The long-anticipated day had finally arrived, the day of Yu Lingluo's Awakening.
Also known as… her tenth birthday.
A moment of celebration.
A joyous celebration.
A highly dramatic coming-of-age event.
From the break of dawn, the entire Yu Clan grounds buzzed with excitement.
Spiritual lanterns drifted through the air like lazy fireflies, glowing in jade, gold, and violet enchanted to pulse with gentle heartbeat rhythms.
Banners bearing the clan sigil fluttered atop rooftops, flashing subtle spirit lights every time someone looked at them for more than three seconds.
Because attention deserves reward.
[A/N:Thank you for Reading... (◉‿◉)ᕗ ]
A grand feast had been prepared in the Outer and Inner Garden — long tables stretched across the stone courtyard.
There was roasted flamebird, five-spice egg stew, moon-lotus dumplings, honey-grilled cloudfish, and mysterious things labeled "chef's surprise".
Elders lounged beneath spirit trees, sipping glowing vine brews and pretending not to eavesdrop on gossip.
Disciples gossiped about their robes — some nervously adjusting collars, others quietly talking about placing bets on who would win the upcoming junior duels.
There was laughter, celebration, and the occasional flash of light when someone tried to show off a new technique and accidentally messed up.
Today wasn't just a birthday.
It was a spectacle.
It was the Awakening of the Patriarch's daughter.
And with that the opening of a new chapter in the Yu Clan's legacy.
***
In the Core Pavilion of the Yu Clan, the atmosphere mirrored the festive energy outside — but here, it carried weight.
Heavy, reverent weight.
Everyone present in the Awakening Hall bore an oppressive aura.
Just standing there made the air feel denser, tighter — as though even the spiritual energy in the room was too polite to stir without permission.
As the twin moons began their celestial climb — one golden, one platinum-silver — their light filtered through the enchanted dome above, casting a gentle, sacred glow across the hall.
At the center of it all stood a towering, transparent crystal pillar: the Awakening Crystal.
In ancient times, awakening a child's latent potential required rare treasures, spirit beasts, or even reckless injections of a cultivator's own energy — a process often ending in drama, explosions, or permanent hair loss.
But those days were long past.
These days, every major clan and sect owned one Awakening Crystal.
Small sects and Clans when registering with HER would get one with discount.
Truly. What an unfair World...
The Awakening Crystal, first recovered from ancient ruins, had since been stabilized and mass-produced.
Safe. Efficient. And still mysterious enough to maintain the ceremony's prestige.
Over the centuries, this crystal had transformed from a rare artifact into a rite of passage.
A glowing badge of growing up.
Soon, the Awakening Hall began to fill.
Outer Hall Elders. Inner Pavilion instructors.
Even a few Grand Elders — long-secluded beings who only left meditation when someone either died or did something interesting.
Each time one entered, respectful bows followed.
Because yes — in the cultivation world, seniority mattered.
Several dignitaries from the Huan Clan also arrived, dignified and reserved. After all, Yu Lingluo was the beloved daughter of their Matriarch.
Then it happened — that hush, that instinctive pull of the room's attention.
The main entrance opened.
Yu Changming, Patriarch of the Yu Clan, walked in with the presence of someone who could silence a battlefield with a glance.
His robes fluttered even when there was no wind, his every step measured and precise.
At his side was Huan Lianhua, luminous and graceful, her expression serene.
Together, they looked like they'd stepped out of a painting hanging in a palace somewhere — the kind that made scholars cry and painters give up.
And following them were two small figures.
Yu Xuan and Yu Lingluo, dressed in ceremonial black-and-white robes stitched with subtle silver and gold threads, walked in with quiet composure.
Despite their youth, both radiated poise.
Yu Lingluo carried herself with a natural, effortless dignity, eyes bright but unreadable.
Yu Xuan, on the other hand, walked as if pretending not to enjoy all the attention — but very much enjoying all the attention.
More than a few elders found themselves smiling involuntarily.
Many secretly thought 'In a few years, these two are going to break more hearts than swords.'
As the family reached the central platform, the room bowed deeply and respectfully.
"We greet the Patriarch and Mistress!"
Yu Changming raised his hand in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping across the gathered crowd.
He paused briefly upon the Grand Elders and offered a respectful nod.
"Looks like everyone is present," he said calmly.
His voice, though not loud, cut cleanly through the hall.
"Now then," he continued, "since we are gathered here on this joyous occasion The Awakening Day of my daughter, Yu Lingluo, let us proceed without further ado."
And with that, the ceremony truly began.