The bell of initiation casted a solemn shadow over this grand event. Not a single person revealed elation or excitement for this start. Those who were originally ignorant of the ensuing storm swiftly discovered the various abnormalities and could not focus on this insignificant matter. They were all elites, experts, or those of exceptional status and ability, so they were by no means idiots. While they came clueless, that didn't mean they would not notice the writing on the wall.
From the Five Great Sects and Two Great Clans, a peak powerhouse had arrived for this event. This was merely a marriage between a prince and a Godlord. While it was impressive, it seemed too extravagant to draw in all of these forces. They were lofty and oftentimes avoided worldly matters like this.
A melodious sound resounded in the surroundings, like a heavenly hymn from an immortal's harp. It brought everyone's eyes to focus.
The seating arrangements were quite simple. There were three sections with curved seats and the central stage where a holy priest was currently located standing upon a small platform. In the middle section, Wei Wuyin and those neutral to this storm were seated. The left section was filled with Imperial Clan members while the right had various forces allied to the top-tier sects of the country.
The priest was an elderly man with a white beard and hair, as white as possibly can be. He wore a white gown and carried a golden scroll that seemed to exude purity and holiness. It was hard not to birth reverence in one's heart.
Wei Wuyin could tell that this priest didn't have a single trace of cultivation, yet his body was without a hint of impurity despite being a legitimate mortal. A hint of interest entered his heart as he inspected this priest with an Ocular Spiritual Spell.
What came up shook him. This man truly had zero ounce of cultivation, but he seemed to have continuously bathed in purification elixir for most of his entire life. This was no low-grade elixir, but sufficient to be useful for those at the Mortal God level. This meant at least a peak fifth-grade elixir!
This caused his body to contain an innate aura of purity and lack any form of turbidity within his body. For cultivators, this was used to remove taint from the Spirit or fleshy body, yet…
How impressive.
The priest wasn't the centerpiece of this event as two figures arrived from an opening behind the priest. They walked side by side, left and right, separating at the priest and circling around him to meet each other face to face. Their steps were light and eloquent of a noble bearing.
Lin Ziyan!
She wore an exceptional scarlet phoenix feathered dress with golden flames that was dazzling and majestic. If one stared long enough, they would notice the animated movements of the flames as they seemed to be alive within the world of her clothing. Her hair was expertly done, tied up and held together by a hair comb. Her beauty was breathtaking and heaven-envying.
Her long eye-lashes, phoenix eyes as blue as the ocean itself, boundless and enrapturing, as well as her brunette hair that seemed line refined silk was matchless amongst the crowd. A top-tier beauty among nation-toppling beauties. And this did not factor her impressive, intimidating features. Her breasts were voluptuous to the maximum, giving her a fiercely alluring figure coupled with her curves.
Within the crowd, there was likely not a single heterosexual male that didn't wish that they couldn't take this phenomenal woman as their wife; Prince Lei must've used his entire life's luck to obtain her hand! This was a nearly-synchronized thought within the minds of all those watching, even a few females.
As for the second figure, it was Prince Lei. Unlike Lin Ziyan's unquestionably inarguably beauty that was matchless at this specific moment, Prince Lei was a young man with slightly sunken eyes, donning a four-claw dragon robe, and a lofty aura. This lofty aura felt somewhat lacking, as if it wasn't earned but born into-quite superficial.
Yet, this man stood here today with his skinny body that seemed to be caused by overindulgence in unsavory activities. Despite that, his face that was inherited from good genetics didn't lack a hint of handsomeness bestowed to him. He could be considered top-tier, regal and impressive.
As they faced each other, many gazes shifted back and forth. A few lamented at the luck of those high-born, capable of obtaining all the treasures of this world with little effort. Why didn't they have a good father and an even better great grandfather?
As a descendent of a Godking and an Astral Core Realm expert, it was a truly enviable life.
Wei Wuyin and Su Mei were the only two who had other things on their minds. "She's not here? Aren't they friends?" He thought with a hint of uncertainty. According to the files of relations, Lin Ziyan was often accompanied by a blonde-haired holy priestess of some sort. While there was no information about her being a Seer, Wei Wuyin knew the moment he saw her holy aura tinged in the light of the Heavenly Daos.
As an Inheritor of Sin, how could he not be overly sensitive to this aura? Moreover, she revealed herself as she predicted his future.
The priest regarded the two couples that stood a set distance away, looking at each other. While Prince Lei revealed an expression of excitement, Lin Ziyan's eyes were indifferent and unfeeling. For her wedding day, this was quite a shock to many.
Wei Wuyin frowned, "Why did she seal her cultivation base and her vocal cords?" This question immediately flashed in his mind as he noticed spiritual formations at Lin Ziyan's dantian and voice box.
Wei Wuyin's question was similarly resonating in the minds of others, but the question was somewhat different: "Why is her cultivation and voice sealed?"
The key difference was they lacked the perception to notice that it was a self-inflicted seal, and they weren't to be blamed. Wei Wuyin's spiritual and physical senses were far beyond his realm, so he could perceive more intricate details.
In their minds, many of them had awkward expressions as a single thought was mustered: "Is this a forced wedding?" And this thought was infectious as many started to feel that this conflict, this event, had too many layers to it. What were they getting themselves into? And what were the Imperial Clan thinking? The act of forcing a Godlord to marriage was unprecedented and immensely arrogant, especially one as talented as Lin Ziyan.
This was merely the beginning.
Shuuu!
In the sky, a figure appeared riding a manifestation of a silver dragon whose body extended for nine miles. Atop this dragon, standing on its head, was a tall, impressive middle-aged man with outstanding looks, a stable and dauntless bearing, and an innate aura of imperial brilliance and regal superiority.
He descended atop this dragon with calm, intimidating eyes. When he arrived, no one even dared to breath for a moment, his aura arriving with him and inserting itself into the hearts of all.
This was the King of Wu, Wu Yu, and the second strongest cultivator in all of Wu Country! Beneath his feet was the manifestation constructed from his impressive cultivation. It was vivid and lively, seemingly alive as it opened its gaping maw and…
Roar!
The rumbling draconic roar shook the hearts of many.
Wei Wuyin was not amongst the many. His silver eyes inspected this dragon and felt its composition. It was constructed from pure Steel Metal Spiritual Qi.
With an unrivaled appearance, King Wu lowered the dragon's head near the platform of his son and future daughter-in-law. With a leap, he landed gracefully beside them. The dragon slithered before shooting into the sky, becoming silver dust that sprinkled from above.
He had a calm smile on his face. Despite stealing the spotlight, he acted completely naturally. When his gaze met Prince Lei, it softened. Turning to face the audience, he gave a charismatic smile befitting a ruler. It was quite a likable act.
"This day is a celebration for the entire Wu Country, and it'll be the beginning of the great prosperity in the future of our beloved home. Therefore, I'll be brief. I, Wu Yu, King of Wu, will be announcing that Wu Lei, Prince Lei, my beloved son, has been named Crown Prince!"
"What?!" His words caused many to nearly jump out of their seats. While it was automatically assumed that Prince Lei, whose favor seemed to abruptly become greater than all others, would become the Crown Prince, they didn't believe it would occur so soon. This…
What about Prince Zhen? He was a peak-Mortal God known for his loyalty and exceptional decisiveness. His attitude may come off as a little bit too bloodthirsty and arrogant, but he had the ability to reign as the future King of Wu, in both attitude and talent.
What about Prince Chen? Despite his talent not being as high as Prince Zhen, his amicable attitude and belief of prosperity through union and peace rung in the hearts of many citizens. He was a favorite loved by many, and quite a few wished for him to become the Crown Prince and then the King of Wu. His righteous bearing served as a contrast to Prince Zhen, but they were both qualities that suited rulers.
As for Prince Lei...despite gaining the favor of his father and making some big moves recently, he was a well-known waste who indulged in women and drink. He had barely any collateral in terms of public opinion or connections within the country.
How can this happen so fast?
This was an immense shock to everyone.
Wei Wuyin's eyes abruptly flashed. He felt it. "It's begun," his words were quietly muttered.
"I ask that Royal Father reconsider!" A voice, filled with a strong and stable tone thundered through the world. A figure arrived from the entrance, along with several hooded figures with concealed auras.
The man at the front looked like Wu Yu and Prince Zhen, handsome and exceptional. His regal aura was enriched by a hint of righteous bearing and charisma. He arrived in royal garbs, a sword in his hand, with a crystal held in his left hand. It was white and released faint yin energies.
Everyone saw the crystal and immediately released what it was: An Image Recording Crystal!
"What is the meaning of this Prince Chen?! You dare question his Majesty's Order!" An old master from the Imperial Clan's side stood up and angrily questioned. He was a duke, and the younger brother of Wu Yu, Wu Yan. His cultivation was lacking, and he hadn't invested any time in maintaining his youthful looks, so he lacked the middle-aged appearance of his older brother.
Prince Chen gave this contemptible old uncle of his a derisive glance before shouting with force, "I have evidence of my honorable brother's collusion with external forces, wanting to claim the throne for ill-intentions! Furthermore, his crimes of attempted fratricide, rape, theft, embezzling and unfair allocation of treasury funds, and murder!"
He didn't even give anyone the chance to react as he poured his spiritual energies within the crystal and dozens of images were projected and played out. Each image gave off faint spiritual energies that relayed sound and tone.
The images were explicit and detailed everything in exceptional detail; irrefutable proof!
Especially fratricide! The image showed Prince Lei colluding with a shady figure actively plotting Prince Zhen's death, even giving them the optimal time and information to act. As for the others, they were as or even more damning. It was as if Prince Lei was tracked and recorded without his knowledge or anyone's.
"..."