The ethereal Immortal Music had long since ceased. The men and women who had been dancing gracefully all stood with their hands folded. Nie Xiaoqian strode to one side, supported herself on one knee, and knelt before the man and woman high above. In a respectful, ringing voice, she called, "We, your subjects, congratulate the Immortal Emperor and Empress on the joyous occasion of your wedding!"
Her taking the lead in offering congratulations was meant to set an example and provide the opening words for everyone else to follow. Yet for the thousand sect leaders, congratulating them as "your subjects" was somewhat difficult to accept. Once they knelt and uttered those words, it would be no different from bowing their heads in complete submission.
But they were given no time to think. The palace lords of all three thousand six hundred peaks in the Land of Ultimate Bliss had already turned toward the man and woman above and dropped to one knee. The twenty-four Great Protectors had knelt on one knee. The six Great Commanders had knelt on one knee. The twelve Immortal Lords had knelt on one knee. Countless Immortal Palace guards throughout the vast plaza had knelt as well.
Under such crushing pressure, many among the thousand sect leaders could no longer hold out. Their knees buckled, and they finally knelt. Once someone took the lead, the pressure on the others became even greater. Like a single stone stirring up a thousand waves, layer upon layer of people nearly all fell to their knees. Though several highly ranked sect leaders wore faces dark as storm clouds, circumstances were stronger than men, and they too had no choice but to slowly kneel on one knee.
Wangqing stood straight and tall, his gaze slowly sweeping over the countless Immortal Palace