The morning mist over Spirit City had yet to fully disperse, but the plaza before the Pope's Hall had already been decorated with solemn splendor.
A festive red carpet stretched from the hall to the ceremonial platform at the center of the plaza. Twelve gilded angel pillars stood along either side, the Angel Statues atop them glowing with sacred golden light in the morning sun; around the plaza's perimeter, elite soul masters of Spirit Hall wore matching white ceremonial attire and held ceremonial weapons, their expressions solemn as they guided the guests to their assigned seats.
This was the wedding day of Spirit Hall's Pope, Qian Xunji, and its Saintess, Bibi Dong.
Since preparations had begun a month earlier, Spirit City had bustled as never before-representatives of the continent's various powers arrived one after another, and even the air carried an intertwining sense of celebration and solemnity.
Half an hour remained until Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong's wedding.
In the imperial seating area on the eastern side of the plaza, Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire wore a prince's brocade robe, turning a smooth jade thumb ring between his fingers. A jade pendant symbolizing the imperial family hung at his waist as he exchanged pleasantries with the Star Luo Empire's representatives.
Although a polite smile rested on his lips, his gaze occasionally swept toward the Worship Hall, carrying a measure of scrutiny and inquiry-whether Spirit Hall's lavish wedding concealed ambitions of expansion remained the Heaven Dou Imperial Family's greatest concern.
Zhu Tianyu, head of the Star Luo Empire's Zhu Family, appeared even more cautious. Holding the hand of the eight-year-old eldest prince, Dai Weisi, he quietly reminded him of the finer points of etiquette. The boy wore an exquisite prince's ceremonial outfit, yet his eyes held a sharpness