Heavenly Wedding

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged on the Cloud Bed, the Three Flowers above his head swaying, the Five Qi within his chest circulating towards the Great Unity mid-stage realm, steadily advancing.

On Fangzhang Immortal Island, time flowed leisurely.

Beside the Three Lights Divine Water pond, immortal mist swirled, and spiritual light shimmered.

Dao Xuan's mind was tranquil, like a deep, unrippled ancient well.

In the depths of his Primordial Spirit, the phantom of the Twelve-Petaled Pure World White Lotus bloomed sacredly, casting purifying divine light that cleansed the dust from his Primordial Spirit.

The Myriad Treasures Nine Dragon Seal hovered above his head, its nine dragon phantoms rising and falling, managing the earth's veins, suppressing destiny, and drawing the boundless Innate Spiritual Energy of Fangzhang Island into Dao Xuan's body like countless rivers flowing into the sea, ceaselessly.

The Taiqing Immortal Art circulated through his meridians, the Yin and Yang energies flowing as he willed, harmonizing the Kan and Li trigrams.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique made his Blood Essence roar, his body gleaming with treasure light. Under the surge of potent magical power, his muscles, bones, and flesh grew increasingly resilient, advancing towards the seventh revolution mid-stage.

Within the Mud Pill Palace, the Three Flowers above his head became more solid and radiant, Dao principles flowing like glazed jade carvings.

The Five Qi within his chest—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth—flowed in five-colored brilliance without cease, cycling and repeating, gradually showing signs of returning to the origin and merging into the sea.

Thousands of years passed.

On this day.

Above Fangzhang Island, the previously peaceful and serene Innate Spiritual Energy suddenly boiled!

As if being inhaled by a colossal, invisible whale, it transformed into a massive spiritual energy vortex, surging madly into Xuan Yuan Palace!

The palace gates remained shut, with only Dao principles surging like tides.

The two young attendants, Yushu and Xuanji, had long been alerted and stood guard outside the palace, their small faces filled with nervousness and anticipation.

"Master is about to break through!" Yushu clenched his small fists.

"He will surely succeed!" Xuanji's gaze was firm.

BOOM—!

A roar originating from the depths of Dao Xuan's physical body and Primordial Spirit emanated from within Xuan Yuan Palace!

It was not a loud sound, yet it shook the Divine Soul!

In an instant!

Above Xuan Yuan Palace, three illusory immortal flowers, as solid as substance and flowing with Dao principles, shot up into the sky, radiating immense light that illuminated Fangzhang Immortal Island!

Five thick, dragon-like pillars of five-colored Qi erupted from Dao Xuan's chest, soaring into the heavens, shining in glorious contrast with the Three Flowers!

Three Flowers converging at the crown, Five Qi returning to the origin!

The Great Unity Golden Immortal mid-stage realm was achieved naturally!

The palace gates opened silently.

Dao Xuan strode out.

He still wore the Blue Gauze Headband, the Apricot-Yellow Eight Trigrams Robe, the Qiankun Silk Sash, and the Cloud-Treading Boots.

However, his aura was now as profound and deep as the sea, perfectly integrated and flawless.

As his eyes opened and closed, divine light was contained within, pure and unblemished, as if capable of seeing through all illusions in the world.

"Congratulations, Master, on your advancement in cultivation and achieving the Great Unity mid-stage!" Yushu and Xuanji, overjoyed, quickly stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

Dao Xuan smiled and nodded.

"I have been in seclusion for a long time, and I have been away from the mountain for a long time."

His gaze turned towards the west, in the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

"It is time to return to the mountain and pay my respects to my master and my two martial uncles."

"Yushu, Xuanji."

"Your disciples are here!" the two attendants stood at attention.

"You two shall remain on Fangzhang, guard the entrance, and tend to the spiritual roots. No one without my token shall enter."

"We respectfully obey Master's decree!" the two attendants solemnly replied.

Dao Xuan flicked his sleeve.

"Where are the Five Spirits?"

"Roar—!"

A clear, piercing cry, and auspicious five-colored light rose from the mountains and forests outside the island.

The Five Spirit Qilin, treading on auspicious clouds, its four hooves like the wind, surrounded by five-colored auspicious mist, appeared extraordinarily majestic. It instantly arrived before Dao Xuan and affectionately nuzzled his arm.

"Let's go, back to Kunlun."

Dao Xuan leaped onto the Five Spirit.

The Five Spirits understood, and auspicious clouds rose beneath its feet, transforming into a five-colored stream of light. It instantly broke through the protective barrier of Fangzhang Island, left the East Sea, and headed straight for the primordial ancestral vein, the divine mountain Kunlun!

The Five Spirit's pace was extremely fast, piercing through clouds and fog.

Before long, the majestic, continuous, and magnificent Kunlun mountain range came into view.

Dao Xuan landed his cloud, stopping before the Eight Sceneries Palace.

A young attendant was already waiting by the entrance.

"Senior Brother Dao Xuan is back!" The attendant's face lit up with joy.

"Please inform Master of my return," Dao Xuan said with a smile, nodding his head.

"My Lord already knows of your return and has instructed me to show you in," the attendant said, stepping aside to invite him.

Dao Xuan straightened his robes and entered the Eight Sceneries Palace.

Inside, the Grand Pure One Laozi sat upon a Cloud Bed, the Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda hovering above his head, emitting streams of mysterious yellow energy. His aura was ethereal, as if he had merged with the Dao.

The Jade Pure Primordial Heavenly Venerate and the Upper Pure Heavens Master were also present.

"Disciple Dao Xuan pays his respects to Master! And to Second Uncle and Third Uncle!" Dao Xuan stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

The Three Pure Ones' gazes fell upon Dao Xuan.

A faint smile touched Laozi's usually impassive face.

A flicker of surprise and approval flashed in Primordial Heavenly Venerate's eyes.

The Heavens Master, however, clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Good! Good, lad! How long has it been since you left? You've already reached the mid-stage of Grand Unity! Your foundation is solid, and your Dao rhymes are complete. Excellent! Truly excellent!"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate also nodded, "Your foundation is solid. Though your progress is swift, it is not superficial. Well done."

Laozi spoke slowly, his voice calm, "You traveled the Great Desolation, encountered opportunities, your Dao heart is stable, and your foundation is unharmed. This is your good fortune. Well done."

Receiving such praise from the Three Pure Ones, Dao Xuan felt a surge of joy.

"Your disciple was fortunate to stumble upon a minor opportunity. I dare not accept such high praise from my Uncles and Master."

"Opportunity is also strength," the Heavens Master chuckled. "Sit down and tell us about your experiences these past years."

Dao Xuan sat as instructed and recounted his journey after leaving Kunlun Mountain. He spoke of seeking out dojos, encountering Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, entering Fangzhang, and subduing the Dragon Clan, selecting the most important details for his narrative.

Of course, he omitted the core secrets such as the Chaos Bead, Pure World White Lotus, and Ancestral Dragon Bead, as well as the specifics of his cultivation techniques.

Even so, the Three Pure Ones were visibly moved by his account.

"So it was the Fangzhang Immortal Island!" The Heavens Master's eyes gleamed. "That island was formed from a fragment of chaos and has existed since the heavens and earth were formed. It is mysterious and unfathomable. To think you found it! Your fortune is indeed profound!"

"Protecting the Dragon Clan and forging good karma was also a far-sighted move," Primordial Heavenly Venerate commented.

Laozi nodded slightly, saying no more, clearly quite approving of Dao Xuan's actions.

As they were speaking...

Suddenly, an attendant from outside the palace announced, "Reporting to my Lord, the demon envoy Bai Ze is here to see you."

"Bai Ze?" The Heavens Master raised an eyebrow. "The demon race's strategist? What business does he have here?"

"Announce him," Laozi said calmly.

A moment later.

A Daoist priest walked in slowly.

He wore a White Crane Pearl Tassel Crown, a Cloud Pattern Star Robe, a Qiankun Silk Sash around his waist, and Cloud-Treading Boots on his feet.

His face was like jade, with a three-strand beard beneath his chin. His eyes held a wise light, and he possessed an elegant demeanor and a composed bearing.

He held a whisk with a jade handle, and as he walked, auspicious clouds and radiant mist seemed to follow him.

This was none other than the foremost of the Ten Great Demon Marshals of the demon race, the one who understood all things and possessed extraordinary wisdom—Bai Ze!

"This humble demon, Bai Ze, by the decree of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, pays his respects to the Grand Pure One, the Jade Pure One, and the Upper Pure One!"

Bai Ze bowed, his posture respectful yet neither servile nor overbearing.

"What business does the Heavenly Emperor have?" Primordial Heavenly Venerate asked.

Bai Ze presented a gilded jade tablet with both hands. The tablet was adorned with Solar True Fire patterns and emanated a blazing divine radiance.

"Reporting to the Three Dao Venerables, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, in gratitude to the Heavenly Dao and in accordance with Yin and Yang, will be holding a grand wedding ceremony in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall beyond the thirty-third heaven in thirty years, with the Lunar Star's divine maidens Changxi and Xihe!"

"This is the first heavenly wedding in the world, and its significance is extraordinary!"

"His Majesty has specifically ordered this humble demon to invite all the great powers of the Great Desolation to witness the ceremony and share in this grand occasion!"

"This is the invitation, respectfully requesting the presence of the Three Dao Venerables!"

The attendant took the invitation and presented it to Laozi.

Laozi glanced at it but offered no comment.

The Heavens Master scoffed, "Dijun has quite the mood for celebration. With the conflict between the Wu and Demon clans raging, he has the leisure to get married?"

Bai Ze's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled faintly, "Upper Pure Dao Venerable, please understand. The heavenly wedding is an act that conforms to the Heavenly Dao. The union of Yin and Yang will naturally bring down merit and also display the majesty of our Heavenly Court."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate said indifferently, "The Wu clan is savage. Would they restrain themselves because of a wedding?"

"Jade Pure Dao Venerable speaks wisely," Bai Ze replied calmly. "However, this is His Majesty's wish, and it is also a grand event in the Great Desolation. His Majesty sincerely invites all great powers to witness it."

Laozi finally spoke, his voice calm and unruffled, "We cultivate purity and dislike noise."

Bai Ze understood immediately and said, "The Dao Venerable values tranquility and non-action; this humble one understands. His Majesty also mentioned that if the Dao Venerable is unable to attend personally, sending a highly accomplished disciple to witness the ceremony would also be an honor for the Heavenly Court."

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate looked at Dao Xuan, "Dao Xuan, since you have returned and have already broken through to the mid-stage of Grand Unity, you shall go on our behalf."

Sect Master Tongtian also added, "Indeed, it would be good to see the excitement at the Heavenly Court."

Laozi nodded slightly.

Dao Xuan rose, "This disciple obeys."

Bai Ze looked at Dao Xuan, a flash of wisdom in his eyes, and smiled, "This must be the esteemed disciple of the Taiqing Dao Venerable, fellow Daoist Dao Xuan? Truly, you have the bearing of a celestial being, with an extraordinary aura! The Heavenly Court awaits your arrival in thirty years!"

"Thank you, fellow Daoist Bai Ze," Dao Xuan bowed.

Bai Ze's mission complete, he exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking his leave.

After Bai Ze departed.

Sect Master Tongtian shook his head, "Dijun's move to gather fortune and display his might through this Heavenly Marriage is true. However, are the Witch Clan easy to deal with? Those Twelve Ancestral Witches are all brutes; I fear this wedding may not be peaceful."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate said, "The conflict between the Witches and Demons is a great tribulation of heaven and earth, unavoidable. This Heavenly Marriage may be a catalyst or an interlude, but it is ultimately difficult to change the grand tide. Dao Xuan, when you go, just observe the ceremony; do not get involved."

Laozi closed his eyes and slowly said, "Observe the changes."

"This disciple understands," Dao Xuan replied.

Afterward, Dao Xuan consulted the Three Pure Ones on some cultivation difficulties, and they all patiently guided him.

After staying in Kunlun for several days, Dao Xuan bid farewell to his master and uncles and returned to his own cave dwelling in Kunlun.

He began to ponder a congratulatory gift.

Dijun's Heavenly Marriage is with two goddesses of the Lunar Star; ordinary treasures might not catch their eye.

Send a precious treasure? He would be reluctant to part with it, and it would seem too fawning.

Send something too trivial? That would cause the Three Pure Ones to lose face.

"It must be presentable, yet also unique..."

Dao Xuan pondered for a moment, his gaze falling upon his sleeve.

With a slight movement of his mind, he took out a jade box.

Inside the box were several lotus seeds.

They were not produced by the Pure World White Lotus, but by the third and sixth-grade white lotuses he had previously cultivated with the Three Lights Divine Water.

These lotus seeds contained a trace of the purifying Dao rhythm and the creative vitality of the Three Lights Divine Water. Although not innate, they were full of spiritual energy.

"I have it!"

Dao Xuan's eyes lit up.

He took out the plumpest, most radiant sixth-grade white lotus seed.

He then drew upon a trace of pure Solar True Fire origin (obtained from the Chaos Bead's space) and a trace of Taiyin Moon Essence origin (obtained from the Moon Essence Spring on Fangzhang Island).

"Yin and Yang unite, sun and moon shine together!"

Dao Xuan formed hand seals and chanted the incantation.

With supreme magical power, he carefully integrated the Solar True Fire origin and the Taiyin Moon Essence origin into the lotus seed!

Buzz!

The lotus seed trembled, its radiance flowing!

The originally pure white lotus seed now had one half glowing with a faint golden-red, like a miniature sun; the other half flowed with a cool moon-white, like condensed moon essence!

The golden-red and moon-white intertwined, forming a perfect Yin-Yang fish pattern that slowly circulated on the surface of the lotus seed, emitting a harmonious and profound Dao rhythm!

"This lotus seed contains the essence of the sun, moon, yin, and yang, along with a trace of purifying vitality, symbolizing the harmonious union of the Heavenly Marriage, the intermingling of yin and yang, and endless vitality!"

Dao Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

He then fetched a piece of warm jade and personally carved it into an exquisite jade box.

The box was divided into two layers. The upper layer held this Yin-Yang lotus seed.

The lower layer was filled with a small pool of Three Lights Divine Water, within which a newly sprouted conjoined twin lotus seedling was nurtured, full of life.

On the lid of the jade box, Dao Xuan used his finger as a brush to carve the eight ancient seal characters "Sun and Moon Shine Together, Heaven and Earth Forever Harmonious" imbued with Dao rhythm.

"The gift is modest, but the sentiment is profound, and it perfectly aligns with the purpose of the Heavenly Marriage."

Dao Xuan smiled slightly and put away the jade box.

Thirty years, for the great powers of the Great Desolation, was but a blink of an eye.

On this day.

Dao Xuan rode the Five Spirit Qilin and left Kunlun.

The Five Spirits stepped on auspicious clouds, their hooves stirring up wind, soaring straight into the nine heavens!

Through layers of gales, lightning, and fire, past the thirty-three heavens.

The view suddenly opened up!

Before them, the South Heavenly Gate was crafted from deep green glazed tiles, adorned with gleaming precious jade, with ten thousand rays of golden light rolling like red nebulae and a thousand streams of auspicious mist spewing purple clouds!

Dozens of marshals guarding the heavens stood on either side, wearing helmets and armor, holding halberds and banners, their presence imposing.

Passing through the South Heavenly Gate, one entered the magnificent scenery of the Heavenly Court.

Thirty-three heavenly palaces and seventy-two treasured halls stood in neat rows, resplendent with gold and jade, surrounded by auspicious clouds and filled with ethereal music.

Countless immortal officials, divine generals, and great powers of the Great Desolation, some riding auspicious clouds, some mounted on exotic beasts, and some piloting magical treasures, gathered from all directions. The immortal light and auspicious energy illuminated the entire Heavenly Court, making it seem like a dream!

Dao Xuan presented the invitation, and an immortal official respectfully guided him. They passed through layers of palaces and arrived at the vast plaza before the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

On the plaza, countless cloud tables and jade seats had already been set up.

Jades and nectars, immortal fruits and delicacies, were displayed in dazzling arrays.

Many familiar faces were already seated.

Zhenyuanzi and Old Ancestor Hongyun arrived together. Upon seeing Dao Xuan, they greeted him with smiles.

The two Daoists from the West, Jieyin and Zhunti, sat in a corner, their appearances solemn.

Empress Nuwa sat to the side of the main seat, graceful and noble.

Great God Fuxi was also beside her.

Old Ancestor Minghe hid in a corner, his bloody aura contained.

Kunpeng occupied the foremost position among the demon marshals, his expression stern.

There were also many other great powers of the Great Desolation, some sitting alone, others conversing, all exuding immense presence.

Dao Xuan found the cloud table marked "Kunlun" and sat down, awaiting the auspicious hour.

His gaze swept over the magnificent scene, but his mind recalled the words of his master and uncle.

"Blazing fires cooking oil, flowers adorning brocade... beneath this scene of ultimate prosperity, undercurrents are stirring."

He picked up a cup of jade nectar and took a light sip.

"Let's see how this Heavenly Wedding unfolds."