“The Shen Clan?” “The Shen Clan has been developing quite well recently!” “That’s right, I heard the clan head, Shen Rong, has already broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage!”

Jiang Chen gathered news as he approached the Shen Clan estate.

In the entire Green City, there were five minor cultivation families that had developed relatively well: The Chen Clan, The Sen Clan, The Tie Clan, The Shen Clan, and The Lei Clan.

The reason the Shen Clan was able to develop was because Shen Rong, when he was young, had followed the administrator of Green City, whom everyone referred to as Perfected Master Wang of the Golden Core stage.

Later on, several people in the clan successively awakened Spirit Roots. Thus, they gradually grew and expanded.

Especially in the last six months, their progress had been particularly rapid.

First, Shen Rong, who was over fifty years old, broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage. Then, Shen Peng, only 25 years old, broke through to the late Qi Condensation stage. Additionally, people like Shen Yu and Shen Xiang also made visible progress.

Nowadays, the Shen Clan could be described as thriving and prosperous.

Moreover, just today, Shen Peng was going to marry Lei Yunna, the third daughter of Lei Jie, the current head of the Lei Clan.

This woman was also no simple person; she had awakened a Fire Spirit Root and possessed considerable talent in alchemy.

Therefore, this union between the two families could be considered a powerful alliance.

Jiang Chen was deep in thought.

If he remembered correctly, in the entire Loose Cultivator market district, the only shop that could produce Vitality Pills of superior quality had a sign starting with the character “Lei.”

It looked like the Lei Clan had made their fortune in the market district through decoction brewing and alchemy.

As for now, the Shen Clan’s reputation was still acceptable. Although there had been incidents that angered Loose Cultivators, they were still a bit better than the other families.

The address Shen Peng had given was indeed the current estate of the Shen Clan, and they were indeed holding a wedding banquet today.

“Then let’s go take a look.” Jiang Chen hesitated no longer.

“Why is there still no news?” Wearing his groom’s attire, Shen Peng paced anxiously back and forth.

A groomsman beside him chuckled. “The bride hasn’t arrived yet.”

Shen Peng glanced at him and then shook his head. “I’m not waiting for Yunna.”

Huh?

Upon hearing this, all the groomsmen were stunned speechless.

You’re the groom, and you’re not waiting for the bride? If this got out, it would be a disaster. The Lei Clan would probably turn hostile immediately.

Shen Peng also realized his words were problematic and explained, “I’m waiting for a very important friend. He has already arrived in Green City but hasn’t shown up yet.”

One of the groomsmen pondered. “Could something have happened to delay him?”

Shen Peng immediately showed a worried expression and pulled out a Communication Talisman. But after several attempts, he ultimately did not infuse his own spiritual power into it.

After all, he didn’t dare to rush or offend this immortal sect disciple.

If it weren’t for buying that thousand jin of Top-quality Spirit Rice these past six months—eating three full meals a day—he probably would have needed over a year more to break through to the late Qi Condensation stage.

More importantly, if his future children also awakened Spirit Roots, perhaps they could be sent to cultivate within an immortal sect through Jiang Chen’s connections. Their future would be far better than staying in a mere Loose Cultivator market district.

“He’s here! He’s here!” At that moment, a maidservant quickly ran in.

Shen Peng asked excitedly, “Fellow Daoist Cai is here?”

The maidservant looked confused upon hearing this and then replied, “It’s Master who has returned.”

“Oh.” Shen Peng showed a disappointed expression.

The maidservant continued immediately, “Master told me to relay to you: Don’t worry anymore. Put on your wedding attire properly, prepare the betrothal gifts, and quickly lead the procession to fetch the bride from the Lei Clan!”

Shen Peng nodded.

The wedding attire was already on his body. The betrothal gifts were also prepared. Now, he just needed to lead the procession to fetch the bride.

The overall style and customs of the wedding were actually quite similar to those of mortals. The only difference was that most people attending this wedding banquet were cultivators.

Therefore, there were various means of transportation within the procession.

On the ground, spirit beasts led the way. In the sky, Paper Cranes flew alongside as escorts.

The entire procession numbered about three hundred people. It looked grand and imposing, almost occupying an entire street.

The larger and more prominent families placed greater emphasis on pomp and scale. Ordinary Loose Cultivators didn’t have such extensive requirements. One moment they’d lock eyes, the next they could be sharing a bed. They cared more about feelings or simply being with that person.

But cultivation families focused more on benefits. To put it bluntly, even if the groom and bride didn’t like each other, if it concerned family interests, they had to be together. Even if it was just a marriage in name.

The round trip took about two hours.

Shen Peng and Lei Yunna had already begun bowing to heaven and earth, and there was still no news from Jiang Chen.

This made Shen Peng somewhat distracted.

He had invited him to attend the wedding banquet. He had even arrived in Green City but hadn’t shown up yet. He couldn’t help but feel something might have happened.

His heart remained uneasy with worry. After all, if something happened to an immortal sect disciple, the entire Shen Clan would be dragged down with him.

Suddenly, the master of ceremonies shouted, “First bow to heaven and earth!”

Shen Peng turned around, his gaze looking outside.

At that very moment, he saw a familiar face.

The clothes, the mustache—exactly the same as during their first meeting.

Wasn’t this precisely the person he had been worried about? So he had already arrived! What a false alarm!

Jiang Chen stood among the crowd, smiling at Shen Peng as a form of greeting.

“First bow to heaven and earth!” Seeing the groom somewhat dazed, the master of ceremonies couldn’t help but remind him. Even the bride reached out and tugged at his sleeve.

“Ah, yes yes yes.” Finally putting his mind at ease, Shen Peng grinned widely and began performing the bows.

The entire ceremony took another hour.

Bride Lei Yunna was escorted into the bridal chamber, awaiting her sleepless night later. Meanwhile, the groom began making rounds to toast guests at each table.

Not long after, led by the master of ceremonies, he arrived at Jiang Chen’s table.

Holding his wine cup, Shen Peng couldn’t help but complain, “Fellow Daoist Cai, why didn’t you let me know when you arrived?”

Jiang Chen asked in surprise, “I greeted your father. Didn’t he tell you?”

“Uh… now that you mention it, he did say something about not worrying.” Shen Peng thought back carefully.

He had mistakenly thought it meant not to worry about wedding matters. He hadn’t expected it was actually hinting that Jiang Chen had already arrived.

What a mix-up! Shen Peng had been worried for so long! Even on his way to fetch his bride, his heart was filled with anxiety and fear, terrified that this joyous day might turn into his entire family’s day of mourning.

“Alright now, go attend to your duties.” After finishing his drink, Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively.

Shen Peng nodded. “Alright. If you have any needs at all, just tell any servant.”

Then, he and the master of ceremonies moved toward another table.

Not long after, Shen Rong sought out Jiang Chen.

The two left together and came to a garden behind the Shen Clan estate grounds. It was very quiet here; no one would disturb them at this time.

Knowing this person’s habits, Shen Rong wasted no time with pleasantries and immediately took out five Mid-grade Spirit Stones and handed them over.

However, what Jiang Chen produced wasn’t Spirit Rice but Spirit Wine.

Or more accurately, high-quality Spirit Wine—wine brewed from high-quality Spirit Rice. It was one grade lower than his usual Top-quality Spirit Wine, specifically brewed for sale in Loose Cultivator market districts!

“Fellow Daoist Cai… what is this?” Shen Rong asked, puzzled.

Jiang Chen handed it over with an enigmatic smile. “Try it first.”

Shen Rong paused momentarily, then reached out and took it.

He first uncorked the stopper.

Immediately, the rich aroma of rice mingled with the mellow scent of wine wafted out. Though he hadn’t yet tasted it, merely the scent alone made Shen Rong involuntarily swallow his saliva.