Floating Cloud City was the smallest city in the Blue Wind Empire, so small that it barely deserved the title of a "city"—calling it a town might be more appropriate. Not only was it the smallest in area, but it was also the most remote, with the lowest population, weakest economy, and the most modest levels of profound power in the empire. Locals often jested that Floating Cloud City was a forgotten corner of the Heavenly Profound Continent. However, within this modest city, the Xiao Clan was an indisputable powerhouse.
Today, Floating Cloud City bustled with an unusual liveliness, and the reason was none other than Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue's wedding. Xiao Che's marriage alone would hardly have caused a ripple, but Xia Qingyue's marriage was nothing less than a grand event that stirred the entire city.
The Xia family, not a traditional cultivation clan but one deeply rooted in commerce, was considered the wealthiest in Floating Cloud City, although their riches were modest by the empire's standards. Their wealth enabled them to employ numerous masters to guard their estate. Xia Hongyi, the current head of the family, had two children, Xia Yuanba and Xia Qingyue. Neither child took any interest in business and instead devoted themselves to cultivation, a choice Xia Hongyi supported wholeheartedly. When Xia Qingyue's astonishing talent shook Floating Cloud City, he did nothing to hinder her pursuit, and, because of her exceptional gifts, various influential families had begun showing goodwill to the Xia family, knowing well that Xia Qingyue might one day reach the Earth Profound Realm—or even the Heavenly Profound Realm. Should that happen, the Xia family would reign supreme in both wealth and power over Floating Cloud City.
Yet, to the city's amazement, the Xia family had arranged for this peerless daughter to marry Xiao Che—a young man with no prospects, a match that left many shaking their heads with regret, though more with jealousy and resentment.
With the Xia family marrying off their daughter, there was no question the festivities would be grand. The moment Xiao Che stepped outside, he saw an extravagant red carpet stretching from the Xiao Clan's entrance toward the Xia family's residence. Though the distance wasn't vast, it was certainly not close, spanning at least several miles. A display of such grandeur was something only the Xia family in Floating Cloud City could afford.
The Xiao Clan's wedding procession began down the street, and onlookers crowded either side, filling the air with murmurs that reached Xiao Che's ears.
"Look! That's Xiao Lie's grandson, Xiao Che. They say he was born with damaged profound veins and will never advance beyond the first level of the Elementary Profound Realm."
"Oh, it's my first time seeing him!"
"Not surprising! With a powerful grandfather but as useless as he is, would you dare show your face? I can't believe Xia Qingyue is marrying someone like him. It's absurd!"
"They say his father, Xiao Ying, was sworn brothers with Xia Hongyi. When Xia Qingyue was born, her life hung by a thread, and it was Xiao Ying who saved her by expending a great deal of his own profound power. Xia Hongyi swore then that she would marry Xiao Ying's son when she turned sixteen. Not long after, Xiao Ying was assassinated, unable to defend himself due to that weakened state. Xia Hongyi, burdened with guilt, stayed true to his promise. Otherwise, how could this man possibly marry Xia Qingyue?"
"Our city's gem, Xia Qingyue, and Xiao Che…if he weren't Xiao Lie's grandson, he wouldn't even be worth the dirt on her shoes. I'm ten times the man he is! The world is truly unfair!"
"My goddess is marrying this waste—I'm so torn I could die!"
Xiao Che sat atop his horse, his expression calm, with an air of refined grace. His dark, clear eyes, framed by flowing dark hair, exuded a tranquil confidence. In his red wedding attire, his demeanor seemed untouched by the envious, scornful, jealous, and disdainful gazes upon him. Instead, he wore a slight, serene smile, capturing the attention of many young women, their gazes wistful and admiring.
Though his profound power was nearly negligible, Xiao Che's looks were remarkable—surpassing even those of Xiao Yulong. With his rare appearances and fair, almost delicate features, he looked every bit the ideal of a "pretty boy."
Despite their resentment and jealousy, many young men grudgingly admitted that, in terms of appearance, Xiao Che might indeed be a suitable match for Xia Qingyue.
"I thought Xiao Che would be hiding in a carriage today, but here he is on horseback. And… his demeanor doesn't seem to fit the rumors."
"Hah! The useless brat is probably just pleased to be marrying our city's gem. Today's the day he'll strut around as if he belongs. Why hide?"
"I heard the sons of the Yu Wen family and the City Lord's estate have been pursuing Xia Qingyue for years. Think they might crash the wedding?"
"Are you kidding? Xiao Che may be nothing, but his grandfather is Xiao Lie, the city's most powerful. Even the City Lord has to show him respect. Xiao Che's all he has left; anyone who stirs trouble will face his wrath. Plus, disrupting the marriage would offend not only Xiao Lie but also the entire Xia family. Those young lords are probably being kept under lock and key as we speak."
The procession moved slowly but steadily, and the journey of several miles took nearly an hour and a half.
"Brother-in-law!"
As they neared the Xia family estate, a loud voice rang out, and a towering figure came running toward Xiao Che. The young man was no more than fifteen, yet he stood over two meters tall with a physique like a bull. His steps made the ground tremble slightly. Seeing him approach, Xiao Che swallowed and widened his eyes, exclaiming, "Yuanba! It's been less than a month since we last met, and you've grown even taller!"
This young man—no, boy—was Xia Qingyue's younger brother, Xia Yuanba, only fifteen years old. Though his face still held traces of youthful innocence, his massive frame was nothing short of monstrous. Over two meters tall and weighing over 350 pounds, Xia Yuanba's body was packed with muscle, gleaming faintly with a bronzed sheen that hinted at immense power. Though his profound strength was only at the fourth level of the Elementary Profound Realm, his raw strength allowed him to contend with those even at the sixth level.
Xia Yuanba had been Xiao Che's only close friend since childhood, calling him "brother-in-law" from an early age. As children, they played together constantly. Up to the age of eight, Xia Yuanba had been small and frail, often bullied. After turning eight, he grew at a startling rate, his appetite and strength increasing dramatically until he reached his current "monster" status at fifteen.
Rubbing his head sheepishly, Xia Yuanba laughed. "I can't help it, Brother-in-law. My father wants me to lose weight, but starving is worse than dying!"
Xiao Che was left speechless. At just fifteen, he was already like this—who knew what the future would bring?
Xiao Che was all too familiar with Xia Yuanba's appetite. Fortunately, he was born into the Xia family; any other family would have gone bankrupt just feeding him.
"Hehe, Brother-in-law, today you're officially my brother-in-law," Xia Yuanba said with a broad, hearty grin. Overjoyed at the marriage, he had long looked forward to this day. In his mind, with such an impressive sister as a wife, no one would dare look down on Xiao Che.
"Hurry inside; my sister is ready." He slapped his forehead, "Oh right, I need to open the gates!"
Xia Yuanba dashed off toward the estate's gates, his massive frame resembling a moving mountain of flesh.
As the procession entered the Xia estate, Xiao Che dismounted upon seeing Xia Hongyi waiting with a warm smile. He walked over, bowing respectfully. "Uncle Xia."
"Ah, at a time like this, calling me 'Uncle' doesn't seem quite right," Xia Hongyi replied, smiling gently. Though slightly rotund, with a genial face, no one in the city dared underestimate him.
Xiao Che's gaze shifted, and he bowed again. "Father-in-law."
He held deep respect for Xia Hongyi, who was not only his father's sworn brother but had also shown him kindness despite his lack of profound power. True to his word, Xia Hongyi had kept his promise to marry Xia Qingyue to him upon her sixteenth birthday, honoring the bond between him and Xiao Che's late father.
"Good, very good!" Xia Hongyi nodded, patting Xiao Che's shoulder. "Che'er, from today, I entrust my daughter to you. You may not be a hero or a man of great power, but because you are Xiao Ying's son, I trust you. Xiao Ying was a brilliant, loyal man, and being his brother is something I'll never regret. As his son, even if your profound veins are damaged, I can't believe you'll lead an ordinary life."
"Treat my daughter well, and let the world's gossip fade into the wind."
Xiao Che's gaze sharpened, and he nodded resolutely. "Rest assured, Father-in-law. Though others may look down on me now, this hidden dragon will awaken. One day, I'll silence all those who scoff at me and who sneer at the Xia family for taking me as a son-in-law."
Xia Hongyi looked momentarily taken aback. The Xiao Che he