New Year's Eve was to be celebrated with a lavish party at the Yun family's city residence. It was both a social event and a show of strength after the recent turmoil. Ye Xia, as a newly recognized member, was required to attend.
She wore a gown of deep crimson, a color of power and warning. Her hair was styled elegantly, and the enhanced Spirit Gathering Stone rested against her collarbone, pulsing softly. She looked every inch the rising heiress.
The party was a who's who of the city's elite, but the undercurrent was the tension between the ancient families. Yun Ming held court from his wheelchair, looking frail but sharp-eyed. Yun Zhong glowered in a corner, surrounded by his faction. And then there was Liam Kane, who had been invited as a valued associate. He sought her out immediately, his admiration clear.
The atmosphere shifted when Mo arrived. He wasn't alone. Evangeline de Winter was on his arm, a vision in icy white silk, her smile a weapon. The Mo matriarch's plan was in full force, presenting the "perfect couple" to the world.
Evangeline made a beeline for Ye Xia. "What a surprising venue for you to choose," she purred, her eyes scanning Ye Xia's dress with disdain. "I suppose when one is new to society, any port in a storm will do."
Liam, standing beside Ye Xia, frowned. "The Yun family's lineage is impeccable, Miss de Winter. I'd say Miss Ye has chosen quite well."
Evangeline's gaze flicked to Liam, dismissing him instantly. "How quaint. A defender." She turned back to Ye Xia. "I hear you've been dabbling in things you don't understand. A word of advice, little girl: stay in your lane. The world we move in has rules. Those who break them get broken."
It was a direct threat. Ye Xia felt her Kai stir, a cold fire in response to Evangeline's ice.
"Some rules are meant to be broken," Ye Xia replied, her voice calm. "And some lanes are too narrow for those who wish to truly travel."
The verbal sparring was interrupted by the arrival of the last guest: Leng Feng.
He swaggered in, dressed in a razor-sharp black suit, his cultivator's aura a barely contained storm of aggression. He ignored everyone else and walked straight up to Ye Xia.
"So, you're the one who humiliated my dog, Jin," he said, his voice a low threat. "You look… softer than I expected."
"The softest steel is often the sharpest," Ye Xia retorted, holding his gaze.
Leng Feng laughed. "Cute. I look forward to testing your sharpness." His eyes then swept over Mo and Evangeline. "Mo. De Winter. A predictable alliance. The old guard clinging to relevance."
The room was silent, all pretence of partying gone. The three major powers—Yun, Mo, and Leng—were now in a tense standoff, with Ye Xia at the center.
As the clock ticked towards midnight, the countdown began. "Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Leng Feng leaned close to Ye Xia, his breath hot on her ear. "This is going to be a very interesting year."
"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"
Fireworks exploded outside the window. As everyone cheered, Ye Xia stood her ground, surrounded by allies and enemies, the weight of the coming year heavy on her shoulders. 2012 was over. The year of reckoning had begun.