After Chen Xuanyi's death, the soulmark on Luo Luo's wrist faded away.
Now that it had been renewed, she felt a tingling, itching sensation there, along with a faint phantom pain—it had hurt for far too long back then.
She glanced down at the soulmark on Li Zhaoye's hand.
Though it was the same mark, on him, it looked wild and untamed, as if ready to bare its fangs.
She reached out and touched it.
Li Zhaoye’s bones were lean and hard, his pulse bold and unrestrained. Unable to resist, she tilted her head up, stood on her toes, and kissed his lips.
His hand gripped her waist.
Beneath the fiery red matchmaker tree, he took control, pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply.
A deafening explosion jolted Luo Luo out of Li Zhaoye’s embrace.
She felt the ground tremble violently beneath her feet.
"An attack?!" She was stunned.
Who in the world would dare provoke them now?
The next moment, the sky erupted into a colossal firework, stretching from one horizon to the other.
Luo Luo gasped. "Wow..."
Countless flaming branches rained down like shimmering tassels, gold and silver glinting brilliantly.
As the sparks scattered, another explosion boomed overhead, lighting up the sky with dazzling, colorful characters that flickered brightly:
[Happy Wedding, Luo Luo & Li Zhaoye]
Luo Luo broke into a cold sweat. "This feels... oddly familiar."
Li Zhaoye smirked. "Yep, it’s Pang Yue’s tribute."
Luo Luo groaned. "So tacky!"
Li Zhaoye laughed. "You little bumpkin, no appreciation for grandeur."
Luo Luo shot back, "Oh yes, clearly I have no taste—I fell for a dog like you!"
Li Zhaoye: "..."
He cupped the back of her head and kissed her, silencing her protests.
The wedding banquet was lavish, the hall packed with guests.
By the time Luo Luo and Li Zhaoye returned from their vows, the feast was already laid out.
Luo Luo’s eyes nearly popped at the sight.
What a spread!
Under the cover of her voluminous wedding robes, she pinched Li Zhaoye’s hand hard, gesturing at the tables—
[Endless delicacies]
Li Zhaoye subtly nudged her with his shoulder.
"Stop staring. You’ll get to eat soon."
"Right, right."
Eager, Luo Luo stepped forward—only to be intercepted by Xu Junzhu, who ushered the newlyweds to toast at each table.
"Happy wedding! Happy wedding!" The white-haired grandmaster raised his cup.
Luo Luo, ever earnest, downed her drink every time someone toasted. After just a few tables, her stomach sloshed audibly.
Li Zhaoye: "..."
He whispered, "Use your fire to burn off the alcohol."
Luo Luo brightened. "Oh! Right!"
She channeled her cultivation, flames flickering through her meridians. A soft whoosh later, the wine in her belly evaporated.
Instantly, she felt lightheaded.
Luo Luo sighed dreamily. "Wow..."
Now armed with this trick, she drank even more enthusiastically, vaporizing the liquor into fragrant mist that seeped into her consciousness.
By the halfway mark, Li Zhaoye noticed something was wrong.
Luo Luo’s smile had turned dangerously sweet, her eyes glazed like pools of honey as she swayed unsteadily.
"...Wait. I told you to burn the alcohol, not inhale it like incense?" Li Zhaoye deadpanned.
Xu Junzhu, the officiant, massaged her temples and muttered, "Didn’t you stash a qiankun pouch in your sleeve?"
Luo Luo gasped loudly. "Ohhh! So that’s how you’ve been dumping the wine!"
Xu Junzhu hissed, "Keep your voice down!"
Luo Luo clapped a hand over her mouth, giggling.
At the next toast, Luo Luo stared shamelessly at Xu Junzhu’s sleeves, waiting to catch her in the act.
Under such scrutiny, Xu Junzhu’s eye twitched—and she didn’t dare pour another drop into her sleeve.
By the end of the rounds, Xu Junzhu was also staggering.
"Now... to the bridal chamber!" the drunken officiant announced, waving grandly.
Luo Luo panicked. "But I haven’t—haven’t eaten yet!"
Li Zhaoye scooped her up by the waist and carried her off.
Luo Luo’s pavilion had been transformed.
Red lanterns hung in rows, scarlet silk draped the walls and pillars, and the floors were carpeted in crimson. Pairs of dragon-and-phoenix candles flickered everywhere.
Stepping inside, their faces glowed with the warmth of the decorations.
Luo Luo stole a glance at Li Zhaoye.
Bathed in red, her usually pale-faced husband looked devastatingly handsome—almost inhumanly so.
She slurred, "You’re... not human at all!"
Li Zhaoye snorted. "Still insulting me on our wedding night?"
Luo Luo tried to explain she meant it as a compliment—but the world spun as he flipped her over his shoulder.
Her alcohol-laced breath made her head swim, but the vaporized wine spared her nausea.
With a soft thump, he tossed her onto the scarlet wedding quilt.
Dazed, Luo Luo blinked up at him.
He loomed over her, one hand braced by her ear, lips curling mischievously. "Fine. I won’t be human, then."
Luo Luo blinked slowly.
She grinned. "Gonna... eat me?"
Li Zhaoye’s eye twitched.
She squeezed her eyes shut and announced, "Go ahead! I’ve read the springscrolls!"
Li Zhaoye: "..."
He had planned to do exactly that—but her audacity made him reconsider.
When no kiss came, Luo Luo peeked to find him smirking as he pushed off the bed.
"?"
He strode to the gilded table adorned with red silk, tapped his qiankun pouch, and retrieved his carefully hoarded [Endless delicacies].
Luo Luo gasped. "Waaah—"
She scrambled up—only for Li Zhaoye to teleport back and pin her to the bed.
He leaned in, grinning. "Know what ‘not human’ means?"
Luo Luo froze. "...No food?"
He nipped her ear. "You’ve seen the scrolls. If you want a hot meal, my ‘little brother’ eats first."
Luo Luo glanced at the feast, then back at him. "Oh."
Obediently, she wrapped her arms around his neck and offered her lips.
Li Zhaoye’s breath hitched. "..."
This wife of his—such a quick learner.
Wedding robes were tedious to remove.
Li Zhaoye wrestled down the urge to rip them apart. These were keepsakes—meant to last a lifetime.
Her hair ornaments were even worse. With painstaking patience, he removed each gemmed hairpin, every gold-and-jade accessory.
At last, Luo Luo lay before him like a lotus on red silk.
Li Zhaoye exhaled shakily and lowered himself, claiming his most precious treasure with a kiss.
Still tipsy, Luo Luo melted like springwater against his rugged frame.
Gentle waves lapped at towering cliffs.
Li Zhaoye’s lips sealed over hers, his tongue parting her softness.
Deeper.
Further.
Luo Luo clung to him, trembling as she met his fervor, swallowing his devotion whole.
Her hair fanned across the red pillows. He gazed down, heart burning.
Outside, firecrackers roared.
"Pop-pop-pop!" "Crackle-crackle!"
He leaned close to her ear, teasing, "Me eating you? Clearly, it's you who's eating me!"
Luo Luo: "..."
She shot him a glare, her eyes shimmering like spring waters.
Li Zhaoye: "Let's begin."
Luo Luo: "Mm."
Golden satin and red silk rippled in waves.
Warm fragrance lingered in the air, their breaths tangled, hearts pounding wildly.
Luo Luo lay gasping against the crimson pillows.
He kissed her neck, sucking hard, his hands gripping her waist, leaving her no room to squirm.
She had no choice but to face his fiercest, most fervent passion.
"Li Zhaoye... Li Zhaoye!"
His jaw clenched with intensity, veins bulging at his temples, fingers digging into her until they trembled slightly.
Luo Luo felt her breath shatter like scattered petals.
Every now and then, he nipped at her lips, murmuring shameless words.
His low, husky laughter sent shivers down her spine.
Suddenly, her body trembled, nails sinking into his firm shoulders.
Li Zhaoye leaned in, peppering her with kisses, drinking in every flicker of her expression.
He slowed slightly, waiting for her dazed gaze to focus.
"Well?" he asked smugly.
Luo Luo’s cheeks burned crimson, wishing she could bury herself in the pillows.
He stared relentlessly, demanding an answer.
After a long pause, she gave a half-hearted "Mm."
Li Zhaoye was far from satisfied. "Answer properly!"
He pinched her chin, locking eyes with her, his body nudging her teasingly. "Hurry up!"
Defeated, Luo Luo lowered her head and headbutted his nose. "Fine, fine! Amazing, okay?!"
Li Zhaoye laughed, dodging back.
Exhausted, Luo Luo muttered, "Can we eat now?"
"Eat what?" Li Zhaoye pinned her down. "You're full, but I'm still starving."
"?"
Luo Luo was flipped onto her stomach.
"Mmph!"
Her face buried in the pillow, she could no longer smell his scent—finally, her racing heart calmed slightly.
But the next moment, his renewed assault left her breathless again.
"Li Zhaoye, you—"
He pressed a hand to the back of her head, pretending not to hear her protests.
His arm hooked around her waist, lifting her effortlessly.
"Mmph!"
Chaos ensued.
Later, his hand found hers beneath the pillow, fingers intertwining, guiding it downward.
Dazed, Luo Luo murmured, "...Huh?"
Her palm rested against her own stomach.
Then, a low, wicked chuckle sounded in her ear.
Before she could process it, her hand felt the full force of his movements.
Her eyes widened, lips parting in stunned silence.
She felt like a drum, relentlessly beaten by a heavy mallet.
Thud!
Bang! Bang!
Li Zhaoye held her with one arm, domineering and unrestrained.
Their shadows danced wildly on the curtains—like a storm, like crashing waves—unending until dawn.
On their wedding night, Li Zhaoye finally redeemed himself.
His lips curled into an irrepressible grin as he carried Luo Luo to the hot springs for a bath, then served her breakfast, splashing away half the water in the process.
By the time they finished, Luo Luo lacked even the energy to glare at him.
He carried her back to their chamber, placing her by the table.
Luo Luo sighed. "It's all cold..."
With a triumphant smirk, he dispelled a barrier of spiritual energy—revealing a table still steaming with fragrant dishes.
He’d prepared in advance.
Luo Luo: "Wow!"
He grinned. "Would I let you eat cold food?"
Luo Luo beamed. "Li Zhaoye, you're the best!"
"Eat up," he urged. "We’re not done. Three days and nights, just as promised—time to broaden your horizons!"
Luo Luo: "?!"
She was wrong. This bastard was anything but good!
After the meal, Luo Luo transformed into a streak of fire, darting out of Mirror Twin Peak.
Li Zhaoye: "Hey—"
A blazing trail shot across the sky.
Moments later, a streak of light chased after it.
The disciples of the Supreme Profound Sect glanced upward, puzzled.
"Pfft!" Someone burst out laughing. "Told you! That clueless blockhead Li Zhaoye would drive his bride away!"
"Hahaha!"
"Leave him be! More feasting! More wine!"
Laughter and cheers filled the air.
