Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Grand Wedding - IV

Chapter 136: Grand Wedding - IV

Together, hand-in-hand, Rhain and Seris stepped through the grand gates of the Azure Cloud Sect, and walked onto the long line of red carpet that spread across the main plaza in a straight line toward the ceremonial altar at the very center.

The altar itself was a magnificent raised platform, elevated three feet above the ground.

Upon it stood a grand incense burner, flanked by a towering golden dragon, and golden phoenix that seemed to dance in the flickering lantern light.

The tens of thousands of guests filed in behind them, filling the massive plaza to capacity.

Those who could not enter the main venue stood tightly packed outside the entrance, eagerly standing on their tiptoes and stretching their necks to take even a single glance at this historic wedding.

To witness the union of the undisputed overlord of the Greymist Region and his otherworldly fairy bride was an opportunity they refused to miss.

The Azure Cloud Sect disciples stood in perfectly ordered rows on the left.

The Graves family occupied the right.

And behind them, stretching all the way back to the entrance and beyond, were the countless guests from all over the Outer Frontier.

Harmon walked to the very center of the jade altar.

The deafening sounds of drums and gongs gently subsided, leaving a tranquil silence across the sect.

"Rhain. Seris."

Harmon spoke with an incredibly solemn, yet deeply affectionate tone, his voice was clearly carried to the every single person present in the venue.

"Today, under the gaze of the heavens and the witness of tens of thousands, you stand together."

His gaze locked on the couple.

"Do you vow to be each other’s unwavering support throughout your lives? No matter what difficulties you face, or what unpredictable dangers lie ahead, do you swear to protect each other, and love each other forever?"

Rhain gazed deeply into Seris’s beautiful pale purple eyes. "I vow," he promised with utmost conviction, "In this life and the next, I will protect her against the world."

Seris’s pale purple eyes glistened with unshed tears of overwhelming happiness. "I vow," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "I will stand by his side, no matter what dangers he face in the future, I will be his shield, forever and always."

Harmon firmly nodded his head, his face breaking into a gentle smile. He reached out and took a beautifully woven garland of white flowers, gently wrapping it around their intertwined hands, binding them together.

"As your elder, and as the one standing in place of your parents today, allow me to offer a few words of guidance," Harmon said, his tone softening into that of a fond father, "Marriage is a long journey! There will be times of storm and times of peace. You must learn to tolerate each other’s flaws, cherish the quiet moments, and never let the cold winds of the world freeze the warmth you share today."

Harmon paused, a sudden, self-deprecating chuckle escaping his lips.

"At least... I believe that is how it works."

He turned his head to the right where Graves family stood. "Dorris... I have spent my entire life dedicated to the sect and have never taken a wife myself. Was what I just said correct?"

A brief silence fell over the altar before Dorris threw his head back and burst into boisterous laughter.

"Hahahaha! Spot on, Harmon! Absolutely spot on!" Dorris laughed heartily, "But if I may add a suggestion of my own to the groom! Rhain, no matter how monstrous your strength is, or how many Core Formation experts you can slaughter... when you are behind closed doors, the wife is always right! If she is angry, just admit you are wrong! That is the true secret to a happy marriage!"

The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause and loud laughter.

The atmosphere in the plaza immediately became incredibly lively and joyous.

Rhain let out a low, amused chuckle, while Seris bowed her head shyly, but she couldn’t stop the sweet giggles escaping her lips.

Harmon laughed along with the crowd before finally raising his hands to settle the plaza.

"Then, it is time!" Harmon announced, his voice returning to its usual solemnity. "Let us perform the final rites!"

The crowd quieted instantly, their eyes glued to the altar.

"First bow!" Harmon’s voice rang out like a divine bell. "To the Heavens and the Earth!"

Rhain and Seris turned to face the vast, open sky above the sect.

Together, moving in perfect harmony, they bowed deeply, honoring the world that had brought their paths together.

"Second bow!" Harmon called again. "To the Elders and Ancestors!"

The couple turned around, facing Harmon, Torin, Maren, and the gathered elders of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Maren was already weeping freely, wiping her face with her silk sleeve as Rhain and Seris bowed respectfully to the people who had sheltered them.

Harmon’s eyes also blurred slightly as he looked at them.

"Third bow!" Harmon’s voice cracked with unbridled ecstasy. "To each other!"

Rhain and Seris turned to face one another.

Under the glowing light of the essence lanterns and the watchful eyes of tens of thousands of people, they looked deeply into each other’s eyes.

And then, slowly, they bowed to each other.

The moment they straightened up, Harmon threw his hands into the air.

"THE CEREMONY IS COMPLETE! THEY ARE NOW MARRIED!"

BOOM!

The entire Azure Cloud Sect erupted.

Deafening cheers shook the very bedrock of the mountain, it was so loud that it could perhaps be heard from the very edge of the Greymist Town.

DONG! DONG! DONG!

The thunderous beating of drums, the crashing of golden gongs, and the triumphant blare of trumpets and horns exploded simultaneously into the sky.

Disciples threw their hands up, screaming their congratulations.

Rhain looked at the stunning, fairy-like girl standing before him.

Without any warning, he reached out his strong arms, tightly hugging Seris’s slender waist, and pulled her delicate body directly against his chest.

"Rhain—!" Seris let out a soft gasp of surprise, but before she could even react, Rhain lowered his head and pressed his mouth firmly against her lusciously red lips, kissing her deeply before the eyes of tens of thousands of guests.

Seris’s beautiful eyes widened in surprise, and a touch of red quickly spread from her fair face to the nape of her neck. But she did not struggle.

She closed her eyes, completely melting into his embrace.

The crowd went absolutely wild.

Countless young girls in the plaza felt their faces flush into the color of a red rose, instantly covering their faces with their hands, though their fingers were spread wide open as they peaked with intense envy.

Rhain held her in his strong arms, tasting the sweetness of her lips.

He wanted everyone in the entire world to clearly see that this peerless goddess belonged exclusively to him now.

Just as the cheers reached an unprecedented crescendo, a sudden, ear-piercing sound tore through the sky.

SCREEECH—!

A huge eagle cry sounded from above. Instantly, a massive shadow loomed over the entire plaza.

Everyone abruptly raised their heads to look up in shock.

Hovering majestically right above their heads was Kiki. In its large, sharp claws, it held an impossibly huge bunch of radiant, multi-colored spirit flowers.

With a proud flap of its sapphire wings, Kiki released its grip right above Rhain and Seris.

The hundreds of flowers caught the wind, breaking apart and turning into a torrential, radiant rain of colorful petals.

They drifted down from the heavens like a magical snowfall, showering directly over Rhain and Seris as they remained locked in their embrace.

Standing at the edge of the grand altar, Vulcan threw his head back, let out a thunderous laugh.

"HAHAHAHA! Well done, Kiki! Perfectly timed!" Vulcan raised his massive hand, giving a massive thumbs-up to the sky.

SCREEECH!

It let out a highly satisfied, arrogant cry, flapping its massive wings as if boasting to the tens of thousands of guests below about its flawless delivery.

After a long while... 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Under the endless shower of falling petals and the deafening cheers of the guests, Rhain finally, slowly pulled back.

The torrential rain of colorful petals continued to drift around them, catching the golden light of the floating lanterns.

Seris’s chest heaved softly.

Her lips were slightly swollen, and her pale purple eyes were completely misted with a profound, intoxicating affection.

Rhain’s dark grey eyes were locked deeply into her eyes, as if no one in the world existed other than her, his lips curved into the most genuine, tender smile he had ever worn.

They were finally one.

Husband and wife, bound together for the rest of their lives.

"Hahahaha! Bring out the wine!" Roderick’s booming laughter shattered the intimate silence, instantly igniting the crowd once more. "Let the feast begin!"

"Congratulations to the Supreme Elder, and his wife!"

"May your union be blessed for ten thousand years!"

A wave of congratulations and joyous cheers flooded Rhain and Seris.

Torin, Silas, Kory, and all the gathered experts stepped forward, their faces brimming with bright, unrestrained smiles.

Harmon walked up Rhain, his eyes shining with pride.

He gave Rhain’s shoulder an affectionate pat.

"The banquet has been prepared," Harmon spoke warmly. "I, along with the other elders, will remain here to host the guests and ensure the sect celebrates properly. But you two should go now, for you still have one last responsibility to fulfill!"

He then turned his gaze toward Maren, who was standing nearby, still dabbing at her tearful eyes with a silk handkerchief.

"Elder Maren," Harmon instructed with a delightful smile. "Please escort the bride and groom away from this chaos. It is time for them to complete their last custom."

Maren immediately understood Harmon’s meaning, and nodded. "Of course, Sect Master!"

"Come with me, you two. Leave the noise to them for now."

Rhain tightly held Seris’s delicate hand, and together, they followed Maren out of the heavily crowded venue, leaving the deafening gongs and cheers of the Azure Cloud Sect behind them.

Their destination was Blooming Dawn River—the single, sprawling river of the Greymist Town.