Chapter 140: A New Dawn

As dawn broke, soft light streamed into the bedroom which still carried the entrancing fragrance of the previous night.

The room, which had been meticulously arranged the night before, was entirely upturned.

The large wedding bed was in disarray, the silk sheets were tangled and tossed about, and the fragrant white and crimson petals that had once carpeted the mattress were completely crushed, scattered across the bed.

The startling stains of blood and the deep and shallow wrinkles silently told the story of the almost frenzied passion and tenderness of the previous night.

And lying on that messed up bed were two figures, tangled perfectly together.

Rhain slowly opened his eyes.

He immediately felt the softness against his chest, and lowered his head to look at the delicate figure in his arms.

Seris was curled up like a quiet kitten against his chest.

Her silver-blue hair fanned out across his chest and the pillows, and her beautiful face was pressed against the warm skin above his heart.

One of her delicate hands rested on his chest, her slender fingers curled lightly against his collarbone.

Her snow white skin was flushed with a lingering rosy hue.

She looked so beautiful, so fragile, so perfectly at peace that Rhain didn’t even dare to move.

Just as he was admiring the adoring face of his sleeping wife, a familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding!]

[Daily Sign-In available. Would you like to sign in?]

Rhain didn’t even blink. ’Sign in.’

[Sign-In successful!]

[Congratulations! You have received the Rare-Grade Talisman: Windborne Sky Talisman.]

[Item automatically sent to System Inventory.]

Windborne Sky Talisman. Upon activation, it granted the user the ability to fly freely through the air for approximately one hour before its power was entirely exhausted.

Rhain’s eyes flickered with genuine interest.

In Aethermere, true flight was a privilege reserved exclusively for Domain Master Realm experts — beings whose mastery over essence allowed them to defy gravity itself.

For anyone below that transcendent realm, the sky was an impenetrable ceiling.

Even Core Formation Realm powerhouses like Cassian Valdris or Brycen Ashvele could only leap great distances or ride flying beasts.

They could not genuinely fly under their own power.

But this talisman bypassed that fundamental limitation entirely. One hour of unrestricted flight, available to anyone who activated it, regardless of their cultivation realm.

It was an extraordinarily valuable emergency tool.

"Mmm..."

A soft hum vibrated against his chest.

Seris’s beautiful eyelashes fluttered as she slowly woke up from her deep slumber.

The moment her pale purple eyes focused and met his intense, affectionate gaze, the memories of their passionate, sacred wedding night instantly flooded her mind.

She felt the completely bare state of their bodies pressed so intimately together in the broad daylight, her flawless face instantly exploded into a burning crimson.

She instinctively tried to find the sheet to cover her exposed body.

"Good morning, my wife," Rhain wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her two soft peaks against his chest, 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Ah...G-Good morning... husband," Seris whispered back, her eyes darting away, too shy to look him directly in the face.

Rhain let out a low, joyous chuckle. He leaned down and whispered softly in her ears. ""Don’t be shy, I have been looking at you for the past hour!"

Hearing his teasing words, Seris stopped her searching hands, and buried her face completely into his chest, unwilling to let him see her embarrassment.

Rhain smiled, holding her incredibly soft, feather-light body gently.

They lingered in the warmth of the bed for a while longer, sharing a quiet, tender moment.

Eventually, Rhain gently kissed the crown of her head and spoke. "We should get up soon. There are things we need to do today."

Seris finally lifted her head from his chest, her blush having subsided to a soft, lingering pink. She looked up at him, her pale purple eyes still carrying a dreamy softness.

"We really have to get up?" she asked, a trace of reluctance in her voice.

Rhain brushed a strand of silver-blue hair from her face. "Unfortunately, yes. We’ve already spent a week here, and the Stormveil Academy could arrive at any time. We need to leave for Mirravele City today."

The mention of their departure instantly sobered the tender atmosphere.

Seris’s face dulled slightly, buy she gave a firm nod. "I understand."

But after saying that, she pressed her face against his chest again.

Rhain raised an eyebrow. "Seris."

"...Five more minutes," she mumbled.

Rhain laughed softly, shaking his head.

_______________

Five minutes inevitably turned into half an hour before Rhain finally managed to coax his blushing wife out of the bed.

An hour later, after cleaning up and changing into fresh, elegant robes, Rhain and Seris finally left their room.

Outside, the Azure Cloud Sect was still in a festive atmosphere.

The bright red silk banners fluttered in the morning breeze, and the pathways were still densely carpeted with fragrant petals.

Carriages rolled down the mountain paths, as many of the guests from Outer Frontier—sect masters, wealthy merchants, and clan patriarchs—were finally departing after a long, exuberant night of celebration.

Meanwhile, the Azure Cloud Sect disciples and elders were bustling around, diligently fulfilling their duties of hospitality, organizing the massive piles of tribute and wedding gifts, and seeing off the remaining dignitaries.

"Rhain? Seris?"

Elder Maren stood in the middle of the courtyard, holding a registry scroll. When her eyes landed on the newlywed couple, she was surprised.

Then, a playful, teasing smirk immediately replaced her surprise.

"My, my," Maren chuckled, walking over with her hands on her hips. "I certainly didn’t expect to see the bride and groom up and walking about so early after their wedding night. Shouldn’t you two be resting? What are you doing out here?"

Rhain simply let out a helpless sigh.

Elder Maren, we came out to find you and the Sect Master. Please summon everyone to the main hall."

Maren’s playful smile faded, replaced by a sudden look of confusion and unease. "Summon everyone? Did something happen?"

"We are leaving today," Rhain stated calmly.

Maren’s body stiffened. She looked at Rhain, then at Seris, realizing he wasn’t joking. She gave a heavy nod, "I will gather them immediately."

____________

A short while later, the wooden doors of the Sect Master’s Hall were securely closed.

Inside, Harmon, Torin, Silas, Amos, Maren, Declan, Fenwick, and Vulcan were all gathered around the long stone table.

The joyous atmosphere of the wedding had been entirely swept away by a solemn silence.

"Why... Why are you leaving so soon?" Harmon asked dispirtidely as he looked at Rhain, "You just got married yesterday! Can you not stay for just a few more days?"

Rhain shook his head slowly.

"We have already spent almost a week here preparing for the wedding. Stormveil Academy’s envoys could arrive in Mirravele City at any moment. If we delay any longer, we might miss the recruitment entirely. It is time for us to go."

The elders looked at Rhain, and then at Seris with deep reluctance.

They all knew this day was coming

But hearing that it was happening today, right after their wedding, made their hearts ache more.

Inner Province!

It was a place where terrifying Core Formation experts were as common as grass, and the legendary godlike beings who can soar high in the sky also existed.

Once Rhain and Seris crossed the threshold into the Inner Province, it was unknown how long it would take for them to return.

It could be years, or even decades.

And with their own limited talent and strength, people like Harmon and Torin knew they would never possess the qualifications to enter the Inner Province to seek them out.

This farewell might be the last time they saw each other for a very, very long time.

"I see..." Harmon let out a slow sigh, and forced a smile onto his face. "You two are the greatest pride of the Azure Cloud Sect. We cannot hold you back. But please... you must be careful."

He reached out, placing his weathered hands on Rhain’s shoulders.

"Promise this old man that no matter what happens, you will prioritize your own survival above all else. Do not easily trust others, and do not recklessly make enemies."

"You have my word," Rhain nodded solemnly.

"Protect each other," Maren added, stepping up to embrace Seris tightly, tears already streaming down her face. "And don’t forget to come back and visit us when you can."

"We will, Elder Maren. We promise," Seris whispered, hugging the older woman back as her own tears falling.

Torin, Silas, and the other elders also stepped forward, offering their heartfelt blessings and final warnings, their voices thick with emotion.

Listening to their earnest warnings, Rhain’s heart felt a trace of warmth.

These people truly cared for them without any hidden motives.

After the farewells settled, Rhain looked at Harmon solemnly.

"Sect Master, before I go, there is one last thing that I want to give this sect."