The Medallion
Chapter 1826 An Exchange Of Courtesies

Two days later, the much-awaited wedding ceremony was held as scheduled.

The square in Gilbert's mansion, where the ceremony was going to be held, was crowded with guests and important figures. It was an understatement to say that the air was filled with gaiety.

However, in contrast to weddings done in the human race, it was more straightforward and was mostly just for formality.

At this moment, Rocky and Valeria were already at the high platform in their stunning wedding attire, receiving warm greetings and blessings from the guests.

But aside from the couple, the attention of most of the people was actually focused on Princess Layla, who came to the wedding to officiate the ceremony. It was known that Princess Layla was the most beautiful woman in the entire Shura Race. Moreover, since her mother was the former queen, many people really admired and adored her. Her presiding over the wedding ceremony was proof of her close relationship with the Ghost Fief.

After the brief ceremony, Rocky and Valeria got off the stage and prepared to cross the square so that they could enter their bridal chamber.

At the same time, Gilbert, Flora, and Princess Layla escorted the newly-wedded couple in person.

However, they suddenly noticed that a commotion was happening at the other side of the square. Eventually, the crowd parted in order to make way for someone. Soon enough, a domineering, tall man, who was accompanied by several peak-level Spiritual Emperors, appeared and walked towards Rocky and Valeria.

All members of the Shura Race who saw this man instantly showed fear and awe on their faces. In fact, they could not even look directly at him.

Although Rocky was just seeing this man for the first time, he could already tell from his demeanor, as well as from the reactions of the people, that this man was none other than the son of the current king— Prince Zain.

Obviously, Gilbert, Flora, and Princess Layla were all taken aback by Prince Zain's unexpected arrival. Of course, as a courtesy, Gilbert invited most members of the royal family, including Prince Zain. But normally, prominent figures like him would not come in person and would just send a representative.

Therefore, never did they expect that the prince would arrive at the wedding.

"Congratulations to you two!" Zain expressed firmly, cupping his hands towards the couple.

"Thank you, Prince Zain. We actually did not expect to see you here in person. It's a huge honor for us and the newly-wedded couple!" Gilbert immediately saluted respectfully.

Flora also did the same and bowed politely.

"Ha-ha! Of course. If Princess Layla came in person, then I don't see any reason why I would not," Zain replied as he subtly cast a glance at Layla.

Seeing this, Layla just nodded and smiled back.

"By the way, Your Royal Highness, we were just about to escort the couple to their bridal chamber. You can take a seat first. You must be a bit tired from the trip going here." Upon saying that, Gilbert was already about to ask someone to lead Zain and the Spiritual Emperors to take their seats, but the prince interrupted him.

"It's fine. I actually want to give my wedding present first," Zain said with a smile and waved his hand to signal his attendants.

Immediately after, his attendants began to carry several large chests and laid them right in front of Rocky and Valeria.

As the attendants opened the large chests, everyone saw that they actually contained precious gold and silver pieces of jewelry, as well as rare spiritual treasures.

Of course, to give all of this as a gift was a very generous gesture from Zain. Hence, the guests could not help but whisper to each other.

"What a luscious display of generosity!"

"But if he came in person while bringing all these expensive gifts, it means that he is up to something..."

"I agree. He must want something in return!"

"Your Royal Highness, we really appreciate all of these gifts!" Rocky expressed his gratitude after taking a glance at all the treasures in front of him.

"Actually, that is just a part of it. Let me show you the real one." Then, Zain gestured to a peak-level Spiritual Emperor, who immediately stepped forward and presented a chest that looked slightly different than the previous ones.

Upon opening it, a beam of bright light instantly shot out. Then, as the dazzling light finally subsided, a unique bead could be seen lying inside it. Judging from the spiritual power that was being emitted by the bead, it was pretty evident that it was an extraordinary treasure.

"This is the Spirit-nourishing Pearl. I believe that you must have already heard about it before. It is a precious treasure that can boost the cultivation of any Spiritual Emperor and help them break through to a higher level. Even in the Shura Race, it is considered a rare treasure. I was informed that Valeria is already at the high grade of the Emperor Realm. Thus, if she uses this pearl, she will easily reach the peak level!" Zain explained with pride, showing the people how generous he could be.

Of course, everyone who heard it was astounded. They knew how precious the Spirit-nourishing Pearl was. At this point, it was becoming clearer that Zain's intention for giving all of this was to draw them over to his side.

Everybody was well aware that the competition for the successor to the throne had already begun. Although Zain possessed formidable power, it was not enough to guarantee his win. Therefore, he had to do his best to gain the support of several fiefs. After all, controlling the nine major fiefs was the foundation for ruling the entire Shura Race.

Of course, Rocky and Valeria were also aware of what Zain was trying to accomplish. Since the Ghost Fief and the Flower Fief were supposed to support Princess Layla, they couldn't just accept this extremely valuable gift. Once they took it, the prince would surely take it as a sign that they would support him in the future.

On the other hand, Princess Layla just remained calm, trying to see what the couple would do in this situation.

"Your Royal Highness, this is too valuable. We can't possibly receive such a precious gift from you! We can take the rest, but as for the Spirit-nourishing Pearl, I don't think we can accept it," Valeria tried to refuse politely, knowing what their position was.

"Oh, don't say that. There's no need to be too modest because I've specially prepared this gift for you. If you don't accept it, I'm afraid some people will think that you are unsatisfied with it." Zain's tone changed a bit. His smile had a different meaning, and his brows raised a little.

Sensing that Zain would not take no for an answer, Valeria showed a hint of panic. She did not know how else she could refuse the prince without offending him.

"My dear wife, why don't we just accept Prince Zain's generosity? After all, he said that he specially prepared this for us. It would be rude not to take it," Rocky suddenly butted in.

Valeria could not believe what she just heard since Rocky fully knew what it meant to accept it. However, when she looked at Rocky, she instantly read the meaning behind Rocky's stare. He was clearly telling her that he had a plan, so she should just go along with it. Although she was still a bit hesitant, Valeria finally said, "All right then. We will gladly take it. Thank you very much, Prince Zain!" Afterward, Valeria took the Spirit-nourishing Pearl from the attendant.

Upon seeing that Valeria accepted the gift, the guests started whispering among themselves again. After all, this clearly meant that the Ghost Fief and the Flower Fief should now express their support to Prince Zain.

At the same time, Gilbert and Flora also exchanged worried glances with each other. They both knew that Zain just made a pretty clever move, not even allowing them a chance to refuse. Moreover, he must have deliberately done it in front of Princess Layla to embarrass her.

However, at this moment, Rocky suddenly said, "Dear, since this is our first time meeting with the prince, I think it is just appropriate that we also give him a gift in return. This way, it will be an exchange of courtesies!"

Obviously, Valeria could not help but look at Rocky in confusion. She knew that he was planning something, but she could not understand what exactly he was up to.

Even Zain furrowed his brows in surprise. Rocky definitely said that they were going to give him something in return. However, in his opinion, even if they were Godly Geniuses, they could not possibly hand him something that would be as precious as the Spirit-nourishing Pearl.

"Haven't we collected a lot of treasures while we were in the Holy Heaven Palace? I think we acquired something very suitable to give the prince as a gift," Rocky added as he winked at Valeria.