The alien entertainers, with their charming appearances and attention grabbing dances, were adequately achieving their purpose in the background. One of them was eying Ebony's piano with judging eyes, but Ebony ignored that.

He took another shot while his bride did the socializing.

Drunk Hector was giving his parents who they were seeing for the first time a headache and immense fear, for he was having his arms around two men of the Xengs. They sang and danced around together.

When Ebony tried to say a word or two, Xin would step in and help him continue. It was relaxing how he could just listen and observe. She probably sensed that he didn't care for the pleasantries.

He wouldn't go so far as to think this as a farce but other's thoughts about them were none of his business. However, being open-minded, he did come to enjoy the celebration of what he thought was the best thing to happen to him.

The formal celebration was right to conduct. She gave him strength he couldn't obtain alone.

The rest of the Imperials weren't nearly as excitable or active as Hector, but they weren't silent either and were trying to make some sort of official deal with Mark before Ebony returned from the grave visit.

The oddest attendee of his wedding was a chubby piglet snoring against Dusk. Where did that pig come from? It was chock-full with gravity mana but was lighter than it looked. It might be one of the guest's pets, with both Xin and Athena's remnant mana stuck on it; it was no stranger. Interestingly enough, its presence was phasing out of this place and hiding from even Dusk's perception.

Then, the Shis led the event to the next item, gifts.

He wasn't one to say no to gifts at an event where it was 'normal' for them to receive them.

First up were the guests. Navin represented the Empire's side table and gave both of them something unsurprising. A pair of jewels and a fist-sized orb he crafted with Yvette.

The Orb wasn't something for their home but something for mobile. Capable of deploying a barrier that expedited healing to living creatures within. They knew about his preference for high mana cost for potent magical items and made it such that it took relatively pure mana of their Worldcore's standards to convert into barrier durability and healing potency.

The best part is that the jewels were designed to fit in the standard Myriad Bracelet. This was perfect in his mind. Any additional protection and healing measures were welcomed.

Oplot had a gift of his own. He presented Ebony and Xin with a scroll each. "Greetings and goodwill from the Wandering Celestial Monastery."

"A Scroll of Enlightenment and a Scroll of Intensity? How generous." Ebony didn't know what they did, but if the second-generation Yu clansmen said it was a generous gift, it had to be special.

The Yu Clan was in charge of wealth after all.

Athena gave a recipe book to Xin's clear joy. "Invite me to eat these some time."

Mark also gave a book but it was on runes. "Master Jing and I found these from under Bubble Hills. These are my editions of the runic symbols I found. The Topaz Homunculi's area of effect runes is what I based my core skill on. It should match you well."

Commander Wilson gave them something unexpected. A mana brewing method for magically enhanced alcohol.

Ebony couldn't find any worthwhile methods being sold on Hex so this was a pleasant surprise. "I believe the book is over 2000 years old. It was rewarded to me by the Dwarven family I once saved, but brewing had never been a hobby of mine, only drinking."

Sophia was the most shy of her gifts, almost ashamed, she presented a tea set and porcelain plate and bowl sets. They seemed the most normal for a wedding gift so far and he appreciated the suitable gift.

Roya presented them with sets of matching day-to-day clothes, pajamas and her attempts at human Imperial designs for lounge wear.

Halvis the farmer presented a potted plant on the Frost Elves' behalf. With but one look, Ebony knew that it wasn't homegrown by the Master ranked farmer; the energy the thin and short branch was producing was rather…intimidating to him.

It was way worse than any of the underwater monsters he had fought or the Emperor-ranked monsters on Elcra. But the plant was cowering from the other intimidating auras present, so Ebony was only able to tell how special the single-leafed stick in a potted plant was after he was handed the pot.

"Here you go, brother." Kiva handed them a cloth doll stuffed with cotton. It was filled with poison, a shared gift from the Thoya siblings. Ebony connected a mana string to it and had it float around the girl while tickling and blowing a gust of freezing air at her neck. He didn't eject the poison fumes, of course.

The little girl remembered Xin and had been trying to get close since they arrived, but neither of them had had the chance to interact with the young Frost Elves.

When it was the Xeng's turn, basically every clan gave materials of Legendary rank. Amongst the crates they call hampers of stuff from their younger generation was, coincidentally the Dungeon Essence Bottler that he needed.

Although beneficial overall, he didn't like the foreign energy in him and if it was going to run out with usage he didn't need any more data from the essence so he used it on the spot by poking himself with the sharp needle. It felt no different from an injection jab.

No one seemed surprised when black fumes started to fill the glass bottle with a needle.

Then the Shi presented their gifts to the bride.

Since all the Shi that were present in Sky's Edge were in attendance, they each had their gifts instead of a collection from an entire clan. A few dozen potions of unknown use, some ingredients with more life force than a living creature, some personal body tempering methods. A knife set…3 knife sets. And plenty of unopened and unknown gifts.

It was finally Shi Tao's turn, but there was no grand display, just a sizable wooden chest with some gold furnishing. "Don't use it without supervision." She let the Nings step forward and shower their grandchild in gifts.

They gave similar things, mental conditioning training books of a few individuals for reference, mana control references and a bunch of mental techniques.

They were all personal reference notes, not so much ready for learning and application techniques. The potions and ingredients weren't lacking here, either. Plenty of crates that he couldn't sense within either.

The Saint of the Nings had a very similar chest given to her with the same warning.

While they were doing so, Ebony was receiving gifts for himself. Shi Ling gave him a string of small diamond bells meant for decoration and had great hostile intent detection and alarm. He could place them at the gate or fence.

Once again, the same crates of items, but he got more crafting materials than ingredients. A lot of books on subjects he'd never thought to search and more technical than he'd imagine.

Such as 'Mana to Mass. ' That may be very helpful for his eventual discovery of how to conjure gravity mana. It shouldn't be that hard…but it'd stumped him as a mage since he picked gravity magic up.

Human-produced mana was originally lighter than most gases that could be used to conjure ice or earth; there was an increase in mass from somewhere. Yet he couldn't make mana into pure gravitational mana, which to his understanding might as well be equal to mass when it came to energy.

Shi Han and her husband, Huo Tianyu gave him a pair of boots. They were gigantic, torso-sized gigantic, but the fourth-gen couple guaranteed that the boots would shrink and self-adjust their size. They must have noticed he goes through pairs of boots like they were a daily disposable item.

Those of the fifth and sixth generation, younger ladies of the Shi and some with husbands, gathered together for their group gift. They let the youngest, Shi Quan and her sister, Shi Mei present the array of sticks…Magic scepters and staves, to be accurate.

"You kids got him staves too? Then my bad." Shi Qiang's unabashed words made her descendants and younger relatives pale…that was untrue, but he could feel the air around them get tight.

His cousin presented him with a large box almost as tall as he was. "This is from my Sisters and me. It should cover the hole of your weak spell power."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Shi Tao had 4 daughters, Ebony had only met Shi Qiang and supposedly Shi Jian when he was on Earth.

In fact, he was meeting another for the first time today. Shi Ling's grandmother, Shi Yun, was present too. She made it back just in time for his wedding. She was easily the one giving Ebony the most unease because a spear was by her side with her face the same as the way most of their genetics demanded.

However, there was a striking difference that separated her from the others. Her pupils were white, but she quickly closed them after she greeted him. All she did so far was sit at her table without moving forward to present her gift with her sister. "Don't mind her, she's actually in the Spirit Realm fighting Mythical monsters to train her spirit right now."

Shi Qiang's comment flew over all their heads. Only Oplot made an audible gulp while drinking water, as he didn't drink alcohol.

"Then, thank you for coming on short notice." Ebony walked up to his older cousin and refilled her wine glass. The lady nodded and accepted the drink. For any of them to come here while they were in the midst of a training session was about as much respect as they could give.

'Mythical in what way?' Ebony considered, but the most obvious one was not about the rarity or existence of such creatures, rather, it was referring to the monsters' evolutionary rank.

"A staff as well?" He didn't open boxes here, and neither did Ning Xin.

Plenty of bigger gifts were hidden in boxes, he knew many of them just through his perception. But special presents had special boxes his mana couldn't seep through.

"You are a mage. How could you be without a weapon? Let me just give you a quick introduction before you hurt yourself playing with a new toy." Shi Qiang didn't hesitate to open her gift right there and then.

Beholding the beauty of the creation within, his perception was blinded by splendor, literally. The temperature in his courtyard seemed to drop to absolute zero with the opening of the box, but Shi Qiang targeted Intent over the box, and the world warmed back up.

Unbelievably, he was getting dizzy enough that it was hard to stand still. After getting encumbered, not even the Nings made him dizzy no matter what they tossed into his mindspace but this…staff was blinding.

"Our eldest sister, your first cousin Shi Jian hunted right after getting the news. She got Auntie Zhao Sui over there to trace the most suitable main material. Be careful now, Xu Ru added some seals so that it wouldn't backfire on you. It'll come off according to your magic's strength so if it doesn't break, you can't access more of its help." Shi Qiang explained while addressing the second-gen Zhao.

"What is this main material?" Ebony asked while his perception tried to regulate and get used to the sphere floating in the middle of the stave.

"Some type of Mythic Dragonic Golem, I believe. My sister wasn't clear in her message, she doesn't talk as much as we do…I forgot to ask Xu Ru what it was." Ebony was forced to understand that Shi Qiang was going out of the way to explain things to him, she must want to sit at the side and ponder about training or daydream.

The Shi struggled with communication, and she was trying her best to be welcoming.

"The body is made of hybridized wood and crystal. I got an Eclipse Void Ebon,y and your third cousin Shi Yue made this new material…what did she do again? Right, I believe she forced some stars to merge and compressed them into this crystalline form."

At this moment, Shi Tao exclaimed softly. "Ah! Did you know Ebony? This is the exact tree your mother named you after."

"Eclipse Void Ebony? Is that related to the Eclipse Iron Ebony of the Ferroquadian home Worldcore?"

"Hm?" Shi Qiang looked at some of her seniors clapping along with the music and the dancers who turned their attention over. One of the two Falcon emblem guests, the Peng, answered. "Must be some offshoot. You can see the Eclipse Void Ebony as the ancestor of all Ebony species trees."

"Yeah yeah, that. "Shi Tao nodded as if she knew that piece of information, "It's one of the few Divine ranked plant species. This piece Ah Qiang got is only Mythical, but I see she got an entire tree in its entirety."

"…Thank you, I'll make good use of it. Is it living?" Ebony wondered how many spirits were going to be near him at this point. He already had one sleeping on his wrist and another infant that could barely react to anything that happened in his sword.

"Spirit? No, Xu Ru crushes any chance of spirits to form, grow or attach to her craft, but the trade-off makes it strong from the get go by cutting the chances of growth to the weapon. You can use this even after you reach our strength or greater. Sister Yun over there helped with making this craft since Xu Ru couldn't meld everything into one construct without Sister Yun's intent." Shi Qiang revealed something rather interesting.

He was of the mind that the Xeng preferred growth-type weapons but Xu Ru of the third gen, who wasn't in attendance, seemed to counter this notion of his.

Although he didn't know how a spirit was birthed during a weapon or item's creation, there had to be some cost or trade-off. For example, Icicle, he was pretty sure the weapon could be tougher if it didn't have an infant spirit within.

Though it might not have grown to its current degrees of durability and resilience.

Xu Ru was a crafter that believed 'why make something that can grow when you can just make something that's the best from the get-go'.

Ebony noticed a few auras destabilizing from the congregation of Xeng clan's tables. They were reacting to the gift.

'Maybe they also gave me a staff, but they think it's not as good?' He didn't mind, his Numbers could make use of high-quality staves.

No magic-enhancing weapon or spell casting gloves helped Ebony increase his fire power. A miniscule stream of mana that goes into any of these Elcrian-made wands, staves and gloves simply breaks. And if his mana does go through smoothly, they wouldn't be augmented by a noticeable degree.

Just like Xin, he got the same box from both Shi Tao and Saint Ning. This one, they didn't open on the spot.

"Carry on," Shi Tao said. She was less smiley today for some reason. The voice of the Ning Saint echoed in his head, "visit us for your real gift when the two of you have settled in."

Ebony wondered what they were stressed about.

The vows were next: "Whatever you want to eat, I will bring forward."

He waited for her to speak her thoughts; the pause felt like ages. He was never so curious about what another person had to say. He already knew the sequence of events today, having done many of the preparations, but this was out of his control.

"You don't have to try acting normal, I will translate your feelings."

His jaws loosened, and Scarlet seemed to shine ever brighter, more vibrant in color than ever. It was not something he ever imagined hearing.

"That sounds wonderful."

The entertainers changed their music and tone when Xin's heartbeat was loud enough for every ear present. They were good at what they did.

He had learned the procedure by ear. Lifting the large flowy veil, he got his head under it.

He only felt the two of them present at this time, at this place.

Unmasking her was as easy as the day she had accepted his proposal. He tapped his back pocket.

'The potion broke in the training with Quasar.' He blinked once and paused, unsure how he had missed something like that. He didn't know what this potion was, but it was supposedly a necessity for all of them and was custom brewed for each woman of the Xengs. This potion-drinking ceremony was equivalent to putting a ring on.

Both of them already had their rings on, he put them on after his victorious proposal. But they've disappeared out of their perception. The rings didn't even affect Ning Xin's sword wielding, as if they weren't on her fingers.

Saint Ning noticed his predicament and slid or teleported something into his pocket. "Don't fumble now. She knows what this potion does; ask her." The mind mage transmitted to his mind as gently as she could.

He wouldn't usually feed unknown potions, especially ones that were given by people that potions don't work on but he saw no reason they would harm their own now. And all the married ladies he asked said there was nothing to worry about. It was some sort of ceremony that was equivalent to having their mask fall off willingly. An additional measure?

In close proximity, his sight was taking in all her features once more. It was almost hard to tell if the red on her face was from her blushing or the light passing through the red veil. Her eyes didn't shy away this time; vibrant as they were, they weren't the aggressive pair he saw the other day.

He wasn't sure, but that was what was explained to him. But Shi Tao's next words, as she announced the process, made a facial muscle on him twitch. "The bride has taken the Potion of Defilement!"

"The potion of what now?" He said without much thought, but the person under the same veil could read his deeply hidden panic.

"Don't worry." Xin leaned and whispered in his ears, "It's just a lousy name for a potion and much more pleasant than its name suggests."

He wasn't sure why the same vibrations felt so much sultrier in his ears. These short distances shouldn't matter that much to his perception and hearing, but every word felt different. "You're staring a bit too hard."

"You don't understand the attraction you hold over me."

"Oh, I understand…I'm feeling it double, so that's one you'll never beat me at."

He interlocked fingers with her and raised it, sliding out from under her veil. Other than possibly the Saints present, no one should've heard them.

"Heeck!" Hector's drunk hiccup cut sharp, "That's it? Where's the I love you? Where's the kiss?"

Audible gasps and sharp glares were pointed his way. "Shameless!"

"He means no offence! I'll get him out right now!" Hector's father, Pumar Lord, broke out in a cold sweat.

The man was a serious one, one that showed more care to his son than it would seem from the familial stories Hector had shared.

As it was a joyous event, Hector's drunken outburst was quickly smoothed over. Also, thanks to the drunken buddies he made.

The drunkard Zhang, An and Guo whispered to Hector. They were on good terms, Ebony truly didn't know how a person could be so sociable. They met hours ago and were sitting at different tables.

Now, they had arms around each other's shoulders and hopped around with a handful of alcohol. These Emperors were very laid back.

He'd already taken the alcohol, having made toasts to every table a couple of times with Xin, and he drank for both of them, only letting her have a sip after she agreed to burn the alcohol away with heat. The only conclusion he came up with was that the Xeng had different alcohol provided by the Shi's hospitality.

Everyone unanimously ignored what Hector had shouted.

And the originally stunned-on-the-spot bride was quickly distracted when they finally had the chance to sit and eat. This had been going on since morning when snacks were provided earlier. It was the proper meal now.

The Shis never stopped pushing food to Xin. It was probably paradise for her. His Clan members seemed to think it was a good quality for a woman to be able to eat. It was a win-win situation.

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