"You… you…"
Hearing his words, Ning Ruoyan's anger flared instantly. Was this man really planning to leave after sneaking in, bullying her, and then disappearing again? And this—after months of separation?
"Why didn't you reply to any of the letters I sent you? Do you know how much I missed you?" Her voice trembled as she spoke faster and faster. "I sent you a total of 103 letters. One hundred and three. Yet you didn't reply to a single one. I don't even know if you read them at all. Now you come here secretly, bully me to your heart's content, and then you want to leave?"
All the grievances she had suppressed over the months poured out in one breath. Her eyes reddened, tears welling uncontrollably.
During those silent months, fear had gnawed at her heart. With no replies, she had truly begun to doubt whether Tang Xiao still cared for her. If not for the intelligence that arrived later—confirming that he had left the sect on some urgent mission—she would have genuinely believed he intended to abandon her and quietly cancel the wedding…
Troublesome…
Tang Xiao felt a dull ache bloom between his brows as memories resurfaced. He was the one who had encouraged her to write letters whenever she missed him.
And yet—he hadn't read a single one.
Sigh. It wasn't entirely his fault. He hadn't stayed in the sect to receive them. For the past seven months, he had been moving relentlessly, seizing every chance to grow stronger.
"I didn't deliberately ignore your letters," Tang Xiao said calmly. "A sudden matter forced me to leave the sect in haste. I only returned a few days ago. But once I found out…" His voice softened. "I spent an entire night reading your letters, thinking about you."
For heaven's sake, not a single letter had been opened.
But some truths were better buried.
This was not deception—it was damage control.
"And while reading them," he continued smoothly, "I finally understood just how much you love me… how much you missed me. I couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to see you. To hold you."
He leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss against her neck before pulling her firmly into his arms—an embrace tight enough to make the lie feel real.
Ning Ruoyan's grievances dissolved almost instantly.
Love blinded the eyes.
And silenced the ears.
"Mmm…" Her face flushed as she buried herself against his chest. "I also wanted to hug you… tightly…"
She clung to him as if afraid he would vanish again.
The moment her soft body pressed against him, his dormant evil dragon stirred. Tang Xiao's breath deepened as desire awakened quietly but decisively, surging upward like a restrained beast breaking its chains.
"Ah—"
With a swift motion, he threw her back onto the bed, his tall figure casting a shadow over her. His hands moved without hesitation, tearing open her clothes.
Seeing those two peaks sway, he leaned down, biting and sucking greedily, leaving no room for protest.
…
Time flowed.
Six days passed in the blink of an eye.
Today was Tang Xiao's wedding day.
The entire Clear Sky Sect was adorned in red, layers upon layers of festive decorations radiating solemn grandeur. Beyond the sect, even Clear Sky City was swept into celebration.
The city overflowed with people—tens of thousands of soul masters among them. As the wedding of the next sect leader, all inns provided free lodging, while shops across the city offered discounts and special privileges. Anyone who stepped into Clear Sky City today could indulge freely.
The streets buzzed with discussion.
Tang Xiao.
His bride.
Political alliances.
Love at first sight.
Countless versions of the story spread like wildfire.
Inside the Clear Sky Sect.
At the entrance of the wedding hall, Tang Zhen and the elders personally greeted guests, their expressions warm and dignified.
Almost every prominent family from the Douluo Continent had arrived, each bearing precious gifts.
One after another, influential figures stepped into the hall.
Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Queen of the Star Luo Empire.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch.
The Zhu family head.
Masters of the Lower Four Sects.
The venue was filled with auspicious energy and suppressed excitement.
Tang Xiao sat upon the elevated wedding platform, smiling faintly as he surveyed the crowd.
Yet beneath that smile lay an overwhelming pressure.
His aura was domineering, oppressive—forcing even seasoned powerhouses to subconsciously restrain themselves. Before that calm gaze, many felt as though they were being silently evaluated… weighed.
Women, especially married women, fared worse.
When their eyes met his, their legs weakened, hearts pounding as uncontrollable fantasies surfaced. Even the Star Luo Empire's queen—here as the emperor's representative—was not spared, her thoughts spiraling into dangerous territory.
"Tsk… Zhu family women truly live up to their reputation," Tang Xiao clicked his tongue inwardly. "Voluptuous, mature… dangerous."
His gaze swept across the Zhu family members. He quickly spotted the woman Tang Yuehua had once selected as a potential wife candidate. Compared to her portrait, she was even more captivating in person—curves generous, presence alluring.
"A pity," Tang Xiao thought calmly. "One nominal wife. No concubines. That decision stands."
Though he had no intention of living cleanly, he understood that some prey required patience. Rushing only dulled the blade.
His eyes continued to scan the hall.
Almost everyone of importance was present.
Almost.
Spirit Hall was conspicuously absent.
This absence made Tang Xiao narrow his eyes slightly.
If he were the Spirit Hall Pope, he wouldn't miss such a chance. Maintaining surface harmony with the continent's strongest sect was reason enough—but more importantly, this wedding provided the perfect excuse to openly enter the Clear Sky Sect and probe for traces of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Politics did not operate on emotions.
Benefits outweighed grudges.
Of course, if he were Qian Xunji, Tang Xiao himself probably wouldn't come personally. After all, with Tang Chen absent, even the Clear Sky Sect's young master didn't warrant the Pope's direct presence.
Still, sending the Holy Maiden or a Titled Douluo-level elder should have been necessary. Otherwise, how would others perceive Spirit Hall? Wouldn't it look like arrogance—inviting caution from all sides?
"Of course, everyone will form their own opinions about Spirit Hall's absence today… Personally, I feel this is a lack of respect—and perhaps a foolish move," Tang Xiao mused silently.
He wasn't angry. Why would he be? It wasn't as though Qian Xunji were a beautiful woman whose absence stirred his emotions.
Just as Tang Xiao shook off his thoughts with an inward smile, a sect disciple's voice rang out:
"Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden has arrived—"