The next day, beyond the Heavenly Star Mountain Range.
"Good heavens, how can there be this many people?!"
A Dou Ancestor-level expert rushed over, treading on air. When he saw the overwhelming sea of people before him, he stopped in his tracks, utterly stunned.
Hovering in mid-air were hundreds of thousands of cultivators, and among them, over ten thousand were capable of flight—traversing the void with ease. Below, atop the densely packed mountains, countless silhouettes stood on treetops, gazing into the distance. Their numbers were simply beyond counting.
The Heavenly Star Mountain Range was abuzz with activity, livelier than ever. Families, clans, and sects from across the continent had come to gather here—awaiting the opening of the Star Realm.
This grand spectacle surpassed even the founding ceremony of the Titled Palace severalfold.
It was all thanks to the Titled Palace's meteoric rise over the past decade. In countless clashes against the Soul Hall, its warriors had carved out a fearsome reputation, shaking the continent.
"Still not started yet? I've been waiting for days."
"Be patient. Can't you see even the Soul Venerates ahead are still waiting?"
"No kidding. The Titled Palace sent out wedding invitations far and wide. The entire continent was shaken. Powerful figures from all over have come. They say even members of the Ancient Clans will be in attendance."
"Seriously?"
"Of course! Just look at the Titled Palace's power today. And the bride? She's not only the Titled Palace's heiress—she's also from one of the Ancient Clans."
"Wow... after this, who would dare offend the Titled Palace?"
Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd gathered atop the Heavenly Star Mountains. Those with insider knowledge about Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan stirred a frenzy, confirming rumors now officially made public.
Clang...
A deep, resonant bell toll echoed through the mountains, instantly quieting the lively crowd. All eyes turned skyward—toward the direction from which the sound had come.
The once-still sky twisted and cracked open, revealing a stable spatial rift. In mere moments, it transformed into a portal.
"They're coming," the crowd murmured, hearts pounding with excitement.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
From within the portal, countless figures flew forth, each dressed in the regalia of the Titled Palace. Their auras were completely restrained, their presence formidable. They stood in the void, silently spreading out to form a perimeter.
"Rise."
At that moment, the elder leading the group spoke a single word.
Then, ninety-nine warriors of the Titled Palace unleashed their Dou Qi. In an instant, a terrifying force surged from the skies, sending heart-wrenching pressure across the land.
The Dou Qi from within a radius of hundreds of thousands of miles seemed to respond, gathering toward the sky.
"Dou Saints! They're all Dou Saints!"
The faces of a dozen or so Dou Venerates near the front changed drastically. They gasped in disbelief, eyes filled with awe and fear as they stared at the ninety-nine figures in the air.
Every one of them radiated the unmistakable aura of a Dou Saint.
With the overwhelming pressure spreading like a storm, countless spectators below instinctively staggered backward, panic rising in their hearts.
"Heavens above… The Titled Palace actually has ninety-nine Dou Saints?"
To possess even a single Dou Saint meant a force could claim to be a supreme power on the continent. But ninety-nine? Was the Titled Palace preparing to sweep across the entire continent?
"Refine."
The elder's voice rang out once more, echoing across the mountains. Instantly, the gathered Dou Qi surged like an endless tide. The ninety-nine Dou Saints released their full strength. The sky trembled, the earth shook. It was as if the very world was being torn apart—like doomsday had arrived.
Boom!
A thunderous roar echoed through the heavens. Dou Qi coalesced, and space rippled as if a new world had opened above the ninety-nine Dou Saints—vast and boundless.
Dou Qi surged into this newly formed realm. A haze of mist-like Dou Qi settled in, obscuring vision.
Within it, a massive floating platform slowly emerged—stretching far beyond the horizon, seemingly as large as the world itself.
"Don't tell me... this is where the wedding's going to be held?" one of the Dou Venerates muttered, peering into the fog with narrowed eyes. But after a moment, he could only let out a bitter chuckle.
Ninety-nine Dou Saints, all just to build a wedding platform? What kind of extravagance was this?
"Welcome."
The elder's hand shifted through a seal, and Dou Qi surged again. The ninety-nine Dou Saints pointed toward the rift behind them. In an instant, a tide of radiant Dou Qi swirled together, manifesting into vibrant, multicolored flowers that hovered in the air.
Roar…
From within the rift came the cries of dragons and phoenixes. Beams of multicolored light soared outward, bathing the world in radiance.
The countless Dou Qi flowers formed a majestic rainbow path stretching directly from the portal to the grand platform.
Each petal carried a terrifying pressure that struck awe into every onlooker, rendering them motionless with shock.
Such a display—no power under heaven could replicate it.
Meanwhile, within the Star Realm—
Reclining atop the ancient tree of the Star Realm, Chen Xiaoming gazed through the infinite space beyond, watching the vibrant celebrations unfold outside.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
Silver light flickered in his eyes as he looked toward a distant spot within the Star Realm—where a radiant bride stood in ceremonial attire.
Xiao Xun'er, beautiful beyond words, wore a gentle expression of joy. Seeing the happiness in her eyes, Chen Xiaoming felt nothing but warmth and bittersweet contentment.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
Silver light shimmered in his palm, and three glowing objects emerged: a scroll, a miniature plaza, and a jade slip, all suspended in the air.
Chen Xiaoming looked at the items, then at Xiao Xun'er once more. He sighed softly—and made his decision.
A gentle radiance enveloped his body. In the next moment, his figure disappeared without a trace.
At that very instant, far away, Xiao Xun'er suddenly trembled as a strange feeling washed over her. Her heart tightened. Then, as if realizing something, she turned and rushed toward the ancient tree of the Star Realm.
But when she arrived, it stood quiet and empty.
The three glowing items shot toward her, merging into the space between her brows.
"Silly disciple… your teacher has left. Don't mourn. Knowing you've found someone you can entrust your life to, I can rest easy."
His voice echoed softly in her mind.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes brimmed with tears. She couldn't stop them. The droplets fell freely down her cheeks—like rain on a pear blossom—until she became a weeping figure of sorrow.
"Xun'er, what's wrong?"
Xiao Yan's figure soared through the air, descending beside Xiao Xun'er. Seeing her reduced to a weeping mess, tears streaming down like rain, he reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, his voice soft with concern.
Xiao Xun'er's expression dimmed as she suddenly clung tightly to Xiao Yan, the dam holding back her emotions finally breaking.
"Brother Xiao Yan… Teacher is gone!"
Her voice choked with sobs. Xiao Yan froze for a moment, but then the truth sank in. His gaze lifted toward the vast, ancient tree of the Star Realm, and he held Xiao Xun'er even more tightly in his embrace.
"Xun'er, I'll always be here for you."
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