The night of the Moonlight Banquet continued under a canopy of starlight and floating crimson petals. A light breeze stirred the petals from the hanging spirit blossoms, each petal infused with faint qi, causing them to shimmer like rubies under moonlight.
Music drifted again—soft, haunting, laced with ancient sorrow. This was the signal.
The Imperial Dance of Harmony was about to begin.
It was not merely entertainment; it was an ancient tradition. The dancers, each from a noble bloodline or a prestigious sect, would pair with a chosen guest. Together, their movements would be judged—not only for beauty, but for synchronization of spiritual energy.
The greater the synchronization, the deeper the understanding between souls.
For cultivators, this was a form of silent courtship, a way to test potential partners—be they for alliance, marriage, or manipulation.
As tradition demanded, a soft bell rang, and each lady walked forward holding a crimson silk ribbon. The gentlemen were to choose a ribbon—or wait to be chosen.
Priyanshu stood unmoving, arms behind his back.
He had no intention of dancing. He was here to observe, not participate.
But fate—or rather, the system—had other plans.
[System Alert – Hidden Objective Triggered]You are being chosen by a high-ranking female cultivator.Accepting will unlock:
1x Hidden Affection Route
+150 Karma Points
Skill Fragment: "Heavenly Dual Arts – Step One"
Accept Invitation?
"...Fine," Priyanshu muttered internally, his lips twitching into a lazy smile.
From across the platform, Lady Xiuying, robed in a translucent gown of moonlight silk, stepped forward and extended her ribbon.
Gasps echoed.
"No way… she's choosing him?"
"The Snow Jade Fairy has never danced with anyone!"
Xiuying's expression remained impassive, but a glint of curiosity lit her eyes. "Will you accept, Prince of Shadows?"
Priyanshu took the ribbon with one hand, offering a slight bow. "Let us see if our steps are in rhythm, Lady Xiuying."
The music began.
At first, their movements were mechanical—measured and precise, following the ancient routine.
But soon, something changed.
Priyanshu's qi extended subtly, flowing like water. Xiuying responded, her spiritual energy rising like snow caught in a gentle storm.
Step by step, their energies intertwined.
The petals around them reacted—spinning faster, then freezing mid-air, caught in the dance of balance and control.
A crescent moon formed beneath their feet, shaped entirely from condensed qi.
Even the elders whispered now.
"Their compatibility… it's nearly perfect."
"But his cultivation shouldn't be this high…"
"He's hiding it. Very well, at that."
Xiuying turned mid-spin and asked quietly, "Who are you really?"
Priyanshu met her eyes. "A forgotten shadow… soon to become the world's reflection."
As the dance ended, a burst of petals exploded into the sky, forming a crimson lotus above their heads.
[System Alert – Favorability: Xiuying +45][Unlocked: "Shared Spiritual Echo" – May communicate telepathically with Lady Xiuying (Cooldown: 12 hours)][Acquired: Heavenly Dual Arts Fragment (1/7)]
Xiuying looked away, hiding a faint blush.
The banquet resumed, but the atmosphere had changed.
One hidden villain had stolen the stage—with only a single dance.