Engagement Ceremony

Morning came quickly, the Li Clan was especially bustling today, every member was busy putting things in order for the big engagement today.

Li Tianyan was currently seated cross-legged under a huge plum tree in his courtyard, he was probably the only one in the Li Clan who wasn't hustling and bustling about.

As he sat there, going through the contents of the Nine Realms of Chaos.

Although, when his cultivation was dissolved, he had been cultivating this technique, he had only obtained the basic portion from Zhao Ming, which essentially served as a guide for circulating and collecting Spiritual Qi from the environment.

So now with the full volume imprinted in his mind, he was completely overwhelmed by the complexity of this tyrannical technique.

Li Tianyan furrowed his brows, his expression shifting between awe and frustration. The sheer profundity of the Nine Realms of Chaos was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Every line was imbued with an unparalleled majesty, each word seemingly resonating with the chaotic essence of the heavens and earth.

"It's no wonder Master only passed me the basics before this," he muttered under his breath. "Even a lifetime wouldn't be enough for an ordinary cultivator to fully comprehend this technique, let alone master it."

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slowly, and began reviewing the foundational principles of the first realm—the Realm of Primal Elements. The text described the initial step as a harmonization of the core elements: fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning. Each element had to be understood in its raw, unrefined state, reflecting the chaos from which they originated.

"Comprehend the essence of fire not as a flame, but as destruction and rebirth… Comprehend water not as liquid, but as infinite adaptability…" he recited softly, his voice carrying a trace of reverence.

Just when he was getting engrossed into the first Realm, a hurried knock sounded from the exquisite wooded door on his courtyard. "Young Master Tianyan, the Patriarch ordered me to bring your ceremonial robes."

"Enter."

"Young Master, Miss Huo Lianhua has already returned to the City Lord's Estate, the procession to bring her here will start soon, please allow me to prepare you." A young female servant entered the courtyard with a folded red robe in hand.

Li Tianyan glanced at the folded robe in the servant's hands, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Prepare me? What am I, a ceremonial statue?"

The servant flushed slightly, unsure how to respond. "Young Master Tianyan, it's tradition. The Patriarch insisted…"

Li Tianyan chuckled softly, rising to his feet. "Tradition, you say? Well, let's not keep tradition waiting, then."

He stepped forward, his movements graceful yet casual, and took the ceremonial robe from her hands. The vibrant crimson fabric shimmered under the morning light, embroidered with intricate patterns of phoenixes and dragons symbolizing harmony and power.

"Red suits me, don't you think?" he asked, his tone light but playful as he draped the robe over his arm.

The servant hesitated before nodding, her cheeks tinged pink. "It… does, Young Master."

Li Tianyan gave her a wink before turning back toward the plum tree. "I'll handle the rest myself. You can tell my father I'll be ready when the time comes."

The servant bowed and retreated, leaving him alone once more. As soon as she was gone, the playful glint in his eyes faded, replaced by a contemplative gaze as he looked at the ceremonial robe.

Before long a loud shout came from outside the courtyard, interrupting his thoughts, it was the voice of the servant that had just left him a while ago. "Young Master, the procession has begun!"

Another voice from outside the courtyard, "Don't worry I'll excort Brother Tianyan personally."

"Mhm..."

The courtyard gates opened slowly, revealing a dashing young man in bright red robes embroidered with red flames and lotus', this young man was slightly pale but his face held a wide smile as he walked into the courtyard.

"Brother Zhen, you came." A warm smile appeared on Li Tianyan's face as he saw this friend of his who rarely laughed walk in with such a huge smile.

"Of course I came, I wouldn't miss it even if my legs were also crippled." The newly arrived Li Zhen walked beside Li Tianyan as they chatted on their way to the Grand Hall.

Large groups of people could be seen going towards the entrance of the Li Clan,

"Isn't that the Young Clan Master?"

"Yes, that's right, but who's that beside him?"

"I heard that the Young Clan Master was very close friends with a useless cripple named Li Zhen."

"Oh that's right, I heard his mother died after birthing him and his father the first elder at the time died from poisoning. He's lived alone ever since."

"Before he was crippled he was hailed as a talent on par with the Young Clan Master, but after that incident, he's been nothing more than a shadow of his former self."

The whispers of the crowd reached Li Zhen's ears, but he maintained his smile, as though unbothered by the gossip. Li Tianyan, however, glanced at his friend, his expression softening.

"Brother Zhen," Li Tianyan said, his tone quiet but firm, "do their words bother you?"

Li Zhen chuckled softly. "Brother Tianyan, you should know by now that words are nothing but air. They cannot harm me unless I let them."

Li Tianyan nodded, a hint of admiration flickering in his eyes. "That's why you're one of the strongest people I know, even without cultivation."

Li Zhen gave him a sidelong glance, his smile gaining a hint of genuine warmth. "And that's why you'll be a worthy match for Huo Lianhua. Though, if I'm honest, you'll have your hands full with that one."

Li Tianyan's brows arched slightly, his lips curling into a teasing grin. "Oh? Have you met her?"

Li Zhen's gaze turned thoughtful. "Once. During a gathering at the City Lord's estate. She has a presence that demands attention, and her words… they're like a finely tempered sword—sharp and precise. Don't let that fiery grace fool you; she's not someone who'll bow easily."

Li Tianyan chuckled. "Good. I've had enough of people bowing and scraping. A bit of challenge keeps things interesting."

As the two reached the grand hall, the murmurs and movement of the crowd began to settle. The elders and prominent figures of the Li Clan stood in their respective places, while the ceremonial stage, adorned with phoenix and dragon motifs, stood at the center. The air was thick with expectation.

A sudden commotion at the entrance drew everyone's attention. The crowd turned as one, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the approaching bride.

And there she was.

Huo Lianhua stepped into the grand hall, her presence immediately silencing the room. She was, without exaggeration, an otherworldly beauty that could topple nations. Her crimson ceremonial gown shimmered with golden embroidery that seemed to dance like fire in the light. The intricate phoenix motifs on her attire seemed to take flight with each step she took.

Her face, delicate yet regal, was framed by long ebony hair cascading like a waterfall of midnight silk. Her eyes, molten amber, held an intensity that seemed to see through the soul. Her lips, painted a soft crimson, curved into a faint, enigmatic smile that only added to her mystique.

She moved with a grace that seemed almost unreal, her every step exuding both elegance and strength. There was no haughtiness in her demeanor, no air of arrogance—only a quiet confidence that spoke of unshakable determination and an indomitable spirit. She was the embodiment of passion and dignity, a living flame encased in human form.

Li Tianyan, for all his wit and charm, found himself momentarily at a loss for words. He had prepared a hundred clever remarks, a thousand playful quips, but in that moment, all of them seemed inadequate. He blinked, caught between awe and admiration, and managed to regain his composure just as she approached the ceremonial stage.

When she stood before him, she inclined her head slightly, her gaze meeting his with unwavering intensity. "Young Master Li," she said, her voice like a melody with an undercurrent of steel, "I trust you are ready."

Li Tianyan's lips curved into a wry smile. "For you, Miss Huo, I could be ready for anything."

Her eyes flickered with a hint of amusement, though her expression remained composed. "We shall see."

The exchange was brief, but the air between them was charged, an unspoken understanding passing between them. This was not a union of convenience or mere tradition—it was the meeting of two forces, equal and unyielding.