Chapter 133: The Wedding Ceremony

Clouds and mist swirled around the peak of Wanxing Mountain, and the site selection for the Academy was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Jiang Zhongqiao led a group of senior instructors through the mountain forests, a compass rotating in his hand as he meticulously surveyed the feng shui and terrain, attempting to find the most suitable place for each academy to take root. Cheng Xi often followed along, using her familiarity with Wanxing Mountain to provide reference and suggestions for the group.

"This place has a mountain at its back and faces water, with Spirit Essence gathering here; it is suitable for building the Library Pavilion. In the future, when students study classics here, they will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort," Cheng Xi said, pointing to a valley.

Jiang Zhongqiao nodded in agreement and immediately made a mark on the blueprint. As the planning for the Academy became clearer, craftsmen for each academy arrived on the mountain one after another. For a time, the sounds of labor—clanging and banging—echoed throughout Wanxing Mountain, making it exceptionally lively.

At the foot of the mountain, Li Zhi'an was so busy he barely had a moment to rest. He not only had to coordinate the resettlement of disaster victims and the construction of the city, but also deal with refugees coming from all over to seek refuge.

These refugees were in rags and had haggard faces, their eyes filled with a longing for a new life. Li Zhi'an arranged for people to set up temporary tents and distribute porridge and food, while simultaneously organizing the refugees to participate in the city's construction, providing them with a livelihood.

"My Lord, another batch of refugees has arrived, and the number is even greater than yesterday," a subordinate reported, running over while panting.

Li Zhi'an frowned slightly, then quickly made arrangements: "First, settle them in the open space on the east side, and add more porridge stalls."

On Qingtian Peak, Cheng Xi began to organize her collection of books and cultivation insights. She carefully wiped clean each yellowed ancient text and arranged them neatly by category, then re-examined her own cultivation notes accumulated over many years, marking the key points with a vermilion brush.

In the process of organizing, she would occasionally pause and fall into memories; those days of arduous cultivation seemed as if they were right before her eyes.

Between Wanxing Mountain and Wanxing City, a busy thoroughfare gradually took shape. Convoys transporting supplies traveled back and forth, and craftsmen and cultivators worked together, striving toward their respective goals. Although Cheng Xi and Li Zhi'an were in different places, they often communicated through a Transmission Talisman.

"Two hundred more refugees were settled today, and the construction of houses has also accelerated. At this rate, it won't be long before Wanxing City begins to take shape," Li Zhi'an's voice came through the Transmission Talisman.

Cheng Xi listened and said with a smile: "You've worked hard. The planning for the Academy on my side is also going very smoothly. I look forward to us both finishing the work at hand soon."

As the days passed, the outline of Wanxing City became increasingly clear; rows of houses were arranged neatly, and the streets gradually became more spacious. The construction of the Academy also progressed smoothly, with one ancient and elegant building after another rising from the ground, the pavilions and towers arranged in a pleasing, orderly fashion.

Aside from Qinghe Academy, the sites chosen by the other three academies were also quite interesting, being even deeper into Wanxing Mountain than Qinghe Academy.

Jiang Zhongqiao did not stop them, and Cheng Xi did not interfere; as long as they could bear the risks, that was enough.

On the day the Academy was completed, at the celebration banquet, Cheng Xi and Li Zhi'an announced their marriage directly.

Li Zhi'an had wanted to hold a grand wedding, wishing he could let the whole world know about it, but Cheng Xi was unwilling. Now that things had just stabilized after the great disaster, they should not be too ostentatious.

Li Zhi'an listened to Cheng Xi speak in such a righteous and awe-inspiring manner, yet he knew in his heart that she just found it troublesome and didn't want the fuss.

Perhaps it was because Cheng Xi's gaze was too firm, but Li Zhi'an had to compromise; however, he insisted that they must announce it at the celebration banquet.

Cheng Xi did not refuse this time; both sides took a step back—perfect.

Jiang Zhongqiao was the first to be unhappy, looking at Li Zhi'an and asking: "For such a major event as marriage, is it enough for you to just say it lightly?"

Yan Jishu was watching the fun from the sidelines and added insult to injury: "That's right. Cheng Xi has made a great contribution to this matter. Since you want to marry the girl, you must show some sincerity."

Cheng Xi had gifted the Protective Array for the Jindu Academy this time, so Yan Jishu owed her a favor. Furthermore, since Yan Qingli had already passed through the Star Gate, the conflict between the two had vanished, but that didn't stop Yan Jishu from still finding Li Zhi'an unpleasant.

Li Zhi'an knew it would be like this. He looked at Cheng Xi helplessly, but still said to Yan Jishu: "Dean Yan, the world has just been settled, and the lives of the people are still difficult. How could we be extravagant and wasteful? Naturally, we must put the people first in all things."

Yan Jishu:...

Bah!

How shameless; do you think you're the Emperor!

But everyone knew—looking at Cheng Xi's smiling expression, it was clearly something the couple had discussed beforehand. Since Cheng Xi had no objections, they just put on a show; surely they wouldn't really leave Li Zhi'an unable to step down?

The crowd began to toast the newlyweds again. Although there was no wedding ceremony, this round of drinks could not be avoided!

After several rounds, even Li Zhi'an could not hold up. Jiang Miao dragged Cheng Xi to the side and whispered: "Are you really just marrying him like this?"

Jiang Miao could have passed through the Star Gate, but she gave it up at the last moment. She couldn't explain why herself, but although these days had been very tiring, she had learned a lot while staying by Cheng Xi's side.

Cheng Xi leaned against an ancient tree and looked at Jiang Miao sideways. "Yes, just marrying him like this. To me, the wedding isn't important; who I marry is what's important."

Jiang Miao:...

"Are you trying to anger me on purpose?"

Cheng Xi reached out and pinched Jiang Miao's small face. "Yes, what can you do about it?"

Jiang Miao gritted her teeth and said: "It's all because I was young and ignorant that I fell into your hands. If you want to laugh, then laugh."

"Why call it being young and ignorant? Jiang Miao, you liked someone at the most beautiful age. He didn't respond to you; that is not your fault, and you were not wrong to compete with me."

Jiang Miao was stunned. "Cheng Xi..."

She had always thought that Cheng Xi minded this matter.

"If he doesn't like you, it's Li Zhi'an's poor taste," Cheng Xi said, then felt that wasn't quite right. After a moment of thought, she added: "If his eyes are bad, doesn't that mean my eyes are bad too?"

Jiang Miao was amused to the point of anger. "I know what you mean; stop talking."

The pit she dug was about to bury herself.

"One last thing: Jiang Miao, you will meet someone you like who also likes you. I just like how you are able to let go and move on."

Jiang Miao's heart was poked with another hole, but at the same time, it felt warm. She looked at Cheng Xi and said with a smile: "I will. Someone like me deserves the best."

Cheng Xi laughed out loud. "Right, you deserve it. However, Li Zhi'an is also the best to me."

Jiang Miao:...

Can we still be friends?

Cheng Xi turned her wrist, holding a Fire Crystal Stone the size of a wine cup in her palm. She handed it to Jiang Miao. "A gift for you."

"You're getting married, and you're giving me a gift?" Jiang Miao was shocked; what kind of huge pie was this?

This Fire Crystal Stone was too beautiful; her eyes lit up as she looked at it.

"Consider it compensation for you."

Jiang Miao snatched the Fire Crystal Stone; as for being moved or whatever, throw it all away.