Chapter 15
The long-awaited wedding day finally arrived.
From early morning, the entire Jin Residence became extraordinarily lively.
Red lanterns decorated every corridor while countless servants hurried back and forth preparing for the grand ceremony. Outside the estate, luxurious carriages continuously arrived one after another as nobles, officials, wealthy merchants, and military figures gathered to attend the wedding of General Jin Zhou’s beloved daughter.
The atmosphere was bustling and festive.
Inside one of the inner chambers.
Jin Feixue quietly sat before a bronze mirror while wearing an exquisite red wedding dress embroidered with golden phoenix patterns. Her naturally beautiful appearance became even more breathtaking beneath the elegant bridal makeup.
Several maids carefully arranged her hair while helping place delicate golden ornaments upon it.
“Young Lady truly looks beautiful today.”
“And Young Master Zan is incredibly handsome as well.”
“The two of you are perfectly matched.”
Hearing the maids continuously praise her future husband, Jin Feixue’s cheeks gradually turned slightly red.
A soft smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the residence.
Zan Yunxiao was also preparing for the ceremony.
He wore a luxurious red hanfu embroidered with golden patterns while his long black hair was neatly tied behind him. Combined with his youthful appearance and calm temperament, he truly resembled a noble immortal descended into the mortal world.
Even the servants helping nearby occasionally became stunned by his appearance.
At this moment, Xueyun personally adjusted his robes while fixing his hair carefully.
“Husband,” she said softly while smiling, “you really look unfairly handsome today.”
Zan Yunxiao helplessly laughed.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“Because it’s true,” Xueyun replied naturally.
Nearby, little Zan Wei also wore formal gray robes for the occasion. Though still young, he already looked quite refined and intelligent.
As for, Xueyun herself wore elegant pink robes today, appearing graceful and gentle like a blooming flower beside Zan Yunxiao.
The atmosphere inside the room felt warm and peaceful.
Outside the residence.
The wedding venue was already filled with countless guests.
Many influential families from the capital personally attended the ceremony due to General Jin Zhou’s status and influence within the empire.
Gift after gift continuously piled up near the entrance.
Rare treasures.
Gold.
Precious jade.
Expensive silk.
Even the servants responsible for recording gifts gradually became overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Jin Zhou himself stood near the entrance personally welcoming guests.
Today, the usually rough and intimidating general looked extraordinarily cheerful.
His smile almost reached his ears.
Many old friends and fellow officials immediately noticed his unusual mood.
One middle-aged man wearing noble robes approached while laughing loudly.
“Brother Jin!” he teased. “Your smile is so wide today it’s practically splitting your face apart!”
Jin Zhou immediately burst into laughter upon seeing him.
“Hahaha!”
The two men greeted each other warmly like sworn brothers who had known one another for decades.
The nobleman then jokingly asked:
“What’s gotten into you? You look like you’ve struck the greatest fortune in the world.”
Hearing this.
Jin Zhou almost laughed even harder inwardly.
Fortune?
He truly had struck the greatest fortune imaginable.
His daughter was marrying an immortal cultivator.
A genuine immortal master.
Compared to that.
What were wealth, status, or military achievements worth?
In Jin Zhou’s eyes, the future of the Jin Family had already completely changed from this day onward.
However, outwardly, he merely laughed proudly.
“My daughter is getting married today,” he said happily. “Of course I’m in good mood!”
Yet inwardly.
Jin Zhou silently thought:
The Jin Family has truly risen to the heavens this time.
While the guests were still immersed in lively conversation and laughter, a sudden change rippled through the entrance of the venue.
A grand imperial carriage slowly came to a stop.
The guards immediately stiffened.
The Jin Family attendants hurried forward in alarm, but the moment the carriage insignia was recognized, Jin Zhou himself quickly stepped forward.
“Your Highness has arrived,” he said respectfully.
The carriage door opened.
A man stepped out calmly.
He appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in simple yet dignified imperial robes. His expression was composed, carrying the natural authority of someone born at the peak of the empire.
The Crown Prince of the Crimson Empire.
Jin Zhou immediately bowed.
“This general greets Your Highness.”
The crown prince smiled faintly and lifted his hand.
“No need for excessive formalities. Today is a joyful occasion. I merely came to offer congratulations.”
Jin Zhou quickly guided him toward the highest seat reserved for imperial guests.
Soon, the crown prince was seated, and the atmosphere gradually returned to excitement.
However, everyone could clearly feel.
With the arrival of the imperial crown prince, this wedding had become even more extraordinary.
Moments later, the ceremony officially began.
The music changed.
The chatter quieted.
All eyes turned toward the center of the venue.
Zan Yunxiao appeared.
The moment he stepped forward, the entire crowd subconsciously fell silent.
Even the nobles who had seen countless handsome men and talented cultivators were momentarily stunned.
His calm demeanor, paired with his refined aura, made him stand out as though he did not belong to the mortal world.
At the same time, Jin Feixue was escorted out.
Wearing her red wedding dress, she looked breathtakingly beautiful as she walked step by step toward the ceremony grounds.
When she reached the center, Zan Yunxiao gently extended his hand.
Without hesitation, Jin Feixue placed her hand into his.
Together, they walked toward the altar.
The ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion.
They bowed to heaven and earth.
They bowed to their ancestors and family.
Finally.
They turned to face each other.
In that moment, the entire venue became completely silent.
Jin Feixue looked at Zan Yunxiao with soft, sincere eyes.
Zan Yunxiao looked back calmly, yet a faint warmth could be seen within his expression.
Then, under the watch of countless guests.
They completed the final ritual.
A kiss.
The moment their lips met, the wedding ceremony was officially sealed.
“From today onward…”
“Husband and wife.”
The crowd erupted into applause.
Cheers echoed throughout the entire estate.
Even Jin Zhou, who had seen countless battles and bloodshed, couldn’t help but smile deeply at the scene.
After the wedding ceremony concluded, the atmosphere of the Jin Residence remained festive well into the evening.
Guests gradually stepped forward one by one to offer their congratulations.
Some praised the couple’s compatibility, others respectfully greeted the Jin Family, while nobles from the capital carefully presented their gifts.
Finally, it was the Crown Prince’s turn.
He stood from his seat calmly and walked forward under the watchful eyes of everyone present.
When he reached Zan Yunxiao, he smiled faintly and spoke in a gentle tone.
“Congratulations.”
Then, with a casual motion, he handed over a spatial pouch filled with a vast amount of gold and rare resources, clearly a far more valuable gift compared to everyone else’s offerings.
The surrounding nobles immediately became silent, subtly realizing the difference in status.
Afterward, the Crown Prince extended his hand.
“A handshake,” he said simply.
Zan Yunxiao paused briefly before reaching out.
As their hands clasped.
Zan Yunxiao’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Strange…
He could faintly sense a trace of spiritual energy surrounding the Crown Prince’s body.
Curious, he subtly expanded his own spiritual perception.
And in that instant.
He discovered something unexpected.
The Crown Prince was not a cultivator.
At least not naturally.
However, there was an unusual “cultivator-like aura” surrounding him.
Soon, Zan Yunxiao’s attention locked onto a detail.
A talisman hidden beneath the Crown Prince’s robe.
So that’s it…
A protective artifact.
Something that artificially simulates or shields cultivation energy, likely a life-saving treasure.
From its presence, Zan Yunxiao could roughly deduce one thing:
The Crown Prince had no real cultivation.
But someone… or something… was protecting him.
And judging from the quality of the talisman.
It was clearly meant to defend against assassination-level threats.
Is someone targeting his life?
Zan Yunxiao briefly considered it.
Then, just as quickly, he dismissed unnecessary curiosity.
It wasn’t his problem.
Still.
If the Crown Prince ever truly encountered danger, he wouldn’t mind offering help casually.
After all, maintaining a peaceful relationship with the imperial family would only benefit Solhaven.
Soon, the Crown Prince politely excused himself and returned to his carriage, departing quietly into the night toward the imperial palace.
The wedding venue gradually quieted down afterward.
Night fell.
Inside the newly arranged bridal chamber, soft candlelight illuminated the room.
Zan Yunxiao sat calmly beside Jin Feixue while observing the system panel in his mind.
At this moment.
A familiar notification appeared.
[Ding!]
[Mission Completed Successfully.]
[Reward: 50 Years of Cultivation has been distributed.]
A powerful surge of energy instantly erupted within his body.
Spiritual energy flooded his meridians like a roaring tide.
His cultivation level rapidly broke through barriers that normally took decades to cross.
From 9th Qi Refinement Realm to 4th Foundation Establishment Realm.
A visible pressure briefly spread across the room.
Jin Feixue immediately turned her head in shock.
“Husband… what was that?”
Then her eyes widened slightly as she stared at him more carefully.
“…Wait.”
Her voice softened.
“Are you… an immortal master?”
Zan Yunxiao paused for a moment.
Then, after a brief silence.
He nodded slightly.
“Yes.”
For a moment, Jin Feixue froze completely.
Instead of fear or hesitation, her eyes lit up with overwhelming joy.
“So it’s true…”
“I really married an immortal…”
Her expression quickly turned bright and excited, as if she had just confirmed something she had secretly hoped for all along.
Without waiting for Zan Yunxiao to react further.
She suddenly moved closer and embraced him tightly.
“Husband…”
Her voice softened.
“This is the best wedding night I could have ever asked for.”
The candlelight flickered gently as the atmosphere inside the room slowly turned warm and intimate.
And beyond that night.
The path of Zan Yunxiao’s cultivation had officially stepped into a new realm.