Welcoming An Arrival

Welcoming An Arrival . . .

"Big Bro Chu Mang, Fan Le and Ouyang were separated from you very early on, right?" Qin Wentian reminisced about their companions. Chu Mang nodded, saying, "Yes, we parted ways after leaving the Royal Sacred Region. However, we had agreed to meet up in the Unmatched Realm. So, if we head there, we should be able to find them."

"Indeed, and my wedding with Qingcheng is coming up soon. If those rascals dare not show up, I won't let them off easily," Qin Wentian laughed. He had initially returned to Chu with Qingcheng, but he still needed to make a trip to Grand Xia. His primary purpose was to invite his brothers to the wedding, but he also had another matter to address.

"If they skip your wedding, I'll be the first to reprimand them," Chu Mang chuckled. The news of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng's impending wedding filled him with joy. Back when Qin Wentian singlehandedly challenged the Pill Emperor Hall, it had worried their companions. But now, that was all in the past. The Pill Emperor Hall was nothing before Qin Wentian, who was now a disciple of the Battle Sword Sect and the foster-son of the ancient Ye Human Emperor. With just a word from him, he could make the Pill Emperor Hall vanish into oblivion.

Chu Mang had been away from the Royal Sacred Region for quite some time and was unaware that Qin Wentian had left the Battle Sword Sect to prevent it from becoming embroiled in the conflict between him and the Royal Sacred Sect. After all, the Battle Sword Sect was one of the nine great sects subordinate to the Royal Sacred Sect.

The newcomers were invited to take their seats, and after exchanging pleasantries, Qin Wentian turned his attention to Chu Wuwei. "What's happening with the Greencloud Imperial Empire?" he inquired, casting a brief glance at Ling Yue, who hailed from the Greencloud Pavilion and might possess relevant information.

"I visited the Mo Residence this morning and intended to discuss some matters with you," Chu Wuwei began. "The Greencloud Imperial Empire is essentially an extension of the Greencloud Pavilion. Their aim is to unify the ten countries under their rule, creating a massive empire. They employ strict methods of control, and I lack the power to alter their decisions."

Ling Yue concurred with a nod.

"Ling Yue, is this the intention of Old Man Greencloud?" Qin Wentian asked, making Ling Yue start. However, she had now come to terms with the fact that Qin Wentian had a connection with Old Man Greencloud. Given the strength he had displayed earlier, he was likely well-acquainted with the upper echelons of the Greencloud Pavilion.

"Old Man Greencloud departed from the Greencloud Pavilion a long time ago," Ling Yue explained. "After the Nine Mystical Palace was destroyed, our Greencloud Pavilion saw the rise of a second Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant, who proclaimed himself as the master and possessed immense power. He engaged Old Man Greencloud in a battle for control of the Greencloud Pavilion. In the end, Old Man Greencloud was defeated and had no choice but to leave the pavilion."

"Two Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants in one sect should bolster the Greencloud Pavilion's power, not lead to internal conflict," Qin Wentian remarked, puzzled. In Grand Xia, the existence of a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant was extraordinary, and they could become leaders of a transcendent power.

"The Greencloud Sovereign is powerful and ambitious. His relationship with Old Man Greencloud was far from harmonious, as he sought absolute control over the sect. Those who disagreed with him were marginalized within the Greencloud Pavilion, stripped of power and benefits. Gongyang Hong and Qian Mengyu opposed the formation of the Greencloud Imperial Empire, and now they hold no authority within the Greencloud Pavilion," Ling Yue explained. Qin Wentian furrowed his brows; it seemed this new ascendant possessed tremendous strength and a fervent desire for control.

While Old Man Greencloud had attained ascendant status long before the Greencloud Sovereign, the strength of a Celestial Phenomenon Ascendant in the lower realms wasn't solely determined by the time they'd spent in the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. In this realm, the difference in the constellations one condensed could lead to significant variations in strength.

"The branch I belong to has already seen its status diminish. The higher-ups hope I'll marry someone from Misty Peak to improve relations between the two transcendent powers. These marriages have occurred several times. It was due to this that I decided to travel and ease my heart," Ling Yue explained, her head bowed. Her branch in the Greencloud Pavilion had once held a prestigious status, but the rise of the new Greencloud Sovereign had forced them to follow his orders.

"I understand," Qin Wentian replied with a smile. He gazed warmly at Ling Yue and continued, "Ling Yue, why don't you stay in Chu for a while and enjoy yourself? Let Mo Feng keep you company. Your family will come to understand in due time."

Ling Yue felt a strange mix of emotions hearing Qin Wentian's suggestion, but she didn't reject it. She could sense his genuine concern, so she nodded and agreed, "Alright."

Chu Wuwei decided to drop the Greencloud Imperial Empire conversation, knowing that Qin Wentian was already aware of the situation.

As they continued their discussion, several other visitors arrived at the inn. Many influential figures from Chu personally came to pay their respects, including Mu Rou's family and experts from the Divine Weapon Pavilion that Qin Wentian knew. However, Vice President An Liuyan of the Divine Weapon Pavilion was absent, likely having already left Chu.

Of those who arrived, only Mu Rou's father was invited to their room, while the others observed from outside without daring to intervene. Even Chu Wuwei, the Emperor of Chu, had come to visit, leaving those waiting outside without a word of complaint.

However, when a few more individuals arrived, Qin Wentian personally went out to welcome them. With a deep bow, he greeted them, "Old Gu, Senior Ren, Teacher Mustang. I was actually planning to visit the Emperor Star Academy later to pay my respects."

Ever since returning to the Royal Capital from Sky Harmony City, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng had contemplated visiting the Emperor Star Academy. It was only due to Mo Yu's insistence that they had come here instead, prompting the academy's members to visit them.

"Haha, Wentian, there's no need to be so formal," Ren Qianxing said, stopping Qin Wentian from bowing further. He had heard of Qin Wentian's remarkable achievements, which had turned Grand Xia upside down. In terms of strength, Qin Wentian now outranked him.

"Little brat, what did you call me?" Old Gu, seated on a demonic beast, stared at Qin Wentian with narrowed eyes and crossed arms.

Qin Wentian chuckled, bowing again, "I apologize, Grandfather."

"HAHAHA, good, good!" Old Gu laughed heartily and supported Qin Wentian back up, wearing a broad smile.

"Grandfather, Qingcheng had planned to visit you earlier. How is your health?" Mo Qingcheng hugged Old Gu's arm, taking on a youthful demeanor.

"Teacher, how have you been?" Qin Wentian asked Mustang.

"I'm doing well, of course. But your senior sister, Luo Huan, is still busy handling matters related to you," Mustang replied with a laugh.

"I'll fetch Senior Sister Luo Huan back to Chu in a few days. Qingcheng and I are getting married soon. Teacher, as my elder, you must be one of the witnesses at our wedding, alright?" Qin Wentian requested.

"Of course, my old bones are still in good shape. I'd be honored to be a witness," Mustang agreed happily. He was thrilled that his most outstanding student was marrying the most beautiful woman in Chu. Old Gu, meanwhile, was Mo Qingcheng's maternal grandfather.

"Hmph," Old Gu coughed, causing Mustang to chuckle awkwardly. "Teacher..."

"Useless fellow, you're Qin Wentian's teacher. This time, consider it an advantage for you; on the day of the wedding, you shall be ranked equally with me," Old Gu playfully remarked, triggering uproarious laughter. The camaraderie among these individuals spanning three generations was genuinely heartwarming.

The elegant rooms at the inn were filled to the brim as everyone crowded around Qin Wentian, eager to hear about his experiences. The atmosphere was brimming with joy and harmony, and the well-wishers only left after spending a long while together.

Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng returned to the Mo Residence together. Mo Feng even 'abducted' Ling Yue back as a guest, much to the delight of the Mo Clan.

The following day, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng dedicated themselves to helping Little Xin'er, Mo Feng, Mo Yu, and Ling Yue undergo constitution transformations. Among them, Little Xin'er was the most adaptable due to her age. With both Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng present, they estimated that this young girl would be capable of condensing constellations from the 3rd Heavenly Layer by the age of ten.

Another day passed, and Qin Chuan led a group from the Qin Residence to the Mo Residence in the Royal Capital. They had prepared an exceedingly lavish bridal gift, a gesture that represented the well-wishing sentiments of the entire Qin Clan. While it couldn't compare to the wealth of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng, it was a heartfelt offering. The Mo Clan graciously accepted it and immediately began preparations for a grand banquet. The aristocratic clans of Chu began arriving one after another to offer their congratulations. The two clans negotiated and settled on a date for the marriage.

The Royal Capital officially announced the upcoming wedding, inviting the entire country to a grand banquet to celebrate Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng's union. Simultaneously, the Royal Capital would mobilize its full resources to maintain law and order and control the number of attendees.

News of the wedding reverberated throughout Chu, prompting a countless number of people to flock to the Chu Capital upon hearing Qin Wentian's name. They wanted to witness the grandeur of the event that had even compelled the Emperor to announce that the banquet to entertain guests would be held at various locations in the Royal Capital.

With the wedding approaching, Qin Wentian personally penned invitations and summoned numerous speed-type astral warbeasts to deliver them to his closest acquaintances throughout the Royal Sacred Region. These demonic beasts were all peak-tier Heavenly Dipper Sovereign astral warbeasts, endowed with abundant astral energy that could sustain them for the journey from Chu to the Royal Sacred Region. Their swift speed ensured the invitations would reach their destinations swiftly.

As the soon-to-be newlyweds, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng reveled in their time together. With Little Xin'er in their embrace, they explored the Chu Royal Capital like ordinary people, savoring the pleasures of the mortal world.

Then, one fine day, above the Chu Royal Palace, a procession of figures descended with an overwhelming presence. Nine mighty Heavenly Dipper demonic beasts pulled a dragon carriage, and within it, a silhouette emanated an exceptionally imposing aura. This person wore a crown and was none other than the Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire. Their arrival caused an immense commotion that echoed throughout the Royal Palace. The experts from the Greencloud Pavilion exuded terrifying auras, and one of them bellowed, "Subject Chu Wuwei, why are you lingering? Come forth to welcome His Majesty!"

The thunderous voice reverberated, spreading over an area of ten miles, capturing the attention of many who turned their heads in the direction of the Royal Palace. The Emperor of the Greencloud Imperial Empire had indeed arrived within seven days!