Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint

Behind the phoenix carriage followed two columns of elite Forbidden Army soldiers in armor, shiny and reflecting the sunlight, their steps uniformed and orderly.

The procession slowly made its way to the front of Chengtian Hall and stopped at the center of Han Baiyu Square.

The phoenix carriage landed.

Two female attendants stepped forward and gently lifted the curtain of the carriage.

Then, a slender, white hand, as jade-like as snow, reached out from the carriage, resting on the arm of one of the female attendants.

The next moment, a figure slowly stepped out of the carriage.

Shen Mengyun was dressed in a formal red phoenix robe today, embroidered with a pattern of all birds paying homage to the phoenix in gold thread, each feather vivid and lifelike, crafted with exquisite skill.

At this moment, the pattern on her robe seemed to flutter as if about to take flight with her movements.

A jade belt cinched her waist, with long tassels hanging down.

She wore a Nine-Phoenix crown atop her head, with a phoenix’s beak holding a pearl, the beaded curtain dangling beneath obscuring her face but not hiding her graceful stature and the noble aura that surrounded her.

Though her face was unseen, as she stood there, she naturally emanated an air of dignified majesty.

The eyes of the hundred officials gathered upon her, filled with astonishment, admiration, and profound awe.

They all knew that this Empress was the beloved daughter of Shen Xiao.

This signified that the Great General Shen Xiao stood behind this Empress.

And who was Shen Xiao?

He commanded significant military power and his martial arts skills had reached the peak, making him the strongest of warriors.

Shen Xiao stood at the front of the seats, watching as his daughter walked step by step towards Chengtian Hall, his eyes full of contentment.

The reason he stood by Ji Minghao before was because of this beloved daughter of his.

Now, his beloved daughter’s aspirations were fulfilled, and Ji Minghao had also ascended the throne.

At this moment, with the assistance of female attendants, Shen Mengyun steadily walked up the steps leading to Chengtian Hall.

One step, two steps, three steps...

The steps covered in a red carpet seemed endless, yet her heartbeat remained exceptionally calm.

At this moment, countless images flashed through her mind.

Her heroic figure practicing martial arts at home during childhood, her shyness upon first meeting Ji Minghao, her worries upon learning he would contend for the throne.

The despair hanging by a thread in Chengqian Palace the other day, and finally, the scene of Jiang Ning descending like a divine weapon overturning the situation.

Finally, all these scenes converged into this moment.

She raised her head, looking through the beaded curtain at the figure seated on the dragon throne inside Chengtian Hall.

She knew that she had finally succeeded, had finally achieved perfection.

She had married the man she wanted to marry and was about to take her place as the Empress of all under heaven.

And Ji Minghao, too, had fulfilled his dream, standing at the ultimate peak, taking his place as the master of Great Xia.

Ji Minghao watched Shen Mengyun approaching, got up from the dragon throne, and slowly stepped down the nine-tiered steps, meeting her at the hall’s entrance.

Their eyes met.

Separated by the beaded curtain and imperial crown, they couldn’t see each other’s expressions clearly, but both nodded, as if in silent understanding.

"Your humble servant, Shen Mengyun, pays respects to Your Majesty," Shen Mengyun bowed gracefully, her voice clear and melodious, like a stream tinkling in the mountains, resonating clearly across the silent square.

Ji Minghao stepped forward, offering a hand in support: "Please rise, Empress."

His voice came through the beaded crown, less gentle than before, imbued with a measure of imperial authority.

In just a few days, Ji Minghao had evidently adapted to his status.

In every gesture and word, the presence of imperial authority began to reveal itself.

Especially in this moment, his demeanor was unmatched.

He was the current Holy Emperor, the master of Great Xia, the future ruler of the Thirty-Six Prefectures of the Great Xia, a potent figure gathering power within himself.

Shen Mengyun rose, lightly placing her hand on Ji Minghao’s outstretched palm.

At the instant their hands clasped, the ceremonial music on the square suddenly surged to a crescendo, with chimes ringing together and silk and bamboo music resounding in joy, reaching the pinnacle of festive atmosphere.

"The ceremony is complete——!"

Xie Xun announced loudly, his voice carrying a hint of relief.

The hundred officials bowed in unison: "Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to the Empress! Long live, long live, long live for ten thousand years!"

A wave of cheers rose like a mountain and sea, shaking the heavens, echoing through every part of the Imperial Palace, even reaching the streets outside the palace.

Ji Minghao, holding Shen Mengyun’s hand, turned and slowly walked towards the dragon throne.

They walked side by side, the red robe and dragon robe reflecting one another, amidst the brilliant lights inside Chengtian Hall and the pouring sunlight outside the hall, forming a landscape worthy of being recorded in history.

Jiang Ning watched this scene.

"Quite a match," he evaluated lightly in his heart.

"It does indeed seem like a good match!" Su Qingying echoed from the side, then said, "Seeing this scene, I can’t help but want to wear such a bright red wedding dress myself."

Jiang Ning glanced at Su Qingying, who was a head shorter than him, and couldn’t help but smile.

"Who is the groom in the State Preceptor’s mind when she wears a bright red wedding dress?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingying glanced at him, then silently withdrew her gaze, saying nothing.

At the same time, Ji Minghao and Shen Mengyun had already reached the front of the dragon seat, but instead of sitting, they turned around to face the square.

According to protocol, the next step would be the Emperor and Empress receiving the congratulatory wishes from the officials before the banquet begins, celebrating with the ministers.

However—

Just as Xie Xun was about to speak and announce the next ceremony, a sudden change occurred.

The sky above the square unexpectedly split into two.

One half was as clear as if washed, with clouds naturally converging, forming clusters of azure lotuses, slowly rotating and scattering clear light.

The other half was filled with golden light, with hidden sounds of chanting, countless golden lotus visions blossoming in the void, each lotus heart reflecting the Buddha’s seal, gently falling.

The two auras did not oppress the people, but instead were like a spring breeze transforming rain, nourishing silently, yet causing all the martial artists present to suddenly become vigilant.

It was the natural reverence caused by the absolute difference in life level and martial arts realm!

"Amitabha."

A Buddha’s name seemed to come from beyond the nine heavens, yet also sounded directly in everyone’s hearts.

On the east side of the square, the void rippled like a water curtain, and three figures stepped out from within.

The leading figure was an old monk wearing a cassock, with a gaunt face and downcast brows, holding an ancient string of prayer beads, with each step causing a golden lotus vision to form beneath, carrying him forward gently.

Behind him were two young monks.

One wore a white robe as pristine as snow, with red lips and white teeth, his gaze as clear as glass.

The other was as burly as a mountain, with muscles entwined, causing the ground to tremble slightly with each step.

They were the Vajra Temple Abbot and Buddha’s son Jin Chan, Burning Lamp!

Though the old monk did not deliberately release his aura, the three meters around him seemed to solidify into amber, with light bending on its own, transforming into paths of gentle Buddha light, portraying him as an Ancient Buddha walking out of a mural.

Where his gaze fell, all distracting thoughts in people’s hearts dissipated, leaving only peace and tranquility, even their breathing involuntarily slowed.

Almost at the same moment.

On the western sky, the clouds naturally parted, and a gray figure seemed to condense from the void like mist.

The person had white hair and beard, yet a face as rosy as an infant’s, wearing a simple gray robe, holding a white jade whisk, his aura flowing with Dao resonance, merging naturally with the world.

He did not step in void but stood on a slowly rotating Tai Chi shadow, which spun like a millstone, with Yin and Yang Qi endlessly circulating, where it passed, shattered dust reforming, and withered grass regaining vitality.

This person was the Master of Qingxu Temple!

He bore a subtle, elusive smile, with eyes clear like an ancient well, and cast a faint admiration upon Jiang Ning at the front of Chengtian Hall, as if he had seen an exquisitely crafted creation.

The two, one to the east and one to the west, did not intentionally oppose each other but naturally divided the square into two atmospheres.

Buddha light, Dao resonance, azure lotus, gold lotus, reflecting each other, dyeing the originally solemn and joyous ceremony with a layer of transcendent mystique.

The entire civil and military officials, including Shen Xiao, Su Qingying, and other strong figures, all had their heart spirits shaken.

They recognized these two men.

Vajra Temple Abbot Ku Hai.

The unbreakable martial skill, known as Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill.

Looking around the world, except for that transcendent Martial Saint, none can break its defense.

Also, Buddha’s six great skills, mastering four Divine Skills.

The boundless Buddha Sea Divine Skill is also known as the unparalleled Divine Skill in history.

In other words, facing the world’s second strongest, the abbot of Vajra Temple is inherently undefeated even without making a move.

And the other, Qingxu Temple Master, Dao name Qingxu!

Tai Chi Yin Yang, unrivaled in the world.

Other means remain extremely mysterious.

These two men stand at the peak of martial arts, alongside Wang Jixuan, as the "world’s second strongest."

Previously, they were among the five known as the world’s second strongest.

Usually transcendent and aloof from worldly affairs, rarely seen for decades, today they unexpectedly appear together at the new ruler’s enthronement ceremony!

Xie Xun swallowed the words on his lips, cold sweat forming on his forehead.

He already sensed something ominous might happen today.

Meanwhile, Ji Minghao tightly held Shen Mengyun’s hand, his gaze beneath the crown extremely serious.

He knew these two were not here to offer congratulations.

At this moment, Jiang Ning slowly lifted his gaze, calmly meeting the two gazes cast his way.