Immortal Paladin

384 A Union Worth Fighting For

The Holy Ascension Empire bustled with life that morning. Riverfall Continent felt unusually bright, as if the heavens themselves approved of today’s celebration. Inside the grand Church of Great Guard, guests from distant lands and powerful clans sat together. Some wore ceremonial robes, others the armor of honored warriors, while a few stood out in the courtly silks of the Court of Dragons. All had gathered for one reason: a wedding. It was a sacred union of two souls in mind, body, and spirit, one significant enough to mark the first wedding ever officiated under the Great Guard faith. A milestone for the Empire, and for me.

When the doors opened, I stepped forward, wearing the holy robes prepared for me. The fabric carried a faint glow from the quintessence sewn into its threads, but it was light enough not to overshadow the solemn mood of the ceremony. As I walked toward the podium, Joan began to play the piano, an instrument unfamiliar to this world. The soft notes filled the church, lifting the already heavy emotion in the air.

I reached the podium and turned to face the entrance. Soon the groom walked in.

Ren Xun looked surprisingly sharp in a suit that carried dragon-like patterns across the sleeves. His hair was cut short, making him look cleaner and more mature. Behind him walked his best man, and to my surprise, it was Lu Gao.

I have no idea Alice and Lu Gao returned.

The groomsmen entered next, faces I recognized from long ago. They were once the beggars who followed Lin Lim everywhere. Now they walked with steadier steps and broader shoulders. Many bore the aura of cultivators, proof of their growth after the Civil War. They stood straight, brimming with pride and joy for their friend.

Then came the bridesmaids. Most were from the Court of Dragons, wearing dresses that looked like a fusion between traditional dragon court attire and simple wedding fashion. Some humans were mixed among them. They were friends Lin Lim gained through her life in the Empire. Most suprising was the maid of honor was Deng Chan, the Dragon Princess herself.

Yu Tai came next, serving as the ring bearer. The orphan who once clung to survival had grown into a fine young man with steady cultivation. He carried the rings over a soft pillow with both hands, walking carefully. Right behind him, a little scaly girl with dragon bloodline tossed petals with far too much excitement, but the guests found it adorable.

Then the music softened.

At the end of the aisle stood Lin Lim.

She wore a pure white gown that shimmered gently with movement. Her veil draped over her face, hiding her expression, but her posture alone revealed her nerves and happiness. Beside her stood Nongmin, Ren Xun’s grandfather and the former Emperor. He wore a blindfold as always, but his steps were sure. Golden accents marked his suit, giving him the dignity befitting the man he once was.

Since Lin Lim had no family to escort her, Nongmin volunteered without hesitation. He held her arm gently, careful and protective, especially with her visible pregnancy. She carried herself with grace, even with the difficulty of walking in her condition.

The two made their way down the aisle, step by steady step, while petals drifted at their feet.

When they reached the front, the music slowly faded.

I placed both hands on the podium, letting the silence settle before I spoke. “Before we begin,” I said, sweeping my gaze over the hall, “I want to share how I came to know these two lovebirds.”

A few people chuckled already at the word lovebirds, which made Ren Xun freeze a little and Lin Lim shift shyly beneath her veil.

“I remember meeting Ren Xun,” I continued. “Back then, he was a pampered rich young master with a head full of fantasies about how grand adventures were supposed to be. He kind of insisted on traveling with me from here all the way to the imperial capital, facing dangers he had absolutely no business facing. I’m surprised he’s still alive, frankly. Well, he have his parents to thank for that.”

More laughter. They sounded nervous, but genuine.

“As for Lin Lim,” I said gently, turning to the bride, “my time knowing her was much shorter, but unforgettable. She was a poor beggar, stubborn as a stone pillar. She would refuse help even if she was starving, because she wanted every coin she earned to be spent helping others worse off than her. Honestly, she was too kind for her own good.”

Another wave of soft laughter rippled through the crowd.

I cleared my throat dramatically, a fake cough to shift the mood. “Ahem. Regardless… what matters most is that these two overcame the barrier of their stations and backgrounds, no matter what the world said about them.”

I pointed to Ren Xun, who tried to stand taller. “This pampered young master learned how blessed he had been. And instead of becoming arrogant, he changed. He began cherishing the people around him. He learned to open his heart. Who would’ve thought the real adventure he sought wasn’t slaying beasts or chasing glory—” I paused, smiling, “—but connecting with the people around him?”

Then I faced Lin Lim. “And this poor beggar… learned how bad she truly had it, and how much she had ignored her own needs. She began accepting help… Help she needed, so she could help more people. Who knew that to save others, she had to save herself first? Even if it meant letting others reach out to her. Kudos to the people you surrounded yourself with. They’re as incredible as you’ve been.”

A quiet warmth filled the church. Many nodded. Some wiped tears.

I took a slow breath, speaking from the heart. “I’ve always seen Ren Xun and Lin Lim as brave. Even with his weak cultivation, Ren Xun fought by my side and stood for what was right. Now he has become a Dragon King revered by countless people. And Lin Lim… despite her mortality and hardships, she never stopped helping those in need. Now she stands here with rising status and cultivation, proof of her perseverance. A commoner woman and a lord. This feels like a fairy tale the bards would recite, but it’s real, and I witnessed their growth myself.”

I invited them to face each other.

They clasped hands.

Ren Xun spoke first, voice low but steady. “Lim’er… from the moment I saw you standing under the rain, shielding children with nothing but your ragged clothes, I knew you had more courage than I ever did. I vow to protect you, cherish you, and share every joy and hardship with you. In this life and the next.”

Lin Lim trembled, tears slipping beneath her veil as she replied. “Xun… you were the first to ever reach out to me, not with pity, but with sincerity. You gave me warmth when I had nothing. I vow to stand by your side, to support your dreams, and to face every storm with you. If there is another life, I hope we meet again.”

Their voices blended with the humming energy of the gathered cultivators. It was soft, sacred, and full of spirit.

The rings were brought forth by Yu Tai. Ren Xun gently placed a silver band on Lin Lim’s finger. She placed a golden band on his.

With that done, I lifted my hands.

“By the authority of the Great Guard faith and as witness to this sacred union,” I declared, “I pronounce you husband and wife. Ren Xun—” I smiled, “—you may kiss the bride.”

Ren Xun reached up with both hands, lifting the veil slowly.

Lin Lim’s tearful eyes glimmered like morning dew.

They didn’t need words.

Their lips me and the kiss was anything but reserved. Ren Xun pulled Lin Lim close, careful yet bold, and Lin Lim clung to him with both hands trembling against his shoulders. The entire church erupted into cheers. Flower petals flew through the air as a burst of spiritual light fell from the ceiling formation like a gentle blessing.

Outside, the formations the dragons built lit up, transmitting the scene across the Riverfall Continent. Every city square, every major sect plaza, and even a few questionable taverns were probably watching this moment live. Ren Xun had poured a horrifying amount of money into this broadcast, enough to feed a mid-tier city for a year, probably.

As they continued kissing, I sighed inwardly. Their future was going to be awkward. Especially since Ren Xun technically had a dragon harem. I hadn’t forgotten that minor detail. Those dragons wanted him badly, and unfortunately, only he could handle that mess. I wished him luck. He would need it more than spiritual treasures.

I cleared my throat rather loudly. The couple finally parted, flustered and glowing. Once the cheers softened, I raised a hand.

“With that,” I announced, “the ceremony concludes. May your days be bright, your hearts steadfast, and your cultivation never regress, preferably.”

Laughter followed, and the mood shifted seamlessly into the reception.

Because of several security-related concerns such as assassination attempts on the bride, we kept the reception inside the church. Nongmin didn’t wait even a breath before transforming the entire hall. With a sweep of his hand, formation lines under the marble floor lit up, shifting the space like a puzzle. Walls glided aside, tables expanded, chairs multiplied, and lanterns rose into the air like drifting stars.

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Beneath the church lay a massive reservoir of transplanted dragon veins. It was Nongmin’s work. Something he prepared a month in advance after he discovered he wasn’t invited to the wedding. Apparently, he didn’t take that well. At all.

His puppets marched out in orderly formation, serving dishes with mechanical precision while human servants blended between them carrying wine, meat, pastries, exotic fruits, and delicacies that came from every province of the Empire. It was extravagance layered upon extravagance.

Lu Gao stood and raised a cup. “To Ren Xun and Lin Lim! May your home be full, your love unshakable, and your fights short, so both of you can sleep peacefully after.”

Everyone laughed as the couple bowed gratefully. Ren Xun and Lin Lim sat together, exchanging shy glances while guests showered them with praises and blessings. Nongmin hovered nearby like a hawk guarding its only egg.

I slipped away the moment the crowd became thick. A single breath. Flash Step. A burst of aura.

And I was gone.

I reappeared atop one of the tower ledges, sitting quietly as I gazed down upon Yellow Dragon City. Lantern lights shimmered like fireflies drifting through the streets. The wedding music continued faintly in the distance. It was soft, clear, and joyful.

It was a breathtaking sight.

I sighed. “The church model is too lavish…” The Great Guard faith really went all out. The New Willow Shrine must’ve changed drastically by now too. I remembered approving expansion documents months ago, but I hoped they didn’t overdo it. A shrine should remain humble. Though, judging by how this church looked, I feared the rest of the faith was drifting toward “cathedral-sized absurdity.”

A shift of movement behind me.

“A bit dramatic, don’t you think?” a familiar voice whispered.

I turned.

Alice stepped out from the shadows, wearing a dark gown fitted perfectly to the tone of the wedding. She crossed her arms and tilted her head with that usual mixture of curiosity and exasperation.

“Why did you leave?” she asked.

Honestly, I didn’t even know why I slipped out. My job was done, and part of me simply didn’t want to disturb the moment any further. It was their day, not mine.

“I didn’t want to steal their spotlight,” I said with a casual shrug. “Did you forget how handsome this face is?”

Alice arched a brow. “Handsome? Please. You left because you knew the guests would swarm you. That, or you didn’t want the atmosphere to turn suffocating with the Holy Emperor standing around.”

I winced. She wasn’t wrong.

I held up my hands defensively. “Look, the chicks just can’t get enough of me. I should let the young ‘uns have their moment.”

Alice stared deadpan. “You can shapeshift.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “…Yeah. That too.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Or is it because you didn’t want someone figuring out you’re a clone?”

I immediately coughed. Loudly. “Avatar, Alice. Avatar. Clone is offensive.”

Of course she’d see through me. Alice always saw through me.

I honestly hoped she’d stay outside the Empire and focus on helping Lu Gao raise his immortality. When I saw Lu Gao came for the wedding, I nearly had a heart attack. I wasn’t ready for them to meet this version of me.

Trying to shift the conversation, I asked, “So… where were you during the ceremony?”

“Cleaning up.” She said it as if she were talking about dusting a room. “I killed every assassin lurking within the city. You could’ve done it with the Hollow Star if your main body were here. Shame I had to do the boring work alone. At least I managed to see the two kiss.”

That made me pause. Her showing up here wasn’t a coincidence.

“So… who tattled?” I asked. “Nongmin? Joan?”

Alice smiled faintly. “Joan.”

I sighed deeply. Of course. If anyone could see through me, it was Joan.

“Don’t make that sour face,” Alice said, flicking my forehead. “She’s grumpy lately, but she means well.”

“Well, the silver lining is that you and Joan aren’t trying to kill each other anymore,” I said. “Last time I saw you two in the same room, I thought the Empire would collapse. Of course, I didn’t think a scowling match would result to the destruction of the Empire, but I can’t say.”

She snorted but didn’t deny it.

Without warning, the night dimmed.

The stars and moon vanished.

A thick, suffocating darkness swept over Yellow Dragon City as if someone draped the heavens with a shroud. The air trembled. The pressure hit like a wave, shaking the tower beneath us.

Thunder rolled from the void itself.

“What’s happening?” I whispered as the atmosphere warped violently.

A flash.

No, a pillar.

Lightning the thickness of a castle tower tore open the sky and slammed straight into the church. It pierced every barrier, formation, and wall as if they were made of paper. The explosion of spiritual force rattled my bones.

Beside me, Alice’s eyes narrowed, voice dropping into something cold.

“Da Wei,” she said, “that’s not normal lightning.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I felt like puking, but I steeled my nerves. “It’s a Heavenly Tribulation.”

The sky split open long before the screams reached me. Nongmin appeared beside me in a rush. Sweat rolled down his temples as he lifted his head toward the shuddering heavens. “Granddaughter-in-law… she’s in labor,” he rasped. His voice shook enough that my stomach felt tight. Without another word, we bolted back into the church.

The moment I crossed the broken threshold, the sight froze me mid-stride. Ren Xun hovered above the marble floor, his once-pristine suit burned and torn, smoke lifting from his sleeves. Below him was a bowl-shaped cradle of draconic scales, trembling as if alive. Through my Divine Sense, I sensed Joan inside, shielding Lin Lim with barrier after barrier. I felt panic ripple across the church, so I shouted, “Can someone explain what in the hells is happening?!”

Zhou Yong, the Dragon God, turned toward me. Her normally flawless hand was burnt black, fingers twitching painfully. “A pillar of lightning fell from the sky,” she said through clenched teeth. “It targeted the bride. I tried to divert it, but the lightning rejected me. Ren Xun intercepted it before it could kill her.” Her eyes narrowed when she glanced upward. “And the storm hasn’t stopped.”

Another thunderclap exploded the air. The church vibrated like a gong. A second bolt speared through the ceiling. Alice landed in front of it, armor blooming over her body in a flash of darkness. She layered Magic Guard and Drain Shield, yet the lightning tore through both and still burned her shoulder. I rushed Ren Xun’s side and pressed my hand against his chest, casting Great Cure. His flesh knitted, but he barely reacted, eyes fixed on the ceiling as another rumble shook the sky.

“That was stronger than the first,” Nongmin muttered. He and Zhou Yong raised barrier after barrier, catching the rain of debris as the roof began collapsing.

I simply stood there, staring upward. For the first time in forever, I watched true tribulation lightning fall. It was vicious. Even Zhou Yong bled from blocking it, and Alice, who could tear armies apart, struggled to keep standing.

Whispers broke out among the guests, growing harsher with each clap of thunder. “A bad omen…” one muttered. “Heaven rejects this union,” another whispered. “There were assassination attempts… perhaps this was doomed…” A few tried defending Lin Lim, but fear spreads faster than fire, and rumor spreads fastest of all.

Enough.

I stepped forward and let my aura erupt. “Silence!” My Lion’s Roar cracked through the hall like a shockwave. “Ren Xun and Lin Lim are under my protection.” I thrust my fist toward the heavens. “A mere lightning dares challenge me? Fine. Strike!”

Lightning fell immediately, as if the sky accepted the invitation. I gathered aura and faith into my arm and cast Thunderous Smite to attract the lightning. The impact burned through my nerves, rattled my bones, and sent a metallic taste flooding my mouth. I gritted my teeth and forced my stance firm. Praises and gasps mixed behind me, but I could barely hear them over the roar inside my skull. I exhaled a long stream of turbulent qi just to stay upright.

“One more of those and I’m ash,” I thought bitterly. But I kept my fist raised and glared at the trembling sky. “Leave my Empire alone!” I bellowed.

Thunder rolled in answer, low and cold. From within the darkness above, a whisper threaded into my ears, soft yet absolute.

“No.”

The heavens answered, and they refused.

The bowl-shaped dome of scales shattered like scattered leaves as Ren Xun lunged forward, nearly collapsing when he reached Lin Lim. She sat trembling on the cracked floor, an infant cradled in her shaking arms. The baby made no sound. Joan wiped sweat from her brow with a trembling hand, her expression twisted into fear rather than relief.

Gasps rippled through the guests the moment they saw the newborn clearly. Someone shrieked. Another backed away. Then panic spread like rot. The child had no gender, no nipples, no hair, no mouth, not even eyes. Only smooth skin where features should have been.

“A monster,” someone cried. More voices joined, trembling with terror. The echo of their fear felt heavier than the thunder.

A seam of light tore across the night sky, visible through the ruined ceiling. Clouds peeled open like pale flesh, revealing an enormous incandescent blue eye staring down into the church.

Pressure slammed into us instantly. Guests dropped to their knees, sobbing in terror. Even Zhou Yong staggered, and Nongmin gritted his teeth as he forced himself just short of kneeling. Only Alice and I remained standing without faltering, though I felt my knees wanting to give way.

The weaker-willed cultivators began to scream for the child’s death. “It’s an omen!” one shouted. “Kill it before it brings destruction!” Another pleaded hysterically, “Heaven itself rejects it!”

Lu Gao tried to rise, straining against the pressure as he roared, “Stop! The child is innocent!” A moment later the invisible weight doubled around him, grinding him back into the broken tiles.

I had encountered magical babies before, even those born with dangerous destinies, yet seeing this one sent unease crawling across my skin.

Lin Lim sobbed uncontrollably. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to her child. “I’m so sorry…”

Ren Xun faced the sky and bellowed, “Leave us alone!”

The infant tried to scream but produced no sound. It had no mouth to give one.

Alice moved with chilling decisiveness. She grabbed the infant by the leg. Ren Xun lunged toward her in blind panic. “What are you doing?!” he shouted, aura flaring, but Alice flicked her fingers and thrust him down with sheer killing intent. His body slammed into the floor, frozen completely.

Joan rose slowly, fighting the pressure with trembling arms. Blood streamed from her nose and eyes, but she stared directly at the colossal eye above. “What are you?” she demanded hoarsely.

“I have no idea,” I answered. I truly didn’t.

Alice held out the baby toward me. “What do you want to do with it?” Her voice was calm, which worried me more than the thunder. I took the infant into my arms carefully. Its skin was warm, trembling, and unnervingly smooth.

I felt it immediately. There were two souls inside one body, faint yet undeniably there.

Thunder cracked. A whisper slithered into my ears again, colder this time. “That thing does not belong in this world.”

I clenched my jaw and looked at Alice. “From now on,” I declared, “the infant is under my care.”

Alice smiled, but it was the kind of smile you give before doing something reckless. Her pink hair deepened into blood-crimson as she turned toward the sky. I returned to Ren Xun and Lin Lim, kneeling beside them. With a deep breath, I pressed my hand over the child and cast Divine Possession, pouring my essence into the newborn’s dual souls. My shape-shifting ability flowed into its body, forming eyes, a mouth, and proper anatomy.

My current body collapsed immediately, falling face-first like a discarded shell.

For the second time, I cast Divine Possession. This time into Alice’s body.

A dizzying flood of perceptions hit me as our consciousnesses overlapped. Her mind brushed against mine, sharp and focused. We lifted our head and stared back at the massive eye glaring down at us. Whatever it was, it was intelligent. It was dangerous. And anything that thinks can be killed.

“You don’t have to do this,” I told her inside the shared space. “Of course, it isn’t my choice to make, but…”

Her thoughts pushed back against mine, warm and fierce. “Do you know what comes next?”

I did.

We spoke as one through her mouth, our voice echoing with quintessence.

“Exalted Renewal.”

Alice’s aura erupted outward, bloody crimson streaked with radiant gold, rising like a storm hungry for retribution.

The heavens trembled.