On the great hall atop the mountain peak.
The crowd watched Chen Jiuyang move through the air, their expressions varied.
The Chen family patriarch's eyes gleamed with unconcealed joy: "He has broken through to the Earth Realm!"
"It seems there is little suspense left in this selection for the Han family's Saintess's consort."
"Before reaching the Earth Realm, Chen Jiuyang could still kill Lie Bahan with a single Divine Intent skill. Now that he has broken through to the Earth Realm and wields the Yan Sheng Saber, who in the Han family's forbidden territory can oppose him?"
Soon, they witnessed an Earth Realm Grandmaster turn and flee upon seeing Chen Jiuyang.
The crowd: "..."
Chen Jiuyang's breakthrough to the Earth Realm took an entire night, and it was now early morning.
Sheng Zhenghao, who had escaped from Chen Jiuyang's clutches, tried to win over everyone he met, informing them of Chen Jiuyang's actions. Initially, these people did not believe him. However, when they broke through the eighth trial and arrived at the ninth, they saw the ground littered with corpses, and their faces immediately turned grim, filled with apprehension.
This Chen Jiuyang possessed such immense killing intent. He had already cleared the ninth trial, yet he refused to leave the Han family's forbidden territory, solely to satisfy his bloodlust!
How could they not flee upon seeing Chen Jiuyang?
Chen Jiuyang had broken through to the Earth Realm and held the Han family's forbidden territory jade slip. He saw that the remaining thirty-odd surviving Earth Realm Grandmasters were scattered throughout the Earth Realm, and according to the information provided by the jade slip, all of them had already cleared the eighth trial.
However, with the ninth trial's checkpoint destroyed by him, these people were utterly unable to leave the Han family's forbidden territory.
Chen Jiuyang smiled gently, then alone, he embarked on the path leading out of the Han family's forbidden territory.
He had no interest in the subsequent checkpoints. There was only one path out of the Han family's forbidden territory. After destroying the ninth checkpoint, Chen Jiuyang was the only one within the Han family's forbidden territory who knew the path out.
The remaining people were trapped within the Han family's forbidden territory, forced to hunker down in various locations or gather other resources.
The ten Earth Realm Grandmasters guarding the waterfall cave also learned of Chen Jiuyang's information. Their faces were grim, but they dared not seek trouble with him.
Earth Realm Grandmasters were also graded. Without a doubt, although Chen Jiuyang had only recently entered the Earth Realm, his combat power was already beyond their ability to match.
At this moment, they also knew Chen Jiuyang's information: he possessed the talent of a peerless prodigy, and while still at the peak of the Profound Realm, he had killed Lie Bahan with a single Divine Intent skill.
On the great hall atop the mountain peak.
The True Demon Sect Leader's expression was impassive as he announced in a clear voice, "It seems our Holy Sect's Saintess's consort has been decided. Everyone, follow me to meet our Holy Sect's new blood."
Although Chen Jiuyang was not of the demonic path, by becoming the True Demon Sect Saintess's consort, he was considered half an insider.
Hence, he was referred to as the Holy Sect's new blood.
The True Demon Sect Leader looked at the Chen family patriarch: "Congratulations, Patriarch Chen. For a thousand years, our Sacred Way and the Shu Mountain lineage have been irreconcilable. After the establishment of the Dragon Nation, our Hu clan united to resist foreign enemies, leading to today's peaceful coexistence."
"Now that your Shu Mountain's Young Master Chen has become the True Demon Sect Saintess's consort, our thousand-year relationship has taken a step forward. We should interact well in the future."
The Chen family patriarch nodded slightly: "Great righteousness is paramount; minor disputes are inevitable."
"Clang!"
Another melodious and ancient bronze bell sound rang out.
The True Demon Sect Leader moved through the air, stepping onto the void, his voice indifferent and resonant: "The position of our Holy Sect's Saintess's consort has been claimed by a prodigy. All fellow Saints, you should meet the new blood of our Sacred Way."
"Saintess Han, you too should meet the consort with whom you will grow old together."
Tens of thousands of people followed the True Demon Sect Leader's direction, arriving before two great mountains.
Thousands of people stood before the two mountains. Before long, Chen Jiuyang, holding the Yan Sheng Saber, returned, moving through the air between the two mountains.
Chen Jiuyang saw the dense crowd of thousands before him. He was led by a waiting attendant onto the red carpet.
The True Demon Sect Leader looked at Chen Jiuyang, his gaze as deep as an abyss: "Chen Jiuyang of the Shu Mountain Chen clan!"
Chen Jiuyang cupped his fists in a respectful salute, neither subservient nor overbearing, and said, "I am here."
The True Demon Sect Leader nodded slowly, then bowed to the void: "Please, Sacred Painting!"
A simple, ancient painting, stretching over a hundred meters long and ten meters wide, floated over.
The painting depicted dozens of figures, appearing and disappearing, their faces unseen.
Though mere subjects within a painting, they seemed like living beings. The gazes of the dozens of figures within the painting fell upon Chen Jiuyang in unison.
"Boom!"
In an instant, Chen Jiuyang felt an unprecedented, terrifying pressure. After an unknown duration, the pressure dissipated.
"Esteemed Sacred Ancestors!" The True Demon Sect Leader bowed to the ancient painting, speaking with a clear and earnest voice: "In this selection for the Han family's Saintess's consort, the consort has been decided! The consort for Saintess Tianmei is Chen Jiuyang of the Shu Mountain Chen clan."
"Throughout the entire selection process, no one interfered, no one manipulated. Life and death were at stake, and it was extremely fair. It was all determined by the fate of our Dragon Nation's children!"
"If there is any falsehood or untruth, I am willing to accept punishment from the Sacred Ancestors and perish!"
The hanging painting trembled slightly. A gentle breeze swept by, gathering dozens of fallen leaves to form the character '善' (shàn - good/kind).
The True Demon Sect Leader looked at Chen Jiuyang and spoke with a clear and earnest voice:
"Chen Jiuyang, the consort of Saintess Tianmei this term, though from a renowned family, grew up in humble circumstances, without a renowned master or the protection of any faction. He pursued martial arts solely through his own will and grew independently!"
"His martial cultivation is less than a few years. At the Profound Realm, he killed a Grandmaster across realms. Upon facing danger, he broke through to the Earth Realm. At twenty-three years old, with Earth Realm cultivation, he alone suppressed one hundred and seven prodigies of our Sacred Way!"
"The title of peerless prodigy is well-deserved."
"As the consort for our Holy Sect's Saintess, he is truly worthy."
"Congratulations to our Holy Sect for gaining a peerless new talent today!"
At this moment, thousands of demonic cultivators bowed in unison to Chen Jiuyang. Even Lie Zhuanzun bowed to Chen Jiuyang, followed by countless people shouting in unison:
"Congratulations to our Sacred Way for gaining new blood!"
"Congratulations to our Holy Sect's Saintess's consort!"
Their cheers were like mountains and rivers, echoing for ten miles without ceasing!
Even with Chen Jiuyang's excellent disposition, witnessing this scene, he couldn't help but tremble slightly. The blood within him surged, and countless heroic sentiments churned in his heart.
All past gloom vanished like thunder. The warmth of spring embraced him. A destiny shrouded him, offering protection and guiding him toward a brilliant future that was about to unfold before him.
The True Demon Sect Leader announced loudly: "Please, Saintess, proceed with the engagement ceremony!"
Thousands of people called out in unison: "Please, Saintess, proceed with the engagement ceremony!"
Qiu Yihan wore the Golden Winged Phoenix Coronet and a sacred moon-white robe, adorned with solemnity and grandeur, appearing as beautiful as a celestial maiden, captivating countless people.
With the Heavenly Charm Physique, no man could resist her allure, and now, she had found her belonging.
The Demon Sect Leader held a marriage contract and shouted loudly:
"Two surnames united in marriage, a single hall to form a covenant, a good match for eternity, fittingly matched. Behold this day, the peach blossoms are vibrant, suitable for home and family. Pray for future generations to be fruitful and prosperous, flourishing and brilliant. With this vow of lifelong commitment, inscribed upon this grand parchment, let the alliance of red leaves be recorded in the marriage register."
Myriad gazes, filled with envy and jealousy, fell upon Chen Jiuyang.