At this moment, the entire venue fell into complete silence, every gaze fixed upon the well-matched pair.
The elders of the Meng clan and the senior leadership of the Great Xia Sword Sect were all seated atop the high platform.
Su Xuan looked upon the two with a gentle gaze, his eyes glistening slightly.
Never had he imagined that he would witness Li Guanqi's grand wedding here in the Human Spirit Realm.
A dazzling array of lanterns and colorful ribbons cast their glow all around, making the entire world seem submerged in an ocean of festive joy.
Su Xuan's arrival brought an immense solemnity to the atmosphere of the wedding.
Numerous guests rose to their feet in respect.
The mere presence of the cultivators from the Seventh Domain exerted an overwhelming pressure,
offering the cultivators of the world a glimpse of the vast connections and profound foundation of the Great Xia Sword Sect.
Clad in a robe embroidered with soaring azure dragons amid rolling clouds, his hair as white as snow yet his eyes bright as cold stars, Su Xuan strode unhurriedly up the high platform.
Behind him lay an endless sea of clouds, making him look as if he were treading upon the void itself. Every gesture he made exuded an otherworldly grace.
In his hand he held an ancient, unadorned jade slip inscribed with archaic runes.
With a light unfurling, a faint resonance seemed to ripple through heaven and earth. The wind died down, the clouds stilled, and all creation fell silent, waiting only for him to speak.
"On this auspicious day and blessed hour, let the highest heavens and deepest depths bear witness together.
"I, Realm Lord Su Xuan, in this aged body and bearing the weight of years, stand atop the pinnacle of the Great Xia Sword Sect to personally preside over the wedding ceremony of my grandson Li Guanqi and the fair maiden Meng Wanshu."
Su Xuan's voice was not loud, yet it echoed clearly into every corner, as though piercing through time and space to reach the deepest recesses of the human heart.
His steady voice and solemn words carried the profound gravity of bygone years, drawing everyone into the moment in an instant.
The old man looked upon the two before him with a tender gaze.
"Guanqi possesses a sword bone and a poetic heart, accomplished in both civil and martial arts.
"Wanshu is gentle as water, gifted with extraordinary grace and talent. The union of these two is truly a match made in heaven."
The moment his words fell, thunderous applause erupted all around.
Li Guanqi's eyes welled with moisture as he pursed his lips and looked up at the old man.
Beneath the red silk, Meng Wanshu felt profoundly moved.
Infused with immortal essence, Su Xuan's voice carried above the clouds.
With a solemn expression, the old man held the ancient jade slip and spoke in a deep, resounding tone:
"Beneath the vast azure skies and clear cosmos, the two youths, Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu, are from this day forth bound in wedlock as husband and wife, their love free of doubt.
"May you walk together and advance side by side along the path of the sword—where the blade points, let the heart follow.
"May you live in true harmony like the qin and se, bound by deep and enduring affection. Through prosperity and adversity alike, may you support one another and share every dawn and dusk."
As his words settled, Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu bowed together toward the old man.
After their three bows, Su Xuan smiled softly.
"We who walk the path of cultivation know well that worldly affairs are ever-changing, and only true love endures.
"May you never forget your original hearts, supporting one another on the path of cultivation and finding a sanctuary of peace amid the clamor of the mortal realm."
At this point, the old man paused briefly.
Stepping forward, he reached out to help the two rise, speaking softly with heartfelt earnestness:
"Today's alliance is not merely a vow spoken before others, but a covenant forged within your hearts.
"Remember this well, both of you. Remember it well."
With a solemn expression, Li Guanqi replied firmly:
"Grandfather, rest assured. The vow resides in our hearts, not merely on our lips!
"Your grandson shall keep it engraved upon his soul!"
Hearing this, Su Xuan broke into hearty laughter and lightly swept his sleeve.
Instantly, myriad beams of rosy light and thousands of auspicious vapors filled the sky. High above the heavens, dragons and phoenixes brought auspicious omens, while ethereal immortal music seemed to drift amidst the swirling mist.
Facing Meng Wanshu, Li Guanqi took a deep breath, fighting down the trembling excitement in his chest.
With slightly trembling hands, he slowly lifted the woman's red bridal veil.
Beneath the watchful eyes of the gathered thousands, Li Guanqi gently raised his hands.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze, and the air filled with a near-sacred tranquility.
As the veil drifted lightly aside, Meng Wanshu's peerless beauty was slowly unveiled before everyone's eyes.
Like the first ray of light breaking through the dawn, she was at once gentle and dazzling.
Meng Wanshu wore an intricate and exquisite bridal gown, its embroidery delicate and its colors brilliant, accentuating her graceful figure.
Her skin was as pure and flawless as fresh snow, smooth and radiant.
Her brows were like distant mountains, her lips like brushed cinnabar, and her hair cascaded like a waterfall, adorned with delicate gold ornaments and emerald pearls that added a touch of noble elegance.
Her bright eyes seemed to hold thousands of words, shimmering with tenderness and love.
When those bright, tender eyes met Li Guanqi's, both of their hearts skipped a beat.
Li Guanqi felt as if his heartbeat had ceased for a second. The surrounding world seemed to dim into insignificance, leaving only Meng Wanshu before him.
In that instant, the surrounding guests gasped in awe, murmurs of praise rising incessantly.
Li Guanqi looked at Meng Wanshu. There were no convoluted vows, only steadfast gazes meeting one another.
Under the gaze of every guest, the two embraced tightly.
"The rites are complete!"
As Su Xuan's proclamation rang out,
brilliant, multicolored light burst forth in the sky!
Auspicious clouds gathered into the shape of a colossal lotus, symbolizing purity and fortune.
Bathed in this radiant glow,
Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu smiled at each other, their eyes filled only with each other's reflection, as if the entire world held no one else.
"From this day forward, whether upon battlefields where blades are drawn or in quiet valleys where the qin plays sweet melodies, may you walk side by side, never parting, until the end of time."
Su Xuan's voice was filled with blessings and hope.
He gave a gentle wave of his hand.
A pair of dragons and phoenixes condensed from pure immortal essence spiraled upward around the newlyweds!
Dragon and phoenix cried out in unison, soaring straight into the clouds before dissolving into immortal essence that scattered across heaven and earth,
sharing this blessing with every guest in attendance.
At this moment, the atmosphere of the entire wedding reached its absolute zenith.
Both on and off the platform, many were moved to tears.
Lu Kangnian and Meng Jiangchu, two grown men, gripped each other's hands with emotion, tears streaming down their faces like rain.
Ye Feng and the others wept as well, deeply aware of how difficult the journey had been, their hearts surging with overwhelming emotion.
Li Guanqi's wedding day was free of overly cumbersome formalities.
What mattered far more was the expression and witness of love between him and Meng Wanshu.
Nor did Meng Wanshu care for excessive ceremony; had she cared, she would never have shown herself when Li Guanqi first came to propose.
With her family, friends, and the cultivators of the Six Domains bearing witness, she was already overflowing with happiness.
Li Guanqi took Meng Wanshu's hand as they raised their wine cups, floating in mid-air to bow in salute to all four directions.
"Our thanks to all fellow Daoists for coming to witness our wedding. Thank you."
As his words fell, the surrounding guests offered their congratulations with warm smiles.
The banquet commenced, and toasts were exchanged in a scene of boundless revelry.
Li Guanqi first took Meng Wanshu to toast the elders of both families, and then proceeded to toast each of the main banquet tables in turn.
This magnificent wedding celebration continued late into the night.
Too many people had come on this day—practically everyone connected to Li Guanqi had arrived.
Meng Wanshu sat inside the pavilion prepared by the Great Xia Sword Sect, waiting nervously.
One of the greatest joys in life was certainly tonight.
Summer cicadas chirped softly. The lands of the Great Xia Sword Sect bustled with lively chatter, with nearly every peak packed with guests.
Yet inside the courtyard on Tianlei Peak, it was remarkably tranquil.
Thoroughly tipsy, Li Guanqi returned to the courtyard. Standing before the bedroom door, he actually felt a wave of nervousness.
Inside the room, Meng Wanshu sat upon the bed, finding it rather amusing as she listened to the pacing footsteps outside the door.
"You're not coming in? What are you waiting for?"
Hearing her voice, Li Guanqi smiled faintly, reached out, and pushed the door open.
Chapter 1522