Vera's gaze swept across the endless rows of delicately crafted dishes, each one plated with divine precision and radiating an otherworldly glow.
The banquet hall itself shimmered with floating lanterns made of crystal clouds, their soft light spilling like liquid gold upon the grand tables.
Every plate seemed like a masterpiece painted with flavors from countless realms—ethereal fruits gleaming like captured starlight, broths simmering with phoenix feathers, roasted meats glistening with immortal fire.
She had never seen such a sight in all her journeys through the celestial and immortal realms. And the astonishing truth was—this entire feast had been prepared in her honor.
The thought struck her heart with both awe and disbelief. Her chest swelled with a subtle pride. This… all of this is for me?
Just as her thoughts lingered in admiration, she stumbled forward—
Thud!
Her forehead bumped against something firm, resilient, and strangely warm.
Startled, Vera tilted her head upward only to find herself face-to-face with her master's broad chest, where sculpted muscles lay hidden beneath a robe of purple and gilt, the colors blending like dawn embracing twilight.
The aura surrounding him shimmered with a brilliance that seemed born from a dream.
Flustered, she straightened her posture at once and bowed slightly, her voice soft and apologetic.
"Disciple was careless and… bumped into Master. Please forgive me."
Golden eyes, calm as the deep heavens, turned down to regard her. Jin Xiu's expression remained composed, his tone low yet magnetic.
"It is of no concern. Tell me instead—are you satisfied with the banquet? I instructed them to create the dishes they were most proud of."
The words carried no arrogance, only the serene confidence of one who moved entire worlds with a single thought. His robe, embroidered with streaks of starlight and gilded lotus motifs, shimmered beneath the glow of floating lanterns.
At this moment, Jin Xiu seemed less like a mortal being and more like a celestial dream given form.
Vera felt her heart tremble. Respect and admiration welled up as she lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes without hesitation.
"As expected, Master's words alone hold unmatched weight. This banquet… disciple has never seen its equal in either the celestial or immortal realms. You have truly opened my eyes."
Jin Xiu gave a faint gesture, indicating she should walk by his side. His voice carried a thoughtful heaviness.
"If you are satisfied, then I am glad. But even so, I still find it lacking."
"Lacking?" Vera blinked, stunned.
His gaze swept across the grand feast, yet his words carried the weight of countless worlds.
"After all, the path you are about to walk determines the survival of many realms. What is this little feast compared to that burden?"
His sigh was quiet but heavy with restrained sorrow.
"As your teacher, this is all I can do—offer a moment of joy, a table of flavors, a fleeting comfort. I wish I could give more than food that vanishes the moment it is consumed."
For the first time that evening, Vera saw a flicker of melancholy shadow her master's face. It pierced her heart, as if a blade of sorrow had been thrust between them. She shook her head furiously, protesting with unusual boldness.
"Master Jin Xiu! How can you say such things?"
Her voice rang out, clear and unwavering, her eyes glistening with both defiance and sincerity.
"To me, this feast is not just food—it is warmth, it is love, it is the comfort of knowing my master thinks of me. Do not belittle your own effort! You've done something that touches me deeply, and that alone is worth more than any treasure."
Jin Xiu blinked, visibly taken aback. His lips curved into a helpless smile, and he surrendered to her words with a defeated sigh.
"Very well. I promise not to judge myself so harshly. If my disciple says this is enough… then it is enough."
To lighten the moment, he reached for a crystal plate and, with a pair of golden serving chopsticks, carefully placed several delicacies upon it. He extended it toward her.
"These, I believe, suit your taste. Consider them my apology for letting you collide with me earlier."
Vera's face lit up instantly, her eyes sparkling like twin stars. She accepted the plate eagerly, where lotus-shaped cakes glimmered like liquid gold, candied beasts molded into the likeness of phoenixes and tigers, and crystalline biscuits sparkled as though spun from sunlight itself.
She took a bite, savoring each texture with delight.
"Master truly knows me best! These flavors… I'll treasure them forever, just as I treasure every moment spent by your side."
Her smile was so radiant that even the drifting lanterns above seemed to glow brighter.
Then, imitating his actions, Vera picked up the serving utensils and began piling food onto a plate for him.
She started with delicate dumplings, then added roasted meats, then bowls of fragrant porridge, and soon even sweet pastries. By the time she was finished, the plate had become a small mountain of culinary abundance.
Jin Xiu accepted it with a resigned sigh, a shadow of amusement flickering in his gaze.
"Vera, this… is far too much. Dumplings, pastries, porridge, grilled meat—you've given me a banquet within the banquet. Do you take me for a bottomless pit?"
But Vera's expression turned solemn with conviction.
"Master, you don't understand. You are my one and only master—the person I respect and cherish most. So of course, I want to give you the very best of everything."
Her words tumbled out, fierce with sincerity.
"You always say you have little desire, that when you walk among mortals, you would be content with any small, simple dwelling. A mere hut, you said, would be enough for you. But if I had the wealth, I would buy the largest, most beautiful villa in the entire realm for you to live in."
She pressed a hand to her chest, her voice softening into something heartfelt, almost trembling with unspoken affection.
"Because to me… Master Jin Xiu will always deserve the best of all things in existence."
Silence followed, heavy yet tender.
The lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting rippling halos across the feast.
For a fleeting moment, even the countless delicacies on the table seemed to fade into the background, leaving only master and disciple standing there beneath the divine clouds—two souls bound by loyalty, warmth, and something more profound than either dared to name.