The banquet hall was alive with the murmur of chatter and the clinking of cups, a vibrant gathering of nobles and young warriors adorned in their finest attire. Lanterns of crimson and gold bathed the grand hall in a warm glow, casting long shadows that danced on the polished floors. At the head of the hall, seated upon the highest throne, was King Mei Fengyuan, exuding regal authority. Beside him stood Mei Zihan, his proud stance radiating strength and nobility.
The air was filled with hushed conversations, but one topic dominated them all. A group of nobles exchanged animated whispers.
"Did you hear about the warrior who escorted Princess Mei Xue back? They say he has no heavenly aura," one noble said, leaning closer to his companion.
"His name is Xuan Li, isn't it?" another chimed in. "There was a duel this morning between him and Young Master Mei Zihan. At first, everyone thought Xuan Li was nothing but a weakling. But when he released his aura... By the heavens, I felt like my very soul was being crushed! He's an absolute genius."
Hearing this, a third noble leaned in, his eyes wide with envy and excitement. "Oh, I wish I'd been there to witness it!"
"You really missed something extraordinary," the first noble said, shaking his head. "But don't worry. Xuan Li is attending the banquet. You'll get the chance to meet him yourself."
Across the hall, young warriors murmured among themselves about the morning's duel, their voices tinged with a mix of respect and curiosity. Meanwhile, the young noble girl whispered excitedly, their eyes glittering with anticipation.
"Did you hear? A young, talented warrior is attending this banquet," one noblewoman said, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"I hope I get the chance to introduce myself," another giggled. "If he's as strong as they say, he must be someone extraordinary!"
The light chatter was interrupted by a resonant voice that commanded the attention of everyone present. "Everyone, please focus your attention here," King Mei Fengyuan declared.
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the king. He nodded in satisfaction and continued, "I am truly grateful to have you all here tonight. This banquet is held for two important reasons. The first is to celebrate the safe return of my beloved daughter, Mei Xue."
The banquet dimmed, and a hush fell over the room. Twinkling lights descended from above, illuminating a single figure at the center of the hall. Mei Xue stepped forward, dressed in an elegant green hanfu that flowed like silk in the wind. The sparkling lights surrounded her like stars, enhancing her ethereal beauty. She looked like a goddess descended from the heavens.
The hall was stunned into silence. Young warriors stared at her, their eyes wide with admiration. Even the young noble girl, usually quick to hide their envy, could not suppress their awe at Mei Xue's breathtaking appearance.
"She's... divine," one young warrior muttered under his breath.
The king observed the reaction of the hall with a satisfied smile. "My daughter truly is the pride of our kingdom," he thought.
Mei Xue gracefully joined the banquet, immediately surrounded by nobles and young warriors eager to congratulate her. Despite the crowd, Mei Xue's gaze often wandered, searching for someone in particular.
Once again, the king's voice rang out, commanding silence. "The second reason for tonight's banquet," he announced, "is to honor the young warrior who ensured my daughter's safe return."
The room dimmed once more, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Many in the hall had already heard rumors of Xuan Li's monstrous power and were eager to lay eyes on him.
A sudden burst of fire erupted at the hall's entrance, drawing all eyes toward the source. As the flames subsided, a figure emerged, dressed in a striking outfit of black and purple. Xuan Li stood tall, his every movement exuding confidence and strength. His features, refined and handsome, seemed almost sculpted. The natural evolution of his body after his recent breakthrough had enhanced his already striking appearance, making him even more magnetic.
The young noble girl gasped collectively, their hearts pounding as they gazed at him. His presence was overwhelming, his aura commanding attention without even trying.
"He's... perfect," one whispered, clutching her chest as though her heart might burst.
Even Mei Xue, standing in the distance, felt her cheeks grow warm as she caught sight of him. A faint blush spread across her face, though she quickly turned away, hoping no one would notice.
As the hall brightened, Xuan Li was immediately swarmed by a group of noble girl, all vying for his attention. Their eager chatter and fluttering fans created a barrier that even the young warriors and nobles couldn't penetrate.
From afar, Mei Xue watched the scene with a frosty expression. Her attention was so focused on Xuan Li that she barely noticed a group of young warriors approaching her.
"Princess Mei Xue," one began, bowing politely. "It is an honor to—"
But before he could finish, a faint crackle of thunder filled the air. Red sparks flickered around Mei Xue, the thunder marks at the corners of her eyes glowing faintly. The warriors froze, their faces pale, and quickly retreated, murmuring amongst themselves about the princess's terrifying power.
Mei Xue's cold expression softened into a frown as she continued to watch Xuan Li. "Those women..." she thought, her irritation mounting. "How dare they crowd around him like that!"
Eventually, Xuan Li managed to escape the noble girl and found himself standing beside Mei Xue. He let out an exasperated sigh. "That was more exhausting than training," he muttered, shaking his head. "Thanks for saving me, Mei Xue."
Mei Xue chuckled, her earlier irritation fading. "You looked like you were about to faint back there."
Her expression turned serious as she looked at him. "Xuan Li... you're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?"
Xuan Li met her gaze, his smile gentle. "Don't worry. We'll meet again someday."
Mei Xue nodded, forcing a smile to hide the ache in her chest. "I'll hold you to that."
The banquet eventually drew to a close, the guests dispersing into the night. As Xuan Li walked toward his chambers, he glanced back at Mei Xue one last time, her figure framed by the lantern-lit hall. In his heart, he silently vowed to keep the promise he had made.
The morning sun shone brightly over the palace, but the atmosphere inside was anything but cheerful. The grand hall was filled with a heavy silence as King Mei Fengyuan sat on his throne, his expression contemplative. Mei Xue and her brother, Mei Zihan, stood before him alongside a group of guards. The tension in the room was palpable, broken only by the king's sudden exclamation.
"What? Xuan Li left without anyone noticing? That kid..." His deep voice echoed through the hall.
Mei Xue's heart clenched at her father's words, but she quickly composed herself. Her voice was calm, though her expression betrayed a deep sense of loss. "Dad... Xuan Li probably thought you'd send him off in some grand, luxurious manner. He prefers to keep a low profile. That's the only reason he would leave like this."
A sigh came from her side. It was Mei Zihan, his fiery spirit subdued for once. "What a shame. I really wanted to see him one last time, to talk with him again. Maybe even duel him properly..." He trailed off, his tone filled with respect.
The king's lips curved into a faint smile. "That boy... I saw it in his eyes. The burden he carries is clear. Usually, you see that kind of look only in people who are destined for greatness. People who aim to reach heights that leave others in awe. I saw the same fire in him."
Mei Xue nodded silently, agreeing with her father. Her mind drifted to the countless moments she had shared with Xuan Li over the past two months. Those memories, filled with camaraderie and unspoken understanding, now felt like a bittersweet dream.
As the conversation ended, Mei Xue quietly excused herself and returned to her room. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it, her shoulders heavy with the weight of unspoken words. She walked over to her bed and sat down, muttering to herself, "Xuan Li, you could have at least said goodbye..." Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.
She wiped at her face, trying to calm herself, when something caught her attention—a faint glow near her pillow. Her heart skipped a beat as she leaned closer, finding a letter. It was simple yet carried an unmistakable aura of cosmic energy. She unfolded it carefully, and as she did, the words on the letter began to glow with a bright blue, starry light.
To her amazement, the words lifted off the page, hovering around her in the air. They twinkled like constellations, forming a shimmering veil of light that surrounded her. Mei Xue stared in awe, her tears momentarily forgotten.
The words formed a beautiful, flowing script that seemed alive with cosmic energy. She read them slowly, each word resonating in her heart.
**"Mei Xue,
I'm sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. I know that if you saw me depart, you'd make a sad expression, and I don't want to see that. So, I wrote this letter instead.
We will definitely meet again in the future. And when we do, let's go on another journey together.
One more thing—don't slack off. Remember to grow stronger, so you can keep up with me."**
Mei Xue let out a soft chuckle, her tears now a mix of sorrow and joy. She wiped her face, her smile returning as the hovering words burst one by one in tiny, twinkling flashes, like miniature stars fading into the night.
"Xuan Li," she whispered, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "I won't slack off. I'll become stronger... I promise."
Far away, beneath the endless expanse of sky, Xuan Li stood atop a rocky hill, gazing back toward the distant palace. The wind tugged at his black and purple robes, carrying the faint scent of the forest behind him. His mind lingered briefly on Mei Xue and the time they had spent together.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke his reverie. It was Veldris, speaking to him from within the locket, his tone calm yet commanding. "Disciple, you've wasted enough time. Emotions are a luxury you cannot afford. The road ahead is long and filled with peril. Do not let your heart waver. Now, head toward the place I've pointed out. It's time to forge ahead."
Xuan Li clenched his fists, his cosmic energy stirring faintly as his eyes burned with renewed determination. "Yes, Master," he said, his voice resolute. He turned, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
With a burst of cosmic energy enveloping his body, he dashed forward, leaving behind a trail of blue, starry light. "Here I go!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the wind as he charged toward his destiny.