Volume 8, Chapter 501 – Failure to Delay the Wedding (Part 1)

Qi Huang awoke from her dream. Compared to the shock of previous dreams, this time, she felt more terror than anything else. If Lu Yao’s experiences were real, it meant that a person’s, no, every person’s, life across countless worlds was entirely under the control of the Heavenly Dao, from birth to death, with no secrets left untouched.

‘Then what about me? Am I the same?’

The more Qi Huang thought about it, the more panicked she became. Her current emotions mirrored Lu Yao’s exactly, it was as if all her clothes had been stripped away, leaving her utterly exposed and insecure. What if the Heavenly Dao bore hostility toward her?

Perhaps because of Lu Yao’s influence, or perhaps simply because she despised being controlled, Qi Huang had already subconsciously begun to regard the Heavenly Dao as an enemy.

‘What kind of existence is this Heavenly Dao? How can it be omniscient and omnipotent?’

She couldn’t help but ponder this question again. After all, knowing one’s enemy was the key to victory. Unfortunately, no one could answer this for her.

A sense of powerlessness suddenly welled up in Qi Huang’s heart. Even Lu Yao, who had slaughtered her way through multiple worlds, had been lost when facing the Heavenly Dao. How much more so for her, a crippled cultivator who hadn’t even reached the Immortal Realm?

‘Wait… If the dreams continue, then Lu Yao will eventually meet the Heavenly Dao one day. When that happens, won’t I have my answer?’

A spark of inspiration flashed through Qi Huang’s mind, and her tense nerves relaxed slightly. As long as she could understand her opponent, she would have far more confidence in dealing with them.

“But no matter what, becoming stronger is still the top priority.”

She muttered this to herself. She knew that if she didn’t grow stronger soon, she wouldn’t even need to worry about the Heavenly Dao, the Lü Family alone would be an insurmountable obstacle.

Meanwhile, in the Lü Family of the Weiyuan Empire in the Central Continent, undercurrents were surging in secret.

The Lü Ze faction had been racking their brains to sabotage Lü Yi’s wedding plans. However, since Elder Zuo’s earlier blunder had already alerted their opponents, their schemes were now as obvious as Sima Zhao’s ambitions, ¹ 司马昭之心，路人皆知 (Sīmǎ Zhāo zhī xīn, lùrén jiē zhī), something is so obvious that everyone can see it everyone knew what they were up to.

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Lü Dao, naturally, was not one to passively react to their moves. Instead, he decided to take the initiative.

That night, Lü Dao, in his capacity as the family head, summoned all the Lü Family members for a discussion, intending to finalize Lü Yi’s wedding date.

As night fell, the opulent Lü Family hall was already packed with people, murmuring among themselves as they speculated about the purpose of this clan meeting.

“What’s there to guess? It’s obviously about Lü Yi’s wedding.”

“Discuss? More like a notification! I heard they’ve already decided. Next year, the sixth day of the sixth month.”

“That’s normal. After all, this is their family’s private matter. Calling us elders here is just a formality.”

“If Lü Yi were marrying a girl of equal status, then yes, it’d be their private matter. But if he’s marrying a low-bloodline woman, that’s different. It’ll affect the family’s lineage! I heard that Cheng Hongling only has an eight-point bloodline.”

“Eight points? That’s not bad among ordinary cultivators, some of us only have seven or eight points ourselves!”

“Who are you? And who is Lü Yi? He’s the future of our Lü Family! If we let that woman taint his bloodline, what will become of our family’s future?”

“Well said. It seems we’ll have to have a serious talk with the elder tonight.”

Gradually, the relatives reached a consensus in their discussions.

Lü Gao and his wife wore grim expressions. Their son had just returned, yet these people already knew the outcome. Someone must have leaked the information, damn them!

The Lü Ze faction, meanwhile, secretly gloated. Of course, they were the ones who had spread the news, their goal was to pressure Lü Dao’s faction through public opinion.

After a moment, Lü Dao entered and took his seat on the rosewood armchair at the head of the hall before speaking.

“Esteemed relatives, I thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here today.”

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He clasped his hands politely before getting to the point.

“As you all know, not long ago, my grandson took a liking to a girl from the Western Radiance Dynasty in the Western Continent and wishes to marry her as his principal wife. Her name has already been inscribed on the Immortal Stele. However, regarding the wedding date, I wanted to discuss it with all of you, as you are his elders.”

“Elder, the wedding date isn’t the issue, any auspicious day will do. The real question is whether this girl is truly worthy of my nephew.”

“Indeed, all we know is that her cultivation is only at the Incarnation Realm’s second layer, and she has a Divine Realm doppelgänger. What else? What’s her bloodline like? Her appearance? Her background?”

“Exactly. Marriage is about matching status. A mere Ability Realm doppelgänger isn’t enough to qualify as Lü Yi’s principal wife, he’s the future of our Lü Family!”

The relatives below, already aware of the situation, seized the opportunity to raise objections.

The Lü Ze family of five watched this scene unfold, sneers creeping onto their faces.

“Grandson, since you’ve just returned from the Western Radiance Dynasty, why don’t you introduce your fiancée to the elders?”

Lü Dao turned to his grandson below.

“Everyone, my fiancée is currently eighteen years old, a disciple of the Honghua Sect in Huangtian County of the Western Radiance Dynasty. She has no notable background, her bloodline is only eight points, and her cultivation is merely at the Incarnation Realm’s second layer. However, she possesses a doppelgänger, Qi Huang, whose divine sense has reached the mid-stage of the Divine Realm.”

Lü Yi spoke tersely, clearly displeased.

“What? No background? And only an eight-point bloodline?”

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances.

“Nephew, as your aunt, I’d naturally be happy for you to find a wife. But given this girl’s qualifications, she doesn’t seem worthy of you. The only thing of value is that Divine Realm doppelgänger, but our Lü Family has no shortage of Divine Realm experts, we don’t need a crippled one.”

A voluptuous beauty spoke up, Lü Fei, Lü Yi’s paternal aunt.

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“That’s right, grandson. You’re the only one among the Lü Family’s younger generation with a nine-point bloodline. The principal wife bears the responsibility of continuing the family line. If she takes that position, our Lü Family may never produce another genius again.”

Lü Ze chimed in with feigned concern.

“Second Uncle is right! A mere Divine Realm doppelgänger isn’t enough to offset such a loss. Nephew, you should reconsider!”

“Elder Brother, as Lü Yi’s father, how could you allow this? If the child doesn’t understand, shouldn’t you? How could you let him inscribe this girl’s name, and even her doppelgänger’s, on the Immortal Stele?”

“Family Head, I know you dote on Lü Yi, but you must consider the bigger picture. Their marriage must be reconsidered.”

Seeing that others had taken the lead, the relatives below voiced their doubts one after another.

“Everyone, quiet. Don’t you all know how I conduct myself?”

Lü Dao raised a hand to settle them before explaining.

“Have any of you considered this, how could someone at the Incarnation Realm’s second layer possess a doppelgänger with divine sense at the mid-stage of the Divine Realm?”

“Perhaps she has some treasure or secret art that enhances divine sense?” Lü Fei speculated.

“Maybe. But in my centuries of life, I’ve never heard of any treasure or art powerful enough to elevate a doppelgänger’s divine sense from the Unity Realm to the Divine Ability Realm in just two or three years. Have any of you?”

Lü Dao countered.

“Raising a Unity Realm doppelgänger’s divine sense to the Divine Realm in two or three years? Impossible!”

The relatives frowned in thought before shaking their heads in unison.

“Everyone, divine sense may seem insignificant in battles of equal strength, but what about when it’s overwhelming? Take me for example, with divine sense alone, I could render all of you powerless. Would anyone doubt that? To be frank, that Qi Huang once killed Lü Yi’s first doppelgänger using nothing but divine sense!”

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Lü Dao’s reminder sent a ripple of shock through the crowd.

Then, their eyes lit up as they gradually realized the immense value in this.

“Now you see it? The method she uses to strengthen divine sense holds tremendous worth, it would be an excellent dowry! I promise you this: once she marries into the Lü Family, I will share this secret art with the entire clan!”

Lü Dao made his declaration.

“Really? Then of course I support this marriage!”

“Indeed! Though her bloodline is lacking, this secret art should make up for the loss to our Lü Family.”

“Elder, you’re the family head, your word must be honored!”

The relatives erupted in excitement, one after another voicing their approval.

The Lü Ze faction, however, was dumbstruck. They hadn’t expected Lü Dao to be so cunning, he had dangled a massive carrot before everyone.

With the majority now in support, the Lü Ze faction found themselves isolated. They had no choice but to retreat for now and plot their next move.

“Second Brother, your family stays. I have more to discuss with you.”

As the relatives began to leave, Lü Dao called out to Lü Ze.

Lü Ze’s face darkened.

Was his elder brother about to settle accounts with him, discarding brotherly affection in the process?