Tears shimmered at the edges of Lindsay’s eyes, but her head shook with unshakable resolve. “I’m not afraid. As long as I can stand beside you, no hardship can break me…”
“And I don’t care how many women there are in your life,” she said, voice soft yet steady. “As long as I’m one of them, that’s all that matters.”
She pressed herself to Jared’s chest, heartbeat steady against his ribs. “I know your road is long and lined with trials, but I will wait, and when I can, I’ll fight beside you. Whatever tomorrow brings, I will never regret the choice I make today.”
Heat bloomed behind Jared’s sternum, spreading outward like sunrise across marble. He drew her close, arms firm and protective. In that embrace, he finally, fully, accepted the brave and sincere woman before him.
After a lingering moment, Lindsay’s cheeks flamed crimson. She eased from his hold and smoothed her gown. “I-I should prepare for the wedding. It’s happening so quickly, but a wedding is still a once-in-a-lifetime rite…”
“Then I’ll help,” Jared said, a quiet smile lifting the burden from his eyes.
“Okay!” The entire Earthfire Pavilion burst into motion the moment the unexpected wedding was announced. Time was short, yet their princess’ marriage demanded every ritual. The hall was alive with celebration, decorated from ceiling to floor, every door and window radiating joy.
Young disciples blinked in astonishment, then traded it for blessings whispered beneath the banners; after all, Jared had once saved their princess, unmasked traitors, and wielded a strength worthy of her hand.
High noon was chosen for the ceremony. The main hall was lavishly decorated. Although no outside guests were invited, all the elders, stewards, and key disciples were present.
Jared entered first, clothed in a scarlet robe that caught the torch-glow like liquid fire. His carriage was unbowed, resolute. Then came Lindsay. A tiara rested upon her dark hair, and brocade robes the shade of dawn flowed around her like living flame. In that moment, beauty itself seemed to pause, studying how it might keep pace with her.
Under the steady guidance of Ignatius, father and head of Earthfire Pavilion, the couple exchanged vows, sealing their union as husband and wife. The entire ceremony was simple, yet weighty as molten ore.
“Send the couple into the bridal suite!” the master of ceremonies announced.
Cheers cascaded through the hall as disciples formed an eager corridor, guiding Jared and Lindsay toward a newly prepared room steeped in petals and laughter. Inside, candles swayed in the gentle draft, spreading warm light across silks, lacquered screens, and every ribbon-tied blossom.
Lindsay perched on the edge of the bed, palms damp with nervous heat despite the confidence she had shown moments earlier. Jared approached, heart beating in measured thunder. With infinite care, he lifted the veil from her face, letting it fall like a final curtain between past and future.
Under the warm lick of candle-flame, Lindsay’s face glowed like a petal glazed in morning dew, so breathtakingly lovely that the small bridal suite seemed to shrink, as though beauty alone emptied the room of air.
“Lindsay…” Jared murmured.
She answered with the faintest hum, a single trembling note that fluttered between them like the wingbeat of a moth. Jared sat beside her. His fingers found hers—soft, cool, nervous. “Lindsay, there’s something you must know.”
For a moment, Lindsay’s heart seized. “What is it?”
“Before our marriage, there was indeed someone else in my heart,” Jared replied candidly. “She is an old acquaintance who once saved my life. I swore I would protect her; that was my promise to her…”
A shadow flickered across Lindsay’s eyes, but calm returned almost immediately. “I understand… A man of your worth is bound to have a past. I care nothing for what lies behind us, only for what lies ahead. We will save her together, then live the life we promised each other. Okay?”
Emotion swelled in Jared’s chest. He drew her into his arms, breathing the single word that sealed every vow between them. “Okay…”
That night, the candles burned low, and the joy granted to newlyweds proved as fleeting as it was sweet. Lindsay crossed the ancient threshold every woman must—pain laced with rapture, fear laced with trust. Agony blurred into ecstasy; tears warmed into laughter.
Back at Malevolent Path Hall’s headquarters in level twelve, a black palace hovered above an endless sea of blood. Swirling around it were countless vengeful spirits and fierce wraiths, wailing in bone-chilling shrieks.
At the heart of the fortress stood a throne sculpted from piled white skulls, and upon it lounged a man in black robes. His face was sharp, predatory; his eyes, sunk deep, blazed an unnatural crimson. Coils of murderous blood-mist writhed around him, as though he had climbed from a mountain of corpses and refused to wipe the gore away. He was none other than Malcolm Vayne, leader of Malevolent Path Hall.
Bang!
A loud sound rang out as Malcolm’s palm smashed the armrest. Bone splintered to powder and drifted like dead snow.
“Useless! Every last one of you!” he bellowed, his voice cold like the winds of the netherworld, dropping the temperature of the entire hall. “I can’t believe a soul remnant destroyed my projection. This is a huge shame to our Malevolent Path Hall!”
Below the throne knelt a dozen elders, trembling, foreheads pressed to cold stone. Among them crouched Bennett, still badly wounded, skin the color of ashes yet forced to maintain his bow.
“Calm down, Mr. Vayne,” a white-haired elder said. “Our reports have confirmed that the soul remnant belonged to Gerald Earthfire, founder of Earthfire Pavilion. In his prime, his cultivation level was nearing High Immortal Realm Level Three. Even if all that’s left of him is a soul remnant, he’d still be able to take on any ordinary projection…”
“Besides, that forbidden ground is his domain; sending mere projections there granted us no advantage. Had you descended in person, Mr. Vayne, Earthfire Pavilion would already lie in ruins.”
Malcolm’s pupils flashed with a chill brighter than the torches ringing the blood-red hall. “Gerald Earthfire?” he repeated, each word tasting of disdain. “That decrepit relic… I’ll make sure he dies…”
After a moment of contemplation, he added coldly, “Pass down the order! Mobilize the elite forces. Have three deputy leaders personally lead the teams to level eleven to annihilate Earthfire Pavilion and capture Jared alive!”
“Yes, Mr. Vayne!” the gathered elders answered as one, their voices reverberating like iron gongs.
A greedy glint burned behind Malcolm’s lids. “Also, tell the deputy leaders to keep Great Elder Earthfire’s soul remnant intact. I intend to devour it. That way, I just might be able to have a breakthrough and attain High Immortal Realm Level Three!”
“Understood!”
Malcolm’s gaze slithered toward the darkness beyond the pillars as greed twisted his smile. “And as for Jared Chance… That man has the Golden Dragon Bloodline, hidden treasures, and far too many secrets. Bring him back alive. I will interrogate him myself!”
“Yes, Mr. Vayne!”
“Go on, then… Get ready. Three days from now, the army moves, no delay!”
The elders scattered down dim corridors, leaving the vast chamber suddenly hollow. Only Malcolm remained, a lone silhouette against the crimson braziers. He rose, paced outside, and stared over the seething sea of blood that sprawled beneath the terrace, its waves stained black and scarlet.
“Gerald Earthfire… Jared Chance…” he murmured, eyes gleaming like coals. “How interesting… Looks like it’s about to get rowdy in level eleven… But no matter how wild the flames, they will only serve to fuel my rise. Once I have a breakthrough to High Immortal Realm Level Three, it shall be time for Malevolent Path Hall to dominate all twelve levels! Hahaha!”
Malcolm‘s sinister laugh echoed above the sea of blood, and countless vengeful spirits shrieked in response, as if the end of the world had arrived.
