Chapter 64 The Wedding

The Cang Lin incident caused a huge uproar in the capital and even among the higher-ups of the entire demon realm.

The Demon King Chi Li actually admitted that the little tree spirit was his Daoist partner!

This news was more impactful than any order of conquest.

All forces that had been secretly observing or harboring certain subtle thoughts completely abandoned their plans at this moment and began frantically figuring out how to curry favor with this "royal consort" whose position was unshakeable.

At the eye of the storm, after Chi Li had swiftly deterred the restless ones, the first thing she did was to issue a decree to the entire demon realm and all the forces in the Three Realms that were qualified to receive the message.

"In the name of Chi Li, the Lord of the Demon Realm, I hereby proclaim to the Three Realms:"

On the third day of the third month, I, the King, and my Daoist companion, Tanglu, will hold a grand ceremony to establish our alliance, formally determine our positions, and announce this to Heaven and Earth.

The demon realm rejoices, and all spirits bear witness.

There was no discussion, no prior notice, only an unquestionable declaration.

Meanwhile, an unprecedented and costly preparatory project was being carried out in full swing, with the entire demon realm operating at full capacity.

Chi Li personally oversaw every detail, showing a level of importance far exceeding any previous war or ritual.

In the heart of the capital, a vast plaza was created, paved with millennia-old spiritual jade, and surrounded by nine golden pillars with phoenixes coiled around it, drawing upon the power of the celestial stars.

A magnificent avenue spans half of the capital, stretching from the depths of the palace all the way to the square. On both sides of the avenue, exotic flowers of all four seasons bloom in competition, fueled by demonic power, with spirit butterflies fluttering and ethereal music playing.

Chi Li even used her great magical power to forcibly relocate and purify the desolate land in the southeast where Qing Lin Ze was originally located, which had become a dead wasteland.

Several vibrant spiritual veins were also transplanted and planted with golden ginkgo saplings, forming a brand-new "Golden Dew Forest" as one of the wedding gifts for Tang Lu.

Tang Lu watched as the palace and its surroundings underwent rapid changes.

She watched as countless powerful demons, whom she had never seen before, came and went, carrying all sorts of rare and precious gifts.

Watching Chi Li try on one wedding dress after another for her, each one more magnificent than the last, inlaid with countless star-like gems, she felt a little dizzy.

"Lili," she whispered as Chili adjusted the crown made of phoenix feathers and top-grade wood spirit crystals on her head once again, "Why go through all this trouble? Aren't we always together?"

In her simple mind, all she needed to do was be with Lili; she didn't need so many sparkly and complicated rituals.

Chi Li stopped what he was doing, looking at her small face, which was made even more exquisite by the gorgeous clothes and jewels, yet still had clear eyes, and couldn't help but leave a kiss on the corner of her lips.

She reached out and gently stroked Tang Lu's cheek, her crimson-gold eyes filled with a tenderness and solemnity that could almost drown a person.

“Because,” her voice was deep and powerful, “I want the entire Three Realms to know that you, Tang Lu, are my rightful and undisputed Daoist partner, witnessed by Heaven and Earth.”

It was true before, and it will be even more so now.

This ceremony is a vow, a declaration, and also, as a gift from me, a sense of ritual.

She wanted to make up for all the grievances and anxieties caused by her, and to use the grandest way to firmly and openly imprint her on her life and authority.

This will prevent anyone from questioning or coveting it anymore.

Tang Lu seemed to understand but not quite, but the words "oath" and "declaration" made her feel a heavy weight.

Looking into Chi Li's eyes, filled with earnestness and love, she felt her heart overflow with happiness.

After listening to Chi Li's words, she actually began to look forward to telling the whole world, in front of everyone, in front of all the "green" and non-green people, that Li Li is hers, and she is Li Li's.

The third day of the third lunar month is an auspicious day.

Before dawn, the entire demon capital was already in an uproar.

The streets were deserted as countless demons eagerly awaited their arrival, gathering along the brocade avenue and in the city squares where images were projected through the water mirror technique.

In the sky, various flying demon races formed a magnificent procession, their feathers shimmering brilliantly in the morning light.

On the ground, the beast demons, adorned with red decorations, maintained order, emitting low, joyful roars.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and shone upon the nine golden pillars adorned with phoenixes, solemn and ancient ritual music resounded through the sky.

Chi Li was the first to appear on the highest terrace of the palace.

Instead of her usual crimson palace attire, she donned a more elaborate and solemn black ceremonial robe, embroidered with a golden phoenix soaring through the heavens. The wide sleeves and flowing robes exuded an aura of natural majesty.

Her dark hair was tied up with an antique-style phoenix gold hairpin, and the twelve jade beads on her crown swayed slightly, unable to conceal her crimson-gold eyes that looked down upon the world, yet now contained a gentle light.

Her appearance brought a moment of silence to the noisy world.

All demons, regardless of race or cultivation level, felt awe from the depths of their blood and souls at this moment, and involuntarily lowered their heads to pay the highest respect.

Immediately afterwards, everyone's attention was drawn to the figure behind Chi Li, led by nine highly respected Wood Spirit elders (whom Chi Li had personally invited from several gentle and neutral Wood Spirit clans).

Tang Lu wore a dazzling wedding dress, which was not an ordinary red dress, but was woven from ten-thousand-year-old ice silkworm silk.

Embroidered with vibrant ginkgo leaf patterns in gold thread, the skirt trails on the ground like a flowing golden galaxy.

She wore a magnificent phoenix feather wooden crown, its pearls and jade swaying, yet it did nothing to conceal her pure and flawless aura.

Her small face was lightly made up, and her amber eyes shone brightly with nervousness and anticipation, as if they contained stars.

She walked step by step toward the front of the terrace where Chi Li was waiting for her.

The sunlight behind her gilded her with a warm golden edge, and wherever she walked, spiritual energy spontaneously condensed into tiny golden ginkgo leaves, fluttering and dancing.

At this moment, she was so beautiful that she seemed otherworldly, more like an elf embodying the essence of heaven and earth, who had mistakenly entered the majestic palace of the demon king, yet unexpectedly became the most harmonious and dazzling core of this place.

Chi Li watched her walk towards her, seeing the love in her eyes.

She reached out her hand to her bride.

As the two clasped hands tightly under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the nine golden phoenix pillars suddenly erupted with a beam of golden light that shot straight into the sky.

A phoenix's phantom cried out in the sky, auspicious energy permeated the heavens and earth, and countless spiritual energies transformed into golden rain of flowers, falling softly and enveloping the entire capital.

The high-pitched, melodious chanting of the officiant, accompanied by ancient blessings and prayers, resounded throughout every corner:

"Chi Li, the sovereign of the demon realm, who embodies the righteous spirit of heaven and earth and inherits the destiny of all spirits, now, with a sincere heart, proclaims to Heaven and Earth:"

I wish to become Daoist partners with Mu Lingtanglu, to follow her through life and death, and to share both fortune and misfortune.

Heaven and earth bear witness, the sun and moon are our witness, mountains and rivers stand as our vow, this love will never change—

"The ceremony is complete!"

As the last two words were uttered, the entire demon realm erupted in deafening cheers.

All demons paid homage, their voices like a tidal wave:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty and Your Majesty be forever united in heart and soul, bringing blessings to the demon realm!"

Amidst the golden rain and deafening cheers, Chi Li gently lifted the beaded curtain in front of Tang Lu's crown and placed a kiss on her smooth forehead.

Then she turned to her people and raised Tanglu's hand high.

No words are needed; the actions speak for themselves.

From this day forward, the demon realm has two masters.

One is a king who wields power and authority, and whose majesty is boundless.

One is a light that brings vitality, purity, and warmth.