novelraw Chapter 326: Today, Consider Me Married
Chapter 326: Today, Consider Me Married
Lu Ce stiffened slightly, as if momentarily frozen in place. He hadn't expected anyone on this battlefield to approach him so silently, let alone directly grab his hand.
His instincts screamed at him to instantly crush whatever had grasped him. But after a split-second consideration, he restrained his strength.
At this moment, the only person who could approach without triggering his danger senses would be her. Turning his head slightly, his eyes met Xie Antong's gaze.
Lu Ce: "......"
He found himself speechless. Any response now would betray the "arrogance" his mask demanded. Yet what reaction was appropriate here?
Xie Antong tightened her grip slightly, her fingers tracing the bones of his hand with practiced ease. All remaining doubts vanished - it was definitely him.
You've hidden yourself quite well...
"Are you really going to pass up this rare divine energy absorption? It's part of the game's requirements," Xie Antong said casually, looking up at the golden mask.
Her expression remained composed and natural, as if this were the most reasonable course of action. As if this were merely completing a game ritual to gain benefits.
"What? After fighting for so long, you can't disregard the game's rules now." She tilted her head. "Didn't you always believe power was everything?"Lu Ce: "......"
After a long silence, he finally spoke: "The strong don't need power from others. Especially not... this weak variety."
"Oh." Xie Antong nodded. "But you also said all power in this world belongs to you. You're just reclaiming what's yours - what's the problem?"
Lu Ce found himself at a loss for words - not because he couldn't respond, but because his focus was divided. He had no objection to completing the game's ritual with Xie Antong to gain strength.
Yet her behavior gave him an inexplicable sense of unease. Since when had she become so decisive in matters like this?
Before he could process this, Xie Antong turned and led him forward by the hand toward the castle's center. Even in ruins, the center remained the center.
Lu Ce offered no resistance, following her lead at a measured pace.
Xie Antong walked ahead, a faint smile playing on her lips. What was she smiling about?
That axe - a weapon so heavy it shocked deities, wrapped around a stone like it weighed nothing. That man - possessing the world's greatest physique and strength, lifting the golden axe effortlessly.
Meaning if he didn't want to move, no force in this world could make him.
Xie Antong led Lu Ce to the central clearing, where Sun and Shui Zhongmeng stood hand in hand nearby. Above them, swirling pink energy formed a small vortex.
As Lu Ce and Xie Antong approached, another funnel began forming in the sky, channeling energy downward toward them.
This was a ceremony chosen by desire, fueled by the love in people's hearts.
No rainbow bridge. No cheering crowds. No magnificent palace or radiant heavenly light. Just ruins, blood, broken corpses, slaughtered guards, and a shattered princess.
Yet in this setting, the wedding commenced.
Sun immediately noticed the energy nourishing his body being siphoned away. Seeing the newcomers "stealing" their power, anger surged within him.
But he knew this was inevitable - the game's final task after all. With the power of desire and the "Dream Wedding" scenario, initiating conflict now would be disastrous.
He just couldn't help feeling irritated... Why did their energy vortex look bigger than ours? Their effects seemed superior too.
While he understood the wedding must continue, the specifics eluded him. He'd been trying his best to psyche himself up.
Love? He barely understood the concept. Desire, now that he grasped. But... that despicable guy over there couldn't possibly understand this stuff either!
Shouldn't that bastard be even worse than me?!
Tch... must be because they have an actual woman on their side.
"Look at me!" Sun suddenly barked at Shui Zhongmeng.
Shui Zhongmeng, already uncomfortable, nearly jumped out of his skin. "What?!"
"Look at me properly. Pretend to be affectionate. You're feminine enough - can't you psyche yourself into it?"
"Feminine?! My orientation's perfectly normal! Why don't you imagine yourself as the woman?" Shui Zhongmeng shuddered in disgust.
But one look at Sun's murderous, twisted expression confirmed the impossibility.
"At least maintain eye contact," Sun growled through clenched teeth. "Their effects are better than ours."
"No shit! They're an actual couple - of course it's different!" Shui Zhongmeng rolled his eyes.
"Since when? At most they're using each other." Sun scoffed.
Shui Zhongmeng gave him a sidelong glance, too exasperated to respond. This is your limit? No talent for this whatsoever.
While their side resembled a farce, Lu Ce and Xie Antong's atmosphere remained serene. Simply holding hands, their effects already surpassed the bizarre pair nearby.
Hearing their exchange, Xie Antong smiled. Gazing up at the golden mask's sculpted features, she suddenly realized this might be her most beautiful in-game moment.
Perhaps emboldened by the power of Desire's Chosen, she found unexpected courage.
Rising on her toes, she brushed her lips lightly against the golden mask's cheek.
A fleeting touch of cold metal.
Xie Antong's face flushed deeply, as if all her previous injections had instantly lost effect.
Though this was just a game. Though none of it was real.
But today... consider me married.