Bai Xixue arrived, her expression cold and aloof, like a snow lotus atop an ice mountain - admirable but unreachable.
"Welcome!"
Several elders of Tianyu Sect, accompanied by a hundred disciples, came out to greet them. Red petals floated in the sky, finally converging to form a path leading straight to Tianyu Sect's main gate, like a beautiful painting come to life.
Bai Xixue wore a red dress, its hem dancing in the breeze, enchantingly beautiful. She wore a phoenix crown, her hands folded in front of her, her snow-white skin as if carved from jade. Every movement revealed her delicate grace.
The war chariot stopped, and the flood dragons roared softly, intimidating the many spiritual beasts around, who bowed their heads in submission, not daring to challenge the dragons' might.
Then, Bai Xixue walked out of the palace-like bridal sedan, followed by a group of beautiful female disciples.
Besides them, a middle-aged woman stood at Bai Xixue's side, wearing light-colored plain clothes, simply dressed yet appearing particularly dignified and noble.
This woman was Du Ruosheng, the current Holy Master of Dongyi Palace.
For this marriage alliance between the two sects, the sect master certainly couldn't be absent.
"Sect Master Du, please enter!"
Tianyu Sect's sect master also appeared - Qin Yang, dressed in brocade robes, looking impressive and dignified.
The leaders of both sects simultaneously looked in the same direction, their gazes falling on Xuanqing Sect's warship. They both knew Elder Dong Wenjun was there, but since his attitude wasn't friendly, there was no need to go invite trouble.
So, Qin Yang, Du Ruosheng, and others entered the main hall together, with the elders and disciples of both sects beaming with joy.
After today, Tianyu Sect and Dongyi Palace would form an alliance, gaining more influence in this stellar region, their position unshakeable.
In the warship, Chen Qingyuan watched the dense crowd of people and murmured, "Quite a grand occasion."
"Junior Brother, be careful."
Elder Dong didn't understand why Chen Qingyuan insisted on attending the marriage celebration between the two sects, but it probably wasn't for anything good.
"I won't do anything, Senior Brother, don't worry!"
Chen Qingyuan smiled slightly.
"No matter what happens, Senior Brother will protect you. Since Senior Brother came today, I must certainly bring you home safely."
Regardless of what Chen Qingyuan might do, Elder Dong had made various preparations. He had even secretly brought along the sect's protective treasure, just in case.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Chen Qingyuan felt warmth in his heart as he turned and walked toward Tianyu Sect's hall entrance.
Elder Dong was a powerhouse at the third level of Tribulation Crossing realm. He needed to face a heavenly tribulation at least once every thousand years, having to survive nine tribulations total before reaching the Great Achievement realm and becoming truly free between heaven and earth.
In recent years, Elder Dong had increasingly struggled to suppress the law fluctuations within his body. Likely before long, he would have to face his next heavenly tribulation - a trial with only one chance of survival in ten.
"Your brother is old, afraid I won't make it through this hurdle," Elder Dong watched Chen Qingyuan's departing figure and thought to himself, "Years ago, Master Uncle showed me great kindness. You are Master Uncle's only successor - even if it costs me my life, I will keep you safe."
A hundred years ago, during the Heaven Abyss Treasure incident, all Xuanqing Sect members who entered perished. When he received this news, Elder Dong couldn't accept it, his heart torn with pain.
Now that Chen Qingyuan had returned alive, Elder Dong wouldn't let anything similar happen again.
Tianyu Sect's main hall was packed with people.
he sect leaders and elders could proceed to the inner hall for premium hospitality, while ordinary disciples could only remain in the outer hall, socializing with peers of similar status.
"Chen Qingyuan, he really dared to come."
"I heard Chen Qingyuan once had a verbal marriage agreement with Bai Xixue from Dongyi Palace. Has he come today to disrupt the ceremony?"
"Tianyu Sect and Dongyi Palace aren't ordinary powers. If Chen Qingyuan dares to cause trouble, he won't face good consequences."
"Looks like we'll see some drama."
People watched Chen Qingyuan approaching from afar with great interest, eager to see the show unfold.
Representatives from various sects presented their gifts while auspicious clouds continued to manifest above Tianyu Sect, creating a blessed atmosphere.
The Grand Elder was in charge of receiving gifts, his face beaming with joy as he thanked the guests and recorded the items presented by various factions.
Chen Qingyuan walked alongside Yan Minghai until they reached the main hall's entrance.
"Friend from Xuanqing Sect, please enter."
Tianyu Sect's elder gave Chen Qingyuan an extra glance while politely bowing.
Regarding Chen Qingyuan, the greeting elder had received orders not to obstruct him.
"This is a small token from Xuanqing Sect."
Yan Minghai, representing Xuanqing Sect, took out and slowly opened a gift box.
A green light emanated from within - a green spirit pearl, neither outstanding nor modest among the many gifts.
"Thank you," the greeting elder accepted the gift.
As Yan Minghai prepared to enter, Chen Qingyuan stopped him: "Senior Brother Yan, wait a moment."
"What is it?" Yan Minghai paused and turned back.
"I've prepared a separate gift." Speaking thus, Chen Qingyuan took out a low-grade spirit stone, using it as cover while retrieving a white umbrella from his spatial pouch.
Using a spirit stone to activate the spatial pouch avoided revealing his cultivation level.
If news of Chen Qingyuan rebuilding his foundation were to spread, it would cause an uproar. With his current strength still low, he needed to stay hidden as much as possible, not even telling his fellow disciples.
"This..."
The greeting elder and surrounding disciples were stunned, then their faces showed traces of anger.
On this joyous day of marriage alliance between two sects, Chen Qingyuan actually presented a white umbrella - clearly harboring ill intentions.
White items were generally used for funerals. Moreover, an umbrella carried implications of separation.
"What is Elder Chen's meaning by this?"
The greeting elder asked darkly, his face gloomy.
"Just a gift."
If not for fulfilling his agreement with Heaven Abyss, Chen Qingyuan definitely wouldn't have come to Tianyu Sect. To him, since Bai Xixue had chosen another, she wasn't the right match - everything was in the past.
If Bai Xixue had truly cared for Chen Qingyuan, she would have withstood all pressure to stay with him when he returned.
The reality was different - when Bai Xixue confirmed Chen Qingyuan had become powerless, her guilt ebbed away like the tide, leaving her heart unmoved.
"Presenting a white umbrella on a wedding day - this is clearly meant to disrupt the ceremony."
"How graceful Chen Qingyuan was back then, yet now he has to resort to this to preserve a shred of so-called dignity. It's truly pitiful!"
"I thought there would be some big spectacle, but I've been waiting for nothing."
The disciples from various sects, who had been watching Chen Qingyuan, shook their heads one after another, showing little interest. They had hoped to see Chen Qingyuan throw a tantrum or utter some disgraceful words.
The white umbrella was made of simple material, a mundane object.
The Elder in charge of receiving guests was about to reprimand them when a sudden command from the Grand Elder reached his ears: "Take the item and avoid causing unnecessary trouble."
Upon receiving the order, the Elder had no choice but to put away the white umbrella, placing it to the side. With an unpleasant expression, he addressed Chen Qingyuan: "Elder Chen's gift has been accepted by Tianyu Sect. Please, come in."
It was just an umbrella, and Tianyu Sect didn't want to make a big fuss, which could affect the overall situation. As long as Chen Qingyuan didn't cross the line, Tianyu Sect wouldn't intervene.
Having taken care of this matter, Chen Qingyuan walked side by side with Yan Minghai, and they seated themselves in a position within the inner hall.
The inner hall was lavishly decorated with over a thousand tables and chairs, shimmering with golden splendor. A faint white mist drifted across the floor, and the tables were laden with rare fruits and fine wines, the rich aroma of the liquor wafting through the air, reaching every corner of the room.
"Junior Brother, you're being too reckless," Yan Minghai whispered.
"Apologies for worrying you, Senior Brother," Chen Qingyuan responded.
"I understand you're angry, but you should have consulted with me first," Yan Minghai glanced toward the direction of the Dongyi Palace disciples and spoke in a low voice, "I'm not blaming you, but if a fight really breaks out, we need to be prepared in advance."
"Tianyu Sect wouldn't go to war over something like this," Chen Qingyuan chuckled lightly.
"Better safe than sorry," Yan Minghai, ever cautious, advised.
"Alright, I understand."
Chen Qingyuan appreciated Yan Minghai's concerns and humbly accepted his advice.
"The auspicious time has come. Let us welcome the two new arrivals."
From the high platform in the inner hall, the Grand Elder of Tianyu Sect called out loudly to the guests present.