Chapter 6: The Banquet

Su Yue was sitting on the bed in her room when the courtyard outside suddenly burst into lively chatter.

She saw Ruo Yao from the Steward’s Room, Qiu Xiang and Pan’er from the Kitchen, all crowding around Lingzhi as they walked in together.

As soon as the four entered, they spotted Su Yue sitting on the bed and immediately surrounded her, peppering her with all sorts of questions.

“Alive, I broke through, and I wasn’t demoted.” With three succinct phrases, Su Yue summarized the answers to their barrage.

The group paused, then exchanged embarrassed smiles.

“As long as you’re back safe and sound, that’s all that matters. We were so thrilled to see you we could hardly contain ourselves—it must have startled you,” Lingzhi said with a smile, drawing Su Yue down to sit beside her.

Su Yue nodded. “How have you all been? I heard there was a recent assessment.”

“It’s much the same as before, though Lingzhi was promoted to Grade B because she advanced quickly in her cultivation. As for the rest of us, Ruo Yao was demoted one grade, but nothing changed for the others,” Qiu Xiang, always quick to speak, answered first.

Su Yue was not surprised. Lingzhi was gifted with dual spiritual roots and cultivated the Pure Maiden Heart Method. Her rapid progress was to be expected.

“There’s another big piece of news—do you remember Yanran? The one who writes poetry? Because she made no progress with the Spring Renewal Technique, she was demoted,” Pan’er, recalling that Su Yue was also Grade A, quickly updated her on the changes among the elite.

Su Yue remembered the stubborn young girl and nodded. “If it’s her, I’m not surprised.”

Pan’er and Qiu Xiang exchanged glances, a hint of amazement in their eyes.

“Just now you said you’d broken through, Su Yue—does that mean you’ve reached the first level of the Cloud Sea Sword Art?” Qiu Xiang asked, her excitement barely contained.

“Yes, I broke through directly in the alchemy furnace,” Su Yue replied.

All four sighed in admiration—no wonder she hadn’t been demoted. She now had the qualifications for higher responsibilities.

“What about your cultivation level? Most of us are still at the third or fourth layer of Qi Refining. Lingzhi and Qingran are our highest, both at the seventh layer,” Qiu Xiang pressed on, intent on knowing the details.

Hearing that their highest was only the seventh layer, Su Yue wondered if she was drawing too much attention. But since the question was out, she decided not to hide it. If she lied and was exposed later, it would only cause resentment.

“After breaking through the first level of the Cloud Sea Sword Art, I’ve reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage,” Su Yue said slowly, watching their reactions.

In this world, the hierarchy of cultivation was the same as in her previous life: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Luminescence, Fusion, Heart Movement, Spirit Silence, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body, Soul Division, Unity, Tribulation Crossing, and Great Ascension—thirteen realms in all. Each was divided into early, middle, and late stages, except for Qi Refining, which had ten layers.

“So you’re about to establish your foundation?” Lingzhi, who had stayed silent until now, looked at her in shock.

“Yes, but I plan to stabilize my cultivation before attempting it. There’s no rush,” Su Yue replied, observing the shifting expressions around her and sighing inwardly.

After that, the conversation drifted away from cultivation, as if by unspoken agreement, leaving Su Yue out of the discussion.

They talked about their daily lessons, then mentioned the banquet scheduled three months hence.

“A few days ago, the managers and teachers assigned us different tasks. Since you weren’t here, Su Yue, none were given to you. But I heard only the Music Department still needs help,” Lingzhi said, subtly letting Su Yue know she had no other choice but to help there.

Su Yue now sensed just how formidable the system’s arrangement was—her tasks were set for her, and there was no room to refuse.

“Aren’t the twins from the Music Department enough?” Su Yue asked, puzzled.

“They’re clinging to their mentor at the moment, and for this banquet, both were assigned to the Ritual Department,” Qiu Xiang replied.

Su Yue had thought the twins, trained in dance and music from childhood, would stick to their strengths, but it seemed they’d found an influential patron.

“Don’t worry, Ayue, I’ll be helping in the Music Department too,” Lingzhi reassured her.

Since practicing the Pure Maiden Heart Method, Lingzhi had focused on dance, and for this banquet, she had specifically requested a role in the Music Department, intending to make a name for herself.

Su Yue felt it was a blessing to have a familiar face by her side.

That afternoon, Su Yue accompanied Lingzhi to the Music Department, where a group dance was being rehearsed.

Lingzhi paused outside the door, transfixed as over a dozen dancers moved gracefully to a special rhythm.

The instructor inside noticed Su Yue and Lingzhi lingering at the entrance and gave them a curious look. Seeing Lingzhi’s envious gaze, the instructor couldn’t help but smile.

“You two, come in. The supervisor asked us to prepare a program for you. The choreographers and musicians are all waiting inside,” the instructor said gently.

Lingzhi and Su Yue dared not delay further and quickly entered.

The room’s decor was unique—a narrow corridor down the center, flanked by sliding paper doors. Dim sunlight filtered through the paper windows, casting a dreamy haze over the passage.

They entered a large practice room where sunlight flooded in, causing brief discomfort to their eyes.

“You’re here.”

The speaker sat upright at the center of the room, with others kneeling beside her holding lutes, flutes, and drums.

Su Yue didn’t recognize her, but Lingzhi became visibly excited.

“Supervisor,” Lingzhi greeted, bowing, and Su Yue followed suit.

So, this was Xiao Baisu, the head of the Music Department. It was said that years ago, she had performed a dance to the tune “Farewell on the River,” and even the egrets paused to watch. Since then, the Yan family’s renowned dancer had become legendary.

“The House will soon host the Hundred Flowers Banquet. You will perform on stage, competing with dancers and musicians from other noble families. The one who receives the most flowers will be the winner. In past years, the Jiang family has monopolized the prize. I don’t expect you two to win—just don’t embarrass us. The Music Department isn’t counting on you for victory; this is merely for your training,” Xiao Baisu said bluntly, laying out their purpose for participating. Lingzhi couldn’t hide her disappointment; it was clear they were not taken seriously.

Su Yue, recalling the system’s assignment, felt a sense of dread. Their uneasy expressions didn’t escape Xiao Baisu’s notice.

“I will personally guide the choreography. As for the music, our family drew the guqin this year, so we’ll invite the best teacher in Yunzhou for your lessons. From now on, report here every afternoon,” she instructed.

“Yes,” Su Yue and Lingzhi replied in unison.