CHAPTER 191: CHAPTER 59: DUAL CULTIVATION GRAND CEREMONY [FIRST UPDATE]

The one who can make the Wuji Sect Master come out to greet them must at least be someone from a first-class sect, and just now that disciple even called Yue Zhao "Young Master Yue", Yue Zhao’s identity is clear!

"There should be only one family with the surname Yue in the Sub-immortal Realm, right?" one person asked the person beside him.

"But even though the Yue Family is powerful, it’s not to the extent that the Wuji Sect Master would personally greet them, right?" The person replied, not quite sure.

"The Yue Family alone isn’t enough, but the second disciple of the Lingxi Saint Master certainly is!" an elderly man next to them answered, looking at Yue Zhao.

Upon hearing this, the two suddenly understood and then looked at Yue Zhao and his group in shock, not expecting such a low-profile person to be the disciple of the Lingxi Saint Master.

Compared to the others, He Yutong’s expression was more dramatic; first shocked, then a bit incredulous, and finally turning to despair. Her face turned pale as she looked at Yue Zhao and his group with fear.

Yun Ran and Gu Qingqing glanced at He Yutong, seeing her on the verge of tears, the two exchanged a helpless look.

They had seen many like He Yutong who bully the weak but fear the strong and like to show off. If they still had the mind to argue with He Yutong a moment ago, they now only felt bored and had no intention of paying her any mind.

While He Yutong was overthinking, worried that Yue Zhao and the others might retaliate against her, a group of people hurriedly came down from the mountaintop.

The middle-aged man leading them wore a purple Brocade Robe and a white Jade Crown. With a square face, he looked dignified and was none other than Shangguan Qing, the Wuji Sect Master.

Shangguan Qing was originally at the mountain top welcoming sect leaders from other sects. Upon receiving a message from a disciple, he immediately let an elder continue to host those people and then quickly brought people down to the foot of the mountain. He spotted Yue Zhao and his group at a glance, his eyes lighting up as he walked directly toward them.

"Wuji Sect Master Shangguan Qing greets Young Master Yue, Mr. Nan, Mr. Mu, Saint Son Jun, and Miss Gu." Shangguan Qing was invited when Gu Qingqing held the apprentice ceremony, so he was familiar with her and quite glad to meet her. Three disciples of the Lingxi Saint Master coming was clear proof of their importance! Moreover, having Jun Wu here was an unexpected delight!

"Shangguan Sect Master, no need for formalities. Our master couldn’t leave the Holy Land due to affairs, so he sent us to congratulate Mr. Shangguan." Yue Zhao waved his hand, speaking courteously to Shangguan Qing.

"It’s already a great honor for my son that you all could come. Your accommodations have been prepared for a long time. Let me take you there." Shangguan Qing spoke cautiously to Yue Zhao and his group.

When he sent an invitation to the Holy Land, he never expected the Saint Master could come. The arrival of Yue Zhao and others was already an unexpected joy. After all, even though their Wuji Sect was a subordinate sect of the Holy Land, it was merely a second-rate sect and not worth much. He wouldn’t have minded if the Holy Land hadn’t sent anyone!

Once Yue Zhao and the others followed Shangguan Qing away, the mountain gate area burst into an uproar.

"So this is what Young Master Yue, Mr. Nan, Mr. Mu, and the newly recruited Closed-door Disciple Miss Gu by the renown Saint Master look like. They truly seem extraordinary at a glance!" a disciple sighed.

"Yes, they’re all remarkably good-looking, and their auras are quite different from ordinary people. Young Master Yue is indeed just as the rumors say, refined and gentle like a gentleman."

"Mr. Nan also looks quite unrestrained, I’ve heard he has many close female friends who are utterly devoted to him, but, unfortunately, Mr. Nan doesn’t intend to marry. And in recent years, he seems to have changed his ways, cutting ties with all those female friends."

"Mr. Mu is as described by others, always looking sickly. Just now, when I passed by him, I even smelled herbs. It must be due to his frequent dealings with medicinal materials."

"The most surprising is Miss Gu. I’ve heard that she was accepted as a disciple by the Saint Master in the Lower Realm, and not only does the Saint Master adore her, but even the several young masters also do. By the looks of it, the rumors about her aren’t false. Moreover, Miss Gu’s appearance ranks among the top three famous women in the Sub-immortal Realm!"

"Not only that, I’ve heard Miss Gu is only fifteen years old but already has the cultivation of the eighth stage, such astounding talent!"

"..."

He Yutong stood in place, listening to the comments around her about Yue Zhao and the others, her face alternating between pale and flushed, much like an overturned palette, changing quickly!

She had simply wanted to mock Gu Qingqing a little due to her beauty and the handsome men around her, not realizing their identities were so formidable.

Now, she’s consumed by regret, fearing that Gu Qingqing and the others might seize an opportunity to target her. For people like Yue Zhao, dealing with her could be effortless.

Just like now, her peers who previously had a good relationship with her were suddenly keeping their distance, looking at her with pity.

...

Yue Zhao and his group followed Shangguan Qing to the mountain top of Wuji Sect, where he arranged for them to stay in the best courtyard, beautifully decorated and even with a lotus pond inside.

After settling Yue Zhao and the others, Shangguan Qing finally excused himself and left.

The news of Yue Zhao and his group arriving at the Wuji Sect quickly spread. Those from other forces who came to attend the double cultivation ceremony heard of Yue Zhao’s arrival and hurried to his courtyard to pay their respects. Yue Zhao and the others were overwhelmed and finally had to decline, claiming they were too exhausted from the journey to stop the influx of visitors.

The next morning, after Gu Qingqing and the others had tidied up, they were led by a disciple of the Wuji Sect to the main hall where the ceremony would be held.

Because today was quite a formal occasion, Gu Qingqing changed into a dark purple wide-sleeved immortal skirt, her hair styled into a spiritual snake bun, adorned with a butterfly-shaped red gemstone hairpin. The long tassels of the hairpin swayed slightly as she moved, looking very beautiful.

She was already pretty, and with the light makeup she wore today, paired with a plum blossom-shaped flower ornament painted by Yun Ran between her brows, she exuded a touch of allure, making it hard for anyone to look away.

At least Jun Wu and Hua Shiyu were stunned for a long moment upon seeing her, and their gazes would occasionally land on Gu Qingqing.

Upon arriving at the main hall, others who saw Gu Qingqing’s attire were also amazed, even some women could only feel envy, jealousy, and resentment. They lamented that Gu Qingqing was truly at a level of beauty that could cause the downfall of nations!

He Yutong was one of them. If Gu Qingqing had only been slightly more beautiful than her, she might have been jealous, but as it happened, her already decent looks paled in comparison to Gu Qingqing’s, like the difference between heaven and earth, incomparable!

Moreover, Gu Qingqing’s status in the Sub-immortal Realm was beyond prestigious. As the only female disciple of the Lingxi Saint Master, who adored her dearly, combined with the affection of five extraordinary senior brothers, few women in the realm could surpass Gu Qingqing in status!

Gu Qingqing did not care about the opinions of those present. After entering the main hall, apart from necessary socializing, she remained seated, enjoying snacks and tea, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

She had seen mortal weddings on the Xuantian Continent, but had never witnessed a cultivator’s double cultivation ceremony, and was very curious about what it would be like, feeling quite excited at this moment.

At the auspicious hour, music began to play outside. Gu Qingqing stood up and looked outside the hall, where she saw a splendid carriage pulled by eight red-scaled horses appearing in the sky above the plaza. On the carriage sat a couple dressed in red wedding attire, with a group of musicians leading in front and a long procession carrying the bride’s dowry behind them.

The carriage swiftly landed on the plaza. The groom was the first to disembark, then he lifted the bride into his arms and walked toward the main hall.

Underfoot was a long red carpet, with flower petals occasionally falling overhead. Paired with the joyful music, the scene was extraordinarily picturesque.

The groom had a genuine smile on his face, while the bride nestled gently in his embrace. Unlike on the Xuantian Continent, brides at a Sub-immortal Realm double cultivation ceremony did not wear a veil, and the bride’s face was also full of joy, looking up at the groom with love from time to time.

Once they entered the main hall, the groom set the bride down. They held hands and, with a glance at each other, walked towards Shangguan Qing and his wife under everyone’s watchful eyes.

Today, Shangguan Qing and his wife were also dressed in festive colors, their smiles not having faded since yesterday; they beamed with happiness, their eyes crinkling with joy.

"The two of you, please first bow to your parents!" the master of ceremonies reminded them with a smile.

Shangguan Heng and Lin Rui’er exchanged a glance, then knelt before Shangguan Qing and his wife, kowtowing earnestly three times before standing up.

"Please, the two of you, make the heart demon vow!" the master of ceremonies continued prompting.

This was an unwritten rule in the Sub-immortal Realm; if two people were to become Dao companions and hold a double cultivation ceremony, they must make a heart demon vow.

"I, Shangguan Heng (Lin Rui’er), swear to the Heavenly Dao today, from this day forward, to love solely Lin Rui’er (Shangguan Heng). Should I break this vow, I shall never ascend for all eternity!" their voices were strong and confident, clearly full of conviction.

After the two had made their vows, the sky suddenly presented auspicious clouds of seven colors, and they immediately beamed with happiness.

"The Heavenly Dao has acknowledged the union, the ceremony is complete!" The master of ceremonies, looking at the auspicious clouds in the sky, paused for a moment before announcing with a smile.

Shangguan Heng and Lin Rui’er tightened their grip on each other’s hands, both breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged a glance, and shared a sincere smile.

Just as the two were about to retreat to change clothes and greet the guests, a voice suddenly echoed around them.

"It’s so lively here today, an occasion like this ought to include our Blood Sect, so we can help you celebrate!"

The newcomer’s voice was slightly hoarse yet carried a hint of amusement, but none of the people present could muster a smile. Everyone’s expressions changed as they turned to look outside the hall.