Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 77 Qinglian Observing the Ceremony

The news that Di Jun and Xi He would hold their celestial marriage was like a bombshell dropped into the primordial world, causing ripples far exceeding ordinary events.

Although the shadow of the Great Calamity has not yet dissipated, this grand event, which involves the sun and moon, the Heavenly Dao and merits, and even future sages, still attracts the attention of all the top powers.

Those magnificent invitations, imbued with the power of the sun's true fire and the moon's true essence, seemed to carry an invisible weight as they were delivered to each invitee.

Reactions varied across the vast wilderness, but ultimately, almost all the powerful beings who received the summons gave an affirmative response.

Kunlun Mountain, Sanqing Palace.

Lao Tzu looked at the invitation made of golden crow feathers and laurel branches with indifferent eyes: "Heavenly marriage—merit—Di Jun has quite the scheme. We are comprehending the Great Dao and should not act rashly, so let Qinglian go in our place."

The Primordial Celestial Venerable nodded slightly: "Excellent. Qinglian is thorough in her dealings and her cultivation is sufficient to represent Kunlun. Prepare three mid-grade innate spiritual treasures as a congratulatory gift; this will be sufficient to show proper courtesy."

He casually pointed out three streams of light: a jade ruyi, a Bagua mirror, and a soul-suppressing bell, all gleaming with precious light and possessing extraordinary Daoist charm.

The Tongtian Sect Leader grinned, "It's good to let Qinglian go and see the excitement, so he won't be bored in seclusion all day. He can also see if Taiyi is really as rumored—loving only belles and not beauties, haha!"

On Mount Sumeru in the west, Jieyin and Zhunti looked at the bundle, their faces filled with even greater suffering.

"Senior brother, the merit of this heavenly marriage is truly enviable—" Zhunti's eyes gleamed.

Jieyin sighed, "Alas, it is all predestined. Our Western Paradise is barren, and we have no precious treasures to offer as a gift. So let us take three golden lotuses from the Eight Treasures Merit Pond as a token of our sincerity. Perhaps this journey will bring us some good karma."

What the two were really thinking about was whether they could take this opportunity to get closer to Nuwa, or even Dijun and Taiyi, and make some plans for the prosperity of the West.

At the Northern Underworld Demon Master's Palace, Kunpeng looked at the invitation with a sinister gaze.

But now that the Heavenly Court is powerful, and he is nominally a member of the demon race, he has no choice but to go.

He snorted coldly, took out a postnatal spiritual treasure containing the law of wind that he didn't need, and used it to get rid of the person.

Deep within the sea of ​​blood, the Styx Ancestor cackled, "A heavenly marriage? Merit? How strange! I'll go and see what kind of show this sun and moon pairing can produce!" He had no gifts prepared and went empty-handed.

When Xi Kunlun received the invitation, the Queen Mother of the West remained calm and instructed her attendant to prepare a bottle of Yaochi Immortal Wine as a congratulatory gift.

She and Dijun were not close, but since they were both powerful beings in the primordial world, she had to give them face.

Fuxi was naturally delighted to go to Phoenix Perch Mountain. How could he be absent from such a great event facilitated by his sister? He had already prepared generous gifts.

Upon receiving her master's decree, Qinglian brought three mid-grade innate spiritual treasures as a congratulatory gift and summoned Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang.

"This Heavenly Marriage Ceremony is a rare and grand event, bringing together the most powerful beings of the primordial world. You will accompany your master there, so be careful in your words and actions, observe and listen attentively to broaden your horizons, and do not be disrespectful or tarnish the prestige of Kunlun."

Qinglian instructed. "Disciple obeys!" Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang were overjoyed. Witnessing such a grand scene was an excellent experience for them.

The three of them rode on auspicious clouds and ascended straight to the Thirty-Three Heavens. The closer they got to the Heavenly Court, the more they could feel the atmosphere that was a mixture of joy and majesty.

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, everything was already adorned with red and colorful decorations. Countless demon soldiers and generals, their armor gleaming, stood solemnly, welcoming guests from all directions. Auspicious beasts galloped about, and celestial maidens flitted about, creating a magnificent and awe-inspiring scene.

After presenting the invitation, a demon god respectfully led the way. Entering the Heavenly Court, the scenery was even more magnificent!

The power of the stars in the heavens was activated, transforming into a dazzling rosy glow that covered the road.

The palaces were resplendent in gold and adorned with lanterns and decorations; the vast spiritual energy almost solidified, transforming into sweet dew that sprinkled down. Countless rare and exotic fruits and celestial wines from all corners of the primordial world were displayed, their fragrance filling the air.

The main venue for the ceremony was set up on the huge square in front of the Lingxiao Palace.

Thousands of jade tables and cushions had already been arranged, in order of rank and cultivation level. At the very front were the main seats, for Di Jun, Xi He, and Nuwa.

Below that are the positions of the Three Pure Ones, the Two Western Masters, Kunpeng, Styx, Fuxi, and the Queen Mother of the West, among other top-tier powerful beings.

As a representative of the Three Pure Ones, Qinglian was placed in the first row, next to Fuxi and the Queen Mother of the West, very close to the main position.

Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang stood behind him.

By this time, many powerful figures had arrived in the arena. Upon seeing Qinglian's arrival, many eyes turned to her.

Qinglian is now quite famous in the prehistoric world. He is the chief disciple of the Three Pure Ones, a grand-disciple of the Dao Ancestor, and he himself has reached the Great Luo Perfection cultivation. He possesses great treasures and no one dares to underestimate him.

Qinglian remained calm as she led her two disciples to her seat and then gracefully greeted the powerful figures she knew.

"Greetings, Uncle-Master Fuxi." Qinglian was the first to bow to Fuxi beside her.

"Haha, Junior Nephew Qinglian has arrived! How are the three senior brothers?" Fuxi laughed, clearly in a very good mood.

"Master is well, thank you for your concern, Uncle-Master." Then she turned to the Queen Mother of the West on the other side: "Qinglian greets Senior Queen Mother of the West."

The Queen Mother of the West nodded slightly, her demeanor graceful: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qinglian." Her gaze swept over Qinglian, a hint of admiration flashing across her eyes.

Then, he exchanged greetings with the arriving Jieyin, Zhunti, Kunpeng, Styx, and others.

Although these powerful beings had different intentions, they all treated Qinglian with great courtesy out of respect for the Three Pure Ones.

Taking the opportunity, Qinglian introduced Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang to the seniors: "This is my eldest disciple, Sun Wuzhen, and my second disciple, Ao Guang. Disciple, why don't you greet the seniors?"

Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Junior Sun Wuzhen (Ao Guang) greets all seniors!"

The powerful figures all glanced at the two of them.

Sun Wuzhen's cultivation at the early stage of the Great Luo realm and his fierce fighting spirit were remarkable. His background was naturally not hidden from these old guys, but they all knew it but kept it to themselves. They just smiled and nodded, praising him with polite words such as "extraordinary talent" and "Kunlun has a worthy successor".

Although Ao Guang's cultivation level at the mid-stage of Taiyi was unremarkable, his status as the Crown Prince of the Dragon Clan and the Four Symbols Pearl made him a figure not to be underestimated.

The Styx Ancestor's blood-red eyes lingered on Sun Wuzhen for a moment longer, then he chuckled, "What a fearsome monkey! He's just to my liking! Come visit the Blood Sea sometime!"

Startled, Sun Wuzhen quickly shrank back behind Qinglian. Qinglian simply smiled faintly and didn't reply.

The auspicious hour has arrived! The bell tolls nine times, its sound resounding throughout the thirty-three heavens!

Emperor Jun, dressed in a nine-dragon imperial robe and wearing a crown with tassels, looked majestic and heroic. He led Xi He, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe and had a cool demeanor with a hint of shyness, out of the Lingxiao Palace.

Donghuang Taiyi, cradling the Chaos Bell, followed closely behind, his expression serene. Nuwa, holding a red embroidered ball, stood to the side with a smile.

The entire venue fell silent instantly, and all eyes were focused on the center of the arena.

Emperor Jun spoke in a clear voice, his words echoing in all directions: "Today, I, Emperor Jun, by the mandate of Heaven and in accordance with the will of the people, unite with the goddess Xihe of the Moon in marriage, establishing the beginning of a heavenly marriage to restore the primordial order of Yin and Yang. May Heaven bear witness!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Goddess Nuwa stepped forward and tossed the red embroidered ball high into the air!

"By the Heavenly Dao, we have the Supreme Emperor Jun of the Sun and the Queen Xihe of the Moon. Their Yin and Yang are drawn together, their Great Daos are aligned, and their hearts are in harmony. They wish to become Daoist partners! Nuwa, who oversees marriage, bestows this red embroidered ball upon them to bind their destinies and forge this celestial marriage, proclaiming it to the primordial world for all spirits to witness!"

The red embroidered ball burst forth with an unprecedentedly dazzling red light! Countless fine red threads, symbolizing marriage, shot out from the ball, intertwining and entwining in the air, eventually transforming into two incredibly thick and solid red threads.

One end was precisely wrapped around the wrists of Di Jun and Xi He, while the other end disappeared into the void, as if connected to the mysterious laws of heaven!

The moment the red line took shape, the auras of Di Jun and Xi He instantly merged perfectly!

The power of the true fire of the sun and the true water of the moon not only did not clash, but instead swirled and merged like yin and yang fish, transforming into a more profound and harmonious chaotic energy! The two looked at each other and saw the joy of deep affection and resonance with the Great Dao in each other's eyes!

Rumble! The entire primordial world seemed to tremble! Above the nine heavens, in the endless sky, immeasurable dark yellow clouds of merit surged and converged like a celestial river pouring down!

The sheer volume and vastness of that merit astonished many powerful beings.

This is because it is the first "heavenly marriage" recognized by the Heavenly Dao and used to complete the primordial order!

The golden cloud of merit swirled for a moment, then crashed down! About seventy percent of the merit poured into Nuwa, the goddess who presided over the heavenly marriage and held the red embroidered ball, like a golden waterfall!

Nuwa's aura of creation surged instantly, her power rising at a visible speed. The bottleneck in her cultivation that had been stagnant for so long loosened violently, the Primordial Purple Qi trembled wildly, and the connection between her primordial spirit and the void of the Heavenly Dao became even clearer!

Although he did not directly become a saint, he has undoubtedly taken a huge step forward!

The remaining three-tenths of the merit were divided in two and fell into the bodies of Di Jun and Xi He.

Di Jun felt a warm current flowing through his body, his cultivation improved further, and his control over the Hetu Luoshu deepened.

More importantly, he clearly felt that the fortune of the entire demon race's heavenly court, which had been somewhat turbulent due to the great calamity, had instantly stabilized considerably, and even subtly increased!

Xihe also benefited greatly, her cultivation became more refined, and her connection with the Taiyin star became even closer.

The golden light of merit gradually dissipated, but the magnificent scene and the majesty of the heavens were deeply imprinted in the hearts of all the spectators. Envy, jealousy, amazement, understanding—a variety of emotions arose.

"The ceremony is complete!" Goddess Nuwa retracted the red embroidered ball, her voice echoing in all directions.

With the marriage arranged, a grand banquet immediately began.

Celestial maidens danced gracefully, strongmen offered auspicious gifts, and dragon liver and phoenix marrow, along with fine wine and jade liquor, displayed the utmost luxury of the Heavenly Court. The powerful figures clinked glasses and exchanged toasts, appearing outwardly harmonious, but secretly, countless divine thoughts intertwined and minds raced.

Qinglian, accompanied by her two disciples, sat quietly in her seat, savoring the spiritual fruits and immortal wine. Occasionally, she would exchange a few words with Fuxi and the Queen Mother of the West, and she remained calm as other powerful figures secretly observed her.

Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang were amazed and ate with gusto, especially Sun Wuzhen, who was particularly fond of the Heavenly Imperial Wine.

The banquet lasted a long time, until the guests and hosts were all in high spirits (on the surface). All the powerful figures rose to take their leave, and Di Jun and Xi He, along with Tai Yi and Nuwa, personally saw them off.

Qinglian, accompanied by her disciple, stepped forward to bid farewell: "Congratulations on Your Majesty's and Empress's heavenly marriage! May you two be forever united in heart and walk the path of the Great Dao together. I am bound by my master's orders and cannot linger any longer, so I must take my leave now."

Emperor Jun, feeling quite pleased with himself, laughed and said, "Nephew Qinglian has come on behalf of Fellow Daoists Sanqing, which is already a great honor for me! Thank you for the gift. Please convey my regards to the three fellow Daoists upon your return!"

On their way back to Kunlun after leaving the Heavenly Court, Sun Wuzhen was still savoring the delicious imperial wine, while Ao Guang marveled at the extravagance of the Heavenly Court and the magnificence of the Heavenly Wedding.

Qinglian remained silent, glancing back at the still auspiciously shrouded Thirty-Three Heavens, her thoughts churning.

The celestial marriage brought the greatest benefit to Nuwa, and also stabilized the fortunes of the demon race. However, beneath this prosperous scene, would the irreconcilable karmic entanglement between the witch and demon races truly dissipate? Or was this merely the final, dazzling sunset before the storm?

He vaguely sensed that the Great Tribulation was drawing ever closer. And the Quasi-Saint path spoken of by his masters, the method of severing the Three Corpses, perhaps needed to be put on the agenda even sooner.

Only strength can ensure a safe haven and protect what one wants to protect amidst future upheavals.

The figures of the master and his two disciples disappeared into the vast sea of ​​clouds, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Heavenly Court, and returned to the pure and solemn Kunlun Mountain. But the secrets of the primordial world became even more enigmatic because of this celestial marriage.