Chapter 345: The Wedding, Tensions Arise
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**
Today, the Yun Lan Sect was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. Vibrant red decorations adorned the grand mountain peak, giving it the appearance of a sea of celebration.
The wedding of Sect Leader Yun Yun was a monumental event for the entire sect. What made it even more significant was that her groom hailed from the most powerful force in the neighboring Mu Lan Empire—he was the heir of the Mu Lan Valley.
Unsurprisingly, this wedding had become the most lively event in Yun Lan Sect's recent history. Amidst the joyous preparations, many had momentarily forgotten about the turbulent events unfolding in the outside world.
For the Yun Lan Sect, the combined might of their alliance with Mu Lan Valley was a source of unshakable confidence. Even if the imperial forces united, they posed no real threat—not with two Dou Zong powerhouses, Yun Shan and the Three Elders of Mu Lan, on their side.
From early morning, the celebratory sounds reverberated across the Yun Lan Mountain. As the sun rose higher, the festive mood only grew stronger.
Within a grand hall of the Yun Lan Sect, four figures were seated. Their imposing auras, akin to tigers and dragons, made their strength unfathomable. At the head of the group sat Yun Shan, the sect's former leader.
Beside him was an elder dressed in a green robe embroidered with lion, tiger, and bear patterns—it was none other than one of the Mu Lan Three Elders.
"Heh, after today, our two sect will be united by marriage. From now on, we shall stand together, like branches of the same tree," Yun Shan said with a smile, glancing at the festive atmosphere outside as he spoke to the Three Elders.
The lion-headed elder stroked his beard and chuckled. "Indeed. Sect Leader Yun Yun is young and already a Dou Huang. Her talent is exceptional. For you to let her go, Yun Shan, we in Mu Lan Valley are indebted to you for this favor."
Yun Shan smiled faintly, his bony fingers lightly tapping the table. He glanced outside and remarked, "If my guess is correct, Mo Yu and his people will come to the Yun Lan Sect today. That boy has long been infatuated with Yun Yun.
In the past, she was deceived by his sweet words and made some reckless decisions. Now that he's learned of this marriage, he's likely furious and determined to cause trouble."
At the mention of Mo Yu, the expressions of the Mu Lan Three Elders darkened. After a brief silence, the tiger-headed elder snorted coldly, "Hmph! Let's hope he dares to show up! I've heard he's been doing quite well these past few years—even Hei Bao fell to him. We can't afford to delay any longer. If we wait a few more years, none of us may be his match."
"This is the perfect opportunity," he continued, his tone cold. "Not only can our two families form an alliance through marriage, but we can also take this chance to eliminate him once and for all. No loose ends!"
The thought of Mo Yu, who had once been hunted relentlessly by the Mu Lan Valley, now rising to such prominence in just a few years, made a flicker of seriousness appear in the elders' eyes. His meteoric rise was unlike anything they had ever seen before.
"Rest assured, gentlemen," Yun Shan said with a confident smile. "Today's arrangements are flawless. With the combined strength of our two forces, if Mo Yu dares to show up, I'll make sure his life ends as part of our wedding celebration."
The elders of Mu Lan Valley exchanged glances and nodded. "Very well. With such preparations in place, we have nothing to worry about. Rest assured, we will give it our all in this battle!"
Shortly after the Three Elders left, the atmosphere in the hall turned eerie. The grand doors slammed shut, and a strange black mist seeped from the shadows. A sinister laugh echoed within the room.
"Jie jie, who would've thought you'd go so far as to marry off Yun Yun to secure Mu Lan Valley's alliance?"
From the mist, a shadowy figure emerged, his voice dripping with mockery. Yun Shan, however, remained composed. "Mu Lan Valley's strength is significant. Even with your help, we cannot match them. Using their power to weaken the Xiao Clan's Twin Dragons is a necessary strategy."
The shadow chuckled, his voice filled with malice. "That doesn't matter to me. Just make sure you don't actually kill Mo Yu. Otherwise, it'll be difficult to explain things to the higher-ups, jie jie..."
Yun Shan frowned slightly, unwilling to let Mo Yu live. Yet, he quickly masked his displeasure and responded with a dry laugh. "You misunderstand me, Protector Wu. The Hall of Souls has been most generous to me, elevating me to a Dou Zong. I wouldn't dare forget such kindness.
Still, I can't help but wonder why the Hall of Souls is so cautious about this Mo Yu. His talent is extraordinary, yes, but raising a tiger can lead to trouble."
"Enough! Don't ask what you shouldn't!" The shadow's voice turned icy. "This boy is tied to forces far beyond what your little Yun Lan Sect can handle. But don't worry. The higher-ups have already dispatched someone to the Jia Ma Empire. If all goes well, that person should already be here.
"When the time comes, even if Mo Yu is crippled, the powers backing him won't dare interfere. Once he's reduced to nothing, you won't need to lose sleep over him anymore."
Hearing this, Yun Shan's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions. Though he couldn't kill Mo Yu outright, crippling him would be a significant victory. Perhaps then, even the forces behind him would abandon him, and Yun Shan could eventually eliminate him entirely.
The shadowy figure laughed sinisterly. "Enough talk. I look forward to seeing a good show today. Don't disappoint me."
With that, the black mist dissipated, leaving the hall silent once more. Yun Shan's expression darkened as he stared at the fading mist. A trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes before disappearing.
By noon, the Yun Lan Sect's celebrations had reached their peak. Jubilant cheers filled the air, echoing high into the heavens.
The grand plaza was awash in red. Disciples dressed in festive red robes stood like a surging tide, their presence filling every corner of the eye.
At the center of the plaza stood a massive ceremonial platform. Yun Shan and the Mu Lan Three Elders sat at the head, graciously receiving congratulations from guests from both the Jia Ma Empire and the Mu Lan Empire.
Below the platform stood a tall, stern-faced young man clad in red. If Mo Yu were present, he would instantly recognize him—it was the Little Beast King, his old adversary from years ago.
The Little Beast King's gaze lingered on the horizon, a cold glint in his eyes. He muttered under his breath, "Mo Yu, you vanished years ago. If you don't show yourself today, I'll marry your woman and claim victory once and for all!"
"Here comes the bride!"
A crisp voice rang out, silencing the plaza. All eyes turned toward the source. A woman dressed in an intricate red bridal gown, her face hidden behind a veil, appeared. She was surrounded by dozens of beautiful maidservants, moving gracefully toward the ceremonial platform like stars orbiting the moon.
Laughter spread through the plaza as the newest focus of the day's celebration appeared, drawing countless congratulations from the crowd directed toward the "Little Beast King." Amidst the festive air, Yun Yun's beauty and talents, already famed even in the neighboring Mu Lan Empire, added an extra layer of brilliance to the occasion.
At the center of the gathering, Gu He stood frozen. Usually the epitome of poise, his expression now darkened as his fists clenched tightly at the sight of the bride clad in a crimson wedding gown. He understood too well that Yun Yun must have been forced into this arrangement, for she would never consent to such a marriage willingly.
Yet, with the powerful alliance between Yun Lan Sect and Mu Lan Valley at stake, even his status as a sixth-grade alchemist left him helpless in the face of this union.
Looking toward the imperial capital, Gu He murmured to himself, "Mo Yu, I'm counting on you not to disappoint me."
"Ha ha! Today marks the grand union of my esteemed disciple and the young master of Mu Lan Valley. To all of you who have traveled from afar, Yun Shan, on behalf of Yun Lan Sect, extends heartfelt thanks!" Yun Shan's voice resonated across the plaza, his face beaming as he stood atop the festive stage, addressing the guests below.
Cheers erupted like tidal waves in response, heightening the celebratory mood. Yun Shan continued with a smile, "Yun'er is the future leader of Yun Lan Sect and, naturally, holds a significant status. As for the Little Beast King, his own rank and position are more than a match. This is a union of equals, a truly perfect match."
Mu Lan Valley's Three Elders, seated nearby, nodded approvingly. They were exceedingly satisfied with Yun Yun as the bride. Her apparent reluctance? A mere trifle. She would learn to accept her place once she joined Mu Lan Valley.
After exchanging further pleasantries, Yun Shan glanced at the sky, then announced with a broad smile, "The auspicious hour has arrived. Let the wedding begin!"
The joyous atmosphere of Yun Lan Sect reached its zenith, but just as the wedding rites were about to commence, a sharp sound split the air. A piercing whistle heralded the arrival of a silver streak shooting across the sky, heading directly for the stage.
The sudden interruption drew a wave of startled gazes upward. Among the Mu Lan Valley elders, the lion-headed elder immediately sensed danger. With a darkened expression, he leapt from his seat, his sleeve whipping outward to unleash a surge of terrifying energy that struck the incoming projectile.
A metallic clang echoed as the silver object was deflected, spinning in midair before embedding itself deeply into the ground. Upon closer inspection, it revealed itself to be a black spear crackling with silver thunder.
"Ha ha, why the rush, Elder Lion? Whether this is a wedding or a funeral is yet to be decided," a mocking, youthful voice rang out from above.
All eyes turned skyward to see a swarm of figures descending from the heavens, their backs shimmering with Dou Qi wings. Gasps rippled through the crowd as they realized that every figure hovering in the air bore the rank of Dou Wang or higher—an assembly of power that left many in awe.
The lion-headed elder's face darkened further when his gaze locked onto a young man with silver eyes and thunderous wings aloft in the sky. His voice boomed with rage: "Hmph! You dare return, wretched dog of yesteryear? Years ago, you fled like a rat. Today, your life ends here!"
The crowd erupted into hushed whispers, many recalling tales of Mu Lan Valley's relentless pursuit of a youth named Mo Yu years prior. Yet now, that very youth had returned, brazenly crashing the alliance of Yun Lan Sect and Mu Lan Valley.
Ignoring the murmurs below, Mo Yu's cold gaze swept across the Three Elders of Mu Lan Valley and Yun Shan, his voice sharp and decisive. "As expected, the two of you are like filth drawn to filth, Yun Lan Sect and Mu Lan Valley conspiring together. Perfect. After today, neither of your names will remain on the map of the Northwest Continent."
An uproar followed his declaration, the audacious words leaving the onlookers stunned. Could this lone youth truly challenge two great powers?
"Audacious brat!" Yun Shan and the Three Elders' faces turned stormy, their fury barely contained. The lion-headed elder let out a booming laugh. "A stray dog dares bark before us? Very well. Since you've come, you won't be leaving alive!"
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