As night descended, the air turned slightly crisp, and the streets of the Ming Lan Clan were illuminated by countless lanterns, their golden and crimson hues reflecting off the meticulously woven silk banners.
The scent of candles and spices mingled with the cold breeze, weaving through the alleyways filled with laughter from children darting between the decorated stalls.
Every corner, every curve of the street, spoke of a life steeped in grandeur, a life that flaunted its surface brilliance while concealing darker depths behind the radiant colors.
Mo Xuan stood at the entrance of the main hall, clad in her usual black attire.
Her short hair partially hid her face, and her cold eyes observed every movement around her.
She cared little for appearances, belonging to none of the awe-struck people around her.
She watched—silently, calculatingly, as one who sees far beyond the surface.
"A Shard display… interesting."
She muttered softly, barely moving her lips,
yet her words carried a sense of restrained curiosity, a tether connecting her to this world more than she realized.
Inside the grand hall, attendants prepared Shard displays, while visitors from the recently arrived caravan mingled amid the shadows. Dim light spilled through the room, casting an eerie glow on the cracked stone floors as silhouettes danced between the platforms.
"Step forward, little one. Don't be shy,"
a woman called, her voice warm yet carefully measured, hiding intentions beneath a practiced smile.
Excited whispers ran through the crowd
"Heh… it's the Shiao Fusion demonstration!
Blazing Ice Shiao merging with Scorching Lava Shiao to create… Burning Ice Shiao!"
Three contestants stood ready—two men and one woman.
The woman appeared ordinary, dressed plainly, not in festival attire, yet every step she took was confident, precise, calculated.
"It's Li Huo Lin! She's the Shiao Lady in the Fusion path!" someone shouted in disbelief.
"Really?
They don't stand a chance… she's Rank Five! Who would've expected this?"
Mo Xuan listened quietly, her gaze following every twitch of muscle, every flicker of tension.
"Yes… there are multiple Shiao paths… so she's using fusion techniques," she murmured.
The contest began as each participant received a sheet with instructions for producing the Burning Ice Shiao.
Li Huo Lin tossed her sheet aside and began merging the Shiao with meticulous precision.
Each motion deliberate, each spark of energy exactly where it should be.
The crowd erupted in excitement as her Shiao shimmered, dazzling their eyes and hearts alike.
Mo Xuan muttered under her breath,
"I've read about this before…
to refine Burning Ice, one must first dismantle the shards of Blazing Ice Shiao before applying advanced fusion techniques."
"Heh… she executed the double fusion technique… truly a master," someone shouted in awe.
The two other contestants were visibly tense, but Mo Xuan noticed one man's expression—sharp, calculated, merging his Shiao slowly, weighing every move with a precision that hinted at deeper experience.
Something about him felt familiar… but how could she know?
Shaking her head slightly, she exited the hall, seeking another path.
"What's over there?"
she murmured, stepping carefully into a darkened chamber where faint light glimmered across wooden shelves lined with artifacts.
"Hahaha… I've brought you some exquisite wine. Honey wine, crafted centuries ago and preserved by the Lan family."
"My lord of the clan, the festival has drawn unprecedented attention… we must expand our trade and strengthen ties with the other clans."
Within the hall were four major clans:
The Ming Lan Clan, hosts of the festival.
The Han Clan to the north, the strongest, rich in resources and home to high-ranking Shiao masters.
The Lin Clan to the east.
The Shao Clan to the south.
Ranks started at the weakest and progressed upward, with Rank Five marking the end of the regular progression. Beyond that, one could ascend to Shiao Master Dinger, and with each higher rank, their strength grew exponentially.
Those who reached Level 9 were called "Shard Planets", such as
Storm Shard Planet, from the Fire path, known for refining numerous Shiao successfully, including the Scorching Lava Shiao.
As Mo Xuan heard approaching footsteps, she moved quickly, exiting the room.
"Mo Xuan, you've arrived!"
She collided with a young girl.
"Ah… Li Bing Fang!"
"Come, I'll show you something incredible."
It wasn't a gesture of kindness—she had been trained by Su Yi and Dong Fang to win Mo Xuan's favor.
"This chamber houses the clan's most treasured Shiao pieces," Li Bing Fang added, her eyes gleaming with a hint of challenge.
"The Ming Lan Clan specializes in Water Shiao, abundant here. The most common is Gentle Flow Shiao," she continued.
"It's a first-rank Shiao, said to be easier to refine once the opening is awakened."
"Yes… good. Li Bing Fang, where is my uncle and aunt?"
"Oh… father sits with the clan elders, and mother helps the women from other clans select appropriate attire."
Suddenly, Mo Xuan sensed something familiar. She turned right and left.
"It's him…"
she whispered, her heart hammering as a ripple of energy brushed against her consciousness.
"That boy…"
He was looking directly at her, and the moment he saw her, his path changed entirely, as if something inside him recognized her presence.
"Alright, Li Bing Fang… I'm leaving now."
"But—"
"Such a presence… who is he?"
She spotted a table scattered with books and random items.
As she rifled through them, hoping to find something of value, her face froze in shock
"This… this is a book from my previous world?? Why is it here?"
At that moment, she collapsed to the floor, dizziness swirling through her mind.
"Hah… Mo Xuan… Mo Xuan…"
Voices multiplied inside her head, a cacophony that made her temples ache, threatening to shatter her mind.
Then, suddenly, a single voice pierced through
"What? Did I drop something?"