A Life Cut Short from Beginning to End

"Ha ha ha, splendid, splendid! You rascal disciple has finally married."

A wrinkled, withered hand clapped heavily on Xu Xi’s shoulder.

The face was kind.

The laughter, hearty.

"Thank you for coming, Master."

"Nonsense! How could a master not attend? I’m still waiting to hold your children and grandchildren—don’t slack off now."

"Big Brother Xu, I’m here!"

A simple, excited face beamed with a radiant smile.

Behind Niu stood his wife, holding their child, and his elderly mother, her features worn with age.

Further back—

Hundreds, thousands of common folk from the Survival Army.

"Brother Xi, we brought you the wild ginseng we promised—works wonders for the wedding night!"

"We finally get to see the Great Scholar marry!"

Xu Xi responded warmly to each greeting, accepting gifts from their hands before watching them enter the wedding grounds.

It was a vast space.

Shrouded and anchored by the laws of time and space.

Only those bearing invitations could pass through the barrier.

"Big Brother Xu, we’re heading in first!"

"Go ahead, Niu."

"Cough! Cough-cough!"

Dragon wings beat, stirring a tempest.

The red dragon landed, folding its wings, hesitant and timid as it carefully extended a wooden chest.

Noticing Xu Xi’s confusion, Rex Santos quickly explained: "Dragon Speaker, this is but a small token of my esteem. Please accept it."

Its claws rubbed together, expression a mix of fawning and pained reluctance.

"Thank you." Xu Xi opened the chest to find it brimming with golden treasures.

These riches meant nothing to him.

But for the red dragon, parting with its hoard was akin to being flayed alive—true heartache in every sense.

"Alright, alright, go on in."

Seeing the dragon linger, its gaze glued to the treasure chest, unwilling to move, Xu Xi chuckled and urged it along, clearing the way for the next guest.

"Young Master, these are the Lady’s dowries. Shall we leave them here or deliver them directly to your home?"

"Leave them here for now."

"My Lord..."

"Ah Xu..."

"Master Xu..."

Familiar or unfamiliar—

Xu Xi watched as the friends and family of the five girls entered the venue one after another.

Today was the official wedding day.

Even if someone forgot, the invitations would break through boundaries on their own—so not a single guest was absent.

The sky was clear, a gentle rain of pale pink petals drifting down, settling on the paths, flower beds, and carpets of the wedding grounds.

The blazing sun and candlelight shone in harmony.

Hearts intertwined with hearts.

Amid laughter and joy, the guests ventured deeper into the temporal expanse—a wedding hall blending crimson festivity with sacred blessings.

"Everyone who should be here has arrived. Now, only my side remains."

Xu Xi withdrew his gaze.

The guests were all present, the groom ready—yet the brides had not appeared.

"Did something happen?"

Calculating the time, Xu Xi felt Mo Li and the others should have arrived long ago. Just as he prepared to reach out, a message from the girls arrived first.

The words were brief.

They informed him they had already entered the venue ahead of time, telling him not to wait.

"When did they go in?"

Xu Xi was puzzled.

Late autumn, early winter—outside, the bone-chilling wind howled, mercilessly rattling the branches, a stark contrast to the warmth and brightness of the wedding grounds.

He glanced toward the distant courtyard.

Confirming it was empty.

Then stepped forward, heading for the spacetime barrier leading into the venue.

"I have a feeling they’re plotting something behind my back."

Gurgle—

Gurgle—

Darkness surged, silent desolation transforming into waves that crashed against the chaotic currents of the spacetime passage.

Xu Xi’s suspicions were confirmed.

The moment he crossed the barrier, he did not enter the wedding grounds directly. Instead, he found himself in a corridor existing beyond time and space—hazy yet bright, reminiscent of the path through the Sea of Possibilities.

Unfazed, Xu Xi walked forward.

Traversing the darkness, awaiting the "surprise" the girls had prepared.

"Wait, this is—"

The dark scene burst into light, fleeting images of famine flashing by—scenes of suffering Xu Xi had once witnessed and endured.

As he stood stunned, a baby’s cry reached his ears.

Looking down—

A swaddled infant lay before him.

Without hesitation, Xu Xi bent to pick her up. The moment he did, the "infant" grew heavy in his arms.

"Brother, I win the bet this time."

Light bloomed.

Clad in red bridal robes, the girl giggled as she lay in Xu Xi’s arms, legs swinging playfully in a princess carry.

Xu Xi laughed helplessly. "Mo Li, why appear like this?"

"And what bet are you talking about?"

Xu Mo Li wrapped her pale arms around his neck, feigning mystery. "This is the surprise we prepared for you, Brother."

"As for the bet..."

"I told the others that the moment you saw me, you’d pick me up without hesitation. Clearly, I was right."

As she spoke, Mo Li’s expression brimmed with smug satisfaction.

Her features were like a painting, adorned with rouge and gold ornaments that jingled with every movement.

"Mo Li, where are the others—"

Before Xu Xi could finish, the weight in his arms vanished. The girl in bridal robes disappeared, and the path plunged back into darkness.

Xu Xi pondered, beginning to grasp the nature of the surprises to come.

Drip—

Drip—

Filthy water dripped from pipes, pooling into foul, stinking puddles on the ground.

A familiar scene.

A familiar figure.

But this time, she held no blade in her hand.

"Krisha, come home with me."

Xu Xi approached the small, pitifully fragile figure, crouching to meet her gaze.

He reached out, gently taking her grime-covered fingers.

"Yes, Mentor."

The discarded "object" took a step forward.

Transformed by the light, she emerged in a pristine white gown, standing close to Xu Xi, arm in arm.

"Forgive me, Mentor."

"Why apologize?"

"For not telling you beforehand—for acting on my own to prepare this."

"It’s alright, Krisha. I love surprises like this."

His voice softened.

"And it reminds me of the past. Precious memories."

The witch smiled.

Then, like Mo Li, vanished into the dark.

Xu Xi pressed on. When light returned, he saw a bloodstained noblewoman leaning weakly against a tree root.

The moment she spotted him—

"Sir! Save me!" she called, waving urgently.

Her appearance was pitiful, but her voice was full of vigor, making Xu Xi laugh.

"Ying Xue, let me help you up."

"No, no! Only if you carry me on your back can I barely survive!"

Amid the noblewoman’s playful antics, Xu Xi bent down, letting her climb onto his back before continuing forward.

A groom carrying his bride—

Only natural.

"Hehe, you’re the best, Sir."

The light faded into twilight, casting the last glow upon the girl’s face, staining it crimson.

She happily planted a kiss on Xu Xi's face.

Then, just like that, she vanished.

Xu Xi continued walking.

Before long, he encountered a cluster of light.

It had no human form, no distinct shape—just a scattering of starlike glimmers suspended in the darkness of the path.

The glow was faint.

As Xu Xi passed by, the breeze stirred by his steps drew it toward him.

It circled and danced around him.

Slowly, blending and shaping itself, the hazy radiance gradually took on a beautiful form beside Xu Xi.

In its swirling motion, it collided into Xu Xi's embrace, hugging him tightly.

"Ailei is delighted to serve you, Master."

"Welcome back, Ailei."

Xu Xi smiled, reaching out to gently stroke Ailei's head, overjoyed to witness her growth once again.

"Master, when are we having children?"

"Huh? Isn’t it a bit too early to talk about that now?"

"Negative. You and I have been married for a thousand years. By human standards, we’re an old married couple. It’s not early at all."

The loyal mechanical servant listed off data points with unshakable logic.

Her words were so forceful that Xu Xi could barely keep up.

But soon, Ailei’s figure dissolved into the darkness, leaving Xu Xi alone once more on the path.

"Now, the last one must be Servia..."

Xu Xi stretched out his hand.

The dark passage had shifted into shades of gray, with wandering spirits and reanimated skeletons drifting through.

A despairing black sun and a blood-red moon hung on either side of the path.

And ahead—

The "False Hero," encased in heavy armor, was trapped in a cage of solitude, mechanically swinging her sword in endless repetition of a duty that no longer existed.

Until Xu Xi approached and removed the helmet that hid her shame.

A miracle unfolded.

Her ravaged face rapidly healed, and her emerald-green eyes—clear as the purest gemstones—reflected Xu Xi’s features.

"Servia, let’s go."

No sweet nothings were needed.

With just that simple invitation, Servia broke into a smile.

The moment her hand touched Xu Xi’s, the heavy armor encasing her rippled and transformed into a pure white wedding dress, cinched at the waist with soft silk ribbons.

"Great Sorcerer, I’ve finally become your bride."

Her voice trembled with unrestrained joy.

Xu Xi added, "Only after this wedding will it truly be complete."

Servia nodded eagerly. "You’re right. Let’s hurry, then."

As if she couldn’t wait another second, she grabbed Xu Xi’s arm and pulled him toward the end of the spacetime passage. Within minutes, a door came into view.

It stood unremarkably in the darkness.

No blooming spring flowers adorned it.

No ancient aura of time surrounded it.

Just an ordinary door—one that, with a slight push, would lead them into the wedding venue.

Xu Xi stood before it, gripping the handle but hesitating to open it.

"You’re taking too long, darling!"

"Move aside, let me do it!"

The girls who had vanished earlier reappeared beside Xu Xi.

Ying Xue, impatient, placed her hand over Xu Xi’s on the handle and pushed the door open with him.

Even Krisha, usually so aloof, became assertive now, shoving Xu Xi from behind to propel him into the venue.

"Woo-hoo!!!"

Inside, the hall blazed with light.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The noise was overwhelming, sending Xu Xi’s thoughts adrift as emotions surged in his heart.

Dressed in formal attire, he walked through the red, jubilant section, then the pristine white one, until finally, under the gaze of everyone present, he recited his vows.

His voice blurred amidst the kaleidoscopic lights—a promise to the girls.

Through prosperity or hardship, through life or death, until the end of the world, they would never part.

"I do! I do!"

One voice rang out first.

Another quickly claimed the spot beside Xu Xi.

Someone tossed him a wooden sword.

"Brother, use this to cut the ribbon."

"Thanks, Mo Li."

Whoever had arranged this wedding had included a giant red ceremonial ball for the occasion. Xu Xi swung the wooden sword twice in the air to test its weight.

Then, aiming for the middle of the red silk—

"Slice!!"

It split cleanly in two.

This bloodstained wooden sword was unexpectedly sharp, cleaving Xu Xi’s life from beginning to end.