Chapter 790 - 393: Double Happiness, Returning to the Village

Chapter 790: Chapter 393: Double Happiness, Returning to the Village

The young men and women helped set up the venue, their eyes filled with envy for the new couple.

The moment Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong landed, a group of children swarmed over, chattering excitedly, "The groom is back! The groom is back!"

Their eyes were filled with curiosity and excitement as they tugged at the two men’s clothes, asking all sorts of questions.

In the village, Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong showed none of the commanding presence they held outside. They were just like any other villager, letting the children crowd around them as they smiled and answered their questions, their hearts filled with warmth.

’My brother was right. Home is the only place where you can truly let go of everything.’ Cheng Zongliang smiled brightly.

Just then, an elderly man who had been sitting idly in the pavilion by the Zhou Family’s gate walked over, leaning on a cane. He looked at Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong with eyes full of affection and said,

"You two rascals, you’re finally back."

"Grandpa!"

"Grandpa."

Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong hurried forward to support Zhou Fengshun. Zhou Zhendong smiled and said, "Grandpa, sorry to have made you worry."

Thanks to elixirs conditioning his body, coupled with the Taishi Chair he sat in year-round, Zhou Fengshun was still in excellent health. The cane in his hand was merely a habit; he had no real trouble getting around. He smiled, waved his hand, and said,

"Nothing to worry about. This is a joyous occasion. Your parents are busy at your respective homes, so hurry along and see them."

The two bid the old man farewell, then parted ways and headed to their own homes.

Along the way, they saw familiar relatives bustling about with wedding preparations, every one of them with a smile on their face.

Cheng Zongliang’s heart swelled with emotion as he gazed at the familiar scene, his eyes full of warmth.

Walking into the house, Cheng Zongliang saw his mother in the pavilion with his two brides-to-be, all busy with some task. When they saw he had returned, they all stopped what they were doing.

Seeing him, Mrs. Zhou of the Cheng Family couldn’t help but smile. "You’re finally back. I was worried you wouldn’t make it in time because of that business over there."

She walked quickly over to Cheng Zongliang and brushed the non-existent dust from his clothes, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and playful reproach.

At the same time, Mrs. Zhou of the Cheng Family had her two soon-to-be daughters-in-law put down the wedding kerchiefs they were in the middle of cutting.

The kerchiefs were embroidered with an exquisite mandarin duck pattern, the silk threads shimmering with a soft luster in the candlelight. Into every single stitch, the two women had poured all their hopes for the future.

The two sisters, Zhaodi and Laidi, also went forward happily to greet him.

They had lived in the Cheng Family for so many years that, aside from not yet being formally married or having consummated their union, they were in every other respect already his wives.

Thus, it was perfectly natural for them to step forward and curtsy. The two sisters looked at Cheng Zongliang, tears of excitement shimmering in their eyes, reflecting their boundless joy.

Cheng Zongliang only returned to see them two or three times a year, meaning they spent far more time apart than together. But their dispositions were naturally gentle and serene; though they missed him, they were also understanding.

They managed the affairs of the manor and the household, attended to his parents, and kept the Cheng Family home running in perfect order.

This was also the reason Cheng Zongliang had never been willing to let them go.

The ancestors had a saying: marry a wife for her virtue, take a concubine for her beauty.

He had even politely refused the many marriage proposals that came from members of various royal families.

Besides, the two sisters were delicate and gentle, which he liked. And there would be no messy entanglements with Noble Families.

Cheng Zongliang noticed Zhaodi was wearing a pale pink blouse, embroidered with delicate flowers in silver thread that seemed to sway in a gentle breeze as she moved. Her hair was swept into a simple yet elegant bun, with a few wisps framing her face, adding to her soft beauty.

She looked at Cheng Zongliang, a faint smile on her lips revealing two adorable dimples.

Laidi, meanwhile, wore a long, light blue dress, its fabric so light it seemed woven from the clouds themselves.

A white silk ribbon was tied at her waist, fluttering in the breeze and accentuating her graceful figure. Her eyes, as bright as stars, were fixed on Cheng Zongliang, her deep affection and joy plain to see.

Just as Cheng Zongliang was about to say something, he saw his father emerge from the house. He immediately cupped his hands in a salute. "Father. I’ve returned."

Cheng Guanghai smiled faintly. "Good, you made it in time. Did your older brother say when he’d be back?"

Cheng Zongliang walked over to him.

Mrs. Zhou of the Cheng Family and her two future daughters-in-law followed as well.

Cheng Zongliang said, "Before he went into seclusion, Big Brother said he’d be back before my wedding. So it should be today or tomorrow."

...

"You’re done."

「Hall of Ten Thousand Races, Cultivation Room.」

The Ring Spirit only spoke up to alert him after seeing that Cheng Zongyang’s aura had completely stabilized.

Cheng Zongyang ceased his cultivation. He looked at the massive, pitted craters in the huge stone wall before him, then glanced at his own fist with great satisfaction.

"My physical strength should be decent enough, right?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

"It’s at a beginner’s level. If you wanted to walk the path of cultivating both soul and body, why didn’t you choose the True Martial Refining God Skill back then?" the Ring Spirit asked.

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "It’s not dual cultivation of the soul and body in the traditional sense. I just want to try other methods. In the future, my Immortal Cultivation alone might not be enough to contend with the previous master. My only chance of victory is to create a difference—to have what he has, and also possess what he lacks.

"That’s why I’m thinking of trying to train my physical body using some different methods. If it works, I can then try to construct a combat space.

"Ring Spirit, the key to battle is forcing your opponent to fight on your home ground. With favorable timing, terrain, and support, your success rate is guaranteed to be at least sixty percent. The rest comes down to your own strength and other advantages! I’m already at the Golden Core Middle Stage, and my physical body has also reached the Golden Core Stage. I’ll run more tests later."

He had considered trying to recreate some moves from the anime of his past life. If it was feasible, taking such an unconventional path of dual soul and body cultivation would also increase his odds of victory.

"It’s already the twenty-fourth today," the Ring Spirit suddenly reminded him.

Hearing this, Cheng Zongyang paused for a moment, then smiled. "When you’re in Cultivation, you really lose all track of time."

He immediately dismissed the thought of continuing his Cultivation, turned, and left the Cultivation Room. He went to his personal quarters to wash up and change his clothes.

"Ring Spirit, are the custom items ready?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

"They are. But according to news I heard in the Ninefold Immortal Palace, your cousin, Zhou Zhendong, is also getting married on the same day."

"Really?" Cheng Zongyang’s eyes lit up. "That’s a double blessing!"

"Yes," the Ring Spirit replied.

Cheng Zongyang thought for a moment, then said, "In that case, help me order another custom set."

At this point, they could get basically anything they wanted. So gifts like Elixirs, Magical Artifacts, or Magical Treasures lacked any real novelty.

Before going into seclusion, he’d had the Ring Spirit customize a small world-space for him, one hundred meters in length, width, and height, based on his own designs.

This was different from the Magical Treasure Spaces found in the Cultivation Immortality Realm.

For one, time flowed differently inside; it could be adjusted to a maximum of three times the speed of the outside world. While that wasn’t a huge difference, the price was truly exorbitant!

Five million Points.

In addition, it contained a Third Grade Spirit Vein, High-grade Spiritual Soil, Spiritual Spring Water, and a house. Most importantly, it could accommodate living people and creatures.

In the future, his younger brother could have his wives live inside it if he wanted.

Of course, it was entirely up to him.

Now that his cousin was also getting married, all he had to do was order another one.

Of course, he also ordered three custom Bracelets for his new sisters-in-law, each with the ability to preserve beauty, nourish and strengthen the Soul Body, and automatically protect its wearer.

By the time he finished, it was nearly the twenty-fifth.

After packing his things, Cheng Zongyang left the Hall of Ten Thousand Races and returned to the Martial Arts Realm.

A sweep of his Divine Sense revealed that almost everyone from the Cheng Family Manor had returned home.

Without alerting anyone, Cheng Zongyang slipped away quietly.

The wedding was an internal affair, celebrated only by the residents of the manor.

Otherwise, if they opened it to the public, too many people would come. The Immortal City was already crowded, and managing the event would be even more difficult.

As for their friends, they were simply notified, and in return, they sent their blessings and gifts. That was all.

「Cheng Family Manor.」

As the wedding day drew near, the atmosphere in the Cheng Family Manor grew increasingly festive and excited.

Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong were busy helping their elders with the arrangements and setting up the venue, both feeling a little nervous.

"Zongliang, go to the Storehouse and ask if there are enough ingredients. The whole manor is celebrating; we can’t be short."

"Oh, right. Okay, I’ll go ask." Cheng Zongliang seemed to have lost his usual calm composure, and he hurried toward the Storehouse, sweating.

It was the first time either of them had been a groom, so of course they were nervous.

Just then, a sudden cheer erupted from outside.

Everyone looked and saw that Cheng Zongyang was back.

Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong exchanged a look, their eyes filled with surprise and delight.

They immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed forward to greet him.

The elders all gathered around as well, laughing cheerfully.

Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong still returned to the manor a few times a year, but it had been a very long time since Cheng Zongyang had last come home. Naturally, he was met with a boundless display of warmth and welcome.