At the same time.
Jiang Chengyi's Family.
Inside the dressing room.
"Young Miss, are you really going to marry that Jiang Chengyi? I heard he's only the tenth sequence candidate of the Jiang Clan, and there are many competitors. Besides, don't you like Lin Hongyan?"
A beautiful maid asked in a low voice, styling Yu Yingxue's hair.
Yu Yingxue's face was cold and beautiful, her temperament was somber, and there seemed to be deep sorrow between her brows.
She was the eldest daughter of the Yu Family Head. Although the Yu Family was an ancient clan, a second-rate Immortal power, and quite renowned in the outside world,
before the Everlasting Immortal Clan Jiang Family, whose foundation was as vast as the sea, they could only be described as an ant trying to shake a tree.
"What if I don't want to marry? This kind of marriage alliance is not something I can control."
"If the engagement is broken, the Jiang Clan will not let it go."
Yu Yingxue's voice was low as she parted her red lips.
A hint of helplessness was unavoidable.
This marriage was actually initiated by her father to curry favor with the Jiang Clan, and she had no say in refusing it.
If she were to act willfully at this moment, the Yu Family would likely face devastating retaliation.
Although Jiang Chengyi was only from an outer branch of the Jiang Family, even the smallest branch was still connected to the Jiang Clan. If trouble arose and alarmed those of the main branch, it would be too late to regret it... Outside the grand hall, ten thousand red lanterns hung over the entire manor, shimmering with colorful light and filling the sky with auspicious glow, creating a festive and solemn atmosphere.
Immortal music was melodious, and the atmosphere was peaceful and grand.
Along the steps on both sides, female Cultivators with flowing robes walked in order, all with beautiful faces and graceful temperaments. Their flower baskets were filled with rare spiritual flower petals, glowing like immortal flowers from the Jade Pond.
As they walked gracefully, petals rained down.
A peculiar fragrance permeated the air.
It was intoxicating.
At regular intervals, there was a high platform built of white jade, laden with exquisite spiritual food and fine wine, with Spiritual Qi steaming and a rich aroma wafting.
Guests from all sides gathered, some chatting elegantly, others whispering and clinking cups.
The scene was bustling with activity.
On a secluded platform, Lin Hongyan sat at a corner table, completely disregarding his image, heartily enjoying the delicacies and spiritual wine.
He held a beast leg, his mouth glistening with oil, chewing loudly and muttering to himself, completely oblivious to the strange looks from others.
"Isn't it just an outer branch? Even the spiritual wine and banquet food for guests are so abundant, they're great tonics for Cultivators, with the effect of an Epiphany..."
"If this were in the outside world, I'm afraid some great Families wouldn't even be able to produce it! Rich dogs!"
"Everlasting Immortal Clan Jiang Family? Heh heh! All of this will be mine, Lin Hongyan's, sooner or later!"
Lin Hongyan showed a smug expression, his mouth full, and his narrowed eyes gleamed with greed.
The surrounding guests turned their heads, sighing and shaking their heads.
Because they had never seen such a vulgar person.
The banquet had not yet begun, but he kept refilling his spiritual wine cup after cup, grabbing the banquet food from the table and stuffing himself, wolfing it down with extremely unseemly manners, like a starving ghost reincarnated.
A bumpkin who had never seen the world.
An old man in a purple-patterned Daoist robe beside him finally couldn't bear it any longer, frowning deeply and reprimanding in a low voice: "Lin Hongyan! Watch your words and actions! This is a banquet of the Jiang Clan, not a country fair!"
He was Grand Elder Yao Yuan of the Purple Firmament Pill Sect.
He came to the banquet today at the request of his Disciple.
Lin Hongyan hadn't said why he wanted to come, but Yao Yuan could guess with reasonable certainty.
He had met that girl Yu Yingxue and knew that she had a deep and intimate relationship with his Disciple. Now that she was to marry another, how could he be willing?
Coming to the banquet today, he was probably going to cause trouble.
"However, this old man has already contacted an old friend from the Heavenly Dao Academy. The Jiang Family branch is not to be feared. As long as we don't alarm the people of the main branch, apologizing afterward should not cause any major problems..."
Yao Yuan thought to himself, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
As for this precious Disciple, his Alchemy talent was first-rate, but ever since he embarked on the path of Cultivation, he had been too accustomed to smooth sailing, and his temperament still needed tempering.
If all went well, he could even contend for the Imperial Throne in the coming Golden Great Era!
Soon, there was a commotion in the hall.
"Look quickly, Jiang Chengyi and Yu Yingxue have come out of the main hall. They are truly a perfect match of a talented man and a beautiful woman!"
"Yes, Young Miss Yu is a beauty of unparalleled charm, and Jiang Chengyi is one of the ten sequence candidates of the Jiang Clan in this generation. I heard he has the most hope among several competitors!"
"Jiang Chengyi is not even thirty yet, and his Cultivation has already reached the Dao Severing Realm. What a Genius paired with a beauty! It's truly enviable!"
Amidst the deafening sound of ceremonial cannons, the two newlyweds entered the main hall.
Their wedding robes fluttered, and their steps were dignified and steady, drawing attention like a pair of celestial beings. All eyes were focused on them almost simultaneously.
It was Yu Yingxue and Jiang Chengyi.
The Jiang Family's master of ceremonies stood tall at the front of the platform, dressed in crimson ceremonial robes, holding a golden ribbon, and loudly presided over this grand wedding, his voice robust and impassioned, echoing in all directions:
"A toast to the groom!"
All the guests in the hall raised their cups.
They cheered in unison, the spiritual wine fragrant, and countless rays of light reflected in the glazed cups.
Just then, an abrupt voice resounded throughout the entire hall.
"I disagree with this marriage!"
Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned to the source of the voice. Lin Hongyan slammed the wine cup in his hand to the ground, then jumped onto the table, walking proudly towards the center of the main hall, announcing loudly.
As his words fell, the entire hall fell silent.
This was followed by a commotion, and everyone whispered and gossiped.
"Oh? Interesting, I want to see who is so bold as to cause trouble on the day of the Jiang Family's grand wedding?"
"Tsk tsk! Who is this kid? Daring to snatch a bride from the Jiang Family, he must be tired of living."
"Look at his shabby appearance, yet he dares to snatch a bride. He must have lost his mind, had his head knocked, and is now delirious?"
Guests from other major powers and Dao lineages watched with keen eyes, and visitors from all sides either sneered or shook their heads, all acting as spectators, waiting to see the show.
After a few breaths.
Yu Yingxue's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, a hint of surprise and disbelief appearing on her face, and a complex emotion surged in her heart.
Her heart was filled with mixed feelings.
She had feelings for Lin Hongyan.
But was now really the right time?
Reason told her that if trouble arose today, the Yu Family would likely face reckoning.
But he really came!
Her heart couldn't help but beat faster, and an impulse surged within her.
Rage erupted in Jiang Chengyi's eyes. He strode forward, staring intently at Lin Hongyan, and questioned: "Who are you? So rude on my Jiang Family's territory, daring to provoke me in public! Are you looking for death?"
Lin Hongyan revealed a wicked and charming smile, and said with full vigor:
"I am Lin Hongyan, a True Disciple of the Purple Firmament Pill Sect!"
"I came today to snatch the bride!"
"You, Jiang Chengyi, using the prestige of the Longevity Immortal Clan to force a weak woman to marry you, committing such an unconscionable and shameless act, what does it matter if I come to snatch the bride today?"
"You rely on power to bully a weak woman, utterly shameless! I, Lin Hongyan, will expose your false face in public today and take her away from here!"