I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 214: The Grand Wedding & The System’s Limit

The Shen estate in the Azure Province was a sea of crimson light and fluttering silk banners. Ethereal, immortal music drifted through the air, weaving a tapestry of celebration that could be heard for miles.

As the premier clan of the province, the Shen Family could not afford to be modest for the Third Young Master’s wedding.

Although Wei Zhaoli was entering the family as a Secondary Wife, the ceremony lacked nothing in grandeur. The Wei Family was a titan in its own right, possessing deep foundations and heritage. A union between two such powers demanded a display of opulence that bordered on arrogance.

Red carpets stretched from the main gates to the inner sanctums, lined with blooming spirit flowers that released shimmering pollen into the air. Above, tamed spirit cranes circled in auspicious patterns, their cries mingling with the music.

Flanking the massive estate gates, the Shen Family’s elite guard stood like statues. Clad in red-gold battle armor, their auras were sharp and imposing, a silent warning to any who might wish to cause trouble.

Inside, guests thronged the courtyards like clouds. Elders from every major aristocratic family and sect in the Azure Province had come to offer their congratulations. Even the few clans that held grudges against the Shens had forced smiles onto their faces and sent heavy gifts, daring not to offend the hegemon on such a day.

Shen Xian stood at the entrance, clad in ceremonial scarlet robes. A jade belt shimmering with flowing light circled his waist, and a dragon-shaped pendant glowed at his side. The laziness that usually clung to him had vanished, replaced by a calm, steady maturity.

He welcomed the guests with a faint smile, his eyes as tranquil as a deep pool.

He recalled his first arranged marriage, how indifferent and resistant he had been. But time had passed, and circumstances had changed. The boy who just wanted to lie flat was gone; in his place stood the Heir Apparent.

“Congratulations, Young Master Shen!”

“Haha! A union between the Shen and Wei families—this is truly a blessing for the province!”

” The Third Young Master possesses peerless talent, and Fairy Wei is a devastating beauty. A match made in heaven!”

Shen Xian returned the bows and compliments with practiced ease, his demeanor flawless.

“Congratulations, Nephew Shen.”

A middle-aged man in profound black robes stepped forward. It was Ye Mingyuan of the Ye Family.

Despite the awkward situation regarding the Ye Family’s engagement—and the Old Matriarch’s distinct displeasure at Shen Xian taking another wife before her granddaughter returned—they had still sent a representative.

“Fourth Uncle, it has been a long time,” Shen Xian greeted him warmly.

“It has,” Ye Mingyuan sighed, his gaze complicated. “I never expected you to reach such heights. It is… truly surprising.”

Years ago, Ye Mingyuan hadn’t even bothered to look Shen Xian in the eye. Now, he realized just how shallow his judgment had been. Fortunately, their past friction wasn’t deep, and time had smoothed over the rough edges.

Shen Xian’s expression turned serious. “Fourth Uncle, has there been any contact with Qingxian?”

If the Ye Family had a way to reach her, he wouldn’t need to rush blindly into the Northern Region.

Ye Mingyuan shook his head. “That girl… she hasn’t sent a single word since she entered the Northern Region. Rumor has it she sent one letter to the Old Matriarch, but nothing since.”

Ye Qingxian had never felt much attachment to the Ye clan. It wasn’t surprising she hadn’t kept in touch.

Shen Xian nodded slowly. As I thought. I have to go there myself.

“By the way,” Ye Mingyuan lowered his voice, stepping closer. “You must be cautious. The Lin Family and the Li Fire Sect have let slip that they intend to target the Shen Family. If you encounter trouble, contact me.”

He pressed a communication talisman into Shen Xian’s hand. It was a peace offering, a way to bury the hatchet completely.

“Target us?” Shen Xian feigned ignorance. “Why?”

He had been secluded in the archives practicing evasion arts and was genuinely out of the loop regarding recent rumors.

Ye Mingyuan explained in a hush. “It’s about the deaths of Lin Lang and Xiao Jin. Both factions have concluded that your brother, Shen Xing, is the culprit.”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow.

Of all the cultivators who entered the ruins, only Shen Xing was publicly known to have the strength to kill those two geniuses. Now that Shen Xing was in secluded cultivation attempting to break through, he couldn’t step out to deny it. The silence only solidified their suspicion.

Although they hadn’t declared open war, the Lin Family and Li Fire Sect were moving in the shadows, suppressing Shen business interests and targeting disciples.

“Don’t worry,” Ye Mingyuan reassured him. “They only dare to use underhanded methods. They won’t attack openly.”

The Shen Family had the Divine Wood Sect as an ally, alongside the Ye and Wei families. A direct war would be suicide for the aggressors.

Shen Xian nodded, pocketing the information.

Suddenly, the sound of ethereal chimes rose above the crowd.

A jade carriage pulled by a team of spirit phoenixes descended from the sky. Red gauze fluttered around the carriage, obscuring the figure inside, but the silhouette alone was enough to make the young cultivators in the crowd sigh with envy.

Wei Zhaoli had arrived.

She wore a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, her face hidden behind a red veil. Even obscured, her graceful posture and cool, elegant temperament were unmistakable.

Shen Xian stepped forward, extending a hand to help her down.

“Zhaoli,” he said softly.

Wei Zhaoli’s fingers trembled slightly as she placed her hand in his.

“Husband,” she whispered.

Side by side, under the gaze of thousands, they walked up the steps into the Shen Family’s Great Hall.

They bowed to Heaven and Earth. They bowed to the Ancestors. They bowed to each other, tying the knot of shared hearts.

Ceremony complete, Shen Xian took her hand and led her toward the bridal chambers.

Midnight.

The feast had been raucous. Unlike his first wedding, Shen Xian felt no resentment tonight. He had drunk freely, toasting with elders and friends until the world spun slightly. He was eventually half-carried back to his room by smiling servants.

Inside the bridal chamber, dragon-phoenix candles flickered, casting warm, dancing shadows on the walls.

Seeing her husband sway, Wei Zhaoli abandoned proper etiquette. She hopped off the bed, her heavy ceremonial robes rustling, and quickly brewed a pot of sobering tea.

“Why did you drink so much?” she asked, her voice laced with concern as she helped him to a chair.

“Just… enjoying the moment,” Shen Xian grinned, his eyes slightly hazy.

The Drunken Immortal Wine lived up to its name. Even a cultivator would struggle to process its potency immediately. And Shen Xian, in his happiness, hadn’t bothered to circulate his spiritual energy to burn off the alcohol.

He accepted the tea, downing it in one gulp. The clarity returned to his eyes almost instantly.

He looked at the woman before him. The candlelight softened her features, the red bridal attire enhancing her natural beauty.

Shen Xian smiled. With a flick of his wrist, a small, translucent jade bottle appeared in his hand.

Inside, a single drop of milky-white liquid rolled sluggishly, emitting a fragrance so pure it seemed to cleanse the soul just by smelling it.

“This is…” Wei Zhaoli’s eyes widened. She could feel the terrifying density of spiritual energy radiating from the bottle.

“10,000-Year Spirit Milk,” Shen Xian said, pressing it into her palm. “It will be of immense benefit to your cultivation.”

He had found a reservoir of this in the spirit herb garden within the Ten Thousand Corpses Tomb. He had plenty, but its value was astronomical—perfect for a wedding night gift.

Wei Zhaoli’s hand trembled.

Rank 6, Top Grade.

This was a heavenly treasure that even Soul Formation Venerables would kill for. In the Wei Family, something like this would be enshrined as a foundational artifact, used only to save the clan from destruction.

She never expected him to give her something so precious.

She looked up, meeting his clear, warm gaze.

“Husband, I…” She bit her lip, overwhelmed.

“Take it,” Shen Xian said, his eyes curving with a smile. “You are mine now. Does that not mean my things are your things?”

Wei Zhaoli’s heart skipped a beat.

The possessiveness in his words didn’t offend her; instead, it sent a wave of sweetness crashing through her chest. She lowered her head, cheeks burning.

“Mmm.” She clutched the bottle tightly.

Ding!

[System Notification: Host gifted Dao Companion ‘10,000-Year Spirit Milk’ (Rank 6 Top Grade).] [Triggering 50x Critical Return…] [Reward: ‘Divine Light Sand’ (Rank 6 Top Grade). Would you like to claim it?]

The prompt hovered in his vision.

Shen Xian frowned slightly. The rank didn’t change?

Then, realization hit. The 10,000-Year Spirit Milk was already at the pinnacle of Rank 6. A 50x multiplier wasn’t enough to push it across the qualitative barrier into Rank 7. It merely provided an item of equivalent tier and value.

I see. Until I can increase the multiplier, I shouldn’t waste top-tier items. It’s a loss of potential value.

“Husband, what is it?” Wei Zhaoli asked, noticing his momentary distraction.

“Nothing,” Shen Xian said, dismissing the system screen. He looked at her, his gaze darkening with intent. “Wife… they say a moment of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold.”

Snap.

The candle wick burst, sending a spark flying. The light dimmed, casting long shadows over the bed as the red gauze curtains fell.

An embroidered bodice featuring a peony pattern drifted softly onto the footstool, coming to rest beside a discarded phoenix crown and scattered pearl hairpins.

Outside the window, the bright moon shyly retreated behind a bank of clouds.