On a mist-wreathed dawn, the first rays of morning light broke across the horizon. Golden sunlight pierced through the thin haze, spilling over the majestic architecture of the sect and cloaking this special journey in an aura of mystery and solemnity.
Li Guanqi was clad in an exquisitely embroidered ceremonial robe. Soaring dragons surged vividly across the lapels, lending him an aura of spirited elegance.
He walked shoulder to shoulder with the sworn brothers who had braved life and death alongside him, smiles beaming on every face.
"Boss looks truly dashing today."
"Heh, Boss, you have no idea how lively the Qingyun Continent is today."
"Isn't that the truth? The clans coming to witness the ceremony have been arriving one after another since three days ago. By my rough estimate, there are at least twenty to thirty thousand people..."
Li Guanqi waved a hand with a laugh. "Never mind them. Today, brothers, we have only one objective: bring your sister-in-law home!"
Ye Feng and the others raised their arms and cheered.
"Rest easy, Boss! We'll definitely bring Sister-in-Law home!"
"Heh, who would dare stop us..."
"Ahem, take it easy when we fetch the bride, though. Don't go tearing down my father-in-law's domain boundary..."
The group burst into hearty laughter as they soared through the air to the sect plaza, where the bridal procession had long been waiting.
Jiuxiao revealed his true form, hovering at the very vanguard of the procession.
Behind him, nine pitch-black flood dragons pulled a magnificent carriage of red and gold.
Even Ye Feng and the others felt an incomparable sense of awe at the sight!
A carriage drawn by nine dragons.
Good heavens, just this carriage alone was likely worth a million spirit stones!
Behind it stretched the solemn, immense bridal procession, winding like a great dragon.
Even Lu Kangnian had changed into a bright red robe for the occasion. Flashing to Li Guanqi's side, he smiled. "The auspicious hour has arrived. It is time to set out."
Li Guanqi gave a slight nod. At this moment, the sky beyond the Great Xia Sword Sect's territory was already densely packed with spectating cultivators.
The crowds surged. Many cultivators were already seated within the sect grounds, though these were all figures on exceptionally good terms with the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Now, they too had gathered at the sect plaza to watch.
Li Guanqi looked around in all directions. He had not anticipated such a grand spectacle on the day of his wedding.
Ye Feng chuckled and said, "There aren't many women on Sister-in-Law's side, so Qingchan, Qing'er, and the others have already gone over to act as the bride's family. It's about time we set off too."
Li Guanqi nodded, flickered up into the air, and landed atop Jiuxiao's massive head, giving it a gentle pat. "Let's go!"
Roar!
A deep, joyful dragon roar rang out. In an instant, the vast and solemn bridal procession began its march toward the Shenbao Domain!
This time was even grander and more imposing—a true dragon leading the way, flood dragons pulling the carriage.
Li Guanqi stood straight as a sword with one hand clasped behind his back atop Jiuxiao's head. The oncoming breeze ruffled the hair at his temples, but his heart still surged with excitement.
Along the way, countless cultivators shouted their congratulations, and firecrackers roared in unison whenever they passed through clan territories. Wherever the procession went, people could not help offering their blessings.
In Linyan City, a beautiful young woman was walking along the street, holding the hand of a little girl as delicate as a porcelain doll. The woman possessed striking features, a gentle and moving smile, and bright eyes.
"Mother, look! So many people are flying in the sky, and there's a dragon!"
Wearing a red dress, the little girl looked no more than three or four years old, with twin pigtails and fair skin. Her eyes went wide as she pointed to the sky.
Yun Chuxue looked up and happened to see the massive bridal procession. Crouching down, she wiped the corner of the little girl's mouth and smiled softly. "An'an, those are immortals. They can fly through the sky."
The little girl tilted her head and nodded, only to see the red-robed young man atop the true dragon looking down at her.
Li Guanqi's gaze was tender. He murmured softly, "Her child is named An'an too..."
Li Guanqi's eyes grew moist. Looking at the little girl, he offered a gentle smile.
With a flick of his finger, a wisp of lightning transformed into a streak of light and slipped into the little girl's body.
Another wisp of lightning silently merged into Yun Chuxue's body.
Having done all this, Li Guanqi smiled, turned back, and departed as the procession drifted farther into the distance.
Yet the little girl tugged on Yun Chuxue's skirt. Thinking she had grown tired from walking, the woman crouched down and lifted her into her arms.
The little girl, however, leaned in close to Yun Chuxue's ear and whispered in solemn secrecy, "Mother, that uncle on the dragon's head smiled at me just now!"
Yun Chuxue chuckled, tapping the little girl between the brows. "It was so high and so far away. How could you possibly know someone was standing on the dragon's head?"
Seeing that her mother did not believe her, the little girl put her hands on her hips, pouting indignantly. "That uncle really did smile at me! And his eyes were white!"
Yun Chuxue froze. Memories surged back like a tidal wave; that disaster from years ago, when the Abyss Demons ran rampant across the realm, was still vivid in her mind. Above all, she could never forget the man with pure-white eyes who had fought desperately to protect Linyan City.
She did not know how her daughter had seen him, nor could she explain who that man truly was or what connection he had to her...
That matter had always been a secret buried deep in her heart.
Before long, the party arrived at the Meng clan in the Shenbao Domain.
The Meng Clan Domain Boundary had opened several passages today, welcoming the arrival of countless clans on friendly terms with them.
Ye Feng and the others rubbed their hands together, eager to take on the gauntlet of obstacles set up beforehand to test them.
And the very first trial was ninety-nine tiers of stone steps lined with strong liquor.
Every single step held bowl after bowl of wine.
Li Qingchan stood by the gate and smiled. "Gentlemen, today I count as Wanshu's family! There's no trickery in this door-blocking wine. If you want to step through the gate, you must first show your sincerity—and no using spiritual power!"
The corners of Li Guanqi's mouth twitched. So much Red Dust Brew, and no spiritual power allowed?
They clearly intended to knock them all flat at the very first hurdle.
Ye Feng was stunned, winking and sending a frantic voice transmission: "You promised to be my inside spy! How could you defect on us?!"
Li Qingchan covered her mouth and giggled, casting him a playful glance as she transmitted back, "I had no choice! Little Sister Wanshu has too few women on her side. I couldn't keep spying for you."
Just then, many of the spectating cultivators chimed in with laughter.
"I'm afraid this door-blocking wine won't be enough to stop Lord Sword Venerable!"
"Hahaha, as long as you're still standing after a thousand cups, you're fine!"
"Hey, hey, hey—spilling them doesn't count!"
Xiao Chen's eyes lit up. Rolling up his sleeves, he raised his fist and shouted, "Brothers, charge! Can a little wine like this really stop us? The few of us must back Big Brother up to the hilt today! Drink!"
Before his words had even settled, Ye Feng and the other four grabbed a bowl of wine each and threw their heads back to drink.
Inside her bedchamber, Meng Wanshu sat adorned in a phoenix coronet and bridal robes, her head covered by a veil. Extending her divine sense slightly, she listened to the shouts echoing from the boundary gate, her lips curving into a suppressed giggle.
Ye Feng and the others strode forward, tossing aside the wine bowls as soon as they were emptied.
With his sworn brothers clearing the path, Li Guanqi walked steadily forward down the middle.
A grin broke across Li Guanqi's face, and he could not help calling out with a laugh, "Keep it up, brothers! I'll give each of you a hefty red envelope later!"
Chapter 1519