“Xuanji Holy Lord, since you’ve graced the Eastern Wilds with your presence, I shall make you my wife!”
Ji Yue Old Ancestor stared into the boundless void, his heart pounding like a raging torrent, utterly consumed by emotion. Even with hundreds of exquisite female 'cauldrons' at his beck and call, their combined beauty couldn't hold a candle to a single strand of Xuanji Holy Lord's hair. She was the one woman who truly stirred his soul, utterly irreplaceable!
Moments later, Ji Yue Old Ancestor donned a pristine white robe. He consumed a potent elixir, instantly shedding the weariness of ages, his spirit revitalized, his eyes gleaming with youthful vigor. He then had several of his 'cauldron' women meticulously attend to his grooming. He surveyed his reflection, a smug smile spreading across his face. Perfection.
Stepping out from the ancestral grounds, Ji Yue Old Ancestor swept his sleeve with an imperious gesture. “Open the treasury! My journey to the Eerie Abyss this time demands a truly magnificent offering!”
The Ji Family Patriarch immediately rushed forward, personally unlocking the treasury's formidable seals, allowing Ji Yue Old Ancestor to peruse its contents. Within the Ji Family, it was an open secret that Ji Yue Old Ancestor had long been utterly captivated by Xuanji Holy Lord, his thoughts perpetually consumed by her. Now, with Xuanji Holy Lord manifesting within the Sikong Family’s domain, Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s fervent excitement was palpable to all.
Upon entering the family treasury, Ji Yue Old Ancestor prepared to select several Quasi-Dao Supreme Spirit Weapons. He had specifically brought a handful of his 'cauldron' women along, trusting their feminine eye for beauty. The 'cauldron' women, their faces etched with unconcealed envy, carefully chose several exquisite items: a shimmering Hairpin, a luminous Jade Ring, a flowing Skirt… each a masterpiece of craftsmanship, radiating peerless beauty and of the highest grade.
Ji Yue Old Ancestor swept these treasures into his Storage Ring, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “I trust Xuanji Holy Lord will find them to her liking.” Next, he gathered a generous quantity of Star Stones. “These, too, are essential for her cultivation,” he mused.
Behind Ji Yue Old Ancestor, numerous other Old Ancestors observed the spectacle, yet none dared to utter a word of counsel or intervention. Within the Ji Family, Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s word was law, his authority absolute. One Old Ancestor murmured, his voice barely a whisper, “To receive Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s favor is a profound honor for Xuanji Holy Lord. In all the Eastern Wilds, indeed, across all Five Domains, who else commands such meticulous attention from him? I have never witnessed Ji Yue Old Ancestor dedicate himself to anything with such earnestness.” Another Old Ancestor quickly interjected, “Careful, brother. Such favoritism can breed arrogance. Let us speak no more of this.”
Once all preparations were complete, Ji Yue Old Ancestor summoned a formidable entourage of three hundred elite cultivators. “To the Eerie Abyss!” he commanded. “Let the Eastern Wilds bear witness to the Ji Family’s profound sincerity! And let Xuanji Holy Lord herself perceive the depth of our intentions!”
Moments later, the Ji Family’s grand procession was unleashed. Several ancient chariots, meticulously adorned, surged forth, each radiating a dazzling divine brilliance. Intricate Dao patterns flickered across their surfaces, illuminating the void like brilliant stars. These colossal chariots were drawn by monstrous Great Demons, each a Half-step Supreme cultivator, their terrifying aura shaking the very heavens and stirring the cosmic winds into a frenzy.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Ten such ancient chariots ripped through the fabric of space, their destination: the Eerie Abyss. The very name ‘Ji!’ thundered across the land. Wherever the procession passed, a majestic Stance descended, as if ten celestial bodies were traversing the Starry Sky. The entire Eastern Wilds was thrown into an uproar, the Ji Family’s ancient Dao patterns swirling across the heavens, casting a luminous glow that seemed to ignite the entire domain. Dozens of these Great Demons, their demonic power surging like an untamed ocean, tore and reformed the very fabric of space with each stride, causing heaven and earth to tremble in their wake. The myriad great powers of the Eastern Wilds watched, utterly stunned.
“What grand maneuver is the Ji Family orchestrating?”
“Ji Yue Old Ancestor himself, leading such a monumental display? This is unprecedented!”
“Surely, this must be the Ji Family’s most sacred and elaborate ceremony!”
…
Meanwhile, deep within the Eerie Abyss...
Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s personal guard had already arrived, forming an impenetrable perimeter around Xuanji Holy Lord. A contingent of black-robed figures stood sentinel above the Eerie Abyss, their collective Stance monstrous, an oppressive spiritual pressure cascading outwards, suffocating the very air. Even the Old Ancestors from the Cloud Sword Sect, Ancient Luo Family, and Ancient Chen Family were forced to temporarily abandon their covetous designs on Xuanji Holy Lord’s cultivation techniques.
Deep within the Eerie Abyss, Xuanji Holy Lord sat cross-legged, a Purple Skirt flowing around her. Dense, swirling black mist writhed from her form as she relentlessly devoured the Eerie Power. She was on the precipice of a breakthrough, striving to reach the Two-rotation Quasi-Dao Supreme realm!
A day passed.
BOOM!
CRACK!
The very fabric of space tore open, twisting and warping! Above the Eerie Abyss, ten ancient chariots, pulled by towering Great Demons, burst forth from the rent in reality. Their collective aura was as vast as the deepest abyss, and their brilliant divine radiance shone like celestial pearls, dispelling the gloom of the dark chasm below.
With another thunderous boom, Ji Yue Old Ancestor emerged from his chariot, a confident smile gracing his lips. The Old Ancestors of the three rival factions stepped forward, offering deferential bows to Ji Yue Old Ancestor.
“Ji Yue Old Ancestor!”
“Greetings, Ji Yue Old Ancestor!”
Ji Yue Old Ancestor gave a dismissive nod, his divine sense sweeping downwards. He instantly perceived Xuanji Holy Lord at the heart of a swirling vortex, relentlessly absorbing Eerie Power. He mused internally, ‘Her cultivation method is truly heaven-defying.’
Straightening his pristine white robe, he descended through the air, his steps measured and confident. With a soft thrum, Ji Yue Old Ancestor stepped directly into the heart of the black vortex. There, amidst the swirling darkness, he beheld Xuanji Holy Lord’s peerless form. He froze, utterly mesmerized. A Purple Skirt draped exquisitely over Xuanji Holy Lord’s flawless figure, divine radiance shimmering around her like an immortal descended to the mortal realm. She was as breathtakingly perfect as he remembered from epochs past, and even from a distance, Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s heart thrummed with adoration.
Divine light coalesced beneath Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s feet as he gently floated down towards Xuanji Holy Lord. His voice, uncharacteristically soft, broke the silence. He gazed at Xuanji Holy Lord’s exquisite profile, framed by her white hair. “Baili,” he whispered, using her personal name, “It has been too long. I have come for you. The last time my eyes graced your form was an entire epoch ago, within the Ancient Desolate Forbidden Zone. A mere flick of a finger, and an epoch has vanished into history, yet you remain unchanged, as captivating as ever. That you should appear in the Eastern Wilds in this new epoch… it must be the will of destiny itself.”
A wave of self-pity washed over Ji Yue Old Ancestor, his voice trembling with manufactured emotion. “Xuanji Holy Lord,” he continued, “if it pleases you, I would be honored to speak with you.”
Without even opening her eyes, Xuanji Holy Lord’s voice cut through the air, cold and utterly devoid of interest. “I have neither the time nor the inclination.”
Ji Yue Old Ancestor’s heart clenched. ‘Still as unyielding as ever,’ he thought, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. With a mere thought, several Quasi-Dao Supreme Spirit Weapons materialized in his hand, shimmering with ethereal light. Though his 'cauldron' women had selected them, even he, a man, found their beauty striking. These were treasures for every part of a woman’s adornment: a Hairpin, a necklace, a Jade Ring, a flowing Skirt, and even Ancient Boots. Each was a supreme artifact, adorned with brilliant Dao patterns that pulsed with captivating splendor.
Ji Yue Old Ancestor offered a charming smile. “Xuanji Holy Lord,” he purred, “these are treasures I personally selected for you. Don this Skirt, adorn yourself with these jewels, and you shall become even more resplendent.” In his mind, he had already envisioned Xuanji Holy Lord wearing each piece a hundred times over. Exquisitely beautiful, indeed!
At that moment, Xuanji Holy Lord slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze, like twin galaxies, swept past the glittering treasures and Ji Yue Old Ancestor himself. Her delicate lips parted, her voice still distant. “Ji Yue,” she stated, “What is your purpose here?”
Ji Yue Old Ancestor forced a strained smile, then produced a shimmering cascade of Star Stones, letting them float suspended in the air. He spoke slowly, deliberately. “Xuanji Holy Lord,” he began, “this epoch is unlike any that came before. When an ancient ancestor of my Ji Family ascended, he revealed a supreme, hidden truth to us. This Tai Chu Realm is on the verge of shattering. This is its final epoch. Therefore, I wish to take you with me, to transcend this realm and journey into the vast Starry Sky beyond…”
Before he could finish, Xuanji Holy Lord cut him off, her voice sharp. “Get to the point, Ji Yue.”
Ji Yue Old Ancestor gritted his teeth, abandoning all pretense. He spoke plainly.
“I am here today to ask for your hand in marriage.”