C8 The Wind of Love Has Entered the Dream

Feng Lian followed his mother into Meng Ying's house and felt a little unhappy.

Meng Ying gestured for them to sit before extracting a Void Spirit Ring from his robe. Handing it to Feng Lian, he said, "This ring contains the Medicine Pill you'll need for your journey ahead. Mengjie will be responsible for refining your daily medicinal requirements. I've already provided her with the formula. You can source the ingredients yourself. Remember to love and cherish Xiaojie, and do not mistreat her. Also, safeguard the medicinal formula your father left behind. I hope to see you become a Grandmaster Level alchemist one day."

Feng Lian accepted the Void Spirit Ring, struggling to maintain his composure. He nodded firmly, "Uncle, rest assured, I will fulfill your wishes."

Feng Lian held the ring aloft, holding back tears. He knew he and his mother were indebted to Meng Ying, an obligation they could never fully repay.

Motivated by his father's dying wish, Meng Ying had supported Feng Lian and his mother unconditionally. As a Poison Master, Meng Ying had been steeped in toxins since childhood, his very breath a poisonous mist.

Yet, he purged himself of that poison, enduring agonizing procedures to replace his own toxic blood, just to treat Feng Lian's illness and refine the Medicine Pill. This sacrifice dimmed his once-bright eyes and aged him prematurely, surrounding him with an aura of impending death.

Feng Lian felt a wellspring of guilt for ever doubting or disobeying Meng Ying.

Turning to Mengjie, Meng Ying offered another Void Spirit Ring. "This contains the Cultivation Pill I've prepared for you. The Jade Slip inside explains its use. Whether we're here or not, you must cultivate diligently. As mistress of this house, you're responsible for your brother. Understand?"

Wu Yun then clasped a bracelet of vivid Blood Jade Essence around Mengjie's wrist—a token once given to her by Feng Yan. "This jade bracelet holds many years of my collection. Your brother will need you to look after him."

Overwhelmed, Mengjie could only nod, tears breaking free like a dam burst.

Lastly, Wu Yun inserted several dark jade slips into Feng Lian's newly acquired Void Spirit Ring. "These hold your father's cultivation techniques. Should you choose, or perhaps for your descendants, they are here. I can't share my own techniques; I vowed to my sect never to teach outsiders."

Wu Yun kept silent about her own past, as well as the intricate relationship between Feng Yan and Meng Ying. She was a private person, one who rarely discussed others and never herself.

Qiu Shaan burst into the room, exclaiming, "What's with the gloom? It's supposed to be a happy day, not a farewell!"

"Did you find a favorable time?" Meng Ying inquired.

"What's there to find? You already set the date for tomorrow!" Qiu Shaan retorted. "Do you want to push it to the day after?"

Meng Ying rolled his eyes. "Are you telling me there's not one auspicious moment in all twenty-four hours of tomorrow?"

Qiu Shaan was tempted to throttle Meng Ying but knew better; even blind, Meng Ying would easily best anyone in the courtyard.

Well, maybe except for Wu Yun, Qiu Shaan mused, mimicking Meng Ying's eye roll.

"Fine, find me a good hour," Meng Ying said, picking up a prescription from the table to read. "Wu Yun and I may miss the wedding, but we can't skip the engagement. We're representing not just ourselves but also Feng Yan and Mengjie's parents."

Qiu Shaan sighed, pinching his fingers in calculation. Suddenly, he leapt up. "Got it! Tomorrow at noon is the best time—far better than the one I initially set."

Meng Ying rolled his eyes and said. "If you say so, then I will take it as true. Anyway, your self-proclaimed Astrology Master is inaccurate ten times out of nine times."

Wu Yun, Feng Lian, and Mengjie could not help but cover their mouths and laugh.

Just as Qiu Shaan was about to retort, Fu Shi pulled Mengjie out. She said, "The priest from the village has arrived. They said that from now until the day after tomorrow, no man is allowed to see Xiaojie's face, or it will be unlucky."

Feng Lian remembered the stone he had picked up when he went on a training trip last time and gave it to Qiu Shaan.

Qiu Shaan looked at it, and his eyes immediately lit up. He asked excitedly, "Where did you get it from?"

Feng Lian said, "I picked it up by the side of the stream when I went on a training trip last time."

Qiu Shaan laughed out loud and said, "Kid, you are fortunate. This is a Star Pupil Stone."

"Star Pupil Stone?" Feng Lian immediately reached out his hand and wanted to take it back. Qiu Shaan refused and directly put it into the Void Spirit Ring.

Qiu Shaan laughed and said, "This thing is useless to you. Let me analyze it and then return it to you."

Feng Lian cursed in his heart. 'When did you start borrowing my things?'

The Star Pupil Stone, as the name suggested, was the eyes of the stars. Legend had it that this small stone was originally a vast planet, refined by a powerful being, leaving behind the purest star essence.

What endures through the ages, standing as a testament to eternity? The answer lies in the stars. Each star serves as the universe's eye, eternally capturing its past and present.

Legend holds that unlocking the Star Pupil Stone grants access to the river of time itself. Those who succeed can delve into history and glimpse the unseen contours of the future.

There were countless stars in the universe, but how many Star Pupil Stones were there? No wonder Qiu Shaan was excited, and Feng Lian was reluctant to part with it.

Feng Lian wanted to snatch it back, but he was pulled into the room by a group of aunties who wanted to teach him all kinds of wedding ceremonies.

Wu Yun entered the room and placed the red gown into Feng Lian's Void Spirit Ring. She then instructed, "My mother made this. When you two get married, you should give it to Xiaojie."

Feng Lian's eyes fixed on the red gown in Wu Yun's hands, and he could contain himself no longer. Embracing his mother, he sobbed, "Mom, I want you to dress Xiaojie in this gown."

"Silly boy, it's your job to dress the bride on your wedding day. Today is for celebration, so let's not shed tears," an aunt chided gently, patting Feng Lian on the shoulder.

Regaining his composure, Feng Lian said, "Mom, I'm alright now. Today is a day for joy, and we must be strong." He couldn't bear to add to his mother's worries or be the cause of any more of her tears.

As noon approached, the sun blazed in a clear sky, and a soft breeze rustled the treetops. The sound of singing merged with villagers' laughter, creating a symphony of natural beauty—the most beautiful sound in the world.

Feng Lian was dressed in a fiery red beast skin clothing, making him look even more handsome and elegant. People who did not know him would think that he had become an adult.

Mengjie was dressed in a gown decorated with all kinds of sparkling beast bones and scales. Her head was covered with a headband decorated with flowers and beautiful feathers. Under the sunlight, her entire body was shining with a brightly. She was so beautiful that it was impossible to describe.

According to the etiquette, the bridegroom had to kneel down to the bride's parents first, and the bride had to say goodbye to her parents. After that, the bride could leave the house.

Feng Lian gently helped Mengjie to her feet, feeling her slight trembling as he lifted her onto his back. Her vision blurred with emotion. Leaving the western courtyard where Meng Ying resided, Feng Lian stepped onto the path paved with Twin Tree Leaves. With each step, they drew closer to the home that would belong to just Feng Lian and Mengjie.

The grand praise music suddenly changed, and the musicians in the village began to sing the sad "Bowing Song of the Bride." It even made Feng Lian and Mengjie's hearts break. In just a few short steps, Feng Lian's back was drenched in Mengjie's tears.

It was the first time Feng Lian had felt Mengjie's weakness and sadness. Both liked to bury their troubles in their hearts and endure hardships.

Feng Lian carried Mengjie over the threshold of their new home, his clothes soaked in sweat. Though he had lifted her countless times before, this time was different; he wasn't just carrying a person, but the collective hopes and responsibilities of their tight-knit courtyard community.

In the main hall, everyone from the courtyard was present, except for Meng Ying. At the center sat Wu Yun, flanked by Qiu Shaan, Fu Shi, Dao Ba, Ren Jian, and Ma Wei—all of whom were like parents to Feng Lian and Mengjie.

Seeing them so formally and splendidly attired for the first time, Feng Lian felt slightly disoriented.

The High Priest motioned for Feng Lian to position Mengjie correctly next to him. Clearing his throat, the priest declared, "Kneel! Kneel to the heavens and the earth, to life and death!"

Several enthusiastic aunts had rigorously prepped Feng Lian before the ceremony, ensuring he knew exactly what to do. Mengjie had practiced as well, and so the two of them knelt in unison.

"Kneel! Now, kneel to honor your parents, children, and grandchildren!" called out the High Priest.

As they knelt, Mengjie's tears spilled onto the ground. Quickly comforting her, Feng Lian helped her back up and gently massaged her back.

After a long time, Mengjie pinched his hand lightly, indicating that she was fine.

"Exchange of Newcomers," the High Priest shouted.

Taking a hand-knit scarf, Feng Lian tenderly wrapped it around Mengjie's neck.

Crafted from the tendons of a Mirror Scale Beast, he had devoted countless nights to knitting this special gift for her.

The Mirror Scale Beast was a Spirit Beast with a more petite body. It only had three scales on its body. The scales were clean, hard, perfect mirrors without polishing. Its meat was rough and bitter, and no one would eat it. However, its tendons were very soft and smooth, and they were highly tenacious. Legend had it that its tendons could bind the soul and bring back the lost soul.

When Mengjie was young, she had a severe illness. Qiu Shaan analyzed that her soul had left her body. Later, Meng Ying obtained an adult Mirror Scale Beast tendon from somewhere and used it to make a Medicine Pill for Mengjie. It cured her illness.

Feng Lian had always remembered this matter. When he grew up and could go to the forest to train, he secretly hunted the Mirror Scale Beast with Mengjie on his back. His goal was to weave a scarf for Mengjie and protect her forever.

Mengjie took off a khaki-colored bead she had been wearing since she was young and hung it on Feng Lian's neck.

This was the keepsake that her parents left for her. It was also her most precious thing. Now that it was hanging on Feng Lian's neck, it meant that Feng Lian was the most important person in her life.

In a moment both solemn and playful, Feng Lian and Mengjie held up a palm-sized leaf, declaring in unison, "If you can't open it, you will be punished."

Wu Yun shook her head in disbelief, her thoughts tinged with exasperation. 'Why are they still fooling around at a time like this?'

Intrigued, the High Priest didn't rush them.

After a brief pause, they both announced, "We can't open it for the time being. We will open it when we get married. If we can't, we will be punished."

Smiling, the High Priest proclaimed, "Kneel down! Husband and wife, kneel down and be together forever!"

Just as the couple was about to kneel, a shattering sound erupted from outside, followed by an oppressive force that seemed to make the very sky descend upon them. Breathless, everyone inside would have been crushed had Dao Ba, Ren Jian, and others not acted swiftly to counter the pressure.

From outside the house, Meng Ying's voice cut through, tinged with disdain: "You're quick on your feet. Thank you for adding some color to my child's wedding!"

Dao Ba and the others took out their weapons from the Void Spirit Ring and rushed out of the house.

The High Priest's face remained impassive as he declared, "Who dares to come to Unfamiliar Village and cause trouble? Do you wish to become an offering to this village?"

Wu Yun then addressed the High Priest and the villagers, saying, "This is a matter between our small courtyard and them. There's no need for anyone else to get involved. Please leave the mountain as soon as you can; I apologize for not being able to entertain everyone properly today."