153: Patriarch Ji: I have an opinion... Never mind.

"Wait!"

This shout was ancient and raspy.

It carried the decaying scent of someone emerging from a coffin, yet it was laced with a heart-palpitating Saintly Might.

The Yaochi Heavenly Palace, which had been festive as if hosting a wedding, instantly fell silent.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound.

At the very back of the Ji Family's camp, the Void Realm rippled slightly.

A bronze ancient coffin, covered in rust and carved with ancient Dao patterns, slowly emerged.

"Kacha—"

The coffin lid slid open.

A hand, withered like a chicken claw, gripped the edge of the coffin.

Following that...

An old man with white hair and beard, covered in age spots, looking as if he had one foot in the grave, tremblingly climbed out.

He wore an ancient Daoist robe in a style from several thousand years ago.

Though he looked like a flickering candle in the wind, the aura he radiated was that of a genuine... Half-step Great Power!

He had even faintly touched the edge of Dao Severing!

"It's the Ji Family's foundation!"

"My God, that's the Ji Family's 'Living Fossil,' the Eighth Generation Old Ancestor!"

"I heard he sealed himself for three thousand years to extend his life. I didn't expect him to be awakened today!"

In the crowd, someone recognized the old man's identity and cried out in shock.

When the Ji Family Head, Ji Changkong, saw this ancestor, his expression changed, and he hurried forward to salute.

"Old Ancestor, why have you come out?"

"Hmph!"

The Ji Family Old Ancestor snorted coldly, his cloudy old eyes flashing with a rigid and stern light.

He ignored Ji Changkong and instead locked his gaze firmly on Ye Fan, who was holding Purple Moon of Ji's small hand.

His eyes were full of disdain and disgust.

"Archaic Sacred Body?"

"The Heavenly Dao Cursed Body?"

"How can such an ominous person be worthy of entering the gates of my Ji Family?"

He slammed his cane heavily onto the ground, producing a dull, thunderous boom.

"This is simply preposterous!"

"Ji Changkong! As the Family Head, how can you be so reckless!"

"For the sake of a mere weapon, you would marry off the pearl of our Ji Family to a waste body destined never to achieve the Dao?"

"Where are you putting the Ji Family's face?!"

"Where are you putting the rules of our ancestors?!"

These words were spoken with righteous indignation, saliva flying everywhere.

He scolded Ji Changkong so severely that the latter didn't even dare to lift his head.

"Old Ancestor, this..."

Ji Changkong wanted to explain, thinking to say 'the guy has a Great Emperor as a backer,' but under the Old Ancestor's stern glare, the words were choked back.

Purple Moon of Ji also grew anxious.

She was about to speak up for Ye Fan...

...when she saw the Ji Family Old Ancestor turn around to face Li Daoxuan, who was sitting in a high position with a calm expression.

The Old Ancestor straightened his hunched back, striking a pose of "unyielding before might."

"Fellow Daoist."

"I admit, you are very strong."

"The Hidden God Sect is also very strong."

"But..."

He took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising as if he were about to argue his point.

"Marriage is a major event, decided by the command of parents and the words of matchmakers!"

"It is a matter of utmost importance concerning the Family's Luck!"

“Ziyue is the Origin Spirit Body of our Ji Family, with a noble Bloodline!”

"This marriage..."

He paused, his gaze becoming incredibly firm, as if he were ready to sacrifice himself for the glory of the Family at any moment.

"I..."

"DO! NOT! AGREE!"

Three words.

Resounding and powerful.

The entire venue erupted in an uproar.

Everyone looked at this Ji Family Old Ancestor with eyes reserved for "heroes"... or rather, "dead men."

Has this old man... slept in the coffin for so long that his brain has gone soft?

Did he not see how those dozen or so Holy Lords and Great Powers were just brutalized?

Did he not see those dozen or so extreme dao imperial weapons lying flat on the ground?

He actually dared to jump out and oppose Heavenly Emperor Li at this juncture?

This wasn't just being stubborn.

This was seeking death!

"Oh?"

Li Daoxuan put down his teacup.

He slowly raised his head, his deep eyes faintly sweeping over the Ji Family Old Ancestor.

He didn't speak.

Nor did he get angry.

There was only a hint of... amusement in his eyes.

"Woof!"

Just then.

Da Huang, who had been lying bored at Li Daoxuan's feet, suddenly stood up.

He shook his fur and bared his teeth at the Ji Family Old Ancestor.

Those snow-white dog teeth glinted coldly in the sunlight.

A low, threatening growl emanated from his throat.

"Roar—"

A terrifying Bloodline pressure belonging to a Qilin Demon Emperor, though only a sliver was leaked, felt like an Ancient Vicious Beast awakening, instantly locking onto the Ji Family Old Ancestor!

The Ji Family Old Ancestor's entire body stiffened, and his straightened back instantly slumped halfway.

"This... this dog..."

He discovered in horror that the spiritual energy in his body had actually frozen under that dog's bark!

However...

Before he could catch his breath...

"Zheng—"

A desolate and slaughter-filled lute sound abruptly rang out.

The blind old man who had been sitting in the corner with zero presence—Gai Jiuyou.

At some point, he had taken out that worn-out Erhu.

He didn't look at the Ji Family Old Ancestor.

He just lowered his head and gently pulled a string.

"Zi-la—"

The sound was grating.

Like a rusty saw cutting wood.

But to the Ji Family Old Ancestor's ears, it was no different from a death warrant from the Grim Reaper!

A terrifying Divine Sense, infinitely close to a Great Emperor and even carrying a hint of true "Immortal" charm, instantly surged into his Sea of Consciousness!

"Boom!"

The Ji Family Old Ancestor felt his head buzz, his vision went black, and he nearly fainted on the spot.

That was... the Peak of Quasi-Emperor?!

No!

An aura even more terrifying than a Quasi-Emperor!

This Hidden God Sect... not only has a Great Emperor and a Demon Emperor, but even a living... Quasi-Emperor?!

And looking at the situation, with just a glance from that Youth in White Robes, this blind old man would unhesitatingly play that... Funeral Dirge!

*Gulp.*

The Ji Family Old Ancestor swallowed hard.

Cold sweat.

Like a waterfall, it instantly soaked his thousands-of-years-old antique Daoist robe.

His legs began to shake uncontrollably, at a frequency comparable to an electric motor.

Fear.

An unprecedented fear instantly pierced through all his psychological defenses.

What Family glory?

What noble Bloodline?

In the face of absolute death, that's all bullshit!

He might be old and muddled, but he didn't want to die!

Why did he seal himself for thousands of years?

Wasn't it just to live a few days longer?

If he were to be slapped to death for a single sentence now, wouldn't that be a huge loss?!

"I..."

The Ji Family Old Ancestor opened his mouth, his voice trembling.

He looked at Li Daoxuan's half-smiling gaze.

He looked at Da Huang's wide-open bloody maw.

He looked at Gai Jiuyou's hand, about to draw the second bow.

In his mind, countless thoughts flashed frantically.

How to fix this?

How should he walk these words back?

Waiting online, it's urgent!

Suddenly.

A spark of inspiration struck him.

His stiff, "righteous" old face instantly squeezed out a smile that looked worse than crying but was full of "kindness," like a blooming chrysanthemum.

"My meaning is..."

He changed his tune, his tone making a 180-degree turn.

"This marriage..."

...is being handled too hastily!"

"It's too simple!"

He pointed at the simple decorations around them with a look of grief and indignation.

"Look at this!"

"There isn't even a red carpet!"

"There isn't even a decent orchestra!"

"Nephew Ye Fan is a dragon among men, a high disciple of a Great Emperor! Ziyue is the pearl of my Ji Family!"

"Such a match made in heaven, how can it be settled so sloppily?!"

The Ji Family Old Ancestor spoke with increasing excitement, as if the person who opposed it just now wasn't him at all.

He slapped his thigh, his voice booming and full of "care" from an elder to a Junior.

"It must be a grand celebration!"

"A special one!"

"We must set up ten thousand tables for a flowing feast!"

"We must invite all the Cultivators in the world to bear witness!"

"We must let the entire Central Plains know that my Ji Family has found a great son-in-law!!"

"..."

Silence.

Dead silence.

Tens of thousands of Cultivators in the audience, including Ji Changkong, Purple Moon of Ji, and even Ye Fan.

All of them were dumbfounded.

They stared blankly at the Ji Family Old Ancestor, who was spitting as he spoke, his face flushed, as if nothing had happened just now.

In their hearts, only one word remained: "Respect."

Is this... an old monster who has lived for thousands of years?

This survival instinct... this face-changing speed... this ability to smooth things over... it's simply... terrifying!

"Pfft."

Li Daoxuan finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He waved his hand, signaling Da Huang to shut up and Gai Jiuyou to put away his Erhu.

"Interesting."

He looked at the old man who was still incessantly planning the wedding details and nodded.

"The elder is right."

"It is indeed a bit simple."

"Since you have this intention..."

A "kind" smile curled on Li Daoxuan's lips.

"Then the arrangements for this wedding, and the costs for those ten thousand tables of flowing feast..."

...will be your full responsibility?"

"No problem!"

The Ji Family Old Ancestor patted his chest thumpingly, looking righteous.

"To be able to host the wedding for Nephew Ye Fan and Ziyue is my honor!"

"The Ji Family will cover the costs!"

"Whoever dares to fight me for the bill, I'll have a bone to pick with them!"

"Good!"

Li Daoxuan took the lead in applauding.

"Senior is generous!"

"Senior is magnanimous!"

"Indeed, having an elder at home is like having a treasure!"

Below the stage.

Ji Changkong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

Fortunately, the Old Ancestor reacted quickly.

Otherwise, today, the Ji Family... would likely have become the second Taichu Holy Land.

An "objection" storm that almost triggered a bloodbath.

Just like that... under the Ji Family Old Ancestor's textbook "sliding kneel" performance, it turned into a happy comedy.

Ye Fan held Purple Moon of Ji's hand and looked at the ancestor who was now calling his Revered Master "brother" and even discussing names for future children.

He shook his head helplessly.

"This... works too?"

Purple Moon of Ji also giggled behind her hand, her eyes full of mischief.

"See, I told you."

"As long as your fist is hard enough..."

...even the Old Ancestor... can become so reasonable."

...And so.

In a peaceful (extremely eerie) atmosphere.

The marriage alliance between the Hidden God Sect and the Ji Family was completely finalized.

Next.

Was a grand banquet.

The Ji Family Old Ancestor was as good as his word, directly using the Ji Family's foundation to set up ten thousand tables of flowing feast outside the Yaochi Heavenly Palace.

Dragon liver and phoenix marrow (not real dragons and phoenixes, but sub-species) and fine nectar were served as if they cost nothing.

Cultivators from all over the Central Plains, whether they knew each other or not, were pulled in to make up the numbers.

Cups were clinked and changed, and it was very lively.

Li Daoxuan sat at the main table, with Gai Jiuyou on his left and Jiang Taixu on his right.

The three "old men" sipped their wine while watching the youngsters frolic below, all wearing aunt-like smiles.

"It's good to be young."

Gai Jiuyou sighed.

"Indeed."

Jiang Taixu nodded, looking softly at Purple Moon of Ji, who was serving food to Ye Fan.

"It seems this era of great conflict ultimately belongs to them."

Li Daoxuan smiled and didn't speak.

He raised his wine cup and took a light sip.

His gaze, however, inadvertently drifted toward the distant horizon.

There.

In the originally clear sky, at some point, a hint of... extremely subtle... gloom had appeared.

" Buzz—"

Just as everyone was drinking heartily.

The System Radar in Li Daoxuan's arms suddenly vibrated without warning.

[Warning!]

[Detected signs of "Dark Turmoil"!]

[Coordinates: Northern Region, Taichu Ancient Mine!]

[Danger Rank: SSS+!]

Li Daoxuan's movements suddenly stopped.

He slowly put down his wine cup.

Those eyes, which had been slightly tipsy, instantly became clear and... sharp as a blade.

"Is it coming?"

He murmured softly.

"These peaceful days... seem to have come to an end."