The Grand Wedding Begins, the Calm Before the Storm
The Grand Wedding Begins, the Calm Before the Storm
Countless memories flowed through her mind like water, but the Yao Xi Empress was no ordinary person after all.
She quickly composed herself, not letting the slightest abnormality show on her face.
“Long time no see, Changge.” she said softly, raising her cup. “Congratulations. Honestly, I never imagined that someone like you would actually give your true heart to another. Speaking of which, I rather envy Empress Mingkong.”
She had obtained what she herself could never have.
Back in the Demon World, she had always believed that someone like Changge had only profit in his eyes, never any so-called warmth, let alone treating anyone with genuine sincerity.
But she never expected that his attitude toward Yue Mingkong would be like this, and the Yao Xi Empress couldn’t help but feel a sour envy in her heart.
“I didn’t expect that after not seeing each other for so long, the first thing you’d do is say all this to me?”
Changge smiled faintly, a trace of surprise seeming to cross his face, but he still sat down beside her and poured himself a full cup, as if reminiscing with an old friend.
“It is indeed so. I’m merely surprised by it.” The Yao Xi Empress smiled self-deprecatingly. “You took time out alone to see me—aren’t you afraid of stirring up criticism on your wedding day? Many guests are still watching, you know?”
Changge raised his cup and laughed, “Why would I need to care about such things? Meeting an old friend—what’s wrong with that?”
Seeing how open and unbothered he was, the Yao Xi Empress sighed inwardly, then said seriously, “You’ve come this far, and your horizons have far exceeded my imagination. But I still want to say—this wedding of yours today likely won’t be peaceful. Many of the Dao Traditions have come with ill intent, waiting for their opportunity.”
Although the Demon World was vast and boundless, compared to the true Immortal Dao Traditions, it still fell considerably short.
Even if she wanted to help Changge, there was nothing she could do, so she could only advise him thus.
“I’ve long known all this, and I don’t fear them.”
Changge nodded, raising his white jade cup to clink against hers. “In the near future, the Beyond will not be peaceful, and the Demon World may be swept up in it as well. You should make preparations in advance. What’s happening now is nothing more than the calm before the storm.”
“I understand.” The Yao Xi Empress smiled radiantly, tilting back her snow-white, slender, swan-like neck and draining the cup in one gulp.
Afterward, Gu Changge departed, heading in another direction to meet more people, also seeing some of his former peers.
No matter what, today was the joyous day of his grand wedding. Even with all the many grudges and schemes at play, Gu Changge set them aside for now, displaying nothing but humility and warmth before the crowd, clinking cups with many True Daoists.
“The Lord of Sky Emperor Mountain has arrived!!”
“The Lord of the Endless Fire Kingdom has arrived!”
“The Valley Master of Su Valley has arrived!!”
“The Sect Master of the Holy Light Sacred Sect has arrived!”
“The Head of the Jiu Li Family has arrived!”
Just then, a series of announcements came from beyond the palace gates. The leaders of these Dao Traditions—whether by prior arrangement or sheer coincidence—had all appeared here together.
One great figure after another arrived. Though their cultivation had not reached the True Daoist realm, they represented the Immortal Dao Traditions behind them and could not be taken lightly.
Hearing of these great figures’ descent, many guests within the palace all showed strange expressions, some watching with keen interest as if anticipating a good show.
And in their eyes, what was quite interesting was that these great figures had not come in their true bodies—they had merely descended as Dao Bodies, with no True Daoists following behind them, let alone any Foundation-level figures.
Many had already guessed what these Dao Tradition forces were thinking. After all, on the Longevity Gu Family’s territory, they didn’t dare act recklessly, fearing that if their true bodies came, accidents might occur and they might perish.
So they simply didn’t even send True Daoists. As for Foundation-level figures—those were the truly invincible existences of the current Beyond. How could they casually venture into another force’s territory? If something went wrong, it would be an unimaginably terrifying loss, one they could not bear.
“These fellows are certainly cautious. But since they dare come to our Gu Family, they’d best be prepared.” Some of the Gu Family’s Ancestors revealed cold smiles.
Changge’s eyes also showed a strange glint. He didn’t believe these forces would dare make a move within the Longevity Gu Family’s ancestral grounds. Even if power surpassing the Celestial Realm erupted here, it could still be suppressed.
Such was the confidence in the Longevity Gu Family’s terrifying foundation.
Within the great hall, many great figures came and went, encompassing virtually all the powers standing tall in the current Beyond.
Even some of the Forbidden Areas, independent of the mortal world’s affairs, though no ruling figures came in person, still sent lavish congratulatory gifts.
The wedding had yet to begin, but the great hall was already bustling with excitement. Immortal mist drifted about, immortal music played in accompaniment, all manner of delicacies were laid out, and jar after jar of divine wine was brought forth, its fragrance wafting tens of thousands of miles, making one’s mouth water at a single whiff.
All the Cultivators began toasting one another, drinking and chatting merrily. No matter what, today was the joyous occasion of the marriage alliance between the Unrivaled Celestial Dynasty and the Longevity Gu Family.
Unless there was some irreconcilable conflict, no one was willing to provoke the Longevity Gu Family’s displeasure at a time like this.
So even forces like Sky Emperor Mountain quietly drank their wine, conversing with the leaders of neighboring Dao Traditions.
The Gu Family’s many Ancestors also moved among the tables offering toasts. Several ancient existences exuding Foundation-level auras appeared, reminiscing with some extremely low-profile old friends.
For instance, the Foundation-level existence of the Reincarnation Dao Lake was chatting with the Gu Family’s Eighteenth Ancestor, Gu Lang, his face full of smiles.
And across the Longevity Gu Family’s vast territory, even in the outer island regions, it was even livelier.
Those Cultivators and beings without the qualifications to enter the palace also began toasting and conversing, the atmosphere jubilant. Countless streaks of light flew across the sky as maids carrying all kinds of wine and food flitted about like butterflies among flowers.
Of course, even in the outer island regions, the banquet’s delicacies were rare treasures seldom found in the world, worth entire cities.
Only true Immortal Dao Traditions would be willing to bring such things out. For ordinary Cultivators, even a single bite would be an enormous fortuitous blessing.
This grand wedding banquet that shook the entire Beyond was finally about to begin, and Gu Changge, as the groom, moved about offering toasts everywhere.
“Gu Changge, congratulations.”
A young woman, cold and ethereal as an immortal, walked over. Otherworldly and transcendent, wreathed in immortal aura, she raised her cup before Gu Changge—though deep in her eyes there was a trace of gloom.
Although today was the joyous day of Gu Changge and Yue Mingkong’s wedding, and she should have been happy for the two of them, she simply couldn’t feel happy in her heart. A stifling restlessness weighed on her, and her mood was exceedingly low.
“You girl, you’re doing this to me too?” Gu Changge smiled and rubbed Gu Xianer’s head, though she glared at him and quickly dodged away.
“Tiantian congratulates Shifu!”
Beside Gu Xianer stood a girl as delicate and lovely as a porcelain doll, with snow-white skin. She raised her little face, revealing a happy smile—it was none other than Tiantian.
Upon hearing that her Shifu was getting married, she had begged Gu Xianer to bring her along.
Gu Changge smiled faintly, bending down to pinch her cheek. “Shifu thanks Tiantian.”
“Congratulations to you as well.”
Another breathtakingly beautiful woman in white robes whiter than snow walked over. Her features were flawless as a painting, her brows like distant mountains, her three thousand strands of dark hair cascading down—transcendent and peerless, like a snow lotus blooming in the extreme cold, untouched by worldly dust.
Jiang Chuchu pressed her lips together, forcing a smile onto her face, though the dimness and disappointment in her eyes were hard to conceal.
Although Gu Changge had indeed promised to marry her, it would never be on such a grand scale as this, and who knew when it would happen.
That day remained endlessly far away.
Of course, Jiang Chuchu was very sensible. No matter how bitter and envious she felt inside, she showed nothing unusual on her face, afraid of bringing unnecessary gossip and trouble upon Gu Changge.
Changge sighed softly in his heart, though of course the smile on his face never changed as he expressed his thanks.