The two walked to the stage opposite.
An old man stood between them, his face beaming with a smile.
Zhang Xiaoqiang looked at the old man before him, a touch of respect appearing on his face, and respectfully greeted him, "Grandpa Tang."
Su Qing, standing beside him, also greeted him, "Grandpa Tang."
Grandpa Tang nodded, his eyes filled with relief as he looked at the two, and said with a smile, "Silly kids, it's getting late, let's begin."
Zhang Xiaoqiang nodded. The host beside him suddenly shouted, "The auspicious hour has arrived, bow to heaven and earth!"
"First bow to heaven and earth!"
As the voice rang out, a golden light shot down from the heavens, landing precisely on the two on the stage.
The crowd below was astonished by this sight.
It had been so long since such a blessing from the heavens had been seen.
In their line of work, the more prominent the golden light, the greater the heavenly blessing received. However, a direct beam on the bride and groom had not been seen in a hundred years.
This pair of lovers would surely be happy in the future.
At the very top of the mountain behind, Yu Daochen sat on the ground, leaning against a large tree, a cigarette in his mouth. He watched the golden light within the Yan Shu Sect, a smile appearing on his face. "Golden light descends and shines upon them; the couple will surely be happy in the future."
"Congratulations, Xiaoqiang!"
Within the Yan Shu Sect.
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
With the host's final shout, the ceremony officially concluded.
After the couple bowed to each other, Zhang Xiaoqiang slowly lifted Su Qing's red veil.
From this moment on, the two were officially husband and wife.
Their eyes were filled with tender affection. Zhang Xiaoqiang softly called out, "Wife."
"Yes," Su Qing replied softly, her eyes full of tenderness.
From the crowd below, someone suddenly shouted, "Kiss!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone started to egg them on.
"Kiss!"
"Kiss!"
"..."
Su Lai and Da Hu also joined in the clamor.
Su Qing lowered her head slightly, a blush appearing on her face.
Zhang Xiaoqiang glanced at the cheering crowd below, then turned back to Su Qing and stepped forward, kissing her.
At that moment, a blessing bell rang throughout the entire sect, followed by eight more rings.
As the bells faded, the golden light also gradually disappeared.
What followed was the highlight – the bouquet in Su Qing's hand.
There was an unwritten rule in the martial world: after the bow to heaven and earth, the bride would toss her bouquet.
Whoever caught the bouquet could seek one favor from the sect.
While this was not a guaranteed fulfillment, most sects would agree out of politeness, especially a first-rate force like the Yan Huo Sect.
However, there were also rules of "three no-helps" and "two rejections" regarding the bouquet.
No help for murder, no help for wrongdoing, and no help for bullying the weak.
Rejection of requests beyond their capability, and rejection of requests that threatened their own safety.
In simpler terms, helping with fights and murders was impossible, and requests beyond their capabilities or that threatened their safety could also be refused.
However, if you offended a stronger sect, they might mediate for you.
This was of little consequence to major sects, but it was a significant favor for smaller sects.
Perhaps if they offended a second-rate force one day, they could resolve it with this bouquet.
The major sects present remained passive.
They knew this opportunity was not for them, and even if they obtained the bouquet, its value was limited.
But it was different for the smaller sects. Although everyone wore smiles, their eyes were fixed on the bouquet in Su Qing's hand.
There was only one chance. Once someone touched the bouquet, no one else could make a move.
To fight over a bouquet would not only offend the opponents vying for it but also cause the bride and groom to lose face.
A polite gesture was sufficient.
Su Qing's gaze swept across the assembled guests, then landed on Su Lai's table. A smile appeared on her face as she tossed the bouquet.
As the bouquet flew through the air, someone suddenly stepped forward, preparing to snatch it.
A person from another table, quick-handed, raised their hand and grabbed the leaping man.
The man was pulled back down, his face etched with a look of deep resentment as he glared at the person who had pulled him.
The latter grinned and said, "Sect Leader Han, why the rush?"
Seeing his smug demeanor, Sect Leader Han couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, Hong, why are you so obnoxious?"
Sect Leader Hong waved his hand and said with a sly smile, "Come on, if I snatched it, wouldn't you pull me down too?"
"I!"
Sect Leader Han was rendered speechless and had to accept his misfortune.
If they didn't succeed on their first attempt, there was no need to try again.
This maintained their dignity and avoided causing trouble for the bride and groom.
The bouquet continued to fly towards Su Lai's group. Some people leaped up to grab it, but they were tripped by people from adjacent tables.
Their mentality was clear:
If I can't have it, neither can you. I'll take down as many as I can.
The sects that were tripped would not seek revenge privately.
This was merely for entertainment, and there was no need for private retribution.
While the bouquet could resolve a crisis, if the animosity was too deep to be reconciled, they wouldn't help fight the other party.
The bouquet flew above the table in front of Su Lai.
Su Lai and Da Hu exchanged glances, then smiled at each other.
They wanted to join in on such a fun event.
A person at the table in front found the right moment, stood up, and prepared to snatch the bouquet.
But Su Lai was a step faster. He stood up, took two steps forward, and placed his hand on the man's shoulder.
With Su Lai's hand on his shoulder, the man could only sigh helplessly and say with a smile, "Good skills, fellow Daoist."
Su Lai responded with a polite smile, "You flatter me."
Seeing the bouquet was now overhead, Da Hu's face lit up with a smile. "Excuse me, everyone, this bouquet is mine."
Just as Da Hu was about to leap and catch the bouquet, a hand from behind grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back, saying with a laugh, "It's not that easy."
Da Hu lost his balance in mid-air and took a step back as he landed, missing the bouquet.
Fortunately, the bouquet fell onto their table.
For a moment, all eyes turned to the bouquet on Su Lai's table.
The two adjacent tables rose almost simultaneously. Su Lai reacted swiftly, calling out, "Yiyun."
Although Yu Yiyun didn't understand why her Uncle Su Lai wanted to snatch the bouquet, she still reached out, grabbed it, and held it in her arms.
Seeing that the bouquet had been touched, the people at the adjacent tables immediately stopped their movements.
The bouquet was meant to be a token of good fortune, a source of joy.
Yu Yiyun held the bouquet in both hands, then looked at the newlywed couple, Zhang Xiaoqiang and Su Qing, on the stage. A sweet smile appeared on her little face.