Chapter 223: Wedding [PART 1]
Dawn broke over the Azure Cloud Sect with an unusual bustle of activity. Disciples hurried through the courtyards carrying red silk banners, spirit flowers, and decorative lanterns.
The Secondary Professions Pavilion had been transformed into a wedding venue. The massive circular courtyard had been cleared and packed with neat rows of cushioned seats arranged in perfect formation around a central altar.
The altar itself was carved from white jade and decorated with spirit flowers that pulsed with a soft golden light every few seconds. Red silk drapes were also hung in different intervals throughout the pavilion, creating an atmosphere that matched the occasion.
In the Phoenix Ascension Pavilion, Elder Huang sat before a bronze mirror as a group of female disciples fussed over her appearance. Her wedding robes were magnificent; deep red silk embroidered with golden phoenix patterns. The fabric itself was woven from spirit silk, giving it an otherworldly shimmer.
"Elder Huang, please hold still," murmured one disciple as she carefully arranged jade ornaments in the bride’s hair.
Elder Huang smiled, though her hands trembled slightly, she was quite nervous but also excited. She couldn’t believe that this day had finally come.
The final touch was the thin red spirit silk veil. As it was lowered over her face, Elder Huang took a deep breath, redying herself.
Meanwhile, in the Mountain Heart Pavilion, Elder Guo was having his own preparations, though they were considerably less elaborate. His formal robes were dark blue silk with silver dragon embroidery. Despite his usually confident demeanor, anyone could see the nervousness radiating from him.
"Master, there is no need to be scared," Xiang Yu said with an amused smile as he helped adjust the outer robe’s collar.
"Scared? What’s that? Why hasn’t this old man ever heard of it?" Elder Guo scoffed. Xiang Yu smiled, this old dog was still pretending even at this time.
By mid-morning, guests had begun arriving.
Surprisingly, many people showed up. Even cultivators from the five major sects showed up, led by their sect masters. Xiang Yu thought to himself that these people were probably here just to curry favor. Well, not that he cared.
Xiang Yu had the presidents of the secondary professions’ schools, led by chairman Liu Qing help coordinate seating arrangements and other miscellaneous stuff so the guests didnt feel neglected, especially the high level cultivators; otherwise, their sect would be looked down upon. As he thought of this, he wondered if he was getting old to worry that he now worried about such matters.
Li Yao stood near the altar in her role as officiant, finally wearing her official Sect Master robes for the first time. Beside her, Grand Elder Feng Wuying waited in his own formal attire. Xiang Yu also took his position beside them.
...
The time had come.
Elder Guo emerged from the mountain peak accompanied by male disciples, walking with measured steps toward the altar. Despite his earlier nervousness, his bearing was dignified and calm. The gathered crowd murmured as he took his place, hands clasped behind his back.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
A decorated spirit beast carriage appeared at the pavilion entrance, pulled by two magnificent spirit birds with beautiful flame feathers (usually a phoenix but we broke). The carriage was carved from spirit wood and decorated with red silk and golden ornaments.
Elder Huang stepped out gracefully, her red veil flowing behind her. Female disciples flanked her on both sides, scattering spirit flower petals around her.
The crowd fell silent as she walked down the petal-strewn aisle, every eye fixed on the radiant bride. Even the visiting sect masters were slightly taken aback. Well, this was probably because they hadn’t witnessed a genuine wedding in quite a while. Usually, it’s all about interests and people just exchange gifts and call it a day.
When Elder Huang reached the altar, Elder Guo stepped forward. His hands were steady now, all traces of nervousness vanished as he gazed at the woman he loved. With care, he reached up and lifted her red veil, revealing her radiant smile beneath.
The couple clasped hands and faced the altar together.
Li Yao’s voice rang clear and strong across the courtyard, enhanced by qi to ensure every guest could hear perfectly. "We gather here today to witness the union of Elder Guo Shantian of the Mountain Heart Pavilion and Elder Huang Fengqi of the Phoenix Ascension Pavilion. May heaven and earth bear witness to their vows."
She gestured toward the sky "First bow—to Heaven and Earth, source of all spiritual energy and the foundation of cultivation!"
The couple bowed deeply toward the heavens, their movements perfectly synchronized.
"Second bow—to our respected Grand Elder Feng Wuying and to the memory of our beloved Grandmaster, witnesses to their journey and guardians of our sect’s traditions!"
Grand Elder Feng Wuying stepped forward beside the memorial tablet of the late Grandmaster,. His eyes held a mixture of joy and melancholy as he looked at the couple before him.
"Guo Shantian," he began, "I have watched you grow from a young disciple into a pillar of this sect. Your master would be proud to see the man you’ve become. Huang Fengqi, your dedication to our sect and to him honors us all. May your union bring strength to each other and prosperity to our Azure Cloud Sect. May your cultivation paths forever be intertwined, and may you find in each other the support that every true cultivator needs."
Internally, the old man’s thoughts drifted. Guo Zhengming, Wei Long, If only you could see this moment... Back then, the three of us brothers swore we’d watch over each other’s disciples as our own. We dreamed of days like this... He glanced briefly toward the memorial tablet of Wei Long. Now it’s just me left to witness these moments...
He placed his weathered hands on both their heads in blessing, and the couple bowed deeply to him with genuine respect and gratitude.
"Third bow—to each other, as cultivation partners bound by choice and affection!"
Elder Guo and Elder Huang turned to face each other, their love-filled eyes meeting. They bowed simultaneously.
...
Author’s Corner
Our lord has been a little sick lately so I didn’t have someone to consult and went in raw. If I got anything wrong, I’m sorry.
For clarification, Feng Wuying is still referred to as grand elder by people of Li Yao’s generation. (not the position but by seniority)
Yes, the tablet is just for Wei Long. Idk if i should write about why elder Guo’s father is never talked about. Well, maybe sometime later.