Chapter 943: Thank You, Your Highness, for Granting Us a Husband

Not only was Yu Qingmei filled with hatred for Fang Chen, but nearly all the cultivators kneeling on the ground shifted their anger onto him and Xun Xiyin. If it weren't for the two of them, would they have ended up in such a predicament? It wasn't just about whether the Lixiao Ancestor would allow them to join the Spirit Blood Sect. Even if he did, their future actions would be severely restricted, and they would no longer have the same freedom they once did.

"Young ones, do you have any more hidden cards left? If all you have is a mere Profound Immortal, I'm afraid the outcome of today will not change," the Lixiao Ancestor said with a slight smile, gazing at the two of them.

"Who says Lord Shi is just a Profound Immortal?" Fang Chen said with a faint smile.

If he's not a Profound Immortal, then is he an Immortal King?!

The kneeling cultivators froze for a moment.

"Fang Chen, why didn't you say so earlier?" Xu Peng immediately stood up and laughed at the Lixiao Ancestor. "You can treat my earlier words as nonsense. I still prefer the Divine Dao Sect. I never intended to change allegiances."

So that was why Fang Chen and Xun Xiyin were so calm. It turns out they had invited an Immortal King to intervene. This meant that the Lixiao Ancestor's carefully laid plans were nothing more than a joke.

How could a mere Profound Immortal compete with an Immortal King?

The mention of an Immortal King had caught the attention of Zhao Jiaolong and the others.

Qin Hucheng and Gai Wu also instinctively turned to look at Stone Dragon, their expressions deep in thought. This Immortal King was too unfamiliar to them. They had never seen him before.

"Is he really an Immortal King!?"

The various cultivators kneeling on the ground exchanged glances, some gritting their teeth. One by one, they stood up, trying to act as if nothing had happened.

As expected, one event led to another. Soon, no one remained kneeling in the spirit hall, including Emperor Sanshan and the Master of the Wuchang Mountain, who had initially pledged allegiance. The two of them acted as though nothing had happened, standing silently in the corner with their heads lowered, their gazes fixed on the ground as if they were hiding something precious on the soles of their feet.

Now, it was the turn of the Lixiao's royal family to become uneasy. Yu Qingmei inhaled sharply, staring at Stone Dragon in disbelief. Had an Immortal King just struck her across the face?

The Lixiao Ancestor said, nodding slightly. "Ah, so he is an Immortal King. No wonder you two are so calm."

The three Profound Immortals behind him exchanged glances, their expressions turning more serious as they continued to size up Stone Dragon.

Was this really an Immortal King? Was he also a cultivator from the Killing Spiritual Division? Why had they never seen him before?

Given their years of service in the Killing Spiritual Division, they should've seen him before. They had met with a few Immortal Kings from the Division, but those figures were no longer in the Central Continent Empire, having gone off with the Division Master on a more important mission.

Had it not been for that, they would never have dared to betray the Killing Spiritual Division.

"However... Even if this person is an Immortal King, he probably won't be able to change today's outcome," the Lixiao Ancestor said with a light smile, turning to the void and cupping his hands. "Sir, aren't you going to make your move?"

As soon as his words fell, a streak of black lightning shot straight toward Stone Dragon at lightning speed, too fast for even the Profound Immortals to clearly see.

However, Stone Dragon simply reached out and caught the black lightning.

It was only then that everyone clearly saw what it was. It was a small black snake. It looked somewhat grotesque, and it's aura was extremely strange.

Stone Dragon chuckled. "The Celestial Abyss Snake."

With a squeeze, the Celestial Abyss Snake was enveloped by a dark aura, sealing it into a deep slumber before tossing it to Fang Chen.

"Lord, this will be a great help to you at a crucial moment."

Fang Chen caught the Celestial Abyss Snake and immediately placed it into his sleeve.

Gai Wu's gaze shifted. Since the Celestial Abyss Snake had shown itself, it meant that the one who had made the move earlier was indeed Immortal King Ji. Now, not only did the Spirit Blood Sect have an Immortal King, but there were also several Profound Immortals on their side. In terms of strength, they were still far superior to Fang Chen's side, and the situation wouldn't change.

Fang Chen and Xun Xiyin were destined to lose.

As everyone watched, their minds raced. They speculated about the identity of the mysterious figure, who had dared to strike at an Immortal King. This person was likely also an Immortal King.

"Not good..."

Everyone's hearts sank.

If the Spirit Blood Sect had its own Immortal King, should they kneel or not?

Their expressions grew grim, feeling as if they had just been fed a mouthful of dog shit.

At that moment, the sound of metal clashing echoed through the air.

"This friend, I've never seen you in the Central Continent Empire. The space here is too small for us to fully exert ourselves. Why don't we step outside and have a friendly competition?"

Stone Dragon smiled but said nothing in reply.

Just then, Xu Peng knelt again. "Lixiao Ancestor, Xu Peng from the Green Elephant Sect is willing to join the Spirit Blood Sect!"

Wang Yi from the Lingyun Sword Sect immediately became furious. "Xu Peng, don't you have any shame?!"

Han Linqiu and Su Lingzhu exchanged a glance, both letting out a quiet sigh in their hearts.

In truth, they couldn't help but envy Xu Peng's mindset.

"What good is our reputation?" Xu Peng roared. "We're about to die! In the face of life and death, face is the least valuable thing. If you're not going to kneel, then get out of my way and stop bothering me!"

"You..." Wang Yi took a deep breath, his expression shifting between anger and indecision. He then looked at Fang Chen and said solemnly, "Sword Leader Fang, Wang Yi from the Lingyun Sword Sect is willing to follow your orders. I will not retreat today, even if it means death!"

Fang Chen gave a slight nod. "You've not brought shame to sword cultivators."

Wang Yi cast a cold glance at Qin Hucheng and said, "Naturally. As sword cultivators, we have no fear of death. But I never imagined that Qin Hucheng, who understood the Sword Intent of Death, would willingly become a dog for the Spirit Blood Sect. It is truly a disgrace to our path!"

Qin Hucheng smiled faintly, not offering a rebuttal.

The others were less concerned with such matters. When they saw Xu Peng kneel again, they immediately weighed the pros and cons. Without saying a word, they knelt down once more. This time, even more cultivators followed suit.

The Spirit Blood Sect didn't just an Immortal King. They had several Profound Immortals as well. Clearly, they had established a stronghold. If they didn't kneel now, they might never get the chance again.

Given Shi Long's current silence, they had already concluded that he wasn't a match for the Immortal King outside.

The Lixiao Ancestor smiled mockingly at Stone Dragon. "This Immortal King, my friend, are you not willing to step outside and face me in a battle?"

Shi Long smiled without responding.

At that moment, Xun Xiyin suddenly spoke up. "Sword Leader Fang, weren't you supposed to set up a marriage arrangement for the Lixiao Ancestor?"

"An arranged marriage?"

The crowd was left dumbfounded. What was going on now?

"Ah, yes." Fang Chen nodded slightly, turning to the Lixiao Ancestor with a smile. "Old man, let me introduce you to a wife. This is a chance for you to soar to the heavens. If you are strong enough, what does ascending to Immortal King even mean?"

Everyone stood in stunned silence.

The Lixiao Ancestor furrowed his brow. Just as he was about to speak, the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, cheerful and festive.

Everyone turned toward the palace doors and saw a highly celebratory wedding procession advancing toward them.

However, whether it was the palanquin bearers or the other attendants, their movements were stiff and unnatural. Their faces were deathly pale, painted with deep red rouge. Instead of conveying a sense of joy, the scene sent a chill down everyone's spine, making them feel an eerie sense of dread!

Soon, the palanquin stopped in front of the group, and a frail figure, as delicate as if made of air, lifted the curtain and stepped out.

The crowd stood frozen, staring at the figure in a bright red wedding gown, her face hidden by a red veil, her figure and posture graceful and alluring. For a moment, no one knew how to react.

Who... Who the hell is that?

"Thank you, Lord, for bestowing me a husband."

A soft and delicate voice sounded. Empress Ci stepped forward, approaching the Lixiao Ancestor. Without hesitation, she took his arm and, in front of everyone, led him back toward the palanquin.

Throughout the entire process, the Lixiao Ancestor did not resist in the slightest. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but... he couldn't.

Everyone watched in stunned silence as the Lixiao Ancestor was led into the palanquin, and suddenly, they felt a chill run down their spines.