Grand Wedding

Grand Wedding . . .

In the heart of the bustling Royal Capital of Chu, the day had been predestined for grandeur. Countless souls, filled with anticipation, had forsaken their slumber to welcome the splendid spectacle that was to unfold—the monumental union of two extraordinary beings.

As the sun ascended, its golden rays gracefully kissed the venerable walls of the Emperor Star Academy, and the throngs of eager attendees began to inundate the once serene institution. It was as if the entire population of Chu had converged upon this hallowed ground to partake in the nuptial celebration.

The Emperor Star Academy, an ancient institution steeped in thousands of years of history, had been the cradle of dreams for countless young aspirants. Today, its storied halls were adorned with a new brilliance—a wedding unlike any other, an homage to one of its most illustrious alumni.

The pathways, once trod by generations of students, now lay draped in vibrant red carpets, while exotic blooms from every corner of the realm graced the academy's soil. These floral arrangements were a testament to the ardent devotion of Emperor Star Academy's students, who had painstakingly nurtured and transplanted the blooms to bestow their most earnest blessings upon their senior apprentices.

Qin Wentian's name had long transcended the bounds of mere reputation; it had become an emblem of pride for the entire academy. His journey from a humble disciple to a transcendent figure had imbued the academy with unparalleled prestige. He had eclipsed even the founder of this venerable institution, evolving into its living symbol, a true totem.

Years later, when the students of Emperor Star Academy spoke of Qin Wentian, their voices swelled with pride and admiration. He was one of their own—a testament to the academy's enduring legacy. He had emerged from these very halls, vanquished the challenges of Chu, and rewritten the annals of Grand Xia's history.

The quarters where Qin Wentian had once sojourned within the Emperor Star Academy had assumed a sacred aura. Now, in the academy's halls, youthful eyes shimmered with reverence and hope. Every young boy and girl yearned to meet their legendary senior apprentice brother, inspired by dreams of heroism. They aspired to follow in his footsteps, transcending mediocrity to marry a goddess, much like the fabled love story of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng.

"Senior Brother Wentian and Senior Sister Qingcheng's wedding is a dream come true. If I could experience such a moment in my life, I would have no regrets," murmured a young girl, her eyes gleaming with the light of blessings.

"Stop daydreaming! For people like us, Emperor Xia's glory was already an unattainable height. Yet Senior Apprentice Brother Qin vanquished him with a single sword strike. The Greencloud Sovereign, too, dared not confront Senior Brother Qin directly, resorting to hiring an assassin instead. As for the ascendants of the transcendent powers in Grand Xia, they were all legendary figures. Still, they assembled in Chu, converging upon a single man. Yet, Senior Brother Qin remained steadfast, dispatching two ascendants with domineering prowess and scattering the rest. Such a character... I wonder if we will ever see his like again in ten thousand years."

The other girls wore expressions of adoration, with one among them playfully teasing, "Let's not even mention your looks; how can you compare to Senior Sister Qingcheng? She's Chu's number one beauty, after all. Even if it were me, I'd still fall short in comparison..."

"Narcissist! Get out of here!" scolded the girl, provoking a chorus of laughter that rang through the air, weaving a tapestry of joy and anticipation.

Upon the magnificent ceremonial stage of the Emperor Star Academy, a distinguished assembly of elders had gathered. Di Yi, the venerable headmaster of the academy, was among them, seated with utmost solemnity. Beside him sat Mustang, the esteemed mentor of Qin Wentian, the Emperor of Chu, Chu Wuwei, and Qin Chuan with his wife. Old man Mo and Mo Qingcheng's parents were also in attendance, alongside Mo Qingcheng's maternal grandfather, Old Gu.

Their faces bore a delightful fusion of smiles and teary eyes, their hearts brimming with happiness and joy for the newlyweds.

"When I first laid eyes on that young rascal years ago, I had a premonition that he would achieve remarkable things. Yet, I never could have imagined the magnitude of his accomplishments." Old Gu chuckled, his gaze fixated on his disciple Mustang. "Fortunately, you possess excellent judgment and chose to rescue him. It's no wonder you are my student."

"Your guidance, dear teacher, is nothing short of extraordinary." Mustang beamed, and Old Gu nodded in satisfaction. Di Yi, seated nearby, couldn't help but interject with a sly grin, "You shameless old coot, stop using your seniority to put Mustang in his place. Remember, he is not only Qin Wentian's esteemed teacher but also my trusted advisor."

"But, Headmaster, I am not just the teacher of Qin Wentian's esteemed teacher; I am also Qingcheng's grandfather." Old Gu maintained a deadpan expression, seemingly oblivious to the playful banter around him. His response drew laughter from the surrounding onlookers.

"Very well, very well, your seniority is unparalleled here," Di Yi conceded, a smile tugging at his lips. He had watched Qin Wentian's journey with pride and nostalgia, feeling as though these past ten years had been but a dream. Back then, Qin Wentian had inherited the legacy of the Azure Emperor and had embodied Di Yi's aspirations to reunify the azure factions. Little did he know that Qin Wentian would one day surpass the Azure Emperor at his zenith, realizing the long-cherished dream of their predecessors.

"Why haven't they appeared yet? I'm sure everyone is eager to see them," remarked old man Mo, his happiness palpable. He had long cast aside past grievances, his earlier stubbornness seeming foolish now.

"It's happening! It seems the groom is growing impatient," Di Yi announced, drawing the crowd's attention. A procession of figures slowly approached the stage, with Fairy Qingmei, Old Xing, and other transcendent beings flanking the central figure—Qin Wentian. Onlookers observed with awe, while the bridegroom's party reached the platform, with Ouyang Kuangsheng, Fatty Fan Le, Chu Mang, Qin Zheng, Mu Feng, Lin Shuai, and Ji Feixue among the entourage. Their presence was commanding, their striking appearances causing a cacophony of female admirers from the Emperor Star Academy.

In Chu, anyone in Qin Wentian's proximity was a formidable presence, each exuding an air of invincibility. The crowd marveled at their grandeur, and Lin Shuai, in particular, caught the eye with his striking handsomeness. His arrival seemed to bewitch the audience; few had seen him before, and they couldn't help but wonder about the strength and allure of this enigmatic senior from Qin Wentian's sect.

Qin Wentian ascended the ceremonial stage, his attendants taking their positions at each corner, ready to assume the roles of guardians. Despite their esteemed status, these transcendent beings were Qin Wentian's subordinates, unwilling to transgress the bounds of propriety. They had gathered here to witness the union of the immortal couple, a poignant and historic moment.

"Wentian seems somewhat anxious," Old Gu noted, his laughter resonating. Qin Wentian, dressed in an elegant white robe, projected an air of simplicity and purity. His charismatic looks, combined with his attire, imparted the aura of a scholarly mortal. His eyes, deep and vibrant, radiated vitality and brilliance, captivating many young hearts.

"Ah! I want to marry Senior Brother Wentian!" Suddenly, a voice erupted from the crowd, shattering the silence. All eyes turned to a young girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, her hands cupped around her face as she stared at Qin Wentian with unwavering fascination.

The girl seemed lost in her own world until she realized the silence surrounding her. An awkward expression crept over her face as she became aware of the gazes now fixed upon her. She blushed and attempted to hide her visage, all the while continuing to exclaim. If she could, she would have burrowed into the ground and disappeared. Laughter rippled through the academy as Xu Ning, the girl's name, gained unexpected notoriety.

"Xu Ning, you're about to become famous!" teased another voice, as though deliberately outing her identity. A moment later, uproarious laughter filled the air. In the Emperor Star Academy, Xu Ning was destined for newfound recognition.

As the merriment continued, the atmosphere suddenly shifted, and all eyes turned in unison. A group of females emerged, led by the bride herself—Mo Qingcheng.

Though Mo Qingcheng had forgone makeup, her natural beauty radiated, a vision of flawlessness. Adorned in a resplendent red wedding gown, she resembled a freshly blossomed flower, her bright eyes, graceful neck, and alabaster skin casting an enchanting spell. Mo Qingcheng, on this day, was breathtaking enough to enchant the world.

As she walked gracefully toward the ceremonial stage, a hushed reverence fell upon the audience. All, regardless of gender, were captivated by her ethereal beauty. The admiration in their eyes was palpable, their hearts stirred as they witnessed her gaze, brimming with emotion, directed toward the young man waiting on the stage. With every step she took, she drew nearer to him, in a slow, deliberate procession that would bind their destinies forever.

As Mo Qingcheng ascended the stage, a collective inhalation of breath swept through the crowd. Suddenly, everyone's attention snapped back to the surrounding women.

Luo Huan, the epitome of charm; Yun Mengyi, an ice-cold beauty; Lou Bingyu, the regal ice princess; Jiang Ting, an embodiment of elegance; Bailu Yi, innocent and captivating; Qin Yao, graceful and poised; Xuan Xin, an enchanting elven presence. Each of these remarkable women, positioned on either side of Mo Qingcheng, was a radiant star in her own right. They willingly embraced their roles as the verdant leaves supporting the main blossom.

"Exquisite... I never imagined I'd witness so much beauty in one place," murmured countless men, their hearts swelling with overwhelming emotions. To marry any one of these maidens, they would gladly give up everything.

"This is..."

Words failed many, leaving them utterly speechless in the face of this breathtaking tableau.

Beneath the ceremonial stage, a gathering of Qin Wentian's family and friends, including those from the Qin and Mo Residences, as well as Drunken Wine Immortal, Mu Rou, Bai Qingsong, and Autumn Snow, watched the proceedings with eyes full of sincere joy and blessings.

Mu Rou's eyes welled with tears, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. She was moved, yet there was also a lingering sense of sorrow and longing. She had once dreamt of becoming the radiant bride, but now she could only gaze upon him from below, admiring his brilliance. All she could do was offer her heartfelt blessings.

Gongyang Hong and Qian Mengyu were also present, accompanied by the remaining members of the Greencloud Pavilion. Clearly, the Greencloud Pavilion had chosen unity over dispersal. Gongyang Hong beamed with a mix of complex emotions while Qian Mengyu's eyes held a hint of ambiguity.

"Little Qing, today is your Wentian gege's wedding day. If you were here to witness it, you'd be overjoyed, wouldn't you? Are you doing well now?" Bai Qingsong sighed deeply, his heart ached for his beloved daughter, Bai Qing. She had once been willing to defy her father and sister for Qin Wentian, a testament to the strength of their bond.

"If you were here today, you'd be standing beside Mo Qingcheng, gazing at your Wentian gege, right?" Bai Qingsong smiled softly, while Autumn Snow, standing beside him, wiped away her own tears. She longed for Bai Qing's presence. If Bai Qing hadn't broken off her engagement back then, she might have been the bride today.

"Don't shed any more tears, my dear. Today is a day of celebration," Bai Qingsong said, his gaze fixed on the newlyweds as he silently extended his heartfelt well-wishes. Autumn Snow wiped away her tears and nodded resolutely. Today was indeed a day of happiness, and she wouldn't let her tears mar it any longer.