As night descended, the Lingchen Ri Festival reached its height.
Cultivators, nobles, and disciples from all corners of the realm gathered within and outside the Imperial Palace. Lanterns of jade light and spiritual energy floated through the air, illuminating the palace grounds with a warm ethereal glow. The fragrance of spirit herbs and incense wafted gently with the breeze, as floating lotus lanterns drifted on the rivers.
At the main pavilion, His Majesty, Emperor Zhao Taichen, reclined upon a grand dragon-carved throne, flanked by his mother, Empress Dowager Zhao Xiyan, whose dignified presence silenced even the chattiest ministers. Before them lay a long banquet table, filled with delicacies—spirit fruits, wine infused with moon dew, and rare leaves freshly gathered from the Spirit Realm.
The official offering ceremony began with silence. A group of cultivator priests chanted softly, opening a rift to the Spirit Realm. A gentle stream of spirit dust poured out and settled on the sacred altar.
With the rites completed, the Emperor raised his jade cup.
"Tonight, we honor the harmony between realms. May fortune favor the righteous!"
The crowd echoed his toast, and with that, the festival shifted into celebration. Music filled the air. Cultivators and nobles mingled freely, exchanging rare treasures, insights into techniques, or simply enjoying the once-a-year occasion.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuanji had excused himself quietly.
Having little interest in festivities, he returned alone to his residence. The Liu Twins had remained behind, chatting with old companions. Xuanji, unconcerned, merely waved them off.
Back in his chambers, he sighed, stretched lazily, and prepared to rest. He slipped out of his robes, settled onto his bed, and closed his eyes.
He didn't notice the faint shift in the air.
From the shadows, a man dressed entirely in black crept soundlessly into the room.
His face was veiled with a black scarf, and a worn bamboo hat obscured his features. Not a single footstep echoed as he crossed the floor. In his hand was a small jade vial—Sleeping Miasma Powder, a rare and potent anesthetic.
He uncorked it and gently sprinkled the fine dust over Xuanji's face.
Within moments, even Mo Tianzun's breath slowed, body sinking into a deeper, unnatural slumber.
The masked intruder moved swiftly. He slung the unconscious Xuanji over his shoulder and slipped toward the door—but just as he opened it—
"YOUNG MASTER!?"
A familiar voice rang out.
The Liu Twins, returning from the banquet, had spotted the figure in the shadows.
Their eyes widened in horror.
"YOUNG MASTER XUAN!"
They rushed forward—but before they could reach him, a terrible roar erupted.
From the darkness leapt a creature—its body massive and writhing with corrupted qi. The monster landed between the intruder and the twins, jaws snapping.
Steel flashed as the Liu Twins drew their swords.
"Protect Young Master Xuan!" Fenglan shouted.
They lunged, clashing with the beast. But to their dismay, the monster began to grow. Its body pulsed with dark energy, regenerating faster than they could wound it.
The masked man disappeared into the night, carrying Xuanji toward the forest.
———
A shout rang out across the palace:
"MONSTER!"
Guards scrambled. Guests paused, then gasped in horror as multiple demonic creatures appeared—some crawling from the shadows, others bursting from rifts in the sky.
Cultivators unsheathed their weapons. Chaos erupted.
Amidst the carnage, Crown Prince Zhao Longxuan stood atop a tower, watching with sharp eyes.
The Liu Twins, bloodied and breathless, forced their way through the crowd to him.
"Y-Your Highness—Young Master was kidnapped!" gasped Fenglan, pointing toward the dense forest beyond the palace wall. "A masked man took him that way!"
Longxuan's expression shifted instantly.
"Damn it!" he muttered under his breath.
With a surge of qi, his figure vanished in a streak of gold light.
Beside him, Jiang Fenglie, the Crown Prince's sworn brother, immediately followed. The Liu Twins, injured but determined, leapt after them—vanishing into the trees under moonlight, their only guide the flickering trail of dark qi left by the kidnapper.
———
Elsewhere...
High above the chaos, in a chamber untouched by battle, a noblewoman sipped wine by her window.
"Hahaha... it has begun."
Her laughter echoed against the silken drapes. In the moonlight, her beauty was both breathtaking and ominous.
"They haven't even noticed that one of the concubines is missing," she said with a sly smile.
Behind her, Lian'er, her loyal maidservant, gave a soft bow.
"Shall we visit Concubine Lin tomorrow, Your Grace?"
Concubine Mu Shuirou ran her fingers lazily along her silk sleeve, then inspected her nails.
"Oh yes... let him see who truly reigns in this palace."
Her grin widened, cold and venomous.
"Tomorrow, Lin Xuanji will learn that he was never the hunter—only the prey."
Her laughter resumed, low and dangerous, as the palace below burned with chaos.