Tianxia was a vast empire made up of many kingdoms, with the imperial court at its centre, controlling all diplomacy.
One of these kingdoms was Yinguandao, a land of towering mountains and deep tradition, famed for its martial arts and the discovery of QiLin, a powerful force drawn through the deep understanding of nature.
In this world, every physical entity had a divine counterpart. The divine realm was made of three states: truth, matter, and spirit. Divination involved drawing QiLin from the divine realm, but only when the practitioner truly understood the essence of a chosen source.
Divination manipulated consciousness and was notoriously complex, requiring deep study and insight.
The empire's dominance came from its divine bloodline. Unlike others, the imperial family did not need external sources.
Their very being reflected the divine realm, placing them in the pure divination class.
Yinguandao's foundation rested on three sects: Li Tian (heaven of truth), Xiang Tian (heaven of matter), and Qi Tian (heaven of spirit). Each focused on a different divine state. Qi Tian stood out for uniting their discoveries and pioneering divination.
As the leading sect, Qi Tian maintained political ties with the empire by sending a royal member each generation to serve as a symbol of peace.
This time, that member was Yin Luqi, only daughter of Qi Tian's ruler, Yin Ming Tao. Rather than being chosen, she volunteered.
After her father's death, a succession tournament called the Battle of the Spirit was held to decide the next ruler.
Luqi trained harder than anyone, holding on to a childhood promise of becoming Yinguandao's first female ruler.
Though skilled, she lacked resonance with any divine source. Her command of the basics and strong martial ability made her overconfident. In the end, she lost to her brothers.
To everyone's surprise, Luqi gave up her title and chose to go to the empire as a concubine. In truth, she sent herself.
It may have seemed like surrender, and perhaps it was, but for Luqi, it was the only way forward. Her dreams had collapsed. With nothing left to prove, she sought a quiet life away from expectations.
Though labeled a concubine, she lived more like a secluded princess. She rarely left her chamber and found comfort in books, hobbies, and stillness.
On her first night, she was meant to greet the emperor, but he was away. She took the chance to disappear from view, and it worked.
For four years, she never spoke to him and only saw him from afar during palace gatherings.
Life became simple. The chaos of court dulled, and her days settled into routine. She lacked for nothing, yet had nothing to anticipate.
Her chamber was modest and peaceful, guarded by two knights and cared for by a gentle maid sent from Qi Tian.
She spent her time in quiet contentment, focused only on the present.
Luqi sat by her indoor garden, absorbed in a book. Suddenly, her maid, Bai Yi, burst through the door, breathless with excitement.
"Princess, you won't believe the news."
"Oh, I will," Luqi said, closing her book. "What is it now, Bai Yi?"
"The emperor has returned from war. We won."
"Hm. Is that so?"
"Yes, princess. Everyone is saying he led the army to victory. The palace is buzzing with stories of his bravery."
"I see." She nodded, her voice calm. "It has been a while, hasn't it?" Her thoughts wandered to her sect. Perhaps some had been sent to fight. Quietly, she imagined the emperor's return.
It had been two years since the war began. The empire had grown quieter, and she found peace in that stillness, even if it felt distant.
A knock interrupted her thoughts. She gestured to her knights to open the gate. Foreign guards entered, their tone formal.
"The emperor has issued a royal decree. All nobles and royals must attend a banquet tonight. His Majesty wishes to honor those who contributed to the victory."
Luqi sighed softly. "My, my..."
She had grown used to the calm. Attending the banquet felt like a disturbance. But of course, she had no choice.
Before she could resist, Bai Yi had already dragged her toward the dressing room.
Luqi wore a soft silk robe, her hair pinned with pearls. Her makeup was light and natural.
"Princess, shouldn't you dress up more?" Bai Yi asked, a little disappointed.
"Is peace too boring for you?"
"No, but if you just let me—"
Luqi smiled and patted her head. "I'm living my best life. Nothing is wasted. Don't worry."
Soon, she was in the carriage headed for the grand hall.
The banquet was grand, the hall filled with rich incense, painted scrolls, and nobles dressed in shimmering robes. Luqi stood quietly, poised and distant.
When the emperor entered, everyone dropped to their knees, voices rising in unison.
"Huáng shang Wàn suì yé, Wàn Wàn suì yé."
Li Wan, Emperor of Tianxia.
The Supreme Ruler.
Entered.