Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 24: Wedding Snatch

Chapter 24: Wedding Snatch

After revealing his identity, Wang Lin no longer needed to refer to himself as a disciple.

From beginning to end, he didn’t offer a single word of explanation about his identity or anything superfluous.

Li Muwan didn’t need to ask about his origins, and Wang Lin didn’t need to declare who he was, yet they both understood – this was the unique tacit understanding between them.

All Li Muwan had ever wanted was for him to acknowledge it.

The enchanting night veiled the Southern Garden as Li Muwan gazed at that face.

“Why does your appearance differ from before?”

Though Wang Lin had prepared for this question, the words felt hotter than the steaming tea when they reached his lips. The usually steady and composed man could only use the teacup to conceal his unease.

“Ma Liang’s body was obtained through Body Snatching, so it naturally took Ma Liang’s appearance. What you see before you now is my original form,” Wang Lin averted his gaze from Li Muwan.

Li Muwan suddenly understood. She had compared numerous Ancient Divine Powers and Mystical Techniques, and those capable of altering appearances were extremely rare. Even when such abilities existed, only Great Power cultivators could freely change their features.

She had considered the possibility of Body Snatching – after all, he was a Fiend.

“Senior Brother mentioned needing Pill Core Formation earlier?” Noticing his reluctance to elaborate, Li Muwan quickly shifted the conversation to serious matters.

Yet she still held doubts. The man she saw last night clearly had white hair. Wang Lin set down his teacup, watching the perplexed Li Muwan. The ice that had frozen his gaze for years quietly melted, transforming into tenderness.

“My True Body practices a unique cultivation method that requires this Clone to achieve Nascent Soul Formation.”

His words resolved Li Muwan’s final confusion. So it was the difference between Clone and True Body. That explained why the Soul Pearl and Soul Blood had failed to detect the Fiend – because she had been interacting with his Clone all along.

The white-haired man she saw in the Eastern Garden last night must have been his True Body.

“What about the name Wang Lin?” Li Muwan feared this might be another alias.

“It’s my real name,” Wang Lin turned his gaze back to her with tenderness.

“Mmm.” Li Muwan smiled happily.

Having understood the whole story with Wang Lin, the current priority was assisting his Nascent Soul Formation. The Fiend had promised to take her away after successful Nascent Soul Formation, so her plans needed adjustment accordingly.

If the Fiend had remained unwilling to meet, she would have detonated the Heaven-Seizing Seven Cauldrons on the eve of the wedding and escaped the Cloud Heaven Sect amidst the chaos.

Then, following the Soul Pearl’s guidance, she would have targeted a different Fiend to retrieve her Soul of Life.

While Wang Lin engaged in intensive cultivation, Li Muwan busied herself preparing the Pill Furnace, spending entire days in the Scripture Repository researching materials, all while dealing with Sun Zhenwei’s persistent advances.

With the wedding approaching and Wang Lin still in seclusion without word, Li Muwan trusted his promise, rooted in those words from the Sea of Demonic Cultivation: “I’ll take you to kill.”

From separation to reunion, neither had ever spoken words of affection, yet their tender gazes and slight smiles conveyed everything in their hearts.

Their bond never required words. Wang Lin would respond to her repeatedly with passionate looks and perfectly measured actions.

On the wedding day, the Cloud Heaven Sect gathered numerous guests, with distinguished cultivators from various Chu Kingdom sects coming to offer congratulations. Red silks draped over the majestic eaves like flowing flames across the sect.

The grand ceremony proceeded amidst everyone’s cheerful conversations, with all anticipating this Dual Cultivation Ceremony. Sun Zhenwei enthusiastically welcomed guests, while Li Muwan alone stood solemn-faced in her fiery wedding dress, untouched by the flowing splendor.

This wasn’t the Dual Cultivation Ceremony she desired. Despite its magnificent scale, she held no value for it.

Yet the wedding day had arrived, and she did not know how Wang Lin’s Nascent Soul Formation was progressing after he consumed the unsealed Seventh Grade Pill.

Li Muwan’s heart was filled with worry, holding expectations for Wang Lin yet unable to set aside her concern for him.

The celebratory music was automatically shut out from her heart; her thoughts were fixed on one person alone, the clamor outside having nothing to do with her.

With a massive surge of Spiritual Power, the ceremonial platform shattered and collapsed, the force of the Nascent Soul Formation shaking everyone present.

“Is this… someone forming a Nascent Soul?”

The Cloud Heaven Sect had unknowingly lent its grounds for this Nascent Soul Formation, and none of the Nascent Soul elders were aware. The sect leader, unable to save face, could only boast that they would capture this person within ten breaths.

Yet before ten breaths had passed, all that remained was a corpse.

The crowd sighed in astonishment. This person had arrived with overwhelming force, clearly no ordinary individualwho was he?

Li Muwan’s worries melted away as snowflakes began to drift down over the Cloud Heaven Sect. Anyone who touched them was injured, yet they left her completely unharmed. Li Muwan raised her hand and caught a snowflake, watching it gently land in her palm, as if holding the intertwined fate and pledged affection between them.

With a thunderous roar from the sky, Wang Lin, clad in black robes with silver hair, burst forth from the ground.

The overwhelming Spiritual Power that had radiated from him retracted the moment his figure hovered in the air. Dressed in black robes embroidered with dragon patterns, his long silver hair flowing, he exuded an awe-inspiring aura and an untouchable nobility.

He lifted his eyelids, blue eyes shimmering like starlight, his gaze falling upon Li Muwan in her red wedding attire.

But standing beside her was another man, also clad in wedding robes.

A profound displeasure stirred within him, and with a mere thought, Sun Zhenwei was forced to his knees, powerless to resist. The retracted Spiritual Power descended upon him once more, pinning him in place.

Sun Zhenwei gritted his teeth. He had suspected something when he saw that man in the back hills two months ago, guessing that he and Li Muwan were plotting something. But he never imagined that someone at the Core Formation Stage could achieve Nascent Soul Formation in just two months. Even with a Nascent Soul formed, how dare he come alone with so many Nascent Soul elders and the Grand Ancestor present?

Li Muwan paid no attention to the man groveling beside her, her heart filled with joy as she gazed up at her Senior Brother.

Wang Lin’s gaze was as tender as water, his eyes holding only her.

Slowly raising his hand, he transformed the Spiritual Power into a Restriction Bridge. He was prepared to confront the entire Cloud Heaven Sect, but first, he needed to bring Li Muwan to his side to fight with peace of mind. Everyone present was immobilized under the pressure of his Spiritual Power.

The man once known for his icy detachment now spoke softly, his words gentle as he addressed the graceful figure below.

He concealed his killing intent, melting ten thousand feet of frost into tender affection.

“Come.”

Li Muwan smiled, her gaze steady on the Restriction Bridge formed of Spiritual Power, and resolutely stepped onto it. Her steps were light and graceful, like willow branches in the early spring breeze, each step causing lotus flowers to bloom along the bridge.

Wang Lin formed hand seals, his heart and eyes filled only with her, advancing toward him without hesitation. His face bore a tenderness never seen before, reserved solely for Li Muwan in this moment.

Memories of their past, of fighting desperately for each other, flooded his mindhow she had exhausted herself for him in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, crafting the Azure Dragon Jade Tablet to help him escape danger time and again.

Li Muwan’s starlit eyes glistened with moisture. He had saved her multiple times in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation and promised to take her away from the Cloud Heaven Sect. Two hundred years had passed, deepening the affection born from their separation in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

For two hundred years, she had relied solely on her own strength to establish prestige within the Cloud Heaven Sect, refining pills and teaching disciples, becoming an elder and securing her footing. The bitterness and hardships during this time were something she could share with no one.

He was no different.

Fortunately, after their reunion, she was no longer alone. Someone would fight for her, never retreating even when facing thousands of enemies.

Li Muwan gazed at the ethereal figure, two clear tears streaming from her beautiful eyes as the ribbons of her wedding attire fluttered gently.

Wang Lin’s profound affection made her firmly believe he had come for her. She ran toward him with all her might, rushing to her Senior Brother, her skirt swaying with each movement. Between heaven and earth, it seemed as if only the two of them remained.

Her light, floating figure approached him step by step, and Wang Lin found himself entranced.

Seizing a fleeting opportunity, Sun Zhenwei, kneeling on the ground, mustered all his strength to barely lift his head. Seeing his plans crumble and the two centuries’ worth of Primordial Yin slipping from his grasp, his heart filled with intense hatred. With all his might, he viciously cast a Magical Art toward Li Muwan’s back.

“Wretched woman, I’ll kill you! Die!” Sun Zhenwei roared with impotent fury.

Li Muwan, wholly focused on running toward him, heard none of the shouts behind her. Her heart and eyes held only one person.

The Restriction Bridge, as if stepping on lotuses with each step, seemed to span a thousand years of longing.

Wang Lin watched her rush toward him, shielding her from the hidden attack behind her. A red lightning bolt emerged from between his brows, his peripheral gaze falling fiercely upon Sun Zhenwei.

“Die!”

In an instant, Sun Zhenwei was reduced to ashes.

Sun Lingwu glared in rage and launched another assault toward Li Muwan.

“How dare you, you Nascent Soul Stage trash! Avenge my son!”

Dozens of Spiritual Power swords descended behind her, yet she still did not look back, focused solely on reaching Wang Lin.

Wang Lin’s features tightened, murderous intent gathering in his eyes as he cast another spell to block the attack.

“Perish!”

Li Muwan felt the dissipating energy of the attack behind her. She knew that as long as Wang Lin was there, she could run to him without a carehe would clear all obstacles for her.

As she drew closer, Li Muwan leaped forward, reaching out her hand.

Wang Lin’s expression shifted from ferocity to overwhelming tenderness. He leaned down, extending his hand to meet her fingertips, then pulled her firmly into his embrace.

The momentum of the pull caught Li Muwan by surprise. She took a sharp breath, nearly her entire body melting into his arms. His embrace around her waist was gentle, as if he regarded her as a treasure reclaimed from slaughter, shielding her within his hold.

Their eyes mether brows like distant mountains, her lips like touched vermilion. He had never seen Li Muwan like this, and joy surged within him. In their mutual gaze lay an emotion too profound to part from.

Yet pressing matters remained. Wang Lin released one hand, keeping the other around her waist as they looked down upon the crowd from their commanding height.

A trace of imperceptible pride emanated from his brow, his slightly upturned lips declaring his triumphthe woman in his arms was his bride!

Li Muwan faced the elders she had once respected, who had turned a blind eye during her plight. Her gaze swept over them, bearing a resemblance to Wang Lin’s own.

“This is a matter between me and the Cloud Heaven Sect. Should any of you interfere, do not blame me for showing no mercy. If you wish to leave, I will not stop you.”

“Let’s go, quickly…”

Witnessing Wang Lin annihilate a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator in an instant, and even the sect leader falling to his hands, the guests had no desire to invite disaster. They swiftly mounted their Flying Swords and departed.

“Fellow Daoist, this is merely a misunderstanding, what grievances could there be? Over these years we have always treated Elder Li with kindness. It was only because we didn’t know she was your old acquaintance that we arranged this marriage. Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, shall we both cease hostilities?”

“Sun Zhenwei, relying on his father’s status, has been running amok – torturing disciples to death, forcibly taking Wan’er as his bride. You all pretended to be deaf and mute, yet now you have the face to plead for mercy?” Wang Lin had witnessed with his own eyes how Sun Zhenwei had repeatedly gone to the Southern Garden to pressure Li Muwan, joined forces with disciples to rob Spirit Beasts, and extracted Inner Cores. Were it not for his father, how could the Cloud Heaven Sect have shielded him to this extent?

Without another word, Wang Lin was determined to exact retribution for all the grievances she had suffered.

The elders, unable to match his strength, could only stall for time until the Grand Ancestors emerged from seclusion to provide support, blocking Wang Lin’s attacks.

For thousands of years, no one had ever stormed the Cloud Heaven Sect’s mountain gates – and all for just an Elixir Cultivator.

“Senior Brother, all five Grand Ancestors of Cloud Heaven Sect are at Nascent Soul cultivation level. We should leave quickly.”

“I know. I’ve been waiting for them.”

The Grand Ancestors, aware of Wang Lin’s cultivation level and the strange Magical Artifact in his possession, didn’t dare act rashly. They first activated the Cloud Heaven Grand Formation. Wang Lin, holding Li Muwan’s hand, evaded the vortex attacks formed by the formation.

As the vortex continuously approached, he finally found an opportunity to counterattack. Just as he freed a hand to form seals and cast spells, the vortex silently manipulated itself behind Li Muwan.

The Grand Ancestors knew Wang Lin would be difficult to deal with, so they could only target Li Muwan who was at Core Formation level. Suddenly, the vortex sucked her in. Li Muwan, caught off guard, reached out to grab Wang Lin’s sleeve.

Too late.

She watched Wang Lin concentrating on casting spells and couldn’t bring herself to cry for help.

Sensing the presence beside him disappearing, Wang Lin suddenly turned, ferocity flashing in his eyes. He interrupted his spellcasting and flew toward the vortex, placing himself behind Li Muwan and quickly lifting her as they continuously ascended.

Only after holding her did his unsettled heart calm. With one arm holding her, he immediately unleashed his Extreme Awareness. However, the Cloud Heaven Grand Formation was exquisite, capable of manipulating space and neutralizing his Extreme Awareness.

Subsequently, the five Grand Ancestors continued controlling the formation. Attack beams formed by the formation shot toward them from all directions. Wang Lin held Li Muwan, securely protecting her in his embrace while constantly evading the attacks.

The formation’s attack waves pressed their advantage, giving him no time to counterattack. Seeing another attack about to strike her, so close he couldn’t evade, Wang Lin turned sideways and took with his own body the attack meant for Li Muwan.

Sheltered in his embrace, she saw everything clearly, pity overflowing her expression. But she didn’t dare speak, afraid of distracting Wang Lin’s focus from the battle.

After the light formation attacks ceased, Wang Lin finally had a chance to fight back. The Restriction Banner appeared in his hand, but he didn’t forget to keep Li Muwan protected behind him, his broad frame shielding her completely. He stepped forward, killing intent spreading.

“Senior Brother, be careful.” Li Muwan worried, and the wound from earlier was now even more clearly visible from behind him – truly shocking.

“Did you just say that my Magical Artifact was destroyed?”

Wang Lin manipulated the Restriction Banner, and the Cloud Heaven Grand Formation shattered instantly.

Everyone watched as the grand formation was broken and the Restriction Banner pressed down again, leaving the Grand Ancestors powerless to resist.

Defeated.

“Who exactly are you, sir? With your Mystical Powers, surely you wouldn’t go to such lengths just for a mere Elixir Cultivator. What do you truly want?”

Li Muwan’s gaze shifted to Wang Lin.

Everyone seemed to be waiting for his answer.

Had Sun Zhenwei not forcibly taken Li Muwan, Wang Lin would have left on his own after successfully achieving Nascent Soul Formation in the Cloud Heaven Sect, avoiding all these troubles. A mere sect was never his desire.

All he sought was Li Muwan alone.

Yet faced with the current circumstances, he had only one answer.

Wang Lin’s voice thundered with intimidating force: “I want the Cloud Heaven Sect.”

The crowd gasped.

“As long as we capture this girl, there’s still a chance,” the Grand Ancestor refused to accept defeat and turned to strike at Li Muwan.

Sensing the approaching spiritual power at her side, Li Muwan raised her hand to evade. Wang Lin’s brow furrowed as he roared: “Seeking death!”

A thread of Extreme Awareness lightning shot into the Grand Ancestor’s forehead, killing him instantly.

The crowd gasped in astonishment once more.

Only by taking control of the Cloud Heaven Sect and forcing the Grand Ancestors to submit could he and Li Muwan secure a path of retreat.

“Surrender your Soul Blood, and I’ll spare your lives.”

The remaining four Grand Ancestors still wished to resist. “We have cultivated for thirteen hundred years and never surrendered our Soul Blood. If we four stake our lives, you cannot escape unscathed. A warrior prefers death to humiliation. Let us gamble on this!”

“Very well, don’t blame me then!”

Having exhausted too much Spiritual Power in the battle, Wang Lin needed to end it quickly and enter seclusion. Left with no choice, he could only resort to threatening them with Heavenly Tribulation.

“I’m quite curious – can the four of you withstand this wisp of Heavenly Tribulation?”

“All members of Cloud Heaven Sect above Foundation Establishment Stage – surrender your Soul Blood or face death!” His murderous gaze swept across the crowd, his intimidating voice echoing through the Cloud Heaven Sect. Knowing they were no match for the Heavenly Tribulation, the Grand Ancestors could only surrender their Soul Blood.

Throughout this battle, she remained completely unharmed – Wang Lin had protected her perfectly.

Yet his own Cultivation level had fallen repeatedly, his Spiritual Power was exhausted, and he suffered severe injuries. Still, he stubbornly collected the Grand Ancestors’ Soul Blood to secure their retreat.

Before the entire Cloud Heaven Sect, Wang Lin took back Li Muwan. That day, the Cloud Heaven Sect changed masters. He made the sect his betrothal gift – fulfilling everything he had promised her.

Yet in this battle, he had sustained heavy injuries, something Li Muwan witnessed firsthand while held tightly in his embrace.

He was injured protecting her.

He had fought stubbornly to the end. Had he not threatened them with that wisp of Heavenly Tribulation when the Grand Ancestors questioned and entangled, his fallen Cultivation level would have meant neither could survive.

Returning to the Southern Garden from the battlefield, the severely injured Wang Lin could no longer hold on. He spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to his knees, his Spiritual Power long exhausted, barely managing to remain kneeling on one knee.

Hearing the noise, Li Muwan whirled around, the pearl curtain of her phoenix crown clattering with the motion.

Worry colored her features. “Senior Brother.”

Wang Lin raised his head from where he braced against the ground, his face pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his voice weak: “Wan’er, protect me while I meditate.”

He could call out “Wan’er” without any reservations now.

Time and again, he entrusted his most vulnerable self to the only person he completely trusted – that was Li Muwan.