However, Yun Shan had made his decision. The matter was settled; no elder dared oppose it.
"Congratulations to Sect Leader Yun Yun and His Majesty!"
Elder Yun Ling led the congratulatory words, bowing toward Yun Yun and Ye Chen.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
Following Yun Ling's lead, the other elders stood and congratulated the couple.
Not wanting to show his inner bitterness, Guhe forced a smile and also stood, offering his congratulations.
"Thank you, elders, for your blessings! I hope you'll all attend the wedding banquet!"
Amid Guhe's dazed expression, Ye Chen suddenly stood, smiling and thanking the elders.
"What?"
"Could it be… that Ye Chen is the one marrying Yun Yun? Aren't they teacher and disciple? And when did Ye Chen become Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire?"
Seeing Ye Chen express his gratitude, Guhe was completely confused.
Moreover, Yun Yun's gaze toward Ye Chen was gentle, like a wife looking at her husband, which twisted Guhe's heart painfully.
"The wedding will take place at the Imperial Palace, but Yun Yun is the Sect Leader of Yun Lan Sect.
Her marriage must be dignified and grand… Yun Ling, Guhe, both of you will handle the arrangements!"
Yun Shan scanned the front, pointing at Yun Ling and Guhe with authority.
"Old Sect Leader, rest assured, I will prepare everything meticulously!" Yun Ling replied sincerely.
"Guhe, you must also ensure everything is handled properly!"
Guhe, a man who valued pride, gritted his teeth and said the words, hiding his inner sorrow from the others.
After announcing this, Yun Shan did not linger.
Having received the Breakthrough Sect Pill, he was eager to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough.
Soon, only Ye Chen and Yun Yun remained in the hall.
"Ye Chen, thanks to your Breakthrough Sect Pill, teacher approved so easily!" Yun Yun hugged Ye Chen's neck, her face full of joy.
"Then, teacher, shouldn't you reward me properly?" Ye Chen smiled, showing a row of white teeth.
Hearing this, Yun Yun's fair neck flushed pink.
Back at the Imperial Palace, Ye Chen summoned several subordinates, issued a decree announcing his marriage to Yun Yun, and arranged for preparations to begin immediately.
Having done this, Ye Chen returned to his secluded chamber.
"Eagle Protector, appear!"
Back in the chamber, Ye Chen lifted the restrictions on the Soul Control Banner, summoning Eagle Protector.
A shadow wrapped in black mist emerged from the banner.
Like before with Yao Chen, Eagle Protector now bore a black mark on his forehead.
"Greetings, Master!"
Once out, Eagle Protector bowed respectfully to Ye Chen.
"Eagle Protector, who sent you to the Jia Ma Empire this time? What is your mission? Is there a time limit for this task…"
Though now a soul servant, Eagle Protector retained his previous memories.
Without idle talk, Ye Chen directly asked the most pressing questions.
Through a detailed conversation with Eagle Protector, Ye Chen obtained some crucial information.
Eagle Protector's direct superior was a Soul Hall Celestial from a branch in the southwest of Central Continent, with a cultivation roughly at six-star Dou Zun.
This mission brought Eagle Protector to the northwest continent with a single goal: seize the Emperor Jade of the Xiao Clan.
Though the Soul Hall possessed numerous Dou Zun experts, they still sent Eagle Protector, who had only reached Dou Zong, because Dou Zuns were too conspicuous on this continent.
Their presence could easily attract attention from other ancient races.
Moreover, the Xiao Clan's ancient jade's location remained a mystery. Eagle Protector's mission was not urgent; otherwise, in the original timeline, he would not have waited until the three-year covenant to act.
Currently, the three-year covenant was still over two years away, so even if Eagle Protector made no progress in the meantime, he would not face pressure.
"Looks like, for the next two years, no one from the Soul Hall will bother Eagle Protector."
With this clarity, Ye Chen felt much more at ease. Eagle Protector, now a soul servant, could serve as both an enforcer and a secret liaison to the Soul Hall—quite useful.
The next morning, Hai Bo Dong suddenly visited the Imperial Palace.
Previously, Ye Chen had promised to find an alchemist to craft the Fu Zi Ling Pill for Hai Bo Dong.
Now, the materials had been gathered, and Hai Bo Dong couldn't wait any longer to see Ye Chen.
"Grand Elder, rest assured! Within ten days, I will have that pill prepared by the expert!"
Seeing the gathered herbs, Ye Chen smiled and made the promise.
"Good, that's reassuring!" Hai Bo Dong's face brightened with pleasure.
Suddenly, Hai Bo Dong chuckled awkwardly, "Ye Chen, I heard you're about to marry again. This time, it's the teacher with Dou Huang cultivation!"
"Yes. Does Grand Elder think this improper?" Ye Chen nodded.
"Not at all. The girl is close to your age, and last time I noticed signs… looks like I was right!" Hai Bo Dong shook his head, chuckling.
"Haha, Grand Elder, you truly understand matters!" Ye Chen laughed heartily; the old man was indeed likable.