This Palace of Sorcery pierces the enigma of magic and unveils the subtlety of sorcery.

Within the Palace of Sorcery at this very moment, lanterns glowed, and seven-colored dust shimmered everywhere. Beautiful maidservants, moving like flowing water through blossoming flowers, delivered an array of rare fruits and exotic beverages to the guests at every table. Among the fruits were the Dark Nether Marvel Fruit, the Great Dao Law Fruit, the Seven-Colored Rainbow Fruit, and the Purple East-Coming Fruit, among others. Each fruit possessed its own marvel. For instance, consuming the Great Dao Law Fruit imparted a feeling of proximity to the Great Dao itself. The Seven-Colored Rainbow Fruit offered seven distinct flavors; upon the first bite, one experienced a cold sensation, followed by sweetness on the second, with seven tastes unfolding in sequence—a truly extraordinary aesthetic pleasure. The Purple East-Coming Fruit, on the other hand, was mellow, pure to the extreme, offering exquisite flavor.

Undoubtedly the most treasured of all was a fruit presented only at the foremost tables. This fruit resembled a small doll, so much so that one might mistake it for one if not for a closer look. However, the knowledgeable guests gasped in recognition: "This is… the Ginseng Fruit!" "The Ginseng Fruit, said to bear fruit only once every nine thousand years!" those with insight immediately realized.

The beverages were equally diverse. There was Crystal Orange Juice, pressed from a special variety of orange, appearing as beautiful as crystal and offering a truly singular taste.

Then there was Platinum Apple Juice, squeezed from apples that shimmered white like gold. This juice delivered a sensation like a clash of ice and fire erupting simultaneously in the mouth.

The Wine Coconut was a natural source of spirits; the fruit inherently fermented into an alcoholic beverage rich in spiritual energy conducive to cultivation. Beyond these were countless other drinks, an inexhaustible selection.

Within the Palace of Sorcery, seated at the various tables were figures of world-shaking importance.

For instance, many Sovereigns of the Fagu Civilization were present, the most conspicuous being the Lord of the Fagu Civilization and Empress Cangyun. Normally, Empress Menghu would preside, being the mistress of the Fagu Civilization, while Empress Cangyun was merely a concubine. However, as Empress Cangyun's daughter was being married off this time, she naturally took the lead. Furthermore, the daughter Empress Cangyun was marrying off—Yun Xiuxue—was marrying Lu Yuan, a man of immense potential. This union was sure to elevate Empress Cangyun's standing within the Fagu Civilization significantly.

Representing the Wugu Civilization were the Vice-Lord of the Martial Saint Civilization, the Vice-Lord of the Martial Bo Civilization, and the Vice-Lord of the Martial Yan Civilization—three Vice-Lords appearing at once, clearly demonstrating considerable respect for the Fagu Civilization. The Vice-Lord of the Martial Saint Civilization was known as a man whose foot was already halfway into the realm of a Civilization Lord.

The Wind Civilization, the Confucian Civilization, the Medicine Civilization, the Heavenly Mother Civilization, the Holy Light Civilization, the Umbrella Civilization, the Dragon Civilization, the Diagram Civilization, the Ice Civilization, the Fire Civilization, the Night Civilization, the Bird Civilization, the Zither Civilization, the Axe Civilization, and the Magic Artifact Civilization—fifteen civilizations in total—each sent a Vice-Lord. Moreover, these were mostly high-ranking Vice-Lords, not those of lower standing, showing immense deference to both the Fagu Civilization and Lu Yuan. For example, the Dragon Civilization sent a Vice-Lord whose accumulated age spanned epochs. Since this was a wedding feast, many Sovereign-level figures had brought their families along.

For instance, at the fifth table—a grand arrangement—sat the female relatives from various civilizations, primarily the consorts from the fifteen general civilizations, alongside those from the Wugu Civilization. The hostess at this table was Empress Lanli, another consort of the Lord of the Fagu Civilization, perfectly positioned to entertain guests at the fifth table.

Women, truly, could be divided into two types.

One type is the woman in her youth.

The other is the woman in her middle years.

The young women, like Yun Xiuxue’s twenty bridesmaids, generally focused on which young man was the most handsome—Lu Yuan, the Son of the Desolation, Li Taishi, the Son of Martial, the Son of Sorcery, and other young talents competing on looks. Some with particular tastes even favored the baldness of the Son of the Buddha. Their discussions revolved around such topics. In essence, those who could "sell handsomeness"—like the Son of the Desolation, those who could sell melancholy, like the often-drinking Lu Yuan, those who could sell ruggedness, like the stubbled Son of Martial, or those who could sell delicate, sunny beauty, like the Son of Sorcery—each had their appeal. Young girls are romantic.

But the middle-aged women were not like that. The mature women seated at the fifth table primarily discussed whose son had achieved distinction, perhaps reaching the apex of the World Realm, or perhaps who had acquired an immensely powerful magic artifact—more realistic comparisons. Most middle-aged women are pragmatic.

Because of this, once the discussions among the women at the fifth table wound down, the topic inevitably turned to the bride price.

"Lu Yuan comes from a minor sect like the Sword Gate; he probably can't afford a large bride price."

"Indeed. Although Lu Yuan is now in the Civilization Realm, he's only just rapidly ascended. In terms of accumulated wealth, he likely isn't very substantial, so he might not be able to offer much in the way of a bride price." "A standard bride price? Our Civilization-level requires ninety-nine items, while ordinary Supreme Great Sects require sixteen. Given Lu Yuan's modest means, he'll likely have to follow the lesser standard of the Supreme Great Sects." "That’s very likely," remarked a woman from the Fire Civilization. "When my daughter, Imperial Concubine Huoyun, was married, she received countless gifts." This was somewhat boastful; it was customary for middle-aged women to engage in such comparisons. Empress Lanli listened to the chatter with a sense of resignation. Entertaining guests at this table was tiresome, but unavoidable. Comparing the bride price offered by the groom's side was extremely popular in the circle of noble ladies, and it was not something one could ignore. If the Fagu Civilization were to give Lu Yuan ninety-nine items first, only for him to present them as the bride price, the Fagu Civilization certainly had the wealth, but doing so would be humiliating. This world has its own rules, and they hoped Lu Yuan could muster a respectable amount; otherwise, it would cause a small embarrassment within the noble circle.

The circle of noble wives was, frankly, quite mundane. Aside from a few who dedicated themselves to cultivation, most spent their time comparing this or that. It was a remarkably dull existence, despite their lofty titles as Empresses.

However, this applied to the majority; there were occasional exceptions.

Naturally, only the fifth table concerned itself with such trifles. The guests at the first and second tables were figures of immense gravity, discussing affairs of state. Each group had its own sphere and its own way of engaging. Since this was the bride’s side, the elders of the Lu family were absent; they would only appear at the groom’s celebration.

Marriage, after all, required two banquets, one hosted by each family.

At the bride's event, the groom must present the bride price and endure the antics of the bridesmaids.

At the groom's event, the bride’s side presents the dowry and endures the traditional room-teasing ceremonies.

Yun Xiuxue, the bride, finally made her appearance, her phoenix crown and embroidered robes obscuring her features, followed by her twenty bridesmaids, each possessing a distinct charm. The groom, Lu Yuan, had also appeared. He had changed into a brand-new azure robe, and his usually unrestrained hair was neatly tied back with a spirited air. His Yangwu Divine Sword, normally never separated from him, was temporarily stowed away in his New Sword World. Lu Yuan had invited several groomsmen, a diverse group: old friends from Huashan, Ye Fang and Ye Yuan; close friends made during the assessment for the Central Celestial Dynasty, such as Xiao Fengxiong; and newer acquaintances like the Son of Martial and the Son of Sorcery. Lu Yuan’s principle was simple: if you are a friend, you are a friend. Ye Fang and Ye Yuan were the most fascinated, as this was their first time witnessing the grandeur of the Central Celestial Dynasty. Both had now cultivated to the Chaos Vortex Realm.

Two people invited had yet to arrive. Zhou Qingxuan’s reply to Lu Yuan’s invitation was: "A solitary man will not disturb a joyous celebration." Clearly, Zhou Qingxuan preferred not to be in such a festive atmosphere. However, to celebrate Lu Yuan’s wedding, he recorded a performance of "The Phoenix Seeks His Mate" played on the erhu onto a magnetic stone. Despite the celebratory tune, the recording retained the inherent melancholy and desolation of his playing.

Yan Cangtian’s reply was: "I’ll speak of it after I cleave the Vice-Lord of the Evil Sword Civilization in two." Yan Cangtian seldom suffered defeat, and losing to the Evil Sword Vice-Lord was a profound disgrace he constantly sought to avenge.

As Lu Yuan appeared, he stood beside Yun Xiuxue, whose face remained hidden.

The next segment was the announcement of the bride price, a tradition in the Central Celestial Dynasty.

The Master of Ceremonies cleared his throat: "The bride price presented by Lu Yuan totals nine items."

The announcement of nine items caused a sudden stillness throughout the hall.

Nine items!

It was astonishingly unconventional!

Ordinary Supreme Great Sects required sixteen items, and standard Civilizations demanded ninety-nine. Some particularly esteemed unions even called for two hundred items. Yet, Lu Yuan had presented a mere nine.

Nine versus ninety-nine!

This! This! This! It was far too little!

What was Lu Yuan thinking, offering such a meager sum?

By rights, even if Lu Yuan were poor, he should have been able to muster at least a few dozen items worthy of a World-Level pinnacle union; nine was impossible.

What could this mean?