Chapter 567: Another Divine Resonance
The betrothal gift ceremony was a matter of considerable importance and could not be handled carelessly. Moreover, to show respect for the bride's parents, it had to be grand, and the betrothal gifts could not be too casual.
After all, the Chen Clan was a medieval aristocratic clan, a prestigious family. Internally, it was divided into eight main branches and seventy-two collateral branches, with countless external relatives and household warriors.
No one knew how many clan members were watching Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen's marriage. With countless eyes fixed on the matter, if the betrothal gifts Zhang Ruochen sent were not substantial enough, those Chen Clan members would likely mock Huang Yanchen's parents.
Therefore, Zhang Ruochen was taking this marriage very seriously and was not being stingy in the slightest. Thus, the betrothal gifts he sent had to be generous no matter what.
Knowing that Zhang Ruochen was going to the Chen Clan to present the betrothal gifts, various friends and relatives gathered at his residence the night before to help him decorate the wedding chamber and the mansion.
Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi were the first to arrive. The two of them had an excellent relationship with Zhang Ruochen, having been close friends since their days at the Demon Ridge, all the way through the Holy Academy.
Although Zhang Ruochen's cultivation had now far surpassed theirs, he showed no arrogance. Hearing that they had arrived outside the gate, he personally went out to welcome them.
Zhang Ruochen spotted Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi from a distance and called out, "Senior Brother, Brother Chang, your news travels fast. You already know I'm going to the Chen Clan tomorrow to present the betrothal gifts?"
Compared to when he first arrived at the Eastern Domain Sacred City, Si Xingkong hadn't changed much. He still looked very carefree, with a wine gourd hanging from his waist and a slight smile on his lips.
He seemed like a drunkard, yet he was not without steadiness. He said, "First of all, we're fellow disciples. Secondly, we've all left our hometowns to make our way in the Eastern Domain Sacred City. We should naturally support each other. Since you're getting married, we definitely had to come and help."
Chang Qiqi also chuckled, "That's right. Senior Brother and I may not be able to do anything major or help with big matters, but we can still carry boxes and deliver betrothal gifts. Junior Brother Zhang, you won't look down on us, will you?"
Zhang Ruochen knew Chang Qiqi was joking, but he still remembered their goodwill. He said sincerely, "Thank you, both senior brothers."
Si Xingkong walked over to Zhang Ruochen's side and said in a low voice, "Don't say thank you. If anyone should be thanking, it's us. The Xuanwu Qi that Miss Kongxuan delivered—we've received it. Such a precious gift, I don't know how to express my gratitude."
"Just one thing: no matter when or where, if you ever need me, Junior Brother, just say the word. Even if it means walking through blades or wading through fire, I, Si Xingkong, will not refuse."
When Si Xingkong said this, his tone was very firm, his eyes like two flames, as if he were making an oath.
Chang Qiqi also put away his smile, his expression turning serious, and said, "Count me in."
Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi were both men of great loyalty. To receive a promise from them was worth far more than ten million spirit crystals.
From outside the main gate, a deep voice rang out, "What are you all talking about? You seem so happy."
"Whoosh!"
A burly divine figure, leaving a trail of afterimages, darted in from outside the door.
Lei Jing, with his hands behind his back, walked down the stone steps. His steps were steady, his aura powerful, and faint wisps of holy qi seeped from his pores.
With each step he took, the spiritual energy beneath his feet spread outward like ripples on water.
Zhang Ruochen, Si Xingkong, and Chang Qiqi immediately went to greet him.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Lei Jing and saw that he had opened five holy meridians in his body, reaching the eighth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
He was only one step away from cultivating the Glazed Glass Divine Body.
Zhang Ruochen clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Master."
Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi also immediately bowed and said in unison, "Greetings, Pavilion Master Lei."
Lei Jing's tiger-like eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen. He nodded, and the stern expression on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile. "You brat, you've become a Sword Saint's disciple, and you still acknowledge me as your master?"
"Once a teacher, always a teacher," Zhang Ruochen said.
Lei Jing had only been joking with Zhang Ruochen. After all, he had also received the Xuanwu Qi that Zhang Ruochen had sent, and he knew that Zhang Ruochen was a filial child who had not forgotten his roots.
With the Xuanwu Qi, Lei Jing now had hope of reaching the Half-Saint realm in his lifetime.
Lei Jing's expression turned serious. "I just received some news. Two days ago, another divine resonance occurred on the Ruins Realm battlefield."
Si Xingkong was somewhat surprised. "It hasn't been long since Junior Brother Zhang reached the Heavenly Extreme Realm's Supreme Extreme Realm. Has someone else achieved the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm?"
Zhang Ruochen narrowed his eyes slightly and asked tentatively, "Is it Di Yi?"
Lei Jing nodded. "It's precisely the young master of the Black Market First Class Hall, Di Yi. It's said that after he broke through to the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm, he was escorted back to the Eastern Domain by Black Market saints. Zhang Ruochen, this is very bad news for you."
Chang Qiqi snorted coldly. "Does he dare to cause trouble in the Eastern Domain Sacred City?"
"Di Yi is both strategic and bold. He might actually take action," Si Xingkong said.
Lei Jing was also somewhat worried. "Zhang Ruochen killed Huang Shen Star Envoy and captured Cheng Yue Star Envoy. The outside world even attributes the death of Lü Pao Star Envoy to him."
"One could say that the Black Market First Class Hall has lost all face at Zhang Ruochen's hands. If they don't come to settle the score, can they still call themselves the Black Market First Class Hall?"
"Clearly, the seventh day of this month, when Zhang Ruochen gets married, is a perfect opportunity. Even if the Black Market has to pay a price, they will definitely try to reclaim their honor."
"It's said that some older generation evil path experts have already issued threats, vowing to kill Zhang Ruochen on his wedding day and capture the bride. They want Zhang Ruochen to pay blood debts with blood and personal debts with personal repayment."
Si Xingkong snorted coldly, his fists clenching involuntarily. "A bunch of arrogant fools. They actually want to come to the Eastern Domain Sacred City to snatch someone. They have no regard for the law."
Chang Qiqi looked at Zhang Ruochen. "Junior Brother Zhang, don't worry. In the Eastern Domain Sacred City, the evil path martial artists of the Black Market can't run rampant."
Zhang Ruochen showed no fear, but he wasn't entirely without concern either. "The Eastern Domain Sacred City is relatively safe, but the Black Market's power is vast. They have a very long history in the Kunlun Realm. Their planted spies have long infiltrated the inner circles of various major powers, making them deeply entrenched. So, we should still be as cautious as possible."
That evening, a family banquet was held at Zhang Ruochen's residence.
The guests in attendance included, besides Si Xingkong, Chang Qiqi, and Lei Jing, cultivators from the Luo Saint Clan Gate represented by Luo Shuihan, cultivators from the Divine Sword Sacred Land represented by Lu Fantian, and Nie Honglou, the deputy leader of the Silver Sky Mercenary Corps... and so on.
It was just a family banquet, so it wasn't particularly grand. It was mainly a gathering of the younger generation; the older generation of cultivators did not appear.
At the banquet, Zhang Ruochen saw many familiar friends, but he was unable to see Duanmu Xingling.
He had already inquired about her. Duanmu Xingling had left the Eastern Domain Sacred City several months ago and had not yet returned.
For some reason, Zhang Ruochen felt a slight sense of loss.
After all, among all his senior and junior sisters, Duanmu Xingling had the best relationship with him.
Although Duanmu Xingling was a member of the Demon Sect, Zhang Ruochen had always regarded her as a close confidante.
Zhang Ruochen was well aware that the reason Duanmu Xingling had left the Eastern Domain Sacred City was because, at his request, she had gone to protect the Ninth Commandery Princess of the Yunwu Commandery and Zhang Shaochu.
For several months, Duanmu Xingling had not returned to the Eastern Domain Sacred City. Was it because the experts the Black Market had sent to the Yunwu Commandery were too powerful, or was she deliberately avoiding Zhang Ruochen and Huang Yanchen's wedding?
...
...
Above the Seventh City District, a spiritual mountain hovered in the air.
The mountain was a full hundred zhang above the ground, with wisps of white mist like cloud bridges surrounding it. Looking up from the ground, one could faintly see the shadows of vermilion palaces and pavilions within the white mist.
At this moment, Di Yi, dressed in a white robe and wearing a metal mask on his face, stood at the edge of the spiritual mountain. His clear eyes gazed down at the myriad lights of the city below.
Finally, his gaze settled on Ming Wang Street, on Zhang Ruochen's residence.
Di Yi's voice was magnetic, and he chuckled. "Qing Yi, look at Zhang Ruochen's residence. It's truly brightly lit and bustling with activity. Even I feel like joining in the fun."
Qing Yi Star Envoy stood behind Di Yi, holding a sword. Her slender figure cast a long shadow under the moonlight.
She said, "Young Master, are you already eager to do battle with Zhang Ruochen?"
The corners of Di Yi's mouth curled upward. "It's a good thing to be born in the same era as Zhang Ruochen."
"If it weren't for his provocation, I might not have been able to cultivate the Heartless Sacred Body. If it weren't for his pressure, I might not have been able to break through to the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm."
"He is like a whetstone, sharpening my blade to be ever more keen."
Qing Yi Star Envoy said, "It's a pity he's not a member of the Black Market. Otherwise, he might have become the Young Master's best friend."
Di Yi was quite proud. He looked up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky. "In this world today, there is no one worthy of being my friend. As for enemies worthy of me, there are only six. He is one of the more important ones."
Qing Yi Star Envoy asked curiously, "And who are the other five?"
"Among those five, some you might know by name, but there are others you may never have heard of. However, their talent is no less than mine or Zhang Ruochen's," Di Yi said with a smile.
"Tomorrow, Zhang Ruochen will go to the Chen Clan to present the betrothal gifts. The day after tomorrow is their official wedding day. As an enemy, I must go and offer my congratulations. Have you prepared the gift I want to give Zhang Ruochen?"
Qing Yi Star Envoy's expression changed slightly. She immediately knelt on one knee. "Young Master, forgive me. There were some troubles at the Yunwu Commandery. All the experts we sent there vanished without a trace, and not one returned alive. The operation... has failed."