collection from Tianxuan Continent to the Dou Qi Continent, I'd like to entrust it to your Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace. You'll take charge of it, and in return, you'll receive a ten percent share. Consider it part of my dowry for Qingzhu. How does that sound?"
Zhou Yi stated calmly.
Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace was, after all, a supreme sect of the Tianxuan Continent. Having them manage the toll collection would be much more convenient.
Besides, Ling Qingzhu was his wife.
"Agreed!"
Huang Yueqing immediately accepted, afraid Zhou Yi might change his mind. A satisfied smile graced her elegant and dignified face.
Initially, she had been displeased that Zhou Yi had taken advantage of her most prized disciple. But now, things had come to this point—there was nothing she could do.
Yet at this moment, as she looked at Zhou Yi, her gaze shifted to that of a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
Zhou Yi: This mother-in-law's affections have taken a turn…
Ten percent might not seem like much.
But this was the toll from an interdimensional passageway—a steady stream of revenue with unfathomable long-term value.
However, Huang Yueqing did not plan to keep all of it. She intended to set aside half of this revenue as Qingzhu's dowry.
Of course.
Aside from this, she would also prepare another lavish dowry.
Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace was one of the eight supreme sects of the Eastern Xuan Domain, overseeing hundreds of royal dynasties. Their young palace mistress's wedding could not afford to be anything less than grand.
Anything short of a magnificent spectacle would invite ridicule.
Thus.
The wedding date was set for one year later.
A year might seem long, but for Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace to arrange the marriage of their young palace mistress, it was actually quite rushed.
Especially considering it involved both the Dou Qi Continent and the Tianxuan Continent.
Zhou Yi wasn't in a hurry.
After all, it was just a ceremony.
And in the meantime, it wasn't like he couldn't be with Qingzhu.
Heh heh heh…
With the decision finalized, Huang Yueqing summoned the elders of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace to announce that Ling Qingzhu would be marrying Zhou Yi in one year's time.
Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace erupted in excitement.
"Wah! The Young Palace Mistress is really getting married!"
"Oh my heavens, and the son-in-law isn't even from the Tianxuan Continent!"
"The Dou Qi Continent? I wonder how it compares to our Tianxuan Continent?"
"I heard that the son-in-law is a peerless powerhouse who even built an interdimensional passage connecting the Dou Qi and Tianxuan Continents. The toll fees for passage to the Dou Qi Continent will be managed by us, and we get ten percent of the revenue!"
"Ten percent? My god, the son-in-law is incredibly generous!"
Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace instantly became a hive of activity. Huang Yueqing got busy organizing everything, first sending people with Zhou Yi to oversee the toll collection at the interdimensional passageway, then preparing invitations.
As one of the eight supreme sects of the Eastern Xuan Domain, Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace could not afford to handle their young palace mistress's wedding carelessly. The other seven supreme sects had to be informed.
While Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace was bustling with preparations, Zhou Yi had already returned to the Tianyan Mountains of the Great Yan Dynasty with Ling Qingzhu and several of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace's powerhouses.
After inspecting the passageway, Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace's disciples immediately began constructing a new branch palace at the site.
Zhou Yi, on the other hand, set up a massive defensive formation—both offensive and defensive—to protect the passageway and suppress any dissent.
The moment Zhou Yi appeared there, he instantly drew the attention of countless people in the Great Yan Dynasty.
"My god! Who are these people? They look terrifying!"
"Wait, isn't that the mysterious senior who appeared before?"
"They seem to be settling in the Tianyan Mountains permanently. Could there be some kind of treasure hidden here?"
"Even if there is, it's not something we can dream of getting!"
"That Qingzhu Fairy is absolutely stunning!"
"Are you trying to get yourself killed? You dare have thoughts about her?!"
"Holy crap! That's…!"
"That's the Great Yan Emperor's royal carriage!"
"The Great Yan Emperor himself has come?"
"And not just him—the four great noble clans are here too!"
"And the three great sects!"
Amidst the shocked murmurs of countless onlookers, the most influential figures of the Great Yan Dynasty began to arrive.
The Great Yan Emperor, Mo Jingtian, led the royal family's strongest experts, including the royal prodigy Mo Ling. Their carriage halted far from the site, and they proceeded on foot with the utmost reverence, as though paying pilgrimage.
Following the royal family were the patriarchs of the four noble clans.
Lin Clan Patriarch Lin Zhentian, Wang Clan Patriarch Wang Lei, Qin Clan Patriarch Qin Zhan, and Huangpu Clan Patriarch Huangpu Hen—each arriving with their respective family's top experts and prodigies, all assembled in perfect formation, paying their respects.
Finally, the sect masters of Tianluo Sect, Barbarian King Sect, and Mountain Sect arrived, bringing their own elite disciples and warriors.
"Mo Jingtian, Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, leads the royal family in paying respects to the Young Palace Mistress and Senior Zhou Yi!"
"Lin Clan Patriarch, Lin Zhentian, pays respects…"
"Wang Clan Patriarch, Wang Lei, pays respects…"
One by one, they all bowed respectfully before Ling Qingzhu and Zhou Yi.
The Great Yan Dynasty was insignificant in the grand scheme of the Eastern Xuan Domain.
Every dynasty was, in essence, a vassal of the eight supreme sects.
To them, the supreme sects were like gods, with a single decree capable of determining a dynasty's rise or fall.
"Hiss!"
Lin Dong, accompanied by his parents and Xuan Su, hurried over. Seeing the Great Yan Emperor, the four great clans, and the three sect masters bowing in unison, he couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
Ling Qingzhu's name being mentioned before Zhou Yi's made it clear—her status was unimaginably high.
He had always suspected that Ling Qingzhu had an extraordinary background, but he never imagined it was this terrifying.
The Great Yan Emperor, the noble clans, and the sect masters—before her, they were as insignificant as mere courtiers.
Back then, in the Ancient Tomb Mansion, if Zhou Yi hadn't appeared, he really would have had his way with Ling Qingzhu… and he would have died an utterly miserable death.
Perhaps his parents, or even his entire Lin Clan, would have been wiped from existence.
Just the thought of it sent chills down his spine.
"A young mistress of a supreme sect… She's truly breathtaking!"
Xuan Su stared at Ling Qingzhu in awe. Even as a peerless beauty herself, she felt a twinge of inferiority.
Ling Qingzhu's true identity had now been fully revealed. On the way here, she had already heard whispers about it.
Her gaze shifted toward Zhou Yi, and once again, admiration flashed in her eyes.
Too handsome.
Together, the two of them were truly a match made in heaven.
"All of you may leave."
Ling Qingzhu glanced at Zhou Yi. Seeing that he had nothing to say, her cold, indifferent eyes swept over Mo Jingtian and the others as she spoke.
"Yes, Young Palace Mistress! We take our leave!"
Mo Jingtian and the others did not dare linger. They quickly withdrew.
Even though they had traveled great distances, all they received was a simple, "All of you may leave."
And yet, they were already immensely satisfied.
The gap in status between them was simply too vast.
They had come merely to show their allegiance—this result was exactly as expected.
Even so, they did not depart entirely, choosing instead to remain in Yan City, keeping a watchful eye on developments.
If Ling Qingzhu and the others needed anything, simply being able to offer even the slightest assistance would be a stroke of great fortune.
After all, even the smallest reward from one of the Eight Supreme Sects was enough to elevate an entire dynasty's strength to a higher level.
The recurring Hundred Dynasties War saw such fierce participation precisely because those who emerged victorious could earn the right to join the Eight Supreme Sects.
Not only did these sects accept these outstanding talents, but the forces and dynasties backing them would also receive generous rewards and protection from the sects themselves.
After Mo Jingtian and the others left, Lin Dong brought his parents to formally pay respects to Zhou Yi. He also took the opportunity to introduce Xuan Su, who had helped him immensely, to Zhou Yi.
He was initially quite apprehensive about this meeting.
But to his surprise, Zhou Yi agreed.
"Your humble servant, Xuan Su, greets Senior Zhou. I wish Senior boundless martial fortune and an eternal legacy."
Xuan Su curtsied gracefully, her voice soft and alluring. She was clad in a striking red dress that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure, exuding an intoxicating charm with every movement.
"Miss Xuan Su, no need for such formalities."
Zhou Yi took a moment to study the captivating beauty before him. He couldn't help but note how remarkably similar she was to Ya Fei.
Not in appearance.
But in temperament.
Xuan Su straightened herself, but even with her usual poise and ability to navigate all kinds of social situations, she found her heart pounding. Nervous, excited, and unsure all at once.
"You remind me very much of one of my wives. She, too, once managed an auction house and shared your fondness for red dresses."
Zhou Yi looked at Xuan Su and spoke candidly, "I believe that if the two of you were to meet, you'd get along splendidly. You might even collaborate on some ventures. What do you think?"
"I would love to! I'd be honored!"
Xuan Su was stunned at first but quickly overjoyed. She had never expected such a golden opportunity to simply fall into her lap—this was undoubtedly her great fortune.
She had to seize this once-in-a-lifetime chance and build a strong rapport with Lady Zhou.
Zhou Yi: Don't worry, you two will soon become true sisters.
The kind who can fight in the same trench together.
With affairs in the Martial Universe settled for the time being, Zhou Yi took Ling Qingzhu, Xuan Su, Lin Dong, and the others back to the Dou Qi Continent.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…"
Upon arriving at Zhou Manor, Ling Qingzhu was immediately stunned.
Just how many wives did this man have?
Where did she even rank among them?
And from what she had heard, Zhou Yi was particularly fond of taking wives. There had even been one occasion where he married ten at once, and soon after, he was set to marry another nine!
"This bastard!"
Ling Qingzhu was furious. Zhou Yi had vaguely hinted before that he had other wives, but she hadn't taken it too seriously.
After all, what was done was done.
Besides, it was common for powerful men to have multiple wives and concubines.
But Zhou Yi…
This was way too many!
And there were still nine more on the way.
She felt like she had fallen straight into a pit of fire.
"I'm going back… mmph—"
Just as Ling Qingzhu turned to leave, Zhou Yi grabbed her tightly from behind. "Qingzhu, I missed you. Let's have a baby."
"You liar! Let me go… mmph—"
Zhou Yi had no choice but to use his ultimate technique.
Nothing couldn't be resolved with one round of 'discipline.'
If one wasn't enough, then two rounds would do.
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard, a stunning beauty in a vivid red dress with enchanting curves and an irresistible charm—Ya Fei—finally met Xuan Su.
Xuan Su, dressed in an equally striking red gown, exuded maturity and grace. Her voluptuous figure and impossibly slender waist, accentuated by a silver sash, made for an undeniably mesmerizing sight.
Their eyes met.
Both Ya Fei and Xuan Su were momentarily taken aback, instinctively feeling a strong sense of kinship.
From the first glance.
They knew they were the same kind of woman.
As their conversation continued, Ya Fei took Xuan Su's hand in hers, their smiles radiant, as if they had been old friends reunited.
"Big Sister!"
"Younger Sister!"
Ya Fei affectionately held Xuan Su's soft, delicate hand and smiled warmly.
"Xuan Su, what do you think of our husband? If you're willing, I'll personally see to it that he marries you!"
"This…"
Xuan Su's voluptuous body trembled slightly, her cheeks tinged with red. She hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.
Zhou Yi was handsome, powerful beyond imagination—marrying him was something she could only dream of.
Seeing the sincerity in Ya Fei's eyes, she lowered her voice and replied softly:
"I'll leave everything to you, Big Sister."
After arriving at Zhou Manor, she had already learned that Zhou Yi had many wives. The fact that he had personally introduced her to Ya Fei made his intentions clear.
And she and Ya Fei truly were alike.
Marrying Zhou Yi would not only give her a powerful backer but also allow her to become Ya Fei's closest ally.
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