Chapter 1482: After the Clamor

It wasn't a complete loss this time; at least I now know that Daoist Master Qingfeng practices both swordsmanship and body cultivation, achieving astonishing proficiency in both. However, the price was quite steep.

I must acknowledge defeat.

Shang Lu admitted defeat, too ashamed to demand the return of the python banner. He turned and flew out of the arena, returning to his cloud cushion. His expression was unchanged as he sat down to meditate, ignoring the surrounding gazes, and never once mentioning the three snow pythons.

Qin Sang was quite surprised to see Shang Palm-seat's magnanimity. He unceremoniously placed the demon core and python banner into his Thousand-Jins Ring, regretting not having captured one alive. Qin Sang even felt a touch of admiration for him, if Shang Lu had truly fought for love.

After a somewhat significant interlude, Qin Sang and Liu Li, under the watchful eyes of all, returned hand-in-hand to the cloud altar to continue the wedding ceremony.

Standing side by side, they jointly received the Celestial Incense from Shi Xue, then faced the ritual altar and completed the three bows. With this, the wedding ceremony finally neared its conclusion. This ceremony had already been simplified by Qin Sang and Liu Li; many intricate rituals were omitted, or else it would have taken another half an hour.

Soon after, disciples from Tingxue Tower brought out fragrant spirit python meat. Shi Xue led Qin Sang and Liu Li to greet the guests, and they all shared drinks and joyful conversation. Qin Sang made many acquaintances.

Some Nascent Soul cultivators from the Xuan Tian Palace had not yet arrived, as they were confronting the demon army. Tong Lingyu and others also had to return to the front line overnight. However, even with only the experts present, this was the strongest sect Qin Sang had ever encountered since he began his cultivation.

As they faced the newlyweds, the guests praised Liu Li highly, while their gazes towards Qin Sang were filled with curiosity and scrutiny. Shang Lu, despite his status as a Palm-seat, caused a scene at the wedding, but it spectacularly backfired. This groom certainly hadn't revealed his full strength; no one knew how many hidden skills he possessed. They suddenly realized that within the entire Xuan Tian Palace, the only ones who could reliably defeat this Daoist couple were likely the Palace Lord and the Grand Elder who controlled the spirit treasures. Tingxue Tower, which had previously lacked top-tier experts and gradually declined, now commanded respect, and no one dared to underestimate it.

Amidst the lively toasts, Qin Sang and the others approached Luo Wan. Luo Wan raised her cup in celebration and drained it. She looked up at the sky, a slight, knowing smile playing on her lips. "The night is deep, and such a good evening is rare," she said. "I wonder which cave dwelling Palm-seat Shi Xue has prepared for her junior sister and brother-in-law?"

However, she harbored some doubts. During the recent combat, she hadn't detected any fluctuations of the Divine Maiden Heart Sutra from Qin Sang and Liu Li. She wondered if they hadn't cultivated this method, or if they were simply holding back.

Shi Xue looked towards the ground and pointed. "It is precisely Mount Taisu, where Master used to cultivate!" she announced. As soon as she spoke, a group of disciples and flower spirits flew out from a mountain peak near the main peak. They danced around the mountain, scattering sweet dew, and instantly, the mountain's vegetation flourished, and flowers burst into bloom. This peak, being close to the main peak, was one of the best locations for spiritual veins within Tingxue Tower. In the blink of an eye, the area below mid-mountain was adorned with a layer of splendor, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. The mountain peak, however, remained covered in white snow.

Hall Master Jiang slowly walked over, smiling as he said, "I'll give you another cave dwelling." With that, he pressed his hand downwards. A point of green light descended from the sky, landing on the mountain peak. The green light rapidly expanded, transforming into a perfectly formed palace and pavilions.

Qin Sang and Liu Li both preferred quiet simplicity. The cave dwelling looked quite modest, yet it lacked none of the necessary functions and came with its own protective enchantments, meticulously prepared by Tingxue Tower. In the future, they could retract the cave dwelling at any time and take it elsewhere.

After the cave dwelling settled, Tong Lingyu walked over again, sizing up Qin Sang and Liu Li with a beaming smile. "You are both rising stars with boundless futures," she said. "The future rests on your shoulders. And the sect cannot be without a token of its regard..." As she spoke, Tong Lingyu took out several small banners. With a wave of her hand, they transformed into streaks of light and embedded themselves in various parts of Mount Taisu. She then handed them the jade tablet for controlling the formation. "This is the Azure Cloud Sea-Stabilizing Formation," she announced.

Everyone looked down and saw a swirling sea of clouds on Mount Taisu, ethereal as an immortal realm. It was indeed a profound formation. Qin Sang and Liu Li thanked them profusely.

"Go now," the guests urged, "Don't waste this beautiful evening." The guests smiled, watching the newlyweds depart. Child attendants, carrying incense burners, led a procession, escorting the two to the entrance of the cave dwelling before bowing respectfully and excusing themselves. With this, the wedding ceremony was declared complete.

However, the myriad red bridal lamps did not extinguish; they would continue to burn until dawn, illuminating all directions throughout the entire night.

Qin Sang and Liu Li stepped into the cave dwelling. As the Azure Cloud Sea-Stabilizing Formation was activated, its power covered Mount Taisu, isolating it from external gazes and keeping all the festivities at bay. After the clamor, only tranquility remained.

They said nothing, walking side by side into the cave dwelling, their shadows gradually lengthening. Inside the cave dwelling, everything was complete and well-equipped, including alchemy rooms, artifact crafting rooms, and two grand halls specifically for cultivation. They were situated at opposite ends of the dwelling, one on the left and one on the right. Their cultivation methods were different. Qin Sang had no particular environmental requirements, but Liu Li did. Being too close might affect their respective practices.

The two walked to the central corridor, stopped, and exchanged a silent glance. They nodded to each other, then silently turned, one to the left, one to the right, walking back to back towards their respective cave dwellings, leaving behind two solitary figures.

Not long after, the guests dispersed. Tingxue Tower gradually returned to silence, with only the flickering lights shimmering in harmony with the starry river. This grand wedding ceremony spread, and was later often talked about with relish by disciples of Tingxue Tower and even by those from various branches of the Xuan Tian Palace, who fantasized that one day they too could hold such a ceremony.

However, the traces of the grand wedding were soon erased from Qin Sang's mind. He immediately sealed his cave dwelling and focused on cultivation, helping the Sky-Eyed Butterfly stabilize its realm, refining the remaining soul shadows within the external incarnation, and preparing for the Holy Land's opening a year later.

Unconsciously, time slowly passed. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly's cultivation stabilized. After breaking through a minor realm, she did not comprehend new divine abilities, but her concealment, Sky Eye, and Sky Eye Divine Light all received some enhancement. In addition, the aura of the tribulation lightning she wielded became increasingly intense; although still superficial, it was gradually approaching reality. If he wanted the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to help him transcend tribulation, there was still a long way to go. Qin Sang wasn't sure if he could reach that point, but he wouldn't give up hope.

Just then, Qin Sang suddenly felt his cave dwelling's enchantment being touched—this was the first disturbance since he announced his secluded cultivation. Qin Sang silently calculated the time; the Holy Land was still two months away from opening. He ceased his cultivation, opened the cave dwelling, and saw that the visitor was Shi Xue. Her face was grim. "The Grand Elder sent a message," she said. "The demon race's activities are becoming increasingly frequent. They might launch another offensive before the Holy Land opens."

Qin Sang frowned slightly. "Will the Holy Land be affected?" he asked. Shi Xue nodded. "The Holy Land should not be postponed," she replied. "All factions have waited for so long and are impatient. However, if war breaks out, at least half of the Nascent Soul cultivators must remain outside. The Grand Elder has summoned all factions to discuss this matter."