"Ling Xi, Ling Xi! Do you know what's happening in the Godly Garden today? All the lords of the Heavenly Realm are gathering for the annual Power Challenge! There'll be feasts with the finest delicacies, endless wine, beautiful dancers, and, of course, the grand displays of power!"
A small fairy flitted about, their voice brimming with excitement, trying to rouse Ling Xi from her slumber.
Ling Xi groaned, her delicate figure sprawled across a bed of ethereal blossoms. Her silky hair cascaded like moonlight over the petals, glowing faintly in the morning light. With a pout, she cracked open one shimmering eye and huffed, "Little Flower, how many times have I told you? Don't wake me up from my nap. It's my sacred nap time. Disturb me again, and I'll leave the Fairy Garden for good!"
"But Ling Xi," the tiny fairy whined, hovering closer, "Lord Xin will be there too!"
Ling Xi froze mid-roll, her body tensing as her thoughts shifted. "...Lord Xin?" she echoed, her tone suddenly far more alert.
"Yes!" Little Flower chirped, encouraged. "The son of the late God of War himself. You know, the one with the golden spear, the piercing gaze, and that aura of untouchable majesty…"
Ling Xi bolted upright, her hair cascading like a silver waterfall around her. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" she demanded, her voice brimming with newfound energy. "How could I, Ling Xi, miss an event where he will be present?"
The smaller fairy giggled. "I thought you were too busy napping to care."
"Hmph." Ling Xi ran a hand through her sleek hair, glancing at her reflection in a nearby pool of enchanted water. "If Lord Xin is going to be there, then I must look my absolute best. Imagine the son of the great God of War seeing me unprepared! Unthinkable!"
"Don't you mean your dream man seeing you?" Little Flower teased, fluttering closer but staying just out of swatting range.
Ling Xi sniffed dramatically. "Dream man or not, appearances matter. And besides," she added with a sly grin, "who says I'm not his dream too?"
"Indeed, you can be," Little Flower chirped playfully, his tiny hands gently combing through Ling Xi's shimmering hair. "You're so pretty, Ling Xi."
Ling Xi smiled lazily, closing her eyes as Little Flower worked. For a moment, it seemed like the world was at peace.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out through the garden, startling both of them. "Ling Xi! Ling Xi! Where is that girl?"
Both Ling Xi and Little Flower jumped, their hearts racing at the unexpected intrusion.
An old man, his face framed by a thick white beard, stormed into view, his eyes scanning the surroundings with intensity. "Ling Xi! Little Flower! Where is Ling Xi?"
Ling Xi groaned. "Not again…" she muttered under her breath, slouching deeper into her bed of petals.
Little Flower flitted nervously, "She's here, Old Master!"
Ling Xi, still pretending to be lost in her nap, smirked. "Spell Exam? Oh, that's today, isn't it?" she teased, fully aware of the old man's frustration.
The old man sighed deeply, his beard twitching with annoyance. "Ling Xi, this is serious! You were supposed to attend. Why are you always causing trouble?!"
Ling Xi couldn't resist the playful gleam in her eyes. "Trouble? Me? I was just resting up, preparing for my next great adventure. You can't rush genius, Old Master. Besides," she added with a mischievous wink, "who needs a boring exam when the real fun is happening in the Godly Garden today?"
The old man's frown deepened, but there was a hint of exasperated affection in his gaze. "You're a handful, Ling Xi. Just wait until I tell your father about this…"
Ling Xi groaned, rolling her eyes. "You wouldn't dare. You know how he dotes on me."
The old man raised an eyebrow, as if daring her to test him.
Ling Xi was just about to sneak off when the old man's voice rang out again. "And you won't go to the Godly Celebration either!"
Ling Xi groaned in frustration, sinking further into the petals. "Shifu!" she gasped, realizing the old man's seriousness. "But the celebration—Lord Xin will be there!"
Shifu's voice remained firm. "No. Not until you crack the Spell Exam. Give me that paper, and then we'll talk. Until then, Little Flower is in charge. If you've taken the exam or not, it's not my concern. He'll be waiting for you."
Little Flower, who had been hovering anxiously nearby, perked up. "Me? In charge? What if she doesn't even go to the exam?!"
Ling Xi grinned mischievously, glancing at Little Flower. "If I must do it, then I'll do it on my own terms, won't I? You don't think Shifu would really keep me away from all the fun, do you?"
Little Flower sighed but couldn't help but chuckle. "You always find a way, Ling Xi. But Shifu said it, and if you don't give him that paper, he'll make you pay. Even I can't protect you from his temper."
Ling Xi's eyes widened in realization as she leaned back. "You're right! Shifu… He's the one who guides me to the Heavenly Realm and teaches me. How could I forget? And now he's sent me off to crack this cursed exam."
"Yeah, and you haven't even done it yet!" Little Flower added.
Ling Xi let out an exaggerated sigh, realizing it was too late to back out. "Fine, fine! I'll go. But only because Shifu insists. I have to make sure I do it right to get to the real fun."