CHAPTER 640: THE DAY OF MARRIAGE 4

The events that followed mostly consisted of entertainment, such as the grand feast held on the church grounds. The bride and groom also began walking around to greet the other attendees.

Occasions like this were also a perfect opportunity for everyone to build connections with many people.

With so many nobles and other important figures present, there was no better time or place than this moment. Especially for Aldrian, whom many wanted to greet or at least get close to. With Sylphia by his side, he also greeted and spoke with several people who had already become their acquaintances.

He could later be seen speaking with Prince Hector, Prince Claude, and Prince Ferdinand. They appeared to be enjoying their discussion, smiling from time to time. For many women, this was truly a blessed sight, four handsome men of high status gathered together. Many wished to approach them, but they did not dare.

As time passed and the sun rose high in the sky, the atmosphere remained lively, with even more people continuing to arrive from outside the Heavenly City. They did not want to miss the chance to attend the wedding ceremony, especially with Aldrian personally present.

Seeing that it was already midday, Pope Claudius’s voice resounded once again.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve arrived at the event that I know many of you have been waiting for, well, I’ve been looking forward to it myself," he said in a joking tone, drawing light laughter from the crowd.

"Well then, the time has come for our most esteemed guest and future leader to give a lecture on cultivation. I hope we can all make the most of this opportunity, so that we do not waste the valuable chance that has been generously given to us."

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome His Majesty Aldrian Aster." As Pope Claudius finished the announcement, Aldrian walked onto the platform where the vow-taking procession had taken place.

There was almost complete silence as Aldrian stepped onto the platform. No one wanted to miss a single word, everyone was eager to hear everything he had to say with perfect clarity. At the same time, screens across the continent displayed his figure.

Aldrian stopped at the center of the platform and swept his gaze calmly across the crowd. After a few moments of quiet, he parted his lips.

"Before I begin the lecture, I suggest all of you take your meditation positions. This session may lead you into a state of comprehension."

Upon hearing those words, people everywhere began sitting in meditative positions. No one thought Aldrian’s statement was arrogant, instead, they took his words seriously. If he said that his lecture might lead to a state of comprehension, then they needed to be prepared.

Many did not care where they sat, as long as they were comfortable. Aldrey and Irene had their own meditation mats, placed slightly apart from the others.

"Alright, you may begin cultivating. You can use your own cultivation techniques."

After that, everyone closed their eyes and focused, guiding their energy according to their respective cultivation technique.

Seeing that everyone was ready, Aldrian gave a small nod.

"Cultivation is essentially walking against the flow of the nature law and even against the heavens. Yet, it is also the path to reaching harmony within ourselves..." As Aldrian began his lecture, his voice spread through his domain. It was not the sound transmitted by the screens across the continent, instead, his domain carried his voice directly.

Through this method, Aldrian’s words could be heard with perfect clarity by every being, no matter where they were. It felt as though he was speaking right beside their ears.

As time passed, his voice began to resonate with nature, giving rise to subtle phenomena. The wind ceased to blow, and the flow of natural energy became smoother, allowing those in meditation to absorb the energy of heaven and earth with greater ease.

Because so many people were cultivating at the same time, gathered in large numbers across various places throughout the continent, the flow of energy could even be seen forming colorful vortexes.

However, few witnessed this phenomenon, as most were fully immersed in their own cultivation. Many had already entered a state of enlightenment, resonating with Aldrian’s words. What Aldrian shared was essentially his own comprehension of Dao and cultivation, but that alone was enough for others to benefit deeply.

As the strongest cultivator on the continent, Aldrian possessed a far deeper comprehension of cultivation, and his lecture could resonate with all beings, regardless of race or cultivation path.

As time passed, someone among the listeners finally broke through. After that, more cultivators began to break through one after another. Scenes of breakthroughs occurring in succession could be seen across the continent.

Many of them were below the King Stage, as they were the ones who could advance more easily.

However, there were also a few peak King Stage cultivators who broke through unconsciously, triggering their heavenly tribulations. All across the continent, clouds of tribulation suddenly formed in the skies, marking their breakthrough to the emperor stage.

This caused quite a disturbance to their surroundings, as the pressure from the tribulations inevitably disrupted the nearby cultivators. Realizing this, the tribulation takers opened their eyes and, looked up at the forming tribulation clouds. With clear awareness, they quickly moved to secluded areas to undergo their tribulations.

The tribulation clouds would follow them wherever they went, ensuring others would not be affected.

Although Aldrian was still delivering his lecture, his senses extended across the continent. He was aware of everything happening, including the tribulation clouds that had begun to form in various places, including near his own location. There were several of them.

The sight of the sky darkening with many tribulation clouds was undeniably terrifying, but not as terrifying as the memory of Aldrian’s battle with Tarius.

Those near Aldrian, disturbed by the pressure of the tribulations, wanted to open their eyes and look at the sky. However, before they could do so, the overwhelming pressure suddenly vanished.

Many were stunned by the abrupt disappearance, though they recognized it as a sign that the tribulation takers had moved elsewhere. Even so, they were surprised by how quickly it happened, it felt as if the cultivators and their tribulation clouds had simply vanished.

Unbeknownst to them, those who were about to undergo tribulation had been teleported to safe locations by Aldrian. Even while delivering his lecture, he was able to teleport the cultivators, along with their tribulation clouds, to secluded places where they could face the tribulation without affecting others.

The lecture continued for two hours before Aldrian finally stopped. During that time, many experienced breakthroughs. It was the first time in history that such an event had occurred across the continent.

Because of this, the flow of heaven and earth energy became slightly chaotic, as so many cultivators broke through almost simultaneously. The presence of multiple heavenly tribulations in various locations, some even occurring close to one another, added to the turbulence in the energy.

When everyone finally opened their eyes, nearly all of them across the continent immediately prostrated themselves toward Aldrian.

"Thank you for the lecture, Your Majesty!"

The voices echoing from across the continent made Aldrian nod in satisfaction. He was glad he could help raise the cultivation of so many so quickly. With this one lecture, he had pushed the continent’s average cultivation a step higher.

"I hope you will continue cultivating earnestly," Aldrian said, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. "We are entering a new era, one where our continent will open to the outside world. I want all of you to stand tall, equal to those beyond our continent."

He then looked at Pope Claudius and nodded with a slight smile.

"I’m done here. Your Holiness may proceed with the rest of the event," he said, before stepping down from the platform.

Pope Claudius then took over, and the wedding event continued. The celebration lasted until the sun was nearly set, when it finally came to an end. At last, it was time for the groom and bride to enter the bridal chamber, which had been prepared in Aldrian’s grand palace.

Initially, they had planned to renovate their old home in the secret realm, where Aldrey, Irene, and Aldrian had once lived together and stay there.

However, before Aldrey and Irene returned to their grand duchy, Aldrian suggested they stay in the palace instead. It was not only the best place for both living and cultivation, but also the safest place on the continent. More than that, he wanted them to remain close and create new memories there, just as they had once done in the secret realm.

Hearing their son’s request, Aldrey and Irene agreed after some thought, knowing that what Aldrian said was true. Moreover, they were aware that a new life was growing in Irene’s womb. Living in the palace, with its rich energy and safe environment would also benefit the unborn child, helping it grow stronger and healthier.

After the event ended, people gradually began leaving the church grounds, just as Aldrian and his group did. He brought them back to the palace using teleportation, after saying goodbye to those who were not coming with them.

And with that, the marriage ceremony of his parents came to a close.