Fan Jingxing awoke, his spirit shattered, gazing up at the sky with a face etched in sorrow.
Hong Qiantu blamed himself endlessly. If only he had controlled his emotions back at the Duan family's, swallowed his pride and appeased them, perhaps they wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
Now, their relationship with the Duan family had reached a point of irreconcilable animosity.
The Duan family had declared that Fan Jingxing should abandon all hope. Even if Miss Duan remained unmarried her entire life, they would never marry their daughter to him.
Furthermore, they had warned that if Fan Jingxing dared to set foot in the Duan family's domain again, they would ensure he met a gruesome end.
Thus, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Fan Jingxing's fate with Miss Duan was sealed.
Huining chanted a Buddhist mantra, telling Fan Jingxing that the mortal world was filled with suffering, and only by letting go could one achieve true freedom. He suggested that if all else failed, Fan Jingxing could join him in cultivation, shave his head, forget all worldly affections, and live a free and unfettered life accompanied by a green lamp.
Meanwhile, Xuan'ao crawled over, offering silent comfort and proposing to introduce a beautiful female Xuan turtle to Fan Jingxing.
This scoundrel, true to his nature, still harbored a mischievous streak, always thinking of turning his old brother into a turtle's grandson.
"Love is merely a trivial matter, and women are but uninteresting playthings. It all stems from that thing between your legs. How about I help you remove it? I guarantee you'll have no more wicked thoughts, your Dao heart will be clear, and ascension will be within reach."
The Ginseng King earnestly advised.
He even offered to sacrifice a portion of his own body to help Fan Jingxing break through to the Emperor realm if he was willing to sever the source of his sins.
Comforted by everyone's words, Fan Jingxing felt even more bitter.
His life seemed utterly bleak.
Not only was love a lost cause, but he had also chosen his friends poorly. What sort of disreputable companions had he befriended!
"The heavens do not age, yet love is hard to sever. My heart is like a silken net, with countless knots within. Old Fan, it turns out you are a devoted lover. I will help you."
Ji Mo spoke softly.
His words brought a hush to the surroundings.
The implication was clear: Mr. Ji was openly declaring his intention to support Fan Jingxing.
"Mr. Ji, are we going to crash the wedding, or exterminate the Duan family before snatching the bride?"
Hong Qiantu's face lit up with excitement, his blood boiling.
He had endured much humiliation at the Duan family's, being chased out like a stray dog, and he yearned for revenge.
Huining was about to chime in, but upon noticing Ji Mo's displeased expression, he quickly changed his tune. "Old Hong, what are you saying? How can we kill and snatch the bride? They are Old Fan's in-laws! I am ashamed to be associated with you."
Hong Qiantu was stunned. When had Huining changed his ways?
He used to be a complete devil, just like himself, rotten from head to toe.
"The monk is right. You few should not associate too closely with this fellow named Hong in the future. His heart is too dirty, always babbling about fighting and killing. Just hearing him makes him sound like a bad influence."
Ji Mo praised Huining, cautioned the others, and then looked at Hong Qiantu with a disgusted expression.
Huining, receiving the praise, displayed a benevolent expression, full of compassion, like a enlightened monk.
Hong Qiantu, on the other hand, was infuriated, his heart suffering ten thousand critical hits. Why was he always the one getting hurt?
Among those present, aside from A'li and the ginseng, were all ruthless villains, no less so than himself, if not more. Why were they using him as a negative example?
Alas, Mr. Ji was perfect in every way, except for his double standards.
Hong Qiantu felt like crying without tears.
"Mr. Ji, how do you plan to help me?"
The sorrow on Fan Jingxing's face vanished, replaced by a hopeful gleam.
With Ji Mo's intervention, why should he fear the Duan family's refusal?
"Hmm, didn't the Duan family ask for a betrothal gift? I'll go prepare one for you."
Ji Mo said, then turned to make preparations.
"Brother Ji, A'li will help you."
A'li skipped along, following him like a little shadow.
"Damn it, Mr. Ji is actually preparing a betrothal gift for this simpleton. It's unjust!"
The Arid Ancient Soul Devouring Toad, who had remained silent, couldn't help but curse, his envy palpable.
Given Ji Mo's usual extravagant spending, the betrothal gift would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
Huining, Tianpeng, Xuan'ao, and the others all looked on with envy and jealousy. Old Fan was about to strike it rich!
Indeed.
In the following days, the courtyard where Ji Mo resided was filled with a dazzling radiance, permeated with Dao charm, and the laws of heaven and earth descended like a gentle rain.
This phenomenon lasted for three days and three nights.
After three days, all the betrothal gifts were packed into wooden chests adorned with the character for "囍" (double happiness) and piled onto a dilapidated three-wheeled wooden cart.
"Old Fan, as you know, my family isn't well-off. This is all I can help you with. The gift is small, but the sentiment is deep. Don't look down on it. I wish you success and to win the heart of your beloved."
Ji Mo appeared somewhat embarrassed, feeling that the betrothal gift he had prepared for Fan Jingxing was too meager.
Although he had spent several days preparing it, he ultimately lacked funds. There was no gold, silver, jewelry, or fine silks.
Almost all the betrothal gifts were items he had personally crafted, which were of little monetary value.
"Mr. Ji, you flatter me. I will forever remember this immense kindness and gratitude, and I will never forget it."
Fan Jingxing was deeply moved and immediately knelt down, kowtowing to Ji Mo several times.
If these betrothal gifts were considered meager, then all other betrothal gifts in the world would be utterly worthless.
He knew Ji Mo's actions would be extraordinary, but he never expected them to be so lavish!
The surrounding simpletons stared at the items on the three-wheeled cart, their faces filled with shock and disbelief, taking a long time to recover.
Some even harbored thoughts of getting married, just to receive such a betrothal gift, even just a tenth of it.
"It's not necessary, not necessary."
Ji Mo helped Fan Jingxing up and then helped him put on a bright red groom's robe.
He instructed, "When we go to propose this time, we must win them over with propriety. I believe the Duan family will agree to the marriage once they see your sincerity."
Win them over with propriety?
Fan Jingxing seemed to grasp the true meaning and nodded.
Didn't the Duan family disdain him for being poor and unable to provide a betrothal gift? This time, he would blind their covetous eyes.
He would show those who looked down on others with disdain what it meant to win someone over with "propriety."
Suddenly.
Fan Jingxing felt something was amiss. Light bands coiled around his body, spiritual energy surged, and he felt an inexhaustible power coursing through him.
Dream-level equipment!
He gasped, suddenly realizing that the groom's robe he was wearing was a dream-level treasure.
"Mr. Ji actually personally sewed such a precious groom's robe for me. How can I, Fan Jingxing, be worthy of such a favor!"
Fan Jingxing's eyes welled up with tears, which immediately streamed down his face.
He truly could never repay such kindness, even in ten lifetimes.
Xuan'ao pulled the dilapidated three-wheeled cart, while Huining and Hong Qiantu acted as groomsmen. The group set off towards the Duan family.
Such a wedding procession was truly humble, but the faces of the escorts were filled with confidence and pride.
With the betrothal gifts on the cart, they felt that even proposing to the most powerful Imperial lineage sect and marrying the most monstrous prodigy would be more than sufficient.