Chapter 401: Chapter 401

The Wild Lion Hermit was baffled by the sight of the Fire Blade.

Someone could actually form a Blade from fire!

To think that with his Sixth Grade Earth Level cultivation, the Wild Lion Hermit could only condense Wind Blades. Although both wind and fire are formless, wind can be found everywhere; thus, creating a Wind Blade is feasible with proper control of the Inner Strength.

But forming a Fire Blade is much more difficult.

Fire seeds are hard to come by, and fire itself possesses considerable energy. To form a Fire Blade is far more challenging than condensing a Wind Blade!

While the Wild Lion Hermit was still in shock, the Fire Blade had already whooshed forward, slashing towards him.

Now the Wild Lion Hermit had no way to change his momentum; he could only dodge.

Whoosh... The Fire Blade grazed past the Wild Lion Hermit's side, slashing through the air.

Although the Wild Lion Hermit wasn't wounded by the Fire Blade, its high temperature immediately charred his right arm.

Thump... The Wild Lion Hermit knelt on one knee, his right leg also burned, and he was unable to move half of his body for a moment.

Just then, Ding Fan had already arrived at the Wild Lion Hermit's side, his Longsword pressing directly against his throat.

The Wild Lion Hermit looked at Ding Fan. Despite his reluctance, he didn't say another word.

Previously, Mie Jiuzi was easily slain by Ding Fan, and now, with no fight left in him, how could he dare utter any bold threats against such a ruthless person?

Watching the scene above the stage, after a brief silence, the crowd underneath burst into fervent applause.

The Wild Lion Hermit was no longer able to fight, and Ding Fan undeniably emerged as the final victor.

With an incredible Fire Blade, he defeated the Wild Lion Hermit in one fell swoop.

Everyone present felt it was worth the trip. Many had never even seen a Wind Blade, let alone this Fire Blade.

This was simply capital for future boasting!

At that moment, Elder Jiuzhen suddenly appeared on the stage.

"Zhou Ran, the outcome is decided. Let's spare the Wild Lion Hermit," he said.

Ding Fan indeed had no intention of taking the Jiuzhen Hermit's life, so he promptly withdrew his Longsword. Someone came to help and carried the Wild Lion Hermit, whose body was half charred, away.

Elder Jiuzhen then uttered some pleasantries, thanking everyone for coming... and finally, he shifted to the main topic.

"...Now, since Zhou Ran is the last man standing, we would like to invite Fang Ruohan to come up on the stage..."

A wave of cheers erupted from the audience; after all, Beauty Fang was the main character of tonight's event.

"Sister, it's your big day now... go see your husband..." Fang Zhiyao said mockingly.

During Ding Fan's showdown with the Wild Lion Hermit, she had kept her eyes shut the whole time, but now she finally opened them slowly.

She tilted her head up slightly to look at the man with the Big Beard on the stage.

Fang Ruohan felt an immense bitterness. The heavens seemed to have played a grand joke on her.

Once, Fang Ruohan had sworn that she would not marry anyone who wasn't a hero. She had waited for thirty years.

And now, as if the heavens were jeering at her, she had indeed found a hero who stood above the rest.

Except this man was old enough to be her father...

"Sister, don't you want to save our mother?" Fang Zhiyao whispered when she saw Fang Ruohan showing no sign of moving.

Fang Ruohan took a deep breath.

Such is life; how much of it can one truly live for oneself?

Before thirty, Fang Ruohan lived for herself, but now she could no longer afford to be headstrong. Her mother lay on the Cold Jade Bed, and only she could save her now.

Fang Ruohan slowly stood up.

Then she walked towards the stage, her legs heavy as if they weighed a thousand pounds.

The walk from the edge to the stage wasn't far, but to Fang Ruohan, it felt like half a lifetime.

Ultimately, Fang Ruohan stood beside the man with the Big Beard, knowing that from this moment on, her life would no longer see light, it would be shrouded in darkness...

"Yeah, give her a kiss!"

At this time, the crowd below, who were enjoying the show, were egging them on.

Fang Ruohan's hands were tightly clasped, and her delicate body began to tremble slightly...

"Let's skip the kiss..." Ding Fan certainly wouldn't kiss Fang Ruohan. He could feel the trembling in her body. He turned and gave the Martial Artists of the Upper Xuan Sect a respectful salute, asking, "I wonder if the Elders of the Upper Xuan Sect are present today...?"

After Ding Fan finished speaking, the clamor from the crowd subsided somewhat.

Although this martial arts tournament for marriage was organized by the Upper Xuan Sect, and the person being sought after was the daughter of the sect leader of the Upper Xuan Sect, the sect leader himself had not shown his face throughout these days. This puzzled many people.

It was odd for a father not to appear when his own daughter was selecting a spouse.

"The lord of the sect has indeed come for this martial arts marriage tournament. Once the matters here are concluded, we should go and meet him," Jiuzhen said to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan nodded but did not say much.

"...With the martial arts tournament for marriage concluded, please join hands and step down from the arena to fulfill this wonderful story..." Elder Jiuzhen announced.

Immediately, Ding Fan took Fang Ruohan's hand.

Fang Ruohan's hand was somewhat cold. When Ding Fan took her hand, it trembled as if it had been shocked by electricity, but she did not pull away. She simply let Ding Fan lead her, her expression calm...

As Ding Fan led Fang Ruohan down from the arena, two disciples from the Upper Xuan Sect approached them.

These two disciples guided Ding Fan and Fang Ruohan towards the depths of the villa.

The disciples leading Ding Fan and Fang Ruohan were around the Sixth or Seventh Grade of the Human Level. Ding Fan was secretly astounded; the Upper Xuan Sect truly had a profound foundation.

It was known that martial artists of the Sixth or Seventh Grade at the Human Level were core members and elites in smaller factions, yet within the Upper Xuan Sect, they were merely disciples tasked with showing the way. This spoke volumes.

The guiding disciples brought Ding Fan and the others to a small courtyard. Just as they arrived, Fang Zhiyao also hurried over.

"Congratulations, brother-in-law, for your victory... Congratulations to my sister for marrying such a once-in-a-lifetime hero!" Fang Zhiyao approached with a beaming smile, her face full of joy.

By then, Ding Fan had already let go of Fang Ruohan's delicate hand, and they stood three meters apart.

Fang Ruohan seemed not to hear Fang Zhiyao's words. "Don't forget your promise!"

Fang Zhiyao laughed. "How could I forget? Don't worry, sister, your mother will be fine!"

Upon hearing Fang Zhiyao's assertion, Fang Ruohan fell silent and said no more.

"Brother-in-law, my father was supposed to meet you tonight, but there was a sudden matter within the sect that caused a delay... I think we should do this – we have prepared a bridal chamber for sister and you. Why don't you consummate the marriage tonight..."

Consummate the marriage?!

A frown flickered across Ding Fan's brow.

Something didn't feel right.

A marriage tournament with no age restriction, no meeting with the parents, and no ceremony, and now directly into the bridal chamber? It seemed Fang Zhiyao was very eager to push Fang Ruohan out.

Upon hearing Fang Zhiyao's words, Fang Ruohan's body trembled slightly... Nevertheless, she forced herself to restrain her urge to speak.

"What's wrong, brother-in-law? Winning a beauty's favor is worth a thousand pieces of gold for a night of spring! Don't tell me you're not pleased?" Fang Zhiyao looked directly at Ding Fan with wide eyes.

Seeing the way Fang Zhiyao stared at him, Ding Fan understood that she might be suspicious of him.

Ding Fan could clearly sense that there were six Earth Level experts lurking around the courtyard. These experts were equivalent in cultivation to the Wild Lion Hermit.

These people were lying in wait around the courtyard, surely for Fang Ruohan and himself.

Without a clear understanding of the situation, Ding Fan was reluctant to reveal himself.

Ding Fan then walked over and scooped Fang Ruohan into his arms.

Fang Ruohan was startled, not expecting Big Beard to act so brashly, carrying her over his shoulder in front of others.

"You... put me down..." Fang Ruohan's face turned pale.

"Since a night of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold... then it would be a shame to waste it!" Ding Fan laughed heartily, striding with Fang Ruohan in his arms towards a room within the courtyard.

At this moment, Fang Zhiyao standing behind Ding Fan wore an indecisive expression.

"Auntie..." At that moment, a handsome young man in his early twenties came up to Fang Zhiyao's side. "Auntie, now that Fang Ruohan has married that Big Beard, she and her mother will never be able to turn their fate around..."

Fang Zhiyao pondered for a moment. "I always feel there's something odd about that Big Beard. Have someone keep watch outside later, and if there's any movement, be sure to inform me!"

"Understood!" The handsome young man said, cupping his fist.

Ding Fan held Fang Ruohan as they entered the room.

Walking from the courtyard into the room, Ding Fan heard every word that Fang Zhiyao and the handsome young man exchanged.

So, Fang Zhiyao had arranged for someone to watch from the outside. What exactly was Fang Zhiyao planning?

"Let go of me!" As soon as they entered the room, Fang Ruohan became extremely anxious. She suddenly sprang up and broke free from Ding Fan's embrace. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥

In truth, Ding Fan had intentionally let Fang Ruohan go. Otherwise, she would not have been able to break free from his hold even if she had used all her skills.

"Damn it, woman, you've caused my wound to bleed... Now go get me some hemostatic medicine..."

While saying this, Ding Fan feigned a rough manner and carelessly sat down on a nearby chair.

Fang Ruohan, cornered, eyed Ding Fan warily.

The wound on Ding Fan's arm had been inflicted by a slash from the Katanata of the Wild Lion Hermit. It was deep, and blood kept flowing from it...