The Blood-Stained Wedding Feast
The wedding hall was eerily silent.
After all, until today, Xu Shulou had been known to everyone as the woman who groveled at Sect Leader Lu’s feet, weeping and begging to marry him—a shameless, pitiable creature, wasting her breathtaking beauty.
But now, she stood there, audacious and unyielding, declaring that she would kill Lu Beichen for entertainment…
Honestly, that arrogance suited her face rather well.
Even Bai Roushuang and her companions gaped at her in stunned silence.
After the initial shock, the crowd burst into mocking laughter. Someone jeered, "You? Sect Leader Lu is the foremost cultivator of our generation, a mighty expert at the Tribulation Transcendence stage. You wouldn’t last three moves against him—you’d be kneeling and begging for mercy before—"
Before he could finish, Xu Shulou flicked her wrist. The folding fan in her hand—a red jade one she had conjured to match her crimson robes—shot forward and struck the man square in the mouth, sending him flying. He crashed into a table, toppling it, before the fan spun gracefully back into Xu Shulou’s grasp.
She glanced at the man, now with a swollen lip and a missing front tooth. "My apologies. This world has made me rather irritable."
Her tone was polite, almost as if her next words would be, "I hope you’ll forgive me." But then she continued, "So, do yourselves a favor and don’t provoke me."
"You wretched—"
Amid the uproar, the wedding music swelled at the entrance. A man in red robes strode in, flanked by attendants scattering silk flowers along the crimson carpet. As the petals settled, Lu Beichen’s face came into view—radiant with triumph and self-satisfaction.
The heckler had no choice but to shut his mouth. No one dared disrupt the wedding feast.
Xu Shulou stood calmly at the center of the hall, watching Lu Beichen. This was her first time facing him in this dream world. His face was no different from reality, but here, he carried an air of unshakable confidence.
Of course, without the "genius" who had once overshadowed him, this Lu Beichen had grown complacent, basking in his own glory.
Noticing the overturned table and Xu Shulou’s defiant stance, he paused briefly. But as a sect leader, he maintained his composure, his smile unwavering as he approached the bridal dais.
When he was within ten feet of her, Xu Shulou spoke coolly, "Lu Beichen, did you know I was poisoned with a love gu?"
She had to confirm—just to be sure she wasn’t accusing the wrong version of him.
Lu Beichen’s steps faltered. A flicker of something complex flashed in his eyes before he chuckled. "Shulou, what nonsense are you spouting in front of so many guests? Don’t embarrass yourself."
She didn’t need him to say more. That momentary hesitation told her everything.
"Lu Beichen, draw your sword."
"What?" His smile remained plastered on, though confusion flickered beneath. "Shulou, what’s gotten into you?"
With a flick of her wrist, the folding fan in Xu Shulou’s hand transformed into Quexie—the famed sword that had fought alongside her in countless battles. She twirled it once before leveling the blade at Lu Beichen’s throat. "I said, draw your sword."
He laughed indulgently. "If you want to spar, my dear, we can do so after the wedding—consider it part of our… marital bliss. But causing a scene like this is unbecoming."
"Enough talk. So you’re the youngest Tribulation Transcendence cultivator of this generation?" Xu Shulou hurled her sword at him. "Let’s see it, then."
Lu Beichen barely spared the attack a glance, still wearing that patronizing smile as he glanced apologetically at the guests. He intended to dodge at the last moment, effortlessly and with flair. But the sword came faster than he expected. The sharp edge of its aura jolted him into action—he barely managed to leap aside, but not before the blade sheared off a lock of his hair. The sword’s killing intent grazed his cheek, a stark reminder that had he hesitated, it would have taken half his head.
Since reaching the Tribulation Transcendence stage, Lu Beichen had grown drunk on flattery. Now, that ever-present smile finally cracked, replaced by sheer disbelief. "How is this possible?!"
"Why wouldn’t it be?" Xu Shulou descended the steps, sword in hand. "Lu Beichen, you’ve floated too high. Have you forgotten who was truly the foremost genius of our generation?"
"…"
Silence fell—not just from Lu Beichen, but the entire hall.
Too much time had passed. It took a long moment before someone dredged up the memory.
"Ah," a guest murmured, "now I recall. Back then, Xu Shulou of Bright Moon Peak, Dustless Island, was indeed a name that shook the cultivation world."
In another way—everyone understood the implication. Not as a woman chasing after a man, not as a pitiable figure begging for his affection.
Another nodded. "I remember now. The top disciple of Bright Moon Peak was truly exceptional, radiant beyond compare. Even if her heart was clouded by hatred, her cultivation progress was unmatched. I once wondered how such a jewel could have fallen into obscurity… but now, thinking about it…"
The love gu… The guests immediately connected the dots, recalling Xu Shulou’s earlier question: "Did you know I was poisoned with a love gu?"
The scent of a grand conspiracy hung in the air. Some shuddered—if a love gu had truly dragged a genius into the mud, then Lu Beichen’s sins were unforgivable.
Of course, most still doubted. But at the main table, a man and a woman exchanged glances, their eyes wide with panic.
Someone craned their neck to ask Ji Ci, "Hey, aren’t you from Dustless Island too? Do you know what’s really going on with Xu Shulou?"
"…" Ji Ci said nothing, staring blankly at Xu Shulou, utterly speechless.
"Scared?" Xu Shulou taunted Lu Beichen. "This is Lingxiao Sect. You can always call for help, Sect Leader Lu."
A Tribulation Transcendence expert, a sect leader—if he needed protection against his own concubine, how could he ever command respect again? Trapped, Lu Beichen barked at his disciples, "This is a duel! No one interferes!"
"Then you’ve truly chosen death."
Their swords clashed in a flash of light, the metallic ring reverberating through the hall. Lu Beichen’s hand trembled—his grip nearly failed him. Shock flooded his heart.
Xu Shulou gave him no time to think, her sword flashing with cold light as she aimed straight for his face. Seeing that each of her strikes was a lethal move, Lu Beichen was both shocked and enraged—shocked by her skill and enraged by her ruthlessness, especially since not long ago, she had just confessed her feelings to him... Of course, Lu Beichen held no deep affection for her either. Rather than hating her for her cruelty, his anger stemmed from the fact that someone who had once been entirely under his control had now slipped free.
"If you show no mercy, don’t blame me for doing the same!" He dodged the strike and lunged forward.
The leap might have looked dashing—some female cultivators at the banquet even gasped in admiration—but to Xu Shulou, it was riddled with openings. With a swift spin, she blocked his sword with one hand and kicked him flying. Lu Beichen tumbled down several steps before barely managing to steady himself.
The admiring gasps from the female cultivators turned into startled shrieks before they could even finish. Lu Beichen’s face flushed with humiliation.
Xu Shulou gave him no chance to recover, her sword strikes coming faster and fiercer, weaving a net of blade-light that trapped him within.
Lu Beichen could no longer hold back. He raised his hand and summoned a defensive artifact from his Qiankun Ring. Even the lower-level cultivators who couldn’t follow the fight could now tell who had the upper hand—one was attacking with nothing but a sword, while the other was forced to rely on artifacts for defense. Tsk, tsk. No one would believe Sect Leader Lu was holding back for the sake of his beloved concubine, no matter how foolish they were.
Fan Yang, seated at the head table, stood up nervously, ready to intervene. Other guests noticed and jeered, "What? Two against one? Elder Fan, are you really going to help Sect Leader Lu gang up on his own concubine?"
A fellow elder from Lingxiao Sect yanked him back down. "Sit down already. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?"
"..."
Lu Beichen had come to terms with it—today, he was bound to lose face. But losing the fight would be even worse. So he unleashed artifact after artifact. Fortunately, he had amassed quite a few powerful treasures over the years, and for a moment, he managed to force Xu Shulou back.
Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, Poisonfire Miasma, Immortal-Slaying Cauldron—all were hurled at Xu Shulou in quick succession. The rest of Lingxiao Sect covered their eyes, unable to bear the sight of the other guests’ expressions.
Most of these were manageable for Xu Shulou, but one defensive artifact, glowing with fiery light, proved troublesome. Like an impenetrable tortoise shell, it shielded Lu Beichen completely, leaving her unable to land a hit and slowly wearing her down.
Yet Xu Shulou remained calm. There was always a way to break through. She leaped into the air and brought her sword down in a fierce slash. The blade struck the barrier with a resonant clang, like the tolling of a bell.
"That’s the Golden Bell Divine Fire Shield!" someone among the guests recognized it. "The former treasure of the Hehuan Sect. Who would’ve thought it ended up in Sect Leader Lu’s hands?"
Another guest nudged their chin toward the group of women where Bai Roushuang sat. "Well, the only surviving young mistress of Hehuan Sect ended up in his harem. Is it really a surprise the treasure fell into his hands?"
The crowd fell silent, too wary of Lingxiao Sect to openly accuse Lu Beichen of essentially inheriting the spoils of a wiped-out sect.
No one noticed the stunning young mistress in the crowd, her fists clenched, her eyes burning brighter as she watched Xu Shulou. When the sword-light completely overwhelmed Lu Beichen’s aura, she suddenly shouted, "Strike his Xun position!"
Xun position? Xu Shulou flashed to Lu Beichen’s southeast and thrust her sword. This time, the blade met no resistance—it pierced straight toward Lu Beichen’s face, now twisted in panic.
"Why glare at me?" Luo Fusheng met Fan Zhi’s furious stare without flinching. "If he dares to use my Hehuan Sect’s treasure right in front of me, he should be prepared for the consequences."
Fan Zhi, heedless of the onlookers, slapped her hard. A trickle of blood seeped from Luo Fusheng’s lips, but she paid it no mind, her gaze fixed on Xu Shulou’s sword.
Lu Beichen couldn’t react in time. Xu Shulou pinned him underfoot and kicked his sword away.
His face darkened as he hesitated over whether to surrender. But Xu Shulou didn’t give him the chance. With one forceful slash, she cleanly severed his head.
Blood sprayed three feet into the air.
Silence. Utter silence. Everyone stood frozen. No one had expected her to kill Lu Beichen—after all, her relentless pursuit of him had been common knowledge until today. No one had thought she could kill him—a Tribulation Transcension cultivator’s power was no joke. And certainly, no one had imagined she would dare.
Whatever the crowd was thinking, Xu Shulou paid no heed. Holding Lu Beichen’s head aloft, she stood atop the highest wedding platform and declared, "Xu Shulou hereby announces to the world: Lu Beichen’s wicked deeds and tyranny have brought him the fate he deserved. If anyone wishes to avenge him, step forward!"
"..." Silence. Even Lingxiao Sect remained still.
Xu Shulou gestured magnanimously. "By all means, continue the feast. Consider it a farewell banquet for Sect Leader Lu."
"..." Well, wasn’t this a novel experience? Transitioning from a wedding banquet to a funeral feast without even changing tables. Even the most worldly cultivators were at a loss for words.
At the head table, Fan Yang and Fan Zhi exchanged a glance, their expressions grim as they plotted their next move. Before they could act, something landed on the table with a splash, drenching them in wine.
When they looked down, they saw Lu Beichen’s severed head staring back at them.
Xu Shulou, standing arrogantly in the distance, smirked. "What’s the matter? It’s your turn now."
