The drumbeats grew faster and more urgent.
On the open ground in front of the Divine Lady Temple, the Nuo Dance had reached its climax.
The faces beneath the masks were already flushed red, sweat dripping down their chins, yet no one gave up their spot or allowed anyone else the chance to take over.
After all, the opportunity to perform the Nuo Dance today was something they had fought tooth and nail to secure.
Yes, indeed—they had literally fought for it.
Ever since Emperor Ling of Yong ascended the throne, the common people had struggled to survive, finding it hard enough just to fill their bellies, let alone celebrate festivals.
This year marked the first time Xindu City had celebrated a festival in years, and it was the highly significant Lantern Festival.
A while back, the people had discussed whether they could try to invite the Divine Lady to descend and enjoy the mortal world's Lantern Festival.
Once this proposal was made, the entire city responded with enthusiasm.
In teahouses, wine shops, streets, and alleys—
—everyone was talking about it.
Since they wanted to invite a deity, they had to follow the proper protocols.
The Nuo Dance had been a spiritual dance used to commune with heaven and earth since ancient times, as well as the most devout tribute offered to the gods.
Pleasing the Divine Lady with the Nuo Dance was only fitting.
During the days when they were selecting dancers, Xindu City was incredibly lively, with everyone showing off their unique talents like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.
From the entertainers of wine shops and dance halls to the officials of the Governor's estate, and from the farmers in the fields to the scholars of the academy, everyone wanted to take the stage and perform a Nuo Dance for the Divine Lady.
If Cheng Ji and the others had not been outsiders, they would have wanted to vie for a spot on stage as well.
Many people from Yecheng had also come for this Lantern Festival.
However...
...the open ground in front of the Divine Lady Temple in Creek Valley was only so large, and it simply could not accommodate too many dancers.
Consequently, the slots had become highly coveted.
Those who managed to get on stage not only possessed greater talent than others but had also put in immense effort in private.
Such talented and hardworking individuals were the most formidable.
The watching citizens clapped and cheered, some shouting, “Miss Pei dances beautifully!” and others yelling, “Another one, Young Master Shen!”
This only made everyone dance even harder.
Each of them seemed to be giving their absolute all, determined to outshine everyone around them.
The sun began to set in the west.
As this hearty Nuo Dance neared its end, countless flower petals suddenly began to drift down from the sky.
Everyone instinctively looked up.
In the next second...
...they saw a massive flower carriage slowly sailing in from the horizon, hovering three feet above the temple.
The carriage used wisteria vines for its shafts and flower petals for its wheels. Famous blossoms of all four seasons adorned its body, with a scarlet-gold phoenix leading the way.
The plain white gauze hanging from the roof was as thin as a cicada's wing, embroidered with exquisite flowers. As it fluttered in the wind, the entire carriage appeared dreamlike and ethereal, surrounded by curling celestial mist and drifting petals.
Vaguely visible...
...was the Divine Lady, sitting elegantly inside the carriage while cradling a snow-white spirit fox.
The spirit fox's nine tails were as fluffy as clouds, draping down gently. Its tail-tips were flecked with fragments of moonlight, and it curled up docilely in her arms, its amber eyes crystal clear.
She wore a soft pink gown that was elegant and sweeping, its layered skirts spread across the carriage platform.
It looked like a vast expanse of pink clouds stretching across the sky.
Her silver-threaded hair was bound high, topped with a phoenix-patterned crown adorned with translucent bead strings. As the tassels swayed gently, a soft, radiant glow enveloped her.
Her features were cold, ethereal, and carried the innate majesty of a deity. A single glance was enough to captivate all living beings, leaving an unforgettable impression.
The flower carriage slowly descended, stopping half a foot above the ground and remaining suspended in the air.
【Shen Yu Shock Value +100】
【Ye Qingqing Shock Value +100】
【Cheng Ji Shock Value +100】
【...】
【Current Shock Value: 235,000】
The entire area fell dead silent.
The dancers froze mid-step, maintaining their final poses, their mouths slightly agape beneath their masks.
The officials and commoners of Yecheng were completely frozen in place, utterly dumbfounded by such a magnificent spectacle.
The citizens of Xindu were the first to snap out of it.
“The Divine Lady! It's the Divine Lady!”
In an instant, the crowd fell to their knees, prostrating themselves.
Their foreheads pressed tightly against the ground, they only dared to use the corners of their eyes to steal a glance at the embroidered slippers stepping down from the carriage, and the golden lotuses blooming out of thin air beneath them.
The Nuo dancers finally came to their senses.
They also hurriedly knelt, their knees striking the bluestone pavement with a series of dull thuds.
Shen Jue knelt the fastest.
He didn't even care when the golden melon hammers slipped from his hands.
With his forehead pressed to the ground, his voice was raspy yet devout. “We respectfully welcome the Divine Lady's descent! Your Ladyship's merits are boundless!”
“We respectfully welcome the Divine Lady!”
Pei Wanning prostrated herself, her five-colored feather robe spreading out like a peacock folding its wings.
Shen Yu knelt as well, his colorful ribbons draping onto the ground.
His eyelashes fluttered slightly, and his lips trembled, but he didn't speak. He only instinctively slowed his breathing.
He was clearly too nervous to utter a word.
Because the Divine Lady was simply too close to him, and her unique, delicate floral fragrance washed over him, seeping into his very bones.
“Did you not invite Us to see the lantern festival?”
“Why do We see no lanterns?”
The cold, ethereal voice drifted down from above.
Suppressing the wild joy surging in his heart, Shen Yu took a deep breath, kowtowed, and spoke in a hushed voice, though a subtle tremor was still perceptible.
“To... to answer the Divine Lady, the Lantern Festival has been prepared in Xindu City. We only await Your Ladyship's presence.”
After speaking, he pressed his forehead back to the ground, his vision filled only with the hem of the Divine Lady's skirt.
The flowers embroidered on her skirt were lifelike. He couldn't recognize what kind of flowers they were, only that they were incredibly beautiful.
The others behind Shen Yu remained prostrated on the ground, waiting for that cold, ethereal voice to speak again.
The Divine Lady lowered her gaze, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. “Shen Yu, you and Pei Wanning shall accompany Us to the city. That will suffice.”
With that, she turned and stepped back onto the flower carriage.
The crowd was overwhelmed by this monumental surprise.
After their initial shock and joy, Shen Yu and Pei Wanning looked at the Divine Lady's carriage and couldn't help but feel incredibly nervous.
Just as the two were at a loss, the spirit fox's voice drifted out from the carriage. “Why aren't you coming up yet?”
Its tone held a hint of displeasure. “After viewing the lantern festival, the Divine Lady still needs to discuss the Dao with the Mystic Maiden. Do not waste her time.”
Hearing this, Shen Yu and Pei Wanning could only summon their courage and board the Divine Lady's carriage under everyone's envious gazes.
Sitting on the shafts of the carriage and inhaling the floral fragrance, the two didn't even know where to put their hands and feet for a moment.
As they watched the carriage leave Creek Valley, the crowd's racing hearts remained unable to calm down for a long time.
Shen Jue's eyes were filled with loneliness.
The Divine Lady seems to have gradually forgotten me, never casting her gaze upon me again. Is it because I haven't done well enough?
That makes sense. The Divine Lady likely favors scholars like Fuyan and Miss Pei. I am merely a martial general; naturally, I cannot compare to scholars who are silver-tongued and know how to please others.
“Brother, Wanning was chosen by the Divine Lady! This is a supreme honor for our Pei Clan!”
Pei Du looked excitedly at the middle-aged man beside him. “Among the Divine Lady's believers, other than Fuyan, our Wanning has the most support from the people. Her future is boundless! You absolutely must not do something foolish like taking her back to Heluo and ruining her prospects.”
Rate on N.U.
