10 The Wedding
~~~~~~Divine Phoenix Imperial City~~~~~~
"Your Majesty, Dark Moon Merchant Guild Leader Zi Ji is here to see you."
"Let him in." The Phoenix Emperor didn't waste time.
With a nod, the guards at the Throne Doors opened them.
The old man walked in, his sheer presence made everyone pay attention to him. The natural response to a Monarch, the [Sovereign Profound] is a peak existence in Profound Sky Continent especially at the later half of this stage. There are less than a hundred of them on this continent who grace the latter half of this stage.
"Phoenix Emperor, this old man has good news for you."
Feng Hengkong stiffly nodded. It appears that the wealth of his Empire did attract the attention of the Alchemist.
"We assume that a meeting will be arranged?"
"Yes. This old man and Sovereign of Seas will be attending his wedding, you can join us as well."
"Excuse us?"
The Divine Phoenix Emperor just freaked out! The Sovereign of Seas will be attending someone's wedding!? Even his weddings were skipped by the Rulers of Sacred Grounds! They usually send representatives…
"Guild leader is joking? Even the Sovereign of Seas will attend the wedding of this Alchemist?"
"Indeed, Phoenix Emperor, this is not a joke."
"...We don't understand. What is the catch here? The pills are impressive…but for Sacred Ground to pay much attention."
Zi Ji stroked his beard and looked around.
Feng Hengkong understood what this meant.
"Everyone leave!" The Emperor commanded and all the guards and servants left.
"While the pills are extraordinary, what is truly groundbreaking is his age. The boy is sixteen years old and a self-taught Alchemist. I hope you understand what this means, Phoenix Emperor."
*Sharp Inhale*
Feng Hengkong's eyes widened to a massive degree.
"Last time someone was born with such talent he left this world for higher ones."
"...Doutian…"
ZI Ji casually nodded.
"This is correct. This is why Sovereign of Seas and myself are protective of this boy. This is a kind of talent."
"...Such talent… It should have been spread through the lands by this point…" The Phoenix Emperor would have learned about such existence long ago! It's far too big of a threat!
"...No one would… we barely pay attention to the Blue Wind Empire, Phoenix Emperor."
"...Blue Wind Empire…"
That backwater place!? It's an empire created in lands no one wants! It's the youngest Empire on the Continent! Where the strongest existence is barely the middle stages [Emperor Profound]!
"On top of that he is a member of a clan created by an exiled member of one of the four major sects which dominate this Empire.
The boy lives in such a backwater place that it's a natural protection for him." Zi Ji explained casually which made the Emperor frown in disbelief.
"...Fine, We understand. When is this wedding? This Emperor will pay a visit to him."
"In just a few short weeks."
~~~~~~Xiao Long~~~~~~
I closed my eyes and sensed the 'Well' I created. This was not a normal well, it was not even a hole in the ground. This was a Profound Array.
There are two types of arrays, the permanent ones, where one uses tools to make it, and the casting ones which are used through Profound Arts.
Casting ones only last for a bit, under five minutes. While the permanent ones can last for centuries if the materials which are used are good.
The 'well' which I created is something I developed myself after a few days of training in understanding the Profound Runes.
In this training, I developed another art.
[Profound Runes] (5/10) {42.72%}
[Calligraphy Art]
[Profound Art where Profound energy is used to carve meaning into letters.]
The speed of progress with this is quite fast. I only studied a single Array but the [Profound Runes] was already at level 5.
Anyway, back to the well. The well is an array where Profound energy is gathered in the air and then dropped into a specific location.
I noticed that Profound Energy in higher areas is more dense than at the ground level.
The array is deployed in four distinctive locations around the city and then descends on my Xiao Clan.
The results are not instantaneous, as it takes time to gather the Profound Energy. But, some of it can already be felt.
Though I am not done.
After doing all the preparations I walked outside the city and proceeded to deploy an even larger Profound Array.
The 'Well' is in the centre of this Array, so what I need to do is set the boundaries in a way that works like a net that captures the Profound energy and sends it to flow toward the 'Well'.
The more such nets the more Profound Energy the Clan will have.
For this, I have prepared 20 Iron Rods with Profound runes carved on them. I used ink, mixed with Profound Beast blood and some of the Profound Energy Sensitive grass.
To make this work I went several kilometres away from the City and proceeded to implant the rods into the ground.
Of course, they are hidden in the ground and this way they will last much longer. What they do is they cast this net into the air.
The net captures the Profound energy and directs it toward the city, eventually toward the clan grounds.
It took me a whole day to do this. By the time the sun was setting, I went back to the clan grounds.
"Hmm? Not bad." As I entered the grounds I could feel the Profound Energy in the air was much thicker than before.
"Now, I can start cultivating properly." I nodded to myself as I was walking towards my pavilion.
"Y-Young Master! Emergency! The elders wish to see you!" one of the guards said with a weird expression on his face. He didn't know he should be worried or excited from the looks of it.
"Alright…"
I changed my destination. I went south where the main hall is and where the elders have their meetings.
A few minutes later I walked inside. Even my grandfather was there.
"Long'er do you perhaps know what is going on? The amount of Profound Energy in the air has increased significantly!"
A question that I was expecting.
"Yes. I deployed two arrays one on the other. All the Profound energy in the area is directed toward our clan now." I said simply.
"It took a while but I was able to deploy it."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The three remaining elders didn't know what to say.
"I didn't know you knew how to deploy Arrays…isn't this art as rare as alchemy is?" My grandfather asked with a curious look.
"I guess? They empower each other. The Alchemy flames are good at refining the materials needed to make arrays." I explained with a thoughtful look. I even used my Purifying flames to make the metal as solid as possible. The array should last for many years.
*Sigh*
"I see. In that case, there is no need to worry." The old man sighed in relief.
"Yes. I will be retreating to cultivate now. The reason I deployed the array was that I could cultivate at an accelerated speed." I said with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Of course! don't worry Long'er!"
~~~~~~Later~~~~~~
While I said that I will be cultivating, it's not some closed-door thing.
[Spirit Profound] can't do such things. They are still considered quite the mortals. Food and water are needed.
And besides, I had a beautiful company in the form of my maid.
We would continue to have fun at night time and the majority of the day time I would cultivate. I do want to reach the first true milestone which is [Earth Profound].
But then it was time for Xiao Lingxi and her vengeance on Xiao Yulong.
The reason why it has to be done as the fool could potentially go insane and interfere with the wedding. So it needs to be done.
Getting his attention and setting a trap is quite easy.
Wave some pills in his face and he will arrive.
My uncle is in quite a bad position. He was 21 and barely a [Third of Nascent Profound] multitude of other younger generations are catching up to him.
So he has to work hard for those contribution points which are used to exchange for the pills. Even if Mark II pills appeared he can barely buy the older type one.
"Are you sure you want to kill him?" I asked her. This is after all the same blood. No matter how rotten it is…
"...It needs to be done, Young Master. I want little Che and father to rest in peace." Xiao Lingxi said with steel in her voice.
I nodded with a sigh. Well, if this is what she wants. It will be so. Not that anyone will even notice that Xiao Yulong is gone.
Who even cares about him by this point?
"He is here."
Pavilion doors opened and Xiao Yulong sneaked inside. He was dressed in pure black clothes.
I guess the rumour about my warehouse spread. I made sure no guards were around.
If he was less greedy he would have noticed something was off.
My maid pulled out the sword which I gave her before. She used the Lightfoot technique I taught her and appeared in front of Xiao Yulong.
"Xiao Yulong what you did to Little Che is unforgivable! I will kill you!"
The maid's appearance freaked out Xiao Yulong.
"...C-Calm down cousin! I didn't do anything! It was Xiao Yang!"
The older Xiao took a step back. He could feel her cultivation being stronger than his… By two whole small realms…
"Don't lie to me! It's a well-known fact that you wanted to marry that woman! And Xiao Yang is a moron who can't think for himself!"
Damn, she is spicy about Xia Qingyue.
*Tsk*
"So what! He was trash! Couldn't even cultivate!" Xiao Yulong snapped back. He wasn't pretending to be a 'Good Young Master' anymore.
Xiao Lingxi growled and swung her hand with force. Smashing right into his mouth.
"What do you even understand—"
The guy dropped to the ground, he wasn't even moving!
"..."
"..."
I looked at this with a baffled look. Did she just punch him to death?
My maid kicked the guy several times. He wasn't waking up at all!
Seeing this happening, I walked over and kneeled, I put my hand on him, trying to feel his pulse.
"...He is dead…it appears the physique is far greater than I expected," I said with some shock. Well, it is kinda sad that she just killed my uncle. But I don't feel much about him. The guy was a vile thing. But even so.
"...No…this can't be happening!" I could hear her voice full of emotions. Moments later she started to cry…it only got out of control as she started to turn into a waterfall.
I could only sigh. The floodgates opened and she started to cry.
"'Come, let's get out of here." As I said, I got up on my feet and dropped a ball of orange fire on Xiao Yulong. Without even watching I picked her up and disappeared from the warehouse area.
~~~
After the whole Xiao Yulong thing, everyone was back to normal. I focused on reaching [Earth Profound]. My maid had her issues for a bit before I smacked her ass hard and made her see reason.
Women are so strange, regardless she was back to training harder than ever before.
Days passed and I reached [Seventh of Spirit Profound]. Many of the clan members are having their breakthroughs as well. Thanks to the pills. Even my old man finally reached the [Earth Profound] he regained his black hair. Though he didn't stop to cultivate.
The purifying pills are slowly spreading to the main family line. According to some of my closest cousins, at least 6 people already have Heavenly God's Spiritual Veins.
The morale and pride of the clan were at an all-time high.
It was a good time for such a thing as my marriage is today…
~~~
Inside an expensive airship, a pair of people surrounded by several elders were sitting.
This was the Sovereign of Seas, Qu Fengyi, next to her was the leader of the Black Moon Guild.
"Such a remote place…" She said with an unreadable look.
"Perfect location for one's training." The old man said while stroking his beard.
"...not in Profound Way."
"Depends." Zi Ji said that as he sensed something fascinating.
"It appears he already grasped Array Deployment."
"Hmm?"
The woman focused her senses.
"...This is…"
"A Profound Energy array. Only a few weeks ago he bought the manual and the resources to make basic arrays. It only took him a few weeks to set this up."
"...Impressive. It concentrates on a single location." She nodded to him. It appears she might have to reconsider and put that talent bar even higher than she has initially.
As their airship arrived the pair accompanied by a few elders started to descend into what is considered the Xiao Clan, they can easily find this place by the amount of red there is.
The wedding is quite a big spectacle in this city as the whole place is decorated with red Phoenixes.
Though the people from the Sacred Ground immediately stole the limelight.
As they landed on the grounds they were greeted by a middle aged man and a group of shell-shocked Xiao Clan people, they all were baffled and terrified seeing such a group!
The one who was leading the front was just a mere [Earth Profound] such people are usually the cleaners who clean their sect grounds…
"S-Seniors, H-How can we assist you?"
"Is this the location where Xiao Long, the Young Master of Xiao Clan is going to get married?"
*Gulp*
"...Yes. He is my grandson."
"Wonderful. This old man is Zi Ji. I am the Leader Black Moon Merchant Guild." After introducing himself he elegantly pointed at the woman dressed in blue exquisite robes, she was looking around not even paying the attention to people in front of her.
"This is the Sovereign of Seas, the Supreme Leader of the Supreme Ocean Palace, one of the Sacred Grounds."
*Sharp Gulp*
Everyone got pale when they heard that!
"We are here to attend his wedding. He is the greatest asset my Black Moon Guild has gotten so far since its founding many thousands of years ago."
The Xiao Clan members looked at each other. When did this even happen!?
That moment another airship arrived… It had a massive Phoenix carved on its side…
This was the Divine Phoenix Empire's flagship…
The Sovereign of The Seas snorted seeing the ship.
Not long after a pair of people descended from the ship. Behind them were several elders from the Imperial family.
Feng Hengkong saw the Sovereign of The Seas and did a simple bow. People behind her followed and did the same.
"Your Highness, this young man apologises for the delay."
"You are on time, Feng Hengkong. The ceremony has not yet started." The woman said with a tranquil tone as she looked at the petrified Xiao Clan Leader.
"Y-Yes your Excellency. Long'er is at the back. It will start shortly."
"Good. I wish to see him with my own eyes. Lead the way." She said with a commanding tone. As the strongest around here, everyone listens to her commands even the Phoenix Emperor has to be respectful…especially when he is so far away from his lands.
"R-Right away!"
~~~~~~Xiao Long~~~~~~
What the actual fuck!?!?
I stared dumbly at the people in front of me.
"...What powerful Profound Energy Control you have." The slender middle aged woman said to me as she inspected me from top to bottom. Her power was utterly absurd…she doesn't emit her Cultivation but I can sense the sheer presence she has.
"You are hiding your Cultivation. Show us your true cultivation."
I slightly nodded and then revealed my cultivation.
"Well, well…fascinating even when you are making pills and constructing arrays you achieved Late [Spirit Profound].
The woman nodded with a thoughtful look.
"Umm… May I know who you are, esteemed guests?" I had some idea who they were but I need to be certain.
"I am the Leader of the Supreme Ocean Palace, The Sovereign of The Seas and that old man is my husband, the man in red is the Divine Phoenix Emperor." She said in a single very calm and tranquil tone.
Damn… the wedding ceremony just went up in scale… Holy Fuck…
"I-It is an honour to meet the Leader of one of the Sacred Grounds."
"Don't think much about this. Your talent in pill-making…and Array creation is top-class. It's only a matter of time before you mingle with Sacred Grounds."
Oh, I see… As they say, the early bird gets the worm. They make connections early.
"My thanks… I just needed to find a way to counter my average talent. I thought pills would counter it so I practised."
"Resourceful. Good. Such talent is needed in this continent." She said with a nod before looking at her husband.
"We won't be holding you for long. For now, proceed with your wedding and we can discuss things later."
After hearing the all-clear I stiffly bowed before I left. This was heart wrecking! Why can't I just make pills in peace!?
My gaze went up… I gulped seeing a pair of airships parked literally outside the Clan Grounds. There are a bunch of floating people who are guarding them. Their cultivation is high as well!
'Goddamn… They arrived with force…'
Once I snapped out I quickly walked to see my grandfather.
"Long'er!" My old man looked utterly freaked out. He should be, so I am…
"Grandfather…"
"My Grandson! You didn't say that you are friends with Sacred Ground and Divine Phoenix Empire!"
"This…well…I have a trade deal coming with the Phoenix Emperor…" I said with a slightly embarrassed tone. I honestly didn't expect him to come on my wedding day…
"Heavens…have truly blessed my line…" The old man mumbled to himself.
"I guess?"
