A middle-aged man with greying hair and sharp eyes rose from his seat.
"The Yu Family of the Western Range congratulates the Dong Clan on this auspicious union," he said calmly. "A union that shall no doubt strengthen the harmony of our Runestone System."
An attendant stepped forward and received a jade coffer wrapped in a shimmering talisman seal. Faint traces of starlight escaped from its edges before being suppressed once more.
"The Yu Clan offers a Celestial Spirit Core—condensed from the marrow of a fallen meteor," the man added. "May it aid the young couple's cultivation."
A ripple of murmurs spread among the audience. Even Liang's eyes flickered briefly. Celestial Spirit Cores were rare enough that even Void Return Realm cultivators seldom possessed them.
Dong TianDi rose slightly from his seat, smiling with courteous restraint. "The Yu Clan has ever upheld propriety. The Dong Clan accepts your gift with gratitude."
