Lu Fan stood frozen, a flush of embarrassment spreading across his face. He hadn't anticipated Chen Xian'er's attitude towards him would change so drastically, catching him completely off guard.
"I was too impolite to you before, you don't need to dwell on it!" Chen Xian'er said earnestly. "Once we are married, you will be my husband, and I won't let you suffer any grievances. Then, you will also be one of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu!"
Lu Fan remained silent. He had no desire to become part of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu. If not for being forced into it, he wouldn't have agreed to this marriage.
After Tu Wenhai was escorted away, the crowd dispersed, awaiting the grand wedding the next day. The Eighteen Gates of Kyushu hadn't hosted a joyous occasion in a long time, and the current fanfare naturally called for a lively celebration.
As night fell, everyone had retired for the night. Lu Fan sat alone in the courtyard, his gaze filled with a sense of helplessness. The wedding was tomorrow, and it still unsettled him.
"You don't need to overthink it, young man. I will be presiding over your wedding tomorrow, and there won't be any mishaps," Old Man Han said with a smile. "Once you become a member of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, your spiritual power will be returned to me. You won't have to be so anxious then, and you'll even be able to enter and exit the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu at will."
"Actually, I don't understand, old man. Why do you insist on me getting married?" Lu Fan asked in surprise. "Someone as outstanding as Chen Xian'er shouldn't have trouble finding a Dao companion."
"You've hit the nail on the head. Chen Xian'er can certainly find someone, but not someone as good as you," Old Man Han replied with a smile. "I think highly of you, young man, otherwise, I wouldn't have introduced Chen Xian'er to you."
Old Man Han patted Lu Fan's shoulder, his expression earnest.
Lu Fan, however, felt a profound sense of helplessness. Old Man Han's words left him with a mix of emotions. To Old Man Han, this was a rare and valuable opportunity, but to Lu Fan, it was entirely dispensable.
The next morning, the entire Eighteen Gates of Kyushu was filled with a festive atmosphere. Lanterns and colorful decorations adorned every corner, especially at the Chen family's residence, which was adorned with countless "囍" (double happiness) characters.
Today was the wedding day of the Chen family's eldest daughter, Chen Xian'er. Many other families also came to offer their congratulations, bringing numerous gifts. This wedding was no ordinary event; it was related to the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, and everyone attached great importance to it.
They were well aware that the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu had a connection to the ancient divine physique, and their status in the future would undoubtedly soar.
Lu Fan waited in Old Master Han's courtyard, his heart still filled with helplessness. He was waiting for Chen Xian'er's welcoming procession. According to the Chen family's regulations, Lu Fan was to be escorted away and become a live-in son-in-law at the Chen family.
Before long, Chen Xian'er arrived with the welcoming procession and took Lu Fan to the Chen family. The Chen family's residence was brightly decorated, exuding an air of festivity. Seated beside them were many elders, who were the sect leaders of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu and the heads of various prominent families.
"Old Man Chen, congratulations! I never expected your granddaughter to be so accomplished, finding such an outstanding Dao companion!"
"Indeed, indeed. Much more accomplished than mine. The Chen family will surely prosper and flourish, and their standing within the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu will rise even further!"
Several elders smiled, their compliments unreserved.
"Thank you all for your kind words!"
Old Man Chen quickly clasped his hands in gratitude, a smile gracing his face. Today was his granddaughter's wedding day, and he was naturally overjoyed.
"Grandfather, the person has been brought back. Can we proceed with the wedding ceremony now?" Chen Xian'er asked with a smile. Her attitude had shifted from utter disdain for Lu Fan to considerable satisfaction, and she felt quite pleased.
"Hurry and make the preparations. We will proceed with the wedding ceremony immediately!" Old Master Chen nodded promptly.
However, at that very moment, the entire Eighteen Gates of Kyushu was suddenly shaken by a tremor. No one knew what had happened.
Simultaneously, a man rushed in from outside to report, "Esteemed Sect Leaders, a grave matter has occurred! The young master of the Desolate Ancient Tao family has arrived to pay his respects, bringing a host of experts with him!"
"The Desolate Ancient Tao family?"
Old Man Han narrowed his eyes. "They've come at quite the opportune moment. Not coming earlier, not coming later, but precisely at this time. Could they be deliberately looking for trouble!"
"The Desolate Ancient families are not to be offended!"
Old Man Chen waved his hand. "I will personally go and meet him!"
With that, Old Man Chen's figure vanished as he strode out of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu. He was curious to see what business the young master of the Tao family had with the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu.
Outside the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, Han Xiaoxiao and Tao Maocheng waited quietly, accompanied by a group of formidable experts, exuding an imposing aura.
"Young Master Tao, can you suppress the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu today?"
Han Xiaoxiao asked with concern. "If not, then perhaps..."
"My Tao family's Heaven-Piercing Mirror is a peerless divine weapon!"
A disciple of the Tao family said coldly, "With the young master personally present, let alone the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, even a hundred saints would not dare to act rashly!"
Tao Maocheng stood tall, but he did not speak further. His gaze was sharp as he looked towards the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu.
"We were unaware of the esteemed guest's arrival, and the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu has been greatly remiss!"
Old Man Chen's figure appeared. "Today is my granddaughter Chen Xian'er's wedding day. I implore Young Master Tao to grant us some convenience!"
"My sworn brother has been apprehended and brought into the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu!"
Tao Maocheng said coldly. "If you hand over the person, I shall not act rashly!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a ancient bronze mirror suspended above Tao Maocheng's head, emitting supreme divine might. All living beings within a hundred-mile radius were filled with dread.
"The peerless divine weapon, the Heaven-Piercing Mirror!"
Old Man Chen retreated a few steps, his heart filled with trepidation. He had never imagined that the Desolate Ancient Tao family would mobilize such a force, even resorting to bringing forth a peerless divine weapon.
"May I know the name of Young Master Tao's brother?"
Old Man Chen asked with a smile. "I will have someone release him."
"His name is Lu Fan!" Han Xiaoxiao quickly replied.
"Lu Fan?"
Old Man Chen was startled. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have cared, but Lu Fan was his granddaughter's prospective husband. How could he allow him to be taken away?
"It seems that Patriarch Chen recognizes this person!" Young Master Tao smiled. "In that case, please hand him over as soon as possible so that I may return. After all, the Desolate Ancient Tao family does not wish to be enemies with the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu."
"Young Master Tao may not know, but the person marrying my granddaughter today is precisely Lu Fan!" Old Man Chen said with a smile. "After his wedding, I will have him visit you at the Tao family!"
"Impossible! How could Lu Fan be marrying your granddaughter? You must have forced him!" Han Xiaoxiao exclaimed repeatedly.
"Where did this girl come from, so ignorant of heaven and earth, to dare speak to this old man in such a manner!" Old Man Chen narrowed his eyes, his expression growing displeased.
Han Xiaoxiao immediately fell silent. She knew that the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu was not a force she could afford to offend.