Chapter 1344: Ill Omen
The world of non-ordinary people is vastly different from the world of ordinary people. In the latter, when a joyous event like a wedding occurs, gifts are almost always monetary. Before the Chaos of Soul Communication, the paper currency issued by the Supreme Administrative Council of the New Beginning Realm was used. Nowadays, paper currency is rarely seen across the entire New Beginning Realm; in most regions, yellow and white objects have become the standard currency.
These "yellow and white objects" naturally refer to gold and silver, as they are truly hard currency, usable anywhere. Even in countries or regions that issue paper currency, they would never refuse gold and silver, accepting them as currency for desired goods. Hence, for happy occasions like weddings, many choose to present gold and silver as congratulatory gifts.
The world of non-ordinary people is different. For them, gold and silver are mere material possessions. Though useful, their personal benefit is extremely limited, and for some, entirely non-existent. Therefore, non-ordinary people much prefer various treasures, whether useful to them or not—they like them all.
Treasures useful to oneself can be kept, while those not useful can be exchanged with those who need them for desired items. Thus, non-ordinary people appreciate all kinds of treasures, whether beneficial or not.
Precisely for this reason, when presenting congratulatory gifts in the non-ordinary world, they tacitly offer various treasures instead of precious metals. So, even without opening any of the gifts, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing knew they were undoubtedly various treasures, not gold or silver.
Moreover, given their current status and the status of these guests, it was obvious that these treasures would not be lacking in quality. Otherwise, it would not be a slight to them, but rather to the guests themselves.
Li Shenshi's wedding gift to Yang Haoran was a Talisman Pouch. Such pouches are typically only used in combat by Yellow Talisman Masters. High-level Talisman Masters possess their own independent spatial dimensions, storing talismans within them, allowing them to retrieve talismans with a single thought. Thus, high-level Talisman Masters have no need for such low-grade items as Talisman Pouches in battle.
However, what isn't needed in battle doesn't mean it's useless in daily life. In certain formal situations, if a Talisman Master needs to gift talismans to others, they might choose to place the talismans into a Talisman Pouch beforehand and present them this way. Doing so appears both solemn and dignified. Therefore, even high-level Talisman Masters occasionally find use for such low-grade items as Talisman Pouches.
Since a Talisman Pouch was used to hold the gift, it was almost certainly talismans. As for what type, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing hadn't opened the pouch, so they naturally didn't know. However, Yang Haoran had quite some accomplishments in the field of talismans now, so there weren't many talismans that could truly excite him.
Although Li Shenshi held a respectable position within the Demon Hunter Guild, he was, after all, a Demon Hunter, not a Talisman Master. Crafting talismans was not his strong suit. So, in Yang Haoran's view, the talismans given as a gift were likely acquired through other channels, not personally made by Li Shenshi. He was somewhat interested in such talismans, but not overly so. He certainly had curiosity, but in this bustling setting, with guests arriving one after another, he was far too busy to open the Talisman Pouch and satisfy it.
Moreover, if such impolite behavior were witnessed by other guests, his image in their eyes would undoubtedly plummet, and some might even gossip behind his back.
So, after accepting the Talisman Pouch from Li Shenshi, he smiled gracefully and placed it on the wooden table behind him and Xu Meijing.
At this moment, the wooden table was already neatly lined with various wedding gifts, all contained within diverse boxes of different sizes. There were intricately crafted wooden boxes, exquisitely carved jade boxes, some elegantly wrapped, others left unwrapped because the boxes themselves were pleasing works of art.
It wasn't that there were no gifts presented without boxes, like Li Shenshi's, but they were quite rare.
After personally greeting more than a dozen important guests in a row, Yang Haoran and Xu Meijing finally got a moment to breathe. Although this task didn't deplete their Spirit Power or physical stamina in the slightest, it did drain their mental energy, as it was indeed quite wearying for the mind.
Yang Haoran snatched a moment to light a cigarette for himself, and the smile on his face faded as the cigarette lit. At this moment, he couldn't help but think of Bai Xue and Xiao Kang again.
Despite Yang Haoran's calm demeanor and smiling face while greeting guests, it was merely an act for their benefit. As the groom, how could he possibly greet his esteemed guests with a scowl?
In truth, he had been constantly worried about Bai Xue and Xiao Kang's safety, his thoughts constantly on them. That was why the smile on his face vanished as he lit his cigarette. Not knowing their current plight, he simply couldn't bring himself to be happy.
Just as Yang Haoran took a puff and thought about Bai Xue and Xiao Kang, Xu Meijing spoke up.
"How come our superior hasn't arrived yet? You didn't forget to personally invite him, did you?"
Xu Meijing's words snapped Yang Haoran out of his daze, and a look of confusion spread across his face.
Yang Haoran knew exactly who Xu Meijing was referring to; it was, of course, Jingling Great Emperor Luo Yao. After all, besides the Death God, he was their only superior. Although the other Great Emperors were far more esteemed than them, they were not their direct leaders.
Although both of them were Guardians of the Underworld Office, they had no direct contact with the Death God. Therefore, it was naturally impossible for them to invite the Death God to their wedding, nor could they even extend such an invitation. So, the "he" Xu Meijing referred to could only be Jingling Great Emperor Luo Yao.
"Of course I notified him. How could I possibly forget him for something this important? He's not only our direct superior, but also our patron. I could forget anyone else, but never him."
Yang Haoran said. Ordinarily, with his meticulous nature, he would have noticed Luo Yao's absence long ago, without Xu Meijing needing to remind him. But today, with matters weighing on his mind and his constant worry for Bai Xue and Xiao Kang's safety while dealing with guests, he hadn't noticed at all. If Xu Meijing hadn't spoken up, he still wouldn't have realized that Luo Yao wasn't present.
As he finished speaking, the confusion on Yang Haoran's face didn't lessen; instead, it deepened. And upon hearing Yang Haoran's words, Xu Meijing's face also showed a look of bewilderment.
"That's strange. Our wedding is about to begin. Logically, given the importance he places on you, he should have arrived long ago. Why hasn't he appeared yet?"
Xu Meijing asked, puzzled. Yang Haoran checked his watch. Just as Xu Meijing said, without them realizing it, the time for their wedding was almost upon them. Luo Yao, as one of the important figures at today's wedding, should have arrived earlier. Yet, there was still no sign of him, which was why both he and Xu Meijing felt a growing sense of unease.
Connecting Luo Yao's abnormal behavior to the disappearance of Bai Xue and Xiao Kang, and Xiujuan's Soul Transformation, a sudden ill omen bloomed in Yang Haoran's heart. However, he merely furrowed his brow slightly, with no intention of sharing his ominous premonition with Xu Meijing.
Premonitions are vague and intangible; a bad feeling doesn't necessarily mean something bad will happen. It could also be self-inflicted fear influenced by emotions. So, he didn't tell Xu Meijing about this sudden ill omen, to avoid affecting her mood, spoiling her good spirits, and ruining the joyous atmosphere of their grand wedding today.
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