The anticipated day had come– the long awaited Festival of Talent.
From the distant hills of Broken Heaven to the lowest valleys of the mortal quarter, laughter and life stirred as early as dawn. Vendors pushed their carts through the morning mist, setting up stalls lined with pastries that glowed faintly with spiritual essence. The air was sweet with the aroma of lotus buns, steaming spirit rice, and golden nectar tea said to prolong one's lifespan by half a year.
Even the poorest of the poor had reason to smile today.
The Spring Serene Grounds — a sacred place often sealed off to mortals — had been opened to all. For one day only, no sects, no ranks, no walls. Just peace and celebration. It was a rare moment of unity, a reminder that even in times when whispers of the Grandmaster of Chaos's awakening rippled through the heavens, the people could still find joy.
The Supreme Leaders had decreed the festival as a way of restoring faith — faith in cultivation, in balance, and in each other.
Children played with spiritual lanterns that shimmered like small stars. Disciples from lesser sects showed off their sword techniques, sparks of aura lighting up the cobbled streets.
But amid all the excitement, in the Zhao Manor, there was one who felt none of it — Zhao Mei.
---
Mei sat by her window, sweat beading at her temples despite the cool breeze. The Spirit Healing Exam results were to be announced tomorrow — and her heart hadn't stopped hammering since she returned from the Northern Trials.
Unlike a simple scholar's test, the Spirit Healing Exam was a test of mind, core, and soul. Healers weren't just physicians — they were cultivators who could stabilize the flow of qi, repair damaged cores, and draw life from their own aura to save others.
The Northern Section of the exam was infamous. Candidates had to balance their inner core atop frozen snow while channeling fire energy — one slip of imbalance and your spiritual veins could snap.
That day, Mei had left home with promises: souvenirs for her sisters Yue, Lian, and Xu, and gifts for her parents. She returned weary but triumphant — only to find her maid had been replaced without explanation.
She hadn't asked why. She'd swallowed it, like she'd always done. Until later — when her parents and Yue were placed under isolation by Chief Ren — Lian told her the truth. And when she did, Mei's quiet, trembling heart turned to fire.
She'd vowed to make them pay — someday.
---
But now, seated in her quiet chamber, anxiety made her fingers fidget with the hem of her sleeve. Around her, servants rushed to prepare for the festival. Laughter echoed in the courtyard beyond, but it felt distant — like a dream she couldn't reach.
Then — bang! — the door slammed open.
"Guess who's here to save you from boredom?"
Zhao Lian, the chaos incarnate, grinned from the doorway — sunlight flashing off her hair. Trouble followed her like a loyal pet, and peace trembled wherever she went.
Lian leaned casually on the doorframe, one brow raised, lips curled in mischief. "You look like someone just told you your favorite spirit beast died."
"Not in the mood, Lian…" Mei muttered, though the corner of her lips twitched.
"I know. That's why I came to make you angry first. It's my specialty."
She flopped into the seat opposite Mei, her robe slipping off one shoulder — carelessly elegant, infuriatingly confident.
Mei sighed. "Are they ready yet?"
"Ready and waiting," Lian said, eyes sparkling.
"Are you sure it will help with my anxiety?" Mei asked quietly.
Lian nodded, pushing herself up. "Trust me. If laughter were a medicine, I'd be an immortal already. Now get up, you can't mope through a festival this grand."
Then she smiled — the kind of smile that somehow made Mei's heart lighten a little.
"Let's go. I heard this celebration is rarer than a celestial concert ticket."
"Concert…?" Mei blinked.
"I mean, it's once in a lifetime. Today, you'll breathe. You'll smile."
And for the first time that morning, Mei did.
---
They arrived at The Celestial Vale of Spring Serene, a place said to have been built by the first cultivators of the Heavenly Era.
The sight stole their breath.
The valley was surrounded by mountains draped in mist, their peaks shimmering with spirit light. Silver pavilions floated midair, held by invisible qi threads. Rivers of jade water ran beneath bridges carved with celestial beasts, and faint petals — pink, blue, gold — drifted from nowhere.
The scent of blossoms mingled with the sound of zithers and laughter.
Rows of tables were arranged across the marble court. And at the far end, three thrones of silver, etched with runes that pulsed faintly with light, stood waiting for the Supreme Leaders.
When Supreme Leader Huang and Zhang entered, the crowd hushed. A third figure followed — a man in a black mask, his gloved hands folded behind his back. His aura was… wrong. Silent, yet suffocating.
No one dared whisper about him, though curiosity rippled like a tide.
The festival began — performances, blessings, contests of wit and talent. Lian and Mei watched wide-eyed, like children seeing the heavens for the first time. Xu joined them midway, her usual calm replaced by awe.
It was perfect.
But good things never lasted.
A sudden shadow passed over the sky. Then — a tremor.
Before anyone could react, the air split apart and four demon beasts landed before the thrones.
Their bodies were massive, human-shaped yet monstrous — horns curling from their heads, scales glinting purple and red. The leader, with a single violet horn, sneered as black mist rolled off his shoulders.
"Such a fine celebration," he hissed. "And yet, no invitation for us?"
His voice was like gravel.
A disciple lunged forward, blade glowing — but the demonic aura was so thick, he was flung back midair, choking as if invisible hands gripped his throat.
"Stupid mortals," the horned beast clicked his tongue, eyes flashing with cruel delight. "You forget who truly rules the shadows."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Mei's fingers trembled. But beside her, Lian's system dinged with irritating cheer.
> [System Alert: Player Level-up Opportunity!]
[New Mission: Confront the intruding demon beasts.]
[Reward: +500 points, Agility +20, Strength +10, Aura Flow +5.]
[Note: Act wisely. Recklessness will reduce rewards.]
Lian froze. "What?" she hissed under her breath. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Her shout startled Mei, who turned in alarm. "What's wrong?"
Lian forced a smile, though her eye twitched. "Oh, nothing. Just my stupid destiny trying to get me killed again."