302: Chapter 302 Congratulatory Gift

The wedding ceremony was completed, and the banquet was thrown open.

Inside and outside the main hall, sandalwood tables were lined up. Disciples of Mu Mansion moved between them, serving jars of aged fine wine and delicacies like a flowing stream.

Hun Feng was seated at the main table, with Cai Lin on his left and Qing Yanjing on his right. Lin Dong sat opposite him, and the two were still toasting each other across the table.

The seven wives and seven daughters sat on both sides; the lineup at this table alone made guests at the nearby tables glance over frequently.

After three rounds of drinks, it was time for the presentation of gifts.

Elder Lu, the Chief Elder of the Great Thousand Palace, was the first to rise.

His hair and beard were completely white, and his moon-white robe was spotless. He walked to the center of the hall, holding a sandalwood box in both hands, and solemnly handed it to Mu Chen.

When the lid was opened, a jade slip emitting a faint golden light lay quietly on the red velvet cloth. The surface of the jade slip was engraved with five ancient seal characters—《Great Thousand Origin Returning Technique》.

"The Palace Master learned of the Mu Mansion Master's wedding and specifically ordered me to deliver this scroll. This is one of the top-tier Saint Grade Spiritual Arts in the Great Thousand Palace's Scripture Pavilion. Once cultivated to perfection, it can invoke the power of Heaven and Earth Origin, possessing infinite might. The Palace Master says that since the Mu Mansion Master is already an Immortal Grade Heavenly Supreme at such a young age and is also the successor of the Heavenly Emperor, this scroll will surely flourish in your hands."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was in an uproar.

A Saint Grade Spiritual Art, and one of the highest level in the Great Thousand Palace's Scripture Pavilion—everyone present could gauge the weight of this gift.

Mu Chen received the wooden box with both hands and bowed solemnly: "Many thanks to the Palace Master for this generous gift. Sorry to trouble Elder Lu for coming such a long way."

Elder Lu nodded slightly and returned to his seat.

Lin Dong of the Martial Realm stood up and took out a palm-sized protective jade talisman from his bosom.

The jade talisman was warm and smooth, its surface engraved with dense ancient runes, emitting a faint green light under the candlelight.

"Brother Hun's disciple is my nephew. I personally refined this jade talisman; it can withstand a full-strength strike from a Saint-Rank Heavenly Sovereign without shattering. Take it for self-defense, nephew."

Lin Dong stuffed the jade talisman into Mu Chen's hand, his tone rough yet full of sincerity.

Ling Qingzhu also rose from her seat and handed an exquisite jade box to Luo Li. When opened, it revealed a box of crystal-clear Cold Jade Ointment, the paste emitting a faint cold light under the candlelight.

"This is the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade Ointment, a specialty of the Martial Realm. Applied externally, it nourishes the skin; taken internally, it nourishes the meridians. Keep it for your use, niece-in-law. If you find it useful in the future, feel free to come to the Martial Realm to get more."

Luo Li took the jade box and bowed slightly in thanks.

Lin Dong glanced at Ling Qingzhu, his eyes filled with a touch of pride—his wife was usually gentle and reticent, but she always knew how to handle the situation perfectly when it mattered.

Ling Qingzhu returned a faint smile, then unobtrusively moved his hand away from behind her waist.

The Sword Domain sent the head of the Thirteen Sword Masters to offer congratulations on their behalf.

The white-clad Sword Master presented a pair of Saint Grade Mandarin Duck Twin Swords with both hands. When unsheathed, the two swords resonated with a clear sound like the singing of dragons and phoenixes. On the blades were engraved congratulatory words written by the Green-Shirt Sword Saint himself: "Sword hearts united, staying fresh until white hair."

When presenting the twin swords, the white-clad Sword Master said: "My master asked me to convey to Hall Master Hun and Mu Mansion Master—the Sword Domain will always be a friend to the Spirit Hall and Mu Mansion."

Hun Feng raised his wine cup and toasted him from afar, as a return gesture.

The West Heaven Battle Emperor strode forward and slammed a set of battle formation diagrams onto the table, his voice booming like a bell: "Kid Mu, this is the Ten-Thousand-Man Combined Attack Battle Formation diagram of my Hundred War Legion. When practiced to perfection, the combined attack of ten thousand men can withstand a full-strength strike from an Immortal Grade Heavenly Supreme! I once used this formation to trap three Evil Race Demon Emperors back in the day. Good stuff!"

Mu Chen smiled and accepted it with thanks.

Luo Shen Clan Patriarch Luo Tianshen stood up shakily, leaning on his cane, and took out a pair of Canglan Jade Discs from his bosom.

As soon as the jade discs appeared, the entire hall was in an uproar—they were the Luoshen Clan's ultimate heirloom, which had never even been used in the dowries of past empresses.

The jade discs were completely emerald blue like water, containing the origin power of the Canglan bloodline. The wearer could invoke the power within during times of danger to form a protective spiritual shield.

"I am marrying off my granddaughter; it cannot be shabby."

Luo Tianshen stuffed the jade discs into Luo Li's hands, his aged hands trembling slightly, yet his voice was so loud that it shook the dust from the ceiling.

Finally, it was Hun Feng's turn.

He stood up, cleared his throat, and took out an ancient bronze bottle from his storage ring—the bottle was no more than three feet tall, its body covered in ancient Yin-Yang runes. Black and white energy slowly swirled at the mouth of the bottle, emitting a heavy pressure capable of suppressing Heaven and Earth.

The experts present all changed color—the mohe yin-yang bottle! The Mohe Ancient Clan's town-clan holy object!

Back when Hun Feng fought Maha Tian outside the Imperial City, Maha Tian was defeated and forced to concede, handing over this item.

Was he actually using this peerless holy object as a wedding gift for his disciple?

"The mohe yin-yang bottle can stabilize the universe and suppress all laws. It's yours."

Hun Feng stuffed the yin-yang bottle into Mu Chen's hands and took out a storage ring from his sleeve, "Plus three Super Spiritual Veins for the Mu Mansion's future development. Take it, don't embarrass your master."

Mu Chen received the yin-yang bottle and the ring with both hands, his fingers trembling slightly. His voice was very low, but he could not hide his surging gratitude: "Master, this is too valuable—"

"Take it if I give it to you."

Hun Feng waved his hand, a mischievous smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, "If Luo Li bullies you in the future, just use this to freeze her. Don't be afraid of her; your master has your back."

Behind Mu Chen, Luo Li shot a cold glance at Hun Feng. The light in her blue eyes clearly said: Master, what are you teaching him?

Qing Yanjing also frowned slightly at Hun Feng, but the arc of suppressed amusement at the corner of her lips betrayed her.

Yao Yao laughed out loud, slapping the table. Cao Ying covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking, and even Cai Lin curled the corners of her mouth slightly.

Lin Dong laughed heartily across the table, holding his wine bowl: "Brother Hun, your gift is too mean! Don't be afraid, niece-in-law. I'll ask Qingzhu to teach you a few moves on how to defend against this bottle later!"

Ling Qingzhu gently tugged at Lin Dong's sleeve and whispered, "Don't add fuel to the fire," but her gentle eyes were also filled with a hint of amusement.

Amidst the roars of laughter, the guests were secretly shocked—the mohe yin-yang bottle, the very town-clan holy object that the Mohe Ancient Clan had relied on to look down upon the Five Ancient Clans, had now been casually given away by Hun Feng as a wedding gift to his disciple.

The foundation of the Spirit Hall had become so deep that they could treat peerless holy objects as favors to be given away.

After the gift-giving segment ended, the banquet continued, and the atmosphere grew even more lively amidst the clinking of cups.

In a side hall, Elder Lu and Hun Feng sat alone for a moment.

Elder Lu held his teacup, withdrew his gaze from the lively banquet outside the hall, and looked at Hun Feng with a deeper meaning.

"The Palace Master asked me to convey a message—the Mu Mansion has officially joined the ranks of the core forces of the Great Thousand World. In the future, if there are any major events, the Great Thousand Palace hopes to consult with the Spirit Hall and the Mu Mansion together."

Elder Lu's voice was very low.

"The Palace Master is too kind."

Hun Feng held his teacup, his face still wearing that calm smile, but he had already made his own calculations—the Great Thousand Palace was making a statement.

Mu Chen's wedding, the Palace Master sending the Chief Elder in person, and specifically having Elder Lu deliver this message, was to tell the entire Great Thousand World that the Mu Mansion was now an overlord recognized by the Great Thousand Palace, standing on equal footing with the Five Ancient Clans.

And the status of the Spirit Hall was even more transcendent, above the Five Ancient Clans, second only to the Great Thousand Palace itself.

Elder Lu put down his teacup, his tone gentle but with a hint of seriousness: "The Extraterritorial Evil Clan has been quite active recently. The Palace Master's meaning is that in the future situation, forces like the Spirit Hall need to step forward. The Palace Master trusts you to get things done."

Hun Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Rest assured, Elder Lu, I have it under control."

Elder Lu said no more, picked up his teacup and tapped it gently against his, and both drank it down.

Outside the hall, the banquet was still lively. Mu Chen and Luo Li were surrounded by Nine Nether and Zi Yan, who were toasting them, and the laughter penetrated the window lattice of the side hall.

A single wedding had tightly linked the four parties: the Spirit Hall, Mu Mansion, Martial Realm, and the Great Thousand Palace.

And the future of this alliance would be tested under the shadow of the Evil Race.