Chapter 988: Bear Two Gets Married

The next day, before the first glimmer of dawn painted the land, the tranquil air of Heng Yue Zong was shattered by the popping of firecrackers.

In an instant, the sect, which had been silent throughout the night, burst into a scene of vibrant commotion.

Today was the joyous wedding day of Xiong Er and Tang Ruxuan, marking the first such grand occasion since the unification of Da Chu.

Looking out, every peak of Heng Yue Zong was adorned with festive red silk banners.

Among these peaks, one of moderate size stood out, especially vibrant with red silk fluttering everywhere. Every spirit tree was hung with red lanterns, and every quiet path was covered with red carpets.

This was the new home where Xiong Er and Tang Ruxuan would begin their life together.

Both were disciples of the qing zi generation in Heng Yue Zong and had now risen to the rank of elders within that generation. As a special honor, the sect had gifted them an entire peak, a heartfelt blessing.

"Come in, come in, everyone, make yourselves at home!"

At the entrance of the peak, Xiong Er, resplendent in red groom's attire, eagerly welcomed the guests.

He actually looked quite fitting in his wedding clothes.

Still, from a distance, he remained the same burly figure, no taller than before, and not a pound lighter.

"What a strange thing—I dreamed about a pig rooting up cabbage again last night."

Xie Yun arrived, speaking with an air of exaggerated seriousness, his one purple and one green eye giving him a slightly askew look.

"Hand over the gift, and you can head home."

Xiong Er smoothly took the gift box from Xie Yun's hands and gently pushed him away.

"You old hag, I—"

Xie Yun grumbled, but before he could finish, a large hand pulled him aside—it was the burly Huo Teng.

"Time flies so fast—here you are, getting married."

Huo Teng stepped forward and gave Xiong Er a tight bear hug.

"Thinking back to our younger days! We were so damn innocent back then."

Huo Teng said with a nostalgic expression, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Enough with the sentimentality—where's the gift?"

Xiong Er wasn't buying it and simply held out his plump hand.

"Hey, you little fat bear."

"I like this one just fine."

Xiong Er reached over and snatched the purple jade pendant from Huo Teng's waist, huffing on it first before wiping it with his sleeve.

"Where do you think you're going?"

As he wiped, Xiong Er suddenly lunged forward and yanked Situ Nan out of the crowd.

"Good thing I have sharp eyes—you almost slipped in."

Xiong Er scolded, extending his hand again. "Where's the gift?"

"Gift? What gift?"

Situ Nan feigned innocence, shaking his head cluelessly.

"Alright, turn left up ahead and go eat dirt!"

Xiong Er grabbed Situ Nan and kicked him far away.

"You dead fatty, you big—"

"Who's calling for me?"

A booming voice rang out as a solidly built man emerged, his face somewhat resembling Xiong Er's father, with a broad back, a bear-like waist, and an exceptionally round head.

"Uh-heh-heh-heh."

Situ Nan, who had been cursing moments ago, suddenly laughed nervously.

"Brother, I'm rooting for you."

Situ Nan pulled a jade ruyi from his pocket and handed it to Xiong Er.

"That's more like it."

Xiong Er grinned and reached for it, but Situ Nan hesitated, his face full of reluctance, and it took Xiong Er some effort to pry it loose.

"Shishu, congratulations!"

In contrast to the likes of Huo Teng, Xie Yun, and Situ Nan, their disciples were much more well-behaved.

"Look at that—do you even have any shame?"

Xiong Er said as he accepted the gifts, glancing mockingly at Xie Yun and the others with his charming little eyes.

The three just shrugged it off and walked in, arms around each other.

Once they were gone, Xiong Er opened the gifts from the xuan zi generation juniors like Wang Biao.

Oh my goodness!

His expression turned hilariously dramatic in an instant, his mouth twitching back and forth more than a dozen times. Inside those prestigious-looking boxes was nothing but hehuan powder—over fifty pounds of it.

Wow!

Gong Xiaotian, who was welcoming guests alongside Xiong Er, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Get lost!

Xiong Er snapped, his chubby face covered in twitching black lines.

After Wang Biao and his group, Liu Yi, Nangong Yue, and Nie Feng arrived, though Liu Yi was nowhere to be seen.

Compared to Situ Nan and the others, Nangong Yue's group was far more reliable, presenting only the finest gifts. Due to Liu Yi's status, many elders from the Xiong family came out to greet them personally, making quite a scene.

Next came a good number of Heng Yue Zong disciples, mostly from Xiong Er's generation, with some from the xuan zi generation mixed in.

Following them were the sect's elders, such as Yang Dingtian, Feng Wuhen, and Dao Xuan, and even the supreme elders like Heng Yue Zhenren, showing Xiong Er immense respect.

Zhengyang Zong sent representatives too, but not Ji Ningshuang herself—it was her disciple Hu Wa who came, presenting a zhenshen shenzhu that left the Xiong family ancestors wide-eyed with awe, as it was a priceless treasure.

After Zhengyang Zong came Qingyun Zong, represented not by zhangjiao Zhou Ao, but by his peer Li Xinghun, whose gift, though not as valuable as Zhengyang Zong's, was still a rare treasure.

Chu Lingyu arrived with Hong Chen.

Chu Lingyu was composed, but Hong Chen seemed utterly detached, his eyes vacant, like a puppet.

Their appearance left Xiong Er staring in surprise. He glanced at Chu Lingyu, then at Hong Chen, his expression odd.

"What's the deal here? Are you two a couple now?"

"We—"

"May you have a hundred years of harmony."

Chu Lingyu's words were cut off by Hong Chen's hoarse, aged voice. He held out a jade jue stiffly toward Xiong Er.

Chu Lingyu froze, looking at Hong Chen in astonishment.

This might have been the first time Hong Chen had spoken voluntarily since arriving at Heng Yue Zong, catching her completely off guard.

"Thank you very much."

Xiong Er took the jade jue, scratching his head in confusion. He was now certain this wasn't Ye Chen, but seeing that face identical to Ye Chen's made him feel strangely familiar yet distant.

As Xiong Er stood there in surprise, Chu Ling'er led Hong Chen inside.

The peak grew even more lively with their arrival, drawing many to offer respects. Perhaps because of this, numerous supreme elders from Heng Yue Zong emerged from seclusion.

Dongfang Family arrives!

Ximen Family arrives!

Nangong Family arrives!

Beichen Family arrives!

With each resounding announcement, representatives from the major families of Tian Ting were welcomed into the peak.

Following them came the Ouyang Family, Dan Cheng, Muyun Family, Yanhuang, and Haotian Family, all sending elders, as the Xiong family was a prominent clan deserving full honors.

The ones who truly showed the greatest respect were the descendants of the emperors, who sent representatives in varying numbers.

Though surprised, the Xiong family wasn't overly shocked by their arrival.

The Xiong family didn't have the clout to summon the emperor descendants on their own—it was all due to Ye Chen. As the holy lord of Tian Ting and now the ruler of Da Chu, his influence demanded this courtesy.

The atmosphere became extraordinarily festive with the emperor descendants' representatives present.

Not just Xiong Er's peak, but the entire Heng Yue Zong buzzed with activity, as every guest had impressive backing.

All forces from Da Chu sent people, creating an impressive spectacle.

Beyond the families, many independent cultivators came, some to share in the joy and others out of curiosity, eager to see the sect that had nurtured a legendary figure like Ye Chen.

Tian Ting Holy Lord arrives!

This announcement echoed louder than any before.

Ye Chen arrived, dressed in simple robes, with Chu Ling'er by his side, also in plain attire. They looked like an ordinary, perfectly matched couple.

"Little fatty, getting married—excited?"

Ye Chen first glanced at the towering pile of gifts before smiling at Xiong Er.

"You bet I am!"

Xiong Er chuckled.

"May you grow old together in bliss."

Chu Ling'er smiled gently and handed Xiong Er a storage bag filled with treasures—millions of spirit stones, ample pills, and top-grade spirit tools, each worth a fortune.

"The holy lord of Tian Ting sure knows how to give."

Xiong Er grinned and tucked the bag into his waistband.

"I love your straightforward style."

Ye Chen patted Xiong Er on the shoulder and entered the peak with Chu Ling'er.

After Ye Chen, more guests arrived one after another, mostly from major families, though not all were prominent figures.

Once everyone had arrived, Xiong Er hurried up the peak.

The scene was magnificent, the mountain covered in people from Tian Ting, creating a warm, familial atmosphere.

The bride arrives!

Once all were seated, Tang Ruxuan, adorned in a phoenix crown and elaborate robes, walked up the cloud steps with the help of two women.

Among all women, a bride on her wedding day is the most beautiful.

Tang Ruxuan had shed her last traces of youthfulness, now a graceful beauty. Though not devastatingly stunning, she had a captivating charm, and as the bride, her wedding attire outshone even the most exquisite features.

Xiong Er was completely mesmerized.

He was usually shameless, but today, in this grand setting, even he felt a bit overwhelmed.

Still staring?

Xie Yun stepped up from behind and gave him a kick.

Uh-uh-uh!

Snapping out of it, Xiong Er waddled down with his hefty body, took Tang Ruxuan's hand, and led her step by step up the stone stairs under everyone's gaze, moving many of the watching women to tears.

"Any thoughts on this?"

As Tang Ruxuan and Xiong Er approached, Chu Ling'er turned to Ye Chen.

"Time passes so quickly."

Ye Chen smiled, his eyes filled with nostalgia.

Thinking back, when he first met Xiong Er in the scripture pavilion, they were both young and full of vigor.

Back then, he was just an outer disciple intern at Heng Yue Zong. Now, that intern was the ruler of Da Chu, and that Xiong Er had become a renowned expert.

The unreliable ones like Situ Nan, Xie Yun, and Huo Teng all sighed deeply, lost in their own memories.

The past was like smoke, vanishing in the blink of an eye like a dream. They had all outgrown their youthful innocence, weathered by time and trials, carrying the marks of their journeys.

Escort to the bridal chamber!

As everyone reflected, Xiong Er and Tang Ruxuan completed the wedding ceremony under the master of ceremonies' call.

Cheers erupted, and the festivities kicked into high gear.

Seizing this rare opportunity, the likes of Xie Yun went all out with their antics, leaving the Xiong family members unable to watch.

Time slipped by slowly, and night fell.

The guests who had come to celebrate gradually departed, leaving the vast peak feeling empty.

Xiong Er, who had been drunk to the point of stupor, sobered up and dashed into the bridal chamber.

Ah—!

Soon, screams like a pig being slaughtered echoed from the room.

The groom had been beaten and lay sprawled on the ground, dazed by the group of troublemakers who called it "bridal chamber games."

The night was far from peaceful.

Xiong family members chased people around Heng Yue Zong with weapons, causing utter chaos, while Heng Yue Zhenren and the others rubbed their foreheads in frustration. The lively bunch like Xie Yun and Situ Nan were a constant headache for Heng Yue Zong.