CHAPTER 386: CHAPTER 74: UNEXPECTED SURPRISES (PART 1)

The East Kunlun Mountain, which was bursting with auspicious energy just moments ago, has now become eerily silent.

"I want to see who has such audacity to demand the disciples of the Sanqing Sect to be mere stepping stones!" Tongtian erupted in fury, unleashing an immense aura.

For a time, all the guests present felt a chilling murderous intent coupled with an extremely oppressive atmosphere, quickly permeating through the entire square.

The Saints gathered in the square and the various forces that had old ties with Li Qingming all stood up, gaze fixed upon the void.

"Hahaha, what’s going on here? On such a joyous occasion, why does it feel as if we’re facing a formidable enemy?" Suddenly, a clear, cheerful laugh sounded from behind the approaching wedding procession.

Xiong Da, dressed in a big red flower atop his head and a bright red saddle, stepped forward from behind the procession.

Li Qingming, also in a red wedding robe, had a smile at the corner of his lips. His eyes full of teasing mirth as he looked at everyone.

Hearing this familiar voice, Tongtian’s soaring aura instantly collapsed.

"Gah?" Now everyone present was stunned. What kind of play was this? Who was getting married? And why was God Gouchen Li Qingming also wearing a wedding robe?

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, and Primordial spoke, "Qingmingzi, what is the meaning of this? Descend at once!"

Li Qingming smiled and led the long procession down from the void.

He first paid his respects to the elders present and the various familiar forces. Then he lifted the canopy of the Dragon Phoenix Chariot, revealing three women seated inside.

The woman sitting on the left side of the chariot wore a pink skirt, embroidered with the resplendent Ten Thousand Spirit Flower, in full, vibrant bloom. Her graceful figure exuded nobility, tinged with nonchalance.

On the right side of the chariot, another woman was adorned in a white Daoist robe, printed with white lotuses tinted pink. Her tall and elegant body conveyed gracefulness, her expression serene and pure as if she were a banished immortal who had descended to the mundane realm.

The woman in the center, however, was wearing a festive red wedding robe, her face shy and timid, her large watery eyes like pools of autumn water.

Guang Chengzi and the rest sneaked a glance and recognized them all at once.

These three women were Li Qingming’s mother Li Yanran, his disciple Yu Lian, and the Moon Goddess Wang Shu.

"Qingmingzi, what play are you enacting now?" Tongtian, filled with confusion, scratched his head and asked.

Li Qingming smiled and looked at Tongtian, "Disciple has lived for eons, and has known Wang Shu for many years, our feelings run deep. Today, on the wedding day of Yu Ding and Jin Ling, I wish to join in marriage with her, and hope for my Master and all present to witness!"

"Whoa!"

All Saints and all beings were astounded!

What was originally a wedding between the Chan and Jie Sects had been turned by Li Qingming into a double ceremony. Indeed, it was quite a story to tell.

"Qingmingzi, this is not a matter to be taken lightly. Have you thought it through?" Upon hearing Li Qingming’s straightforward words, Primordial did not readily agree but frowned slightly, casting a quick glance at Nuwa and Houtu before asking sternly.

"Disciple has made a decision!" Li Qingming nodded firmly, his eyes filled with love as he looked at Wang Shu.

"Very well, we shall be your witnesses!" Laozi’s eyebrows quivered lightly, not minding Primordial’s subtle movement, and said aloud.

"Whoosh!"

Upon hearing this, Nuwa, Houtu, and Xuanming felt their faces turn pale as if their heads were struck hard, leaving them empty, unable to find bearings.

"How could this..." Houtu’s eyes brimmed with tears as she murmured under her breath.

Nuwa bit her red lips tightly, her eyes red, tears moving back and forth in her shimmering eyes.

"Disciple thanks the Master!" Li Qingming saw the three girls with tears in their eyes, but he suppressed the slight sourness in his heart, hardened his resolve, and refused to look at them.

"Yanran, as the mother of Qingmingzi, you shall not sit in a lower place!" Laozi looked at Li Yanran and with a wave of his hand, a mat appeared on her left side: "Come sit here!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Li Yanran nodded slightly and gracefully sat on the meditation cushion.

"Xuan Dou, begin!" Laozi looked over the quiet crowd and nodded to Xuan Dou again.

Xuan Dou floated up, his red garments fluttering. He swept a glance over the assembled guests and declared loudly: "Now that all the distinguished guests have gathered, the grand wedding ceremony of my eldest disciple Qingmingzi and the Moon God Wang Shu, as well as the Chan Sect’s Yu Ding and the Jie Sect’s Golden Spirit Immortal, shall commence!"

"Buzz!"

As soon as his voice fell, a myriad of miraculous visions began to flash out of nowhere.

The sky was adorned with dancing colorful phoenixes and soaring Divine Dragons; seven-colored Spiritual Energy coalesced into lotus flowers, scattering across the Cangqiong. Instantly, the whole of East Kunlun Mountain erupted in excitement.

Xuan Dou gave a slight nod to the two pairs of newlyweds in the plaza and commanded in a light tone:

"Bow to the Pan Gu God, express thanks for His grace in opening the Heaven."

Li Qingming, holding Wang Shu’s hand, and Yu Ding, leading Golden Spirit by her tender wrist, bowed deeply towards the boundless Cangqiong!

"Boom!"

The majestic pressure of Heaven and Earth descended, a breath as if from the Primordial Era overwhelmed everything beneath the sky. At last, in the Void above, it transformed into several Tao Runes shining with golden light: "Young ones, I wish you great joy on your wedding day!"

That tremendous pressure vanished in a flash, leaving behind shock and astonishment among all present.

"Is the Pan Gu God still alive?"

"Was that really the Pan Gu God just now?"

Voices of speculation arose from the unsuspecting guests. The sudden emergence of a figure said to be long dead, how could it not provoke amazement?

All those present, apart from All Saints, only Li Qingming was clear in his heart.

It must be Yang Mei, that disrespectful old rogue, instigating this mischief. Among those undying Chaos God Demons, except for Yang Mei, who else would be so bold to fabricate this play about Pan Gu?

With a sense of helplessness, Li Qingming’s lips quivered slightly as he uttered a sentence.

At the same time, from the faraway Zixiao Palace came a resounding indignant rebuke: "Yang Mei, you old coot, can’t you give me a break?"

Hong Jun tapped on the Go board and said, "Fellow Daoist, haven’t I told you not to engage in these antics?"

"Hahaha, our lives are eternal. If we don’t find some amusement for ourselves, we might as well be dead!" Yang Mei stroked his beard and laughed obscenely.

...

As a disciple of the Three Pure Ones, Xuan Dou had witnessed many major events, but he was still utterly dazzled by this spectacle.

"This is too bizarre! The opening of Heaven by the Pan Gu God, his passing, isn’t this common knowledge? What exactly is going on here?" Xuan Dou returned to his senses from his shock, glancing in bewilderment at Laozi.

Laozi nodded slightly to Xuan Dou, indicating that all was well.

Amid the bewildered commotion of the ceremony, Xuan Dou composed himself and suddenly shouted: "Second bow to the Three Pure Ones, express thanks for their teaching and imparting the Tao!"

Upon hearing this, the two couples bowed deeply towards the direction of the Three Pure Ones in the east.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances and smiled joyfully.

"Boom!"

For a moment, ethereal music from Heaven played, and the wondrous scent of flowers accompanied the descent of golden lotuses.

All the assembled guests felt immediate tranquility within their hearts, and their understanding and sentiment of the Tao deepened.

They understood this to be a blessing from the Three Pure Ones, thus they collectively bowed towards them, calling out in chorus: "Great virtue of the Three Pure Ones!" (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)