Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Whoosh!

As Zhang Sihai thrust his palm forward.

A surge of black light instantly enveloped Xiao Yi's head, seemingly about to snatch that head clean off.

But at this critical moment...

Xiao Yi, who had remained motionless, slightly curled the corner of his mouth, revealing a hint of helplessness. He shook his head and his mildly resigned voice rang out: "I finally understand now why you lost your position as Saint Heir. With this level of skill, don't even dream of inheriting Baiyu's throne in the future."

As soon as his words fell.

A dazzling golden light suddenly erupted from Xiao Yi's body and shot into the sky. Immediately after, this golden glow coalesced out of thin air in the void, forming a gleaming golden blade.

The blade hung suspended in midair.

Then Xiao Yi uttered a single word: "Slash!"

Buzz!

That golden blade descended from above.

Like the weapon of a divine being, the golden blade plunged from the heavens. Its icy edge shimmered with streaks of violet-gold lightning, radiating brilliance across the sky and earth.

"Not good!"

"Sihai, run quickly!"

"That sword is dangerous..."

This sword strike was akin to being unleashed by the Sword God.

Sword Qi pierced the sky.

Sword radiance gathered.

One strike, luminous enough to chill nineteen provinces!

Spurt!

The sword edge slammed down violently, and its blinding brilliance temporarily robbed everyone of their sight.

When their vision finally returned...

All were left staring, slack-jawed and dumbstruck.

In the void...

Zhang Sihai still maintained his attacking posture, yet droplets of fresh blood trickled from his body.

Then...

Swish!

Blood gushed out, flesh scattered in all directions.

Zhang Sihai was cleaved into two halves, his body plummeting from the heavens...

Amid the silent skies and earth.

Only Xiao Yi remained proudly standing in the void. He raised his gaze slightly, staring at the stunned experts of Baiyu Holy Land: "Who else will try to stop me?"

"..."

Liu Zhen and the others exchanged glances, each filled with shock and hesitation.

As they wavered between advancing and retreating.

A low voice suddenly emanated from within the sacred mountain: "By decision of the Elder Council: Xiao Yi of the Southern State is judged reckless beyond compare, daring to intrude and attempting to seize the Holy Maiden. Therefore, the rules of the tournament are changed—any expert participating in the marriage competition may attack and kill Xiao Yi. Whosoever kills Xiao Yi will directly advance to the final round of the competition..."

Buzz!

Upon hearing this decree, the Holy Land was thoroughly shaken. Everyone's gaze toward Xiao Yi transformed drastically: "Is this... a kill order issued by Baiyu Holy Land?"

"Unprecedented, utterly unprecedented! Who would've thought Baiyu Holy Land would take such measures, intent on eradicating Xiao Yi at all costs!"

"There are countless experts here for the marriage tournament, including Dongfang Qinglong and the Saint Heir of Changsheng Sect. Both are peerless figures, unmatched among the younger generation. Either of them could easily kill Xiao Yi!"

"Xiao Yi is doomed!"

The crowd's gaze toward Xiao Yi was filled with expressions of pity and mercy, though more often with schadenfreude.

Among the crowd.

Dongfang Qinglong furrowed his brows slightly: "I didn't expect Baiyu Holy Land to make such a decision. It seems they truly intend to eradicate Xiao Yi!"

"Brother Dongfang, will you make a move?" Peng Yu asked.

Dongfang Qinglong pondered for a moment, crossed his arms, and gently shook his head: "Let's wait and see. For now, Xiao Yi isn't worthy of my attention!"

Peng Yu nodded, agreeing: "Indeed, though it was surprising to see him dispatch Zhang Sihai so effortlessly, that was only because Zhang Sihai underestimated him and didn't take Xiao Yi seriously. There was some cleverness involved. Unless Xiao Yi can survive this wave, he's not worthy of us making a move!"

The two were true Supreme Venerables among the younger generation.

One was the direct disciple of the Dongzhou Holy Land Tianyahai Pavilion's master, reputed as the leading figure among Qingtian Realm's youth.

The other was meticulously groomed by Changsheng Sect and destined to become its future leader, the Saint Heir.

Indeed, they had every reason to look down on everything.

Little Lin glanced at them. Their dismissal of Xiao Yi filled him with irritation, and he sneered coldly: "Compared to my boss, you're no different from the late Zhang Sihai!"

Jin Yi nodded slightly.

He had personally experienced Xiao Yi's immense strength.

The same strength even his father had praised endlessly. Jin Yi's cold gaze swept over Dongfang Qinglong and Peng Yu, yet his demeanor remained lofty: "You two combined might just stand a chance against my big brother!"

"Hmm?"

Dongfang Qinglong and Peng Yu froze.

They hadn't expected Jin Yi and Little Lin to maintain such unwavering confidence in Xiao Yi even now.

Dongfang Qinglong's eyes lit up with a playful glint, and he chuckled: "Since you both have such faith in Xiao Yi, shall we place a wager?"

Little Lin asked: "What would we bet on?"

Dongfang Qinglong replied: "If I defeat Xiao Yi, the two of you will become my mounts. How about it?"

Even now...

He hadn't given up on the idea of making them his mounts.

After all.

With Little Lin and Jin Yi's noble bloodlines, they were incredibly rare beings.

Peng Yu also looked at them with a teasing smile, using provocation: "Don't you two trust Xiao Yi? Why? Afraid to bet now?"

It was his way of cozying up to Dongfang Qinglong.

Dongfang Qinglong, being recognized as the strongest among Qingtian Realm's youth, held considerable sway.

As a Saint Heir of Changsheng Sect, Peng Yu naturally wanted to alter their current predicament—Changsheng Sect was constantly hunted by the major Holy Lands. Forming an alliance with Dongfang Qinglong could change their situation significantly once Dongfang Qinglong and he assumed control of Tianyahai Pavilion and Changsheng Sect respectively.

Jin Yi let out a cold snort, his face expressionless, as he replied: "If this is a wager, we'd have to know your stake. If we lose, we would become your mounts, but what if you lost?"

"Me? I won't lose!" Dongfang Qinglong answered confidently.

Little Lin smirked mockingly: "What's the matter? The great direct disciple of Tianyahai Pavilion's master, the number one youth of Qingtian Realm, won't even promise a wager and expects to win so cheaply?"

"Hmm?"

Dongfang Qinglong raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with arrogance: "Fine, the wager will be whatever you propose. Does that satisfy you?"

"Agreed!"

A mischievous glint flashed through Little Lin's eyes as he grinned slyly: "If we lose, we'll be your mounts. But if you lose, you'll become my boss's servant. We'll both swear upon our Heart Demons and vow before the martial path. How does that sound?"

"Become Xiao Yi's servant?"

A trace of fury flashed through Dongfang Qinglong's eyes.

Even as mere wager terms, such words were an immense insult to him.

Little Lin sneered derisively: "What's wrong? Are you afraid now?"

Adding fuel to the fire, Jin Yi said: "If you're scared, just admit it..."

"Hmph! Afraid? Me?"

Dongfang Qinglong, proud and unyielding, could not tolerate being labeled a coward. He sneered, raised his right hand, and made a vow with two fingers pointing to the sky: "I, Dongfang Qinglong, swear upon my Heart Demon to the martial path. Should Xiao Yi defeat me, I am willing to become his servant, loyal forever. If I break this vow, may my martial heart shatter and forever plunge me into mediocrity!"

Buzz!

A ripple of invisible energy swept across the land.

The martial path accepted his vow.

Should he fail to uphold it.

Death would be inevitable!

Dongfang Qinglong glanced at Little Lin: "Your turn!"

Little Lin and Jin Yi exchanged a glance.

Neither had anticipated that Dongfang Qinglong would actually agree to their wager. Though they had absolute faith in Xiao Yi, their opponent was the undisputed number one among Qingtian Realm's youth.

But the bowstring was already taut; there was no turning back now.

Resolving themselves.

Little Lin and Jin Yi took a deep breath and declared loudly: "We, Xiao Lin and Jin Yi, swear upon our Heart Demons to the martial path. Should we lose this wager to Dongfang Qinglong, we are willing to become his mounts. If we break this vow, may the backlash of our Heart Demons destroy us and condemn us to eternal damnation!"

Buzz!

The martial path responded similarly.

With this vow made, there was no room for retreat.

Dongfang Qinglong laughed heartily: "You're doomed to lose! I'll be waiting for you both to become my mounts!"

Peng Yu chimed in with mockery: "With Baiyu Holy Land issuing a kill order, Xiao Yi is already surrounded by enemies. There's no need for Brother Dongfang or me to even lift a finger—his death is certain!"

He turned to Dongfang Qinglong, cupped his hands, and said: "Congratulations in advance, Brother Dongfang, on gaining two powerful mounts!"

"Haha, you're too kind, brother. I'll let you borrow one to ride later!" Dongfang Qinglong chuckled smugly.

Little Lin and Jin Yi snorted coldly: "Don't celebrate too early. The victor is still undecided!"

The two turned their gaze resolutely toward Xiao Yi.

And at that moment...

In response to the kill order, countless experts were already soaring from the four main cities, heading towards the sacred mountain.

A tide of masters, all focused on Xiao Yi...

Pls: 4000-character long chapter, wrote this while a bit tipsy during New Year's celebrations, apologies...