parentshiftbook Chapter 320 Dual Cultivation Method, Grandmaster
Chapter 320 Dual Cultivation Method, Grandmaster
Chapter 320 Dual Cultivation Method, Grandmaster
A week has passed, and your mastery of "Emperor Dragon Fist: Reign Supreme" has increased from 0% to 100%.
As the information in his field of vision emerged, Li Xijun had already mastered the "Reigning Supreme" move from the "Emperor Dragon Fist" to the point of perfect harmony and effortless execution, reaching a state of "proficiency".
At this very moment, the long-awaited wedding of the Crown Prince arrived as scheduled.
On this day, the entire capital city seemed to be immersed in a sea of red.
From the main gate of the imperial palace, Chengtian Gate, all the way to the Mu family mansion, the main streets were paved with red silk, adorned with brocade curtains and lanterns, and fluttered with banners. On both sides of the imperial road, the imperial guards stood in their bright armor, holding halberds, creating an atmosphere that was both solemn and festive.
As the auspicious hour approached, a solemn and grand wedding procession slowly emerged from the East Palace.
Leading the procession was a massive entourage holding aloft signs for "Silence" and "Avoidance," along with the Crown Prince's ceremonial regalia. Golden maces, axes, and ceremonial stirrups gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight. Following them were palace maids and eunuchs carrying various auspicious objects: dragon and phoenix fans, peacock fans, and auspicious cloud parasols, layered upon each other in exquisite splendor.
At the heart of the procession, Crown Prince Li Xijun was dressed in a dark robe and embroidered skirt. The upper garment was decorated with six symbols: the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and pheasants. The lower garment was embroidered with six more symbols: ancestral vessels, waterweed, fire, rice grains, axe, and embroidered dragons, totaling twelve symbols, representing the virtues of an emperor. He wore a crown adorned with sparkling pearls and jade. His figure was tall and handsome. Although young, his majestic bearing, honed by the "Emperor's Dragon Fist" and imbued with the aura of an emperor, filled the onlookers, both commoners and officials, with awe. They all knelt on the ground, chanting "Long live the Emperor!"
The wedding procession arrived at the Mu family home in a grand procession.
After a series of ancient rituals, such as presenting the wild goose and removing the fan, the bride, dressed in her finest attire, finally walked out slowly, supported by her wife.
Today, Mu Wanqiu wore a bright red, double-layered, wide-sleeved, long-tailed phoenix wedding gown with gold trim, and a crown adorned with nine dragons and four phoenixes, jeweled and emerald ornaments, its tassels cascading down her head, making her look extremely magnificent. The charm and sharpness she once possessed as the Vermilion Bird Venerable had now transformed into the dignity and beauty of a newlywed. Although she covered her face with a round fan, her slender figure and the subtle aura she exuded were enough to captivate a nation.
Afterwards, the bride boarded the phoenix palanquin, and the crown prince rode in the golden carriage, returning to the palace amidst thunderous music and cheers from the people.
Along the way, the Ministry of Rites had already arranged for people to scatter lucky money and auspicious fruits, which attracted children to scramble for them, creating a joyous atmosphere and pushing the festive mood to its climax.
The emperor would offer sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, announcing the decrees to his ancestors; and at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he would receive the congratulations of all the officials.
The entire wedding ceremony strictly followed ancient customs, being solemn, elaborate, and incredibly luxurious. Every detail showcased royal majesty and the importance attached to this marriage.
Such a grand wedding naturally became the focus of discussion throughout the capital and even across the country after it was reported by fast horse.
In teahouses and taverns, people whispered among themselves, most with relieved smiles on their faces.
"Did you see that? His Highness the Crown Prince's wedding, the scale and grandeur..."
"Yes, and he married the eldest daughter of the Mu family, a prominent family with twelve generations of lineage, always loyal to the royal family. Now, with the Mu family's strong support, the crown prince's position is even more secure."
"It's not just the Mu family. I've heard that because of this marriage, several other prominent families that were initially hesitant have become much more subdued, sending congratulatory letters and generous gifts. It seems the people are now settling down and the world is turning to them!"
"That's right, that's right. His Highness the Crown Prince is a young and talented man, and with such a strong ally as the Mu family, it seems that our Great Xia Dynasty is truly about to welcome a wise ruler and restore a peaceful and prosperous era."
Ordinary people on the streets may not understand the complex power struggles, but they can feel a long-lost sense of peace and hope from this grand wedding.
The Crown Prince's wedding symbolized that the foundation of the nation was solid and the succession was orderly. For people who had experienced the previous upheavals such as the emperor's disappearance and the rebellion of the Red-Handed Marquis, this was undoubtedly a powerful reassurance.
In some restaurants and inns catering specifically to people from the martial arts world, the topics of discussion tend to be more "down-to-earth."
Several men, clearly martial arts practitioners, were drinking heavily and talking loudly.
"Hey! You all know, right? Our Crown Princess is not just the eldest daughter of the Mu family." A burly man with a bushy beard wiped his mouth and chuckled.
"Nonsense, who doesn't know that the eldest daughter of the Mu family is none other than the Vermilion Bird Venerable, one of the four Venerables of the Star Palace! A Dharma Aspect Grandmaster whose name is on the Earth Ranking."
"Tsk tsk, it's quite interesting when you think about it."
Another lean man chimed in, his tone teasing, "I heard that when His Highness the Crown Prince first entered the Star Palace, he was just an ordinary disciple, right? In the blink of an eye, he not only became a Star Lord but also married the once high and mighty Venerable. It seems the rumors about him living off his wife when he advanced to the Outer Realm were indeed true."
A more mature-looking swordsman nearby couldn't help but laugh, "More than that! I've calculated it carefully. Venerable Vermilion Bird has been famous for a long time; he's probably twelve or thirteen years older than His Highness the Crown Prince. Haha, I never thought that the renowned Venerable Vermilion Bird would have a day like this, an 'old cow eating young grass.'"
These words immediately drew laughter from the entire room.
However, in the eyes of those in the martial arts world, the age gap is not a problem; on the contrary, it adds to the legendary nature of this marriage.
One is a young hero who rose from humble beginnings and defied the heavens to become a great leader; the other is a renowned and peerless master of a sect. Their union is itself full of stories and is enough to become a popular tale in the martial arts world.
Inside the Imperial Palace, specifically the Eastern Palace.
Bright red "double happiness" characters covered the windows, and dragon and phoenix candles burned brightly, their flickering flames illuminating the festive yet elegant bridal chamber with a warm glow.
The tedious ceremony finally ended, and most of the bystanders had left.
As a mother, Mu Qing personally lit the red candles by the bedside for the newlyweds, and watched Li Xijun and Mu Wanqiu complete the nuptial wine ceremony.
When she saw Li Xijun gently lift the large red veil on her daughter's head with a jade ruyi, revealing Mu Wanqiu's stunningly beautiful face, now flushed with a rosy blush, a smile of complete relief and immense joy finally appeared in her eyes.
"Alright, a moment of bliss on this spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I won't disturb you any longer." Mu Qingyi gently patted her daughter's hand, then gave Li Xijun a meaningful look before leaving satisfied. She carefully closed the door from the outside, and the soft sound of the lock clicking could even be faintly heard.
Suddenly, only the two of them remained in the room, and the air seemed to become thick and ambiguous.
Under the candlelight, Mu Wanqiu's usual charm and boldness as the Vermilion Bird Venerable were now completely transformed into the shyness of a new bride.
She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her wedding dress, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid.
Seeing her like this, so different from her usual self, Li Xijun couldn't help but feel a strange sensation.
He walked to the bedside and sat down, just about to say something to ease the tension.
But Mu Wanqiu seemed startled by his approach. She suddenly raised her head, her face flushed even more, and with a kind of "go all out" determination, she suddenly reached out and pushed the unsuspecting Li Xijun down onto the wedding bed covered with a quilt of a hundred children and a thousand grandchildren!
"You—" Li Xijun was somewhat taken aback.
Mu Wanqiu looked down at Li Xijun, trying her best to maintain the "majesty" of a Venerable, and said, "Coincidentally, I am currently at the peak of the sixth level of the Outer Realm, stuck at a bottleneck."
She leaned down and stared at Li Xijun. "Perfect—tonight I'll put you to a good test. How's your cultivation of the Yin-Yang Nirvana Technique that I passed on to you? Let's see if you have the ability to help me break through to the Grandmaster realm of the seventh level of the Outer Realm!"
After speaking, the bed curtains fell, and in the room, red candles flickered, and the warm spring night began. A unique "test" and "cultivation" quietly commenced.
Meanwhile, far away in the Palace of Stars.
The White Tiger Hall, symbolizing solemnity and the aura of metal, appeared particularly cold and desolate in the night.
The hall was brightly lit by candlelight, and the desks were piled high with files and letters.
Li Qinghan, the current de facto head of the Star Palace, wore a plain white dress with a silver-trimmed veil, still maintaining her aloof and snow-like appearance.
She rubbed her slightly throbbing temples, revealing a rare hint of fatigue. She rested her chin on her hand, trying to ease the heaviness in her head caused by long hours of official business.
Since officially taking over the position of White Tiger Venerable, the Black Tortoise Venerable has disappeared without a trace. Her teacher and younger brother Li Xijun are both in the capital dealing with the turmoil. Almost all the affairs inside and outside this vast Star Palace have fallen on her shoulders alone.
Having power in her hands is certainly a good thing, allowing her to better integrate resources, consolidate the position of the Star Palace, and ensure that no one dares to underestimate her as the newly promoted Saintess. In addition, she can freely draw upon the palace's rare treasures for cultivation, which is not bad either.
But as time went on, he did feel physically and mentally exhausted from managing palace affairs all day long.
The hall was silent, save for the occasional soft popping of the candlelight.
Li Qinghan raised her cold eyes and looked out the window towards the capital city. A rare hint of tenderness and concern appeared on her usually icy face.
She murmured to herself, her voice echoing softly in the empty hall: "Brother—Teacher—are you all—doing well?"
Yun, the vast Star Palace, with all its affairs inside and out, almost all fell on her shoulders.
Having power in her hands is certainly a good thing, allowing her to better integrate resources, consolidate the position of the Star Palace, and ensure that no one dares to underestimate her as the newly promoted Saintess. In addition, she can freely draw upon the palace's rare treasures for cultivation, which is not bad either.
But as time went on, he did feel physically and mentally exhausted from managing palace affairs all day long.
The hall was silent, save for the occasional soft popping of the candlelight.
Li Qinghan raised her cold eyes and looked out the window towards the capital city. A rare hint of tenderness and concern appeared on her usually icy face.
She murmured to herself, her voice echoing softly in the empty hall: "Brother—Teacher—are you all—doing well?"
"I've heard that the Crimson-Blooded Marquis has fled. But the capital is the center of the Great Xia Dynasty. I wonder how much thought and effort hope Jun and Teacher will have to put in to calm the people there down?"