Douluo Continent: Copying Ya Li, the Carefree King of the Sun and Moon

"Can it still hold on?"

"fine."

He patted the dust off his robes, bent down to pick up the jade fan that had fallen to his waist, and put it away again.

He turned his head and glanced one last time at the mangled remains of the ferocious beast, then exhaled a soft breath.

"Let's go see how my wedding is going."

The two leaped into the air and flew towards Mingdu.

The night wind howled, causing their robes to flutter wildly. Xu Yanli flew ahead at a decent speed, but Long Xiaoyao kept up with ease, even managing to glance at his expression.

His face looked a little pale, but his eyes were very bright, and he didn't seem to be putting on a brave face at all.

"You've taken all of the Evil Eye's essence?" Long Xiaoyao asked.

"Yes." Xu Yanli nodded. "The seventh, eighth, and ninth spirit rings were all replenished at once, and there was also an extra external spirit bone, which is perfect for the eye area."

Long Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow slightly beneath his mask.

The external soul bone around his eyes was formed from the core essence of the Evil Eye Tyrant, and was a top-tier vessel for spiritual power. With this, Xu Yanli's already formidable spiritual power would undoubtedly surge even higher.

"It was worth it." Long Xiaoyao said just those two words.

Xu Yanli smiled but didn't reply.

The two flew eastward, and the land beneath their feet gradually changed from continuous mountains to sparse farmland, and then from farmland to crowded villages and towns. Before long, the outline of Mingdu City appeared on the horizon.

The night was already very deep, but the entire Ming capital was dazzlingly bright, as if the Milky Way had fallen to earth.

Every ten steps along the city wall hung a large red lantern, and two long red ribbons hung from the city gate tower, stretching from the battlements to the ground. When the night wind blew, the red ribbons rustled loudly.

"You're quite quick." Xu Yanli hovered in mid-air, looking at the city full of red makeup, his tone tinged with surprise.

He only mentioned it casually before he left, and in just a few days, Xu Tianran had arranged everything in the entire Ming capital.

Long Xiaoyao's gaze swept across the four city gates, taking in the patrol teams hidden in the shadows, the newly added sentries on the city walls, and the imperial guards wandering back and forth in the streets and alleys.

"They say they're arranging the wedding, but in reality, they're keeping an eye on those people," he said casually.

Xu Yanli did not deny it, and directly descended to the entrance of the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion.

The gates of the Prince's mansion were wide open, and the interior was brightly lit. Luo Xu was standing at the entrance directing the servants to hang lanterns. As soon as he saw Xu Yanli, his eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over to greet him.

"Your Highness! You're finally back!"

"Hmm." Xu Yanli stepped inside. "Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"I've been waiting for you in the study for almost two hours."

Xu Yanli paused, turned back and glanced at Long Xiaoyao. Long Xiaoyao nodded slightly, then turned and disappeared into the night.

When Xu Yanli pushed open the study door, Xu Tianran was sitting behind the desk, holding a list in his hand, his brows furrowed so tightly they could trap a mosquito.

Hearing the door open, Xu Tianran looked up at him, sized him up, and lingered on his tattered robes.

"Are you injured?"

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious." Xu Yanli walked over and sat down, picked up the teapot and poured two cups of tea. He pushed one cup to Xu Tianran and drank the other cup himself.

Xu Tianran picked up his teacup and took a sip. He didn't speak immediately, waiting until he had caught his breath before asking, "Has the Evil Eye Tyrant been dealt with?"

“It’s resolved.” Xu Yanli put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. “I’ve got all the soul rings and soul bones, and I’ve also completed the eighth trial.”

Xu Tianran nodded and handed over the list in his hand.

"Look, here are a few people I've picked for the wedding."

Xu Yanli took the list and glanced at it. There were three names on it, and each name was followed by a line of small print stating the family background, martial spirit, and cultivation level.

The first one in line is Ye Guyi, followed by the words: Holy Angel Martial Soul, Level 93 Title Douluo, core disciple of the Angel Clan, has followed the Carefree King since childhood, is loyal and pure in nature.

The second is Meng Hongchen, Zhu Qingbing, a level 89 Soul Douluo, the granddaughter of Jing Hongchen, a core disciple of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, and has known Xiaoyao Wang since childhood.

The third one is an unfamiliar name, Yue Zhengyao, an 85th-level Soul Douluo, from the Angel Clan, whose Martial Soul is also the Holy Angel, and is Yue Zhengyang's niece.

After reading the list, Xu Yanli put it back on the table.

"Ye Guyi," he said, his tone as casual as if he were asking what to eat today.

Xu Tianran raised an eyebrow: "Is it settled?"

“It’s settled.” Xu Yanli nodded. “Le Zhengyang recommended her before, but I thought we should wait until she came of age. Now that she’s an adult, it’s time to settle things. Besides, the Angel Clan needs this reassurance, and Bone Robe needs this official status.”

What he didn't say was that he knew Ye Guyi had been with him for so many years, from a twelve-year-old girl to the titled Douluo she is today, but he just didn't want to bring up the marriage before.

Since we're going to get married sooner or later, let's choose the one that suits our taste best.

Xu Tianran stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed.

“Alright, then it’s Ye Guyi.” He picked up his pen and circled the name on the list. “I’ll have someone draft an imperial edict tomorrow to announce it to the world. The wedding date will be set for the eighth day of next month. There are still about twenty days left, enough time to prepare.”

"Isn't this too rushed?" Xu Yanli frowned.

“No rush.” Xu Tianran put down his pen and leaned back in his chair. “Those sect leaders are being held in Mingdu. They can keep their composure for a day or two, but if it goes on for too long, trouble is bound to arise. The sooner the wedding is held, the better. Keep them tied up. By the time your wedding is settled, it will be too late for them to back out.”

Xu Yanli thought for a moment and nodded.

“There’s something else.” Xu Tianran took out a secret report from the drawer and pushed it in front of him. “Xuanzi ran back to Shrek Academy and brought back embellished news. The original three kingdoms were already in an uproar. The Star Luo Emperor has summoned a three-kingdoms coalition army, claiming to be a million strong, saying that he will attack the Sun Moon Empire and rescue the sect leaders who have been detained.”

Xu Yanli picked up the secret report, glanced at it, and chuckled.

"A million? They'd be lucky to scrape together a few hundred thousand. Besides, half the cities of the Heavenly Soul Empire have surrendered to us. How are they going to scrape together a million?"

"That's true, but we have to put on a good show." Xu Tianran picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "The louder they shout, the more ugly their defeat will be."

Xu Yanli nodded and said nothing more.

Chapter 181 What other options are there?

The two brothers discussed the details of the wedding, including the guest list, the wedding ceremony, and the seating arrangements for each sect. Everything was finalized in detail.

By the time everything was discussed and agreed upon, it was already dawn outside the window.

Xu Yanli stood up and stretched his stiff and sore neck.

"Brother, I'm going back now. I need to talk to Gu Yi in person."

Xu Tianran nodded, watched him walk to the door, and suddenly called out to him, "Yan Li."

Xu Yanli stopped and turned to look at him.

Xu Tianran was silent for a few seconds, then said softly, "Once you're married, you're a real adult. You should rein in some of your temper."

Xu Yanli paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I understand, brother."

He pushed open the door and went out.

The cool morning air carried the faint fragrance of osmanthus trees in the courtyard.

Xu Yanli stood under the corridor and took a deep breath.

The wedding is in just over twenty days.

He never imagined he would get married so soon, but now that he's settled, he'll make the most of it.

Ye Guyi lived in a small courtyard on the east side of the Prince's Mansion, not far from his study, just a few steps away.

The courtyard gate was not closed. When he pushed it open and went in, Ye Guyi was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, holding a cup of hot tea, staring blankly at the pale dawn sky.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around and froze when she saw Xu Yanli. She almost dropped the teacup in her hand.

"Your Highness? When did you return?"

"Just got back." Xu Yanli walked over, sat down opposite her, and looked at her face.

Ye Guyi felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so she quickly lowered her head, and the tips of her ears slowly turned red.

"Your Highness, why are you looking at me like that..."

"Bone Robe," Xu Yanli said, his tone a few degrees softer than usual, "I'm getting married."

Ye Guyi's fingers gripped the teacup tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She didn't look up, her voice low: "...I know. His Highness the Crown Prince sent a list yesterday, and it had three names on it..."

“I chose Ye Guyi,” Xu Yanli interrupted her directly.

With a "bang," the teacup slipped from her hand and smashed on the stone table, splashing tea all over the table.

Ye Guyi suddenly raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Looking at her like this, Xu Yanli suddenly smiled and gently wiped away the tears falling from her face.

"Why are you crying? Don't you want to get married?"

Ye Guyi shook her head desperately, her tears falling even more fiercely.

"No, no... I just... I just didn't expect it..."

She thought she was just a name on the list, someone who was there to make up the numbers, someone who was only there to make up the numbers. Meng Hongchen had a family background, Le Zhengyao had powerful backers, but she had nothing.

But Xu Yanli chose her.

Xu Yanli stood up, walked to her side, and gently patted her head.

"Don't think about it anymore, just focus on preparing. I'll come pick you up on the eighth day of next month."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Behind her, Ye Guyi lay on the stone table, her shoulders shaking with sobs, but she bit her lip tightly, not daring to make a sound.

When Xu Yanli reached the courtyard gate, he paused for a moment but did not turn around.

"Gu Yi, from today onwards, stop calling me Your Highness."

"Then... what's it called?"

"Call me by my name."

The courtyard gate slowly closed, and Ye Guyi lay on the stone table, tears streaming down her face, but the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.

Xu Yanli.

She silently repeated the name in her heart, then repeated it again, each time softer and gentler, as if afraid of disturbing this sudden joy.