Lamplight bathed Xunzhen City in gold and red.
From Republic Square to the foot of the city walls, red lanterns hung outside every home. The dome of the magic tower projected a soft curtain of light, tracing two slowly revolving crests against the night sky-the emblems of the Baruch Clan and the Ryan Clan.
Magical fireworks kept bursting above the main city, and children throughout the city tipped their heads back, clapping and cheering.
It was August 15, 10013 of the Yulan Calendar. The time when the moon was at its fullest.
Linley Baruch was marrying Delia Ryan.
The wedding was every bit as grand as Wharton and Mia's had been. Wharton, the empire's Head of State, personally oversaw the preparations. This time, Interior Minister Victor was not running around in a panic as he had before. With one imperial wedding under his belt, he handled the arrangements with a measure of composure, though the dark circles beneath his eyes remained.
The guest list alone would have made the entire Yulan Continent take notice.
Tulilei, the Martial Saint of the Far East Prairie, came in person. Back when Loa had brought Linley to visit him, Linley had fought Tulilei in his transformed state. Afterward, Tulilei had said only, "Another freak." The two had become fairly familiar with each other since then.
The O'Brien Empire's representative was Fain. He had finally emerged from seclusion. After his battle with Loa years ago, Loa's use of the Laws of Lightning had given him a different kind of inspiration. Over his years in seclusion, he seemed to have begun touching the threshold of Deity. He had come out this time partly to offer his congratulations and partly to relax-perhaps that would lead to a breakthrough.
Rosalie, the holy maiden of the Ice Goddess Temple,