Xiao Zhu, unaware of Bai Xiang's piercing glare and Yunhua's hidden intentions, sat quietly at her table, savoring the banquet's delicacies.
Each dish was perfectly prepared—flavors balanced, steeped in spiritual essence, every bite sending a soft ripple of warmth through her meridians. From time to time, she slipped bits of food to Yuebao beneath the table. The moon fox, curled like a snow-dappled crescent at her feet, nudged her hand affectionately, his tail wagging in gratitude.
Above them, the music floated like drifting cloud mist—delicate, reverent.
Then—sudden silence.
The music abruptly ceased, leaving only the faint rustle of silk robes and the hushed murmur of guests.
From the far side of the grand hall, a procession of dancers emerged, their movements slow, deliberate, each step carrying the weight of anticipation.
Adorned in flowing gowns of emerald, violet, and gold, their presence shimmered beneath the soft lantern glow. Gold embellishments caught the light, gemstones twinkling like scattered stardust. Their exposed midriffs gleamed with delicate adornments, while their skirts, long and ethereal, swept the floor like cascading waves of silk.
At their approach, the musicians lifted their instruments once more.
The first note struck—a single chime of the Heavenly Bell.
And then, music bloomed, swelling into a symphony of celestial resonance.
The dancers moved as one, their arms unfolding like lotus petals in slow bloom. Their wrists glimmered with golden bracelets, catching the flickering light with every precise motion.
The fluidity of their movements mirrored the divine—a dance of grace, beauty, and unseen power.
Their skirts flared like ribbons of silk, sweeping in perfect harmony as they twirled, each spin carrying the rhythm of the heavens.
As the music surged, so too did their performance—graceful yet commanding, their feet barely skimming the polished marble floor..
The guests watched, entranced, the banquet momentarily forgotten, their attention captured by the hypnotic sways and gliding steps.
Xiao Zhu's eyes widened in awe, her breath catching in her throat. She had never seen anything so elegant, so weightless, so utterly transcendent. She leaned forward slightly, absorbing every detail.
Mo Chen glanced back at her, catching the glow in her eyes, the quiet wonder that danced in her expression.
His gaze softened. A smile—brief, nearly imperceptible—touched his lips and disappeared like mist under morning light.
Yet his smile, fleeting as it was, did not go unnoticed.
Among those who saw it... was the Celestial Empress.
She had heard the rumors, but only now did she believe them.
The music swelled, drawing the dancers into their final, breathtaking crescendo.
Their movements, fluid as celestial rivers, spiraled outward in perfect arcs. Sleeves swept like comet tails, robes blooming like clouds unraveling in slow motion. With every turn, trails of starlight followed—glimmering patterns that shimmered across the white marble like reflections on water.
And then, as if answering the call of some unseen heavenly rhythm, their motions slowed.
A final turn.
A last flick of fingers, wrists folding like the petals of a flower returning to bud.
Then—stillness.
The final note rang like a breath held at the edge of eternity.
Then silence.
The dancers stood poised for a heartbeat longer… before dissolving into retreat, their silken forms melting into the shadows beyond the veil of lantern light.
The music faded completely.
And the great banquet hall fell into hush once more.
From the highest tier, a serene, regal voice rose like a bell carried on the wind.
"Mo Chen," said the Celestial Empress, her gentle voice laced with grace. "I've heard you've taken in a disciple?"
Mo Chen, seated quietly, lifted his teacup, taking a measured sip before responding—his expression unwavering, his face as still as a mountain beneath starlit frost.
"Your Majesty, it is true. Her name is Xiao Zhu. A spirit born of pearl essence."
These were the most words he had spoken, and yet, even in speech, Mo Chen never wasted excess.
Each syllable, deliberate. Precise. Cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
The Celestial Empress's phoenix eyes flickered with interest as her gaze drifted past him.
There, seated just behind Mo Chen, she saw her.
A girl with moonlit eyes, a shimmering gown embroidered with moon petals and starlit constellations, and a presence both delicate and radiant.
Xiao Zhu froze under the sudden attention, her heart leaping, then tightening in her chest.
Too many eyes—all directed at her.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself, recalling Wenlan's gentle guidance before the banquet—how to bow, how to speak, how to hold her composure.
And yet, in this moment, with so many celestial figures watching, their gazes pressed against her like an invisible tide.
Quickly—almost awkwardly—she stood, hands clasped before her as she bowed deeply, voice barely above a whisper.
"Your Majesty… this one is Xiao Zhu. I am honored beyond words to greet you both."
The Celestial Empress chuckled lightly at her words.
"Come, child. Let me take a closer look at you."
Beside her, the Jade Emperor, ever composed, cast a mild glance of curiosity toward the girl.
Xiao Zhu hesitated—just for a breath—before turning to Mo Chen, seeking his expression.
At his slight nod, she exhaled and stepped forward, her robe trailing like drifting clouds behind her.
As she passed the watching immortals and fairies, she could feel the weight of their stares—some admiring, some curious, others sharp with envy.
Passing by Xingyao's table, she caught the faintest flicker of a smile—a quiet reassurance.
Instinctively, she smiled back.
That single smile took his breath away.
Like moonlight cresting over tranquil waters, soft, unassuming, yet devastating in its simplicity.
Subconsciously, his fingers tightened around his wine cup, his gaze dipping, lowering his eyes as if shielding himself from the pull of that fleeting moment.
Across the hall, Bai Xiang clenched her teeth, nearly grinding them to dust.
Arriving at the front, Xiao Zhu bowed once more before the lotus-carved thrones.
The Celestial Empress extended her hand with grace. "Come closer."
Xiao Zhu obeyed.
At the steps, the Celestial Empress gently took Xiao Zhu's fair hands in hers—cool, fair, adorned with rings that glowed like sunlight.
She studied the girl closely, her voice soft with restrained delight. "How adorable."
Then, turning to Mo Chen, she added, "What an obedient little pearl you've raised."
The Jade Emperor's lips curved faintly, and he nodded in agreement.
Xiao Zhu flushed with shyness, unsure whether to speak or smile. In the end, she simply bowed again and whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesties. I… I will work hard to be worthy."
The Celestial Empress's smile deepened, but something flickered in her eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or foresight.
"Mn. Good child," she said softly.
Then, with a graceful wave of her sleeve, light shimmered in the air.
From its folds appeared a jade hairpin—slender, carved from translucent celadon jade, its shaft etched with cloud motifs, and a single plum blossom carved in mother-of-pearl resting at its crown.
A tiny golden chain trailed from the blossom, ending in a dangling moonstone charm, catching the light like starlight trapped in crystal.
"This is my gift to you," the Celestial Empress said. "A token for our first meeting. May it bring you peace and protection."
Xiao Zhu accepted it with both hands, bowing low once more.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the gift," she whispered, cradling the treasure carefully before tucking it into the inner folds of her robe.
The Celestial Empress gave a satisfied nod, the warmth of her approval lingering in the air.
"You may go back to your master now," the Celestial Empress said with a gentle gesture.
Xiao Zhu stepped back with quiet grace, each movement precise and reverent. Her heart fluttered like wings behind her ribs, still trembling from the surreal moment.
She turned, robes trailing, and walked softly back toward Mo Chen.
As Xiao Zhu settles back to her seat, the warmth of the hairpin's gift still lingering against her skin, a quiet tension spreads through the hall—silent, unreadable, yet unmistakably present.
Two gazes continued to follow her.
One—cold as frost, sharp with calculation.
The other—burning, aching with jealousy.
Bai Xiang clenched her teeth, willing the bitterness to fade… yet it curled deeper within her chest.
Across the hall, Yunhua said nothing.
But her beautiful gaze sharpened.
Was it merely because Xiao Zhu was Mo Chen's first disciple?
Or was it something more?
Beneath the pristine fabric of her sleeve, her nails—long and scented with rosewater—pressed deep into her palm.
Yet she did not feel the pain.