At this moment, he was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, with the room adorned in red silk and "Double Happiness" symbols hanging all around—a festive arrangement prepared the previous evening by his grandfather, Xiao Lie, and his young aunt, Xiao Lingxi. This was his usual room, now transformed into a bridal chamber.
Just then, the door swung open, and a lithe figure rushed in. Xiao Che quickly stood and smiled, calling, "Little Aunt, has Grandfather returned?"
Xiao Lingxi, though his aunt, was only fifteen, a year younger than Xiao Che. Born to Xiao Lie later in life, she was delicate and beautiful, already at the sixth level of the Elementary Profound Realm—a level highly respected within the Xiao Clan, though not yet comparable to Xia Qingyue's brilliance.
"Ah, Che'er, you're awake."
A gentle voice sounded as Xiao Lie stepped inside, his expression easing as he saw Xiao Che up and looking well. He was followed by two others—Xiao Hong, the steward who attended to Xiao Che's daily needs, and Situ Yun, the most renowned physician in Floating Cloud City.
"It's good that you're awake, and you seem well. But let Master Situ check on you—today is your wedding day, and no mistakes can be allowed. Master Situ, if you please." Xiao Lie moved aside as Situ Yun opened his medical kit, placing his fingers lightly on Xiao Che's pulse before withdrawing them a moment later.
"Master Situ, how is Xiao Che? Is it serious?" Xiao Lingxi asked anxiously, her worry evident.
Xiao Lie's eyes remained fixed on Situ Yun, though he said nothing; his expression was equally grave. He could sense that Xiao Che's sudden fainting spell was no ordinary matter.
Situ Yun, however, stood and smiled. "There's no need for concern, Elder Xiao. The young master is in perfect health—not a trace of illness. The fainting spell may simply have been caused by excitement. After all, he's marrying the former heiress of the Xia family, Floating Cloud City's most beautiful young lady."
Though Situ Yun attempted to mask it, his tone held a faint trace of regret. Such a remarkable woman marrying someone with no talent and no future was indeed hard to accept.
"That's good to hear," Xiao Lie said, exhaling in relief. "Thank you for coming so early, Master Situ. Old Hong, please see Master Situ to the guest hall."
"No need." Situ Yun raised a hand, picking up his kit. "Since the young master is well, I'll take my leave. Congratulations, Elder Xiao, on gaining such an extraordinary granddaughter-in-law—many will envy you. Farewell."
"Be sure to come later for a cup of wedding wine. Old Hong, show Master Situ out."
"Che'er, are you truly all right? Any discomfort at all?" The moment Situ Yun departed, Xiao Lie's brow furrowed again, his worry unrelenting. Xiao Che's sudden collapse, the abrupt drop in temperature, the seeming loss of vitality—none of this could be attributed to mere excitement. Yet Xiao Che seemed perfectly fine now, leaving him deeply puzzled.
"Rest assured, Grandfather. I'm truly fine." Xiao Che replied lightly, but seeing the worry in Xiao Lie's gaze and his hair turned snow-white with age, he felt a pang of sorrow.
The Xiao Clan had five elders, and while Xiao Lie was the fifth, he was its most powerful, having reached the pinnacle of the tenth level of the Spirit Profound Realm five years ago. Now he stood on the cusp of a breakthrough to the Earth Profound Realm, the dream of countless cultivators.
At only fifty-five, with strength at the peak of the Spirit Profound Realm, he should have possessed a head of black hair, yet his was white as snow. Each time Xiao Che saw it, his heart grew heavy.
Everyone in Floating Cloud City knew why Xiao Lie's hair had turned white. His only son, Xiao Ying—Xiao Che's father—had once been the city's greatest talent, breaking through the Elementary Profound Realm at seventeen, reaching the fifth level of the Nascent Profound Realm by twenty, and astonishingly achieving the True Profound Realm at twenty-three. He was the pride of the Xiao Clan and Xiao Lie's joy. Many believed Xiao Ying would one day succeed as clan leader.
But perhaps heaven envied his talent. Just one month after Xiao Che's birth, Xiao Ying was ambushed and killed while his profound strength was weakened from saving a Xia family member. His wife, stricken with grief, took her own life soon after. The shock turned Xiao Lie's hair white overnight, and nine months later, Xiao Lingxi was born, but her mother passed away from heartbreak shortly after.
After losing both son and wife, Xiao Lie endured unimaginable pain, grief, and hatred—all hidden within his snow-white hair.
Even now, Xiao Lie had not discovered who was behind Xiao Ying's death.
Afterward, he placed all his hopes on Xiao Che, only for the cruel reality of Xiao Che's damaged profound veins to shatter them anew.
Yet, despite this seemingly hopeless grandson, Xiao Lie showed not a trace of disappointment or anger. Instead, he showered Xiao Che with boundless care, even to the point of indulgence. He knew fate had already been unkind, and Xiao Che deserved warmth, not scorn. Xiao Lie had spent years searching for elixirs that might restore the profound veins, but such damage was like a severed lifeline of profound power—impossible to mend.
With a grandfather like him, Xiao Che, despite growing up under the indifference and scorn of others, still felt fortunate.
Gazing at Xiao Lie's snowy white hair, Xiao Che's eyes grew determined. Since fate had given him this second chance, along with memories of two lifetimes, he would live brilliantly, if only to bring his grandfather comfort. Damaged profound veins? So what! As the heir of a healer, as long as he found the right materials, he could restore them in a mere three weeks.
"I'm glad you're all right." Xiao Lie finally relaxed, glancing at the light outside. "The hour is nearly upon us, Che'er. Prepare yourself; I'll make arrangements for the wedding procession… By the way, would you prefer to ride or go by carriage?"
The former Xiao Che would have chosen the carriage, despite being an elder's grandson, for he had little else and was worlds apart from Xia Qingyue. He would have endured countless jealous, scornful, and pitying glances along the route. But the present Xiao Che smiled. "I'll ride, of course. Don't worry, Grandfather—no matter how noble Xia Qingyue may be, she is destined to become a daughter of the Xiao family. I'll bring her back with honor, and I won't let you down."
Xiao Lie's expression froze, surprised by his words, then softened into a gentle smile. "Good."
With that single word, Xiao Lie turned and left, gently closing the door behind him.
The moment he left, Xiao Lingxi stepped before Xiao Che, pouting slightly. "So it was just excitement that made you faint, making me worry for nothing! You've barely even seen Xia Qingyue, and yet you already like her so much… well, she is the most beautiful girl in Floating Cloud City. Hmph!"
Xiao Che quickly raised his hands. "How could that be! Xia Qingyue may be beautiful, but my Little Aunt is far prettier! If I fainted every time I saw her, with you by my side every day, I'd have fainted countless times by now."
"Hmmph!" Xiao Lingxi's stern expression crumbled, and she smiled sweetly. "I knew you'd say something like that to cheer me up. But even if you faint from excitement over marrying her, it's fine. After all, Xia Qingyue is incredibly beautiful and the city's first talent. The Xia family is Floating Cloud City's wealthiest, and every young man dreams of marrying her. Yet, in the end, she's marrying my little Che'er."
A trace of pride appeared on her face, her gaze growing distant. "It just feels so sudden… My little Che'er is already starting a family…"
There was a knock, followed by Xiao Hong's steady voice. "Young Master, the auspicious hour is near—it's time to leave for the Xia family."
"Oh, already?" Xiao Lingxi glanced at Xiao Che's attire and grew anxious. "Old Hong, please wait a moment—almost ready."
She quickly moved in front of Xiao Che, hands busy arranging his wedding robe. "This robe is such a bother, and everything got messy after earlier. Hold still; I'll have it done in a moment."
Her delicate hands deftly smoothed his collar and retied his sash. Her movements were clumsy but full of focused intent. Xiao Che watched her in silence, his gaze softening…