Chapter 3596: A Sudden Twist
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The beast Duan Ling Tian and the villagers of the Duan Clan Village encountered was a demon beast. Ordinarily, beasts that were not Celestial Beasts and Divine Beasts were known as demon beasts. Most Celestial Beasts and the Divine Beasts in Realms of Gods were all intelligent and possessed human forms. Those without intelligence and did not possess human forms were considered demon beasts. Despite their lack of intelligence and human forms, they were rather strong.
Duan Ling Tian learned about this from the World Cleansing Divine Water. The World Cleansing Divine Water had also voiced her suspicion that it was the supreme powerhouses who had set the demon beasts loose in the Realms of Gods to maintain the ecological balance.
There were rumors the strongest demon beasts were as strong as Emperors of Gods and Supreme Gods. However, for the demon beasts to be so strong, they were likely to possess a certain level of intelligence. Once these demon beasts grew strong enough, they would eventually obtain human forms.
When Duan Ling Tian recalled the possibility of Realms of Gods evolving from supreme powerhouses’ Little Worlds and how they set demon beasts free in the Realms of Gods to maintain the ecological balance, it finally dawned on him how terrifying strong supreme powerhouses were. The Realms of Gods’ strongest inhabitants were Supreme Gods, and even their weakest inhabitants were celestials, and yet, these powerhouses were merely inhabitants of the supreme powerhouses’ Little Worlds.
When Duan Ling Tian thought about his Little World that contained the Heaven and Earth Spirit Energy and Divine Tree of Life from the remnant of a Realm of Gods, he could not help but think about the vast difference between his Little World and the supreme powerhouses’ Little Words.
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian looked at Duan Qing, who was clearly reluctant to part with him, and said, “All good things must come to an end. Moreover, I might have to return to the village if things don’t work out for me.”
Duan Qing said sincerely, “Ling Tian, the village will always welcome you with open arms. Alas, I’m certain you won’t be returning to the village once you leave…”
Although Duan Qing had never fought with Duan Ling Tian nor did he witness Duan Ling Tian fighting, based on the other villagers’ descriptions about how Duan Ling Tian killed the demon beast, he knew Duan Ling Tian was rather strong. It would be easy for him to join a force in the city. He knew it would be a waste of Duan Ling Tian’s talent to stay in the village.
At this moment, a loud voice rang from outside the village.
“The people from the Tie Clan Village are here!”
Everyone looked at the entrance of the village in unison.
Duan Ling Tian glanced at the entrance before he placed the spatial ring in Duan Lang’s hands and said, “Duan Lang, if you consider me your friend, you’ll accept this gift.”
“Brother Ling Tian…” Duan Lang smiled wryly and accepted the wedding ring. “After the wedding ceremony, let’s have a drink before you leave.”
“I’m afraid you’ll be distracted after the wedding ceremony,” Duan Ling Tian said with a meaningful smile.
“Brother Ling Tian, I’m not someone who would forsake friends for women,” Duan Lang said.
Duan Ling Tian only shook his head and smiled before he said, “The bride is here.”
The bride’s entourage were all dressed in red robes, and they carried a sedan chair.
Duan Ling Tian was reminded of the marriage custom during ancient times on earth where he used to live.
At this moment, Duan Ling Tian suddenly realized something was amiss. The people of the Duan Clan Village, including Duan Qing and Duan Lang, were all frowning.
“What’s going on?”
“Isn’t he Tie Heng, the Fourth Leader of the Tie Clan Village?”
“Why is Tie Heng here? Did he come on behalf of the second leader?”
“That doesn’t make sense. Even if the Second Leader of the Tie Clan Village can’t make it, he should’ve sent someone from his family branch as a representative. Why would the Fourth Leader come in his place?”
Upon hearing the hushed conversation in his surroundings, Duan Ling Tian learned of the reason behind the villagers’ frowns.
Despite bearing the same surname and sharing the same blood, there were different branches of the family in the Tie Clan Village. The degree of their relations varied. This was similar to the Duan Clan Village. For example, Duan Qing, one of the Leaders of the Duan Clan Village, was from a different branch of the family from the other Leader of the Duan Clan Village.
Apart from that, in the villages, most branches of the family rarely interfered with each other’s affairs and would only unite when faced with outside threats.
‘With how things work around here, the Second Leader of the Tie Clan Village or members from his branch of the family should be here. There’s no reason for the Fourth Leader of the Tie Clan Village to be here…’
At this moment, Duan Qing asked with a frown, “Tie Heng, why are you here?”
Tie Heng was a middle-aged man with a full beard. He was tall and muscular and was dressed in a fine robe. All in all, he had the appearance of a wealthy man. He toyed with two jade balls in his hand as he said, “Leader Duan Qing, from today onward, the fourth branch of the Tie Clan and the southern village of the Duan Clan Village will be a family. My daughter will be marrying the prodigy of your southern village, Duan Lang. Please look after my daughter in the future.”
Duan Lang was the strongest among the younger generation in the Duan Clan Village. He had become a One Basic Celestial Emperor before reaching 3,000 years old. In the Realms of Gods, those below the age of 1,000 were like children while those between the ages of 1,000 and 3,000 were considered youths.
“Daughter, come forward and greet Leader Duan Qing,” Tie Heng said.
Duan Qing’s frown deepened upon hearing Tie Heng’s words. Anger burned in his heart at this moment when he recalled what he had heard about Tie Heng’s only daughter. Clearly, the Tie Clan Village thought the Duan Clan Village was a pushover for boldly switching the brides without asking for the Duan Clan Village’s opinion.
“Yes, father.”
After a hoarse voice rang in the air, under everyone’s watchful eyes, the sedan shook as a gigantic and muscular woman disembarked from the sedan. It felt as though the ground trembled with every step she took as she walked to Tie Heng’s side. She bowed at Duan Qing and said with a smile, “Tie Lan Yu greets Leader Duan Qing.”
When Tian Lan Yu smiled, her features looked as though they were squeezed together.
At this time, the flustered Duan Lang finally regained his senses. He cried out, “No, I’m not marrying you! I won’t marry anyone except for Tie Yu!”
“What did you say, brat?!” Tie Heng growled.
Although Duan Lang was intimidated by Tie Heng, he firmly said, “Leader Tie Heng, I’ll say it again. I won’t marry anyone but Tie Yu today.”
Tie Lan Yu narrowed her eyes and scoffed. She raised her head arrogantly and said in a disdainful tone, “Hey, do you think I’m eager to marry you? Do you think you’re better than me? Whatever the reason is, there’s nothing you can do.”
At this time, Tie Heng moved to Duan Qing’s side and said something in a low voice.
Duan Qing’s expression changed drastically, and his face turned pale when he heard Tie Heng’s words. His body trembled slightly as he called out, “Duan Lang…”
Then, Duan Qing continued to say solemnly, “Restrain yourself. I’ll look for your father now and ask for his opinion.”
Before Duan Lang could respond, Duan Qing had already left to look for Duan Lang’s father.
Duan Lang was stunned. He did not think it was necessary to ask for his father’s opinion. After all, in his opinion, no one would be able to force him into this marriage.
‘It seems like something’s wrong…’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He had noticed how Duan Qing’s expression had changed when Tie Heng had spoken to Duan Qing.. He was curious about what Tie Heng had said to cause Duan Qing’s expression to change so drastically.