Ye Fan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon Xiao Longnü, who lay close beside him.
Recalling the madness of the previous night, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a quiet smile as he thought to himself, "That really was wild, but it was also truly wonderful." Then, he shifted his body just a fraction.
At that moment, Xiao Longnü let out a soft, delicate murmur before slowly opening her lovely eyes.
Instantly, a deep flush spread across her face, turning her as red as a ripe apple.
She lowered her head, resting it gently against Ye Fan's shoulder.
Ye Fan wrapped his right arm tightly around Xiao Longnü and whispered softly, "Before long, I will surely marry you."
A short while later, Ye Fan gently sat up in bed and slowly climbed out, moving with the utmost care for fear of waking Xiao Longnü, who was still fast asleep.
Once dressed, he stood quietly by the bedside, gazing down at her beautiful face. His eyes were filled with such tenderness and affection that it was as if he were trying to carve her features deep into his heart.
Then, Ye Fan leaned over and pressed a light kiss to Xiao Longnü's forehead before whispering, "I'll go prepare breakfast and wake you up in a bit."
With that, he slowly turned and left the room, leaving Xiao Longnü to sleep peacefully alone in the bed.
After preparing breakfast, Ye Fan set the dishes on the table in the main hall.
He then walked slowly back into the bedroom and looked at Xiao Longnü lying on the bed. Leaning down close to her ear, he called out softly, "Little lazy dragon, time to get up! The sun's already baking your backside!"
Hearing Ye Fan's voice, Xiao Longnü blinked and slowly opened her eyes.
Yet when she tried to sit up, she could not help frowning, drawing in a sharp breath as she let out a small hiss of pain.
Noticing the change in her expression, Ye Fan hurried forward to support her and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Xiao Longnü shot Ye Fan a slightly reproachful look, appearing somewhat displeased with him. Ye Fan quickly explained, "I didn't mean to... last night..."
Before he could finish, however, Xiao Longnü cut him off. "I know, I'm not blaming you, it just hurts a little."
Hearing this, Ye Fan let out a slight sigh of relief, though he remained worried about her physical condition. He asked tentatively, "Can you still eat breakfast now, or would you rather rest a bit first?"
Xiao Longnü nodded to indicate she could eat. Without delay, Ye Fan hurried out to the living room, brought the breakfast into the bedroom, and fed it to Xiao Longnü.
Afterward, Ye Fan said to her, "Let's go back to Zhongnan Mountain!"
Hearing this, Xiao Longnü asked in pleasant surprise, "Really? When?"
Ye Fan replied, "In half a month."
***
In the Guo Mansion, Guo Jing sat in the seat of honor, with City Lord Lu of Xiangyang sitting close by.
The two men were discussing matters concerning the recent retreat of the Mongol army.
City Lord Lu said, "The retreat of the Mongol army this time is largely thanks to Grandmaster Guo. If not for your help, Guardian Guo, there is no telling how much the soldiers and people of Xiangyang City would have suffered."
Guo Jing replied, "Since I came to Xiangyang, my intention has been to defend it. However, will the rewards for the other pugilistic heroes be delivered as promised?"
The City Lord of Xiangyang answered, "Naturally. Although the imperial court's support is limited, we will do our utmost to gather what is needed to ensure every meritorious subject receives the reward they deserve."
To himself, he thought, *I fear the imperial court's support won't be enough. The court... alas. Still, we can pull together what we need from the wealthy families in the city.*
At that moment, a servant of the Guo family walked quietly to Guo Jing's side and murmured a few words in a low voice.
Hearing this, Guo Jing nodded and picked up the teacup beside him.
Seeing this, City Lord Lu rose and said, "Grandmaster Guo, I shall take my leave. If there is any need, please notify me at any time."
Guo Jing nodded in response. "Safe journey, City Lord Lu. The safety of Xiangyang City requires the efforts of us all."
With a cupped-hand salute of farewell, City Lord Lu left the Guo Mansion. Guo Jing turned back to handling affairs within the estate, ensuring everything remained in order.
***
In the Ancient Tomb Sect on Zhongnan Mountain, Ye Fan brought Xiao Longnü once again to this familiar land.
The scenery of Zhongnan Mountain remained as picturesque as ever: rolling peaks, lush trees, and a gentle breeze carrying a refreshing coolness.
The entrance to the Ancient Tomb Sect was hidden within a dense forest. Following the familiar path, Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü drew closer step by step.
Ye Fan pointed to a certain tree and said to Xiao Longnü, "Long'er, that is the very place where we first met."
Xiao Longnü looked over and smiled. "That's right, I still remember. You said back then that you saw a rabbit dash itself to death against this tree. By the way, did a rabbit really crash into a tree and die?"
With a smile, Ye Fan replied, "No, but I've managed to catch a great white rabbit this time." Having said that, he let out a chuckle.
Xiao Longnü's lovely face flushed red as she quickly walked ahead.
Inside the Ancient Tomb Sect, Ye Fan sat cross-legged upon the Cold Jade Bed, turning a thought over in his mind: *Before crossing over, I heard that the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Nine Yin Manual could be fused. How can one actually merge them?*
"Ding! The host may expend a small amount of Origin Coins to fuse martial arts from the *The Return of the Condor Heroes* world," the System's voice suddenly rang out.
Upon hearing this, Ye Fan said, "Fuse the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Nine Yin Manual."
"Ding! Fusion successful. Please name the unknown cultivation method."
After a moment's thought, Ye Fan said, "Name it the Martial Classic."
"Ding! The cultivation method has been named the Martial Classic." Instantly, a vast expanse of text appeared within Ye Fan's mind. As he gazed upon the Martial Classic, the inner Qi within his body began to circulate of its own accord, breaking through the Second Layer of Xiantian in a flash and reaching the realm of the Third Layer of Xiantian.
Three years later, Ye Fan sat quietly atop the peak of Zhongnan Mountain, feeling that not a single shred of his inner Qi had been exhausted. He sighed inwardly, *The Third Layer of Xiantian is likely the limit of this realm; even heaven and earth itself are pressing down upon me.*
During these three years, Ye Fan had brought Xiao Longnü to thoroughly thrash the Quanzhen Sect from top to bottom, making a duplicate copy of the Innate Skill and carving it into the burial chambers of the Ancient Tomb Sect.
Afterward, Ye Fan traveled to the Shaolin Temple, where he discovered that there was actually an Xiantian grandmaster residing within. Having already reached the Second Layer of Xiantian at that time, Ye Fan subdued the Xiantian grandmaster with a single move and took the Yijin Jing.
Later, he ventured far to the Western Regions and other places, collecting duplicate copies of the secret legacy manuals of numerous sects, carving out a formidable reputation across the martial world where people came to call him the Martial Sage.
Ye Fan walked slowly down from the peak of Zhongnan Mountain, casting his gaze into the distance. Sunlight washed over him, casting a brilliant silhouette.
He saw Xiao Longnü walking toward him from the foot of the mountain, her pace light and graceful.
When she drew near, Ye Fan said to her with deep affection, "Long'er, let us be married a month from now."
Hearing this, a flash of pleasant surprise crossed Xiao Longnü's eyes. She hurried over in excitement and threw her arms tightly around Ye Fan. Tears glinted in her eyes as her voice trembled slightly, "Brother Ye Fan, is it really true?"
Ye Fan gently patted Xiao Longnü's back, his tone firm and tender. "Of course it's true. We have already been through so much together; it is time to give our relationship a proper and official name."
Xiao Longnü nodded, tears swirling in her eyes, though she fought hard to hold them back while her face bloomed with a radiant, happy smile. She whispered, "Brother Ye Fan, thank you. This is everything I have ever dreamed of."
With a smile, Ye Fan said, "Long'er, we have already walked through so many storms together, and we shall walk the days ahead together as well. Marriage is our shared desire, and our promise to one another."
Xiao Longnü pressed herself close against Ye Fan's embrace, her heart overflowing with emotion. She knew that this moment would become one of the most beautiful memories of their lives.
Ye Fan continued, "Let us head back; there is still much to prepare. Although a month is not long, we will surely make the wedding both simple and warm."
Nodding in agreement, Xiao Longnü took his hand, and the two of them walked down the mountain together.
Sunlight draped over them as if dressing them in a layer of golden radiance.
Upon returning to the Ancient Tomb Sect, Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü set to work preparing for the wedding. The courtyard was decorated in a festive and warm manner; red silk streamers fluttered in the wind, lanterns were hung high, and an atmosphere of celebration filled every corner.
Servants bustled about the courtyard, some hanging festive decorations while others prepared the banquet, every face beaming with joyful smiles.
Together, Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü discussed the specific arrangements for the wedding.
News of Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü's wedding quickly spread through the martial world, and upon hearing the news, numerous pugilistic figures arrived in a steady stream to offer their congratulations.
Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü also invited several good friends from the martial world to attend the wedding and bear witness to this wonderful moment.
A month later, the wedding of Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü took place as scheduled.
In a grand courtyard in Qingfeng City, guests gathered together in a lively and bustling scene. Red silk and lanterns reflected off one another, creating an utterly festive atmosphere.
The guests were dressed in various magnificent garments, every face glowing with joy.
During the wedding ceremony, attired in splendid wedding robes, Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü walked slowly into the center of the courtyard. The courtyard had been arranged with elegance and solemnity: red carpets lined the ground, clusters of flowers surrounded them, and a faint fragrance drifted through the air.
Ye Fan and Xiao Longnü exchanged vows, expressing their love and commitment to one another. Ye Fan said with deep emotion, "Long'er, from this day forth, come wind or rain, I shall walk hand in hand with you through it all."
With tears in her eyes, Xiao Longnü nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "Brother Ye Fan, I feel the same. I will love you forever."
Amidst the witness of all present, they clasped each other's hands tightly. The guests burst into enthusiastic applause, and blessings rose wave upon wave.
After the newlyweds had settled in, Ye Fan was sitting in the courtyard when Yang Guo arrived bearing a number of gifts.
Yang Guo bowed to Ye Fan and said, "Thank you, Senior, for the grace of passing on your martial arts to me previously. Please accept this bow from your junior."
Ye Fan smiled, waved his hand to let Yang Guo leave, and thought to himself, *Passing the Nine Yang Divine Skill to you has also served to sever this knot of karma.*
In his mind, Ye Fan silently chanted: *System, open the personal status panel.*
Host: Ye Fan
Cultivation: Third Layer of Spirit Martial Realm (Third Layer of Xiantian)
Martial Skills: Shattering Cloud Palm (Palm Intent Level 3), Lingyun Step (Wind Intent Level 3), Solitary Nine Swords (Sword Intent Level 4)
Cultivation Method: Martial Classic (Mister-Grade Inferior)
Origin Coins: 15
Ye Fan thought to himself, *It is time to return to the *Peerless Martial God* world.* Then, he asked the System, "What conditions are required to bring people with me to the *Peerless Martial God* world?"
System: The host must reach the Martial God cultivation realm before taking people to the *Peerless Martial God* world. You may expend 5 Origin Coins to freeze time in this realm and anchor it.
After pondering for a moment, Ye Fan looked over at Xiao Longnü, who was still asleep in the room, walked up to her, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Then he said, "System, freeze time in this realm and return to the *Peerless Martial God* world," while thinking inwardly, *Sleep well.*
The *The Return of the Condor Heroes* world completely faded away into the void.