Gift

Gift . . .

Qin Chuan's eyes locked onto the silhouette making its way down the red carpet, and his sudden, enthusiastic reaction puzzled those around him. Who was this seemingly insignificant cripple to warrant such a remarkable response from both Qin Chuan and Qin Wentian?

"Uncle Black..." Beside Mo Qingcheng, Qin Yao's voice barely rose above a whisper. Uncle Black was not only alive, but he had also come to grace Qin Wentian's grand wedding. It was evident that Uncle Black had always cared deeply for Qin Wentian.

The soft tapping of Uncle Black's walking staff continued, almost like a mesmerizing rhythm that drew everyone's attention. Fairy Qingmei and others initially considered blocking his path, but a quick glance at Qin Wentian's expression conveyed that this man held significant importance in his life.

Uncle Black reached the stage, and an aura of curiosity enveloped the onlookers. There was something strangely captivating about the rhythmic tapping of his staff.

Stopping in front of Qin Wentian, Uncle Black's aged hand gently caressed Qin Wentian's face. The stern, unyielding figure that remained etched in Qin Wentian's memories had transformed into a warm, caring smile. Qin Wentian returned the smile, radiating an innocence that warmed the hearts of those watching.

The crowd couldn't help but be astonished. The bond between Qin Wentian and this seemingly unassuming man appeared to be closer than anyone had imagined. Otherwise, why would Uncle Black display such an intimate gesture and evoke such a genuine smile from Qin Wentian?

"You've grown up and bear a striking resemblance to your father, yet there's still a hint of childlike innocence in you," Uncle Black remarked, his wrinkled face alight with affection as he gazed at the handsome young man.

Qin Wentian's heart swelled with emotions. There were countless words he wished to convey, but they all seemed inadequate.

"It's a delight to witness your wedding. Seeing the two of you together reminds me of your parents," Uncle Black said, guiding Qin Wentian over to Mo Qingcheng. He observed her with a satisfied smile and chuckled, "This young lady is quite impressive; she complements you perfectly."

Although Mo Qingcheng had never met Uncle Black before, she discerned their close relationship from their interactions. She paid her respects with a graceful bow, saying, "Qingcheng pays her respects to Uncle Black."

"Very good, very good. While I haven't prepared anything special for your wedding today, your mother, Madame, wanted me to give a gift to her future daughter-in-law. I'm presenting this on her behalf," Uncle Black declared, placing his walking staff aside and retrieving a brocade box. The box radiated resplendent light, signifying its exceptional value.

"Please open it; this gift was intended for you by Madame herself. I've held it in trust all this time, and now, I can finally present it to its rightful recipient," Uncle Black said solemnly. Mo Qingcheng nodded, recognizing that Qin Wentian was a foster child of the Qin Residence. Since Uncle Black had raised him, he must have been acquainted with Qin Wentian's parents. Accepting this gift, especially one meant for her from her future mother-in-law, was an honor she couldn't refuse.

Mo Qingcheng extended her hands and, with equal solemnity, accepted the gift. Upon opening the box, an intensely radiant light burst forth, capturing the attention of the entire gathering. Multicolored glows bathed Mo Qingcheng, creating a dazzling spectacle.

Overwhelmed, Mo Qingcheng closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she found herself gazing upon an exquisite phoenix gown crafted from genuine phoenix feathers, its beauty beyond compare.

"How breathtaking..." Mo Qingcheng marveled, her eyes fixed on the gown.

Qin Wentian was overwhelmed with emotion. His eyes glistened with tears, momentarily forgetting the presence of the enemy ascendants. In this moment, all that existed were the sentiments bound within his mother's gift—a testament to her enduring love and concern. It was the first time in his twenty-eight years that he had felt his mother's care, transcending the boundaries of life and death.

"Qingcheng, why don't you try it on?" Qin Wentian suggested with a smile.

Mo Qingcheng nodded and carefully removed the phoenix gown from its ornate box. As she draped it over herself, the gown seemed to come to life. Feathers fluttered without the aid of wind, and an enchanting, formless energy enveloped Mo Qingcheng. A powerful and loving will surged into her mind, carrying her mother-in-law's heartfelt message.

Mo Qingcheng closed her eyes as the phoenix gown radiated a brilliant light. In that moment, she exuded an ethereal beauty, almost divine, as if merely gazing upon her would be a sacrilege.

"How stunning..." The onlookers sighed in admiration. Mo Qingcheng's grace and the gown were a perfect match.

After a brief moment, Mo Qingcheng opened her eyes, a peculiar gleam within. She murmured, "Mother-in-law, thank you..."

As her voice faded, the gown transformed, enveloping her completely and adapting to her every desire. With a simple thought, a pair of resplendent phoenix wings sprouted from the gown. In that instant, Mo Qingcheng embodied the essence of a phoenix, resembling an elegant princess of the Phoenix Clan. Onlookers could only speculate in awe, could this gown be made from the feathers of a real phoenix? It seemed unfathomable!

Mo Qingcheng gracefully touched down on the stage, her wings vanishing into the gown. She gazed at Qin Wentian with eyes filled with happiness. "Wentian, I love the gift your mother-in-law prepared for me."

Qin Wentian beamed with joy. His gaze turned to Uncle Black, who continued, "Your father left you with a single message: 'No matter if one is ordinary or exceptional, a true man stands tall, upholding heaven and earth, bearing an indomitable spirit free from guilt.' Follow your heart, my boy."

"I understand," Qin Wentian replied with a smile, recalling the fragmented memories of his parents. He knew the significance of his name.

"Have you all finished your little family reunion?" Jun Yu's voice interrupted them, revealing impatience. A cripple had wasted enough time onstage, playing mysterious.

Uncle Black's gaze shifted. Simultaneously, several masked figures stepped forward from the crowd, their identities concealed. They stared at the group with intrigue.

"The Royal Sacred Sect has quite the audacity," a thunderous voice echoed as figures descended from the sky. The central figure, donning a regal robe and crown, was none other than the Human Emperor, Ye Qingyun of ancient Ye.

"Foster father, you've arrived!" Qin Wentian called out.

"Yes, Wentian. I've been aware of their presence for some time and chose to remain concealed. Rest assured, the Medicine Sovereign is prepared," Ye Qingyun assured, landing onstage.

"Haha, Young Ye, you were aware of it too?" Another voice rang out as two figures materialized onstage. It was the Medicine Sovereign and the old man who had slain a senior member of the Royal Sacred Sect.

Jun Yu and the Royal Sacred Sect's experts stood petrified. They stared incredulously at the Medicine Sovereign, as if witnessing the impossible.

"Medicine Sovereign, you actually made it here?" one of the Royal Sacred Sect's experts questioned.

"Hmph," the Medicine Sovereign retorted, his eyes flickering with a deadly intent. "It appears I've been too lenient with all of you. To think you dared to encircle my Medicine Sovereign Valley."

"Medicine Sovereign, what do you intend to do?" one of the Royal Sacred Sect's experts challenged, their icy words hanging in the air.

"What do I want?" The Medicine Sovereign's eyes gleamed with an icy resolve. He shifted his gaze towards Uncle Black, who, in turn, cast a meaningful glance at the masked figures while transmitting his thoughts to Qin Wentian. "Since your birth, none of us old folks—except for this old cripple who raised you—have ever intervened in your affairs. It was your parents' decree, and they believed that a man must face his trials to grow strong. Every hardship you've endured has tempered you, turning you into a gem of untold potential. If, one day, you manage to ascend and become an immortal, we will reveal all. By then, you'll have proven your worth, your capability to become a true powerhouse. But today, on your grand wedding day, we'll make an exception and lend our aid."

Uncle Black's voice resonated in Qin Wentian's mind, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Show them no mercy. Slaughter them all."

As the echoes of his words faded, a profound light shrouded the entire space, changing the very sky and summoning a tempest.

The Royal Sacred Sect's experts, their faces twisted in dismay, hastily unleashed their constellations. Radiant glimmers blanketed the area, preparing to face the imminent threat.

Suddenly, one of the masked figures darted forward, manipulating space with a constellation. A void hurricane surged, enveloping the entire zone, lifting everyone from the Royal Sacred Sect into the violent tempest.

"Swoosh!" The tempest wreaked havoc, rendering even the Emperor Star Academy's inhabitants unable to maintain their footing. The energy coursing through it was nothing short of terrifying, far surpassing their comprehension.

"Bzz!"

The hurricane threatened to obliterate everything in its path. Yet, within moments, the masked figure utilized spatial manipulation, creating a black hole to divert the hurricane away from the wedding scene. Evidently, they aimed to avoid causing collateral damage.

In a blink, the hurricane ascended into the sky. Even at a distance, those below still felt its destructive force.

But moments later, the hurricane's fury gradually subsided. To the crowd's shock, every last Royal Sacred Sect expert had vanished.

"Are they... gone?" A shiver ran down their spines. The masked figure had executed the crippling command, "Slaughter them all," and the implications were chilling.

As the crowd sought to identify the powerful masked individuals, they had vanished as if they'd never been there at all. Perhaps they had slipped into the crowd simply to silently witness the wedding, content with maintaining a low profile. If not for the Royal Sacred Sect's interference, they might never have surfaced.

The ascendants of Grand Xia were profoundly shaken. Jun Yu's entourage consisted of Royal Sacred Sect elites, the titans of the Royal Sacred Region. Yet, they'd been mercilessly obliterated.

What did that make them? Transcendent powers of Grand Xia? Before those masked figures, they were mere ants. How laughable that they'd dared to disrupt Qin Wentian's wedding!