Chapter 4: Welcoming the Bride

Liu Yucheng, the smallest city in the Wind Empire, was so diminutive that calling it a city felt inappropriate; "town" might suit it better. Not only was it the smallest in area, but its location was the most remote. The population, economy, and overall Xuanli cultivation level in the entire empire paled in comparison here. The residents of Liu Yucheng often mocked themselves as a forgotten corner of the Tianyuan Continent. Yet, within this overlooked place, the Xiao family reigned as true giants.

Today, Liu Yucheng buzzed with unusual activity, all centered on the grand wedding of Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue. While Xiao Che marrying would go unnoticed, his bride’s departure was enough to shake the very foundations of their little world.

Xia Qingyue’s family, though not a pure cultivation lineage, had long been merchants. Their wealth, though modest by imperial standards, was unmatched in Liu Yucheng. This did not mean they were weak; their prosperity drew countless elite warriors to protect their interests. The current patriarch, Xia Hongyi, had two children: Xia Yuanba and Xia Qingyue. Unlike their parents, the siblings showed little interest in commerce, dedicating themselves instead to cultivation. Xia Hongyi, ever accommodating, never opposed their pursuits. After witnessing Qingyue’s extraordinary talent, he welcomed her path with open arms, even as various factions in Liu Yucheng extended subtle gestures of respect. After all, Qingyue was widely acknowledged as a potential future cultivator capable of reaching the Earth and even Heavenly realms. If that came to pass, the Xia family’s wealth and power would dominate Liu Yucheng entirely.

Yet this powerful clan was about to see their brightest jewel wed to Xiao Che—a man with no prospects, a washed-up failure. Countless hearts in the city must have felt the sting of regret. More than that, envy and resentment simmered beneath the surface.

Since it was the Xia family’s daughter being given away, the celebration was anything but modest. As Xiao Che stepped outside, a long, elaborate red carpet unfurled from the Xiao family’s mansion, winding its way toward the Xia residence. Though not far in distance, the path stretched over ten li. This carpet, a spectacle no other clan in Liu Yucheng could match, marked the occasion.

The Xiao family’s wedding entourage arrived, and the streets erupted in celebration. Crowds pressed against both sides of the road, whispering as the procession advanced.

“There! That’s Xiao Che, grandson of the fifth elder, Xiao Lie. They say he was born with a crippled Xuanli vein—he’ll never break through the Initial Realm.”

“Hm, I’ve never seen him before.”

“Normal. With a grandfather like Xiao Lie, the empire’s top cultivator, it’s no wonder he’s a failure. How could he even step outside? And Qingyue, our city’s jewel, married him? The heavens must be blind!”

“It’s said Xiao Che’s father, Xiao Ying, and Xia Hongyi were sworn brothers. When Qingyue was born, they nearly lost her. Xiao Ying expended vast amounts of Xuanli to save her. Xia Hongyi promised then to marry her to Xiao Ying’s son when she turned sixteen. Not long after, Xiao Ying was assassinated, his body drained of Xuanli. Xia Hongyi, overcome with guilt, kept his promise. Now, at sixteen, Qingyue is to wed Xiao Che—a failure. Yet Xia Hongyi, loyal to a fault, would never break his vow. How could he, after all, have secured such a prize for his family?”

“Ugh! Qingyue is our city’s treasure. If we stripped away Xiao Che’s title as grandson of the fifth elder, he’d be no better than mud. I’m a hundred times stronger than him! This world is so unfair!”

“My goddess in my dreams would never marry such a waste. I want to die of jealousy!”

On the horse, Xiao Che sat with eyes as deep and luminous as a still pond, his features refined and noble, draped in a magnificent red wedding robe. His long hair streamed behind him, exuding an aura of otherworldly grace. Yet, despite the whispers, scorn, and envy radiating from the crowd, he wore a serene smile, as though oblivious to the dozens of maidens who had lost their hearts to his sight.

Though his Xuanli was abysmal, his appearance was undeniably handsome—far superior even to Xiao YuLong. His rare outings and weak cultivation made him appear frail and pale, a living porcelain doll.

Thus, despite countless young elites’ bitter envy, they could not deny that Xiao Che, in appearance, matched the Xia family’s radiant daughter.

“Hmm, I thought he’d ride a carriage. But he’s on horseback… his demeanor doesn’t quite match the rumors.”

“Pah! He’s a nobody, a failure the whole city despises. Yet he’s marrying our Xia Qingyue? We’re all dazzled! He’ll be showing off, won’t he?” One sneered.

“They say the Wu family’s young lords and the Duke’s son pursued Qingyue relentlessly. Do they think they’re just here to crash the wedding?”

“Nonsense! Xiao Che may not be much, but his grandfather, Xiao Lie, is the empire’s first master. The Duke bowed to him three times. His son is dead, so this grandson must be his protector. If anyone causes trouble, Xiao Lie will roar!”

The wedding procession moved at a leisurely pace, taking nearly an hour and a half to cover the ten-plus li. “Brother!!”

As they neared the Xia mansion, a deep, guttural cry echoed. A towering, muscular figure strode toward Xiao Che with rapid steps. The man, not yet a man himself but nearly two meters tall, looked like a living mountain. Xiao Che, atop his horse, barely reached the stranger’s height, his weight dwarfed by the young man’s massive frame. Yet this bulk wasn’t fat—his muscles rippled beneath dark, metallic skin, radiating raw power. His Xuanli reached only the Initial Realm’s fourth level, but his strength was immense, capable of holding his own against a sixth-level cultivator.

Xiao Che’s closest friend since childhood, Xia Yuanba, had grown like a monster overnight. Before age eight, he was thin and weak, often bullied. Afterward, he surged in height and strength, his appetite and power exploding. Now fifteen, his face still held a hint of youth, but his body was monstrous.

“Brother,” Xiao Che called, his voice tinged with awe. “We haven’t seen each other in less than a month, yet you’ve grown so much!”

Xia Yuanba scratched his head, sheepish. “Uh… I can’t help it. Dad keeps telling me to diet, but starving myself feels worse than being killed.”

“…” Xiao Che could only nod in understanding. At fifteen, this was his state. What would he be like when older?

Xia Yuanba’s appetite was legendary. Xiao Che had seen worse, but being born into the Xia family spared him from destitution.

“Heh, brother, today you’re officially my brother-in-law.” Xia Yuanba grinned, genuinely happy for his sister’s marriage. In his eyes, having such a talented sister as a wife would ensure no one looked down on Xiao Che.

“Come on, brother. The preparations are ready on my sister’s side.” He slapped his forehead. “Oh right, I’ll open the door.”

With that, he sprinted toward the mansion, his massive form moving like a living boulder.

Inside the Xia residence, Xiao Che bowed respectfully before Xia Hongyi, who smiled warmly. “We’re at the ceremony, nephew,” he said, patting Xiao Che’s shoulder.

“Uncle Xia,” Xiao Che replied, his voice steady.

“At this point, still calling me uncle?” Xia Hongyi chuckled. Though middle-aged and round, no one in Liu Yucheng dared underestimate him.

Xiao Che’s eyes narrowed. He bowed again. “Patriarch Xia.”

For Xia Hongyi, Xiao Che was deeply respected. As his father’s sworn brother, he’d always been kind, even showering him with attention despite his crippled Xuanli. When Qingyue turned sixteen, he honored his promise, giving her to Xiao Che.

“Hah, good!” Xia Hongyi nodded, patting Xiao Che’s shoulder. “Son, from today, I entrust Qingyue to you. You may not be a hero or noble, but since you’re Xiao Ying’s son, I feel at ease. Your father, Xiao Ying, was brilliant and loyal. Becoming his brother was my greatest regret. You’re his son—even if your Xuanli is flawed, I don’t believe you’ll be ordinary.”

“Treat my daughter well. Let the rumors and whispers go to hell.”

Xiao Che’s eyes flickered. He nodded decisively. “Patriarch, rest assured. Though I’m currently despised, the dragon within me stirs. One day, I’ll make all who scorn me—and mock the Xia family for their failure—bow and shut their mouths.”

Xia Hongyi paused, stunned. The Xiao Che he knew was gentle, often shy, even self-deprecating. Yet here, his gaze was sharp, his words bold, his presence commanding. It was a man he’d never seen before.

“Good!” Xia Hongyi nodded again, patting Xiao Che’s shoulder. “I believe Xiao Ying’s son will never be ordinary. I’ll wait to see the day he ascends. Now, Qingyue is ready. Go.”