Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 507 The Ceremony
The winter month, Renhai.

The area between the sky and the sea is quite cold, with howling winds. In particular, the area of ​​Tianchi, which is as vast as several states in Dali, is affected by the nature of the sea. Under the winter sun, it gleams with a dark, ethereal light, yet it does not freeze.

Today is an auspicious day.

Banners with ink-black dragon patterns were erected in all directions, standing in the sea. A deep and heavy ink cloud formed around the edge of the banner, within which the Milky Way descended from the sky and merged into the sea.

The radiance of the Bing fire travels from the northern sky, its crimson hue mixed with gold, revealing a magnificent and ancient gilded carriage frame, crafted from pure gold and interspersed with paulownia wood, with billowing crimson flames rising and leaping beside the carriage.

Feathered creatures cleared the way on both sides, stirring up the flowing flames, raising flags and holding fans, welcoming this precious carriage as it traveled to the center of Renhai. There, the sea below parted, and the dragon's aura spread out.

The flames of the Bing fire transformed into fire crows, circling the sea three times. Then, purple lightning condensed into a dragon, churning the clouds, and met with the fire crows, transforming into two beams of light, one red and one purple, which returned to the sea together.

Inside a side hall of Qinghe Palace.

The hall is adorned with a jade plaque inscribed with the words "Seeking Prolongation." It is quite spacious, with an interior area containing dozens of rooms. The entire structure is built of sea jade and inkstone, and it was originally part of the imperial harem of the ancient emperor.

It has been completely renovated and is now fully furnished, with cloud-shaped beds and thrones, treasure platforms and jade pools, and many water-related and rainbow-like objects, making it dazzling and captivating.

Xu Xuan stepped into the hall, dressed in a black robe with a purple dragon embroidered on it. He transformed into human form, his brows dignified and his dark eyes steady as he entered the grand hall.

Yang Yuanxin was already there, dressed in a long golden-red feather dress, her crystal-clear eyes as bright as red jade, and strands of gold thread hanging down from her temples.

She sat before the water mirror, her smile bright yet tinged with trepidation, looking at the person slowly approaching from outside the hall.

Xu Xuan walked to the mirror, took the other person's fair hand in his, and felt it tremble slightly. He then smiled and said:
"This hall was decorated with Shaoyang items in ancient times, but I can't find any now. It doesn't match the identity of [Bingri Yingling Huowu]. I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Yang Yuanxin's eyes flickered, and she shook her head:

"The name Yang Gu Ci sounds unfamiliar, so just call me by my real name. As for that 'Shao Yang Zhi Wu Yu Lin Wu Zi' (meaning 'Things of Lesser Yang, Feathered Scales Without Heirs'), it's not really relevant."

Her gaze shifted, and she said slowly:
"What did Feng Yan send? My brother hasn't told me."

Yang Yuanxin's tone was somewhat curious. There was another congratulatory gift prepared in Fengyan Mountain, which seemed to be something her father had prepared long ago, just waiting for this marriage.

Xu Xuan pondered for a moment, then took out a jade box engraved with white birds. Inside were two shimmering blue pearls that complemented each other.

"【Chang Nian Xuan Zhu】is a spiritual object of the Pure Qi Dao. It has the function of sensing and communicating with each other. If you and I each hold one, even if we are far apart, we can still sense each other."

"Father, you are very kind."

Yang Yuanxin's expression was complicated. Even on such an important day, her father had not shown up and his whereabouts were unknown, which made her feel somewhat worried.

Xu Xuan took out the two precious pearls, one for each of them. As they held them separately, a subtle connection and feeling arose between them.

"My elder brother told me that from now on I need not concern myself with the affairs of the clan, but to focus on Tianchi."

Yang Yuanxin gently brushed her temples and smiled sweetly, "I also have the intention to go into seclusion, hoping to reach the Purple Mansion and share some of your burdens."

"Unfortunately, we have lost contact with the Dragon Court."

Xu Xuan sighed softly, only to see Yang Yuanxin already holding his hand, her crimson eyes looking at him.

"It is enough that you and I are here."

The voice of this legitimate daughter of the Fire Crow lineage was gentle. She had now been granted the title of [Bingyang Yingling Fire Crow], and her status was comparable to that of a Great Sage's bloodline, yet she lacked any real authority.

“From childhood to adulthood, I have always felt very lucky. I have been loved by my elders and protected by my father and brothers. I have never suffered any setbacks. Now I have met you.”

"Although my cultivation is shallow, I can still sense some of the situation. These are things that neither my father, my brothers, nor you have ever discussed with me."

She stood up, looked at the dragon before her, and said, with all her might, word by word, earnestly:

"In the future, through storms and waves, through war and fire, I only wish to fight alongside you."

"To ride together with you."

Xu Xuan gently took her hand, his dark eyes slightly narrowed.

With a slight thought, he recalled that many years ago, when he first entered the cave, it was Yang Yuanxin who stopped him. At that time, he was still desperately seeking cultivation techniques and the path to enlightenment, worried that Mingze would expose his true identity, and he never imagined that today would come.

Even though this marriage was arranged by someone else, they had developed feelings for each other over the years.

Yang Yuanxin lowered her head slightly, leaned against the other person's chest, and said slowly:
"I found a copy of the 'Heavenly Jade Chamber Qi Harmony Technique' in the clan's Taoist collection. It is the way of combining fire and electricity. I will study it before going into seclusion, but I still need an electric current to help me."

"I'll help you with your research."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Yang Yuanxin's gaze was calm as she raised her hand and summoned the scroll of secret techniques. Ancient characters appeared in the air, shining with golden light, obscuring the two of them and making it difficult to distinguish them.

Yang Bing is in the sky, and Zhen Lei is on the ground. The two interact and gradually produce nine bursts of brilliance, which transform into a brilliant purple current that flows endlessly before returning to the fire.

The grand formation silently shielded the palace, but outside, on the Ren Sea, thick, dark clouds gathered, wind and rain began to rise, and waves surged. After a full day had passed, the clouds dispersed, the rain ceased, the sky brightened, and purple lightning flashed across the sky.

After the rain, a rainbow hangs over the sea.
-
Outside Tianchi Lake, there is a ferry crossing.

Many demons come here to learn of the happy event, offer congratulatory gifts, and take this opportunity to establish some relationship with the Dragon Court. Most of them are Foundation Establishment level demons, and a few are fallen nobles.

As for the people, none of them came to offer their congratulations. Most of them did not recognize the rule of this Dragon King and deliberately avoided the area around Tianchi Lake, so as not to have any interaction with him.

Beside it stood a jade palace, guarded on both sides by green snake demon soldiers. Inside was a female official dressed in colorful clothes, who was checking the spiritual items that were delivered one by one with a pen.

Most of them are Foundation Establishment level spiritual creatures, and a few are Purple Mansion spiritual essences. They are all fallen nobles who come here, wanting to submit to my rule and seek protection, emptying their family fortunes.

The most valuable gifts were those from Fei Lian and Bai Hu, both rare and precious items from the Purple Mansion: a [Long Wind Feather Stone] and a [Jade of Receiving Virtue].

Suddenly, a wisp of dragon-like energy wafted from outside the hall, startling Xia Yin. Then, a voice called out from the outside: "This humble demon, Yi Jiang, has come to offer my congratulations on the orders of the Azure Sea Dragon King, and presents this gift."

"Please come in."

Xia Yin got up to greet him and saw a white dragon walking out of the door. It was already at the late Foundation Establishment stage, riding on a piece of dark blue Gui water light, with a kind smile.

'He's also of mixed blood.'

When Yijiang saw this mirage woman, his heart stirred. The two of them were of similar bloodline, both benefiting from the dragon's lineage, making them slightly more noble than other demons, but still not as noble as true nobles.

"I have come here on the orders of the Haoyuan Palace to offer my congratulations to King Mingdu."

As it spoke, the white dragon then summoned a treasure altar filled with the aura of Geng metal. It was decorated with golden snake patterns and had lightning surging within, shining like gold and solidified into a tangible form. Thunder was rarely heard, but lightning was frequently seen.

"Purple Mansion Thunder."

Xia Yin immediately understood what the other party had sent and ordered someone to take it.

The white dragon laughed:
"This is the [Heavenly Slaughtering Thunder], which is a divine thunder. It was specially selected by the King from the Spirit Treasury. It was transformed from the fallen great demon [Pot Light Bat], so it is quite rare. It has been nourished by Geng metal, so it is just right for use."

Following the instructions from above, Yijiang recounted the origins of the thunderbolt in detail, daring not to utter a single mistake.

"I thank Baitang for his kindness. Please come to the sea, General Yijiang. We will certainly entertain you."

Xia Yin ordered his men to temporarily put away the golden altar, intending to present it to the king. As for Yi Jiang, he went to another place and was treated with courtesy.

'No other forces from the Purple Mansion have arrived, and most of the demon kings near Heavenly Pool have stayed away.'

She has been in charge of managing the demon race near Tianchi for many years, so she is naturally very familiar with these situations.

Many Purple Mansion Demon Kings keep their distance from this sea, unless they really need the Dragon Court's help, otherwise they are mostly afraid of getting involved in this domain.

'After all, the Dragon Court currently lacks a powerful figure to oversee it, and the Dragon Kings are unable to leave their celestial realms. They rely solely on His Majesty and that Demon King Bo Chang.'

Xia Yin was quick-witted; she was the first to lead many remnant clans back to the Dragon Court, so she naturally had her own opinions on the situation.

The South China Sea is so vast that even just the Heavenly Pool requires multiple Purple Mansions to oversee it.

If it weren't for the Great Sea Capital Formation, once the King went into seclusion, relying solely on that Demon King Bo Chang would be even more difficult.

Not to mention the other sea areas, which are far larger than Tianchi. The Dragon Court is currently unable to control them, let alone make the many Purple Mansion Demon Kings of the South Sea submit. Even if the King has cultivated to the Purple Peak, it is still quite difficult to deal with.

Unless, the Purple Mansion of the Dragon Court can leave the cave heaven.

At this moment, another sound came from outside the hall, which seemed somewhat chaotic. Xia Yin frowned slightly. It was an auspicious day, how could there be any chaos?

She stepped outside the palace and saw a woman in a dark blue dress waiting for her. Several demon soldiers were bowing respectfully beside her, none of them daring to look at her for long.

This woman was tall and slender, with an ethereal air. Her black hair cascaded down her back and was tied up with a jade hairpin. Her clothes were all ancient, and her gray eyes held a hidden, mysterious light that inspired fear.

'Is it the Purple Mansion?'

Xia Yin had some guesses and quietly passed on the order.

The opponent's aura was mysterious, unlike that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet it lacked the direct majesty of a Purple Mansion cultivator. Perhaps it was concealing its power, making it difficult to discern.

A faint demonic aura emanated from him, resembling both a sorcerer and a god, neither an immortal nor a Buddhist, making him extremely mysterious.

"Sir, are you here to offer your congratulations?"

Xia Yin remained calm, bowed slightly, and maintained the etiquette expected of someone in the Dragon Court.

“My name is Fu Dong, and my Taoist name is Jiu Cang. I come from the Tomb Mountain to congratulate the Dragon King of the Underworld on behalf of the Owl.”

"A cemetery?"

Xia Yin's gaze sharpened slightly. She naturally knew the location of this mountain, which was far from Tianchi and had no connection with it whatsoever. Yet now, a person who appeared to be from the Purple Mansion had been sent here.

"This"

She looked hesitant.

At this moment, the void shattered, golden lightning dissipated, and a man wearing bronze wind and lightning armor stepped out, carrying two flags on his back and accompanied by heavy divine lightning light.

It was Bo Chang. His gaze was solemn as he looked at the woman and said slowly:
"The Way of Heavenly Inquiry"

"good."

Fu Dong's gaze was deep and focused; he simply said calmly:
"I now present a ritual implement to offer my congratulations to the king."

As she spoke, she summoned something that shone with divine light and surged with thunder and lightning. It resembled a broken bronze spearhead and did not seem to be something from the Purple Gold Dao lineage.

"Thank you for your help, nobleman, but since the Demon King Fu Dong has come in person, I'm afraid there are still matters to discuss?"

Bo Chang's tone was slightly somber. He felt a profound pressure emanating from the woman before him, even more so than from his own king, which startled him.

"Exactly."

Fu Dong's smile was enigmatic, but the shadow behind him seemed to split into nine heads, revealing a wild and primal divine aura.

Her grey eyes were bright, and she spoke slowly:

"This matter concerns ancient immortality and may be related to grotto-heavens. I only hope to meet Your Majesty so that we can discuss this in detail."

(End of this chapter)