Chapter Twenty-Three: Proclaiming to the World!

Just as their carriage had barely left the Imperial City, a thunderous dragon’s roar erupted from the palace behind them. A golden divine dragon, stretching ten thousand feet long, soared into the sky. Its body was thick and powerful, like a continuous mountain range. Its scales gleamed brilliantly, radiating dazzling light, each the size of a millstone. The dragon circled above the palace, and upon closer inspection, a cluster of radiant golden light hovered above its head—a scroll, delicately outlined with golden silk threads. Strange and mysterious visions appeared around it, reflecting the myriad forms of humanity, a sacred era of mortals.

As the dragon circled, the scroll slowly unfurled. Boundless golden light spilled forth, and with a resonant roar, the dragon twisted its colossal body in an uncanny manner and plunged into the scroll, which was not even as large as one of its scales.

The scroll’s visions became even more astonishing, chants echoing as every thread of golden silk shimmered with divine energy, suffused with the sacred essence of humanity.

A faint, elusive voice sounded by Zhou Tian’s ear. He shook his head, and the voice vanished; Zhou Tian thought it was merely his imagination.

“Focus, listen carefully!” Zhou Yi said calmly from the other side.

Zhou Tian was startled—what did he mean? Was it not a hallucination? Still, he closed his eyes and listened intently to the voice emanating from the void.

“…Today, We have heard that within the Hao Tian Sect resides a maiden of celestial spirit, gifted with both talent and beauty, dignified and gentle, virtuous and graceful, possessing the qualities of refinement, wisdom, and virtue, the beauty of uprightness, serene and exemplary, harmonious in action, skilled in etiquette. As the heir of the Prince of Qin, Zhou Tian, has now come of age, being noble in character and exemplary in filial piety, it is fitting to match him with a worthy maiden. As the celestial maiden awaits her future, We hereby bestow this marriage upon the two, fulfilling the union of beauty and virtue!

Let this proclamation be known throughout the realm!”

It was an imperial edict granting marriage. Zhou Tian opened his eyes, only for the voice to disappear again; listening closely, it still echoed in the void—truly wondrous.

“This uses the destiny of humanity to announce the imperial edict to every corner of the Tian Qin realm. Only those who listen carefully can hear it; it won’t interfere with daily life, and will persist for a day,” Zhou Yi explained, seeing Zhou Tian’s confusion.

So much advanced technology! Zhou Tian marveled inwardly; this world was indeed extraordinary. There was even genetic technology; he would have to investigate that so-called State of Devices in Xiezhou when he returned. He remembered clearly—the Qin Emperor had said that the vial of reagent was a gift from the ruler of the State of Devices.

The imperial edict floated serenely above the Imperial City, its golden light dazzling. As the edict was proclaimed, many places responded in different ways.

…

At the summit of a mountain peak, a middle-aged man in a green robe stood, listening to the imperial edict echoing from the void. A complex expression flashed in his eyes, a trace of black energy flickered between his brows, and a faint voice sounded by his ear.

“Poor Celestial Spirit, sold by her own master who raised her since childhood to the Tian Qin Dynasty!”

“No, I did this for the Hao Tian Sect!” The green-robed man’s eyes showed struggle.

“Yes, yes, for the Hao Tian Sect, and for her beloved master to survive a bit longer…”

“Enough!” the green-robed man roared in fury, slashing out a sword aura ten thousand feet long. Azure light burst forth, clouds surged, and a hundred-foot-wide ravine was carved as the clouds parted.

…

Within a resplendent palace, gilded and radiant, a large bed stood at the center, crafted from warm jade and draped with exquisite red gauze. Through the gauze, one could see a beauty lying atop the bed, dressed alluringly, barely covering her modesty. Her gaze was hazy, cheeks flushed, lips bitten, trembling as she listened to the imperial edict echoing from the void. Finally, as her body convulsed violently, she collapsed upon the bed, drops of unknown fluid trickling down the bed’s edge.

“The Qin Emperor’s… voice… is still… so enchanting…”

The beauty lying on the bed resembled a maiden in the throes of longing, a sweet curve at her lips. After a while, she spoke softly:

“Withdraw all arrangements against the Hao Tian Sect. Since Celestial Spirit is soon to marry Zhou Tian, the Hao Tian Sect is now somewhat tied to the Zhou family. If they’re connected to the Zhou family, then to the Qin Emperor as well. If connected to the Qin Emperor, then to me… hmm…”

Before she finished, her delicate body trembled violently again, nearly forming a puddle beneath the bed.

“Yes!” The maid outside the bed accepted the order and withdrew, leaving only the beauty gasping upon the bed.

…

Just as Zhou Tian was pondering the nature of this world, the Celestial Spirit in his arms opened her eyes. In truth, she had awakened long ago, but feeling Zhou Tian pinching her cheeks, she was too embarrassed to face him. Now, seeing that Zhou Tian was in a daze, she seized the opportunity to get up—she couldn’t let him take advantage any longer!

Yet Celestial Spirit underestimated Zhou Tian’s shamelessness. Feeling her weak struggle, Zhou Tian returned to himself, looked down, and saw Celestial Spirit’s eyes open. He hurriedly asked,

“Ling’er, are you alrigh