The Ryuzaki Clan was not merely a family; it was a titan that straddled the heavens of the Yamato Empire. Every breath it took caused winds of change to sweep across the Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain.
For the past decade, the clan had been relatively quiet, guarding their greatest treasure behind the closed doors of the Ten-no-Kura. But now, the dormant dragon was stirring.
The Tenth Birthday Banquet of Ryuzaki Haruto.
This was not just a celebration of a child's age. It was a political statement. It was the official debut of Sequence Zero, the son of the legendary White-Clad God King, Ryuzaki Mumei. The entire cultivation world held its breath, wondering: What kind of monster has the Ryuzaki Clan raised this time?
The Province of Snow
Far to the north, bordering the frozen wastes, lay the Province of Snow (Yuki-no-Kuni). This was the ancestral domain of the Minamoto Clan, one of the oldest and most prestigious Ancient Families in the Empire. They were masters of the Void and Spirit arts, and the maternal clan of Ryuzaki Haruto.
In a secluded valley deep within the Minamoto territory, the air was perpetually frozen. Crystalline ice lotuses bloomed on the surface of a mirror-like lake, emitting a faint, ethereal mist.
By the lakeside stood a woman who seemed to be carved from the ice itself.
She wore snow-white robes that flowed like water around her tall, graceful figure. Her hair, black as a raven's wing, cascaded down to her waist, contrasting sharply with her pale, flawless skin. Her features were exquisite—arched eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes as deep as autumn pools, and lips the color of fresh cherries.
She was Minamoto Sayaka.
Known as the "Goddess of Ice," she was a distant cousin of Haruto's mother, Lady Shizuka. Though they shared no direct bloodline, she was Haruto's nominal aunt. At twenty-four, she was in the prime of her beauty and power, possessing the legendary Congenital Dao Embryo physique, making her one of the most sought-after women in the Empire.
"My nephew's tenth birthday..." Sayaka murmured, her voice melodic like wind chimes. A gentle, mysterious smile graced her lips. "I haven't seen Cousin Shizuka in years. I wonder if her son inherited her fiery temper or his father's calmness?"
Jingle. Jingle.
The silence of the valley was broken by the sound of silver bells.
"Sister Sayaka! Sister Sayaka!"
A petite figure darted across the frozen lake, moving so lightly that she didn't leave a single crack on the ice.
It was a young girl of about twelve. She was the definition of "adorable." She wore a short, frilly kimono modified for movement, and her long black hair was tied into twin ponytails that bounced energetically with every step. Her eyes were large and spirited, blinking with a mixture of innocence and cunning. When she smiled, she revealed two small, mischievous canine teeth and deep dimples.
This was Minamoto Ruri.
She was the "Little Princess" of the Minamoto Clan, the apple of the ancestors' eyes. Born with the Primordial Spirit Body, she was a genius beloved by the natural laws of the world.
"Ruri," Sayaka sighed, turning to face the girl. She reached out a slender finger and gently tapped Ruri's forehead. "You possess the Primordial Spirit Body, a physique closest to the Origin of the Dao. Why aren't you in shugyo (cultivation training)? You skipped your meditation again."
"Ehehe~" Ruri giggled, rubbing her forehead. She stuck out her tongue playfully. "Sister Sayaka, you are the Goddess of the Minamoto Clan! You have the Dao Embryo! With you here to protect the family, why does Ruri need to work hard? I'll just rely on you!"
"You lazy little rascal," Sayaka rolled her eyes, though her expression was fond. "Alright, listen. I called you here for serious business. Go pack your things. We are traveling to the Central Province."
Ruri blinked. "To the Ryuzaki Clan?"
"Yes," Sayaka nodded. "To attend the Tenth Birthday Banquet of the Divine Son."
Ruri's face fell instantly. She crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks like a glorious bun.
"Is it for... him?" Ruri grumbled. "My so-called 'future husband'?"
"That's right," Sayaka teased, enjoying the girl's reaction. "The ancestors have been discussing it for years. Cousin Shizuka wants to unite our lines. You can finally meet your fiancé."
"What fiancé?! Don't talk nonsense!" Ruri stomped her foot, cracking the ice beneath her. "I haven't even met him! I oppose arranged marriages! This is tyranny! Even if I die, even if I have to jump off the highest peak of Mount Fuji, I will never get engaged to a stranger!"
"Oh?" Sayaka covered her mouth with her sleeve, hiding a sly smile. "That is a shame. I heard from Cousin Shizuka that her son is devastatingly handsome. They say he looks like a banished immortal who fell from the heavens."
"Really?"
Ruri paused mid-tantrum. Her ears perked up. Her large eyes darted around suspiciously.
It was an open secret in the Minamoto Clan that their Little Princess was a hopeless menkui—someone obsessed with good looks.
"Is he... really that handsome?" Ruri asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"I don't know," Sayaka chuckled, shrugging elegantly. "I haven't seen him either. Maybe Shizuka was just boasting."
"Hmph! Suspicious!" Ruri tried to regain her dignity, lifting her chin. "Listen well, Sister Sayaka! My standards are high! Any man I, Minamoto Ruri, fancy must be the most handsome man in the Immortal Realm! If he is even a little bit ugly... or even just 'average'... I will kick him into the stratosphere!"
"Yes, yes," Sayaka patted Ruri's head. "Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough. Just don't drool if he actually turns out to be handsome."
"I won't drool!" Ruri protested, her face flushing red.
The Gathering of the Great Powers
As the date of the banquet drew near, the sky above the Central Province transformed into a bustling highway of light.
The invitations sent by the Ryuzaki Clan had reached every corner of the Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain.
From the Great Shang Dynasty, an ancient human empire, a massive golden warship tore through the clouds. On its deck stood several princesses dressed in extravagant silks, gazing toward the Ryuzaki Domain with hopeful eyes.
"That's the Great Shang's Royal Ship," observers whispered. "The Princesses are out in force." "Of course. This banquet is a matchmaking heaven. Who wouldn't want to climb the social ladder by marrying into the Ryuzaki Clan? Even a concubine's position would elevate their entire lineage."
From the Great En Shrine, chariots pulled by flaming horses raced across the sky, leaving trails of fire.
From the Date Clan (an ancient family equal to the Minamoto in prestige), a magnificent carriage pulled by nine divine birds soared through the void. The carriage was adorned with star charts and radiated a profound, cosmic aura.
Inside the Date Clan's carriage.
A young man sat by the window, watching the clouds pass by. He was handsome in a sharp, refined way, dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with constellations. His eyes seemed to hold the light of distant galaxies.
He was Date Xingyun, a top prodigy of the Date Clan. He possessed the rare Star King Physique, allowing him to channel the power of the stars.
"I heard the Minamoto Clan is attending," Xingyun said, a soft smile playing on his lips. "That means she will be there."
"Young Master refers to Princess Ruri?" an elderly servant sitting opposite him asked. The old man had a goatee and exuded the terrifying pressure of a Quasi-Saint. This was Xingyun's Dao Protector, Uncle Fu.
"Yes," Xingyun's eyes shone with infatuation. "I met her once in the Stellar Secret Realm. She was... lively. Like a spirit of nature. I haven't been able to forget her."
He clenched his fist, feeling the starlight coursing through his veins.
"This banquet is the perfect opportunity," Xingyun declared. "I will approach her. I will show her my sincerity."
"Young Master," Uncle Fu warned, his expression serious. "We are going to the Ryuzaki Clan. The master instructed us strictly: we are guests. Do not cause trouble. If you provoke the Ryuzaki Divine Son on his birthday, even the Date Clan cannot protect you."
"Relax, Uncle Fu," Xingyun laughed, waving his hand dismissively. "I know my limits. I'm going there to chase a girl, not to fight the host. Besides..."
Xingyun leaned back, confidence radiating from him.
"I am the Star King. My talent ranks among the top in the Empire. Even the Ryuzaki Divine Son must give me some face. We are peers, after all."
He looked out at the majestic floating islands of the Ryuzaki Domain appearing in the distance.
"Ruri," Xingyun whispered, his gaze intense. "You will definitely be my woman."
Blissfully unaware of the monster waiting in the Ten-no-Kura, and unaware of Ruri's impossibly high standards for beauty, the confident Star King prepared for his romantic conquest.