In an instant, the grand hall fell into complete silence. Whether it was sect masters or emperors, everyone held their tongues.
They knew—the Empress was about to make her entrance!
Ji Mingyun gathered his internal force and spoke with a resonant voice, “Now presenting… the Empress and the Prince Consort!”
As soon as his voice fell, a terrifying aura of 9th stage Martial Emperor Realm descended upon the hall.
Countless experts’ faces changed. Their bodies were instantly suppressed, unable to move.
Was this the pressure of a 9th stage Martial Emperor Realm?
She hadn’t even appeared, yet her aura alone crushed the entire hall!
Start a rebellion now? Might as well prepare to reincarnate!
Those who had voiced dissent earlier all turned toward the Black Demon Sect Master at once, their expressions clearly saying, “Hey, you’re on your own now—we’re not with you anymore!”
Boom!
The doors to the grand hall swung open forcefully. You Yiran walked in from outside, dressed in vibrant red robes, each step graceful and composed. A red veil covered her face.
Though her face was hidden, the proud demeanor and mature curves radiating from her were enough to send everyone into a frenzy.
All eyes were filled with awe and admiration for You Yiran. In their hearts, desire was already burning uncontrollably.
The Black Demon Sect Master clenched his fists, his heart filled with agitation.
Why?! I’ve pursued her for so many years… why is the groom not me?!
Why him—that useless cripple?!
Many others in the hall shared this same thought.
They clenched their teeth and looked with resentment at the man following behind You Yiran.
Lin Ze stood calmly behind her, smiling as he looked around like a curious child. From time to time, he waved politely and said aloud, “It’s my first time getting married, I don’t really know what to say… just make sure you all eat and drink well!”
Upon hearing this, many powerful figures inside the hall had strange expressions—they were about to lose it!
This brat is showing off! He’s flaunting on purpose!
“You’re that Azure Spirit Holy Land’s so-called Holy Son born with crippled meridians? Heh…” The Black Demon Sect Master’s jealousy and fury exploded at once.
That man wasn’t anything special—just a bit more handsome. But his strength? Worthless!
How could someone like that be qualified to marry the Empress?
Hearing the voice, Lin Ze looked over and frowned, “Who the hell are you, and why are you barking?”
“I’ll f—”
The Black Demon Sect Master had just opened his mouth when his disciples quickly stopped him. His eldest disciple, Lu Daoshi, spoke up cleverly, “Master, if you respond, it’s the same as admitting you’re a dog.”
“Exactly, we can’t fall into his trap!”
“My master’s not a dog! I mean, have you ever seen such an ugly dog? That’s a joke!” chimed in someone with a love for dogs.
The Black Demon Sect Master was on the verge of exploding and shouted, “Whose side are you idiots on?!”
The Black Demon Sect Master’s face turned pitch-black as he glared at Lin Ze, “Brat, you want to marry the Empress? We don’t approve!”
“You’re not qualified!”
His words caused many people’s expressions to shift slightly.
So it’s starting, huh?
They all glanced secretly at the Empress—only to find she remained indifferent.
Seeing this, the Black Demon Sect Master was elated.
It seemed even the Empress herself knew she was in the wrong. The man she’d chosen as Prince Consort was indeed unpresentable.
He looked at You Yiran and said loudly, “Empress, forgive my boldness, but choosing a man who can’t even cultivate as your Prince Consort will certainly provoke criticism. He’ll disgrace all demon cultivators of Netherveil Continent!”
“Not only do we disagree, but no demon cultivator will ever accept him!”
“Who dares speak nonsense?” Shangguan Yi stepped forward immediately and declared, “Listen well—Lin Ze is the junior I personally favor. Anyone who disagrees, I’ll beat them into submission!”
The powerhouses in the hall broke into cold sweat.
The Black Demon Sect Master, emboldened by the backing he had, retorted, “Grand Alchemist Shangguan, you are not one of the demon race—you have no say here!”
“Fine. Then your Black Demon Sect better never come begging me for pills again,” Shangguan Yi said coldly, her gaze so icy it made the Black Demon Sect Master break into a sweat.
“Fine, we won’t!” he said stiffly.
His eldest disciple, Lu Daoshi, suddenly added, “Master, that’s not an option! You still need her pills for your… you know.”
The Black Demon Sect Master glared, “You want to say my problem louder?!”
Lu Daoshi cleared his throat and shouted, “My master has impotence!!”
The Black Demon Sect Master lowered his head and took a deep breath. His mind buzzed.
Why are my disciples so dumb?! That’s private! You idiot!
“Black Demon Sect Master, are you doing this under someone’s orders?” You Yiran’s voice was cold and majestic, making the man tremble.
He quickly shook his head, “Empress, I swear I’m doing this solely for the good of Netherveil Continent. There is no personal agenda!”
Lu Daoshi added, “But Master, didn’t you say we were here to carry out Empress Xueyao’s orders?”
The Black Demon Sect Master nearly burst into tears as he turned and hissed, “Why don’t you just yell it to the whole hall?!”
Lu Daoshi nodded and shouted, “We’re here to carry out Empress Xueyao’s mission!”
“Shut up, you moron!” The Black Demon Sect Master kicked him across the hall, then turned and sneered, “Well, Empress, guess what? I’m done pretending!”
“If you insist on marrying this useless brat, we’ll immediately support Empress Xueyao instead!”
“Everyone, am I right?!”
Lu Daoshi shouted, “Yeah! Right, right, right!”
Most of the experts remained quiet, all waiting to see how the Empress would respond.
At that moment—
“Ahem. Wife, Aunt, everyone—can the person at the center of this all say a few words?”
Lin Ze had seen enough. As the man involved, he had to speak up.
“Of course,” Shangguan Yi nodded.
Ji Mingyun activated his cultivation and shouted, “Silence! The Prince Consort wishes to speak!”
Everyone quieted down and turned their curious eyes to Lin Ze.
The Black Demon Sect Master sneered. What could a good-for-nothing like him possibly say?
Lin Ze clasped his hands together and said, “Greetings. I’m Lin Ze.” Then he straightened up and continued in a loud voice.
“I know many of you have doubts about me being the Empress’s husband.”
“Perhaps the biggest one is that you believe I can’t cultivate, that my strength is lacking, and I’m unworthy of her.”
“Fine, I’ll admit, other than being handsome, having lots of money, powerful connections, and a father who’s an 8th stage Martial Emperor, I’ve got nothing.”
At first, many of the experts nodded along, but as he kept talking, their faces twisted with disbelief.
Wait… what kind of humble brag was that?!
“But! Today I tell you—I’m no cripple! I can cultivate—and among my peers, I’m invincible!” Lin Ze declared.
“Heh… what arrogance,” the Black Demon Sect Master said scornfully.
Many others in the hall snickered as well. Is this brat insane?
Daring to claim invincibility among demon race cultivators? That was either suicidal—or delusional!
Lin Ze flicked his robe, unleashing the full aura of an 8th stage Martial Master Realm cultivator!
“Anyone at my level—or even if you suppress your cultivation to Martial Master Realm—if any of you can defeat me, I’ll admit I’m unworthy of the Empress and leave Netherveil Continent forever!”
His voice rang loud and clear. Everyone heard him perfectly!
“Lin Ze, you…” Even You Yiran frowned. She hadn’t expected him to make such a bold claim.
Though she thought he was kind of handsome, his words were too wild!
Everyone knew demon cultivators had the strongest combat power of all races!
But Shangguan Yi looked at Lin Ze with pride. This is the son-in-law I chose. A man with backbone!
“You said it yourself. You’ve got guts!” The Black Demon Sect Master burst into laughter. “Lu Daoshi! Suppress your cultivation to 8th stage Martial Master and beat him to death!”
He then turned to You Yiran and asked, “Empress, you have no objections, do you?”
You Yiran’s brows furrowed. She was about to say something—but then she saw Lin Ze smiling confidently at her.
Strangely, all her worries disappeared.
“Let them fight.”
She nodded, then raised her jade hand and drew a dueling space in the center of the hall.