The feast hall buzzed with anticipation as I stepped into the grandly adorned space, wearing a new, festive robe. The silken fabric flowed like water, shimmering in the light of the countless lanterns overhead. Every detail of my attire had been chosen to evoke majesty and command respect—a far cry from the simplicity I was used to. It seemed everyone had gone to great lengths tonight. The guests, dressed in their sects' finest, radiated an aura of power and prestige.
Shun Yi had informed me earlier that leaders of all major martial sects would be in attendance. The weight of that knowledge pressed on my shoulders, reminding me to keep my demeanor composed and flawless.
As I entered the feast area, my eyes scanned the crowd, searching instinctively for Wei Xiaotian. But he was nowhere to be found.
Instead, my gaze landed on familiar faces. Xianlian and Lin Yuhai stood near the center of the hall, their outfits as exquisite as their expressions were warm. Xianlian's rich blue robes shimmered with silver embroidery, his signature fan tucked neatly at his side. Lin Yuhai's attire was more subdued, yet no less elegant—a deep jade-red robe adorned with delicate copper patterns that reflected his serene personality.
Both of them smiled at me as I approached, their presence grounding me amidst the grandeur of the occasion.
"I see you've embraced the role of host," Xianlian teased, his fan flicking open dramatically as he eyed my attire. "Majestic enough to rival even the Immortal Sovereigns."
I smiled faintly, shaking my head. "It's only a robe. Besides, you two look equally splendid tonight. I was beginning to think this feast was a competition of who could outshine the moon."
Lin Yuhai chuckled softly. "A feast like this demands such effort. After all, it's not every day that all sect leaders gather under one roof. You're representing not just yourself, but the Tianquan Sect."
"I see you've mastered the art of pressure, Lin Yuhai," I said with a wry smile. "But where is Wei Xiaotian? Surely he would want to be here."
At that, Xianlian exchanged a brief glance with Lin Yuhai, but neither of them spoke.
Xianlian smirked as he flicked his fan shut with a crisp snap, turning to me with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Wei Gege must be with the Grand Sect Leader, Ro Yuan," he said casually, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. "He came especially after hearing you'd woken up. Indeed, my dear Yu Hengtian, it seems you still hold a grand place in this martial world."
I chuckled lightly at his words, though I couldn't help but wonder if his teasing had an edge of truth.
Lin Yuhai, ever the composed one, stepped closer to Xianlian, his gaze sharp as it fell on his friend. "Xianlian," he said with a faint smile, "your hairpiece is crooked. Fix it before you embarrass yourself further."
Xianlian raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, clearly not taking the comment seriously. "How, Lin? How do you keep track of every little thing? You've been working nonstop all day, and yet here you are, still flawless. If I had to do half your work in a day, I'd probably die from exhaustion."
Lin Yuhai's smile deepened, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "People don't love work," he replied, adjusting his sleeves. "Work shapes them into who they need to be. Perhaps I just have a good eye for mistakes."
Before Xianlian could retort, a low, steady voice interrupted.
"Lian, can you come here for a moment?"
We turned to see Yan Yue, standing a few steps away. His stoic expression gave nothing away as he gestured to his waist. "My belt is stuck, and I can't fix it. Please help me."
For a moment, the three of us exchanged glances. Yan Yue's unshakable calm was a stark contrast to Xianlian's dramatic flair, and I couldn't help but think how mismatched yet oddly fitting they were.
Xianlian rolled his eyes but stood gracefully, brushing off imaginary dust from his robes. "Alright, alright, I'm coming," he said, waving his fan lazily. Then, turning to me with a cheeky grin, he added, "Yu, keep up the good work holding down the fort. I must attend to my stoic husband."
As he walked away, I watched them, a faint smile tugging at my lips. Despite Yan Yue's reserved nature, there was a softness in his eyes as Xianlian approached.
As the Grand Sect Leader entered the grand hall, a hush fell over the crowd. My brother, Yu Zhenfeng, stood on his right, and Wei Xiaotian on his left, their regal presence framing him as he moved with an air of absolute authority. At first, I didn't pay him much attention, my eyes preoccupied with scanning the hall, but when my gaze finally settled on him, a chill coursed through me.
There was something unsettling about him—a presence that gnawed at my mind, unearthing a sense of deep, unexplainable hatred. The feeling was visceral, like a shadow lurking in the corners of my fragmented memory.
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought. Surely, it was just my imagination. After all, this was the Grand Sect Leader, a figure revered across the martial world. Protocol demanded respect.
"Yu Hengtian," Wei Xiaotian's voice broke through my haze, calm yet commanding. He gestured for me to join him, his expression unreadable but somehow reassuring. I moved toward him, doing my best to maintain composure as Lin Yuhai silently walked toward my brother's side.
The Grand Sect Leader's gaze fell on me as I approached, his sharp, unrelenting eyes boring into mine. It was a gaze that felt almost predatory—piercing and uncomfortable, as though he could see into the depths of my soul. I resisted the urge to step back, steeling myself against the rising unease.
As he ascended the steps to the throne prepared specifically for him, he paused momentarily, his expression softening into a knowing smile—a smile that sent another jolt of unease through me.
Why did it feel like this man knew me in a way he shouldn't? Why did his presence stir an instinctive sense of danger within me?
Suppressing the storm of questions in my heart, I lowered my gaze respectfully.
As we settled into our seats, the grand hall quieted with reverence, each Sect Leader and their heirs sitting in perfect alignment. The atmosphere was heavy with decorum, yet it buzzed with a sense of underlying tension. The Grand Sect Leader rose from his throne, commanding the attention of all present with an imposing air.
His gaze fell on me as he began his speech, his voice resonant and authoritative.
"Brothers and sisters of the martial world, today we gather not only to celebrate our unity but also to mark the return of one who has faced great trials. The one who now sits before us, Lord Yu Hengtian, has endured a fate that none could have predicted. For a time, we feared we would lose him, but fate has a way of rewriting its own story."
He turned slightly to look at you, his gaze heavy with an unspoken weight. The murmur of the crowd died down as they awaited his words.
Lord Yu Hengtian, we are honored to have you back among us. Your recovery is nothing short of miraculous, and it proves once again the strength of your will and the power of our martial realms. I stand here not only as your Sect Leader but as someone who believes in the resilience of our people, of which you are a shining example.The damage done, the turmoil we have faced, must never happen again. We will rebuild, we will restore, and we will rise stronger than before. But let this be a lesson to all—there is no place for weakness in our world. We fight, we endure, and we stand together."
"As we welcome Lord Yu Hengtian back, we must also look forward. There are battles ahead, and as always, we rely on the strength of those who lead us. Wei Xiaotian, Yanyue, and others will take charge. We will march forward with their leadership. Our cause is just, and victory will be ours."
He gestured toward Wei Xiaotian, who stood to his left, his figure unwavering. The Grand Sect Leader placed a hand on Wei's shoulder, a gesture meant to signify both respect and trust.
May this gathering be a reminder of our duty. We fight not only for ourselves but for the future of our people. And together, we will make sure that such tragedies as we have witnessed will never occur again."
The Grand Sect Leader's speech ended, and the hall broke into applause once more, but the weight of his words hung heavy in the air.
As the Grand Sect Leader placed a hand on Wei Xiaotian's shoulder, a ripple of discomfort coursed through me. My heart clenched inexplicably, a pang of nervousness tightening my chest. Why was I reacting like this? It had only been a day since I regained consciousness and met Wei Xiaotian. There was no reason for such an intense reaction, and yet the sight of his hand resting on Wei's shoulder felt wrong—terribly wrong.
Wei Xiaotian's eyes met mine across the hall, steady and unreadable, but something flickered there, something unspoken. His gaze was locked onto me even as the Grand Sect Leader tapped his back in a gesture meant to convey confidence and respect.
To everyone else, it seemed a moment of pride and encouragement, but to me, it felt... ominous. An unspoken warning.
Why did it hurt so much to see Wei Xiaotian under his hand? Why did this moment feel like a harbinger of something darker, something lurking just beyond the surface of this grand feast? I struggled to breathe,
The atmosphere in the grand hall shifted instantly. The cheers and applause died in an instant, replaced by the sound of distant clashing swords. The air seemed to thicken with tension as a voice cried out from outside.
Voice from the Gate:
"Grand Sect Leader! The Black Bandits of the East have attacked! They are at our gates!"
A ripple of unease spread through the gathered leaders, but the Grand Sect Leader remained composed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he surveyed the room. There was no fear in his posture, only the quiet readiness of a man used to battle.
Without a word, he raised his hand, and the noise in the hall fell silent.
Grand Sect Leader (calmly):"Everyone, stay at your posts. This attack will be repelled. Gather your forces and move out. We will not let these bandits tarnish the peace we have worked so hard to restore."