Promise of a Lifetime

Promise of a Lifetime . . .

Qin Wentian couldn't shake the feeling of unease that welled up within him as he realized that all those who had posed a threat had vanished without a trace. It struck him like a revelation that it hadn't just been his parents watching over him from the shadows; Uncle Black and the others had been silently observing him as well.

On his grand wedding day, Uncle Black had not only brought his mother's cherished gift, but those masked figures might very well be his father's loyal subordinates.

A smile danced in Qin Wentian's eyes as he glanced at the Medicine Sovereign before turning his gaze to Mo Qingcheng. Everything seemed more hopeful now.

The reason the Medicine Sovereign had shown him such favor, even going to great lengths to help him, was becoming clear. Why would the Medicine Sovereign spare no effort to aid him? It wasn't merely because he was the beloved of his cherished disciple, Mo Qingcheng.

Qin Wentian wasn't naive; he understood that in this world, peak existences didn't base their actions solely on talent. Talent alone wouldn't guarantee their assistance. Why would they choose to help him, protect him, and even risk incurring the wrath of a formidable enemy on his behalf?

There was only one plausible explanation: Uncle Black and the Medicine Sovereign were acquaintances. Moreover, back in the Pill Emperor Hall, when he had lost consciousness, had Qing'er truly been the only one to save him?

He could recall Qing'er mentioning that Mo Qingcheng might still be alive. She must have seen something. Qin Wentian speculated that Uncle Black and his father's subordinate had a hand in sending Qingcheng to the Medicine Sovereign Valley, where she ultimately became the Medicine Sovereign's disciple.

This was the only scenario that made sense, and it clarified why the Medicine Sovereign had sounded so confident in his message. He knew that Uncle Black and the others had already arrived in Chu.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but wonder if they had been watching from the shadows when he battled the Darkshadow Sovereign. These individuals possessed an uncanny ability to remain concealed, even in the face of such dire circumstances. His mind conjured the image of a proud and noble figure who had once spoken words of wisdom to him. A figure who had wished for his son to stand tall and proud, challenging the heavens and forging his own destiny.

"Father, Mother, your son will not let you down," Qin Wentian declared, gazing skyward as if he could see two figures among the clouds, witnessing his growth.

Only by becoming an immortal could he truly understand his parents' story.

"Uncle Black, Senior Medicine Sovereign, Foster Father, please take your seats. Today, the three of you bear witness to my union with Qingcheng," Qin Wentian invited them warmly.

"Haha, very well. I am truly delighted to witness your union. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer as a gift. However, I have brought a group of experts with me today, and from now on, they will answer only to you," Ye Qingyun announced. In an instant, a row of figures appeared on the stage, bowing respectfully to Qin Wentian and saying, "We pay our respects to Master."

"They are all at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. I didn't coerce them; they chose to follow me as a token of their gratitude. If there ever comes a time when you no longer require their service, you are free to release them," Ye Qingyun added, his spirit radiating nobility and strength. Qin Wentian nodded appreciatively; these individuals would prove invaluable for stabilizing Grand Xia.

"Rise," Qin Wentian commanded, and his newly acquired troops stood tall beside him.

The ascendants of Grand Xia were left in awe. What an extraordinary gift! Bestowing a team of Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants with a simple wave of his hand.

As beads of perspiration dripped from their foreheads, a profound sense of despair gripped the assembled individuals. The very thought of death flickered in the minds of some, but fear had paralyzed them all. No one dared to make a move. Their once-dependable leader, Jun Yu, had been effortlessly dispatched. How bitterly ironic it was! The Royal Sacred Sect's experts had arrived with arrogance, only to meet a fate akin to crushed ants, stamped out without mercy.

With the Medicine Sovereign, Uncle Black, and Ye Qingyun taking their seats, Qin Chuan and the others willingly vacated their spots, a gesture of utmost respect. While they held a special place in Qin Wentian's heart, Qin Chuan recognized that no one could replace Uncle Black's significance to Qin Wentian. Their status was beyond compare, though the Medicine Sovereign and company paid no heed to such formalities.

"We're all one family; let's sit together," Qin Wentian suggested with a warm smile. Soon, everyone relaxed, disregarding their positions and status to gather together.

Qin Wentian shifted his gaze back to Grand Xia's ascendants and addressed them, "I've given you all a chance. Originally, I had no intention of weakening Grand Xia further; my goal was for all of you to strengthen yourselves and elevate our nation's power. But you repeatedly attempted to kill me. I have no more patience for such futile endeavors."

His words drained the color from the ascendants' faces. The Shi Ancestor stepped forward, saying, "Qin Wentian, given the current circumstances, we have nothing more to say. Must you be so merciless? Can't we submit and start anew, bringing an end to our grievances?"

Qin Wentian scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "What a joke. Before I even declared my vision of reuniting Grand Xia, you all had already banded together, seeking to eliminate me. Earlier today, I gave you a chance, yet you persisted until there was no room for negotiation. After failing in your initial objectives, you now wish to surrender and retreat intact? How absurd."

His words sent shivers down their spines. Indeed, they had formed an alliance to eliminate him, but they failed repeatedly. Now, they hoped to escape unscathed. Would Qin Wentian agree to such terms?

"However, rest assured, I won't kill you all," Qin Wentian stated, offering a glimmer of hope.

"Mu Feng," he called, summoning Mu Feng to stand by his side.

"Didn't you recently develop a new form of blood poison?" Qin Wentian inquired. Mu Feng's eyes gleamed with cold determination as he advanced towards the ascendants.

"Mu Feng's cultivation isn't particularly high, and you all should have the strength to expel his poison. However, I want each of you to voluntarily ingest it, allowing it to course through your veins. Henceforth, your lives will be in Mu Feng's hands. Of course, you can choose not to comply. The alternative is death," Qin Wentian declared, leaving them with a choice that was far from desirable.

Qin Wentian's voice cut through the air like a blade, filled with icy resolve. The ascendants of Grand Xia paled, a profound sense of helplessness washing over them. Reluctantly, they nodded in agreement; they weren't willing to meet their end so easily.

Knowing Qin Wentian's exceptional talent, they understood he wouldn't remain stagnant in Grand Xia. As long as they followed the Azure Emperor Palace's orders, Qin Wentian likely wouldn't harm them. To neutralize the poison coursing through their veins, they could only hope their future relationship with him would improve, mending the rift between them.

Mu Feng, a master of poisons, stepped forward to administer the toxin. Without resistance, the ascendants accepted their fate. Mu Feng had concocted a particularly vicious poison, and once it permeated their blood and organs, he could exert control over their lives.

Uncle Black observed, his eyes reflecting a sense of relief. Qin Wentian had grown truly wise. Opting not to slay them, he had chosen a different form of control. The human heart, after all, was unpredictable. While they might be Qin Wentian's subordinates today, given the opportunity, they could turn on him. Thus, their continued existence came at the price of being perpetually threatened.

The ascendants dared not disobey. Mu Feng closed his eyes, and soon their faces took on a pallid hue. An intense black light radiated from him as their beings became shrouded in dense black qi. After a time, Mu Feng opened his eyes and reported to Qin Wentian, "It is done."

"Return. Head to the ancient kingdom of Grand Xia in three days and await further instructions," Qin Wentian commanded the ascendants.

They stiffened, expecting to witness his wedding to leave a favorable impression. To their surprise, Qin Wentian showed no inclination to grant them that opportunity, immediately instructing their departure.

Despite their regrets, they had no choice but to obey. The ascendants flew away, casting occasional, meaningful glances at each other as if wanting to speak but finding no words. They sighed in resignation.

"We shouldn't worry too much. As long as we don't rebel and cooperate obediently, Qin Wentian won't harm us," the Shi Ancestor reassured himself.

"I doubt he even considers us a concern," another ascendant lamented.

"Yeah," agreed the Hua Ancestor, his spirits low. The Hua Clan had sided with the Royal Sacred Sect in response to Hua Taixu's allegiance to the Core Faction. They hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

"What should we do now?" someone inquired.

"I have pressing matters to attend to. I shall take my leave," an ascendant from the War Continent declared, abruptly departing. The sudden departure left the others taken aback.

"I, too, have urgent matters," chimed in a few more ascendants as they left.

"Crafty old foxes," murmured those who remained, their eyes gleaming with cunning. All gazes converged on the lone ascendant from the Wang Clan of the War Continent.

The Wang Ancestor had fallen to Qin Wentian, who had declared the Wang Clan's demise. If these ascendants could settle that unfinished business on Qin Wentian's behalf, it might earn them his favor. Astonishingly, even after administering the poison, these crafty individuals had begun to scheme and curry favor, with the aim of annihilating the Wang Clan to gain Qin Wentian's trust. The human heart was indeed treacherous; not long ago, the Wang Clan had been part of their alliance.

The wedding in the Emperor Star Academy continued, bathed in blessings. Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng held hands as they knelt before his foster fathers, Mo Qingcheng's parents, and the heavens and earth, sealing their vows of love.

The grand wedding of Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng continued, weaving a tale of love, commitment, and familial respect.

In a solemn display of reverence, the newlyweds knelt before their respective parents, an act symbolizing that their parents held a place even higher than the heavens themselves. It was a touching reminder of the importance of family bonds in the journey of life.

As the ceremonial rituals unfolded, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng took a step back from the center stage. Qin Wentian, with a heartfelt smile, called for wine, a celebratory gesture that added a touch of mirth to the solemn occasion.

Luo Huan, who stood nearby, approached with a graceful flask of wine, her face adorned with a warm smile. With a flourish, Qin Wentian scattered a few drops of wine into the air, invoking an age-old tradition of offering to unseen forces. Then, he poured the remaining wine into two cups, one for himself and the other for Mo Qingcheng. Their fingers gently touched the cups, and they raised them in unison.

"Qingcheng, my true parents may be somewhere out there, beyond our reach," Qin Wentian began, his voice filled with reverence. "But today, in a gesture of profound respect, let's raise our cups to them."

Mo Qingcheng nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the depth of their shared emotions. The couple brought their cups to their lips, drinking deeply in unison. Afterward, they set down the empty cups and performed a deep, synchronous bow, their hands entwined in a symbol of unity.

"I will never abandon you for all eternity," Qin Wentian whispered, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with Mo Qingcheng. His voice was filled with warmth and sincerity, his words carrying the weight of an unbreakable promise.

Mo Qingcheng met his gaze with a radiant smile, her voice equally tender. "And I will stand by your side through life and death." It was a simple pledge, yet it encapsulated a lifetime of devotion and unwavering love.

In that moment, amidst the cheers and applause of the gathered guests, Qin Wentian and Mo Qingcheng sealed their union not only with vows of love but with a deep-seated commitment that transcended the bounds of this world.