Chapter 711: A Magnificent Wedding

Within the palace, in a lavish room, two makeup artists were slaving away at the young woman who sat between them.

One of the makeup artists was male, and the other was female. The female artist was putting makeup on the young woman's exquisite face, while the male artist stood behind the young woman, thinking deeply as he felt her lustrous silver hair.

"My dear, this is hardly acceptable! How do you expect me to style your hair if you refuse to put it in a bun! What long, beautiful hair you have—but how can a bride leave her hair down?"

The young woman shook her head once more. "I refuse to put my hair up in a bun. Can't I leave it as is?"

The male artist pouted. "But then I won't be able to answer to my superiors… Why are you so reluctant to put your hair up today? It's the day of your wedding!"

The female artist sniffed. "What's there to be surprised about? Miss Qianqian is the most beautiful woman I've ever set eyes on, whether or not she dresses herself up."

The male artist scowled. "That may be, but her hairdo and makeup will only accentuate her natural beauty. Alright, alright—I'll rack my brains and come up with something."

The young woman's smile reminded one of flowers blooming. "Thank you."

Half an hour later, the female artist carefully slid a circlet over the young woman's long hair, before leaning back and clapping with excitement, "It's done! My dear, you're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen. Stand up and have a good look!."

The young woman slowly stood up. Her long, straight hair had been plaited into two braids which twined down her back, gems and jewels of all colors studded into her hair.

Her wedding gown, pure white, gleamed resplendent. Each gem on the gown was custom-made with a flawless starstone, and the entire gown took a thousand and one such stones. The largest stone was inlaid over her chest, cut into the shape of a heart, and surrounded by a border of small red jewels.

The young woman was a paragon of beauty, somehow simultaneously curvaceous and slim. Her veil hid her sparkling eyes and exquisite features, the natural extension of her beauty. Her wedding gown had no bustle, revealing the curves of her perfect body to the world. The circlet on her head was made of white gold and inlaid with starstones in silver and white, all cut into the shape of flowers.

As she glanced at her reflection in the mirror, Li Qianlin's pale blue eyes grew misty, and a faint sense of worry seemed to echo between her brows. Lightly pursing her lips, she asked, "Am I truly beautiful?"

Lush trees were carefully cultivated on the palatial grounds, blossoming with fragrant white-and-pink flowers. Around the trees were all sorts of strange and precious flowers, herbs, and shrubs—some priceless for their spiritual or medicinal properties, but all merely decoration for the land here.

Underneath the fragrant blooms and tall, lush trees, guests strode by talking to each other as they sipped on wine and champagne.

No one would dare to speak too loudly on such an occasion, for fear of ruining their carefully cultivated image of elegance.

Just then, two huge beasts flew through the air.

One seemed to take up the entirety of the skies, its body massive and covered in radiant scales. Antlers shining in all the colors of the rainbow adorned its head like a crown. Its imposing aura pressed on the guests despite how far away it still was.

The lifeforms on the ground, superior- and peak-grade alike, all lowered their bodies, as though paying respects to the lifeform from above.

The other lifeform was equally large, and its scales glittered with such radiance that even the sun seemed to pale in comparison. Its presence alone shook the ground.

A halo of light shone above its head, and nine pairs of wings kept it aloft, forming strong winds that buffeted the guests below. Their hearts pumped; the lifeform seemed to be staring at them with an air of disdainful arrogance.

"The star of the show's here," one of the guests whispered.

The two beasts carried a lavish palace between them, resplendent in its wealth. Just a jewel studded on its outer walls was comparable to the total wealth that the average guest possessed.

The floorboards themselves were made of a crystalline, jewel-like material, so precious an ordinary family could live on a small piece for a lifetime.

What stood out the most, however, was the radiant jewel that hung at the very top of the palace and gave off light. As the palace appeared more closely within sight, however, the guests realized that it wasn't a jewel at all, but rather the core of a disaster-grade lifeform. It gave off a shining glare, one so bright that it hurt one's eyes even looking at it from afar.

The worlds of east and west had been connected and in contact for quite some time, and they had met each other both in diplomacy and in war. This marriage, political as it was, would be a milestone in the history of both worlds.

Li Zongming was waiting on the lawn as the flying palace landed, followed by a dozen or so attendants. They stopped about thirty meters or so from where the giant beasts had landed. With a faint smile on his face, ever the polite host, Li Zongming welcomed the western delegation.

As the palace's doors sprung open, golden radiance melded into long stairs of light.

A long sheepskin carpet rolled down the steps, and a rain of flower petals floated down from the top of the palace.

A guest reached out and caught a petal in his hand, only to find it dissolving away like snow—it was made of energy.

The first people to step down from the palace were two armored knights, each on one side of the stairs, followed by an alien who looked like a lion walking upright.

The lion-man was over two meters tall, his body tawny red, with hands like an eagle's claws. His whiskers and mane were turning white, though he had combed them tidily behind his head. His appearance was beyond reproach.

Although he was smiling, his imposing aura made some of the guests take a step back.

These aliens of the world of the west were known as the Suanni.

Following behind the elder was a young Suanni, likewise garbed formally in a suit with black shoes and a black tie. His golden mane was brushed neatly, and he looked much like the elder who had stepped down before him.

His eyes shone brightly as he took in the sights.

Only when the two Suanni had descended did Li Zongming walk up to welcome them. The old man likewise stepped forward, and the two of them gave each other a warm hug. This old man, the king of the western realm, was Li Zongming's counterpart across the land.

"Duan Zisuan, you're as much of a hulk as ever," Li Zongming commented.

"From now on, we'll be relatives by marriage." Duan Zisuan guffawed and beckoned the young man behind him forward. "Duan Gen, greet your father-in-law!"

The golden-maned man stepped forward and bowed formally. "Duan Gen greets his father-in-law."

Li Zongming smiled. "There's no need for all the courtesy. You must have had a long journey, so let me lead you to your rooms for now. The ceremony is ready, and we can begin once you're prepared."

Duan Zisuan nodded. "It's about time. Thanks for your hard work."

A few dozen attendants stepped out of the palace, all of whom seemed stern and tight-lipped. They surrounded the father and son as they proceeded to their quarters.

As Li Zongming led them there, the wedding guests all greeted him. He returned each greeting one by one.

Duan Gen smiled warmly, with passion in his eyes that he couldn't hide. He couldn't help but think of the silver-haired, blue-eyed maiden's figure. His heart itched, as though thousands of ants were crawling over his skin. Her prideful gaze and disdainful expression, the aura of ice that surrounded her—he had wanted to ravage her in bed for quite some time, and today, he was finally going to get what he wanted.

Once the two Suanni had emerged unscathed from the throngs of guests and were in their personal chambers, Duan Zisuan asked, "Duan Gen, do you know how much sacrifice this wedding cost me?"

Duan Gen bowed. "Thank you for your assistance, Father."

Duan Zisuan shook his head. "No need for such words between father and son. Li Zongming has only one child, whom you'll be marrying. I need you to conquer her. The world of the east has been growing stronger and stronger these last few years, and Li Zongming has been a particularly effective ruler. I hope this marriage will prove to be a blessing for us."

Duan Gen requested, "Father, may I go see the bride?"

Duan Zisuan laughed. "You'll be able to see her shortly. Are you in such a hurry?"

Duan Gen's eyes shone. "I want to see what she looks like in her wedding gown."

Duan Zisuan sighed and waved at him. "Well, go on!"

Duan Gen licked his lips, his eyes turning as lustful as a beast's.

His life had been ruined five years ago, when he met Li Qianlin for the first time. She was fifteen, her beauty already having flowered. She looked at the world with pride in every fold of her body and disdain in her eyes, like a white lotus blooming in the solitude of a tall mountain. He dreamt of her at least weekly.

The first time he met her, he had been twenty-one. He vowed that he would obtain that ice-cold young woman, then make her into nothing more than his plaything. He wanted to see Li Qianlin beg for him, to lose that pride in her eyes and sink into despair, instead, to make her lick his toes like a lowly servant.

As these thoughts ran through his head, Duan Gen found himself getting an erection...