Inside the cave dwelling.
Qin Sang sat cross-legged, facing his external incarnation.
The Sun God Tree hovered between them. The divine birds held their heads high with tails cocked, and pulses of Nanming Primordial Fire surfaced intermittently, casting warm light across their faces.
Both Qin Sang and his incarnation had their eyes shut.
They had maintained this posture for a full month.
By now, the aura of the external incarnation had caught up to Qin Sang's own. Its cultivation realm had astonishingly reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage—advancing rather than retreating, even surpassing what it had been as a talisman puppet.
Most of the credit belonged to Qin Sang's second primordial spirit refining the soul shades within the body.
The rest was owed to Liuli. Qin Sang had borrowed more Ice Soul astral jade from her, and absorbing it had rapidly bolstered the incarnation's practical strength to match its realm.
Through this, Qin Sang learned that although Liuli's breakthrough had failed years ago, she had relied on her unyielding willpower to withstand the influence of the evil art's brand and forcibly mastered the divine ability known as the Ice Soul Divine Light.
Because the Ice Soul astral jade was no longer of much use to her, Qin Sang had been able to borrow it with ease.
Back then, the amount of Ice Soul astral jade Bing Yao had obtained was quite considerable, but she had not been nearly as wealthy as the Qingyang Demonic Sect, whose entire Shengang Peak was laden with inexhaustible Qingyang astral jade.
All of the Ice Soul astral jade had been dug up by Bing Yao, and what she left for Liuli was limited.
Bing Yao had already ascended with the rest, so once these were gone, one could only search elsewhere.
Supporting Qin Sang was equivalent to supporting herself, so Liuli had handed over the remaining Ice Soul astral essence without hesitation.
A small portion of soul shades still lingered within the external incarnation, waiting to be refined.
Qin Sang estimated that even if all of them were absorbed, there would be little hope of breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage unless the Dao Manifestation Tree brought him another unexpected boon.
Even so, with his current cultivation, possessing a mid-Nascent Soul external incarnation was something others could hardly fathom, not to mention the miraculous divine ability that could revive his main body.
What he needed to do now was help his external incarnation temper the Sun God Tree.
In Qin Sang's view, another major utility of the incarnation was granting him two opportunities to unleash the Sun God Tree.
The Sun God Tree could only be used like a Sky-Shaking Thunder. It was not a spirit treasure and required neither blood-bonding nor treasure-command mantras; it was precisely this blunt, straightforward method of control that allowed the incarnation to wield it as well.
Yet from the moment the external incarnation was created, the two of them had embarked on entirely different paths.
After crafting it, Qin Sang had made another discovery.
The incarnation was not strictly bound to practice the technique appended to the core manual of Cold Dark Reversion to Yin.
Because of the need to maintain the incarnation's illusory nascent state to lower the risk of betrayal, that technique was somewhat mediocre for cultivation. The incarnation could only refine cold energy and advance its cultivation at an agonizingly slow pace—a classic trade-off of pros and cons.
Qin Sang could have the incarnation switch to a different technique.
The price was relinquishing the illusory nascent state and converting it into a corporeal nascent. While this would not hinder resurrection, it would further weaken the main body's control over the incarnation.
This was a common flaw of secret arts involving external incarnations and second Nascent Souls.
With the aid of the jade Buddha, Qin Sang's control far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators. He only needed to ensure that the incarnation's cultivation did not outstrip his own by too much.
The incarnation's technique had to be chosen from those governing the path of icy cold.
Xuantian Palace was not lacking in such techniques, but Qin Sang was uncertain which was best suited for it. For now, he had neither the time nor the energy to sift through them carefully, so he chose to keep things as they were.
Their paths were different.
Even if the external incarnation forced itself to unleash most of Qin Sang's magic treasures and secret arts, it could not bring out their full power. By Qin Sang's reckoning, aside from the Sun God Tree, the best fits were the Jinchen Sword and the Qingzhu Sword Scripture.
The incarnation did not yet possess a handy magic treasure of its own. With the main body commanding fire and the incarnation wielding the sword, their division of labor was clear enough. Combined with the several divine abilities recorded in Cold Dark Reversion to Yin, the incarnation already possessed formidable strength.
Time slipped quietly by.
After an unknown duration, the silence of the cave dwelling was broken.
Someone outside brushed against the restriction and called out respectfully, "Senior, the auspicious hour approaches."
Qin Sang opened his eyes, put away his incarnation and the Sun God Tree, and flashed with light to change into ceremonial robes before parting the formation.
***
Snow Listening Tower.
The main peak.
Outside, it was the dead of winter, and the earth was blanketed in silver.
Yet within Snow Listening Tower, it was warm as spring, adorned with embroidered red silk in festive celebration.
Teams of disciples hurried back and forth between jade bridges and grand halls, bustling about in preparation for the impending grand ceremony.
Most disciples wore beaming smiles.
Yet a few had dull eyes and dazed expressions, among them several female disciples.
The day had finally come.
Grandmaster Liuli was to hold a Dao companion ceremony with another man, and all these elaborate preparations had been carried out by their very hands.
As the sun dipped toward the west, the peaks of Snow Listening Tower were draped in golden radiance.
Qin Sang sat inside the hall, watching the disciples busying themselves outside and gazing at the sky as twilight gradually gathered.
For a moment, he felt a strange sense of disassociation.
Back when he was a mortal, marriage was the most significant event in a person's life.
Now, it was merely part of a transaction.
Xuantian Palace had a peculiar custom: Dao companion ceremonies were held at night to coordinate with their most vital ritual.
A lantern rite for bestowing blessings!
At this moment, the peaks of Snow Listening Tower were hung with countless red-paper lanterns. Once all were lit, they were bound to create a blazing sea of light.
Darkness had not yet fully fallen, so the wicks remained unlit.
However, the disciples tasked with tending the lanterns were already in position, spaced out at regular intervals. Their duty was to welcome the setting sun from the west, prepare the lanterns, arrange them according to the ritual regulations, and kindle the flames, keeping the light forever bright.
At this moment.
An eerie silence hung over Snow Listening Tower as countless eyes fixed upon the descending sun, silently counting the passing seconds.
Night descended.
The moon and stars hung high.
Rain and snow had been forecast for tonight, but Snow Listening Tower had laid down a grand formation well in advance, dispersing the moisture to restore a clear, star-studded sky.
*Dong!*
A sudden chime of a bell shattered the quiet.
The disciples' hearts thumped, and they looked up in unison toward the main peak with expectant expressions.
*Dong!*
*Dong!*
...
The bell tolled measuredly until nine chimes echoed through the heavens and earth.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Atop the main peak, a Daoist nun clad in a gold-threaded crimson robe walked upward into the empty air. It was Shi Xue. As the Lineage Master of Snow Listening Tower, she had assumed the duty of Grand Master for this ceremony.
Her steps were steady, traversing the void as if walking on flat ground. Upon reaching a height of a hundred fathoms, she halted, flicked her horsetail whisk, and summoned billows of misty clouds that exuded an ethereal immortal air.
The mist condensed into an elevated altar.
At that moment, a team of disciples holding censer-laden jade trays flew into the air in neat formation to present the Five Offerings: incense, flowers, lanterns, water, and fruit.
The incense was Heavenly Incense.
The flowers were Qiankun Harmonizing Flowers.
The lanterns were Red Phoenix Lanterns.
The water was Moonlight Nectar.
The fruit was Ten-Thousand-Year Immortal Peaches.
Having arranged the offerings in pristine order, the disciples gracefully retreated.
Shi Xue approached the high altar, took incense to bow, chanted verses of praise, paced the celestial steps, and recited profound scriptures, looking utterly otherworldly.
Throughout Snow Listening Tower, every gaze was riveted on Shi Xue alone. The lantern-tending disciples were especially solemn, not daring to slacken for an instant.
After concluding the recitation, Shi Xue bowed once more and burned the incense.
As if receiving a signal, all the lantern-tenders raised their palms in unison. A spiritual lamp appeared in each hand, its flame igniting with radiant brilliance.
"Go!"
A young female disciple of barely fifteen or sixteen years, her face fraught with tension, meticulously formed a seal with her other hand and pressed it lightly toward the spiritual lamp.
The flame of the lamp quivered and suddenly split into a hundred fiery serpents, scattering like celestial petals in all directions to unerringly land inside the lanterns, kindling every single wick.
She glanced around out of the corner of her eye, and seeing that nothing had gone awry, she breathed an inward sigh of relief before resuming her stern composure—their duties were not yet finished.
In an instant.
Countless lanterns across Snow Listening Tower blazed in unison, red light illuminating the heavens!
Under the glow, the dragon and phoenix patterns carved onto the lantern paper seemed to spring to life. They broke through the paper, their movements slightly stiff, revealing their origins as animated cutouts.
Yet they did not fly far from the lanterns. Connecting head to tail, they circled and flanked the lanterns, gently lifting them aloft.
The lanterns rose only about a fathom high, but their brilliance intensified.
Lanterns like fiery trees, amidst azure mist and azure clouds, accompanied by divine spirits.
The peaks of Snow Listening Tower were transformed into a veritable river of lights.
The lighting of lanterns carries great majesty, conferring supreme virtue.
Shining upward upon the heavens, downward upon the realms of earth.
Illuminating the eight directions and the nine nights alike.
The Red Phoenix Lantern Rite!
The young female disciple was utterly mesmerized, gazing blankly at this unprecedented spectacle, unable to tear herself away. She nearly forgot her heavy responsibility, her eyes brimming with irrepressible envy.
The Red Phoenix Lantern Rite was the highest-grade ritual in Snow Listening Tower, an honor reserved for figures of Grandmaster Liuli's standing.
If she were ever to marry, the most she could hope for was her master serving as witness for a ceremony slightly grander than a mortal wedding. The entire sect would never celebrate on her behalf.
From high above, looking down, it was a different splendor altogether.
Centered on the main peak of Snow Listening Tower.
The Red Phoenix Lantern Rite was divided into eastern and western wings. The western wing assumed the shape of a phoenix, each lantern flame like a phoenix's fiery feather, swaying and shimmering to send ripples of radiant waves across the sky.
The eastern wing stretched long and winding in the shape of a dragon, its scales glinting as it moved with supple grace.
Shi Xue stood upon the cloud altar, her steps ethereal, her hand seals shifting rapidly. Suddenly, she pointed two fingers toward the primary lantern on the altar, shooting a beam of light from her fingertips.
The primary lantern lit up, as if activating the formation's core eye.
It gathered the brilliance of tens of thousands of lanterns, sending a column of light surging straight into the firmament!
At that moment, the starry river trembled, and stars twinkled in resonance with the Red Phoenix Lantern Rite. Four stars stood out from the rest, growing ever brighter.
One of them shone with astonishing brilliance, surpassing even the bright moon as it glittered across the sea of stars.
This was the Red Phoenix Star!
When the Red Phoenix Star moves, it governs the palace of spouses.
Of course, this was not an actual celestial body being summoned, but an anomaly conjured by the grand formation and the Red Phoenix Lantern Rite, its effects confined to the vicinity of Snow Listening Tower and invisible to the rest of the North Sea.
Starlight poured down like a pillar from the ninth heaven, converging with the primary lantern.
For a time, countless phantasms manifested in the night sky—green birds, dancing luan swords, and all manner of auspicious omens—as though the Sovereign of the Red Phoenix Star had descended to bestow blessings.
As starlight infused the lanterns, the entire Red Phoenix Lantern Rite was invigorated, the lights brightening severalfold. The dragon and phoenix formed by the rite seemed poised to spring to life at any moment.
At this moment, even from far outside Snow Listening Tower, one could see the magnificent lanterns and radiant starlight, gazing upon the sight in awe.
Shi Xue bowed once more.
Suddenly, an auspicious cloud drifted forward.
Two women stood upon it, one of whom was Luo Wan.
The younger woman beside her was presumably her junior, possessing only late Core Formation stage cultivation. A hint of springtime longing lingered between her brows, yet she dared not behave brazenly here and kept it thoroughly suppressed.
Luo Wan was far less restrained, her face still bearing a bewitching smile.
Some Snow Listening Tower disciples happened to look up, and the moment they saw Luo Wan, their eyes locked onto her, unable to pull away.
Just then.
Several figures flew out from the peaks of Snow Listening Tower, each bearing an aura no weaker than Luo Wan's. They were the other Nascent Soul cultivators of Snow Listening Tower, all of whom had rushed back for the ceremony.
They would receive the guests on behalf of Qin Sang and Liuli.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, greetings."
One of them flew straight out to greet Luo Wan.
"On Junior Sister Liuli's joyous day, how could I not come? I also wish to see what kind of man has managed to capture her heart," Luo Wan said with a smile.
The cultivator laughed heartily. "Do not fret, Fellow Daoist. Why not enjoy some nectar and immortal delicacies first? You will see your fill in due time..."
With that, host and guests flew together toward Shi Xue.
Halfway there, more guests arrived.
In the distance, auspicious clouds rolled, accompanied by fragrant carriages and celestial birds in a dizzying display.
Distinguished guests filled the halls to celebrate this momentous occasion.
Seeing this, the Snow Listening Tower Nascent Soul cultivator instructed disciples to attend to Luo Wan's seating, excused himself with an apology, and hurried back to work.
Luo Wan flew before the cloud altar.
The scenery here had already changed drastically.
Exquisite fragrances swirled amidst kaleidoscopic auspicious vapors.
Disciples of Snow Listening Tower bustled about, weaving through the area.
The guiding disciple hurriedly pulled forward a cloud couch, and instantly, celestial cranes flew over carrying flagons, while flower spirits presented fruit.
Rosy dawns formed tables, and glowing rainbows served as stools.
Delicacies of a hundred flavors, immortal fruits, and divine nectar.
Luo Wan sat down casually, glanced at Shi Xue standing before the cloud altar, and teased through voice transmission, "Old hag, I underestimated your courage. To think you dared let Junior Sister Liuli practice that technique."
She mistakenly believed Liuli had cultivated the Divine Maiden's Heart Canon.
Though not quite accurate, she was not far off.
Shi Xue had no time to banter with her, as guests were arriving in droves.
Although no companions from outside Xuantian Palace had been invited, Xuantian Palace's influence was vast. All lineages, great or small, had to be treated with equal courtesy so as not to breach etiquette, resulting in a massive turnout.
For a time, the sky above Snow Listening Tower was filled with greetings and bustling activity, featuring numerous Nascent Soul figures.
Nascent Soul grandmasters rarely seen on ordinary days arrived one after another.
One offered congratulations: "A joyous occasion! A joyous occasion!"
Another said: "Hearty felicitations! Hearty felicitations!"
Above the main peak, cluster upon cluster of clouds were packed with guests.
There was no need for rigid seating arrangements. Everyone sat as they pleased; when encountering acquaintances, they simply pressed their palms together to merge their cloud couches and chatted merrily.
Beaming faces abounded in a scene of universal joy.
Suddenly, an usher announced the arrival:
"The Grand Elder arrives!"
The crowd fell silent and rose to greet her.
The Grand Elder, accompanied by several other elders and the Lineage Master of Zixia Pavilion, arrived together, all wearing smiles.
Hall Master Jiang stepped forward to receive them.
Greetings were exchanged all around.
Tong Lingyu's beautiful eyes fluttered as she asked with a smile, "Why do we not see the newlyweds?"
Hall Master Jiang glanced at the time. "The auspicious hour has not yet arrived. Elders, please take your seats first and sample our Snow Listening Tower's prized Nine Splendors Coiled Jade Peaches."
"I have long heard of Snow Listening Tower's foremost delicacy, said to be brought out only for your grandest rituals. My senior brother and I have never had the fortune of tasting it."
Two young men in Daoist robes approached from the side. One of them was handsome and quite youthful, showing not the slightest timidness before these heavyweights of Xuantian Palace.
Both possessed mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivation!
Hall Master Jiang's eyes flickered, and he cupped his hands. "It was our oversight to neglect Lineage Master Shang and Fellow Daoist Yue. I shall immediately have disciples pick a basket to send to Tianshan."
"Hall Master Jiang is too courteous. My junior brother was merely joking..."
The speaker was none other than Shang Lu, the Lineage Master of the Tianshan lineage. He spoke gently, greeting everyone in turn before leading the cultivator surnamed Yue toward a cloud couch.
Watching their departing backs, the onlookers either frowned or fell into contemplation.
As time passed, fewer new guests arrived.
Shi Xue found an opportune moment to draw near Hall Master Jiang and whispered carefully through voice transmission, "Senior Martial Uncle, is that fellow surnamed Yue the genius you mentioned?"
Hall Master Jiang sighed. "Indeed. When he first entered the Nascent Soul stage, I already thought highly of him, but I never expected him to actually achieve it—breaking through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage after just over a century in seclusion! Furthermore, Shang Lu failed in the last contest, so this is his final chance; he certainly will not let it pass. The Tianshan lineage has two candidates alone! Their star shines ever brighter, their overall strength having already surpassed the Xuantian lineage. They only lack an anchor to stabilize the ship."
With two members of the Tianshan lineage joining hands, Qin Sang faced more than just an additional competitor. If they crossed paths within the restrictions, he would not only be suppressed by the barriers, but would also have to fight one against two!
"Back then, Shang Lu used a secret art to forcefully elevate his cultivation, yet failed to secure the qualification and damaged his foundation. I wonder if he has recovered. Our brother-in-law's divine abilities are extraordinary; he shouldn't need to fear them," Shi Xue comforted him, though she too felt somewhat uncertain.
The two exchanged a brief word and parted at once.
Seated upon their cloud couches and bathed in starlight, the guests drank, laughed, and toasted one another in high spirits.
At this point.
Shi Xue looked up, checked the time, and walked toward the central cloud altar.
Noticing her movements, the guests quieted down.
The numerous cloud couches parted to the north and south, leaving an open avenue down the middle.
Shi Xue came to a halt before the cloud terrace and flicked her horsetail whisk.
Two incense-tending Daoist boys sang out in unison:
"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
The cry resonated across the wilderness.
The lantern flames across the mountains flickered together. The pure core of starlight within each flame suddenly drifted out, rising gently as shimmering motes that drifted toward opposite ends of the Red Phoenix Lantern Rite, gradually outlining the faint silhouettes of a dragon and a phoenix.
At that moment.
The disciples who had been standing guard outside Qin Sang's cave dwelling sprang into action.
Some produced spiritual talismans, patting them lightly to summon golden-armored divine warriors.
A Core Formation disciple unfastened a spirit beast pouch, and a gust of demonic wind blew forth as a flood dragon soared out, baring fangs and claws to coil above their heads.
There was no savagery or malice in the flood dragon's eyes; it had long been tamed as a spirit beast. Lacking its master's command, it hovered obediently in midair, not daring to roar aloud.
The disciple pointed forward, and the dragon whipped its tail, flying outside the mountain.
At the same time, a vast wave of flowing fire surged from the west as the dragon shadow forged of starlight rushed forward with astonishing momentum. A whimper escaped the flood dragon's throat, betraying a flicker of fear.
Yet under its master's restraint, the flood dragon dared not retreat. Steeling itself, it charged straight into the dragon shadow.
*Poof!*
The seemingly ferocious dragon shadow was merely an illusion, instantly scattered by the flood dragon's charge. Yet the starlight dispersed without chaos, surging inward to fuse into the flood dragon's body.
In an instant, the flood dragon's appearance transformed drastically, becoming a true dragon.
Clad in dragon scales and crowned with dragon horns, it rode clouds and mist in magnificent vigor.
"Roar!"
A earth-shattering dragon roar caused the gathered guests to turn their heads.
Immediately after, an unyielding phoenix cry rose from the west, harmonizing with the dragon's roar like true divine beasts, drawing murmurs of admiration from the assembly.
At this moment, the two young maidens standing by the entrance glanced at each other, giggled, and sang out together, "The groom is invited to board the dragon carriage."
Qin Sang stood up and walked out of the hall.
Before the hall, everyone's gaze naturally fell upon him. On such a joyous day, Qin Sang was unlikely to take offense, so the disciples dared to look openly.
He had not removed the Thousand Fox Mask, continuing to project his appearance from his previous life. Though not dazzlingly handsome, having cultivated to this day and weathered countless tribulations, he possessed an ethereal, transcendent bearing that few could match.
"He is indeed worthy of Grandmaster Liuli."
The two female disciples stared for a moment, the thought crossing both their minds simultaneously, leaving their faces flushed with crimson.
As Qin Sang stepped out of the hall, the flood dragon prostrated itself on the ground, a dragon carriage harnessed to its back.
He cast a glance toward the main peak and boarded the carriage.
The golden-armored warriors lined up in two ranks, holding ritual implements before the carriage. Leading the way were four fair, tender young boys and girls with delightful, smiling faces, each carrying an incense burner.
Burning within was Jiangzhen incense.
Guided by the children, the groom rode forth upon the dragon.
Simultaneously.
A fragrant breeze drifted from the west. Another four children, carrying censers burning hundred-herb incense, led a procession of spiritual bodies conjured by flower spirits, gliding forward in enchanting fashion.
Each flower spirit was exquisitely charming, their jade-like arms scattering petals to pave a fragrant floral path.
Yet none of these flower spirits could compare to the woman upon the phoenix carriage.
Liuli had already removed her veil, revealing her breathtaking visage to the world without a single flaw.
Shedding her plain attire, her hair was styled in a towering cloud chignon, and she wore a luminous brocade gown paired with a five-colored cloud shawl. Even without makeup, she was utterly mesmerizing.
The Queen Mother of the West giving away her daughter could look no more splendid than this.
Above the main peak.
The guests fell dead silent, their eyes darting left and right in sheer wonder. The man on the dragon carriage wore a jade crown and a crane-feather cloak, handsome and refined; they were truly a perfect match.
A dragon and phoenix bringing auspiciousness, a match made in heaven!
The two parties glided through the air toward the cloud altar.
Just then, seated upon the dragon carriage, Qin Sang recalled Shi Xue's instructions. His eyes flickered, and he quietly channeled the Qingzhu Sword Scripture.
A sword chime rang through the heavens, instantly drowning out the dragon's roar and the phoenix's cry.
Above the dragon carriage, space rippled strangely, manifesting an ethereal sword shaped like the Jinchen Sword, radiating sword qi that pierced the heavens.
Fortunately, Qin Sang shielded the surrounding people and golden-armored warriors, or they would have been scattered by the sword intent.
The next instant.
A phoenix-shaped sword phantom also emerged from the west, its hum melodious as it proactively harmonized with his.
Knowing the show was about to begin, the guests sat upright.
The two ethereal swords trembled simultaneously, flying ahead of the pair to hover above the main peak. They intertwined, their sword intents ultimately fusing seamlessly.
This was not merely sword intent; it also carried the Dao resonance of Qin Sang and Liuli, their Great Daos singing in accord.
They could not have achieved such harmony on their own. Rather, Liuli had deliberately released a sliver of the evil art's imprint to fabricate the illusion of genuine Dao companions, fooling the watchful eyes around them.
To the onlookers, their Dao resonance was exceptionally harmonious, blending like milk and water, marking them as a couple ordained by heaven, leaving no room for doubt.
However, Liuli had to battle the imprint internally to keep her mind from being genuinely ensnared.
Just then.
A lilting flute melody drifted from the banquet.
Luo Wan had produced a jade flute at some unknown point, pressing it to her vermilion lips. The melody was crisp and clear, purifying the soul; it was hard to imagine that she could play such pure music.
Luo Wan winked at Shi Xue.
The flute song rose in winding elegance, likewise carrying a wisp of Dao resonance as it proactively drifted toward the sword phantoms in the air.
As if awakening from a dream, others followed suit.
Some conjured sword phantoms like Qin Sang and Liuli, flicking their fingers to shoot them aloft alongside ringing sword chimes.
Others performed Daoist arts that emitted phantasmal music.
Someone reached down to pluck a coarse stone from the ground, casually grinding it into a chime or stone drum, beating it vigorously while swaying their head in utter self-absorption, heedless of the surrounding stares.
Another went so far as to seize a wine-bearing crane, plucking several feathers and rolling them between his fingers to fashion a seven-stringed zither, strumming away haphazardly.
The crane squawked in pain and fright, knocking over jade carafes and toppling tables, sparking a wave of laughter.
...
All manner of wondrous sounds converged. They were not necessarily melodic, yet their resonance was profound.
To the ears of low-stage cultivators, it sounded no different from celestial music!
This was the guests' ceremonial offering!
By injecting a sliver of their own Dao resonance, they created pressure while disrupting the pair, assisting the new Dao companions in refining their respective Daos to find the highest plane of harmony.
With so many Nascent Soul cultivators joining forces, true Dao companions would have reaped tremendous benefits from such a rare opportunity.
Unfortunately, not only did this bring Qin Sang and Liuli little benefit, it imposed an even greater burden on Liuli, who could only hold on through sheer grit.
Qin Sang's gaze pierced the sea of lanterns to meet those pure eyes, and he sighed inwardly.
The phenomena in the sky grew ever more astonishing.
The low-stage disciples immersed themselves in the experience; the Dao resonance displayed by Nascent Soul grandmasters was an immense opportunity, even if they could glean only a fraction of it.
The lantern-tenders, however, were swamped with anxiety.
They wished to comprehend alongside the others, but the phenomena stirred the surroundings into fierce gales.
These were no ordinary winds. The lanterns rocked violently, forcing them to keep their eyes glued to the flames to ensure the Red Phoenix Lantern Rite was not disrupted.
Torn between two duties, they were fraught with worry.
Meanwhile, the smiling children on both sides guided the dragon carriage and phoenix carriage before the cloud altar, oblivious to the tension.
The children, flower spirits, and golden-armored warriors halted, stepping aside.
The dragon and phoenix prostrated themselves.
Their eyes met.
In an instant, all sounds ceased. The Nascent Soul cultivators reined in their methods, looking upon the newlyweds with smiles.
Both stepped down from their carriages simultaneously, meeting in the center and clasping hands.
Above them, only the two sword phantoms of Qin Sang and Liuli remained.
Suddenly, the swords hummed resonantly and sword intent erupted as they displayed their respective sword Daos—Qin Sang channeling the Qingzhu Sword Scripture, and Liuli demonstrating a sword technique of Snow Listening Tower.
This was their return gift to the guests.
The guests grew solemn, including the Nascent Soul cultivators, and focused on absorbing the display.
The two sword phantoms spiraled upward, plunged back from the sky, and burst apart in midair.
Stars fell like rain.
Amidst the shower of starlight, Qin Sang and Liuli gazed at each other for a long moment before walking hand in hand toward Shi Xue.
Upon one of the clouds.
"What do you think of him?"
The cultivator surnamed Yue scrutinized Qin Sang with a critical gaze.
Shang Lu kept his eyes closed and murmured, "Not weak, but we will have to test him to truly know..."
***
Shi Xue watched with a smile as they approached, handing them the Heavenly Incense.
"Go."
Next was the veneration of Heaven and Earth.
They did not need to bow to parents, masters, or sects; they only needed to worship Heaven, Earth, and the Great Dao. The essence of Dao companions was unity of heart and virtue, walking the Great Dao side by side.
Just then, a discordant voice rang out.
"Hold!"
Shang Lu suddenly stood up to intervene.
A clamor erupted among the guests. Many had heard the rumor that decades ago, Shang Lu had expressed his affection for Liuli, only to be flatly rejected.
Shi Xue's expression changed drastically, and she glared at Shang Lu. "Lineage Master Shang, today is my junior sister's joyous day!"
Qin Sang was taken aback, then chuckled mirthlessly. Even in a sham marriage, he was going to witness someone objecting to the wedding?
Ignoring Shi Xue, Shang Lu looked at Liuli and said, "I have long known Junior Sister Liuli's heart and dare not entertain extravagant hopes that you might change your mind. However, losing to this obscure Daoist Qingfeng leaves me somewhat unconvinced, perturbing my Dao heart. Only by crossing hands with the Daoist and witnessing his methods can my mind find peace. I hope the Daoist can grant me this."
By now, his gaze had settled upon Qin Sang, sharp as lightning, his battle intent surging.
Shi Xue flew into a rage. "Shang Lu, have you lost your mind?! Do not think I am unaware of your true purpose!"
Shang Lu did not argue. Looking at the unmoved Qin Sang, he remarked playfully, "I heard that the Daoist once ventured alone into the demon lair with extraordinary courage. Could it be that you are afraid?"
Silence fell over the banquet.
Those eager for drama grew excited, their gazes flitting between Qin Sang and Shang Lu. Naturally, their sympathies leaned toward Shang Lu, hoping he would teach this outsider a lesson for taking away their belle.
Tong Lingyu's brows furrowed slightly, and just as she was about to speak,
A vigorous voice rang out from a nearby cloud couch: "Lineage Master Shang acts out of sincere devotion, which is truly touching to heaven and earth."
The crowd turned to look.
The speaker was actually Hall Master Yin of Huangyu Hall, whose status ranked foremost among all hall masters, even surpassing Hall Master Jiang!
The Lineage Master of the Xuantian lineage sat just below him.
With the Palace Master having been in seclusion for years, Hall Master Yin was the de facto leader of the Xuantian lineage. His words signaled the Xuantian lineage's backing of Shang Lu.
At this moment, the two strongest primary lineages of Xuantian Palace were both supporting Shang Lu!
"Hall Master Yin speaks truly."
"A light spar does no harm; it can end the moment a point is scored. With so many of us watching, neither party will be injured."
...
Such voices rose one after another, swelling into a chorus.
Tong Lingyu's gaze swept across the faces of those who spoke, her expression devoid of emotion, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.
Hall Master Jiang held back the fuming Shi Xue and whispered in her ear.
At this point, Liuli suddenly released Qin Sang's hand and said coldly, "I will fight you!"
Shang Lu was taken aback, then gave a bitter smile. "Junior Sister, your cultivation is a realm below mine. I cherish you deeply, so how could I raise a hand against you? Surely Daoist Qingfeng is not content to hide behind a woman?"
Liuli's gaze turned frigid, her voice laced with killing intent. "If you harm a single hair on his head, I swear to fight you to the death for the rest of my days. You might as well kill me first."
The moment these words left her lips, an uproar erupted.
The crowd was stunned by Liuli's sheer resolve. Even when turning hostile within Xuantian Palace, no one ever acted with such finality.
Shi Xue and Hall Master Jiang were both struck dumb.
Qin Sang was thoroughly surprised. After a moment of silence, he sent a voice transmission to Liuli: "I can actually fight him."
He knew very well that Shang Lu could not truly be lovesick. His objective was plain as day: he was using this incident to probe Qin Sang's depths for the sake of the Body Cleansing Pool.
Qin Sang had plenty of trump cards; revealing a few would do no harm.
Liuli was a realm lower than Shang Lu. Although the Ice Soul Divine Light was formidable, as the master of a lineage, Shang Lu certainly did not lack magic treasures and divine abilities.
Liuli replied, "This has nothing to do with you... Once you act, you risk being seen through by the elders."
She was deliberately leaving no room for retreat to force Shang Lu to back down.
Even if they truly fought, she had no fear.
Qin Sang sighed softly. Though it was a sham marriage, it had been made into such a grand spectacle before ten thousand watchful eyes. How could he possibly keep himself detached?
Even if his identity were exposed, it would not matter; he already possessed far stronger trump cards.
"There is no need for this."
After first sending a voice transmission to Shi Xue and the others, Qin Sang grasped Liuli's jade-like hand and said calmly, "Having joined with Liuli as Dao companions, we are of one body henceforth. Whatever tribulations or adversaries lie ahead, we shall face life and death together. Lineage Master Shang, have you thought this through?"
Chapter 1477