Flowing Cloud City was the smallest city in the Cangfeng Empire, so small that it hardly deserved to be called a city; perhaps "town" would be more appropriate. Not only was Flowing Cloud City the smallest in area, but its geographical location was also the most remote. Its population, economy, and overall Xuan Force level were at the bottom of the entire Cangfeng Empire. Residents of Flowing Cloud City often joked that their city was a forgotten corner of the Tianxuan Continent. Clans like the Xiao family, which were insignificant in the Cangfeng Empire, were genuine powerhouses within Flowing Cloud City.
Today, Flowing Cloud City was unusually bustling, naturally due to the grand marriage between Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue. Xiao Che's marriage might not have drawn much attention, but Xia Qingyue's wedding was undoubtedly a major event capable of stirring up excitement across the entire Flowing Cloud City.
The Xia family wasn't a pure cultivation family but had been involved in commerce for generations. Though their wealth was insignificant on a national scale, they were undeniably the richest in Flowing Cloud City. However, this did not mean the Xia family lacked strength. With immense wealth came the ability to hire numerous powerful experts to safeguard their assets. The current head of the Xia family, Xia Hongyi, had two children—Xia Yuanba and Xia Qingyue. Neither child showed any interest in business but instead focused entirely on cultivating their Xuan Force. Xia Hongyi never opposed this, allowing them complete freedom. After Xia Qingyue displayed her extraordinary talent that shocked Flowing Cloud City, he became even more supportive. Due to Xia Qingyue's astonishing potential, various families in Flowing Cloud City frequently extended gestures of goodwill... after all, Xia Qingyue was widely recognized as someone who might one day reach the Earth Xuan Realm or even the Heaven Xuan Realm. When that happened, the Xia family would dominate Flowing Cloud City in both wealth and power.
However, such a prestigious family was about to let their most brilliant daughter marry Xiao Che, a man with no future prospects—a waste of a person—and this reality left many people feeling regretful... or rather, envious and resentful.
Since it was the Xia family's daughter getting married, the ceremony could not be modest. As soon as Xiao Che stepped out, he saw an extravagantly long red carpet laid out from the entrance of his family's residence, winding through the streets toward the Xia residence. The distance between the Xia and Xiao families wasn't too far but wasn't exactly close either—it spanned several miles. This meant the red carpet stretched for at least several miles… No other family in Flowing Cloud City, except the Xia family, could afford such a grand gesture.
As soon as the Xiao family's bridal procession appeared, the streets of Flowing Cloud City immediately buzzed with activity. Crowds lined both sides of the street, whispering incessantly as the procession moved forward.
"Look! That's Xiao Che, the grandson of Elder Xiao Lie from the Xiao family. It's rumored that he was born with a damaged Xuan Meridian and will never break through the Initial Xuan Level."
"Oh, it's my first time seeing him."
"It's normal you haven't seen him before. Having such a remarkable grandfather but being a complete waste yourself? Would you feel comfortable leaving your house often? Sigh, it's truly unfortunate that Xia Qingyue is marrying someone like him!"
"They say his father, Xiao Ying, and Xia Hongyi were sworn brothers. When Xia Qingyue was born, she almost didn't survive. Luckily, Xiao Ying used a large amount of his Xuan Force to save her. At that time, Xia Hongyi promised that Xia Qingyue would marry Xiao Ying's son when she turned sixteen. Shortly after, Xiao Ying was assassinated, unable to resist due to his depleted Xuan Force, resulting in his death. Xia Hongyi felt deeply guilty... Now that Xia Qingyue is sixteen, although Xiao Ying's son is a useless waste, Xia Hongyi values loyalty and honor above all else and refuses to break his promise. Otherwise, how could this guy possibly marry Xia Qingyue?"
"Sigh! Xia Qingyue is the pearl of our Flowing Cloud City. If we ignore the fact that Xiao Che is the grandson of the fifth elder of the Xiao family, he's barely worth considering. I'm a hundred times better than him! The world is so unfair!"
"My dream goddess is marrying such a waste! I want to die out of frustration!!"
Seated atop his horse, Xiao Che's eyes were deep pools, bright and profound, exuding elegance and grace. Dressed in a grand red wedding robe, his long hair flowed gracefully behind him, giving him an ethereal and transcendent aura. Despite the cacophony of voices filled with jealousy, resentment, mockery, hatred, envy, and disdain directed at him, Xiao Che remained unfazed, maintaining a serene smile. His calm demeanor inadvertently captivated many girls watching, making them lose themselves in admiration.
Though Xiao Che's Xuan Force was abysmal, his appearance was impeccable, even surpassing Xiao Yulong. Coupled with his rare appearances outside, his delicate and pale features made him look like a refined young nobleman—a classic "pretty boy."
Thus, despite countless young talents hating and envying Xiao Che, they couldn't help but admit, albeit begrudgingly, that in terms of looks alone, Xiao Che seemed worthy of Xia Qingyue.
"I thought Xiao Che would ride in a sedan chair today, but surprisingly, he's riding a horse. And his demeanor seems different from what we've heard..."
"Pfft! He's despised by everyone, yet today he's going to marry our Flowing Cloud City's pearl, Xia Qingyue. Of course, he'd be gloating! Afraid to show his face? Hardly!"
"Have you heard? The young masters from the Wutian family and the mayor's sons have been relentlessly pursuing Xia Qingyue. Do you think they'll dare to come and snatch her away?"
"Forget it! Xiao Che himself may be nothing, but his grandfather is Xiao Lie, the strongest person in our Flowing Cloud City. Even the mayor treats him with respect. Xiao Lie has only one grandson since his son passed away, so he'll protect him fiercely. Anyone causing trouble would surely make Xiao Lie furious. Besides, this isn't a forced marriage. Who would dare disrupt and offend the entire Xia family? I bet those young lords are locked securely inside their homes right now."
The bridal procession moved at a leisurely pace, taking nearly an hour and a half to cover the dozen-mile journey.
"Brother-in-law!!"
Just as they approached the gates of the Xia residence, a rough shout echoed, followed by the swift approach of a towering, muscular figure. This man, who looked relatively young but was at least over seven feet tall, resembled a bull. His footsteps shook the ground slightly as he ran. Xiao Che watched him approach, swallowing hard and widening his eyes in astonishment. "Yuanba! We've only been apart for less than a month, and you're already this tall?!"
This man—more accurately, this boy—was Xia Yuanba, Xia Qingyue's younger brother, fifteen years old. Yes, just fifteen! But judging solely by his physique, no one would guess his age. Standing over seven feet tall, Xiao Che, seated on his horse, barely reached his eye level. Weighing over 350 pounds, Xia Yuanba wasn't fat—he was packed with muscles bulging under his skin, some even gleaming with a dark metallic sheen, hinting at immense power. Although his Xuan Force was merely at the fourth level of the Initial Xuan Realm, average at best, his raw strength was unmatched, even rivaling those at the sixth level.
Xia Yuanba was Xiao Che's only close friend, having called him "brother-in-law" since childhood. They grew up playing together. Before the age of eight, Xia Yuanba was thin and frail, often bullied by others. But after turning eight, he underwent a dramatic transformation, growing taller and stronger, his appetite and strength increasing exponentially. By fifteen, while his face still retained some youthful innocence, his body was monstrous!
Hearing Xiao Che's comment, Xia Yuanba scratched his head sheepishly. "Well... I can't help it. Dad keeps telling me to lose weight, but starving myself is worse than dying."
"..." Xiao Che was speechless. At fifteen, Xia Yuanba was already this formidable. What would he be like as an adult? Unimaginable!
Xia Yuanba's eating habits were something Xiao Che had witnessed multiple times. Thankfully, he was born into the Xia family; if he were from a common household, they'd likely have gone bankrupt feeding him.
"Hehe, Brother-in-law, today you officially become my brother-in-law," Xia Yuanba chuckled good-naturedly. He was genuinely happy that his sister was marrying Xiao Che and had eagerly anticipated this day. In his mind, having such a powerful sister as a wife would ensure no one dared look down on Xiao Che anymore.
"Come in; everything is ready on Sister's side." Xia Yuanba paused, slapping his forehead. "Oh, right! Let me open the gate."
With that, Xia Yuanba sprinted toward the entrance, looking like a moving mountain of flesh.
As the bridal procession entered the Xia residence, Xiao Che immediately spotted Xia Hongyi smiling warmly at him. He quickly dismounted and respectfully greeted him. "Uncle Xia."
"Ho ho, at this point, do you still call me uncle?" Xia Hongyi chuckled gently. Though short in stature and slightly plump from middle age, his kind demeanor belied the respect he commanded throughout Flowing Cloud City.
Xiao Che lowered his gaze and addressed him again with utmost respect. "Father-in-law."
Xia Hongyi had always held Xiao Che in high regard. He was the sworn brother of Xiao Che's father. Throughout Xiao Che's life, despite enduring countless sneers, Xia Hongyi had consistently shown him kindness and care. Even though Xiao Che was born with a defective Xuan Meridian, Xia Hongyi honored his promise to Xiao Che's father and arranged for his daughter Xia Qingyue to marry Xiao Che upon her sixteenth birthday.
"Ho ho, well done!" Xia Hongyi nodded approvingly, patting Xiao Che's shoulder. "Che'er, starting today, I entrust Qingyue to you. You may not be a great hero or a nobleman, but given that you're Xiao Ying's son, I can rest assured knowing my daughter is in safe hands. Your father Xiao Ying was a man of incredible talent, loyal and righteous. Being his brother was the greatest honor of my life. As the son of Xiao Ying, I refuse to believe you will remain ordinary."
"Treat my daughter well. As for the gossip, let it be."
Xiao Che's eyes flickered momentarily, then he nodded slowly but resolutely. "Father-in-law, rest assured. Though I am currently looked down upon, a dragon lying low in the depths will eventually awaken. When that day comes, I will make every single person who underestimates me and mocks the Xia family for marrying a waste shut their mouths."
Xia Hongyi was momentarily stunned... The Xiao Che he knew was always gentle and soft-spoken, occasionally revealing signs of inferiority. But now, hearing such bold words from him, coupled with his sharp gaze, composed demeanor, and deep, unreadable eyes, Xia Hongyi realized this was a completely different Xiao Che than the weak and fragile youth he once knew.
"Excellent!" Xia Hongyi nodded again, patting Xiao Che's shoulder once more. "I trust the son of Xiao Ying will not remain ordinary. I will wait for the day you rise like a dragon ascending to the heavens. Alright, Qingyue is ready; go ahead."