"Look, those are the Big Dipper stars..." A young girl pointed toward the center of the celestial map, right there. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang—seven stars aligned in an arc. There is an old saying: When the Dipper’s handle points east, spring reigns over the world; when it points south, it is summer; when it points west, it is autumn; and when it points north, it is winter.

"Eh, those are the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper." Another girl pointed toward the legendary constellations: Tian Fu, Tian Liang, Tian Ji, Tian Tong, Tian Xiang, and Qi Sha. The Six Stars of the Southern Dipper govern the lifespan of the Son of Heaven and preside over the status and emoluments of the Prime Minister.

"Eh, there's Altair, the Cowherd Star!"

"And Vega, Vega!" The Big Dipper and the Southern Dipper—these thirteen stars are quite famous, yet they do not command the fame of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. In the grand tapestry of the heavens, these two stars are the most renowned. The love story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl has been passed down through epochs, and countless young women are thrilled simply to discover these two beacons. Though the Central Celestial Dynasty possesses countless stars, the constellations of this current era are obscure; instead, the stars of previous eras hold renown. In fact, the Central Celestial Dynasty even possesses a field of study called Xing Xue (Star Lore), dedicated entirely to their examination.

"Oh, that's Alcor."

"That's the Hyades." "And that's Regulus and Antares."

"I see the Four Heavenly Kings, Alcor, the Hyades, Regulus, and Antares—I see all the Four Heavenly Kings."

"That's the Southern Cross."

"That's the Tail of the Scorpion Star."

"And that's Crane One."

"So beautiful! I never imagined seeing the Seven-Colored Star here." The Seven-Colored Star is exceptionally unique, constantly emitting light in seven distinct hues.

"What is the Seven-Colored Star compared to the Peacock Star? The Peacock Star is truly magnificent! It's shining, it's glowing!" The girls burst into praise for the beauty of the Celestial Map, which, in the eyes of the Sub-Lord of the Stellar River Civilization, was merely a deadly weapon. However, to these budding maidens, it represented the pinnacle of romance.

"Lu Yuan is so romantic."

"The rumor had it that among the young generation with the greatest potential, Lu Yuan was a notorious drunkard who understood nothing of romance. It seems that rumor was quite mistaken; he understands romance deeply." The circle of girls chattered amongst themselves, for this spectacle was undeniably breathtakingly romantic. Meanwhile, in the circle of noble ladies, those who had just been boasting about the dowry their husbands sent upon their daughters' marriages fell silent. Lu Yuan had presented nine items in total for the bride price. The first item alone was extraordinary, but the second, the Celestial Map—it basically obliterated the collective value of ninety-nine World Realm-level dowry gifts. This single item, a mid-tier Innate Spirit Treasure described as the most romantic, was no idle boast.

It could be said that Lu Yuan had already met the standard with just these first two gifts; the remaining seven items were now an exercise in exceeding expectations.

And now, everyone leaned forward in anticipation. If the first two gifts were this spectacular, what wonders awaited in the subsequent ones?

The official announcing the gifts paused briefly before proclaiming the third item: "A set of Civilized Miao Silverware." A set of Civilized Miao Silverware!

This! This was no simple offering either.

Miao Silver—the adornments worn by women of the Miao Civilization are vastly different from others. Qing Lian, the Miao woman previously encountered, wore such a set, which included phoenix-and-sparrow hairpin chains, a silver-sparrow phoenix crown, silver horns, silver combs, hair-winding silver chains, and silver sparrows stuck in the hair.

On the forehead, there were silver images of Arhats, Bodhisattvas, the Noble Child Guanyin, as well as silver tiaras, forehead guards lined with tiny bells, and so on. But the Civilized Miao Silverware was reputed to be the most noble and singular set within the Miao Civilization, brimming with exotic, captivating beauty. Moreover, rumor held that this silverware could ward off all poisons—except those originating from the Poison Civilization at the Civilized Realm level or higher. This was undoubtedly an extraordinary collection of jewelry, precious beyond measure. Lu Yuan had only obtained it after slaying both Miao Dao and Miao Zhong, the two Vice-Lords of the Poison Civilization. Now, he offered it up.

This third item, the set of Civilized Miao Silverware, also elicited gasps of amazement. This set could nearly match the value of ninety-nine World-level dowries combined—though, admittedly, it did not cause the earth-shattering sensation provoked by the Celestial Map; that impact had been far, far greater.

Still, the Miao Silver set was the object of fervent desire for countless young women and noble ladies, representing the absolute zenith of exotic beauty.

The Celestial Map was the beauty of the stars; the Miao Silver set was the beauty of the exotic.

However, when speaking of the most beautiful things universally acknowledged, those that transcend all limits, that belonged to the Flower Civilization—one particular artifact from the Flower Civilization.

Thus, the presentation of the Civilized Miao Silverware provoked merely a minor sensation.

Immediately, the presenting official nodded and began to chant the fourth item: "The Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent!" The Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent! This was no ordinary magic treasure; it was a convergence of ten thousand magic treasures. It was said to be an artifact that shone brilliantly, containing within it one thousand distinct, miniature magic treasures of every conceivable type, collectively termed the Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent—formed from ten thousand magical implements, dazzling and exquisitely beautiful.

Each of these ten thousand implements, individually, could be considered a World-level magic treasure. The combined value of all ten thousand was terrifying. Any ordinary ninety-nine-item World-level dowry package, when faced with the Glazed Descent, would be utterly eclipsed; the gap was simply too vast.

Furthermore, rumor suggested that these ten thousand treasures could be combined to form a single Innate Spirit Treasure! It could wield the attack power of an Innate Spirit Treasure and could shift to possess the defensive capabilities of one. While perhaps only a low-grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the ability to transition between offense and defense made it exceptionally potent.

It was also widely known that the Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent was one of the ultimate treasures of the Artifact Civilization.

How, then, had this artifact ended up in Lu Yuan’s possession, now presented as a betrothal gift? A wave of curiosity swept through the crowd, but they quickly pieced it together: first, the Vice-Lord of the Barren Warmth Civilization sought to destroy the Artifact Civilization, and then the Sub-Lord of the Stellar River Civilization aimed to seize all its treasures—and Lu Yuan was instrumental in both instances. This meant Lu Yuan had rendered the Artifact Civilization two monumental services. It was no surprise, then, that the Artifact Civilization would entrust the Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent to him as part of his bride price.

This was the fourth gift, and while it didn't match the upheaval caused by the Celestial Map, it was still incredibly significant. Of the four gifts Lu Yuan had presented so far, every single one was a Civilization-level gift! These were not ordinary offerings; they could not be compared to standard dowries.

Whispers began to circulate in low tones: "If the first four gifts are all Civilization-level, could all nine gifts possibly be Civilization-level?" "Impossible, surely. Nine Civilization-level gifts? Even an ordinary civilization couldn't manage such an extravagant display."

"This generosity is too immense." "Yes, it seems unlikely." The presenting official grew more animated as he announced: "Fifth item: The Wings of Liberty." The Wings of Liberty!

This! This! This!

This too was a supreme treasure of the Artifact Civilization, rumored to be even more valuable than the Ten Thousand Treasures Glazed Descent. It was not an Innate Spirit Treasure, but the Wings of Liberty, despite being low-grade and outside that classification, possessed an unparalleled function: with a single step, the wearer could traverse thirty thousand li.

As previously noted, without special techniques like the Nine Heavens Gale Art, a cultivator at the initial stage of the Civilized Realm could only manage this speed normally. But possessing the Wings of Liberty was astounding, granting a person who hadn't even reached the Civilized Realm the speed of that realm. Anyone bearing the Wings of Liberty, if they focused solely on evasion and were not trapped by an initial Civilized Realm expert, could not be caught. And if a World Realm entity attempted to hunt someone bearing the Wings of Liberty? Please, that would be an exercise in self-delusion; it would be utterly impossible. This was the Wings of Liberty.

It seemed the Artifact Civilization was truly offering its most guarded treasures, even giving Lu Yuan the Wings of Liberty. Yet, some observers speculated shrewdly: What a masterstroke of investment by the Artifact Civilization. By lavishing such a priceless artifact upon Lu Yuan now, they secured a powerful alliance. When Lu Yuan eventually ascended to become a Civilization Lord, they would gain an incomparably massive backer.

Now, that was five Civilization-level gifts!

The venue fell quiet for a moment, followed by another wave of murmuring.

Consort Cang Yun, seated in the third place—the first and second seats largely occupied by men—felt a profound sense of honor. The dowry presented by the suitor for her daughter now overshadowed every other offering. Consort Cang Yun recalled the time when her daughter, Yun Xiuxue, chose Lu Yuan, who was merely at the Chaos Origin Realm. The news had spread, and in the circle of Consorts, many had secretly mocked her. After all, her daughter had chosen someone from a mere Sect, lacking influence or background, which was considered a supreme embarrassment among the Empress-Consorts.

Consort Cang Yun distinctly remembered that Empress Huoyan of the Fire Civilization had been the most critical of her. Empress Huoyan hailed from an ordinary civilization but held the rank of Empress, while Cang Yun came from an Ancient Civilization but was only a Consort, placing their statuses roughly equal. Back then, Empress Huoyan had openly scorned Consort Cang Yun. Cang Yun herself had not held high hopes for Lu Yuan, merely respecting her daughter’s choice. Who would have thought that the seemingly insignificant person chosen by her daughter would turn out to be the best possible match? Consort Cang Yun smiled faintly, raising her wine cup, and cast a glance toward Empress Huoyan—a look undeniably tinged with triumph.

She remembered that when Empress Huoyan married off her daughter, receiving two hundred peak World-level gifts was considered a massive event. Now, looking back, what did two hundred peak World-level gifts amount to compared to Lu Yuan's grand spectacle? They were far, far behind.

If one word were needed to describe Lu Yuan’s current extravagance, it would be: Dreamlike!

(Second update delivered. Hmm, some are saying the dowry section is padding after only two chapters? I just checked the section in The Return of the Condor Heroes where Yang Guo gifts items to Guo Xiang; that section runs over ten thousand characters. Is that considered padding?)