Chapter 1264: Special Effects
"No, it's not just the second time."
"When the third realm was in a state of crisis, I thought we were about to die."
"It's a pity we won't be able to witness it ourselves. The only ones who can make it into the ceremony proper are the rich and famous."
"I heard that man is here too."
"That man?"
"The one who stole the bride?"
"What do you mean, stole the bride? He was the one who handed us the world of the west—and he's our princess's new groom now!"
"I really want to see just what that man looks like, and whether he really does have three heads and six arms like the rumors say."
The crowd was eagerly gossiping away.
A red carpet led toward the top of Mt. Tian, where the ceremony would take place. Surrounding it on either side were flowers that gave off a pleasant scent. Their rich, fragrant blooms lent an air of elegance to this occasion.
As the guests arrived at the scene, all manner of luxury transportation parked by the carriages drawn by genetic lifeforms, ornate to the extreme, studded with gold and jewels. Each carriage was more extravagant than the last, as though the guests were trying to outshine each other.
Those invited to witness the ceremony were businessmen and politicians all, each influential in their own right, and who would never ordinarily be seen in public.
Suited attendants passed through the crowds of guests, passing them beverages and exquisite hors d'oeuvres.
A gigantic stage stood in the middle of the venue, a temporary construction that was nonetheless as ornate as a palace. Clearly, no expense had been spared for this occasion.
A hundred giant beasts took to the skies, a golden-armored rider on the back of each one, scattering petals throughout the venue.
The beautiful petals danced through the air. Rosy light trailed the back of each flying lifeform, which were uniformly peak- or higher-grade. Behind the lifeforms were two even more massive ones.
Antlers shining in all the colors of the rainbow adorned their heads like crowns. Their aura pressed on the guests despite how far away they still were. The lifeforms on the ground, superior- and peak-grade alike, all lowered their bodies, as though paying respects to the lifeforms from above.
The lifeforms were the size of small cities, and the air shook as they passed through. Their scales glittered with such radiance that even the sun seemed to pale in comparison. One of them had a halo of light shining above its head. Nine pairs of wings kept it aloft, forming strong winds that buffeted the field. It stared at the crowd with an air of disdainful arrogance.
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 other disaster-grade lifeform was equally extravagant. The ring of light on its back shone as brightly as the sun. Its huge wings covered up the sky, and its lithe body exuded grace. Its sharp eyes looked as though they could pierce through the sun and stars.
As the disaster-grade beasts flapped their wings, radiant light shone through the sky, spreading out from them like stardust.
As it flew, space seemed to ripple. Its rainbow-colored feathers gave off light in the seven colors of the dawn, and it left a rainbow trail behind it, so beautiful any onlookers would be instantly attracted to it.
Their gigantic wings covered up the skies; their eyes piercing sun and moon, star and sky.
Atop the sunbird was a palace that didn't lose out to that carried by the five-colored dragon, with exquisite architecture and a stream of flowing water. It was a style that harmonized with nature, and the clouds and mist surrounding it made it look like a building of myth and legend.
As the two lifeforms flew overhead, thousands of peak-grade lifeforms surrounded them like foot soldiers. Indeed, atop each peak-grade lifeform lay a team of soldiers, representing the Zongming kingdom's strength.
The two disaster-grade lifeforms landed on stage as the rainbow light they brought with them spread throughout the venue.
The palace they carried between them radiated such light the guests had to shield their eyes. A black figure appeared from its doors. The golden light materialized in the form of stairs. A long sheepskin carpet rolled down the steps, and a rain of flower petals floated down from the top of the palace.
Twenty to thirty aliens dressed in suits strode out and stood at attention on either side of the red carpet, their hands behind their back, their waists straight.
The crowd began to applaud. Thunderous applause filled the air in the span of just a few breaths.
Li Zongming walked down the stairs. With a wave of his hand, millions of stars in the sky began to glow. The sun and moon seemed to shine down brightly, and the images of dragons and phoenixes flitted through the air.
These were special effects that Li Zongming had made specifically for the occasion.
Li Zongming extended a hand behind him. "Let's go, Qianlin."
Following behind him was a woman who seemed to have descended from the heavens themselves, graceful and lithe, as radiant as a chrysanthemum blooming in the summer heat, as lush as a pine tree whose branches unfurled in a spring breeze, as pure as a rising sun at dawn, as fresh as a lotus flower blooming amidst a patch of verdant green.
Her shoulders were narrow, her hips slender, her neck a graceful line that revealed her white, perfect skin. Her brows were fine and thin, her lips red and luscious, her teeth as white as ivory. Her eyes shone as bright as stars, and two dimples appeared on her face as she smiled.
She was graceful and reserved, warm and unassuming, gentle and carefree. She dressed in the elegant attire of the east, with exquisite ornaments that magnified her beauty. Gold and silver hairpins studded her fine black hair, pearls radiant against her skin.
Her accessories and clothing only served to embellish her beauty. She walked down the steps with practiced ease, giving off a fragrant scent that didn't lose out to the flowers around her, her beauty so picturesque that one could get drunk on it. On that day, no one could think of her as anything less than a heavenly maiden.
Li Qianlin took her father's hand and walked down the golden stairs.
Someone clutched his suddenly thumping heart. "She's too beautiful, too beautiful! I've fallen in love. I've heard it rumored that the Zongming princess is the premier beauty of the third realm. I thought it an exaggeration, but after seeing her now..."
A woman bit down on her cherry lips, her eyes filled with grudging envy, jealousy, and malice. "How could it be? How could there be such a beautiful woman in this realm?"
The woman couldn't remain angry for long; her eyes softened, and it almost seemed as though she were falling in love with Li Qianlin herself...
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