Chapter 873: Before the Grand Ceremony

When Qing Nü first arrived in the Heavenly River Realm, she already felt this was the happiest moment of her life. She could be with Chen Mobai without worrying that her presence would jeopardize his future in the Immortal Sect. Although Chen Mobai had promised to give her a proper status, when she actually heard those words, her eyes were still filled with surprise and disbelief. At that moment, she felt that all the resilience and suffering of her past life were utterly insignificant. Only sweetness and happiness remained in her heart!

“Life is unpredictable, and the path of cultivation is even more full of unknowns and dangers. But no matter what the future holds, whether it's stormy or calm, in this world, I hope to have you by my side, to walk through life together, for all eternity.” Chen Mobai's voice was low and firm; never before had he been so certain of his own heart. He looked at Qing Nü in his arms, her excited, trembling reflection visible in his eyes, and spoke the words that all female cultivators in the Immortal Sect yearned to hear. “Will you marry me?”

“I will!” Qing Nü didn't hesitate for a moment. Her lips trembled slightly as she spoke, tears welled in her eyes, and her tone, though gentle, was as firm as iron. Their gazes met, and in that moment, time itself seemed to stand still. Chen Mobai leaned in and kissed Qing Nü's forehead. Their figures gradually merged under the fading glow of the setting sun.

“It's just a pity that our families can't be here,” Qing Nü murmured regretfully, snuggled in Chen Mobai's embrace.

“If you're willing, I can take you back to the Immortal Sect right now so you can share this good news with them,” Chen Mobai said softly, holding his Dao companion close.

“Let's wait for another opportunity in the future. What if the Ascension Sect has a way to detect me? You might be in danger.” Qing Nü shook her head. After arriving in the Heavenly River Realm, Chen Mobai had told her about the Fetal Transformation Essence. Qing Nü was deeply afraid that Yan Xinjie or Lin Daoming might have a way to track her, so even though Chen Mobai had offered to occasionally take her back to the Immortal Sect for a visit, she had always refused.

“Hmph, I'm only afraid they won't come,” Chen Mobai, however, was very confident. With his array of Fourth and Fifth Tier magical artifacts, he was just waiting for a worthy opponent to test his limits.

“Let's not take the risk. Just being with you makes me happy enough.” Qing Nü didn't want anything to happen that could potentially disrupt their happy life. Since she said so, Chen Mobai didn't press the matter.

“Then, after our cultivation reaches a higher level, we can return to the Immortal Sect and hold a formal ceremony there.” Hearing him say this, Qing Nü smiled and nodded, then took out a box from her storage pouch. She opened it to reveal a pair of white jade bells strung together with a red thread.

“Oh, aren't these… ” Chen Mobai naturally recognized them instantly. These were the first magical artifacts he had obtained in the Eastern Desolate region, which he had given to Qing Nü as a gift.

“I've treasured these all along,” Qing Nü gently picked up the white jade bells and, with a look of anticipation, handed them to Chen Mobai. “When I was in the Immortal Sect, I used to fantasize about these being your engagement gift to me. Now, that dream has finally come true. Would you put them on for me?” Listening to Qing Nü, Chen Mobai took the white jade bells, then lifted her fair wrist and carefully put them on.

Ding-a-ling! The clear, melodious chime of the bells was delightful to hear, like a gentle breeze in a valley or the babbling of a stream.

“No matter how thorny or rugged the path ahead, I will walk hand in hand with you, through all lifetimes.” Qing Nü raised her hand, her expression firm, and clasped Chen Mobai's hand tightly.

“My heart is as firm as a rock, unwavering forever,” Chen Mobai responded, taking Qing Nü's hand and pressing it to his chest. Amidst the clear chime of the bells, the surrounding mountains, the sky, and even the distant stars seemed to bear witness to this moment. A gentle breeze blew past, carrying their happiness far away.

Soon, news of the Five Elements Sect holding a grand ceremony spread throughout the entire Eastern Desolate region. While the Nascent Soul Ceremony was expected by everyone, the announcement by Immortal Venerable Chen that he would also declare his Dao companion simultaneously caused a stir in the Eastern Desolate cultivation world. Everyone discussed: what was the background of this female cultivator named Qing Nü?

Soon, some news began to circulate. It was said that Qing Nü was a Fourth Tier Alchemist and also a Core Formation cultivator, rumored to possess extraordinary beauty and a unique refined, ethereal aura. As for her origins, no one could provide any concrete details. Some speculated she was a rogue cultivator, noticed by Immortal Venerable Chen for her outstanding alchemy skills and ethereal beauty. But this was quickly refuted: how could a rogue cultivator in the Eastern Desolate region achieve Core Formation? Furthermore, only major sects and great clans could cultivate a Fourth Tier Alchemist. In the past thousand years, the Eastern Desolate region had only produced one Fourth Tier Alchemist: Yan Shaoyin. Thus, some speculated that Qing Nü was a direct descendant of a major sect from the Eastern Lands, and that sect, coveting Immortal Venerable Chen's peerless talent, had specifically sent her for a marriage alliance. Others swore that Qing Nü was the Saintess of the One Yuan Dao Palace, the main lineage of the Five Elements Sect, claiming they had discovered Immortal Venerable Chen's true identity as Chen Qingdi, the current Dao Son of the One Yuan Dao Palace. Among the sacred lands throughout the Heavenly River Realm, it was not uncommon for Dao Sons and Saintesses to eventually unite. This theory also gained considerable acceptance.

Meanwhile, Qing Nü, the subject of all this discussion, had already arrived in Beiyuan City. To prepare for the grand ceremony, E Yun had the Five Elements Sect's Spiritual Plant Department plant luxuriant flowering trees along both sides of the streets, filling the entire Beiyuan City with the fragrance of blossoms even before the ceremony began. Liu Wenbo, who had been in seclusion, immediately emerged upon hearing the news and began to help. Among the disciples, he was the first to know about this matter. Because he frequently delivered Blood Jade Carp to Mount Tianpeng, Chen Mobai deeply trusted his eldest disciple and did not conceal his intimate relationship with Qing Nü from him. However, Liu Wenbo had kept it strictly confidential, not even telling his junior disciples. Now that Chen Mobai had made the public announcement, Liu Wenbo was diligently assisting with all the preparations.

To Chen Mobai's surprise, Yue Zutao also hurried over, bringing with him Zhang Wancai, a cultivator from the Fengtian Sect in the Eastern Lands, who specialized in organizing various ceremonies. The Fengtian Sect, with its thousands of years of heritage, primarily focused on presiding over grand ceremonies, sacrificial rites, and other rituals. With Zhang Wancai's arrival, the preparations for the ceremony proceeded even more smoothly.

Chen Mobai's main task was to decide which guests to invite. He didn't need to worry about guests from the Eastern Desolate region; Liu Wenbo could arrange seating based on their power and status. Having expanded Xiaonanshan's influence across the Eastern Desolate for years, Liu Wenbo had interacted with nearly every family and force, so Chen Mobai entrusted this task to him. For Dongwu, Chen Mobai wrote an invitation to the Sun family and sent Nujiang to deliver it. After all, for hundreds of years, the two major powers had guarded each other, resisting the demonic beasts of Yunmeng Marsh, establishing an alliance. As for Dongyi, Chen Mobai sent Luo Xue'er, who had consolidated her cultivation, to deliver invitations to the sixteen Core Formation powers, as well as Jinwu Immortal City and Kongsang Valley. For the Dao of Heaven Sect on Dongyue Star, Chen Mobai gave the invitation to Qu Xiuxian in Beiyuan City, asking her to pass it on to Yu Shuji. Finally, there was the Eastern Lands. Chen Mobai only knew Ye Qing and Yuan Zhen there.

After sending out invitations to all the necessary guests, Chen Mobai returned to his cave dwelling, located atop Beiyuan Mountain. There, Qing Nü, accompanied by Gu Yan, was selecting gown styles for the upcoming ceremony, with Zhuo Ming offering her input. “Come and help me see which one is suitable?” Seeing Chen Mobai enter, Qing Nü immediately held up six sets of ceremonial gowns and various pieces of jewelry and decorations, which the Five Elements Sect had rushed to produce under the guidance of the Fengtian Sect cultivators. After having her try each one, Chen Mobai chose the most suitable set.

As time passed, the day of the grand ceremony drew ever closer.

All the Core Formation cultivators from Dongyi had returned. However, Zhou Shengqing stated that too many people would be present, and he feared being recognized as a Nascent Soul Dharma Body, so he would not attend. Of course, his official reason was that he needed to guard Mount Mingjing. After all, with Zhou Ye and others returning to the Eastern Desolate, Dongyi still needed a high-level cultivator.

Soon after, Nujiang arrived in Beiyuan City with a valiant cultivator dressed in a dark yellow long robe. “Greetings, Sect Master Chen. I am Sun Huanglong!” The newcomer was the current head of the Sun family in Dongwu, and undoubtedly the foremost figure in Dongwu. “It is a great honor to have Patriarch Sun attend personally,” Chen Mobai had expected the Sun family to value his gesture of goodwill, but he hadn't anticipated that Sun Huanglong, a figure of such prominence, would come himself. Accompanied by Nujiang, Chen Mobai had a lengthy discussion with Sun Huanglong. Facing Chen Mobai, a Nascent Soul cultivator, Sun Huanglong conducted himself with neither humility nor arrogance, responding appropriately, and even his speech and demeanor were remarkably composed. This left Chen Mobai with a very favorable first impression of him.

After Sun Huanglong, all sixteen Core Formation powers from Dongyi also arrived collectively. After a brief meeting, Chen Mobai assigned Zhou Ye, who had returned, to receive them. They were greatly astonished by Beiyuan City, the premier immortal city in the Eastern Desolate, which surpassed Jinwu Immortal City by several grades in both planning and layout. Even Sun Huanglong, after arriving, was captivated by Beiyuan City's grandeur and advanced features. He had Nujiang take him on tours every day, contemplating whether he could build a similar city in Dongwu upon his return.

“Sect Master Chen, my master is unable to spare the time as he needs to practice array formations with the Five Burning Heavens Lineages. This is the gift he asked me to bring for you.” Liu Nansheng from Sun-Bathed Sea came on behalf of Old Ancestor Bai Wu. After speaking, he respectfully presented a box, holding it with both hands. Since returning from delivering Chu Zuosho, Liu Nansheng had become Sun-Bathed Sea's designated liaison with the Five Elements Sect. “That's very thoughtful,” Chen Mobai opened the jade box and saw a string of jade-gold emerald leaves, vibrant and bright, resembling a folding fan. These were leaves from the Divine Sun Tree, which could be used as Fifth-Tier talismans or as medicinal ingredients. Old Ancestor Bai Wu's absence was expected, but Chen Mobai found it puzzling that Kongsang Valley hadn't sent anyone either.