"Thank you all for coming to this grand occasion, a farewell banquet held in honor of Vera. Next, we shall offer her our most heartfelt speeches and blessings."
A sonorous voice rolled across the hall, drawing the attention of the guests back from their drifting thoughts and the tantalizing aroma of delicacies spread across the tables.
The speaker was a high-ranking official of the Divine Realm. His robes shimmered with the brilliance of blazing sunlight, dazzling to behold, while the envoys from the Immortal Realm wore garments as light as drifting clouds, their every step accompanied by a fluttering grace.
It was said the Divine Realm was higher in station than the Immortal Realm, and this subtle difference revealed itself even in clothing: divine attire was grand and radiant, carrying the weight of authority, whereas immortal attire embodied freedom and flow, though every garment carried a texture that spoke of effortless elegance.
Amidst this scene, Master Jin Xiu gently guided Vera toward the very front, motioning for her to pay careful attention to the words about to be spoken.
Yet Vera's gaze was not on the officials. Instead, it lingered upon the side profile of her master. There was a shadow there, an almost imperceptible hint of melancholy that tugged at her heart.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, she leaned closer, lowering her voice into a whisper. "Master Jin Xiu… I know I often vanish into trials and tribulations, leaving you behind for long stretches of time. But… do you ever feel reluctant to part from me, just as I do with you?"
Her words struck like waves crashing against the walls of his heart. Jin Xiu tilted his head slightly, his eyes lowering in a rare moment of hesitation. "This… is indeed a common occurrence between us," he murmured, his voice softer than usual. "But yes, as your teacher, I cannot deny that there is a trace of unwillingness in every separation from a disciple I have watched grow for so long…"
He paused, his gaze momentarily distant, before continuing. "More so this time. Your journey to the mortal world is not like the others. You are to prevent the Second Fall of the Divine."
A heavy silence followed, punctuated only by the faint hum of immortal instruments playing in the background.
"This task," Jin Xiu added, clenching his fist lightly at his side, "is unlike anything you have faced before. None of us know when it will end… or if it ever truly will." His lips pressed together, frustration leaking through his calm exterior. "The divine officials themselves have declared that only if you succeed in stopping the Second Fall will you be permitted to return."
"If you succeed," he said, his tone tightening, "your name will be forever carved into the history of all realms as the one who bore the greatest glory."
Before Vera could respond, the divine officials noticed the master and disciple engaged in quiet conversation while others were still immersed in food and chatter. One official gave a polite cough and tapped the microphone, the sharp sound drawing everyone's focus back to the front of the hall.
The hall dimmed slightly as beams of divine light converged on the stage.
The official dressed in robes of glowing rosy-gold spoke first. His voice was steady, carrying both authority and warmth.
"Vera," he began, "known across realms as the mischievous phoenix fairy who once caused so much trouble that her name was on everyone's lips."
At these words, Vera felt her cheeks flush crimson. She lowered her head in embarrassment, her long lashes trembling. A warm, steady hand rested lightly on her shoulder—it was Jin Xiu. His subtle pat urged her to lift her head, to stand tall and face the words without shame.
The official's lips curved into a faint smile as he continued, "I, too, once believed that Vera would remain forever the least accomplished among her peers, trapped by her unruly nature." His gaze swept the hall before locking firmly with hers. "But I was wrong."
His words struck like a bell tolling in her chest.
"Under Master Jin Xiu's guidance, Vera's progress has been nothing short of astonishing. Whether in dance, combat, or the many disciplines of the realms, she has surpassed every expectation and completed the arduous tasks we set before her with excellence."
The official's voice grew more impassioned. "This has forced me to reflect. Have we, as beings of the Divine and Immortal Realms, truly seen the full potential of each individual? Or have we too often confined them within labels, blind to the unique paths they may carve for themselves?"
He paused, letting the silence carry the weight of his words. The golden glow around him intensified, as though the heavens themselves bore witness.
"Many of you may believe all credit should go to her master. But let us be honest—without Vera's relentless effort, without her courage to change, even Master Jin Xiu's guidance could not have borne such fruit."
His voice now resounded with conviction, filling the hall. "On this new journey, Vera and her master stand as examples for us all. Their bond reminds us that true growth is never solitary—it is mutual. Every relationship is a crucible in which we are refined. It is a dance of giving and receiving, a weaving of countless threads into something stronger than any single strand."
"Growth is always shared. It is dual, and often even multidimensional—spanning across time, space, and spirit."
The official extended a hand toward Vera, his expression solemn. "No matter the trials or adversities you encounter, Vera, know this: we will remain with you, eternal and steadfast. Even if we cannot walk beside you, we shall watch over you from every corner of existence."
He brought his palms together and then clapped once, the sound echoing like thunder. "So let us bless Vera! May she achieve swift success in her mission, and may she one day return to us bearing glory!"
The hall erupted in applause. It rolled like waves crashing against cliffs, never-ending, powerful, alive. The Immortals raised their cups of celestial wine, the Divines bowed their heads in solemn respect, and the air itself seemed to shimmer with anticipation.
Vera stood at the center of it all, her heart pounding. The sound of countless hands clapping was overwhelming, but within it she felt something deeper—an invisible current of support that tethered her to every being present.
And though uncertainty loomed ahead, in that moment she knew: she was not alone.