After bidding farewell to Aunt Huang, the group left the village and found that the zombie tapirs and human-faced spiders guarding outside the village had also disappeared. It turned out that it was safer to stay in a village full of ghosts. Almost all the monks who escaped from the village were attacked by monsters, leaving many corpses along the way.
The survivors had no time to sigh, they were either busy on their way or searching for the remaining spiritual beads on the corpses. Today, everyone has realized the cruelty of this game.
Chu Danfeng looked at the corpses lying all over the ground and couldn't help but say, "Although a military order is signed every time, I have never heard of so many casualties in the previous years' sect competitions."
Lin Shuer asked: "How many disciples are participating in the sect competition?"
Yulou said, "There are seventy-two people in our Hehuan Sect alone. A large sect like your Shuangji Sect must have at least two or three hundred people, right? Add to that the countless small sects and independent cultivators... there must be at least two thousand people. With this number of casualties, I'm afraid only one or two out of ten will survive."
Lin Shuer sighed: "The secret realm is full of dangers. I wonder if Fourth Senior Brother is okay now."
After these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.
Hua Tingxuan, who had remained silent, said: "Just go and take a look." Now people from all walks of life are flocking to the so-called 'ghost marriage ceremony', and he doesn't believe that there is no mastermind behind it.
You know, when he participated in the sect competition in his previous life, he had never heard of this grand ceremony.
Affected by the miserable scene before them, several people were in a heavy mood and did not speak a word along the way. Not to mention the ghosts and strange stories they encountered, they walked for another three days before finally reaching their destination.
This place is completely different from the previous paintings. It is neither as quiet as a small village, nor does it have ferocious monsters that kill people. If I have to describe it, it would be luxurious and majestic.
It is a luxurious scene shrouded in a spooky and eerie atmosphere.
The road is paved with red silk for ten miles, and two rows of big red lanterns are hung on the roadside, with blue ghost lights in the lanterns.
The end was tightly surrounded by a red curtain. The red color was dark and looked like stale blood, so it was not festive but rather eerie.
The entrance was inscribed with the three characters "Hengha Lane" in thin gold script, and guarded by several green-faced, fang-toothed yakshas wearing uniforms of the same color. Every time a guest entered, the yakshas would ask, "Are you here to watch the ceremony or to get married?"
Chu Danfeng didn't rush in. He waited and observed for a while and roughly figured out: the so-called watching ceremony means one can only eat and drink in the auditorium, but one has to give gifts. If the gifts one brings are not generous enough, one can use spirit beads as gifts; the so-called marriage means participating in this "collective wedding", worshipping heaven and earth and entering the bridal chamber, which can unlock all the maps in the "ceremony" venue.
Hua Tingxuan said stupidly: "Little Senior Brother, I think it is better to get married. This way, we can go to more places and it will be easier to find Senior Brother Fang."
Chu Danfeng asked curiously, "When did you become so concerned about Fourth Senior Brother?"
Hua Tingxuan said solemnly: "Brothers are united, and their strength is invincible. We are all from the Lixu Peak lineage, and we are as close as brothers. Every fellow disciple is the same as our brothers and sisters. How can Xuan'er not care about their safety?"
These words were spoken with such passion that everyone present was in awe. However, Lin Shu'er's respect seemed different from that of the others. She secretly gave Hua Tingxuan a thumbs up with a very meaningful expression.
Chu Danfeng was also touched and said, "It's rare that you have such a heart."
"In that case, let's go in."
When they registered, Chu Danfeng took Hua Tingxuan's hand and walked in front of them. He asked the Yaksha guarding the gate, "Are there any precautions for marriage?"
Yaksha: "You don't need to bring gifts for the wedding. Until tomorrow's ceremony, all expenses will be free. There will also be special maids and servants to help the newlyweds bathe, change clothes, and dress up."
Chu Danfeng looked at Hua Tingxuan with a smile: "That's not bad."
Hua Tingxuan: "... ah, um."
Hua Tingxuan was almost dizzy by the smile of his junior brother.
The title of "the most beautiful woman in the Shuangji Sect" is not undeserved. Chu Danfeng has very delicate facial features, red lips, white teeth, picturesque eyebrows and eyes. With a folding fan, she has the style of a handsome young man in troubled times. Now she is putting all her effort into flirting with people, and everyone in Huatingxuan is stunned.
Hua Tingxuan: "Not bad, not bad."
Chu Danfeng then said to Yaksha: "In this case, let him marry."
He paused, then said, "I will watch the ceremony."
"Okay—hmm?" Hua Tingxuan was about to put his fingerprint on the marriage list, but was stunned when he heard that.
"I'll leave Fourth Brother to you. Thank you for your hard work. We will be waiting for you outside." Chu Danfeng patted his shoulder, signed his name on the spectator list, and walked into the venue in a cool manner.
Hua Tingxuan: “…”
Lin Shuer: “Hahahahahahahahahaha.”
"..." Hua Tingxuan finally signed the audience list silently and followed without saying a word.
In his two lifetimes, Master Hua had never suffered such a setback before. But when he was really setback, he could not get angry, and even felt happy about it - this was the first time that Junior Brother had played a trick on him.
What does this mean? Their relationship has taken a step further!
However, just be happy in your heart and never show it.
Hua Tingxuan then repeated his old trick, following behind silently, acting pitifully. However, this time, his plan of retreating to advance and acting pitiful failed, as Chu Danfeng didn't even look at him.
There is a special secret in Hengha Lane. The dark red silk cloth actually wraps a Sumeru mustard seed space. The so-called mustard seed space is similar in principle to a mustard seed bag, with a small entrance but actually encompassing everything.
There were huge crowds of people inside, shoulder to shoulder. In addition to the monks who came here to seize the treasure, there were also many indigenous NPCs and ghosts, making it very lively.
As soon as the few people entered the venue, many people surrounded them and asked to be their partner in "marriage" - it was said that "group weddings" could be registered later, and the location was in the "Youquan Hall" where the ghost marriage ceremony was held.
The most popular ones were Yulou and Chu Danfeng - Hua Tingxuan had an aura that kept strangers away, and soon no one dared to approach him. Lin Shuer was holding a young man's hand, and it seemed that she already had a partner, so no one disturbed her.
As the eldest senior sister of the Hehuan Sect, Yu Lou’s charm is self-evident, but Chu Danfeng’s market is unexpectedly broad—in addition to the shy female cultivators who actively approached her, there were actually several male cultivators.
However, without exception, they were all rejected by Chu Danfeng with a sullen face.
He muttered quietly: "Do I look that much like a gay?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Shu'er glanced at him, then looked at Hua Tingxuan who was not too far behind him, then shook her head in disapproval and asked quietly, "Fifth Senior Brother, aren't you going to coax Sixth Senior Brother?"
Chu Danfeng turned his head to glance at the dejected Hua Tingxuan. When the other party met his gaze, his eyes lit up and he immediately showed an ingratiating smile, like a cautious large dog.
"…" Chu Danfeng forced himself to harden his heart, "What's there to coax? He's not a three-year-old child."
Lin Shuer: "It's fun to quarrel occasionally, and outsiders shouldn't interrupt, but if you don't want him, you shouldn't provoke him."
Chu Danfeng: “?”
Lin Shuer whispered: "I heard you don't want to admit that you are gay."
Chu Danfeng said unconfidently: "I am not one at all."
Lin Shu'er suddenly became serious: "You don't have to lie to me, I know everything." She saw with her own eyes that the fifth senior brother forcibly kissed the sixth senior brother, and that day he secretly grabbed the sixth senior brother's hand.
Chu Danfeng was already feeling guilty, and seeing her so serious, he was startled. What did she know? What happened that night... such a private matter, Xuan'er wouldn't tell anyone, right
"You...how did you know?" Chu Danfeng forced himself to remain calm and asked as calmly as possible, "Did Lao Liu tell you?"
Lin Shuer thought that Sixth Senior Brother had indeed told her about it and had openly acknowledged their relationship at the beginning.
Lin Shuer sighed and said in a conscientious manner, "He told me everything. Fifth Brother, this is really not good."
Chu Danfeng: “!!!!”
Grass grass grass grass!!
He really said it! How can that naughty kid be so careless with his words that he can tell others such a thing? !
"Shu'er, Senior Brother has been good to you for so many years, right? You must never tell anyone else about this," Chu Danfeng said in a low voice, embarrassed to the point of burning his ears, "I will compensate him, but this kind of relationship is against moral principles..."
Lin Shu'er interrupted him and said angrily, "Fifth Senior Brother, you are the closest person to me besides Second Senior Sister, but what you did was really... too much! I just want to ask you, if you don't have that feeling for him, why do you still sleep on the same bed with him every day? Second Senior Sister also said that you are different from other stinky men. We were wrong!"
"..." Chu Danfeng, "please let me explain..." That was the order from the head master!
However, Lin Shu'er didn't give him a chance at all and walked away angrily. Young Master Li, who was loosely tied by the immortal rope, also hurriedly followed. When he passed by Chu Danfeng, he wrinkled his acne-covered face and spat, "Scumbag! All show! Pretty boy, no good intentions!"
Chu Danfeng: “…”
But before Li Yunyi could finish his words, he was beaten up by Lin Shu'er. The little junior sister beat him and scolded him: "You think you can scold my senior brother? Who do you think you are!"
Chu Danfeng touched his nose, feeling a little uncomfortable: Although he didn't want to admit it, but... their scolding was not without reason.
You clearly don't want to develop further relationship with Xuan'er, but you're still being so indecisive. Aren't you just keeping him hanging
But he had no choice. The naughty kid always "threatened" him with what happened that night. After all, he was the one who made the mistake first. One wrong step led to all the others.
But then again, if he was asked to cut the Gordian knot and hurt the child severely once to prevent future troubles, Chu Danfeng would be reluctant to do so.
"Is it just because I'm soft-hearted? Or... I don't think I really like him a little bit?" Chu Danfeng was confused.
"Junior brother." Hua Tingxuan finally gave up pretending to be pitiful and chased after him shamelessly.
Chu Danfeng didn't know how to face him, so he said "hmm" expressionlessly.
Hua Tingxuan made small talk: "You tied up Li Yunyi so blatantly, aren't you afraid that people from Chunyang Island will come to your door?"
Chu Danfeng: "We should make a big splash and let them know. There are so many people here, we are in the light, and the 'Man in the Bamboo Hat' is in the dark. It's better to let him come to us."
Hua Tingxuan immediately started to flatter: "Young Senior Brother, you are very resourceful. This is really a good idea!"
Chu Danfeng: “…”
… This little guy has a sweet mouth, can make people happy, is tall and handsome, and has outstanding talents. What a perfect junior brother. If only… he didn’t like me.
Hua Tingxuan said: "After a long journey, I'm afraid that a girl may not be able to bear it. I won't bother you, Junior Sister. I will take him for a walk with Junior Brother and walk around this 'Hengha Alley'. First, we will make sure that the people of Chunyang Island see us, and second, we can find out what the mystery of this ghost marriage ceremony is."
This is a reasonable note.
Chu Danfeng nodded, and the two brothers began to move around in this huge mustard seed space.
I heard a lot of things on the way.
"I heard that Master Lan of Bixia Pavilion also entered Hengha Lane. I wonder if he was there to watch the ceremony or get married."
"Is this true? We have been in the secret realm for so long, but no one has seen Qi Wanglan's true appearance, right?"
"The female disciples of Bixia Pavilion are already guarding outside the 'Youquan Palace'. It is said that someone has seen the true appearance of the young pavilion master. He is very beautiful, wielding a nine-section magic whip, and looks very heroic."
"I wonder if she brought a male companion with her. If not, can we go in and try? Maybe the treasure is inside the palace."
"Treasure? You mean the Soul-writing Pearl? That is a legendary treasure. It probably requires a great opportunity to find it. But it's different for the Young Pavilion Master. You may be able to try your best."
"If I can marry the Young Pavilion Master, I'll have a lifetime of wealth and glory, so what else would I need from a spiritual treasure? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha."
The news he heard along the way was either about the unmarried daughter of a wealthy family, Qi Wanglan, who lived in Bixia Pavilion, or about speculation about the location of the treasure.
Even Li Yunyi, whose hands were tied, interrupted and said, "Before I left, my father also told me to please the young pavilion master."
When he mentioned his biological father, he felt a strong sense of superiority: "Our families match, and we are related, so my chances of winning are very high."
Chu Danfeng: "That may not be the case."
Chu Danfeng thought to himself: You idiot, don't even think about eating swan meat, these two things are opportunities for my junior brother.
But now... I don't know if the young master is willing to accept this great marriage. Alas.
In addition to these trivial gossips, the two actually found out some real and important news - the whereabouts of the "man in the bamboo hat".
They took Li Yunyi for a whole day of ostentatious strolls, and finally some disciples from Chunyang Island tried to snatch him away. They had probably planned this, and when they rushed forward, there were at least twenty of them. However, after only two rounds, they were all pinned to the ground by the two brothers.
Not only that, they also dragged him to a deserted place and "tortured him severely".
The leading disciple of Chunyang Island could not withstand the tactics of Master Hua and confessed everything: "The man wearing the bamboo hat never shows his true face to others. Even we don't know his background. We only know that he is a master invited by the island master. He went into the secret realm to protect the young master. He did hold Senior Brother Ling hostage, but he has now sneaked into the 'Youquan Palace'."
Hua Tingxuan: "Little Senior Brother..."
Chu Danfeng: “…”
Unexpectedly, Fang Qingyahai was really dragged into the inner venue of the ghost marriage ceremony. It seems... this time he will have to go in and participate in the "collective wedding".
Chu Danfeng said in a deep voice: "We have to find a place to lock them up and make sure the news doesn't leak out."
After dealing with the people from Chunyang Island, the two of them headed straight for Youquan Palace. Outside the palace gate, two Yakshas acted like public officials, looking down on them and asking, "Registering for marriage?"
Chu Danfeng: "That's right."
A Yaksha said, "Tsk, the grand ceremony is tomorrow, what are you thinking about?"
Another Yaksha asked, "Just the two of you? No female companions? Or are you randomly matched?"
"Hey, they're all pretty," Yaksha looked at Chu Danfeng, "especially you. Look at your delicate and tender appearance. If you were paired with a tigress, she would eat you alive."
Both Yakshas laughed.
Hua Tingxuan frowned, and the heavy sword on his back rang loudly. Chu Danfeng hurriedly stopped him, suggesting that he should not cause trouble, and said with a friendly smile: "Please help me, both of you."
"This is the attitude of asking someone to do something for you. Never mind. The deadline is almost up." Yaksha glanced at the sky and shook out a piece of red paper: "If you want to sign up, sign it quickly."
It's random, so what? Everyone is going for the treasure, and no one will take it seriously. Even if there is a bridal chamber, I will never bully a strange female cultivator.
Thinking of this, Chu Danfeng refused to delay and signed his name quickly. Hua Tingxuan took the red paper and was about to sign, but his hand paused.
Yasha urged: "Hurry up, once the time comes, there will be nothing we can do."
Hua Tingxuan confirmed it again before signing his name. After handing the list back, he suppressed the corners of his mouth that were raised and said nonchalantly, "Junior Brother, that list doesn't seem right. Why does it look like an invitation to a newlywed couple?"