By the Lotus Pond, a gentle breeze rustled, sending ripples across the turquoise water as a few pink and white petals twirled down onto its surface.
Lin Qianyan, dressed in a robe whiter than snow, sat silently upon a verdant stone in the center of the pond. Her eyes were gently closed, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows in the sunlight. She looked like a Fairy from a classic ink wash painting—cool, aloof, and utterly transcendent.
Pei Xiaohan approached along the mossy path by the pond, a gilt-edged invitation in hand. Seeing that her master was still in meditation, she lightened her steps.
Lin Qianyan did not open her eyes. Her rosy lips parted slightly. "Xiaopei, what is it?"
"Master, it's an invitation from Fairy Ye of the Cold Palace Sword Mansion. She's hosting a banquet to celebrate successfully overcoming her Thunder Tribulation and has invited us to attend."
