Gu Junshi's gaze was serene, like an ocean capable of encompassing all magnificent waves and surging tides. Witnessing his desperate state, she ultimately granted his wish.
Her voice, cool as a summer breeze through a bamboo forest, spoke at an unhurried pace: "Heaven and Earth bear witness, Gu Junshi and the Human Emperor shall trust each other without doubt. Before the Stone of Destiny, I vow to be your bonded Dao companion, my vow declared."
The Human Emperor's eyes snapped open, a look of profound surprise on his face.
He stared at her, lost and bewildered.
The sky was a pale jade, clouds like returning birds. His heart, too, felt adrift at this moment, a fleeting journey to and fro.
Her wedding vows echoed in his ears, repeating again and again. The thin, sharp, and cold edges of his eyes suddenly reddened.
However, everything unfolded exactly as she had described. Before the Stone of Destiny, the marital contract they had forged received no divine blessing.
He flicked his sleeve, his wedding attire, imbued with the festive colors of the human realm, billowing out. He stumbled back a step, dejected, and the formation at his feet, meant to solidify their bond, dissolved.
The onlookers who had gathered in surprise were all stunned.
"What is going on?"
"Who knows? The other party used illusion and sound-blocking techniques. Hah, now we're truly here for the spectacle."
"The numerous defenses and barriers set up on the marriage stage, as if they feared we'd pry into some secret."
"That woman named Gu Junshi, she doesn't seem simple."
Both the populace of Fengdu and the people from the Cultivation Alliance began to discuss amongst themselves.
The Human Emperor averted his gaze, his eyes fixed coldly on her. Yet, his sight was vacant, as if his body were present, but his soul had long since drifted away.
"Since you knew this would happen, why did you agree to it back then? You humiliate me like this in public, watching me fall into despair, do you feel happy?"
Gu Junshi frowned, not due to his biting sarcasm, but because of his current state of self-abandonment.
She replied, "Before you recovered your memories, I was unaware of all this. Your past experiences cannot be completely erased simply by forgetting them, much like their existence. This is proof of what you have endured."
Suddenly informed of all this, the Human Emperor's confusion was palpable. "My mother and Nanfeng Miao's remnant souls are truly within me? Because of this, you and I cannot make a vow and become Dao companions?"
As Gu Junshi was about to answer, a clear and melodious voice descended from the heavens.
"Even if you were not a single being with three souls, you could not become her Dao companion, for Gu Junshi already bears a marital contract."
Following this, two crisp and excited childlike voices chimed in.
"Mother—"
On the high stone platform of Lingfeng, amidst swirling winds and unfurling clouds, a radiant brilliance of artifacts suddenly appeared. Thus, the three of them simultaneously retracted their aerial artifacts and landed opposite them.
Gu Junshi turned her head, only to see Liu Jiang Fusheng.
He was dressed with exceptional solemnity and purity today, clad in a white robe as immaculate as snow, overlaid with a dense outer garment of auspicious cloud patterns. His thick, dark hair was tied up with a golden-threaded silver crown. Upon his appearance, he was tall and graceful, like an orchid. Within the crimson glow, his robes fluttered as if he were an immortal about to ascend. His expression was ethereal and distant, like mist, as if he were a celestial being ready to depart at any moment.
Accompanying him were two children, adorned in opulent pearls and jewels, equally outstanding in appearance, delicate and lovely, instantly evoking affection.
"Liu, Jiang, Fu, Sheng!"
The moment the Human Emperor's gaze fell upon him, his eyes narrowed like needles, his expression turning dark and unpleasant.
Liu Jiang Fusheng released the children's hands. With decisive speed, he pulled Gu Junshi, waved his sleeve, and using spatial displacement, they instantly appeared before the Stone of Destiny.
"What are you doing?!" the Human Emperor roared.
He was blocked by the crimson array light that suddenly flashed from the Stone of Destiny.
Liu Jiang Fusheng placed his and Gu Junshi's hands side-by-side and gestured, causing blood marks to appear.
Concurrently, the marital contract formation belonging to them both expanded mightily beneath their feet.
Liu Jiang Fusheng no longer concealed the burning possessiveness in his eyes. He said in a low voice, "You and he can never become Dao companions. This marriage of yours will not receive any blessing from the Heavenly Dao."
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but look up in shock. Above the Stone of Destiny, strange lights and colors blazed, phoenixes and luan birds danced, filling the air with astonishment.
Gu Junshi was not a deity, nor did she know everything, such as this particular matter.
She was slightly taken aback, gazing upwards.
Since when had she become a Heavenly Dao-certified Dao companion with him?
"Do you see?"
In the cultivation world, forming a marital union was different from a mortal engagement. Although both required an official certification process, not just anyone could obtain it.
"The Heavenly Dao would never acknowledge our marriage. What did you do?"
Gu Junshi was indeed surprised.
Just like humans and demons, or evil and Buddhism; due to species opposition or inherent conflict, if the identities of the two parties were incompatible, the Heavenly Dao would not interfere with their romance, but other matters were out of the question.
As Liu Jiang Fusheng, the Son of the Heavenly Dao, his destiny could never be linked to a mere cannon fodder villain like her.
"I don't need to do anything. Our union was destined by Heaven. It cannot be prevented."
What did this mean?
Gu Junshi's gaze deepened in thought.
The members of the Immortal Alliance's expressions changed upon seeing Liu Jiang Fusheng, their looks becoming solemn. Considering the greater good, they naturally did not want Liu Jiang Fusheng to interfere and ruin the Human Emperor's wedding. If this led to an escalation of animosity between the two sides, their subsequent battle against the demon race would only worsen.
However, before they could intervene, they witnessed that he and the bride today already possessed a marital contract, and the Heavenly Dao had bestowed its blessings. This, this... they were all dumbfounded, their hearts utterly chilled.
With matters having reached this point, the wedding was certainly doomed. And the display Liu Jiang Fusheng had put on in public was tantamount to slapping the Human Emperor in the face.
Ru Lan exclaimed, "He actually came! I knew it, Liu Jiang Fusheng would never give up on Gu Junshi!"
"But now, how should this situation be resolved?" Lu Ziyin said, rubbing his forehead.
"What else can be done? The Heavenly Dao doesn't even recognize the Human Emperor and Gu Junshi's contract. They cannot become Dao companions, so it's best to part ways." Ru Lan clapped her hands with glee.
Lu Ziyin clicked his tongue, "In this case, won't the Human Emperor be a bit pathetic, in front of everyone?"
Witnessing his grand wedding ceremony descend into such disarray, unable to forge a marital vow with his intended Dao companion, only to have another man publicly showcase what true harmony and divine blessings looked like.
"Liu Jiang Fusheng, why did you come?"
The Human Emperor's aura solidified and churned with killing intent. His previously somber expression was now contorted in extreme rage.
Liu Jiang Fusheng held Gu Junshi's hand tightly. "My beloved wife is here. Why do you think I came?"
"Gu Junshi, you are going with him?"
The Human Emperor looked at Gu Junshi. Her standing with another man within that magnificent, radiant formation, appearing so perfectly matched like a jade beauty, pierced his eyes and tore at his heart.
Gu Junshi's gaze shifted from him to the two residual souls behind him.
They bowed humbly, as if pleading with her not to leave the Human Emperor. She slightly lowered her eyelashes, her expression misty and indistinct, making it impossible to discern her true feelings.
Her finely drawn lips, like a brilliant dawn, parted. Her voice resonated clearly and crisply, "The Heavenly Dao's marital contract does not bind me, nor will I go with him. I said, as long as you do not go back on your word, I will accept this marriage."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jiang Fusheng suddenly looked at her.