The dining hall of the inn was bustling as our group gathered at a long, shared table.
The presence of so many powerful cultivators had not gone unnoticed, even though we had toned down our auras. The less powerful cultivators surrounding us couldn't help but glance in our direction, drawn like moths to a flame.
Our sheer presence seemed to ignite a quiet curiosity, though none were brave enough to approach us outright.
Despite my silence, I could see the reactions on the faces of those around us—eyes wandering over Ling Xueying's delicate features, Mei Lian's calm but beautiful expression, or Jiayi's quiet but intense beauty. It wasn't just their looks; the air of power each woman carried was unmistakable.
Even if we had hidden our cultivation, their grace and strength were apparent.
Not that the men didn't get their fair share of attention either.
Long Zhen, with his charming smile and carefree nature, drew curious glances from several women, while Bai Lifen, with his mischievous eyes, seemed to be constantly suppressing a joke.
Shi Wenyan, serious as always, remained collected but no less impressive.
Our table stretched out across the center of the dining hall, and as we dug into our food, the occasional curious cultivator tried to make an approach—specifically toward the women. I watched one such man, a rather bold one, inch closer to Ling Xueying, his confidence apparent in every swaggering step.
Before he could get within arm's reach, I caught his gaze and let my expression harden, just enough to send a warning. His steps faltered, and with a sheepish look, he retreated back to his own table.
Shi Wenyan wasn't any kinder. She shot another wandering cultivator a sharp glance that could have sent shivers down a mortal's spine.
The would-be suitor hesitated before deciding that his life was worth more than pursuing his curiosity. It was a small reminder to the lesser cultivators around us: we weren't to be trifled with.
Though I stayed mostly silent, the others were more than happy to engage in lighthearted conversation.
Long Zhen, of course, was the first to break the silence, taking a hearty bite of his food and launching into one of his many ridiculous stories.
"So, there I was," he began with a grin, his voice carrying across the table, "standing at the edge of the chasm, thinking I could just hop over. It looked like nothing! Just a little jump, right? Turns out, it wasn't just a chasm—it was an illusion, and I nearly plunged headfirst into a dragon's nest. Can you imagine? Me, a snack for a dragon!"
This nest was famous in the Sky Above Realm and only few dared to go there, and as well, few knew first-hand what resides there.
Bai Lifen snorted, shaking his head. "Only you, Long Zhen, would mistake that dragon's lair for a shortcut. How do you even manage to survive all these near-death experiences?"
Long Zhen shrugged, grinning wider. "It's a gift, my friend. You see, it's all about instinct. The moment I realized I was about to drop into its mouth, I pulled out my sword and swung it in the air like this—" he mimicked a wild, exaggerated sword strike, nearly knocking over a cup of tea in the process, "—and it worked! Scared the beast off."
"That," Bai Lifen said, leaning forward, "sounds like complete nonsense. There's no way you swung at thin air and scared a dragon."
"You're right," Long Zhen admitted with a wink. "I screamed like a little girl and ran for my life. But the first version makes for a better story."
The entire table burst into laughter, even Shi Wenyan couldn't help but crack a smile at the ridiculousness of it all.
Long Zhen was always one for tall tales, but somehow, the embellishments made the reality even funnier.
"Speaking of dragons," Bai Lifen said, not wanting to be outdone, "remember the time I tried to tame one? You all laughed at me back then, but who ended up with a dragon egg in their lap, huh?"
Mei Lian raised a brow. "Yes, and it hatched into the tiniest, most harmless lizard I've ever seen. You were heartbroken, thinking you'd have a mighty beast at your command."
Bai Lifen waved her off, unbothered by the teasing. "It's not about the size. It's about the connection. One day that lizard will grow into a fearsome creature."
"Maybe," Jiayi added softly, "but you've been saying that for the last ten years."
More laughter followed, and Bai Lifen could only laugh along with them.
It was easy to see why these moments were cherished by those who participated.
Even with all the power and status that weighed on their shoulders, they could still sit around a table, share food, and laugh like carefree children. For a moment, they weren't warriors, cultivators, or nobility—they were just people, enjoying a meal together.
Though Ling Xueying and Mei Lian kept closer to me, their hands occasionally brushing against mine, they seemed content to be part of the conversation as well.
Ling, despite her usual obsession with me, didn't push too hard tonight, laughing along with the others and making her own quips here and there. Mei Lian, quieter but no less charming, observed the conversation, occasionally leaning in to murmur something to me, though nothing of great importance.
More laughter followed, and I sat back, simply observing. Even though they were all laughing and sharing stories, my mind was elsewhere, quietly analyzing the dynamics between us. We were powerful cultivators, each one of us capable of changing the course of battle with a single gesture, but here we were, laughing like old friends. It was almost... human.
ChiChu, my tiny companion, was curled up near my feet, gnawing on her meat.
Her small form drew the occasional coo from the women, who couldn't resist petting her between bites. She looked every bit the innocent pet, but I knew the true power lurking beneath that adorable exterior.
It was amusing, watching them fuss over her as if she were just a cute little beast, completely unaware of her hidden strength.
As the meal went on, Long Zhen and Bai Lifen took turns entertaining the group with their ridiculous stories. One of them involved Long Zhen's infamous attempt to tame a spirit beast that ended with him getting drenched in mud, much to everyone's amusement.
These were his young childish adventures.
The prince, who had mostly remained quiet up until now, seemed more at ease, smiling as the conversations flowed around him.
I could tell that he was familiar with Long Zhen and Bai Lifen, likely from gatherings within the upper echelon of the Sky Above Realm. Despite the formality of his title, he wasn't above enjoying a good joke, and the atmosphere at the table was welcoming enough to let his guard down.
Even Ling Xueying and Mei Lian seemed to loosen up, their constant need to hover over me fading slightly as they joined in the conversation. Every so often, though, their hands would brush against mine, a subtle reminder of their presence.
I didn't mind; it was amusing to watch them balance their obsession with propriety in front of the others.
ChiChu, having finished her meal, climbed up onto my lap and curled up, her tiny body radiating warmth.
The women, of course, couldn't resist cooing over her again, their hands stroking her soft fur. I allowed them their fun, though my thoughts drifted elsewhere.
'Miari...' I thought to myself, remembering the small fairy I had left back at the sect. She, like ChiChu, was both cute and dangerous. It's not like hadn't seen her in a while, but the thought of her mischievous personality brought a small smile to my face.
As the night deepened and the other patrons of the inn began to settle into their rooms, the noise in the hall quieted down. I could sense the shift in energy as people drifted off to sleep, their auras dimming slightly with the weight of rest.
Even my companions began to retire one by one, though I remained seated, watching as they disappeared into their rooms.
For a cultivator, sleep and eating were merely formalities—rituals to keep us from drifting too far from the mundane world. But we indulged them all the same. It kept us grounded, I supposed.
A reminder of what it meant to live as humans, despite our growing strength and power.
As the last of my companions disappeared from sight, my demeanor shifted. My expression hardened, and I could feel the weight of the Forbidden Dao stir within me. The easygoing mask I had worn throughout the meal faded, replaced by the true nature that lay beneath.
I stood, my black robes flowing around me like shadows. With a simple gesture, my clothes transformed—deep, dark robes that blended seamlessly with the night.
A mask covered my face, leaving only my eyes visible, and my hair darkened to match the rest of my appearance.
Dark qi coiled around me, its energy dense and suffocating. I no longer resembled the righteous cultivators of my sect. In this form, I was something else entirely—something more.
This was one of the true essences of the Forbidden Dao, a power that I had long since embraced.