Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Grand Wedding - VI

Chapter 138: Grand Wedding - VI

For Rhain’s wedding, the entire Azure Cloud Sect had been transformed into a vast guesthouse.

Every single training hall, pavilion, and open courtyard across the mountain had been refitted with lavish seating and luxurious resting areas to accommodate the sheer volume of attendees.

The aromas of roasted spirit beast meat, fragrant rice infused with rare herbs, and exotic delicacies had filled the entire sect.

To ensure the banquet was flawless, the sect had spared no expense, inviting the most famous culinary masters from all over the Outer Frontier, including top-tier chefs specifically hired from Mirravele City to prepare the wedding feast.

As Rhain walked through the bustling hallways, guests rose from their seats to greet him.

"Congratulations, Supreme Elder! We wish the Supreme Elder and Lady Seris peace, and prosperity for thousand years!"

"Supreme Elder Rhain, it is the honor of our lives to attend such a magnificent ceremony!"

Rhain responded to each greeting with a polite nod and a measured smile.

He didn’t linger with any of them.

Of course, the sheer number of guests who had traveled from every corner of the Outer Frontier was so staggering that if he attempted to personally meet each and every one of them, it would have taken him days.

His duty tonight was simply to greet the few most influential figures — those whose support and cooperation would matter in the months and years ahead.

Eventually, Rhain ascended the stone steps leading to the Sect Master’s Hall.

The massive wooden doors stood open, and the warm glow of essence lanterns spilled out into the darkness of night.

This was where Harmon had personally gathered the most distinguished guests of the wedding.

As Rhain stepped through the threshold, dozens of faces turned to greet him.

Harmon sat at the head of the long table, flanked by Torin, Silas, Amos, and Maren’s seat was empty since she was attending Seris.

Beside them sat Declan, Fenwick, and Vulcan.

The Graves family — Dorris, Roderick, and Kory — occupied the opposite side of the table, alongside a few senior elders.

Beyond the inner circle, the remaining seats were filled by the most powerful figures of the Outer Frontier.

Sect masters, clan patriarchs, and guild leaders — not a single one of them radiated an aura weaker than the Spirit Manifestation Realm.

The moment Rhain appeared, every person in the hall rose to their feet.

"Congratulation to the groom for marrying such a beautiful bride!"

"Congratulations, Supreme Elder Rhain! The entire Outer Frontier celebrates your joy today!"

"May your union bring prosperity and joy to the Azure Cloud Sect for generations to come!"

Rhain cupped his fists and offered a respectful bow to the hall. "I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you for traveling so far to attend my wedding. Your presence here honors not just me and my wife, but our entire Azure Cloud Sect."

The gathered leaders laughed warmly, their faces bright with festive cheer.

"Rhain, come sit!" Harmon beckoned with a broad smile. "You are the star of the night. Let us toast together!"

Rhain took the seat reserved for him at Harmon’s right side and accepted a cup of premium wine.

The conversation quickly settled into a relaxed, joyous rhythm.

Toasts were exchanged freely. The visiting leaders vied with one another to offer the most elaborate flattery.

"Supreme Elder Rhain, your strength is already the matter of legends! With you at the helm, the Azure Cloud Sect will surely dominate for a thousand years!"

"I have traveled from the Frostpeak Ranges, and even our elders speak your name with reverence, Supreme Elder!"

"To think that a hero such as yourself has found a bride of such otherworldly beauty — the heavens truly smile upon you!"

Rhain accepted their words with measured grace, neither inflated by the praise nor dismissive of their sincerity.

He understood the game being played — these leaders were investing in goodwill, hoping that proximity to the Azure Cloud Sect’s rising star would benefit their own factions.

After the pleasantries and the toasts had settled, Rhain set down his wine cup.

"There is a matter I wish to discuss with all of you tonight," Rhain said, his tone shifting from the warmth of a groom to the formal, measured one of a leader.

The hall quieted instantly.

Rhain’s dark grey eyes swept slowly across the gathered faces.

"I intend to expand the influence of the Azure Cloud Sect across the entirety of the Outer Frontier," Rhain stated calmly. "And ultimately, we will establish our foundation within Mirravele City itself. During this expansion, I expect your full assistance and cooperation."

The words hung in the air like a blade suspended overhead.

Harmon, Torin, Silas, and the Azure Cloud elders stiffened visibly, their eyes widening with surprise.

Even Dorris and Roderick exchanged startled glances.

Among the visiting leaders, the reaction was more guarded.

The Spirit Manifestation Realm patriarchs and sect masters shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

They knew exactly what those words meant.

Rhain was explicitly telling them that they would have to accept the absolute dominance of the Azure Cloud Sect and act as their vassals.

Their factions — some of which had existed for centuries and prided themselves on their independence — would effectively become subordinate partners to a sect that, until a few months ago, had been a dying, bottom-tier faction in a forgotten corner of the frontier.

Not a single one of them was willing.

But not a single one of them dared to voice an objection.

The smiling youth sitting at the head of the table had killed a Core Formation Realm expert with his own hands.

The towering giant sitting quietly not far from him radiated a pressure that shook their very souls.

To refuse was to court annihilation.

One by one, the visiting leaders nodded, their smiles carefully maintained. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Of course, Supreme Elder! The Blackwood Clan would be honored to assist the Azure Cloud Sect in any way!"

"The Gale Valley Sect stands ready to cooperate fully!"

"Whatever the Supreme Elder requires, the Lotus Petal Clan will provide!"

Rhain acknowledged their responses with a slight nod, though his perceptive eyes didn’t miss the reluctance behind their polite smiles.

He then turned his attention back to his own people.

Harmon, Silas, Torin, and the Azure Cloud elders looked at Rhain with deep surprise.

They did not question his decision, but a clear hesitation lingered in their eyes. Stepping into Mirravele City so soon?

They had just acquired their resources and barely begun to grow.

They were deeply afraid of competing with the ancient clans of the metropolis.

Rhain noticed their apprehension and asked, "Are you worried that it is too soon to step onto Mirravele City’s stage."

Harmon let out a slow breath. "Rhain, we do not doubt your vision. But Mirravele City is home to the Solari and Silvercrest Clans, they have stood for centuries with multiple Core Formation Realm experts. Our foundation, while vastly improved, is still fragile compared to theirs."

Torin also nodded in agreement, "If we overextend ourselves and draw the ire of the remaining great clans, we could find ourselves in a war we are not yet prepared to fight."

Rhain listened to their concerns without interrupting. When they finished, he spoke.

"You are right that we cannot compete with those clans directly for now. But that is precisely why now is the time to move."

He leaned forward slightly, "Right now, we possess a mountain of resources that no one in this region can match. But we severely lack two things: top-tier talent, and a greater density of essence."

Rhain’s dark grey eyes swept over the room. "Our remote Greymist Town lacks both. But in Mirravele City, they are in abundant supply. There, it is common to find young disciples at the peak of the Essence Awakening Realm, and the environmental essence density is far superior. If we want to utilize our Epic and Rare-Grade resources for the highest possible gains, we must root ourselves in Mirravele City."

Rhain paused, letting the logic sink in.

"We will have to go there one day anyway, so why not now? Furthermore, the timing is perfect. Mirravele City is currently in the midst of a massive political upheaval. The Ashvele Clan is gone, and the power vacuum has thrown the remaining factions into a scramble for territory and influence. In the chaos, no one will notice a small sect quietly establishing itself in a corner of the city. We do not need to compete with the two great clans. We simply need to set our footing and wait. The time to rise will come on its own."

Harmon quietly listened to the explanation, the worry on his face melting away.

Silas, Torin, and the others exchanged enlightened glances and nodded heavily in agreement.

Harmon slowly spoke, a resolute light igniting in his cloudy eyes. "You are right. We cannot remain a small-town sect forever. If the path forward leads to Mirravele City, then we will walk it."

Torin, Amos and Silas also voiced their agreement in turn.

With his own people aligned, Rhain turned his attention back to the visiting leaders.

He could see it in their eyes — the reluctant compliance, the resentment at being tools for someone else’s ambition.

They had agreed out of fear, not loyalty.

And loyalty built on fear alone was a brittle, dangerous thing.

"I know what many of you are thinking," Rhain said, his voice carrying a magnetic, authoritative pull. "You wonder why you should help the Azure Cloud Sect establish itself in a place that has nothing to do with your own interests."

Several of the visiting leaders shifted uncomfortably, caught off guard by his directness.

"So let me be clear," Rhain continued. "The Azure Cloud Sect does not ask for your help without offering something in return. If you assist my sect in this expansion, you will all receive a share in the profits."

The leaders straightened on their seats, their ears perking up.

"Those factions that provide sufficient value and contribute the most to our sect’s rise will be rewarded," Rhain promised, "The sect will reward them with Rare-Grade resources. Rare-Grade pills, Rare-Grade weapons, and Rare-Grade herbs. And if your contributions are great enough... Even Rare-Grade martial arts and techniques can be bestowed upon your sects."

The atmosphere in the hall shifted like the turning of a tide.

The moment the words Rare-Grade techniques and skills left his mouth, the heavy hesitation in the room shattered into a million pieces.

Rare-Grade resources.

For these visiting leaders — most of whom headed factions that possessed no more than one or two Rare-Grade items in their entire treasuries — this was not merely an attractive offer.

It was a life-changing, faction-transforming opportunity.

The old man from the Green Bamboo Sect, who had been quietly nursing his wine, nearly choked on his drink.

His eyes bulged with greed as he hastily set down his cup.

"S-Supreme Elder Rhain! The Green Bamboo Sect has always been a staunch supporter of the Azure Cloud Sect! We will spare no effort in assisting your noble expansion!"

"The Frostpeak Sect pledges its full cooperation!" another leader declared, practically jumping from his seat.

"And the Crimson Valley Guild! We have extensive trade networks that could be invaluable!"

The hall erupted with enthusiastic pledges, each leader trying to outdo the others in demonstrating their eagerness.

Rhain watched the transformation with quiet satisfaction. He raised his hand, and the clamor subsided.

"For centuries," Rhain continued, raising his voice slightly to ignite the fire in their hearts, "Mirravele City has looked down upon the rest of the Outer Frontier. They treat us as backward peasants. But when a sect from a small, remote town marches in and dominates their proud city, they will finally know that they are not the center of the world. They will realize there are powers here they can no longer ignore!"

Rhain swept his gaze over the wide-eyed patriarchs. "And as my sect rises, your clans and sects will rise alongside us. Together, we will bring an era of unprecedented prosperity to the entire Outer Frontier!"