Lu Fan stood there, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face. He hadn't expected Chen Xian'er's attitude towards him to change so drastically, catching him completely off guard.
"I was too rude to you earlier, you don't need to take it to heart!" Chen Xian'er said earnestly. "After we get 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 a member of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu. If it weren't for being forced into it, he wouldn't have agreed to this marriage.
After Tu Wenhai was taken 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 now, with such a grand celebration, it was bound to be lively.
As night fell, everyone had retired to bed. Lu Fan sat alone in the courtyard, his gaze filled with helplessness. The wedding was tomorrow, and it still made him uneasy.
"You kid, stop overthinking. I will be presiding over your wedding tomorrow, and there won't be any trouble," Old Man Han said with a smile. "Once you become one of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, you will return my spiritual power. By then, you won't need to be so anxious, and you'll even be able to enter and exit the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu freely."
"Actually, I don't understand, old man, why you insist on me getting married?" Lu Fan asked, surprised. "Someone as outstanding as Chen Xian'er shouldn't have trouble finding a cultivation partner."
"You've hit the nail on the head. Chen Xian'er can indeed find someone, but she can't find someone as good as you," Old Man Han smiled. "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 earnestly paternal.
Lu Fan, however, felt a deep sense of helplessness. Especially Old Man Han's words, which left him with a mixture of emotions. In Old Man Han's eyes, this was a rare and invaluable opportunity, but for Lu Fan, it was utterly dispensable.
The next morning, the entire Eighteen Gates of Kyushu was filled with a festive atmosphere. Lanterns and colorful banners adorned every corner, especially at the Chen family's residence, which was decorated with countless 'xi' 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 lavish gifts. This wedding was no ordinary affair; 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 with the ancient divine body, and their status in the future would inevitably rise.
Lu Fan waited in Old Master Han's courtyard, his heart filled with resignation. He was still waiting for Chen Xian'er's welcoming entourage. According to the Chen family's rules, Lu Fan was to be picked up and become a live-in son-in-law in the Chen family.
Before long, Chen Xian'er, leading the welcoming party, picked up Lu Fan and brought him to the Chen family. The Chen family was festooned with lanterns and banners, creating a joyful scene. Seated beside them were many elders, all of whom were the sect leaders of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu and the heads of various families.
"Old Man Chen, congratulations are in order. I never thought your granddaughter would be so accomplished as to find such an excellent cultivation partner!"
"Indeed, indeed. Much more promising than mine. The Chen family will surely prosper and flourish, taking another step forward within the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu!"
Several elders smiled, their compliments flowing without reservation.
"Thank you all for your kind words!"
Old Man Chen quickly clasped his hands in greeting, a smile on his face. Today was his granddaughter's wedding day, and he was naturally overjoyed.
"Grandpa, the person has been brought back. Can we proceed with the wedding ceremony now?" Chen Xian'er asked with a smile. Her feelings towards Lu Fan had shifted from utter disdain to considerable satisfaction.
"Hurry and prepare, we will proceed with the wedding ceremony immediately!" Old Master Chen nodded quickly.
However, at that very moment, the entire Eighteen Gates of Kyushu trembled as an unknown event occurred.
Concurrently, a man rushed in from outside to report: "All sect leaders, something terrible has happened! The young master of the Ancient Desolate Family, the Tao family, has come to pay his respects, bringing a group of experts!"
"The Ancient Desolate Tao Family?"
Old Man Han narrowed his eyes. "They've come at quite a opportune moment. Not coming earlier, not coming later, but precisely at this time. Are they deliberately looking for trouble!"
"Ancient Desolate Families are not to be offended!"
Old Man Chen waved his hand. "I will personally go and meet him!"
With that, Old Man Chen vanished, stepping out towards the outside of the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu. He was eager 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, flanked by a contingent of experts, exuding an imposing aura.
"Young Master Tao, can you suppress the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu today?"
Han Xiaoxiao expressed her concern. "If not, I'm afraid..."
"My Tao family's Tongtian Mirror is a peerless divine weapon!"
A disciple of the Tao family said coldly, "Now that the young master has arrived in person, let alone the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu, even a hundred saints would not dare to act rashly!"
Tao Maocheng stood tall, but remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu.
"We were unaware of distinguished guests arriving, and the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu have been greatly negligent!"
Old Man Chen appeared. "Today is my granddaughter Chen Xian'er's wedding day. I ask Young Master Tao to show some leniency!"
"My sworn brother has been apprehended and taken into the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu!"
Tao Maocheng said coldly. "If you hand over the person, I will not act rashly!"
As his words fell, a bronze-colored mirror instantly materialized above Tao Maocheng's head, emitting supreme divine might. Within a hundred-mile radius, all living beings were seized with fear.
"A peerless divine weapon, the Tongtian Mirror!"
Old Man Chen took a few steps back, his heart filled with trepidation. He had never imagined that the Ancient Desolate Tao family would make such a grand display, even resorting to deploying 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 him released."
"His name is Lu Fan!" Han Xiaoxiao quickly interjected.
"Lu Fan?"
Old Man Chen was startled. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have cared. But Lu Fan was his granddaughter's intended husband; how could he allow him to be taken away?
"It seems Patriarch Chen recognizes this person!" Young Master Tao smiled. "In that case, please hand him over as soon as possible, and I can return. After all, the Ancient Desolate Tao family does not wish to be enemies with the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu."
"Young Master Tao may not be aware, 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!"
"Absolutely impossible! How could Lu Fan marry your granddaughter? You must have forced him!" Han Xiaoxiao exclaimed repeatedly.
"Where did this little girl come from, speaking so ignorantly to this old man!" Old Man Chen narrowed his eyes, his expression growing displeased.
Han Xiaoxiao immediately fell silent. She knew that the Eighteen Gates of Kyushu were not to be trifled with.