SWNOVELXO Chapter 137: The Ceremony
Chapter 137: The Ceremony
“Let’s go.”
The old man who had dined with them the previous night announced. He was Jiang Xianyu’s grandfather and the current head of the Jiang family.
With that, he jumped into the water with a “plop”.
The rest of the Jiang family followed suit and jumped into the water one by one.
They had a ship, but they chose to swim instead… Xu Lian didn’t know what to say, but he had no choice but to jump in with Jiang Xianyu.
The group swam in one direction.
Fortunately, they were all cultivators, so their speed was remarkable, similar to that of a swordfish.
Xu Lian had to admit that this was much faster than taking a boat…
Soon, an island appeared in front of them.
The island was covered in forest, with a clearing in the middle.
There were twelve groups of people standing in the clearing, all of them dressed in animal skins and tree bark, exuding a primitive aura… They were probably the Twelve Clans.
When they saw the Jiang family swimming toward them, their eyes immediately focused on Xu Lian, their gazes cold and critical.
“Is that young man beside Xianyu the destined partner she found?”
“It must be. He’s the only outsider in the Jiang family. Who else could it be?”
“Hmph, a creature from Ghost Child Ridge designated as a destined partner? Only the foolish would believe such a thing.”
“Forget the mystical nonsense for now. Just look at the outlying counties like Pingyang and Yanfu. What kind of genius could come from such backwaters? I don’t know what Xianyu was thinking when she went to such a place to find a partner.”
“Xianyu is young and naive, but shouldn’t the Jiang family know better? By notifying us to attend this wedding, it seems that the Jiang family has approved of this marriage. Do they have no regard for the dignity of the Thirteen Clans?”
The Jiang family and Xu Lian reached the shore, stood up, and walked towards the Twelve Clans together.
When the Jiang family and Xu Lian noticed the unfriendly expressions of the twelve clans, they knew that they were displeased.
The Jiang family made no attempt to explain. Once the Twelve Clans saw Xu Lian’s strength, they would understand.
The patriarch of the Jiang family spoke, “The Thirteen Clans have been closest allies since the time of our ancestors. Through generations of intermarriage, we are no different than a family. I won’t say much more. Since everyone is here, let the wedding begin.”
Everyone except Xu Lian and Jiang Xianyu dispersed into the forest.
They soon returned with the hunted game. They cleaned the game on the beach, gathered piles of dry branches, and lit thirteen bonfires, roasting the game over the flames.
It was clear that the thirteen clans shared an extraordinary bond, much like a family. Even though the Twelve Clans had reservations about Jiang Xianyu and Xu Lian’s marriage, they still helped to complete the wedding ceremony.
The members of the thirteen clans joined hands and formed a circle around the thirteen bonfires. They danced and sang ancient, obscure songs.
This is so embarrassing… Xu Lian didn’t know the songs, so he could only hum along.
Notably, Xu Lian noticed that the patriarch of the Jiang family, Jiang Xianyu’s father, and her mother were exceptionally skilled dancers. He was fascinated. Was this the same stern patriarch and father that he had known?
Jiang Yunyan was also an excellent dancer. Her tall figure, dressed in animal skins and tree bark, had a unique beauty.
Jiang Yiming, on the other hand, was more carefree, flirting with a girl from one of the clans as he danced. It seemed that they had taken a liking to each other.
Jiang Xianyu danced earnestly, though she seemed a bit rusty, likely because she hadn’t danced in over three years.
The singing and dancing went on for about an hour. By then, the game was fully roasted. The members of the Thirteen Clans gathered around the campfire, sharing the food, laughing, and talking about everyday things.
The women went into the forest to gather wild fruit, which they shared with everyone.
When the meal was over, the patriarch of the Jiang family nodded to Jiang Yunyan, who stood up and picked a wild flower.
The twelve clans exchanged glances and each sent out one of their top talents to pluck a wildflower, holding it in their hands.
The previously relaxed atmosphere instantly froze, becoming eerily quiet, with only the crackling sound of the bonfires breaking the silence.
The patriarch of the Jiang family looked at Xu Lian and pointed to the beach. “You may now begin the challenge. Whether you can receive the gifts and blessings from the other clans depends on your own abilities.”
Xu Lian stood up and walked over to the beach.
Jiang Yunyan approached him with a smile and handed him the wild flower she had picked. “There’s no need to challenge me. We already witnessed your dining etiquette at last night’s dinner with our Jiang family. Our Jiang family has approved this marriage.”
Dining etiquette? Approved?
The members of the other clans were slightly surprised. No wonder the Jiang family had accepted this marriage. It seemed like this young man had some skills.
Xu Lian’s gaze swept over the top talents sent by the twelve clans. Deciding to make a strong impression to avoid further questioning, he said, “You can all come at me together.”
The members of the Jiang family were stunned.
The members of the twelve clans were also stunned.
The whole scene fell silent.
Did they really hear him? Was he really asking the top talents of the twelve clans to attack him together?
When they recovered from their shock, the members of the twelve clans were furious.
“How dare you!”
“Who do you think you are? Do you really think you have the strength to take on the top talents of the twelve clans all at once?”
“For the top talents of the Twelve Clans to join forces against someone from a remote place like Pingyang or Yanfu County, what a joke! Do you even know your own limits?”
The twelve talents holding the wildflowers glared at him coldly, their anger palpable.
“…” Xu Lian had not expected such a strong reaction. After a moment of thought, he understood. The ancestors of the Thirteen Clans had once been glorious. Even though they had fallen, they still considered themselves great clans with great pride. How could they allow their top talents to gang up on him?
Jiang Xianyu’s parents frowned. They had originally thought highly of Xu Lian, who had reached Dark Strength Rank 7 at the age of seventeen. But now, it seemed like he was being overly arrogant. Of course, it was also possible that Jiang Xianyu hadn’t fully explained the strength of the top talents from each clan, leading him to misjudge the situation and think that it would be easy?
The Jiang family patriarch’s mouth twitched. “The strengths of these talents from the twelve clans range from Dark Strength Rank 7 to Rank 9. If you could defeat one or two of them, it would be impressive. There’s no need to challenge all of them.”
Jiang Xianyu spoke up, “Grandfather, my husband’s cultivation level has already broken through to the Transformation Strength rank before the wedding.”
The patriarch glanced at her. “Even if he has broken through, it’s still not enough.”
Then his body stiffened, and he suddenly stood up. “What? Transformation Strength?”
“That’s right.”
Jiang Xianyu nodded, though even she found it hard to believe.
Breakthrough to what? Transformation Strength? Jiang Xianyu’s parents were stunned. Last night, during dinner, he was at Dark Strength Rank 7. How had he reached the level of Transformation Strength in just one night? Breaking through three ranks in a single night?
Jiang Yiming’s eyes widened. “Sister, are you joking? But in my memory, you never joke.”
Jiang Yunyan looked at Xu Lian as if he were a monster. “Have you really broken through to transformation strength? Hit me and let’s see.”
“…” Xu Lian found this cousin quite amusing. “Do you really want me to hit you? If I do, you’ll be done for.”
“…” Now it was Jiang Yunyan’s turn to be speechless. She quickly waved her hands. “Never mind.”
The members of the twelve clans were completely silent.
Transformation Strength?
What did it mean? This young man was only seventeen or eighteen years old. In the entire Taizhou Prefecture, including all its counties, was there such a peerless genius?
Even though some of the top talents from the twelve clans had reached Dark Strength Rank 9, just one step away from Transformation Force, they were all in their twenties or older. It was impossible for anyone to reach Transformation Strength before the age of twenty.