Chapter 715: A Shocking Appearance
Dong Mingxing's mellifluous voice caught the hearts and ears of the present guests. "On this joyous, festive occasion, we stand together in the palace atop Mt. Yun in witness of the marriage between Mr. Duan Gen and Ms. Li Qianlin. I am honored to be the hostess for the wedding tonight."
The guests chattered away. "Could there really be a more beautiful woman than Dong Mingxing?"
Many of the guests staunchly refused to consider this possibility.
"First, please allow me to offer my heartfelt thanks and welcome to all the guests that are gathered here. Let the wedding ceremony begin!" Dong Mingxing raised her arms high up into the air.
On that signal, countless golden superior-grade lifeforms took to the skies, forming a gigantic golden flock. Golden powder scattered through the air reflected the evening sun, shading the entire sky in streaks of red and gold.
The guests witnessing the ceremony from below gasped in awe. Only someone like the king of the realm would be able to marshall a flock of superior-grade lifeforms—and for nothing more than to set the ambience for his daughter's wedding, too.
The king of the east smiled. The preparations for this wedding had taken an inordinate amount of work, but it was also an ideal stage for him to show off his strength.
Two pairs of ten peak-grade dragons appeared from either side of the pavilion, each pulling a gigantic, ornate carriage. Those within the carriages flung golden confetti and flower petals out their windows, and behind each carriage trailed a long banner of light.
The dragons on the left were yoked to a carriage with a silver banner, and those on the right, a gold banner. The two sets of dragons circled and revolved around each other before pulling apart, their motions so organized that it was apparent how much effort had been put into training them.
The dragons made their final revolution in the air, their trajectories criss-crossing and forming two hearts with the banners behind the carriages. Just then, a multicolored beam of light struck the center of the two hearts like an arrow, dyeing the entire sky in rainbow light.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Now, as the band plays an original wedding march, let us welcome the bride and groom with thunderous applause!"
The guests all began to clap vigorously as the band started to play—but even as the spotlights gathered on stage, after a pregnant silence descended long after the last guest had stopped clapping, the stage remained empty.
No shadow of either the bride or groom could be seen.
Dong Mingxing coughed politely to break the tension. "It appears that the stars of today's show are a little nervous!"
Li Zongming and Duan Zisuan's smiles froze on their faces.
"Please, let's give our stars a bit more time!"
…
When no one made an appearance even after her pronouncement, even Dong Mingxing seemed to start fretting. The guests began to grow visibly displeased despite her best attempt to keep the ceremony proceeding forward absent the two stars of the show.
Li Zongming beckoned an attendant over. "Have someone check on just what's happening with the bride and groom."
"...today, we witness a match made in heaven, a fusion of east and west, a distillation of beauty and talent!"
Just as Dong Mingxing was about to run out of platitudes to throw at the crowd, two figures finally made an appearance from backstage. She sighed in relief as one of the staffers gave her an "OK" gesture, and she turned to the crowd. "Let us, once again, welcome the bride and groom with thunderous applause!"
Arrayed along the stage were thirty-six children, forming a choir as they sang a lilting melody.
As planned, the brightest and most extravagant fireworks were released at that very moment, dyeing the skies in phantasmagorical color.
"Now, we witness the conjoining of two hearts made for each other! Now, we witness the moment of holy matrimony! Now, we tether man and woman, husband and wife! Together, united in mind and body, they shall bear the ordeals of life, whatever wind and rain may come their way!"
Dong Mingxing's pleasing voice sparked the excitement of the crowd.
The lights on stage dimmed as a group of young and middle-aged people took to the stage, carrying bouquets of flowers and candles with them. They sang in low, pitched voices, their candles, though weak individually, brightening up the entire stage as they gathered in a circle.
These singers were the closest relatives, companions and confidantes of the bride and groom, and they came bearing well wishes.
Meanwhile, Dong Mingxing strode down the stage and began singing alongside the children, her sonorous voice intoxicating the crowd.
A group of ten page boys and flower girls then appeared on stage, the two youngest at the very front, scattering flower petals from a basket, whereas the older ones at the back held candles up high. The procession was arranged in height and age, as though representing the passing of time.
Finally, the two stars of the wedding made their appearance.
Even before they took to the stage, the guests felt as though they could sense the impression of a starry night sky, one whose natural beauty stunned and overwhelmed all.
The bride stepped forward in a gossamer gown, ethereal and otherworldly in her appearance. The luminous fabric glowed in the candlelight, making her look as though she had descended from the heavens.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmIf there really were angels in this world, she would be the most beautiful among them.
Her flawless gown molded an equally flawless body. The curves and arcs of her body were elegant, lithe, and graceful, and the guests felt themselves charmed by her presence.
Her wedding gown might well have been holy garb.
Her face was hidden behind a veil, and all that the guests could see of her shining sapphire eyes were flashes of blue light. That and the contours of her face alone were enough to capture the imagination of many.
The bride was always the focus of the wedding; this wedding was no exception. No, she was more than just the focus!
The instant Li Qianlin walked out on stage, the entire world seemed to lose its color, as though everything was shrouded in a layer of dream and shadow.
The guests' attention were completely gathered on the bride standing on stage, the most beautiful bride anyone present had ever seen. Heaven and earth seemed to fade to black and white, leaving the bride as the only source of color in the world.
Her appearance, as beautiful as a delicate flower, as the finest jade, brooked no criticism. Her graceful, dignified bearing had no equal in the realm.
Even the most grandiose praise would fail to capture all her beauty.
The moment she appeared, she was as splendid as the sun. As she stepped forward, she eclipsed even the moon in purity.
She effortlessly claimed the hearts and minds of all present.
Even the two kings of the realm, who were the most worldly among them all, were stunned by Li Qianlin's beauty. A goddess might well pale in comparison to her.