An Opportunity for Awakening—How Could It Lack the Classic Scene of a Villainous Young Master Snatching the Bride?

Inside the Swallow Clan’s residence, the atmosphere was heavy and solemn.

Everyone stood with utmost care, not even daring to breathe loudly.

It was as if a towering, terrifying Devil Mountain stood before them, its aura seizing their hearts and souls, its pressure bearing down on their very spirits, leaving them trembling with dread.

The Bone Clan’s Ancestor had descended upon this place, and he was even accompanying a young man, his attitude exceptionally respectful.

This made their heads buzz with shock and disbelief. Had they not witnessed it with their own eyes, they never would have believed any of it.

One had to know, the Bone Ancestor was a fierce figure who occupied an entire great domain. No force in the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains dared provoke him.

Once, a True Daoist had wanted to carve out half of the Great Bone Domain’s territory for himself, only for this Bone Ancestor to strike with a single palm from across the sky, slapping him to death on the spot, his blood splattering across the heavens.

A figure like that, whose cultivation was world-shaking, simply could not be measured by common sense.

Yet today, he had appeared in Crimson South City, and was even accompanying a young man.

This matter was truly too inconceivable.

This young man’s identity had to be terrifying beyond measure, his origins beyond imagination.

The scalps of the Swallow Clan members tingled faintly.

“So that’s the reason?”

The woman in the black dress was none other than Ni Shang, the peerless prodigy of the Bone Clan, who had become a True Daoist tens of millions of years ago, her cultivation unfathomably deep.

Hearing the Bone Ancestor’s words, she quickly reacted, her expression returning to normal. She then gave Gu Changge a deep look, having already guessed his identity.

In this world, the only one who could receive such respectful treatment from the Bone Ancestor was likely that one person.

She just hadn’t expected that Gu Changge would personally descend upon Crimson South City.

“Ni Shang greets the Young Master.”

With that, she curtsied gracefully, though the expression on her face remained calm and indifferent.

Gu Changge smiled faintly and nodded slightly in acknowledgment, not particularly concerned with her attitude.

“No need for formalities.”

“Just now, I saw you searching for the fish that slipped through the net of that clan back then. Have you found any clues?” he asked casually.

Although the Great Bone Domain and the Westwin Domain were far apart, with many territories in between,

with his and the Bone Ancestor’s strength, descending upon this place hadn’t taken much time.

Along the way, the Bone Ancestor had already mentioned Ni Shang to him.

This woman was the most talented individual the Bone Ancestor had seen in countless years; surpassing even him, the old Ancestor, was merely a matter of time.

Therefore, the Bone Ancestor had previously informed Ni Shang of certain matters regarding the Bone Clan’s origins.

Just now, Gu Changge had happened to witness Ni Shang investigating the Family of Protectors, which had piqued his interest.

“Reporting to the Young Master, I do have some leads. Using the bloodline of that clan I collected back then, I performed a deduction and ultimately traced them to Crimson South City.”

“I can confirm the remnants are within Crimson South City.”

“However, the range is still quite large. At present, it’s unclear exactly where those remnants are hiding,” Ni Shang answered truthfully, concise and precise.

Gu Changge nodded slightly, his expression nonchalant. “Is that so? Since they’re in Crimson South City, then this matter is easy to handle. If you truly can’t find them, then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠just slaughter this city.”

“Yes, Young Master.” Hearing this, neither Ni Shang nor the Bone Ancestor reacted much. To them, massacring a city was no big deal.

With their strength, it was something they could accomplish with a mere wave of the hand.

But seeing Gu Changge decide the fate of the entire Crimson South City so casually, as if crushing a tiny ant underfoot,

the Swallow Clan members’ faces filled with terror, turning pale as they couldn’t help but tremble, clearly frightened to their very core.

They didn’t even dare speculate about Gu Changge’s identity.

“Of course, that’s only the worst-case scenario. Do I look like the kind of person who slaughters the innocent?”

Gu Changge swept a glance over the pale, terrified faces of the Swallow Clan members and smiled faintly.

Although he said this, the Swallow Clan members still couldn’t help but shudder, their Primordial Spirits turning ice-cold.

“Please rest assured, Young Master. This old man is the Ancestor of Crimson South City, and my words still carry some weight in this city. If you’re looking for someone, just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠give the order. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, this old man will have them found for you.”

At this moment, the Swallow Clan’s Ancestor forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart and spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

The rest of the Swallow Clan members also hurriedly nodded in agreement, deeply worried that when the city gates caught fire, the fish in the moat would suffer.

If the Crimson South City were destroyed by this person before the Beyond’s army even arrived, that would be a regret beyond remedy.

“Oh? With those words, I can rest easy,” Gu Changge smiled indifferently.

He also didn’t believe that, at this point, the Family of Protectors ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠could truly remain hidden.

Afterward, Ni Shang reported everything she had investigated over the past few days to Gu Changge in exhaustive detail.

“Truly capable. Were you also the one responsible for annihilating that clan back then?”

After listening, Gu Changge looked at Ni Shang with some appreciation.

Whether in strength or capability, she left those vase-like heavenly beauties several streets behind.

“Yes. Unfortunately, some people still managed to escape back then.”

Ni Shang nodded, appearing neither servile nor overbearing. She didn’t hold the same deep reverence for Gu Changge as the Bone Ancestor did.

“Not a big problem. Since they’re fish that slipped through the net, they’ll eventually reveal their traces.”

Gu Changge smiled, not taking her small mistake to heart.

If there had been no fish that slipped through the net back then, where would today’s Xiao Yang have come from?

Seeing this scene, the smile on the Bone Ancestor’s face grew even wider. If Ni Shang could earn Gu Changge’s regard and appreciation, it would naturally be a great thing for him.

“It wasn’t in vain that this old man nurtured Ni Shang all these years,” he sighed inwardly.

For someone like Gu Changge, what kind of heavenly beauty hadn’t he seen? Trying to move him through looks and appearance was clearly impossible.

So it could only be through capability.

Judging from the current situation, what Ni Shang had accomplished seemed to satisfy Gu Changge.

“Then in a while, Ni Shang will investigate them one by one according to the markings on the Jade Tablet.”

Ni Shang noticed the Ancestor’s expression and knew he wanted her to perform well in front of Gu Changge.

So after thinking for a moment, she spoke up, intending to take this opportunity to root out the remnants of the Family of Protectors.

“Actually, there’s no need. Do you still have the blood of that clan from back then?”

However, hearing this, Gu Changge shook his head, a strange gleam in his eyes.

He had other plans. Judging from the result of Ni Shang tracing them to Crimson South City, she should have the Blood Essence of the Family of Protectors in her possession.

Or some other item related to that clan, through which she had deduced a certain precise location.

“Back then, I did collect quite a bit of that clan’s Blood Essence, wanting to probe the secrets of their bloodline.”

“However, over the years, I haven’t discerned anything. I merely took this opportunity to burn a few drops of Blood Essence and deduced my way to Crimson South City,”

Ni Shang was slightly taken aback, then answered.

“Excellent,” Gu Changge nodded.

In his possession was the Hongmeng Purple Mirror, an artifact of indescribable, mysterious profundity when it came to deduction.

If he had the Blood Essence of the Family of Protectors, he could use the Hongmeng Purple Mirror to perform a deduction.

Then, Ni Shang took out several drops of crystalline Blood Essence radiating brilliant light from a sealed jade jar.

Gu Changge waved his sleeve, igniting the drops of Blood Essence and activating the Hongmeng Purple Mirror.

Upon its originally hazy, blurred surface, light suddenly swept across, and then images emerged.

At the same time, threads of karma visible only to him flashed through heaven and earth before quickly vanishing.

Soon, grand and ancient palaces and halls appeared on the Hongmeng Purple Mirror, with tall vermilion gates exuding an imposing air.

Before the residence’s gate, a large character—“Luo”—was written in flowing, dragon-like strokes, carrying an inexplicable momentum.

However, this scene manifested only for an instant before quickly dissipating into silence.

“Luo? How many people surnamed Luo are there in all of Crimson South City?”

Noticing this, Gu Changge put away the Hongmeng Purple Mirror, somewhat intrigued.

Ni Shang and the Bone Ancestor were still marveling at the mysterious unfathomability of Gu Changge’s Supreme Treasure.

Hearing his words, Ni Shang seemed to recall something and said, “In that Jade Tablet just now, there was a person surnamed Luo who left quite an impression on me.”

“Oh? What’s the name?” Gu Changge raised an eyebrow slightly.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the surviving remnant of the Family of Protectors he was looking for this time should be this person.

Though, what relationship this person had with the Fortuitous One he sought, he didn’t yet know.

“Luo Ying,” Ni Shang said.

Then, she summoned the Swallow Clan’s Young Master, Yan Ming—it was Yan Ming who had informed her of this matter earlier.

The Swallow Clan’s Young Master, Yan Ming, was a tall, valiant young man, counted among the top young prodigies of Crimson South City.

Although he was deeply fearful of Gu Changge and the others, he still maintained his composure and answered, “Luo Ying is the adopted daughter of the Luo Clan. It’s said she was rescued in the wilderness over twenty years ago. Seeing her all alone and helpless, they took pity on her and adopted her.”

“I once cultivated at the same academy as Luo Ying. I know her talent is formidable—the cultivation she displays outwardly is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg...”

He answered honestly, not daring to conceal anything in the slightest.

He had even once gone on training expeditions with Luo Ying. The two were senior brother and junior sister, and he had once harbored feelings of admiration for her.

However, after being rejected by her, he had gradually given up.

Now, seeing Gu Changge and the others asking about Luo Ying, he didn’t dare hide anything at all.

At a time like this, he didn’t dare gamble with the lives of the family behind him and all the living beings of Crimson South City.

“Over twenty years, alone and helpless, and an adopted daughter?”

After listening, Gu Changge fell into brief contemplation. He was now almost certain that this Luo Ying was the fish that had slipped through the net back then.

However, if it were merely a Luo Ying, how could the Bone Clan’s Ancestor have nearly suffered a backlash during his deduction?

There should be something else hidden within this.

“These past few days, the Luo Residence has been holding a wedding banquet. The Luo Clan’s fool of a Young Master, Luo Feng, is about to marry the Luo Family’s adopted daughter, Luo Ying.”

Soon, Yan Ming brought up another matter, unable to hide some envy in his words.

The goddess he had once admired was now going to marry a fool.

Practically all of Crimson South City’s younger generation shared his feelings—envious, jealous, their emotions quite complicated.

“A fool of a Young Master?”

Hearing this, a strange gleam couldn’t help but enter Gu Changge’s eyes.

It seemed the special circumstances lay with this fool of a Young Master of the Luo Residence.

Generally, things like family trash or fools were very likely hiding some great identity, and awakening that so-called identity or those memories required a catalyst.

This marriage might very well be that catalyst.

Although Gu Changge hadn’t yet personally seen this Young Master of the Luo Clan, he figured things were probably close to his guess.

This time’s Fortuitous One might very well be the last hope of the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains.

A fool of a Young Master? How interesting.

“You and Luo Ying are senior brother and junior sister. Do you really have no other thoughts about her? You’re just going to watch her marry a fool like this?”

Then, Gu Changge smiled faintly, looking at Yan Ming, who stood respectfully and stiffly before him, and spoke with great interest.

Since he’d guessed that this Luo Feng was this time’s Fortuitous One, things became easy to handle.

But before probing his true depths—before knowing whether Luo Feng was truly foolish, pretending to be foolish, or harboring some unknowable scheme—

Gu Changge decided to test the waters first, to avoid alerting the enemy.

He had plenty of time.

Of course, before that, this Young City Lord of Crimson South City before him could be put to use.

Hearing this, Yan Ming was stunned, not quite understanding why Gu Changge was saying these things to him.

But he still didn’t dare conceal anything and immediately said, “To be honest with you, Young Master, when I heard that Junior Sister Luo Ying was going to marry a fool, I was actually quite indignant and resentful, very envious and jealous.”

“But as the Young City Lord of Crimson South City, I cannot recklessly comment on the Luo Clan’s family affairs, so naturally it’s difficult for me to interfere...”

“Since you’re unwilling in your heart, then what if I give you this opportunity? Tomorrow, at the Luo Clan’s wedding, you go and snatch the bride. How about it?”

Gu Changge smiled faintly, his smile somewhat meaningful.

Hearing this, Yan Ming was clearly dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.

Bride-snatching was something he had thought about, but with his status and position, how could he possibly do such a thing?

But at this moment, before Gu Changge, he didn’t dare refuse, and could only steel himself and agree, “Thank you, Young Master, for giving me this opportunity.”

That said, he still felt some irrepressible excitement in his heart.

Neither the Bone Clan’s Ancestor nor Ni Shang had expected Gu Changge to actually send Yan Ming to snatch the bride. Could a mere Luo Clan really be hiding some unknown secret?

“Rest assured, I’ll go with you, and I won’t let you act without proper justification.”

“When you go tomorrow, simply pick a woman from your clan to compensate that Luo Clan Young Master. After all, for a fool, that’s more than enough.”

“I imagine the Luo Clan won’t say much about it. They might even be endlessly grateful to you.”

Gu Changge wore a faint smile as he spoke casually, not feeling there was anything wrong with what he was doing.

In a scenario like this, where a fool of a Young Master gets married, shouldn’t there be a villainous young master jumping out to snatch the bride? To give him the catalyst to awaken his memories and slap some faces.

“I understand. Thank you, Young Master,” Yan Ming nodded solemnly.

He wasn’t stupid. He understood Gu Changge’s meaning—Luo Ying likely had some hidden identity, one that simply hadn’t been exposed yet.

And as the Young Master of Crimson South City, his sole use to Gu Changge was to test Luo Ying.

He didn’t believe Gu Changge would actually have him truly snatch Luo Ying away.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived. Inside the Luo Residence, the scene was one of lively celebration.

Lanterns and streamers decorated everything, gongs and drums thundered, and numerous guests gathered, filling the entire great hall to the brim.

As a family of modest standing in Crimson South City, the Luo Clan still held considerable prestige within a radius of several dozen miles. The guests attending the wedding banquet today were all prominent figures of Crimson South City.

Even the master Luo Ying had apprenticed under while cultivating at the Thousand Dao Academy had personally come.

That master of hers was a genuine Sacred Emperor Realm being, her cultivation exceedingly profound and terrifying.

Even within Crimson South City, she was an invincible existence who could dominate an entire region, one whom no one dared disrespect.

Many forces and families had come rushing to the Luo Clan entirely out of respect for Luo Ying’s master, to attend her wedding banquet with the Luo Clan’s Young Master, Luo Feng.

In the great hall, numerous guests gathered. Luo Feng’s parents and other kin sat at the head seats, hosting everyone, smiles brimming on their faces.

Although the world was currently in the chaotic time of the Beyond’s war against the Eight Wastelands and Ten Domains, the flames of war had yet to sweep this far.

For small forces like theirs, this great war had little to do with them. After all, with their strength, there was hardly anything they could do in it.

“Congratulations! For Luo Feng to marry Xiaojie Luo Ying is truly a rare blessing for him.”

“Xiaojie Luo Ying is not only immensely talented, she’s also clever and beautiful. Her future achievements are simply limitless. How enviable!”

After presenting their congratulatory gifts, the many guests spoke words of praise one after another.

Many gazes fell upon the center of the great hall, especially those of the younger generation, filled with unease, envy, and jealousy.

A tall woman wearing a red bridal veil, dressed in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, stood quietly at the center of the hall.

Though her true face couldn’t be seen, one could imagine she was absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful at this moment.

She was none other than one of the stars of this wedding banquet—Luo Ying.

Beside Luo Ying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stood a young man with a rather clean and delicate appearance, also dressed in festive red wedding robes.

Only, his eyes stared ahead without focus, and he was giggling foolishly, hei hei.

From time to time, drool trickled down from the corner of his mouth.

A maid at his side, holding a clean embroidered handkerchief, wiped it away for him whenever this happened.

Although this scene looked rather slovenly and spoiled the atmosphere, the many guests in the hall were clearly already used to it and found nothing strange about it.

If anything, they felt even more pity for Luo Ying.

From this day forward, she would be married to such a fool. What a lamentable thing this was—more painful than the withering of a flower.

“Thank you all for gracing us with your presence today. I never imagined my son’s wedding would draw so many guests.”

The Luo Clan’s Master—also the father of today’s groom, Luo Feng—said with a beaming smile, cupping his hands toward all the guests.

Toward the silver-haired old lady on the other side in particular, he was far more deferential.

Although he was Luo Ying’s adoptive father, this silver-haired old lady was a Sacred Emperor of the Thousand Dao Academy, her cultivation world-shaking and unfathomable.

He had no choice but to show her respect.

“Still, we’ve wronged you, Ying’er...”

The Luo Clan’s Master felt somewhat guilty toward Luo Ying. If she weren’t marrying Luo Feng, her future would surely be limitless—she might even break through to the Sacred Realm and become a female Sacred Emperor of her generation.

Hearing this, a gentle, moving voice came from beneath the red veil.

“Uncle is being too formal. You’ve raised Ying’er for over twenty years, and I watched little brother Luo Feng grow up. How could I bear to see him like this?”

Luo Ying spoke softly, her words very gentle, as if she didn’t mind any of this at all.

Hearing this, the Luo Clan’s Master couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

He was satisfied with this daughter-in-law Luo Ying to the utmost degree.

“If only Feng’er’s strange illness could be cured, that would be perfect...”

Then, he sighed, glancing at Luo Feng, who was still drooling beside him, somewhat helpless.

For such a strange illness, he had sought out every divine physician, yet none could detect the slightest cause.

Over time, he could only leave it be.

“Eh? Did I see wrong...?”

However, he suddenly let out a soft sound of surprise, seemingly somewhat shocked, and looked carefully at Luo Feng.

Just now, he seemed to have noticed Luo Feng’s gaze shift, no longer unfocused like before.

Yet when he looked again, Luo Feng was still the same as before, his expression dazed and vacant.

This made the Luo Clan’s Master wonder if his eyes had been playing tricks on him.

He felt that Luo Feng seemed somewhat different, though he couldn’t tell if it was just his imagination.

“Reporting to the Master, the Young City Lord Yan Ming has come to attend the banquet.”

Just then, outside the great hall, a servant suddenly came running in a panic to report.

“The Young City Lord?”

As these words rang out, a considerable commotion swept through the great hall. Many guests were quite shocked.

The Swallow Clan was Crimson South City’s number one clan, and its Young Master Yan Ming held a most noble status. Given the Luo Clan’s standing, they couldn’t possibly have invited him.

Why would he suddenly come to attend the wedding banquet at a time like this?

Though puzzled, this didn’t stop everyone in the hall from rising to go welcome him.

After all, this was the Young Master of Crimson South City—in terms of status and position, he was someone they ordinarily couldn’t even get close to.