Arriving One After Another

Arriving One After Another . . .

With the ascendants of Grand Xia retreating, the Mo Residence underwent swift repairs. Fairy Qingmei and the allied ascendants, including those from the Jiang Clan and the Thousand-Jue Alliance, decided to stay behind. They had two reasons for this: first, to safeguard the residence and prevent any further attacks from their enemies, and second, to strengthen their ties with Qin Wentian. However, the past few days saw Qin Wentian secluded in meditation, accompanied only by Mo Qingcheng. She was the sole keeper of his true condition, while everyone else remained in the dark.

Speculation ran rampant. Many believed that Qin Wentian had sustained severe injuries during the Darkshadow Sovereign's assassination attempt. Nevertheless, he had still confronted enemy ascendants, driving them away with his fearless combat prowess. His achievements sent shivers down their spines, making it clear why other ascendants feared him enough to retreat.

As time passed, the date of Qin Wentian's wedding drew nearer. The Royal Capital of Chu bustled with preparations. Emperor Chu Wuwei made frequent visits to the Mo Residence, and discussions about the wedding took place between him and Qin Chuan. Eventually, they decided on the Emperor Star Academy as the wedding venue—a sacred cultivation ground in Chu and Qin Wentian's childhood home. The elders of the academy readily offered their support for this choice.

Within the Mo Residence, Mo Yu and Mo Feng diligently trained. Two ascendants from the Jiang Clan watched them closely. One of them offered guidance to Mo Feng, advising him to strike with more force, align his spear with his arm, and concentrate his strength before unleashing it. The other instructed Mo Yu to adopt sharper and more decisive swordplay.

Old man Mo and other Mo Clan elders watched over the young cultivators with smiles on their faces. These past days had been surreal, with ascendants from the Jiang Clan and Thousand-Jue Alliance frequently mentoring the Mo Clan's younger generation. It was an unimaginable opportunity. However, the Mo Clan remained humble, recognizing that these ascendants were only here because of Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian's sheer dominance had intimidated the other ascendants, prompting the Jiang Clan and Thousand-Jue Alliance to strengthen their rapport with him. They also stood guard at the Mo Residence and mentored the young Mo Clan cultivators.

"Old man Mo, has Palace Lord Qin awakened yet? The wedding day is approaching," the Jiang Ancestor inquired, flashing a friendly smile.

"He hasn't regained consciousness yet. Qingcheng is taking care of him. Since she hasn't mentioned postponing the wedding, I believe she's confident he'll awaken soon," Old man Mo replied.

"That's true. Palace Mistress knows best. I was just anxious," the Jiang Ancestor chuckled.

"Palace Lord Qin and Jiang Ting are also quite something. They've been here for a while, but I'm still waiting for them to help with the preparations," he continued.

Old man Mo laughed. He was well aware of Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting's identities.

"Yes, they are newlyweds too," he replied.

"Indeed, it's almost as if fate brought them together. They were close friends when they were young, and now, after ten years, the bond between Palace Lord Qin and Ouyang is as strong as ever. It's truly rare," the Jiang Ancestor mused, speaking to old man Mo as an equal. It caught old man Mo off guard.

"Hehe, it does seem like fate played a role. Back in the Moon Continent, Palace Lord Qin was already a fourth-ranked divine inscriptionist grandmaster at the age of nineteen. Our Thousand-Jue Alliance recognized his potential and invited him to be our guest elder," one of the Thousand-Jue Alliance's ascendants chimed in with a smile, prompting the Jiang Ancestor to look at him disdainfully.

"Don't boast here. I doubt you even knew who Palace Lord Qin was back then," the Jiang Ancestor retorted.

"Why are you acting like you did?" the Thousand-Jue Alliance ascendant countered. Watching these two peak-level figures argue, the Mo Clan members nearby could only roll their eyes in silent exasperation.

In the midst of tranquility, a sudden tension gripped the air. The Thousand-Jue Alliance ascendant and Jiang Ancestor's eyes blazed with an eerie intensity, and they shifted their gaze toward the horizon. An unspoken apprehension lurked within them, as they sensed the approach of formidable energies, steadily drawing closer.

Expanding their senses, their faces contorted in surprise, then confusion. Without hesitation, they ascended into the skies above the Mo Residence. To their amazement, Fairy Qingmei and her group had already arrived there.

A sense of foreboding rippled through the Mo Residence's occupants as they detected the impending strangeness. Stronger individuals among them also took to the skies.

In the distance, a procession of ethereal silhouettes glided toward them. Each figure resembled a celestial maiden, their beauty transcending earthly standards. Radiating extraordinary grace, most of them wielded formidable power, unmistakably belonging to the ranks of Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants.

"There are so many Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants among them," the Jiang Ancestor whispered, his voice trembling. His eyes remained fixed on the group of enchanting maidens.

The maidens alighted in the airspace above the Mo Residence, their collective gaze converging on a specific courtyard, leaving everyone on edge.

"Halt!" Fairy Qingmei's voice rang out, but it fell on deaf ears. A single disdainful glance from one of the maidens sent shivers down Fairy Qingmei's spine.

A figure emerged from the courtyard, revealing herself as Mo Qingcheng. The maidens descended and formed a line before her, prompting an uneasy silence among Fairy Qingmei, the Jiang Clan and Thousand-Jue Alliance ascendants, and the Mo Residence residents. These mysterious experts emanated an overwhelming aura of threat.

Suddenly, the maidens, dressed alike, bowed to Mo Qingcheng in unison, addressing her with a collective voice, "We greet the Holy Maiden."

The sight left everyone utterly dumbfounded, their hearts racing as realization dawned. Their collective gaze bore into Mo Qingcheng, finally sensing the true extent of her power. They wondered why she hadn't flinched when confronted by numerous Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants earlier. Now, they understood.

These expert maidens, aligned with Mo Qingcheng, wielded formidable might, capable of effortlessly overpowering the Grand Xia ascendants. The Jiang Clan and Thousand-Jue Alliance ascendants were astonished but also elated, recognizing that the fate of Grand Xia had already been sealed. They couldn't help but chuckle at the other transcendent powers' attempt to oppose Qin Wentian earlier. Had he not been momentarily careless, forgetting the threat of the Darkshadow Sovereign, he could have asserted his dominance over Grand Xia without a struggle.

Mo Qingcheng turned her attention to her subordinates and inquired about her master's arrival. The leader of the maidens assured her, "Medicine Sovereign should arrive in time. He sent us ahead in case you needed assistance, Holy Maiden."

In the midst of a transformative moment for Grand Xia, Mo Qingcheng nodded affirmatively. She turned to address Fairy Qingmei and the others, her tone filled with warmth and determination.

"Fairy Qingmei, if you have the time, please consider showing them around Grand Xia. Before the wedding date arrives, I want to send invitations to every transcendent power in Grand Xia. This is also what Wentian desires."

Fairy Qingmei accepted the responsibility with a solemn nod, her heart stirred by the weight of the impending events. She knew that the destiny of Grand Xia had been irrevocably set in motion. There would be no more surprises or unforeseen twists.

"You stay here and await further instructions," Mo Qingcheng directed the leader of the maidens.

"Understood, Holy Maiden," came the obedient response. With that, Fairy Qingmei, Old Xing, and the Azure Emperor Palace's ascendants divided into three teams. They embarked on the mission to deliver wedding invitations to the transcendent powers of Grand Xia.

Mo Qingcheng withdrew from the scene, returning to her private quarters. There, Qin Wentian opened his eyes and greeted her with a warm smile, acknowledging her growing presence and authority.

"My, my, my, my wife is becoming quite the formidable figure," he playfully remarked.

Mo Qingcheng couldn't help but roll her eyes in mock exasperation. She took a seat beside him, administering another medicinal pill, much to Qin Wentian's chagrin.

"Do I really have to keep eating these?" he protested, his expression a mix of reluctance and resignation. In the past few days, he had consumed pills like there was no tomorrow, with Mo Qingcheng concocting and administering over ten varieties each day.

Mo Qingcheng's lips quirked into a half-smile as she faced his grumbling. She gently chided him, "You should understand that these pills I've made help not only to restore your spirit and essence but also to nourish your bloodline. They are slowly revitalizing your vitality. You've pushed yourself too hard lately. Please don't be this impulsive in the future."

"All right, I get it," Qin Wentian conceded. He lovingly brushed a hand over Mo Qingcheng's frame as she reclined against his thighs. With a sly grin, he said, "Qingcheng, our wedding is just around the corner. There's still time to escape if you're having second thoughts."

Mo Qingcheng responded in jest, "I've been regretting it for over a decade. After I hopped aboard your pirate ship, there was no turning back."

"Well then, since you've boarded my pirate ship, do you want to experience the thrill of my devilish claws?" Qin Wentian's hands started to wander, causing a rush of crimson to bloom across Mo Qingcheng's cheeks. She playfully shot him a seductive glance, her allure captivating even when she acted indignant.

On the following day, the Mo Residence played host to yet more visitors. This time, too, the arrivals exuded an extraordinary aura. Thankfully, those in the Mo Residence had already been mentally prepared for this. After exchanging pleasantries, they discovered that this group had come to seek Qin Wentian. Speculation ran rampant – could they be members of Mo Qingcheng's sect?

Dressed in a simple white robe, Qin Wentian ventured out of his room. This marked his first time outside since the events unfolded. Seeing the familiar figures, a warm smile broke across his face.

"Senior Brother Lin Shuai, Senior Brother Feixue, Sister Lingshuang, you've all arrived," he greeted with genuine warmth. These individuals were his cherished friends from the Battle Sword Sect. Qin Wentian nodded in acknowledgment, even addressing Lou Bingyu with a friendly smile. The fact that even someone as typically cold as Lou Bingyu attended his wedding caught him by surprise.

"How have you been, Wentian? You seem somewhat weakened," Lin Shuai noted, concern etched on his face as he observed Qin Wentian.

"It's nothing," Qin Wentian responded dismissively, flashing a reassuring smile. However, those present exchanged knowing glances, realizing that their earlier speculations were accurate. This group was indeed from Qin Wentian's sect, and each of them was an exceptional talent.

Notably, Senior Brother Lin Shuai, whom Qin Wentian greeted with respect, emanated an aura of sharpness that unnerved even the Jiang Ancestor, despite Lin Shuai's relative youth. The Jiang Ancestor could sense the immense combat prowess concealed beneath his unassuming exterior. Lin Shuai surpassed any ascendant he had encountered in Grand Xia, a realization that left him deeply impressed.