Ascension of The Unholy Immortal

Chapter 444: Wedding Gift

A middle-aged man with greying hair and sharp eyes rose from his seat.

"The Yu Family of the Western Range congratulates the Dong Clan on this auspicious union," he said calmly. "A union that shall no doubt strengthen the harmony of our Runestone System."

An attendant stepped forward and received a jade coffer wrapped in a shimmering talisman seal. Faint traces of starlight escaped from its edges before being suppressed once more.

"The Yu Clan offers a Celestial Spirit Core—condensed from the marrow of a fallen meteor," the man added. "May it aid the young couple's cultivation."

A ripple of murmurs spread among the audience. Even Liang's eyes flickered briefly. Celestial Spirit Cores were rare enough that even Void Return Realm cultivators seldom possessed them.

Dong TianDi rose slightly from his seat, smiling with courteous restraint. "The Yu Clan has ever upheld propriety. The Dong Clan accepts your gift with gratitude."

The Yu Family Head bowed slightly before retreating to his seat, his expression calm as still water.

Next rose a broad-shouldered old man with short gray hair.

"The Mang Family extends its blessings," he said calmly. "Though the years have thinned our strength, our respect for the Dong Clan remains unchanged. This Thunder Jade Crystal was once bathed in the heart of the Tempest Abyss for a hundred days. A humble token."

Another murmur passed through the crowd. Even Dong TianDi's smile grew a touch more genuine. "Brother Mang honors us too much. The Dong Clan shall remember this favor."

The old man nodded curtly and sat back down, closing his eyes as though indifferent to the reactions around him.

Then came a slender woman dressed in flowing white robes edged with silver thread. When she reached the front, she inclined her head slightly.

"The Murong Family sends its respects. Our Family Head could not attend in person, and thus this Frost Petal Spirit Wine has been prepared from ten-thousand-year snow lotuses gathered at the peak of Murong Mountain. May it serve during the wedding feast."

Her tone was cool and polite, neither humble nor proud. Even so, the faint fragrance that wafted from the sealed gourds drew appreciative murmurs from several Void Transformation-level cultivators seated nearby.

Finally, an old man with sunken eyes and long black robes embroidered with a crescent moon emblem came forward. His gaze was calm, almost detached.

"The ShadowRune Family offers its blessings as well," he said. "This Moon Essence Lamp was once lit during the Night of a Thousand Stars in our ancestral shrine. Let it bring light to the newlyweds' path."

As he spoke, a servant unveiled a small crystal lamp. Moonlight seemed to gather around it on its own, casting soft ripples of silver light across the hall.

A faint expression of appreciation flickered in Dong TianDi's eyes before he nodded. "The Shen Clan's generosity is truly profound."

Thus did the four families complete their offerings.

Though they smiled and spoke with civility, every elder present knew that this exchange was more than mere ceremony.

The four great families of the Runestone System had stood beside the Dong Clan since the age of the Great Catastrophe. Once, each had housed a Chaos Resonation Realm expert. That they now lacked such pillars was not due to fate, but to long and subtle maneuvering—schemes that had gradually tilted the balance in the Dong Clan's favor.

Even so, the four families still possessed their own hidden depths. Before an expert of the Void Return Realm ascended, it was customary to leave behind one or more avatars to safeguard their lineage. Maintaining such avatars consumed immense resources but ensured that even a declining family could not be crushed easily.

It was an unspoken truth that within the forbidden grounds of these ancient clans, more than one such guardian still slumbered.

When the four families had withdrawn, the procession of gifts continued—sects, noble houses, and merchant pavilions each offering spirit treasures, rare pills, and ancient materials.

Liang's gaze remained composed, though inwardly he could not help but feel a trace of impatience. To him, these people were merely waves upon the surface—loud for a moment, then gone.

Only when the herald's voice rang out again did his expression shift slightly.

"The Mortal Ascension Legion presents their congratulations!"

A ripple of whispers swept the plaza.

From the center of the path strode a tall man in silver armor. He appeared to be in his twenties.

"It's Long Ning!" someone couldn't help but exclaim. "The Legion's youngest Void Return Realm expert!"

Long Ning approached with an easy smile. "Patriarch Dong, I bring greetings from Commander Bi Tian," he said, bowing slightly. "He regrets that he cannot attend in person, but sends his blessings nonetheless."

"Haha! Commander Bi Tian's word is as good as his presence," Dong TianDi replied, standing to greet him. "Please convey to him that the Dong Clan has not forgotten the favor owed from that day."

The two exchanged a few hearty words, laughter ringing across the courtyard, though their eyes never lost that faint gleam of calculation beneath the surface.

After a few more pleasantries, Long Ning excused himself and took his seat once more.

Then, a figure draped in white robes stepped forward, and the temperature in the plaza plummeted. His aura, though seemingly restrained, radiated an oppressive force—unstable, teetering between Void Return and Void Transformation. At least, that was the consensus among the gathered experts.

"The Devil Realm extends its regards."

It was Yang—third in command of the Devil Realm's forces and a renowned master of Void Law, feared and respected throughout the domain.

He presented a single black jade box, its surface etched with faint, shifting runes. "A minor token from the Devil Realm. May it serve you well."

Dong TianDi maintained a courteous expression, though a flicker of caution passed through his eyes. "The Dong Clan accepts with gratitude."

Yang inclined his head in silence, then turned and departed, his presence lingering like a shadow long after he was gone.

Next came representatives of the All Things Pavilion—Fairy Xia and Fairy Luo Li—who each offered brief words of congratulation before withdrawing gracefully.

"The Jade Lotus Inn presents its blessings."

A woman stepped forward. She wore a flowing white gown, half translucent beneath the lantern light, the fabric clinging faintly to her form as though woven from moonlit mist. Though an azure veil concealed her features, the faint curve of her lips and the delicate outline of her jade-like chin hinted at a beauty that could unsettle the heart.

Her figure was tall and willowy, the gown tracing the subtle rise and fall of her chest before cascading down to a narrow waist that seemed fragile enough to be encircled by a single hand. The silk fluttered with each step, revealing the faint silhouette of long, slender legs that moved with the grace of a celestial crane.

A faint fragrance drifted from her body—neither floral nor herbal, but something more elusive, like the lingering scent of spirit dew at dawn. It seeped into the hearts of those nearby, stirring a heat they dared not acknowledge. Even seasoned Void Transformation cultivators found their breathing unsteady.

She bowed lightly. "The Jade Lotus Inn offers a Lotus Mirror Pearl, refined under moonlight for a thousand nights. May it bring clarity to heart and spirit."

Her voice was soft and melodic, carrying a trace of charm that drew even Liang's attention for a heartbeat. His gaze lingered, faintly curious, before he withdrew it at once.

Dong Rou, standing beside him, noticed—and though she remained silent, a faint shadow crossed her eyes beneath the bridal veil.

The next faction was the Starry Sky Alliance.