Will You Marry Me?. . .
A profound hush descended upon the experts of the Royal Sacred Sect as the words echoed in their ears.
As the unrivaled rulers of the Royal Sacred Region, the Royal Sacred Sect's dictates were considered sacrosanct, and none dared to defy their authority. Yet, here stood an enigmatic young maiden, her radiance rivaling the stars, descending from an otherworldly spatial artifact. In the presence of the Sacred Emperor and countless witnesses, she issued a chilling ultimatum: if any harm befell Qin Wentian, she would raze the entire Royal Sacred Region to the ground.
This audacious display of arrogance sent shockwaves through the Royal Sacred Sect's experts, leaving them in a state of bewildered disarray. Who was this enigmatic figure, daring to utter such bold threats? The potency of her spatial artifact was astonishing—despite the presence of numerous late-stage Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants, only the Sacred Emperor had sensed her presence.
Her youthful appearance belied an unwavering determination, her eyes brimming with resolute purpose. It was as though she had already scripted the destiny she vowed to fulfill.
"Capture her!" A commanding voice, emanating icy resolve, shattered the stunned silence. The voice belonged to none other than a peak-level Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant. As the reigning power of this world, the Royal Sacred Sect could not tolerate such audacious threats.
Yet, before their very eyes, a golden radiance streaked across the sky, accompanied by a tremendous surge of spatial energy. The maiden, with her flawless beauty, stepped onto an ethereal bridge that materialized from the void and vanished from sight. The golden radiance sealed her exit, leaving no trace behind.
The Royal Sacred Sect's experts took to the skies, but all they heard was a calm voice declaring, "She has already departed."
"Departed?" Their bewilderment deepened. The might of her spatial artifact was such that her presence remained impenetrable even to their senses.
"Sacred Emperor, this woman threatened our Royal Sacred Sect. We must bring her to justice!" An elderly figure, his voice icy with determination, implored.
"Can you apprehend her?" The Sacred Emperor's emotionless voice rippled through the gathering. The elder's gaze stiffened as the Sacred Emperor continued, "I doubt she hails from our Royal Sacred Region."
The implication of the Sacred Emperor's words sent shivers through those present. The elderly figure ventured another query, "What course of action do you propose, then?"
"Hmph." A cold snort pierced the silence, filling the space with palpable dissatisfaction. Even the Royal Sacred Sect's experts felt a heavy weight pressing upon them.
It was clear that the Sacred Emperor was displeased with them.
The pressure lifted after the contemptuous snort, leaving only silence in its wake. The Royal Sacred Sect's experts exchanged uneasy glances, each grappling with the same question: Did they truly require the Sacred Emperor to dictate their actions? The Sacred Emperor's appearance today signaled his disquiet, and his immortal will manifested in response to the turmoil. The events of the day had humiliated the Royal Sacred Sect and disturbed the Sacred Emperor.
They governed this world, and yet they had never felt so sullen and despondent.
...
Unaware of the developments that unfolded in his absence, Qin Wentian remained oblivious to the events that transpired. For over a decade, a mysterious and unwavering guardian had silently stood in the shadows, unwavering in her devotion. There had been countless instances when Qin Wentian could not even sense her presence.
The repercussions of the incident at the Royal Sacred Sect rippled throughout the world. Astonishingly, Qin Wentian and his companions departed unscathed despite their confrontation with the sect. While the details of the encounter remained shrouded in secrecy, save for the appearance of the enigmatic maiden, the world was left to speculate. The Royal Sacred Sect's experts, who were present at the confrontation, were not inclined to publicize her ominous pronouncement.
The arrival of the Medicine Sovereign and the envoys of the Immortal Martial Realm, who extended an invitation for Qin Wentian to rejoin their ranks, further escalated the intrigue. Offending the Royal Sacred Sect seemed a trifling matter in comparison. The once-elusive Immortal Martial Realm was now thrust into the spotlight, revealing its role as a power that scouted the most exceptional talents of the Royal Sacred Region once every decade.
The Sacred Emperor's presence signaled the gravity of the situation. In front of him, Qin Wentian vanquished Xia Sheng, Shang Li, and another Heaven Chosen from the Royal Sacred Sect. Zai Qiu, who had earlier demanded Qin Wentian's confession, now sought refuge under his sect's protection, forgoing any direct confrontation. This strategic maneuver was his only recourse to evade certain death.
Before the Sacred Emperor, amidst the hushed reverence of onlookers, Qin Wentian boldly declared his supremacy. He needed no affiliation with the Royal Sacred Sect to establish his unrivaled dominance in the realm of Heavenly Dipper. Even the sect's most formidable Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns would fall before his might. With such resolute conviction, he questioned the very necessity of joining their ranks.
The news of this confrontation rapidly spread, becoming the talk of the Royal Sacred Region. In the span of just half a year, Qin Wentian had evolved from a contender battling Di Shi on the Sacred Royal Platform to a Heavenly Dipper sovereign without peer. Such a transformation was a testament to his unparalleled talent—a feat nearly impossible for most cultivators.
Many possessed the potential to step into the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, yet few could dominate the Heavenly Dipper stage. Within the Royal Sacred Region, such prodigies were rare. Qin Wentian had become the symbol of his generation.
However, just as his fame reached its zenith, Qin Wentian vanished from sight. For three to four months following his departure with the Medicine Sovereign, there was no news of his whereabouts.
Speculations ran rampant. Some believed he had left the Royal Sacred Region with the Immortal Martial Realm's experts. Others thought that, since Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng were already engaged, they might be secretly preparing for their wedding.
These speculations, however, remained mere conjecture.
During those months, Qin Wentian was consumed by his cultivation. Meanwhile, Di Tian faced unceasing trials within the immortal palace, steadily advancing in strength. Mo Qingcheng dedicated herself to crafting medicinal pills tailored to enhance his foundational strength and unlock his latent potential—these pills didn't directly augment his cultivation but stabilized his foundation and awakened his dormant abilities.
Finally, the pivotal moment arrived—Qin Wentian ascended to the ninth level of Heavenly Dipper. Though he had already stood as an unmatched force during his eighth level, he now possessed an even firmer foundation. The next challenge awaited: casting his own constellation and ascending to the Celestial Phenomenon Realm.
Yet, Qin Wentian's elation was tempered by the fact that even after reaching the ninth level, Di Tian still couldn't overcome the immortal beings whose powers remained sealed. These formidable adversaries were overwhelmingly potent, their unshackled memories and enhanced command of true intents rendered them nearly invincible. They possessed immortal arts capable of unleashing unimaginable might. Still, Di Tian's remarkable progress remained undeniable.
As spring arrived, the Medicine Sovereign Valley burst into life. Lavish manors adorned the heart of lush, evergreen mountains, their surroundings saturated with fragrant blooms. The air itself seemed invigorated, purity enveloping every breath.
Amidst the verdant beauty, a white-robed maiden stood by a railing woven from ancient vines, her gaze wandering across the horizon. Her beauty rivaled the celestial splendor of the valley itself, her eyes brimming with serene happiness.
A silhouette approached from behind, arms encircling her slender waist. She leaned into his embrace, her head nestling against his chest. To any observer, this scene would invoke envy—a moment of serene intimacy between two souls entwined by destiny.
"Lecher." A small white puppy lounged nearby, its eyes gleaming with satisfaction. It gazed at Qin Wentian with an air of nonchalance, its baby-like voice a mere backdrop to the world of bliss inhabited by Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng during this idyllic period of cohabitation. Their life together was so serene that even immortals would have cast envious glances upon it.
Mo Qingcheng turned toward Qin Wentian, her smile radiating warmth. "Why have you halted your cultivation? Master has already noted that you've successfully melded your true intents. Breaking through to the Celestial Phenomenon Realm shouldn't pose a significant challenge now. Once you reach the pinnacle of the ninth level, advancement should come naturally."
In response, Qin Wentian leaned in for a soft kiss, causing Mo Qingcheng to blush as she chided him. "Don't you ever get tired of that?"
Qin Wentian grinned and kissed her again. "You're so beautiful that even if I did this every day for three lifetimes, I still wouldn't tire of it."
Mo Qingcheng playfully rolled her eyes and turned her head. Just as the tender moment seemed to pass, she heard Qin Wentian call her name gently. She turned back to find him holding her tightly, his gaze locked onto her clear eyes.
"What's the matter?" Mo Qingcheng's heart raced.
"Marry me," Qin Wentian declared with profound emotion. Over a decade had passed since they first met in Chu, and they had vowed never to part. Together, they had weathered countless trials and tribulations. Now, their love story was renowned throughout the Royal Sacred Region, with everyone offering their blessings.
Tears welled up in Mo Qingcheng's eyes, and her voice trembled with joy as she nodded. "Yes."
Qin Wentian gently wiped away her tears, his touch affectionate. "Becoming a Celestial Phenomenon isn't an overnight endeavor. Qingcheng, will you marry me?"
Mo Qingcheng nodded fervently, her radiant smile reflecting the immense joy in her heart. "Where should we have the wedding? Should we hold it here in the Medicine Sovereign Valley?"
"Let's return to our roots, to where we came from," Qin Wentian replied. He sighed, noting how Mo Qingcheng had not set foot in Chu since she was brought to the Pill Emperor Hall. More than a decade had passed, and she undoubtedly missed her family.
"What about our masters?" Mo Qingcheng asked softly.
"We'll invite them to the wedding, of course. But first, let's return to Chu," Qin Wentian said with a smile, reading Mo Qingcheng's unspoken yearning for home.
Mo Qingcheng's heart swelled with warmth as she nestled against Qin Wentian's chest. He truly understood her desires.
"Darling, when do we leave?" she whispered.
"Right now. We'll depart immediately," Qin Wentian replied, running his fingers through her hair before scooping her up in his arms and soaring into the sky. Mo Qingcheng was initially taken aback by his sudden action, but soon, a twinkle of delight danced in her eyes. She was so lovely that she could conquer empires with a single smile.
"Wait for me!" a baby-like voice chimed in. Moments later, a streak of white light shot upward, and a puppy leaped onto Qin Wentian's shoulder. With that, two humans and a demonic beast soared through the air, homeward bound for Grand Xia.
Their homeland, Chu, had eluded their eyes for over a decade. How could Qin Wentian not long for his family—his father, Qin Chuan, his sister, Qin Yao, and his teacher, Mustang? Were they all faring well?