The atmosphere in the Main Hall changed dramatically in a short time. The long tables made of black sandalwood were now laden with a variety of heavenly dishes, emitting tantalizing aromas. The once soft lantern light now glowed brighter, casting golden reflections on the marble floor. The tranquil music of stringed instruments drifted from nowhere, adding a sacred and festive feel to the evening.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of these elegant preparations, Wei Yan stood at the head of the main table. He wore a long black robe embroidered with silver dragons that seemed to come to life in the lamplight. The aura he exuded was no longer one of raw power, but of a mature and stable authority. He gazed intently at each of the women before him—the ten women now bound by destiny—with a meaningful gaze.
Wei Yan cleared his throat softly, and suddenly all conversation in the room ceased. A reverent silence fell. "Tonight is not simply a celebration of my return, or Shuang-er's recovery," he began in his rich, resonant baritone. "Tonight marks our coming of age as one. We leave behind a past filled with doubt and step into the future I have outlined."
He continued his brief speech in a deeper tone. "The outside world may see us as strong individuals, but within this palace, our true strength lies in our undivided trust. Maturity is not simply a matter of age or cultivation level, but rather the courage to accept each other without secrets. Tonight, I want you all to shed your protective masks."
After finishing his sentence, Wei Yan waved his hand. A small white porcelain urn appeared in his hand, followed by eleven crystal cups that floated towards each person. Wei Yan poured a clear alcohol that exuded the fragrance of ancient flowers and a warm sensation that could be felt even from a distance. The liquid glistened like morning dew caught in the sunlight.
Wei Yan raised his cup high into the air, drawing all eyes to follow his movements. "This alcohol is no ordinary drink. It is a key. Drinking it at this banquet is a sign of inner openness and total acceptance. Whoever drinks it with me tonight is willing to open every crevice of their soul for me to enter, allowing the bonds within them to unfold naturally."
"A toast to our bond!" Wei Yan exclaimed. Simultaneously, the ten women present—Li Yuantong, Shen Ruolin, Ning Shuang, Ao Ningyan, Feng Xiuyi, Zi Lan, Lan Xiyi, Liu Caixi, Yao Moli, and another wife—raised their cups. Without hesitation, they drank the sacred liquid in one long gulp. The warmth that spread from their throats to their solar plexuses instantly brought a rosy glow to their beautiful faces.
Once the glasses were empty, the atmosphere became much more lively. Zi Lan was the first to react; she laughed crisply, her seductive eyes slightly glazed over from the effects of the alcohol. "Ah, Young Master... this drink really makes me feel so light. I feel as if there's no longer any distance between us," she said, leaning her head on Feng Xiuyi's usually formal shoulder.
Feng Xiuyi, while still trying to maintain her elegance, didn't reject Zi Lan's support. She smiled faintly, her eyes radiating a rare gentleness. "This liquid... it clears the doubts in my heart. I feel like my entire energy flow has become calmer," she murmured elegantly. She began pouring more alcohol for the sister next to her, showing her considerate side.
In another corner, the usually haughty Ao Ningyan now appeared more relaxed. She no longer sat stiffly, but instead leaned back and looked at Ning Shuang. "Hey, Newcomer," she called out in a voice that was still high-pitched but without any hint of contempt. "Have another drink. Once your heart is open, you'll realize how fortunate you are to be here, under this man's protection."
Ning Shuang, her face as red as a tomato, nodded quickly. She felt incredibly warm, and her fear of the seniors had completely evaporated. "Thank you, Sister Ningyan. I... I feel very happy tonight," she replied in a slightly slurred but sincere voice. She began to joke with Liu Caixi, who had been toasting her repeatedly.
Lan Xiyi remained silent, but her cold, sharp gaze had softened significantly. She sat down next to Wei Yan, holding her sword casually in her lap as if she no longer needed to be on guard. "The effects of this alcohol... it breaks the bonds that bind inner potential," she said curtly to Wei Yan, acknowledging the power of the drink her husband had prepared.
The wise Yao Moli watched the interaction with a satisfied smile. She approached Wei Yan and whispered, "Young Master, you've done very well. Look at them. There's no longer any jealousy or insecurity. This alcohol truly matures their souls in an instant." Moli then turned to handing out some snacks to the others, keeping the atmosphere harmonious.
Li Yuantong and Shen Ruolin, standing closest to Wei Yan, exchanged glances. As the ones who had been with Wei Yan the longest, they could sense the energy in the room beginning to converge. "I can feel their energy flow aligning with Young Master's," Ruolin whispered to Yuantong, who responded with a firm nod.
The interaction between the wives grew more intense. Liu Caixi began telling lighthearted jokes, eliciting laughter from the room, even Lan Xiyi occasionally chuckled. They began embracing each other, sharing stories of their pasts before meeting Wei Yan, as if the alcohol had broken down the inner defenses they had built over the years.
Amidst the excitement, Wei Yan remained calm, though he enjoyed the atmosphere. He knew that this alcohol wasn't just for fun. The warmth and openness they felt were physical and mental preparation for the upcoming dual cultivation phase. With an open mind, their energies would more easily integrate into his Chaos Body.
The party continued late into the night. Laughter, the aroma of food, and the warmth of camaraderie filled the Main Hall. The ten women no longer stood as separate individuals, but as a unified whole under Wei Yan's banner. They had all accepted their fate with open hearts, ready to move on to the next, far more intimate and powerful chapter.
Wei Yan gazed at Xia Chunyu's time vault, still silent in the center of the hall. The contrast between the joy at the banquet table and the silence within the vault filled him with a sense of satisfaction. "Enjoy tonight, my wives. As for you..." Looking at Xia Chunyu sitting on the bed, Wei Yan murmured, "What surprise will you show everyone later?"
----
Before ning Shuang knew it, three hours had passed amidst laughter and intimate exchanges. Ning Shuang, still unaccustomed to the stamina of high-level cultivators, began to feel her head spinning, but her heart felt incredibly light. She stared at the emptying table and the seemingly static decorations.
"The party... is it over yet?" Ning Shuang asked softly, blinking, trying to shake off the drowsiness that had begun to creep in due to the relaxing effects of the alcohol.
Li Yuantong, sitting to her right, chuckled as he stroked the back of Ning Shuang's hand. "Not yet, Shuang-er. This was just the prelude. Like washing your face before starting the day, what we did just now was simply a way to wash away the dust of doubt in our hearts."
Zi Lan then approached, her seductive scent growing stronger due to her rising body temperature. She grinned mischievously as she played with the ends of her hair, giving Ning Shuang a meaningful look. "Yuantong is right, sweetie. Don't think about sleeping yet. After this, the main event for all of us begins. And believe me, the main event is far more tiring and enjoyable than just drinking like this."
Hearing this, Ning Shuang looked confused. She glanced at Wei Yan, who still looked calm and dignified, then at Shen Ruolin. Ruolin, who had been acting as a graceful mediator, put down her cup and looked at Ning Shuang with a very serious yet affectionate expression.
"I'll explain to you why this event is so important, Shuang-er," Shen Ruolin said in a dignified tone. "You might think this is just a simple banquet to celebrate your recovery. But for you, for us, and for the Young Master, tonight has a much deeper meaning. This event also marks the legal marriage of all of us to Wei Yan under the witness of this dimension's heavenly law!"
That statement was like a bolt from the blue for Ning Shuang. Her eyes widened completely, her drowsiness instantly vanishing. A wedding? Ten people at once? She glanced around, seeing Ao Ningyan, who remained haughty but nodded in agreement, and Lan Xiyi, who was staring intently as if confirming the truth of Ruolin's words.
"A mass... wedding?" Ning Shuang stammered.
"Not just a mere mortal formality," Ruolin added. "Through the dual cultivation we will soon undertake, our bodies and souls will be permanently fused with Wei Yan. There will be no more secrets, no more boundaries. Here, in this palace, we will belong completely to him, and he will belong to us."
Wei Yan rose from his chair, signaling the end of the break. "Prepare yourselves," he said briefly but emphatically. "The main event of our true unification has opened!"