18: This woman is mine to have!

The day of Su Xuanchen's grand wedding had arrived.

The entire Tianyan City was decorated with lanterns and banners.

The city spanning thousands of miles had transformed into a festive sea of red.

On this day, there was no distinction between Mortals and Cultivators.

Feasts were set up throughout the entire city; a continuous banquet stretched from the southern to the northern gates. Anyone with an invitation could attend to celebrate the wedding of the Su Family Ancestor.

High above Tianyan City, a Saint-Grade Palace, invisible to the Mortal eye, floated silently.

The palace was named the Purple Heaven Palace. Its entire structure was forged from an unknown divine jade, radiating divine light and auspicious Qi.

Illusory shadows of True Dragons coiled around its pillars, while phantom images of celestial phoenixes spread their wings and cried.

Billions of stars formed a dazzling Milky Way, slowly flowing around the palace like a Nine Heavens immortal palace descending to the Mortal world.

This was the true core location of the wedding banquet.

Those who could set foot here were all prominent figures from the Northern Wastelands and even several surrounding great continents.

Before the palace.

Over a thousand expressionless Pill Mansion Realm death warriors, clad in heavy black armor and holding halberds, stood in formation to greet the guests.

Their auras were as deep as abysses, their killing intent soaring to the heavens. Merely standing there made countless powerful guests tremble with fear.

Behind the death warrior formation were thirty figures with even more terrifying auras.

They wore the attire of Su Family Elders, smiling as they received each distinguished guest. Yet, their every movement exuded the pressure of the Eternal Realm, powerful enough to distort the space around them.

"Hiss!"

"Over a thousand Pill Mansion, thirty Eternal Realms! This... what kind of terrifying display of power is this!"

"Just what kind of deity is this Su Family?!"

A Sect Master who had just arrived gasped sharply, nearly falling off his flying mount.

His companions beside him turned pale, their legs trembling.

"Too terrifying! Just this welcoming party alone is enough to sweep through any first-rate force in the Northern Wastelands!"

"Good heavens, is this the foundation of a Saint's Family?"

Everyone was utterly shocked.

Immediately after, an even more soul-shaking scene unfolded before them.

"The Sect Master of Hunyuan Sect, accompanied by the Saintess, arrives to offer congratulations!"

"The Sect Master of Lingxiao Sword Sect, accompanied by the Young Sect Leader, arrives to offer congratulations!"

"The Valley Master of Heavenly Demon Valley..."

One announcement after another resounded across the sky.

Hunyuan Sect, Lingxiao Sword Sect, Heavenly Demon Valley... these top-tier forces, renowned even in the Eastern Domain, had actually sent core figures at the Sect Master level to personally offer their congratulations!

One must know, in their eyes, the Northern Wastelands was nothing but a barbaric land.

Yet now, not only had they come, but they also brought congratulatory gifts that made countless people's eyes burn with envy.

"Hunyuan Sect's Gift: Three stalks of Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ancient Medicine Kings! One bottle of Nine Revolutions Golden Core Pills!"

"Lingxiao Sword Sect's Gift: One chest of Supreme-Grade Sword Crystals! One scroll of an Ancient Sword Saint's personal notes!"

Watching those legendary treasures, usually only heard of in myths, being delivered into the palace as gifts, all the guests present felt their worldview being ground into the dust repeatedly.

The clansmen of the Su Family all stood even taller, their Faces brimming with unprecedented pride.

This was their Su Family!

This was the might of their Old Ancestor!

When the Sect Master of Hunyuan Sect and others were led into the main hall and saw the more than twenty Su Family Protectors standing in the corners—their auras unfathomably deep—the leaders of these top forces felt tidal waves of shock surge in their hearts.

"Over twenty... Peak Eternal Realm experts approaching the Quasi-Saint level!"

"The foundation of this Su Family..."

The Sect Master of Lingxiao Sword Sect's pupils constricted sharply, his heart filled with terror.

"This is definitely not the power a newly ascended top-tier force should possess! This Su Xuanchen must harbor an enormous secret!"

For a moment, the gazes of the various Sect Masters towards the Su Family changed completely.

From initial equality, they turned into utter wariness and gravity.

Just then.

In the sky above, moonlight grew intensely bright.

A magnificent carriage pulled by nine Jade Rabbits of Supreme Yin tore through the clouds, slowly approaching.

On the carriage stood an old man in brocade robes with a withered aura, leaning quietly on a dragon-headed cane.

"The Yunlan Dynasty, accompanied by the Imperial Princess Bai Lingxi, arrives to offer congratulations!"

Quasi-Saint!

Another Quasi-Saint!

Sensing that terrifying aura unique to a Quasi-Saint, all the guests present felt their hearts tremble once more.

The carriage curtain was lifted.

A figure of peerless beauty stepped out from the carriage.

The young woman wore a magnificent, moon-white gown. Her silver, moon-like hair cascaded down to her ankles. Without a trace of makeup, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Her bare jade feet were wreathed in moonlight. With light, graceful steps, she seemed like a Fairy from the moon who had descended, holy, ethereal, yet carrying a hint of allure that could drive any man wild.

Bai Lingxi!

The most celebrated genius daughter of the Yunlan Dynasty!

Her appearance instantly captured the attention of the entire hall.

Countless young heroes gazed at her, mesmerized and enthralled.

Even those old monsters who had lived for thousands of years couldn't help but flash a look of astonishment in their eyes.

"What an unparalleled beauty!"

The eyes of the Lingxiao Sword Sect's Sect Master instantly blazed with undisguised greed.

He stared fixedly at Bai Lingxi, sensing the profound, mysterious aura harmonizing with moonlight emanating from her. His heart began to race uncontrollably.

"The Supreme Yin Sacred Body! This is the legendary Supreme Yin Sacred Body!"

"If I could engage in Dual Cultivation with her, harmonizing Yin and Yang, my chances of breaking through to the Saint Realm would increase by at least fifty percent!"

In an instant, a wild idea took root in his mind.

At this moment, the Quasi-Saint Old Ancestor from the Yunlan Dynasty had already led Bai Lingxi before the Su Family's receiving Elder.

Without the slightest air of a Quasi-Saint, he bowed with extreme humility, presenting an ancient-looking jade box with both hands.

"The Bai Family of Yunlan previously offended you greatly. Today, we specially offer one incomplete Saint-Grade scripture, the 'Supreme Yin True Interpretation,' as an apology and to seek reconciliation."

"We hope the Su Family can grant our Bai Family a path to survival."

His posture was exceedingly low.

Bai Lingxi also bowed gracefully. Her voice was as cool and clear as the moon, yet carried a touch of captivating softness.

"This humble girl, Bai Lingxi, pays her respects to the Seniors of the Su Family."

Her every smile and frown seemed to resonate with the moon's power in the world, making countless male Cultivators present feel their throats go dry.

The heart of the Lingxiao Sword Sect's Sect Master grew even more fervent.

Looking at the bowing and scraping Yunlan monarch and subject, and then at the stunningly beautiful Bai Lingxi, his plan solidified completely in his mind.

He cleared his throat, stood up from his seat, took a wine cup, and strode purposefully towards the Yunlan Old Ancestor.

"Heh, Old Bai, there's no need for this."

His voice was loud and clear, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

He first smiled at the Yunlan Old Ancestor, then turned, his gaze directly meeting Su Tieyan, the Su Family's Grand Elder in charge of reception. A trace of appropriately placed arrogance showed on his Face.

"Elder Su, my Lingxiao Sword Sect has some connections with the Yunlan Dynasty."

"Today, I wish to act as a peacemaker. I wonder if the Su Family could grant my Lingxiao Sword Sect some Face and let bygones be bygones regarding your grudge with Yunlan?"

His tone was utterly matter-of-fact, as if his word alone obligated the Su Family to agree.

Su Tieyan frowned slightly, about to speak.

But the Lingxiao Sword Sect's Sect Master gave him no chance. He looked at Bai Lingxi again, his eyes filled with unconcealed possessiveness.

"I have decided, this woman will be mine!"

He laughed wildly in his heart, but on his Face, he adopted an expression of compassionate pity. Addressing Su Tieyan, he declared loudly.

"Of course, I cannot let the Su Family suffer a loss for nothing."

He paused, as if announcing a tremendous favor, his voice suddenly rising.

"As an exchange."

"This Imperial Princess of the Yunlan Dynasty shall be given to me to become my eighty-second concubine."

"I believe Saint Su is a reasonable man and will surely grant my Lingxiao Sword Sect this Face!"

As his words fell.

The entire hall fell deathly silent.