Chapter 156: Chapter 156: The Grand Wedding
...
Didn’t stay in the Anomaly Pavilion for too long.
After catching up with Zhuang Miao and the others, Ji Chen left with Yanyan.
Back at the Imperial Palace, he and Qu Luoning accompanied Emperor Chu and Queen of Chu for a meal, and finally, the three of them left Yang City, heading back to Lingyun Sect.
Everyone rushed to Drunken Ink Residence as soon as they learned of Ji Chen’s return.
When they saw Ji Chen safe and sound, Ji Xiaotian finally put his mind at ease.
For the past month, he had been constantly worried about Ji Chen.
After all, back then, he killed so many Ancient Race cultivators in Yao City and was chased thousands of miles by a King and several powerful Ancient Race experts; escaping unscathed in such circumstances was truly difficult.
"Old Ao."
Nangong Ao also came, having returned to Lingyun Sect a month earlier.
Moreover, during this period, the Ancient Race frequently sent people to trouble Lingyun Sect.
After all, Ji Chen killed so many Ancient Race cultivators; expecting Lingyun Sect to remain uninvolved was impossible.
Fortunately, with Nangong Ao overseeing, there’s no one who could easily harm Lingyun Sect unless an Ancestral King arrives.
"In the battle at Celestial Venerable Mountain, Dragon Heir and Dao Inference Saint Heir were evenly matched; that battle was truly spectacular, with both sides displaying their full prowess."
"Currently, the Ancient Race is searching everywhere for your whereabouts, vowing to personally destroy you. During this time, all Lingyun Sect disciples outside have been summoned back, not daring to let them explore outside for fear of being targeted by the Ancient Race."
Everyone sat around in Drunken Ink Residence, and Ji Chen learned from them about the events of the past month.
"What are your plans next?" Nangong Ao inquired.
If the Ancient Race learns of Ji Chen’s return, plenty of trouble might come his way in the future.
"Plans?"
Ji Chen paused, then glanced at Qu Luoning beside him and said with a smile, "Although it’s a bit late, I plan to hold a wedding."
Upon hearing this, everyone was momentarily stunned, then Ji Xiaotian said, "It’s only right, since you already have a child..."
"But wouldn’t that be too ostentatious?"
Nangong Ao was somewhat worried, "Currently, the Ancient Race loathes you deeply; I’m afraid they’ll cause trouble during the wedding."
"What’s meant to come can’t be avoided."
Ji Chen spoke, "With Old Ao overseeing and Lingyun Sect’s Mountain Protection Array, if the Ancient Race dares to cause trouble, they may not have their way."
This was no idle remark. Nangong Ao has regained his peak cultivation, reaching the Ninth Layer of the Void Realm, not to mention the presence of the Mountain Protection Array; even a usual Ancestral King visiting might struggle to harm Lingyun Sect.
"During your wedding, the Ye Family will also send people, and I’ll have Yunge bring the Ancestral Weapon; surely, the Ancient Race won’t dare attack easily," Ye Jinglan spoke.
The Ye Family isn’t an Ancient Emperor Race, but they are the descendants of Beiyou’s last Saint, inheriting the Holy Weapon - the Xuan Iron Heavy Halberd, challenging some Sacred Lands and Di Races.
On Ji Chen’s wedding day, with the Ye Family’s Xuan Iron Heavy Halberd present, how could the Ancient Race dare to make trouble?
Soon, plans were finalized, with the wedding date set for a month later.
The news spread immediately, astonishing countless people.
"Ji Chen returned to Lingyun Sect? Really?"
"Chased thousands of miles by a King and several powerful Ancient Race experts and survived, it’s truly incredible!"
"Did I hear wrong? Ji Chen is getting married now?"
"It’s somewhat sudden, but who is the bride?"
"You’ll be shocked to hear that it’s Qu Luoning, the Kunlun Profound Lady from back then!"
"The Kunlun Profound Lady! It’s really her!"
"Really? Over three years ago, Qu Luoning suddenly severed her cultivation and left Kunlun, disappearing ever since. She has returned?"
Many were astonished, discussing in excitement. The news spread not only in Beiyou but also throughout Eastern Desolation, Southern Region, and West Desert.
The whole world was taken aback. The Hongmeng Body, possessing Nine Spirit Veins, was the most dazzling prodigy of the age. Such a figure was seen by the Ancient Race as a thorn in their side, a future grave threat if not eliminated.
But in the battle at Yao City, Ji Chen slew thousands of Ancient Race cultivators, showing the Ancient Race what the consequence would be if they tried to strike against him.
"At this critical moment, Ji Chen dares to be so high profile and hold a wedding; what is he thinking?"
"Killed so many Ancient Race cultivators; isn’t he afraid the arrival of an Ancestral King will wipe him from existence?"
"It’s said that Lingyun Sect has an exceptionally sturdy Mountain Protection Array, constructed using the Formation Manual by the former Emperor Ye, capable of withstanding a Saint’s strike, and near its gates are hidden many Killing Arrays. Once activated, even an Ancestral King might find themselves trapped, which is why the Ancient Race has hesitated to truly strike against Lingyun Sect."
"Additionally, Lingyun Sect still has a top Saint Master Level expert overseeing, said to be a figure renowned several thousand years ago."
...
In the blink of an eye, a month passed.
The world stirred, with Ji Chen widely sending invitations; many major powers received his invite.
Powers like Kunlun, Mo Family, and Gu Family of Ancient Emperor Race, upon receiving the invitation, immediately sent people to arrive.
Young kingpins like Dao Body Gu Hao, Mo Wanqing, Dao Inference Saint Heir, Ye Yunge, all known throughout the world, have now appeared in Yang City, waiting for the wedding day.
Yang City overflowed with tension; during this time, not only did the Human Race gather, but many Ancient Race cultivators also appeared in the city.
Everyone knew they loathed Ji Chen deeply; now that Ji Chen would hold a wedding, how could they possibly not come to make trouble?
Reportedly, within Yang City currently, there are at least three Ancient King Level experts present, hiding in the shadows, ready to strike.
"Greetings, Gu brother, Greetings, Fairy Ruyan..."
On this night, the eve of the wedding, Ji Chen came alone to Yang City.
He hosted Gu Hao and other young kingpins in a square in the north of the city.
Kunlun Saintess Si Ruyan, Dao Inference Saint Heir Li Yiran, and others all gathered, sitting together.
"After four years apart, upon meeting again, didn’t expect Brother Ji to truly be renowned worldwide," Mo Cheng arrived too.
In the past, he was a notorious playboy known throughout Beiyou; he met Ji Chen in Bicheng. Four years have passed, and Mo Cheng has matured considerably.
"In Immortal Burial Forest, even the feared Emperor Ye of old couldn’t emerge alive, Brother Ji’s experience is beyond what we imagined," Gu Hao also spoke.
"In Forbidden Mountain, it was indeed thrilling..."
Ji Chen recounted simply some of his experiences in the mountain, engrossing the audience, making them sweat for him while gaining a deeper understanding of Immortal Burial Forest’s ominous reputation.
This was merely a casual gathering, an opportunity for Ji Chen to reconnect with old friends.
They chatted until late into the night.
"Buzz..."
And just as the gathering was about to disperse, suddenly, space above Yang City began to quiver violently, and then, with a visible rupture, an astonishing aura permeated, causing everyone’s expressions to change abruptly.