Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 496: A bloody wedding

As the memories flowed into him, Xiang Yu perceived the struggles and triumphs of these people. He felt their pain, their determination, and their unyielding spirit. They fought not just to survive, but to live, to hope, and to dream in a world stripped of such desires.

The recovery effort had unfolded over the last few decades, driven by sheer necessity. In the wake of devastation, humanity clung to survival, and the strange energy within the nuclei became their lifeline.

From water purifiers to automated defence systems, every remnant of technology salvaged from the old world now thrummed with the power harvested from the undead.

Years later with desperation pushing them forward, humanity’s fight crystallized into six distinct factions, each vying for dominance amid the chaos. Each one carved out a path in this shattered world, bound by their beliefs and ambitions.

The Luminarchs arose from the ruins of the old civilization. These idealists sought to rebuild, restore knowledge and preserve what was left of humanity’s legacy. Their headquarters stood tall in crumbling skyscrapers, where they dictated the laws of their realm with strict authority. Though their intentions glittered with hope, their methods were unyielding, often coming across as harsh and uncompromising.

Not far from them, the Ironwrought Syndicate thrived. Once mere scavengers, they transformed into ruthless engineers who hoarded nuclei like precious jewels. Their workshops buzzed with energy as they crafted massive war machines that thundered through the wastelands. They ruled their territories by instilling fear and showcasing strength, living by a creed of survival above all else.

In the shadows lurked Eclipsera, a network of spies and assassins. Their intentions were cloaked in mystery, and they navigated the turbulent waters of power with deft precision. They thrived on chaos, pulling strings behind the scenes and manipulating conflicts between factions to serve their enigmatic goals.

Meanwhile, the Sanguine Wardens encased themselves in bio-domes, small utopias where the elite had sheltered themselves before the world crumbled. They protected these strongholds with fierce determination, gathering nuclei to insulate their verdant havens. Their guardians were resolute, unwavering in their commitment to maintain a world untouched by the chaos outside.

In stark contrast, the Ashen Vow roamed the desolate terrain as a nomadic tribe of Awakened. They held a reverence for the land and its mutations, seeking harmony between humanity, the undead, and nature. Their motives danced in the air like elusive whispers. The unpredictability of their loyalty kept other factions wary.

Then there were the Eremites. They were the recluse, setting their roots in Ground Zero, the heart of the devastation. It was a scarred wasteland, where irradiated soil bore witness to the meteorite that struck Earth, igniting the events that birthed the zombie virus. The Eremites had survived in this harsh territory, isolated and defiant. They valued their solitary existence, embracing the desolation that kept them alive.

The factions had discussed an alliance, a fragile bond to strengthen their survival against the relentless threats of the world. But when it came to the Eremites, the talks faltered. They rejected the notion, holding steadfast to their isolationist nature. To them, the union seemed a betrayal of their way of life.

The alliance had formed quietly but quickly, uniting the four factions into a single force. They gathered in a makeshift council chamber, their leaders casting wary glances at one another.

The air hummed with tension as they elected Overseer Kira, a woman known for her wisdom among the Luminarchs. Her acceptance of the role marked a turning point. Laws were established, and trade routes were mapped out to exchange vital resources.

The other factions—Ironwrought, Eclipsera, and Sanguine Wardens—saw value in unity. Yet, the Eremites stood alone, living in their desolate realm, cut off from the alliance. Their refusal to join the coalition seemed foolish to many, but the Eremites carried on, their isolation their only shield.

That was until the day everything changed. Deep within Ground Zero, the Eremites stumbled upon a mine, hidden beneath layers of ash and rubble. The minerals they uncovered were a dazzling discovery, far more powerful than the nuclei that had sustained the other factions. Formed from the very meteorite that brought chaos to the world, these minerals held immense potential.

At first, the Eremites celebrated their fortune in secret. They weren’t a tightly-knit faction, their main city, with its crumbling structures and open marketplace, welcomed traders. As whispers of their newfound treasure spread like wildfire, the alliance grew restless. They had dismissed the Eremites for too long and now felt bitter envy creeping into their hearts.

The leaders of the alliance sat together, their brows furrowed in concern. They convened under a flickering light, plotting their next moves. The desire for resources grew into a hunger, and contra the unity they had once forged, greedy eyes turned toward the Eremites’ territory.

To infiltrate without arousing suspicion, they devised a plan cloaked in diplomacy. A marriage alliance was proposed—a union between the Eremites and one of the factions. They knew the Eremites lacked what they needed most: water. The promise of resources in exchange for a marital bond would seem beneficial to the lord of the Eremites.

The lord of the Eremites pondered this offer with great care. His people struggled against the harsh reality of their environment, their survival often hinging on finding fresh water sources. The proposal shimmered with hope; perhaps a marriage could bring prosperity to his beleaguered faction and provide the means for survival.

He nodded slowly, a look of determination etched on his face. "Let them come," he declared, believing that this alliance might save his people. "It shall be done."

The leaders of the other factions watched in satisfaction, their smiles thinly veiling their true intentions. They had woven a carefully constructed web, and the Eremites walked straight into it, unknowingly bringing their enemy closer to their ultimate desire.

The day the envoy arrived, the ceremony was grand. The lord of the Eremites was to wed the only daughter of the Overseer so they made sure that the event was spectacular. The bride came with a large envoy and precious treasures showcasing how they valued this marriage.

They went through the ceremony with the shamans leading the process but when it came time to unveil the bride and seal the marriage with a kiss, the bride wasn’t a bride at all but a groom. The groom drew his weapon and suddenly the wedding ceremony became a bloody battle ground.