Elder Dong Wenjun emerged from the door wearing a gray robe, his expression gloomy.
"Greetings, Elder Dong."
In an instant, Yao Susu and others changed their expressions and made a deep bow.
Who was Elder Dong Wenjun? He was none other than the Guardian Elder of the Xuanqing Sect, a top powerhouse at the Tribulation Crossing realm. The presence of such a figure made many people tremble in fear and awe.
"The Guardian Elder of Xuanqing Sect has arrived, what a renowned figure!"
"For a marriage alliance between two sects, surely it doesn't warrant the personal presence of a Tribulation Crossing master!"
"By the looks of it, he's not here for the marriage alliance, otherwise he would have shown himself earlier instead of hiding."
The watching cultivators burst into astonished murmurs.
Elder Dong hadn't left Xuanqing Sect for many years. This time, he had sneaked out because he was worried about Chen Qingyuan being bullied, hiding inside the ship's deck all along.
"Senior Brother Dong, why did you follow?"
Chen Qingyuan was also surprised, turning to look at the white-haired and imposing Elder Dong.
"Senior Brother was just worried about you being bullied."
When Elder Dong looked at Chen Qingyuan, he immediately dropped his cold demeanor towards outsiders and revealed a kindly smile, speaking gently.
He had already lost his junior brother once and would not allow it to happen again. Back when Chen Qingyuan's soul lamp went out, Elder Dong was struck as if by lightning, his heart filled with grief. Later, Elder Dong knelt before the Supreme Elder's grave, saying he had failed to take care of Chen Qingyuan, deeply blaming himself.
"Senior Brother..." Chen Qingyuan's nose tingled and his throat tightened.
A Guardian Elder could only leave the sect in times of crisis or for crucial matters. However, to ensure Chen Qingyuan's safety, Elder Dong had broken the sect's rules.
Hearing Elder Dong's words, the crowd was both surprised and envious. Having a Tribulation Crossing realm senior brother as protector was something countless people wouldn't dare dream of. If it were in the past, this would be understandable, as Chen Qingyuan was then extraordinarily talented and the new hope of Xuanqing Sect. But now, Chen Qingyuan had fallen to become a powerless mortal, why would Xuanqing Sect's higher-ups go to such lengths?
"No one may bully my junior brother," Elder Dong had Chen Qingyuan stand aside, taking charge of the situation.
Then, Elder Dong stood in the heavens, scanning the cultivators from various sects before finally resting his gaze on the Dongyi Palace group: "If the marriage alliance is unwelcoming to Xuanqing Sect, then Xuanqing Sect can leave now."
"Please calm your anger, Elder Dong. This junior had no such intention."
Yao Susu bent even lower, her back soaked with cold sweat.
Earlier, Yao Susu had dared to verbally bully Chen Qingyuan because she only saw a few inner disciples accompanying him, showing no respect. Had she known Elder Dong was hiding in the cabin, she wouldn't have dared speak those words even if beaten to death. Offending Elder Dong's dignity would require the current sect master of Dongyi Palace to personally apologize. A Tribulation Crossing realm powerhouse was a top figure even in the vast Northern Wasteland, not someone to be offended.
"Then what did you mean?"
Elder Dong demanded loudly.
"This junior... this junior..."
A terrifying pressure fell upon Yao Susu, making her feel as if crushed by ten thousand mountains, so heavy she could barely breathe.
"Previously, for my junior brother's sake, I spoke with you a few times and gave you some face. But truly speaking of seniority and power, you don't even qualify to meet me. Today you dare to oppress my junior brother - you're really getting too big for your boots."
Elder Dong had watched Chen Qingyuan grow up and had spoiled him since childhood, trying to fulfill his every wish for good food and fun things. He wouldn't even scold Chen Qingyuan himself, so how could he allow others to bully him?
If it weren't for the consideration of several old fellows at Dongyi Palace, Elder Dong wouldn't have just used pressure to intimidate - he would have directly slapped Yao Susu across the face. When young people came to provoke, Elder Dong could turn a blind eye and avoid interfering. But when the older generation dared to pull rank, he couldn't tolerate it anymore.
"This junior admits wrong."
Yao Susu really couldn't withstand the pressure from a Tribulation Crossing master anymore - it felt as if her bones were being crushed - and she gritted her teeth to apologize.
"Hmph!" Elder Dong snorted coldly, dispersing the pressure. "If there's a next time, I'll give you a proper education on behalf of Dongyi Palace."
"Thank you for your forgiveness, senior."
Although Yao Susu had ten thousand grievances and dissatisfactions in her heart, she couldn't show any of them and had to express gratitude instead.
"Get lost!"
Elder Dong stood with his hands behind his back, not even considering Yao Susu worth his attention. If he wanted, he could subdue her with just one finger.
Then, Yao Susu and her group quickly left without looking back. This loss of face was major and would surely become gossip for countless people soon. No one had expected this big shot from Xuanqing Sect to come, and the young people who had verbally humiliated Chen Qingyuan earlier fled in the blink of an eye, fearing retaliation.
This disturbance caused quite a commotion. When Yan Minghai learned it was about Chen Qingyuan, he rushed over immediately.
"Senior Brother Dong." After a brief inquiry, Yan Minghai understood the situation. Back on the warship, he first cupped his hands in greeting to Elder Dong, then looked at Chen Qingyuan with concern: "Junior Brother, are you alright?"
"Bang!"
Suddenly, Elder Dong kicked Yan Minghai, sending him flying a thousand meters.
Yan Minghai paused in mid-air, adjusted his clothes, and flashed back to his original position.
"Little Seven, how could you be so brainless, leaving Junior Brother alone on the ship? If I hadn't come along, who knows how Junior Brother would have been bullied."
Elder Dong scolded Seventh Elder Yan Minghai, pointing at his nose.
"It's all my fault. I nearly put Junior Brother in danger."
Yan Minghai blamed himself.
"Senior Brother Dong, I'm fine. Please don't blame Senior Brother Yan." Chen Qingyuan quickly came forward to mediate, pulling Elder Dong to sit in a chair and pouring him tea: "Senior Brother, have some tea to calm down."
Elder Dong's kick had been so fast that Chen Qingyuan hadn't even reacted until after the fact.
"Since Junior Brother doesn't blame you, let's leave it at that!"
After drinking the tea, Elder Dong's anger mostly dissipated.
Yan Minghai shot Chen Qingyuan a grateful look, having avoided a severe beating.
The cultivators from various sects watched this scene in disbelief. They couldn't understand why Chen Qingyuan was still so cherished even though he had become powerless.
"Elder Dong, since you've honored Tianyu Sect with your presence, please come inside for a seat."
Just as everyone was still puzzling over why Chen Qingyuan was so favored, the Grand Elder of Tianyu Sect stepped forward with a smile and bowed.
"I'm going to play chess with my Junior Brother, no time." Elder Dong didn't plan to give Tianyu Sect face and directly refused.
Hearing this answer, the Grand Elder of Tianyu Sect was stunned.
Soon, the Grand Elder recovered and smiled, "When Elder Dong has time, you're welcome to come in anytime. Tianyu Sect will certainly provide proper hospitality."
Elder Dong disliked such formalities and couldn't be bothered to answer.
Due to Elder Dong's appearance, many old figures showed their faces and came over to pay their respects.
All these trivial matters were handled by Yan Minghai, while Elder Dong sat in the cabin playing chess with Chen Qingyuan, drinking tea amid laughter and joy.
Soon it was the day of the marriage alliance. Auspicious clouds appeared in the sky, stretching for hundreds of thousands of miles. Many sects arrived just in time, presenting their wedding gifts with great fanfare.
"They're here."
Tianyu Sect's wedding procession arrived punctually, grand and magnificent, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Seven flood dragons pulled a white jade war chariot, which was packed with cultivators of great power and extraordinary bearing.
Behind the white jade chariot followed a bridal sedan chair.
Though called a sedan chair, it actually looked like a moving miniature palace.
It was entirely inlaid with gold and jade, with many places carved with patterns of dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing. Spiritual mist surrounded it on all sides, and inside sat Bai Xixue wearing a pink gown and a phoenix crown.
Divine mist curled upward as glorious clouds filled the sky.
The watching cultivators stared intently from afar, unable to take their eyes away.