Chapter 1516: Chapter 167: The Wedding Begins_4
The Pope’s gaze radiated authority, and he said calmly, "As Mang Siu Priest mentioned earlier, Xuan Yue is my granddaughter. Today is her wedding, and I am extremely pleased. Bu Yi is a fine young man, and their union will undoubtedly contribute greatly to the sacred endeavors of the Church. Followers of God, let us bless them." Smiling gently, the Pope slowly raised both his hands, and a golden radiance rose behind him. Gradually, the golden light took shape, perfectly resembling the statues of angels in the Hall of Light. Six enormous wings of light gently fluttered, and the vast divine energy contained in the glow made all the clergy present instinctively kneel, chanting the Prayer Charm loudly. Amid the devout prayers, the golden angel behind the Pope slowly disappeared. In truth, the golden angel conjured by the Pope differed entirely from the one Xuan Yue had summoned before. Hers was an unconscious reaction during an elevation in spiritual power, while his was deliberately formed from light elements, aimed solely at inspiring awe.
Mang Siu called out loudly, "Invite the groom to ascend the altar." Amid the echo of blaring horns, his voice carried far and wide. All the Judges present unsheathed the longswords they carried, over a thousand blades shimmering with holy brilliance aimed diagonally at the sky. The radiant divine combat energy wove a magnificent net across the air.
Two figures emerged from the direction of the Mountain of Divine Judgement wrapped in golden light, swiftly making their way towards the Light Altar. One was clad in a light gold samurai uniform, a golden cloak draped across his back, and his neatly combed white hair held taut behind his head. A trace of a smile played in his piercing gaze, and his overwhelming aura touched the hearts of everyone present. He was none other than Xuan Yuan, once the Chief Judge of the Church, now demoted to Deputy Judge. By his side walked a tall, handsome young man whose elegant figure was accentuated by gold-trimmed white ceremonial garb. His uncontrollable excitement shone through his eyes. Holding onto Xuan Yuan’s arm, he descended from mid-air. The young man was the groom of the day, the Church’s youngest Judge of Light, Bu Yi. As a direct subordinate of Xuan Yuan, Bu Yi stood at the highest level of the Judges’ leadership, and thus Xuan Yuan, as his elder, personally accompanied him to the wedding.
Quickly, the gold-and-white silhouettes descended gracefully, gliding over the radiant swords net woven by the Judges and lightly landing beside the Pope. "Chief Judge Xuan Yuan, accompanied by Judge of Light Bu Yi, pays respects to the Pope," Xuan Yuan and Bu Yi greeted in unison, bowing toward the Pope.
A golden gleam flashed in the Pope’s hand, sweeping over the heads of the two men. Smiling, he said, "May the Sky God bless you."
Mang Siu Priest nodded slightly at Xuan Yuan and Bu Yi and stepped forward, announcing loudly, "By decree of the Pope, on this joyous day, the Pope has decided to grant amnesty across the realm, reinstating Xuan Yuan as Chief Judge, promoting Bu Yi to the rank of Holy Judge, reinstating Xuan Ye as Red Robe Priest, and transitioning acting Red Priestess Xuan Yue to official Red Robe Priestess. This decree shall take effect immediately following the wedding."
Bu Yi had not expected such a rapid promotion to the ranks of Holy Judge. Hastily, he bowed deeply to the Pope and said, "Thank you for the Sky God’s blessings, thank you for Your Holiness’s grace. Bu Yi shall devote his utmost efforts to the Church’s sacred cause."
The Pope nodded slightly and said calmly, "Remember your words. Mang Siu Priest, you may proceed."
Mang Siu nodded and proclaimed loudly, "We now invite the bride, Red Priestess Xuan Yue." As soon as his voice fell, all clergy, including the Judges, began chanting the Prayer Charm in unison with exceptional resonance, the massive waves of sound intertwining in the air to form the most extraordinary and holy wedding march.
A sonorous phoenix cry erupted from a different direction on the Divine Mountain, its resounding sound pierced through the melodies of the Prayer Charm and soared toward the heavens. A dazzling red light shot skyward, racing towards the Light Altar amidst the phoenix’s piercing cries.
All eyes widened in anticipation, especially among guests unfamiliar with Xuan Yue. They were eager to catch a glimpse of the Church’s youngest Red Robe Priestess and the Pope’s granddaughter. The red light suddenly expanded, and its magnificent form gradually solidified. Astonished, everyone gasped as the radiance revealed itself as a massive phoenix made entirely of flames. Vibrant and lifelike, the Fire Phoenix gently flapped its wings, soaring toward the altar. On its back stood two figures, resplendent in white. One was a middle-aged woman dressed in a white Priestess robe, her face adorned with a tender smile and unfathomable serenity in her pure eyes. Beside her stood a young maiden clad in a flowing white dress, her delicate face veiled in sheer white fabric. Despite the wind rushing past during flight, the veil remained motionless upon her head. Though her features were obscured, none doubted that her beauty rivaled that of the elegant woman beside her.
The Fire Phoenix quickly reached the Light Altar, and as melodious chants filled the air, it circled the altar once before its radiant form suddenly converged and flowed into the chest of the maiden in the white dress. A pinpoint of red light glowed as the fiery energy dissipated, revealing to all that the maiden’s chest bore a red, diamond-shaped gemstone.
