Golden City Hall
All eyes across the city were now drawn to the Yun family, as they were about to become the first in the Heavenly Flame City's history to establish a formal bond between the Heavenly Flame Dragon Clan and the Sky Inferno Dragon Clan. This marked an important historical occasion since two dominant clans were merging into one. Rumors even spread that the Sky Inferno Clan had direct connections to true dragons residing deep within the Mystic Star Realm a place where many cultivators dreamed of ascending to one day.
(Note: Members of the Dragon Clan are essentially human cultivators who trained in dragon techniques imbued with pseudo-dragon bloodline, later acquiring strength that resembled that of an actual dragon. However, the dragon cultivators from the Mystic Star Realm are actual dragons who cultivated long enough to adopt a human form.)
At the foremost part of the hall stood Yun Tian, observing the incoming guests with a composed smile, relishing the results of everything he had achieved in only fifteen short years. Never had he dreamed that success would find him so quickly. He hadn't just secured a remarkable bride, but also a rare chance to enter the Mystic Star Realm and step into the Ancestral Dragon Chamber. On top of that, both Clan Patriarchs would attend his wedding, alongside many other powerful dignitaries.
Dum...! Dum...!
The sound of beating drums snapped Yun Tian out of his daydreams, announcing the bride's grand entrance. Music erupted all around as the performers began playing intensely. Faces lit up with joy as Mei Lian and her father the Sky Inferno Dragon Clan Patriarch began walking down the aisle. Yun Tian paid no attention to his soon-to-be father-in-law, focusing solely on his veiled bride.
The atmosphere hushed as the priest entered, and the silence was not merely out of reverence it was because this priest belonged to the Holy Church, a terrifying sect with ties to the Mystic Star Realm. Upon seeing the priest, Yun Tian glanced at his father, noticing his stunned expression, which confirmed that this guest had likely come through the Mei family's influence.
This priest was a man in his middle years, looking youthful for his age. His pure white hair matched the white robes he wore, and a kind smile rested on his face. As he neared the couple, they both instinctively bowed in respect. After a long moment of studying them, he gave Yun Tian a brief, almost sympathetic glance before turning to Mei Lian for her vows...
"Young Lady, do you take this young man to be your husband, to live in sacred matrimony? Will you love him, care for him, honor him, and remain true in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
Came Mei Lian's reply, her face still hidden, which left Yun Tian somewhat curious. The priest nodded slightly and then turned toward Yun Tian to recite the groom's vow.
"Young Man, do you take this young woman to be your wife, to live in sacred matrimony? Will you love her, care for her, honor her, and remain true in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"
Yun Tian smiled and was just about to say "I do" when a deafening blast rang out across the hall, followed by a beam of golden light that darted straight for his face. He tried to evade it, but the attack was too swift there was no time to react.
Puff...! Ah...!
A cry of pain escaped Yun Tian as the blast struck his eyes, rendering him instantly blind.
"My eyes!"
He screamed, blood leaking from his face. The beam had been composed purely of light, but it had been crafted with such precision that it devastated only his eyes.
Bang...!
A window shattered just as another energy strike slammed into his abdomen shattering his cultivation core. This time, he didn't just cry out; he screamed in agony before falling unconscious. It wasn't only physical pain it was the anguish of knowing that his Datain had been destroyed. His cultivation path had ended, and everything he worked for had collapsed. Tears and blood trickled down his cheeks as he faded from consciousness. Panic erupted in the hall. Guests fled in terror while Yun Tian's mother clutched his body and wept in unbearable despair.
---
THREE DAYS LATER
Yun Family Residence
Inside a modest room with only a stone bed, a small table, and two stone chairs, Yun Tian lay still. Two incense sticks burned quietly beside him. He was lying face-up on the smooth surface of the stone bed, completely motionless.
Huuuu...!
Yun Tian suddenly bolted upright, panting heavily... After steadying himself, he inspected his eyes and was met with darkness. His sight was entirely gone. Shakily, he raised both hands in front of his face, but nothing appeared. Desperately, he tried using Elemental Qi to heal himself, but it was useless. His Datain had been shattered. He was now a regular human, unfit even to be called a cultivator. He had not only lost everything but had became a laughingstock in front of the entire city. His father was likely ruined as well, and even the elders couldn't save him anymore.
Ahhhhhhh...! Yun Tian cried out in soul-rending anguish as his voice dissolved into the shadows.
---
DRAGON COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Yun Duyi walked with heavy footsteps away from an small gate covered in leafy vines. In just three days, his features had aged considerably, and the sparkle in his eyes was completely extinguished. His prestige was gone, and any hopes of succeeding as the next Yun Patriarch had vanished. Even his closest allies had turned their backs on him. All that pent-up frustration had been taken out on his innocent wife and young maidens at home. He was now fully immersed in the comfort of wine, drowning down his sorrows in self pity, and becoming the complete opposite of what he once was...