wicked divinity

Unable to Resist

At this moment, he was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, and the room was decorated everywhere with the character "Happy wedding day!" and red cloth. This had been personally arranged by his grandfather Xiao Lie and his younger aunt Xiao Lingxi the previous night. This was the room where he usually lived, and it was also the bridal chamber for his upcoming marriage.

The door opened at this time, and a light-footed figure hurriedly entered. Xiao Che immediately stood up, smiling as he called out, "Younger Aunt, has Grandfather returned?"

Xiao Lingxi was Xiao Lie's daughter born in his middle age. Although she was Xiao Che's younger aunt, she was only fifteen years old this year, one year younger than Xiao Che. Despite her young age, she was already stunningly beautiful, and her Xuan Force had reached the sixth level of the Initial Xuan stage. Although she couldn't compare with Xia Qingyue, she was already quite impressive and highly regarded within the Xiao family.

"Hehe, Che'er, you're awake."

A gentle voice came from behind, and Xiao Lie walked in slowly. Seeing that Xiao Che had already gotten out of bed and looked quite well, his expression relaxed somewhat. Behind him were two people: one was Xiao Hong, who took care of his daily needs, and the other was Situ Yun, the first physician known throughout Flowing Cloud City.

"It's good that you're awake, and your complexion doesn't seem to have any serious issues. However, let Master Situ check you over. Today is your wedding day, and there must be no mistakes. Master Situ, please." As Xiao Lie spoke, he stepped aside.

Placing the medical box he'd been carrying onto the table, Situ Yun sat opposite Xiao Che, placing his fingers on Xiao Che's pulse. After a short while, he removed his hand from Xiao Che.

"Master Situ, how is Xiao Che's condition? Is it very serious?" Xiao Lingxi quickly asked, her worried expression evident.

Xiao Lie looked at Situ Yun, though silent, his expression carried a hint of gravity... He couldn't help but notice that Xiao Che's sudden fainting earlier was not normal.

Situ Yun, however, slowly stood up and smiled lightly, saying, "Elder Xiao, there's no need to worry. Your grandson's physical condition is excellent. Not only does he have no serious illness, but he doesn't even have minor ailments. The previous fainting might have been due to excessive excitement causing blood rushing to the head. After all, today your grandson is marrying the former Miss Xia, the number one beauty of our Flowing Cloud City, haha..."

Although Situ Yun tried to hide it, there was still a trace of regret in his words. Marrying the pride of heaven to a useless waste with no future was simply unacceptable.

"That's good." Xiao Lie sighed in relief, nodding and saying, "It's truly troublesome to have pulled Master Situ here so early. Old Hong, escort Master Situ to the reception hall to rest."

"No need." Situ Yun waved his hand, picking up the medical box. "Since your grandson is fine, I won't stay longer. Congratulations, Elder Xiao, on soon welcoming the most outstanding granddaughter-in-law in Flowing Cloud City. There are surely many who envy you. Haha, farewell."

"Remember to come for a cup of celebratory wine. Old Hong, please escort Master Situ."

"Che'er, are you really fine? Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?" As soon as Situ Yun left, Xiao Lie frowned, still asking with concern. Xiao Che's sudden collapse earlier, the sudden drop in body temperature, and the loss of vitality could absolutely not be caused by mere excitement. But seeing Xiao Che's current state of being unharmed made him puzzled.

"Grandfather, don't worry, I'm really fine." Xiao Che said with a relaxed expression. Looking at Xiao Lie's worried face and his head full of white hair, his nose involuntarily became a bit sour.

The Xiao family had five elders, and although Xiao Lie was the fifth elder, he was the strongest in Xuan Force within the Xiao family. Five years ago, he had already entered the tenth level of the Spirit Xuan Realm, and now he had reached the peak of the tenth level of the Spirit Xuan Realm. With just a chance, he might break through the Spirit Xuan Realm and reach the Earth Xuan Realm, which countless Xuan practitioners dreamt of.

Xiao Lie was only fifty-five years old and had reached the peak of the Spirit Xuan Realm, yet his hair was already completely white. Every time Xiao Che saw his white hair, his heart would ache.

The reason for Xiao Lie's premature white hair was something everyone in Flowing Cloud City knew. His only son, Xiao Che's father Xiao Ying, was once hailed as the top genius of Flowing Cloud City. At seventeen, he broke through the Initial Xuan Realm; at twenty, he reached the fifth level of the Entry Xuan Realm; at twenty-three, he directly broke through the Entry Xuan Realm, reaching the True Xuan Realm, shaking the entire Flowing Cloud City and becoming the pride of the Xiao family, and more importantly, the pride of Xiao Lie. Almost everyone believed that after reaching middle age, Xiao Ying would undoubtedly be the most qualified person to inherit the position of the master of the Xiao family.

But unfortunately, perhaps Heaven envies talent. Just one month after Xiao Che was born, Xiao Ying was suddenly assassinated. A few days before that, Xiao Ying had exhausted his Xuan Force saving a girl from the Xia family, leaving him unable to unleash even half of his usual strength when he was attacked, ultimately costing him his life. His wife, overwhelmed with grief, severed her heart meridian to follow him in death. Under such a tremendous blow, Xiao Lie turned gray-haired overnight. Nine months later, Xiao Lingxi was born, and her mother, tormented by prolonged sorrow over the loss of her son, passed away in depression one month after Xiao Lingxi's birth.

After losing his son and then his wife, it's unimaginable how Xiao Lie managed to get through those years. That snow-white hair concealed indescribable pain, sorrow, and hatred.

And until today, Xiao Lie still hasn't found out who killed Xiao Ying back then.

Later, he poured all his hopes into Xiao Che... But the cruel reality of his innate damaged Xuan Meridians struck again like a thunderclap in clear skies.

However, facing this hopeless grandson, Xiao Lie never showed a hint of disappointment or anger. Instead, he cared for him excessively, almost to the point of indulgence. In his view, having innate damaged Xuan Meridians was already an injustice by fate, and what Xiao Che should not endure were blame, neglect, and ridicule. Instead, he deserved more love to make up for it. Over the years, he had been tirelessly seeking various possible medicinal pills that could repair the Xuan Meridians, but repairing them was far from easy. Damaged Xuan Meridians were akin to breaking the lifeline of Xuan Force.

Having such a grandfather, even though Xiao Che grew up under others' indifference or even mockery, he still felt lucky.

Looking at Xiao Lie's snowy white hair, Xiao Che's gaze gradually became resolute... Since Heaven gave me a second chance at life and allowed me to retain memories from both lives, even if it's just to give Grandfather a little more comfort, I will live my life with vigor! What if the Xuan Meridians are damaged! I am the successor of the Medicine Sage, and as long as I find the right herbs, I can fully restore the Xuan Meridians in just three weeks.

"It's good that there's nothing wrong." Watching his appearance, Xiao Lie finally felt relieved. He glanced at the light outside and said, "It's about time. Che'er, prepare yourself properly. I'll go arrange the wedding procession... Oh, do you want to ride a horse or... take a sedan chair?"

If it were yesterday's Xiao Che, he would definitely answer "take a sedan chair." Though he was the grandson of an elder, apart from this identity, he was virtually worthless, and the gap between him and Xia Qingyue was like the difference between heaven and earth. On this wedding procession road, there would undoubtedly be countless pointing fingers, jealousy, mockery, and pity. If he were to appear in public, the taste would be unbearable. But the present Xiao Che merely smiled faintly: "Of course, I'll ride a horse! Grandfather, don't worry. No matter how noble Xia Qingyue is, she is already destined to be our Xiao family's daughter-in-law. I will bring her home openly and honorably, without disgracing you."

Xiao Lie's expression momentarily froze, seemingly surprised by these words, followed by a warm smile appearing on his face, and he nodded slightly: "Good."

This single word conveyed a long-absent sense of approval. Xiao Lie stepped out of the room and gently closed the door.

As soon as Xiao Lie left, Xiao Lingxi immediately stood in front of Xiao Che, her lips curling slightly, her eyes filled with some discontent: "Turns out you fainted because you were so excited, making me worry unnecessarily for so long. You've liked her all along despite barely meeting Xia Qingyue a few times... It makes sense, after all, she is the number one beauty of Flowing Cloud City, humph!"

Xiao Che hastily waved his hands: "Impossible! Although Xia Qingyue is very beautiful, Younger Aunt is much prettier! If I fainted because of her, with you always by my side, I would have fainted countless times by now."

"Hmm..." Xiao Lingxi's strained expression instantly crumbled, revealing a radiant smile: "I knew you'd say things like that to cheer me up. But, even if Che'er got so excited because of the upcoming marriage that he fainted, it's fine. After all, Xia Qingyue is so beautiful, acknowledged as the number one genius in Flowing Cloud City, and the Xia family is the richest in Flowing Cloud City. So many people dream of marrying her. But in the end, she married my Che'er."

At this point, a look of pride appeared on Xiao Lingxi's face, followed by her gaze becoming distant, and her voice softened: "Just feels like everything happened so fast... Che'er is getting married soon..."

"Dong dong," knocking sounds came from the door, followed by Xiao Hong's aged, steady voice: "Young Master, the auspicious hour is approaching; it's time to go to the Xia family to welcome the bride."

"Ah... so fast?" Xiao Lingxi glanced at Xiao Che's attire and immediately became anxious: "Uncle Hong, wait just a moment, we'll be ready soon."

With that, she moved in front of Xiao Che, and her delicate hands began quickly tidying up his wedding robe: "This outfit is so troublesome, and after what happened earlier, it's all messy. Just stand still for a moment, we'll be done soon."

A pair of snow-white, delicate hands began smoothing out his flipped-up collar and retying the loosened sash in haste... Her movements were clumsy but extremely focused. Xiao Che silently watched her, his gaze gradually becoming hazy...

Today, he was going to marry Xia Qingyue, but whether Xia Qingyue sincerely wanted to marry him, he was crystal clear. If it weren't for the agreement between his father Xiao Ying and Xia Qingyue's father Xia Hongyi years ago, Xia Qingyue wouldn't even bother to look at him. The people in this world who truly cared for him were only his grandfather Xiao Lie and his younger aunt Xiao Lingxi standing in front of him.

When he was young, Xiao Lingxi would stick to Xiao Che like glue, following him wherever he went. She was impossible to shake off, and if she didn't see him for a moment, she would start crying loudly. When Xiao Che was confirmed to have damaged Xuan Meridians at the age of ten, Xiao Lingxi seemed to grow up overnight. She understood the consequences of damaged Xuan Meridians and the concept of her "younger aunt" identity. She began cultivating Xuan Force intensely, aiming to protect her nephew Xiao Che, who would forever remain at the bottom of the Tian Xuan Continent.

After experiencing twenty-four years of "a dream in Nanhua," Xiao Che deeply felt how luxurious and precious Xiao Lingxi's kindness toward him was.

Although Xia Qingyue would soon become his wife, she would remain like a cold moon in the sky—visible but untouchable.

If he could marry a girl like Younger Aunt Xiao Lingxi, it would be such a perfect thing... This thought uncontrollably appeared in Xiao Che's mind.

Finally, the complicated wedding robe was neatly arranged. Xiao Lingxi let out a small sigh of relief, tiptoed, and raised her hand to tidy up the slightly disheveled hair on Xiao Che's forehead. As she tiptoed, her delicate face instantly came close to Xiao Che's, her eyes and expressions clearly showing a touch of the tenderness and fragility unique to young girls, evoking an irresistible desire to cherish and protect her. Her lips slightly curled upward, pink and inviting.

For some inexplicable reason, Xiao Che's head suddenly tilted down, and his lips lightly touched Xiao Lingxi's soft ones...