The Wedding Night

He could tell that she was surprised by his warm touch after he released his hand. Afterwards, he mounted his horse once more and rode beside the carriage. It was not long until they reached the main entrance of the Xiao Clan, where both Xia Qingyue and Xiao Jiantian reunited.

After one of her bridesmaids tied one of their hands to each other's as they walked towards the Xiao Clan's centre hall. For weddings, such a place would only be used by the Xiao Clan's leader along with its elders. For this occasion... it was a no-brainer to use the centre hall (and that's an understatement).

The Xiao Clan's leader and elders were all present and seated with pleased expressions. Although, not all of them were truly pleased because he had a tendency to beat up their grandsons. Moreover, he was but a young master and yet his overbearing aura would suggest that he owned the Xiao Clan. However, as he was a heavenly genius that the Floating Cloud City had never seen before, he had the qualifications to get away with almost anything.

As the master of ceremonies started waffling over the names of distinguished guests and the like, Xiao Jiantian dozed off a little and thought about mastering his five-arrow mid-air backflip technique (don't ask, he's a bit mad). Then... the master of ceremonies stopped briefly.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

This time, the master of ceremonies spoke louder and Xiao Jiantian did as expected of him. Together, he and Xia Qingyue bowed in the direction of the doorway.

"Second bow to the elders!"

With a swift 180 degree turn, they came to face Xiao Lie and Xia Hongyi before bowing.

"Husband and wife, exchange bows!"

They turned to face each other without any resistance and bent towards one another. For a brief moment, they locked eyes through the beads. His confident, almost arrogant, expression nearly got a reaction out of her.

"Tenth level True Profound, eh?" He whispered close to her ear so that no one else could hear. "Not bad."

Her eyes widened in shock. She had gone through the effort of getting an artefact to suppress her strength so that no one would realise her true cultivation... but he seemed to know with just a look!

To the public, she was at the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm at the age of sixteen which was more than good enough to be a great genius in the Floating Cloud City. But the tenth level of the True Profound Realm? She was almost in the realm of most Xiao Clan elders at sixteen!

Meanwhile, the crowd burst into a thunderous round of applause to celebrate their marriage. The other four elders of the Xiao Clan and even Xiao Yunhai congratulated Xiao Lie for bringing such a talented granddaughter-in-law into the clan.

"It is one of the greatest days in Floating Cloud City's history, I dare say!" Xiao Yunhai was quite ecstatic, making the crowd roar. "Our Xiao Clan's heavenly genius Xiao Jiantian paired with Xia Clan's peerless jewel, Xia Qingyue... there is no such thing as a better match!"

"A match made in Heaven!" The first elder added to the clan leader's speech.

'Damn... and I thought he disliked me.'

Xiao Lie, being the strongest person in the Floating Cloud City, and having a grandson as talented as Xiao Jiantian... his status within the Xiao Clan was simply second to none. Even though his other grandson had broken profound veins and was a cripple, what did it matter? Xiao Jiantian was the future of the Xiao Clan!

Before joining the celebration himself, Xiao Jiantian escorted his newly-wed wife to their wedding room. Once the door shut and they faced each other in silence, it was a little awkward. Then, Xia Qingyue broke the ice and asked a question that had been in her mind.

"How do you know my true profound strength?"

"You could fool anyone in the Floating Cloud City with that... but not me. Honestly, all it really took was a quick look." He grabbed some wine and filled his cup. "I also noticed something else. There's a seventh level Sky Profound practitioner watching us... probably related to you, I'm assuming. I hope she doesn't plan on taking a few peeks at us later-"

"How can you know about my master..." She stood up from the bed and looked directly into his azure eyes. "Who are you?"

"I can't spill all my secrets to you quite so soon, can I? It's only fair since you were hiding so much from me..." He shrugged. "Besides, even if I told you exactly who I was you wouldn't even believe me."

"..." Xia Qingyue sat back down. "My master, Chu Yueli, took me into the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace as a disciple at the age of twelve. Ever since then, I've been able to grow stronger at a fast rate."

'The second highest ranked sect in this Blue Wind Empire, second only to the Heavenly Sword Villa... given her talent, it's only expected.'

"The Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace? I believe that they have sect rules surrounding love and marriage... don't they? They either took exception to you in some sort of way or simply did not know of our betrothal. The latter is highly unlikely."

"So... what was the deal you made with the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace?"

"How perceptive." Xia Qingyue nodded. "As long as I stayed pure, I would have to return to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace after several months and remain there permanently as a disciple."

Xiao Jiantian raised an eyebrow before bursting into laughter.

"Oh, my... cock-blocked by a mere Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace!" After he stopped laughing, Xiao Jiantian swiftly straightened himself. "This is far too comical, please excuse me to propose the toast."

'That sect didn't even exist when I was ruling the Profound Sky Continent...'

Right before he left the room, Xiao Jiantian released a trace of his true strength. Suddenly, the air grew heavy and even the sky grew darker. One bolt of lightning even struck the earth. Just as suddenly as his strength appeared, it vanished into thin air, leaving Xia Qingyue in contemplation.

As soon as he left, an icy aura filled the room as a white figure appeared. Xia Qingyue stood up and respectfully addressed the person before her.

"Master."

"This Xiao Jiantian... is stronger than me."

"!?"

Xia Qingyue was thoroughly shocked by that statement. "Stronger than you, Master? How is that even possible- he's only a few months younger than me."

"I am all but certain he is... as much as I hate to admit it. He saw through my concealment like it was merely glass. He also hid his own true profound strength so flawlessly... but I knew at first glance that it was far beyond my own when he revealed it."

"Could it be that he's a disciple of one of the Five Sacred Grounds?"

"That is very unlikely as none of the Sacred Grounds would even think of walking into the Floating Cloud City. All I can think of is that he's simply a true heavenly genius who can even thrive in these conditions. That leaves the frightening thought of such a person with access to far better resources..."

"Who would've thought that this Xiao Jiantian was that extraordinary, he might even live up to the Jiantian name." Chu Yueli stated, still shocked at the fact that a sixteen-year-old junior was somehow stronger than her.

"Xuanyuan Jiantian..."

Xia Qingyue muttered the name of the mythical genius she had thoroughly sought knowledge about, reading every piece she could get her hands on. Xuanyuan Jiantian; the man who had embarrassed every other 'genius' of his era and was said to never even have to draw his sword in a fight. Most importantly to Qingyue, he was the only mortal in the Profound Sky Continent's recorded history to have ascended to the God Realm... at the youthful age of fifty, no less!

In truth, Xuanyuan Jiantian, despite being born more than two thousand years ago, was Xia Qingyue's biggest idol. He proved that mortals could ascend to the God Realm and, as proof of its existence, he even returned to provide the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region with heavenly resources once in a while.

With just one of his heavenly pellets, a first-level Sovereign could skip several levels!

"I... might not return to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace."

"So you'd choose this husband of yours over the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace and forget all I did for you?"

"Master, I appreciate all your assistance. But-"

"If you lay with him, never show your face to me or the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace ever again. That is all I have to say to you, Xia Qingyue."

With that, she disappeared in a swift fashion.

Meanwhile...

Xiao Jiantian was having a fun time offering cups to the guests as was tradition. Although it was beneath him to do such a lowly thing, the cheers and looks of reverence were enough for him. Even the people he had a mutual dislike towards were highly respectful.

"Che'er, I offer you a cup."

"Thank you." He drank his cup of wine at a good pace. After finishing, he smiled and looked joyful for his brother. "Jiantian... you are the best brother I could've hoped for. When almost everyone else ridicules me for my lack of strength, you always stand up for me, no matter who it is. I've realised that you could've been like everyone else... but you aren't. For that, I cannot be more happy. You deserve this and more!"

"Ahahaha..." Xiao Jiantian laughed nervously. "Stop flattering me, I'm almost embarrassed!"

"Hahaha, don't drink too much or you won't be able to perform!"

It was meant as a jest but some of the guests took offence to it on behalf of Xiao Jiantian (weird people).

"How could that garbage speak to the great Jiantian in that wa-"

Xiao Jiantian laughed out loud. "Don't worry about me, I'm all fired up!"

They both chuckled.

Before long, he moved onto the next table.

"Xiao Yunhai, I offer you a cup."

"It is lord to you." He reminded Xiao Jiantian before taking the cup of wine. Once he was done, the Xiao Clan leader looked at him with a smile, ignoring his previous slight. "Congratulations on your marriage, Jiantian. Your future is just as bright as the stars and Qingyue is, indeed, a suitable partner for you. After tonight, I'd like you to see me and discuss your plans."

"My plans?"

"Yes... it concerns whether you intend to stay in the Xiao Clan or spread your wings somewhere else."

"Ah, alright. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Once he was done, the guests were all sent away and Xiao Jiantian was almost a complete wreck.

He, slowly but surely, stumbled his way to his wedding room.

BOOM.

Xiao Jiantian damn near stormed into his own room before stumbling into his bed. Xia Qingyue had dodged his fall and even retreated from the bed.

"Last time... she embraced me..."

He muttered in a disappointed tone as he subconsciously reminisced his wedding day when he was Jun Zhi.

"...?"

Xiao Jiantian laughed once he realised that he had slipped slightly. "That cabinet... the green pellets... please."

"Last time she embraced you? Who are you referring to?"

"Can't you see that I'm drunk... nothing I say should be taken seriously..."

"So you don't want those green pellets?"

"I hate you already." Xiao Jiantian joked. "Women can be really annoying sometimes... ugh, what did I even drag myself into. I should've just made my way to the... Sword Region and-."

He stopped himself.

"Now I have a reason not to give you those pellets."

"I was... joking. As if I'd actually put myself, the great Jiantian, beneath someone else... hahaha."

"You are quite overbearing..."

Xia Qingyue clearly wanted to bait more information out of him.

"You know... I'm not going to say much more... but even your sect's strongest expert would be... kissing my feet if I willed it so!"

"That's why I almost died from laughter... because you'd separate yourself from me, the greatest talent alive... to be a disciple under a sect inferior to the lowly Heavenly Sword Villa! It's just... laughable, I can't help it..."

Although drunk, Xiao Jiantian actually wanted his wife to know who he truly was piece by piece. Because of his splendid acting, Xia Qingyue actually believed that he was spilling his secrets because he was uncontrollably drunk but that simply wasn't the case! He used his 'drunkness' as an excuse to get what he truly wanted.

'The greatest talent alive...' To anyone less knowledgeable, it would seem absurd for someone from the Floating Cloud City to say that. However, she already knew that he was stronger than her master!

"Greeeeeeen pellet." Xiao Jiantian reminded her. "Unless you want me to remain drunk. Perhaps a handsome drunk man is a fetish of yours? If that's the case-"

"Hmph." She took out a green pellet from his cabinet and threw it in his direction. Acting as quick as lightning, Xiao Jiantian grasped it and swallowed the pellet. Almost instantly, his red cheeks vanished and his eyes seemed to be laser-focused as they were before.

"Right... so the terms were for you to remain pure? That means that you'll have to choose between me and the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. If I were you, it would be a no-brainer... but you might think otherwise." Xiao Jiantian yawned as he took off his shirt, revealing a defined and muscular chest.

"..." Xia Qingyue's brilliant eyes were closed as she was deep in thought. "Will you help me grow stronger, even more than the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace would?"

"So strength is what you desire... very well!" Xiao Jiantian nodded. "Spend this night with me and you'll wake up in the Spiri- never mind."

Xiao Jiantian smirked with overwhelming confidence. "You'll just have to put your faith in me."

Xia Qingyue sat down beside Xiao Jiantian before laying down fully. Although she was always calm before, the following step did make her a bit shy. Xiao Jiantian's charms weren't just for show... even she couldn't deny it.

"I believe in you, Xiao Jiantian."

"That's all I needed to hear..."

Xiao Jiantian turned to face her and began to display his slow, gentle yet frighteningly effective touch. He managed to arouse even the cold beauty Xia Qingyue who started to want more and more. Eventually, it escalated into full intercourse as both sixteen-year-olds went... wild. They went on for the entire night as Xiao Jiantian displayed his wide arsenal of bedroom techniques.

Exchanging their vital yang and yin respectively, they would both awaken to great benefits.