Morning rays spilled across the courtyard of the Dreamveil Sect, but the sky still held the strange tension—clear, yet suffocating, as though something hidden was about to erupt.
At the center of it all stood Ling Xuan, clad in modest robes, his aura suppressed, his expression one of pitiful helplessness. His pale face wore the same innocent melancholy that everyone had grown used to seeing over the past year—ever since his spirit rank collapsed and his soul flame vanished.
In front of him stood his "cousin"—Ling Yuehai, the favored heir of the Ling Clan's branch family, proud and talented, currently basking in the glow of being chosen for the engagement to the Jade Dream Pavilion's young mistress, Mu Yulan.
"Brother Yuehai, you know I've always looked up to you," Ling Xuan said with a mournful tone, eyes wide and filled with what looked like admiration. "I'm just... not worthy of Lady Mu Yulan. You know,you are the shining star of our clan now. You should marry her."
Ling Yuehai blinked, surprised. Then suspicion flickered in his eyes. "...You're serious?"
"Dead serious brother." Ling Xuan clutched his chest, putting on a heart-wrenching act. "If I wed her with my broken foundation, I would only bring disgrace to the sect and shame to their family name. But you on the other hand brother are—talented, elegant, and already at the peak of Spirit Condensation Realm—you're perfect for her."
Ling Yuehai hesitated, but his arrogance soon overwhelmed his caution. The Jade Dream Pavilion was one of the Three Great Forces of the Dreamrift Region. If he could marry into it… even the main family would have to bow to him eventually.
"…If you insist," he said with a carefully concealed smirk. "For the good of the clan, I shall shoulder this burden on your behalf."
"Truly, you are magnanimous, Brother Yuehai," Ling Xuan said, eyes damp as he clasped his hands in gratitude. "Tomorrow, during the ceremonial announcement, I shall make it clear to everyone. Let them see your worth."
Ling Yuehai patted his shoulder in faux modesty, then turned and walked off, already dreaming of the power he'd soon wield.
Once he was gone, Ling Xuan's gentle smile faded.
His eyes, once dulled by false failure, now shimmered faintly with restrained heat—the flicker of a soul flame once thought extinguished.
"The Jade pavilion dares conspire with people of my clan?"
"Then I think I'll gift them something,a fire qilin doesn't sound bad…but I'll just let them try holding it bare-handed first."
The Dreamveil Sect's Outer Courtyard—The Next Morning
The sect was in uproar.
Decorations fluttered, the incoming spirit beasts of the elite elders roared as the elite elders from various sects arrived one by one for the engagement ceremony. Word had spread far and wide that the fallen genius Ling Xuan, once disgraced, was arranged to wed the prized daughter of the Jade Dream Pavilion. The sect's prestige would rise once more. Redemption was in the air.
The courtyard brimmed with high-ranked disciples and powerful figures. Mu Yulan, still unseen, was the daughter of the Pavilion Lord himself. Even her name stirred fantasies.
Then the guests arrived.
First came the Dreamveil Elders, wearing ceremonial white and gold robes. Then the Jade Dream Envoys, dressed in shimmering azure silk woven with cottonthread sigils.
And at the center of it all stood Mu Tianran, Pavilion Lord of the Jade Dream Pavilion—stern, cold, and wrapped in an aura of dream-qi so dense the air warped around him.
"Ling Zhen, Sect Master of Dreamveil," he greeted cooly, "`today, our families forge a bond blessed by the stars."
"An honor for our sect," Ling Zhen replied, eyes flicking cautiously toward Ling Xuan, who stood quietly beside him, robes simple, expression humble.
"Where is the groom?" Mu Tianran asked.
Before Ling Zhen could speak, Ling Xuan stepped forward.
"Respected elders," he said, voice calm and clear. "I... cannot marry Lady Mu Yulan."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Not even a breeze stirred.
"You dare refuse this union?" Mu Tianran's voice dropped, each word laced with barely veiled killing intent.
"I am unworthy," Ling Xuan said humbly. "But my cousin, Ling Yuehai, is brilliant. Talented. Born of the Ling bloodline. He has long admired Lady Mu Yulan from afar."
Mu Tianran's gaze swept to Yuehai, who stood nearby in his finest robes, suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Yuehai quickly masked his surprise and bowed deeply.
"This unworthy one… is honored beyond words," he said, hiding the greed burning in his eyes.
Ling Zhen frowned slightly. Something felt off. But Mu Tianran was already nodding.
"Very well.It seems fate has made its own choice."
From within the pavilion, light footsteps echoed. Then came a melodic voice.
"I apologize for being late."
Mu Yulan stepped forth—a vision in flowing robes of lavender silk, dream-patterns glowing faintly at her hem. Her beauty was ethereal, but her eyes were sharp—too sharp. Ling Xuan's eyes met hers for the first time.
And in that instant, something passed between them.
Recognition. Wariness. Perhaps a flicker of curiosity.
"I was told I would be marrying Ling Xuan," she said flatly, her voice like crystal striking stone. "Why has it changed?"
"Because my cousin Ling Yuehai better suits your noble status," Ling Xuan answered with a slight smile. "I'm just a shadow of my former self."
Mu Yulan's eyes narrowed. She stepped closer… and without warning, reached out to touch Ling Xuan's chest.
In that moment, dreamforce surged between them.
Her fingers recoiled instantly. Her gaze sharpened.
"This aura… it seems dormant—but how come I got trapped in an illusion just now."
"He's hiding something."she mummered to herself instead of revealing her thoughts, she turned to face her father.
"I accept," she said, tone cool as a frozen lake.
Mu Tianran nodded, satisfied.
Ling Yuehai stood triumphant, basking in applause.
But deep within the shadows behind Ling Xuan's eyes… something else stirred.
Yu Mei's voice echoed in his mind.
"That girl… she's no fool. She sensed a piece of your veil."
"Good. Let the game begin."
Ling Xuan lowered his head slightly and whispered beneath his breath:
"You all wanted the flame... but forgot to ask if it would burn you."