The Province of Central (Chuo-no-Kuni) was in a festive uproar.
Outside the massive Torii Gates of the Ryuzaki Clan, the sky was darkened by a fleet of airships, chariots, and divine beasts.
The Great Array of the Ryuzaki Clan shimmered in the void, emitting a terrifying pressure that deterred any troublemakers. Even a Saint would hesitate to act rashly here.
"The Daoji Heavenly Sect has arrived! Gift: Nine Volumes of Supreme Daoist Scriptures!"
"The Great Yan Holy Land has arrived! Gift: One Bottle of Spirit-Gathering Jade Marrow and 100 Pieces of Divine Source!"
The crowd gasped. Spirit-Gathering Jade Marrow was a treasure that could nourish the soul. To give it away as a birthday gift was extravagant.
"The Great Shang Dynasty has arrived! Gift: A Priceless Landscape Painting!"
A beautiful princess from the Shang Dynasty presented the scroll herself, her eyes scanning the crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of the Divine Son.
"Ah, such a beauty," young prodigies sighed. "She wants to throw herself at the Ryuzaki Divine Son, but we can only dream."
The Arrival of the Minamoto Clan
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd.
"The Ancient Minamoto Clan (Jiang Family) has arrived! Gift: One Ancient Sacred Weapon, Three Immortal Herbs, 100 Supreme-Grade Pills, and 1,000 Pieces of Divine Source!"
"1,000 Divine Sources?!"
"Is that a gift or a dowry?"
"You forgot? The Divine Son's mother is from the Minamoto Clan. They are basically family."
Two figures stepped through the gates, radiating light that outshone the sun.
One was tall and elegant, dressed in snowy robes—Minamoto Sayaka, the Goddess of Ice.
The other was petite and adorable, bouncing with energy—Minamoto Ruri, the Little Princess.
"So beautiful!"
"That's the Goddess Sayaka and Princess Ruri! They are the jewels of the North."
Almost immediately after, another announcement rang out.
"The Ancient Date Clan (Ye Family) has arrived! Gift: Ten Sacred Herbs, 100 Spirit Stones, and Three Royal Weapons."
The crowd murmured. Compared to the Minamoto Clan's lavish gift, this was... stingy. It barely met the standard for a First-Rate Power, let alone an Ancient Clan.
"Haha, Princess Ruri! Please wait!"
A handsome young man in star-patterned robes hurried forward, followed by an old servant. It was Date Xingyun.
"It's the Star King!" someone whispered.
"Who are you?" Ruri stopped, looking at him with genuine confusion.
Xingyun's smile froze. "Princess Ruri... you forgot? In the Falling Moon Secret Realm..."
"Oh..." Ruri tapped her chin. "You are that... that who?"
"I am Date Xingyun," he said, feeling awkward.
"Oh, it's you," Ruri shrugged. "Sorry. I usually don't remember people who aren't good-looking."
Critical Hit.
The crowd fell silent. Xingyun was objectively handsome—sharp brows, bright eyes, refined features. But in Ruri's eyes, he was just "average."
Xingyun forced a smile, his thick skin saving him. "Princess Ruri, it's been a long time. Could we sit at the same table later?"
The crowd realized his intentions. He was here to pick up girls, not to celebrate.
Sayaka frowned. Her cousin Shizuka wanted Ruri for Haruto. Was this Date boy trying to poach their future daughter-in-law?
"Ruri, let's go find Cousin Shizuka," Sayaka said, pulling Ruri away.
"Okay!" Ruri skipped off, ignoring Xingyun completely.
Xingyun took a deep breath. "It's okay. Playing hard to get. I still have a chance."
The Gathering of Sequences
Inside the Golden Palace of the Ryuzaki Clan.
Only the most distinguished guests—Ancient Clans, Supreme Lineages, and Imperial Dynasties—were seated here. The tables were laden with spirit fruits and dragon-liver delicacies.
"Where is the Divine Son?" an elder asked impatiently.
Suddenly, two powerful auras entered the hall.
One was a young man in black robes, carrying a heavy sword on his back. His aura was sharp enough to cut the air.
Ryuzaki Kenji (Sequence 10). He had come out of seclusion specifically for this event.
Beside him walked a woman who seemed made of ice. She wore a pale blue dress with fringe like icicles. Her eyes were blue, her skin white as snow, and she exuded a chilling cold.
Ryuzaki Yukino — Sequence 7.
Possessor of the Ice Spirit Body. It was said she could freeze a thousand miles with a single thought.
"Sequence 7 is here!"
"She is terrifying. Even Sequence 10 looks respectful around her."
"I didn't expect you to come out of seclusion for Cousin Haruto's birthday," Kenji said with a faint smile.
Yukino pursed her pale lips. "I just want to see how powerful the boy is who defeated you at age three."
Kenji's smile twitched. 'That stings.'
Just then, the heavy doors of the hall groaned open again.
A figure stepped in, casting a long shadow over the Sequences.
"Him?"
Both Kenji and Yukino felt a chill run down their spines. Their expressions turned solemn. Even the guests felt the temperature in the room drop, replaced by a suffocating pressure