"Saintess, please!"
As Yue Zhengxiao's voice fell, Li Xuan's excitement surged.
After years, he could finally see Yue Fuyao again.
Petals, seemingly from nowhere, began to drift down, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.
Then, eight women, clad in white flowing robes, descended from afar. Where they passed, the petals grew denser.
Under everyone's gaze, a graceful figure slowly appeared, stepping on the falling petals.
She was adorned in a crimson robe and a jade crown. Her exquisite features, illuminated by the sun, were dazzling, exuding a divine aura like a queen.
This woman was Yue Fuyao.
"This Moon Clan Saintess is truly extraordinary. Such a stunning presence, she is truly beautiful!" Wang Kun exclaimed, watching Yue Fuyao descend on the petals.
"Please, Clan Leader, bestow the Moon Saint's Rite!"
As Yue Fuyao landed on the high platform, Yue Zhengxiao's voice boomed again.
Yue Zhengqi, standing on the platform, slowly rose and walked before Yue Fuyao. With a complex hand seal, a new moon began to ascend.
Even in daylight, the new moon's pure and sacred radiance shone. The moonlight cast upon Yue Fuyao, and on her forehead, between her brows, a crescent moon-shaped rune slowly materialized.
"O Ancestors, spirits of our forebears, bestow upon her the position within the Moon Clan!"
As the crescent rune on Yue Fuyao's forehead took shape, Yue Zhengxiao proclaimed once more.
Yue Zhengqi glanced at Yue Fuyao, then shifted his hand seal. The jade bracelet on his thumb began to flash.
A humming sound arose, and strands of heaven and earth energy converged from all directions. Although there was a hint of chill in the air, the solemnity was palpable.
Under the assembled gazes, figures began to manifest from the spiritual energy.
These figures, some as children, others as elders, and some as burly middle-aged men, all bore a crescent moon-shaped rune on their foreheads, identical to Yue Fuyao's.
These were the ancestors of the Moon Clan.
Each ancestor turned their gaze towards Yue Fuyao, and a wisp of energy from each flowed into her. With a nod, they slowly dissipated.
"The rite is complete, bestow the decree!" As the ancestors vanished, Yue Zhengxiao announced.
Yue Zhengqi looked at Yue Fuyao with a hint of satisfaction and nodded. Then, reaching into the void, he produced a token.
It bore no other markings, but a new moon shimmered with lunar energy.
Clearly, this token was no ordinary object.
"Moon Clan members, heed the order, bow to the Saintess!" As Yue Fuyao accepted the token, Yue Zhengxiao's voice rang out. Instantly, the people of the Moon Clan rose. Apart from Yue Zhengqi and the five patriarchs, all other clan members bowed to Yue Fuyao.
"Grant her a seat." Yue Zhengqi nodded slightly to Yue Zhengxiao, then stepped forward and addressed the Moon Spirit Plaza, "Thank you all for attending. The feast begins, please enjoy."
With Yue Zhengqi's words, Moon Clan guards and maids emerged.
Within ten minutes, the already laid out tables were laden with various dishes.
Even for those in the back rows, like Li Xuan and Wang Kun, maids brought forth platters of food.
After several rounds of wine and tasting the delicacies.
Half an hour later, Yue Zhengqi rose, surveying the assembled guests.
"Everyone, as you know, besides the Saintess's Grand Ceremony, our Moon Clan will also be choosing a worthy consort for our Saintess. Aside from our own clan, disciples from the other four clans, aged below fifty and with cultivation above the Void Profound Realm, are eligible to register."
"If the Saintess favors someone, so be it. If the Saintess cannot choose immediately, then a competition will decide the outcome. Patriarch Yuan, Patriarch Xuan, Patriarch Li, Patriarch Sheng, do you have any recommended individuals?"
"My heavens, they're actually selecting a husband for the Saintess?!"
"We only heard whispers of this before, I never thought it was true!"
"Good heavens, if the Saintess doesn't fancy anyone but one of the contenders wins the competition, wouldn't that mean they could win the beauty's hand?"
"What a shame, it seems from the Clan Leader's words that only disciples from the other four clans are eligible to register."
"..."
As Yue Zhengqi finished speaking, the assembled guests from various forces erupted in shocked discussion.
Upon hearing this news, Li Xuan's expression turned icy.
After years of reuniting with the one he loved, he was now faced with the prospect of her finding a partner.
"Clan Leader, I refuse this matter!"
Just as Li Xuan was about to explode, a clear yet firm voice suddenly rang out.
Li Xuan's turbulent emotions calmed, and he turned to where the voice originated. Seeing that familiar face, tears welled in his eyes.
"Saintess, have you forgotten what I told you?" Yue Zhengqi's face darkened with displeasure as Yue Fuyao publicly objected. However, mindful of the many eyes upon them, he spoke in a low voice.
"Clan Leader, my heart already belongs to someone. Even if he has not yet arrived on the Eternal Continent, I, Yue Fuyao, will wait patiently. Regarding this union, I implore the Clan Leader to find someone else. If the Clan Leader insists, then I would rather not be the Saintess!"
Yue Fuyao, seemingly disregarding appearances, ignored Yue Zhengqi and proclaimed loudly once more.
"You!" Yue Zhengqi's face turned red.
To be publicly defied in front of so many powerful factions left him furious.
However, seeing Yue Fuyao's resolute expression, Yue Zhengqi weighed his options and smiled, "Saintess, since you have completed our clan's Saintess Grand Ceremony, your identity cannot be changed. And since your heart already belongs to someone, if you can name him here and now, I, Yue Zhengqi, will fulfill your wish!"
"Clan Leader, to say such a thing truly disappoints me!"
Yue Fuyao let out a cold laugh. She had no idea where Li Xuan was, but she knew he would not be at this Saintess Grand Ceremony.
Yue Fuyao immediately saw through Yue Zhengqi's intentions.
"Clan Leader Yue, since your esteemed Saintess's heart is taken, I presume he is an exceptional individual. In that case, it would indeed be a great match."
"Saintess Yue, Clan Leader Yue is correct. On such an important day for you, the person in your heart must have arrived. Since Clan Leader Yue has made a promise, Saintess Yue, please call out to that person. In front of all of us, I am sure Clan Leader Yue will honor his word."
Observing the exchange between Yue Zhengqi and Yue Fuyao, Yuan Chu Ge, the patriarch of the Yuan Clan, rose from his seat not far from the high platform and spoke.
"Thank you for your kind intentions, Patriarch Yuan. However, the one in my heart is not on the Eternal Continent. Clan Leader Yue knows this well. But I, Yue Fuyao, believe that one day, Li Xuan will come here and take me away!"
Yue Fuyao bowed respectfully to Yuan Chu Ge, then spoke with unwavering determination, gazing into the distance.
"Li Xuan? Brother Li, I never imagined there would be another person with the same name as you. Hmm, Brother Li, where are you going?" Wang Kun exclaimed upon hearing the name.
But then he turned and realized Li Xuan was no longer in his seat. Looking around, he saw Li Xuan slowly walking towards the high platform.
"A man in this life must act according to his principles. If you can be brave, how can I, as a man, be cowardly!"
"I, Li Xuan, have arrived!"