Seraphine pour herself another cup of tea, her gaze drifting toward the door with mild confusion. The manager rushed in moments later, sweat beading on her forehead as she bowed deeply.

“Palace Lord, I must apologize! With the Eastern Continent Competition approaching, guests from across the realm have flooded Luanyang City. The Weaver’s Workshop is experiencing unprecedented business—our most skilled seamstresses are working without rest, still attending to clients……”

There really aren’t enough hands to spare, so they could only ask the Palace Lord to wait a moment. Yet, asking the Palace Lord to wait……

“It’s fine.” Seraphine said. “Thriving business is good news. I should have sent word ahead before arriving. I can wait.”

The manager’s relief was palpable. She looked at Seraphine with genuine reverence before backing out to stand guard at the door.

By the time the wait was over, I had already examined the entire room. I walked to the window with my hands behind my back, my clear eyes scanning the city lights.

Luanyang City truly never slept. Colorful lanterns hung suspended above the main streets, decorating taverns and the towering levels of the Immortal Viewing Platform. Occasionally, cultivators would release spirit-powered messenger constructs—incredibly lifelike mechanical birds that carried spirit stones, their wings beating as they soared through the maze of lights.

I leaned forward, watching one silver sparrow dart past my window and dive toward the Immortal’s Rest inn below, landing gracefully beside the innkeeper’s hand.

Within minutes, a delivery boy emerged with a food container balanced on his shoulder, the same silver sparrow perched atop it as he hurried off in the direction the bird had come from.

Ah. I had an epiphany. It’s takeout!

I raised my hand, letting spiritual energy flow through my palm. The power coalesced, transforming into a phoenix roughly the size of my hand. If there was one thing a system excelled at, it was perfect replication. The spiritual phoenix I’d created was identical to the ones Seraphine summoned during her cultivation practice.

I turned around, proudly displaying my creation to Seraphine.

Seraphine glanced over with typical calm, then raised her finger and pointed it toward the air. A small flame of gold-red fire danced from her fingertip, floating in Echo’s direction.

My spiritual phoenix came alive, flapping its wings as it eagerly devoured the flame. The fire traveled down into the construct’s belly, dyeing its wings the brilliant color of living flame.

Perfect!

I bent my eyes into crescents, carefully approaching the window. Cupping the phoenix in both hands, I brought it close to my lips and whispered, “Go.”

I blew gently.

The phoenix caught the wind and soared upward, its form expanding dramatically as it left my palms. Against the backdrop of the bustling streets below, it spiraled majestically into the night sky.

Someone in the crowd below looked up first, pointing in amazement. “Look—it’s a phoenix!”

“A phoenix!”

The entire street erupted in excitement. Thousands of people turned their faces skyward, following the magnificent creature as its fiery tail painted streaks of light across the night, heading straight for the Immortal Viewing Platform.

The spectators gathered on the platform reached out desperately, trying to touch the phoenix’s trailing plumage, but their fingers passed through empty air. They could only watch as it soared beyond their reach into the heavens.

Someone in the crowd was inspired to recite poetry: “May I soar with swans of noble flight, And join the phoenix throngs in glorious light!”

Not to be outdone, I cleared my throat and proclaimed with theatrical flair: “Flutes resound through moonlit seas of lanterns bright, Where fish and dragon lights dance through the night!”

From deep within the streets came the distant sound of pipes and drums, their melody reaching my ears. I snapped my fingers, and the phoenix that had cleared the Immortal Viewing Platform burst into countless points of light—a spectacular fireworks display that scattered like stars across the sky.

I watched my impromptu light show with satisfaction, then turned to face Seraphine with my hands clasped behind my back.

Seraphine was covering her face, laughing silently. When she met Echo’s expectant gaze, her eyes crinkled with deeper amusement. She nodded with mock seriousness. “Beautiful poetry. Well done.”

I gave her a thumbs up. Look at that—I was clearly developing excellent human social skills! I was integrating perfectly into the local culture.

Seraphine stood and walked over to Echo, but her expression suddenly shifted to bewilderment as she looked past Echo’s shoulder.

“Hmm?”

I quickly turned around.

Ever since I’d sent my phoenix on its tour around the city, spiritual constructs had been appearing everywhere—tigers, cranes, dragons, horses, and even sect emblems floating in the air. Some groups had simply written their sect names in glowing letters: “Eastern Continent Competition—Celestial Martial Sect disciples will claim first place!”

“Oh?” I blinked in surprise.

The Celestial Martial Sect’s “banner” had barely been floating for a few moments when another beam of spiritual energy shot out to disperse it, replacing it with: “Azure Light Gate refuses to accept this!”

What had started as a peaceful fireworks display had devolved into a trash-talking session. Various provocative messages floated back and forth as cultivators shot down each other’s spiritual constructs, filling the sky with colorful lights and floating text.

“Whoa!” I exclaimed, eyes sparkling.

I turned to Seraphine with bright, eager eyes.

Seraphine immediately shook her head. “……No.”

Learn something constructive!

But couldn’t I please just…?

I stared longingly at the sky, really wanting to hang a “Seraphine is the best!” message up there.

Seraphine quickly redirected Echo’s attention. “How about we go exploring? You seemed interested in the Immortal Viewing Platform.”

I grinned. “Shy!”

She’d caught me red-handed! I was indeed curious about the view from up there. The perspective from this room was rather limited.

“What about the clothes?” I asked.

Seraphine waved dismissively. “We’ll be staying at the Phoenix’s Return Inn tonight. I’ll have a seamstress come to us.”

We’re actually staying in the city! That meant I wouldn’t have to sleep on that tiny couch tonight. It was rather short, and while I didn’t technically need sleep, I’d developed a preference for proper sleeping arrangements. The Main System had always emphasized the importance of maintaining proper protocols, after all.

I happily followed Seraphine out, planning to negotiate for a proper bed later!

We put on our veiled hats, and I immediately grabbed Seraphine’s hand. She glanced at me but didn’t comment. Together, we left the Weaver’s Workshop and joined the crowd heading toward the Immortal Viewing Platform.

⁂

Back at the workshop, a seamstress who had finally finished with her previous customers hurried upstairs, only to learn from the manager that the Palace Lord had already left. She stamped her foot in frustration.

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bothered with those previous clients! They were not only slow but completely arrogant. In all my years at the Weaver’s Workshop, I’ve never been treated so poorly!”

If those people had been just a little less demanding, I could have met the Palace Lord today!

The manager tried to comfort her. “At least they were paying customers.”

“Hmph! The effort it took to handle that order could have been used to make an entire outfit. You don’t know how difficult the lead customer was—apparently the son of the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s leader.” The seamstress frowned, pressing her hand to her heart. “The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect likes to claim they’re the number one sect in the Eastern Continent, but anyone with eyes can see who really holds that title. Our Luanyang Palace and the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect have been in open rivalry for years. I can’t understand why their disciples would come to the Weaver’s Workshop for clothes. It makes me uneasy.”

Every shop in Luanyang City that belonged to the Luanyang Palace had phoenix emblems on their signs. No one could mistake them.

The manager patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Luanyang City is our territory. They can’t cause any real trouble.”

The seamstress nodded, though she couldn’t shake her concern. “Still, that lead disciple’s companion who was so eager to pay—I think his surname was Xue, something like Xue Bu-something. He seemed to be from the Lianshan Sect.”

⁂

In front of the Immortal Viewing Platform, I stared at the massive queue and let out a long, impressed whistle. “The cultivation world…… never sleeps.”

Seraphine chuckled softly, crooked her finger at Echo, and said, “The Luanyang Palace Lord doesn’t need to wait in line. Follow me.”

This is what VIP treatment looks like!

I happily followed Seraphine as we moved against the crowd to the platform’s exterior. She formed hand seals, and the red wall in front of us suddenly displayed intricate formation patterns. She released a ball of spiritual energy, and the patterns instantly transformed into a doorway, revealing spiral stairs beyond.

I started clapping enthusiastically.

Always ready with the applause.

Seraphine smiled warmly. “The last time I came to the Immortal Viewing Platform was when I officially took control of Luanyang Palace. This platform was built by my grandmother’s orders. She also came here when she handed the palace over to my mother.”

We stepped through the doorway, and the formation dissolved behind us, returning to an ordinary vermillion wall. Inside the platform, we climbed the spiral staircase. The tower must have had some kind of spatial formation—as we ascended, I could hear the bustling voices of people on the other side of the walls. Whether mortal or cultivator, everyone who entered the Immortal Viewing Platform had to climb it with their own two legs.

The cheerful laughter included the delighted shouts of children, making it easy to forget the divide between the mortal and immortal worlds.

But when we reached the top of the platform and saw the spiritual constructs filling the sky, watched the floating spirit boats drifting through the air, the distance between reality and fantasy became stark once again.

The mortal world had its own fireworks, blooming brilliantly in the sky. This was a golden age, and tonight would be recorded in history books alongside all the ink and paper in the city—a celebration that transcended the boundaries between cultivators and mortals.

Seraphine’s eyes reflected the lantern light, the bursting fireworks sparkling in her pupils. Something stirred in her heart, and she couldn’t help but sigh softly.

Four years ago, when she’d first formed her Golden Core, she’d been filled with ambitious pride. Standing on this platform and looking down at the mortal world, she’d felt that heaven and earth were small things that she could conquer. Now, just four years later, she realized how vast heaven and earth truly were—and that beyond the sky lay an even greater expanse.

So when the Palace Lord came to the Immortal Viewing Platform, it wasn’t about the “ascending to immortality” part of the name. It was to remind them to look at the mortal world and never lose their human hearts.

For a moment, Seraphine felt something shift within her. Her Golden Core spun in her consciousness sea, and spiritual energy surged toward its edges.

I was holding my floating bubble companion, admiring the scenery, when I quickly looked toward Seraphine. The flowers in my bubble immediately changed to an exclamation point!

“Seraphine!” I said urgently, “you look like…… you’re about to catch fire.”

I could sense the gold-red energy threatening to overwhelm her—and she seemed to be enjoying it.

If it were just a little smaller and more round, it would look like one of my fellow systems.

Seraphine’s lips curved upward as she pressed the surging spiritual energy back into her consciousness sea. “I can sense signs of a breakthrough. I wonder if this Competition can serve as my whetstone to help me reach the next level.”

Seraphine is the blade.

I gave her a thumbs up, then pointed toward the area outside the platform.

The trash-talking session had reached its climax. What had started as scattered provocations between a few sects had evolved into a full-scale verbal war between groups with old grudges.

Eventually, nearly every major sect was participating, competing to see who could create the largest characters, the most elaborate constructs, and the most spectacular displays.

The entire city of Luanyang was blanketed in spiritual energy text and images, bright as daylight. Even the stars and candlelight paled in comparison to the riot of colors.

Down on the main street, Xue Mengtao was strolling with a friend, gazing up at the intense spectacle with wonder. In all her memories of the LianshanLianshan Sect, even during holidays and festivals, she’d never seen anything a fraction this lively and exciting.

The participation made her feel genuinely thrilled. She touched the phoenix pattern on her chest and couldn’t help asking her friend, “Little Rong, what’s the essence of being a Luanyang Palace disciple?”

Xue Mengtao’s friend was a disciple from Propriety Central Peak, about the same age as her. Her eyes were fixed on the spiritual constructs in the sky as she replied, “Ah, essence? What essence? Do you mean the character of our palace disciples?”

“You’ve only been here a year, so you might not know yet! We Luanyang Palace disciples are all about warm hospitality, righteousness, and courtesy!”

Up on the platform, I watched a beam of spiritual energy shoot out from the inn where I’d once completed a mission. I pulled up my “hearsay” information panel and asked Seraphine, “Why is it called Luanyang Palace?”

Seraphine stood with her arms crossed, coldly observing the shouting match in the sky. Without even glancing away, she replied casually, “Oh, that’s because grandmother was betrayed by someone she trusted in her younger years. Later, when she reclaimed everything, she renamed the original sect to Luanyang Palace. ‘Luan’ means greed—representing both the determination to never yield an inch and the desire to achieve the Great Dao.”

She turned to look at Echo. “After all, wanting to become an immortal sounds pretty greedy to begin with.”

Greedy.

Like how humans need to eat three meals a day to survive, but I want to eat seven?

I felt this made perfect sense and met Seraphine’s gaze directly.

Seraphine’s veiled hat was beautiful—the lifted golden gauze hung at her sides, and her exquisite features seemed even more stunning in the light of the countless spiritual displays. The golden flower ornament at her brow resembled a phoenix with spread wings, its five tail feathers creating elegant patterns.

Her eyes appeared very dark in the night, yet also very bright, making me unable to look away.

Seraphine tilted her head slightly. “What are you thinking about?”

I considered this thoughtfully. “I’m thinking about problems from a human perspective.”

Down on the street, Xue Mengtao’s friend was pulling her along, explaining how Luanyang Palace disciples were righteous, excellent, humble, and selfless. Xue Mengtao listened attentively, making mental notes and planning to read more books in addition to her sword practice.

Just then, another beam of spiritual energy shot out from the city’s largest inn. Unlike the previous displays, this one carried the oppressive aura of a Golden Core cultivator, scattering all the other constructs in the sky and arrogantly dominating the entire airspace so that everyone in and around the city could see it.

The spiritual construct read: [Crimson Thunder Sword Sect—Number One in the Eastern Continent]

At that moment, Xue Mengtao would have sworn to the Heavenly Dao that she definitely heard the direct disciple of Propriety Central Peak’s master—the one who had “Courtesy is paramount, harmony is precious” carved into the main peak—shout something extremely impolite.

Xue Mengtao stared in shock as Little Rong rolled up her sleeves and shot out her own spiritual energy.

She wasn’t the only one. Spiritual attacks flew from all directions, aimed directly at that arrogant display.

[Luanyang Palace—The Eastern Continent’s Greatest Sect. Come fight us if you disagree!]

[Crimson Thunder Sword Sect? Never heard of them.]

[Thank you, fellow daoists, for coming to Luanyang City for the Eastern Continent Competition!]

Various spiritual energies converged, trying to cover that massive, obnoxious construct. But due to the cultivation level gap, they couldn’t actually destroy it. This only encouraged the Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s arrogance. Their disciples laughed loudly and began launching their own attacks, stamping “Crimson Thunder Sword Sect—Number One in the Eastern Continent” across the sky.

The Luanyang City disciples weren’t about to back down.

[What’s the point of just talking? Purple Bamboo Forest outside Luanyang City—anyone too scared to come is worthless!]

[Tonight we settle this at Purple Bamboo Forest!]

The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect disciples, emboldened by their massive spiritual display, responded in kind.

[Unable to convince through reason, they resort to violence. Such barbaric behavior shows a complete lack of foundation.]

[Crimson Thunder Sword Sect—a thousand-year-old major sect. Number one in the Eastern Continent is our destiny!]

I looked at the sky-spanning verbal war, then at Seraphine’s increasingly frosty expression, and fell into deep thought.

I was human now. I needed to solve problems using human methods. Seraphine was the Luanyang Palace Lord, and I was Seraphine’s person, so I needed to help Luanyang Palace. I’d observed countless situations like this during my mission executions, and I knew exactly what would happen next.

A golden lightbulb appeared above my head with a cheerful “ding-dong” sound effect.

Seraphine, who couldn’t act rashly due to her position as Palace Lord, suddenly saw a beam of spiritual energy fly out from beside her. It instantly cleared all the colorful spiritual constructs from the sky above Luanyang City, leaving the world suddenly quiet with only one person’s spiritual energy drawing in the air.

[Everyone please be quiet. Let me say something fair and just.]

[In my opinion, when it comes to being first or second—apart from Luanyang Palace, all of you are trash.]

Seraphine whipped around to stare at Echo.

My silver hair fluttered in the wind, my eyes clear and bright. I held my bubble in one hand—the system inside was sprouting flowers—and stood there obediently. My eyes immediately curved into crescents as I showed Seraphine a pure, innocent smile and released one final spiritual message with my other hand.

[I’ve finished speaking. Thank you all for your attention.

[Author’s Note]:

Echo just said, “All of you are trash.” Would she get in trouble for it? Maybe. Would she care? Definitely not. Watch the chaos unfold—20 chapters ahead on Pxtreon➡️LoveisLove520.