Ming Zhitian's mind went blank for a moment. A blush rose to his cheeks as the two of them nestled together, enjoying each other's warmth.
This was followed by a night of passionate embrace…
…
Until dawn, the two were flushed. Ming Zhitian kissed the sweat-beaded forehead of Empress Xingchen. "Chen'er, is this truly right for us?"
Empress Xingchen held him, her rosy face gently resting on his chest. "We are both cultivators. We have long since transcended worldly judgments. Why do you still cling to whether it's right or wrong? Isn't cherishing the present better?"
Ming Zhitian found her words quite reasonable. Moreover, it had already happened. Even if Wu Sheng Ran Yizhou were resurrected as a divine puppet, he would ultimately be just a mechanical puppet, unable to bring her happiness or satisfy her physical and emotional needs. It was better for him to bring her happiness.
Ming Zhitian gently caressed her soft, delicate face. He choked up slightly. "Having you for a lifetime is enough."
"Since that is the case, I will bury him first. When you remember, then I will…"
Empress Xingchen again sealed his lips with her fiery red mouth, kissing him passionately.
Three days later, Ming Zhitian advanced to the fifty-second level of the Divine Emperor realm! The Blood Demon broke through to the third heaven of the Great Completion Void realm!
Fei Jiang, Yi Ni, and Bai Qianzhi, among others, waited anxiously outside the door. Upon seeing Ming Zhitian emerge, they swarmed forward.
Fei Jiang knelt. "Congratulations, Marshal Ming, on your rapid cultivation advancement!"
Yi Ni also cast an envious and adoring gaze. "Congratulations, Master!"
Seeing Ming Zhitian holding Empress Xingchen's hand, Bai Qianzhi and Lin Shiyi's hearts sank.
"You guys…" Fei Jiang looked on in surprise. He remembered Ming Zhitian mentioning that Empress Xingchen was his shiniang (teacher's wife)!
"This…"
Ming Zhitian said, "It is as you see. We have fallen in love. Please bless us. Tonight, we will hold our wedding ceremony. Fei Jiang, prepare immediately. I wish to host guests from all directions."
Fei Jiang quickly accepted the order. "Yes, sir!"
…
In the blink of an eye, it was evening. The lights blazed, bright as day!
Fei Jiang, with his extensive network, had invited all the prominent figures from the Cultivation Ancient Realm. They included the master of the Flying Fish Immortal Manor from the Ten Desolate Lands, the city lord of the Five Lakes Immortal City, the immortal elders of the Immortal Mountains, the sect masters and door masters of the twenty-three sects and thirty-nine factions, and the阁主 (ge zhu - pavilion masters) of the Four Seas and Five Pavilions.
All had been invited under the banner of the Divine Emperor of Cultivation! Of course, due to the short notice, some influential figures were unable to attend.
Although the invitation was last-minute, everyone brought a small gift. The gesture was more important than the gift itself. Ming Zhitian was already delighted that they could come and didn't care about trivialities.
Hosting guests from all directions, they set up fifteen thousand two hundred and seven tables, a truly grand affair! He remembered that his wedding with his first wife, Yan Lixue, had been a hasty affair, and a pang of sadness struck him at the thought.
Empress Xingchen saw this and held his hand, comforting him. "Husband, the old has departed, and the new has arrived. Today is a joyous occasion. Do not let past events trouble you."
Seeing the bride, Empress Xingchen, so beautiful, all his worries vanished. "Chen'er is right. I will punish myself with three cups later."
"No," Empress Xingchen said playfully. "Ten cups."
Ming Zhitian chuckled, hooking her nose. "Alright, ten cups it is. Shall we go out? The guests must be waiting."
The bride and groom made a dazzling entrance!
Empress Xingchen was adorned in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, with intricate gold phoenix embroidery. She was breathtakingly beautiful, evoking a sense of tender protectiveness. This was the most beautiful moment of her life, a unique wedding experience.