Chapter 6: A Slightly Unusual Banquet

Night fell, and the Luo residence blazed with light.

Guests streamed in and out, conversation humming constantly, while the servants at the gate were run ragged with greetings.

The banquet hall had long been prepared—jade platters laden with delicacies, wine fragrance thick in the air—and the many guests were already taking their seats.

Some of the older cultivators chatted idly of past events, while the younger disciples whispered among themselves.

Some were excited, some astonished, but most brimmed with curiosity toward the one who was about to make his appearance—the so-called “main character” of the evening.

“I heard this newly recognized young master of the Luo clan has extraordinary talent. Even the clan head personally robed him in ceremony.”

“The Star-Plucking Divine Body—now that’s a legendary physique! If it’s true, the Luo clan will soar to the heavens.”

“Exactly. But isn’t it a pity about the former young master… what was his name again? Luo Jiutian?”

“Him? Mediocre aptitude, no Luo bloodline… by now he’s probably already been cast aside.”

The chatter rose and fell, even when hushed voices tried to hide it.

Amid all the noise, in the corner of the hall, a lone figure sat quietly, expressionless, completely out of place.

Luo Jiutian’s fingertip traced the rim of his teacup.

He made no sound, revealed no emotion.

No one approached him, no one toasted him.

He might as well have been a stranger to this banquet.

Though the occasional glance brushed over him, it always passed swiftly by.

At this moment, no one wished to be associated with a fallen young master.

All the excitement burned on the opposite side of the hall.

The farther from him, the louder the laughter.

Luo Jiutian paid it no mind.

This outcome was already within his expectations.

He lifted his cup and took a light sip.

Outside, lanterns flickered.
Inside, voices clashed and swelled.

Then, footsteps sounded from beyond the hall.
Unhurried, steady—yet instantly the noise faltered.

The Luo servants hastily stepped aside, clearing a path.

At the great doors, a graceful figure entered at a measured pace.

She wore a pale yellow gown, its hem swaying lightly with each step.
Cloud-pattern embroidery traced her sleeves, a simple jade ornament rested at her waist, and only a touch of powder brightened her face.
A single warm-jade hairpin held her dark hair in place, her beauty serene and luminous—yet still unable to hide her striking bearing.

“It’s the Eldest Miss Luo!” someone whispered.

“Luo Yunlan? Outstanding, as expected,” another murmured.
“Just her poise alone—others could study for ten years and never compare.”

“They say she’s already reached Foundation Establishment perfection at such a young age. Truly awe-inspiring.”

“Unmatched beauty, courteous and gentle… such a daughter is the Luo clan’s greatest blessing.”

Whispers and admiring glances followed her every step.

Luo Yunlan walked into the hall, and wherever she passed, guests rose to their feet in greeting.

She returned their courtesy with the faintest nod, no more.

From the front rows, one of the four great clan heads—Li Yunzhen of the Li clan—stood smiling broadly.
“Niece Yunlan, how have you been of late? Your presence tonight truly graces this banquet.”

Nearby, the Xiao clan head, Xiao Qiankun, also rose.
“Niece Yunlan, I heard you were in seclusion for some time. Seeing you now, your elegance surpasses before. Truly, a fortune for the Luo clan.”

Their tones were intimate, and everyone could see their intent clearly—courting favor, angling for future ties through their sons.

Luo Yunlan’s expression never shifted.
She smiled politely and said, “Patriarch Li, Patriarch Xiao, you flatter me. Today is an important day for the clan. Should there be any shortcomings in hospitality, I beg your pardon first.”

Measured, perfect.
She gave them face, yet drew no closer.

The two patriarchs understood.
They forced chuckles and returned to their seats.

Her steps never faltered.
Outwardly she fulfilled every courtesy, but her gaze quietly swept across the hall.

Until, in the corner, her eyes landed on a certain figure.
For an instant, her gaze brightened.

She did not hesitate.
She walked straight toward that corner.

Every head turned.

That neglected spot in the hall suddenly became the focus of all eyes.

“Wait—that’s… Luo Jiutian’s seat, isn’t it?”

“Looks that way. Is she really going to sit there?”

“They’ve always been close since childhood. Maybe she just doesn’t want him sitting alone.”

“Ah… to have such a childhood sweetheart—who wouldn’t envy that?”

Luo Jiutian continued to toy with his teacup, face calm.

Only when that familiar presence neared did he look up, just at the right moment, eyes flickering with mild surprise.
“Yunlan? Why are you here?”

She paused by his side, her gaze lingering on him.

Softly, she answered, “I… shouldn’t come?”

His smile faded. “You shouldn’t sit here.”

Many guests held their breath.

At first sight, Luo Jiutian had rejected Luo Yunlan—before everyone, without sparing her face.

Even more astonishing—she ignored him, and sat right beside him.

Luo Jiutian’s finger froze.
His face betrayed nothing, save for the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth.

This woman…

He looked straight ahead. “Tonight the hall is full of guests. Sitting with me will only spark gossip.”

His tone carried no blame—merely a statement of fact.

Luo Yunlan watched his profile in silence, a sting in her heart.

She had lost count how many times it had been like this.

Whenever others were around, he was always this way.

Always thinking of others first, never speaking up for himself—so sensible it made one ache.

But not this time. She would not let him bear it all alone again.

“That’s fine,” she said firmly.
“I don’t mind.”

Seeing her expression, Luo Jiutian swept his eyes over the many guests pretending deafness yet listening intently.
He sighed.

He could more or less guess her inner resolve.

Forget it.

What’s done is done.
Better to drink his tea.

He raised his cup, deliberately shading half his face.

Just as he drank, Luo Yunlan suddenly asked, “Do you think… my dress today looks good?”

“Cough—cough, cough!”

Tea caught in his throat.
Luo Jiutian coughed violently, nearly dropping his cup.

“Xiaotian!” Luo Yunlan leaned close, gently patting his back, voice anxious.
“Are you alright? Was it too hot?”

He waved her off weakly, signaling he would live.

Only after some time did he recover, lowering his voice.
“Luo Yunlan… don’t ask me things like that out of nowhere.”

She looked aside, almost shy.
“Then… do you think it’s alright? Or not quite suitable?”

He pressed a hand to his temple, answering without looking up.
“You look good in anything. Will that do?”

She gave a soft “mm” and straightened, smoothing her sleeve, asking no more.

Soon after, delicate dishes were served before them, fragrance wafting.

She picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, carefully placing it before him.
“Do you remember this? I asked the kitchen to make it the old way.”

Luo Jiutian paused, gaze fixed on the pastry, unmoving.

After a long silence, he finally took it.
“…Thank you.”

He lowered his head, took a bite, chewed quietly.
His expression dimmed.

She watched him.
“What is it? Does it not taste good?”

He set down his chopsticks slowly, voice soft.
“No. Just… it’s been so long. It reminds me of the past.”

She nodded, placed the empty plate aside, and poured him a cup of warm tea.

All of this unfolded under countless watchful eyes.

“Is this…?”

“Right? Isn’t this a little…?”

The whispers died quickly, yet the curious looks remained.

The more observant noticed Luo Yunlan’s gaze at Luo Jiutian—too tender to be mere concern.

Before the whispers could spread further, the atmosphere at the front of the hall suddenly shifted.

All eyes turned to the doorway.

Two figures entered—one leading, one following.

The first was Luo Changqing, the patriarch of the Luo clan.
Dressed in formal robes, his presence was restrained yet heavy.

Behind him, a youth in white, features sharp and bright.
Though his expression was calm, arrogance clung to his very bones.

【Ding! Protagonist of Fortune ‘Luo Chen’ detected!】

Most of the hall rose instantly to their feet, smiling with reverence.

“Patriarch, your presence shines brighter than ever!”

“Young Master Luo Chen, truly heroic—peerless among men!”

“With such a successor, no one in Tianyuan City can rival the Luo clan’s standing!”

Compliments surged, heat rising in the hall.

Li Yunzhen and Xiao Qiankun quickly stepped forward.

Li Yunzhen said, “Old Luo, seeing your son today truly inspires envy. If only my Li clan had such talent, life would be much easier.”

Xiao Qiankun added, “Indeed! With such a successor, the Luo clan will soon dominate Tianyuan Nation itself.”

Luo Changqing smiled faintly. “Where, where. Old Li, Old Xiao, your juniors are not lacking either. Chen’er has only just returned—he still has much to temper.”

“You… you’re too modest!” Xiao Qiankun shook his head.
“In ten years, the Luo clan will surely be looking to even greater heights.”

“Old Xiao, don’t dig pits for me to jump into,” Luo Changqing said with a wave of his hand, though no displeasure was heard.

The scene brimmed with harmony.

Yet in Li Yunzhen’s eyes, for the briefest moment, a shadow flickered.

No one noticed.

Meanwhile, Luo Chen moved among the crowd with polite smiles, yet his gaze drifted again and again to that table in the corner.

He saw Luo Jiutian and Luo Yunlan speaking together, oblivious to him—the “main character.”

A faint irritation stirred.

He forced himself to endure the flattery, but at last, unable to help it, he turned and strode toward that corner.

The shift drew every gaze after him.

“Eh? Now it’s Young Master Luo heading over?”

“Is he going to greet Luo Jiutian?”

“Or… is this a show of dominance?”

Most guests settled into their favorite pastime—waiting for drama.

Luo Yunlan’s eyes chilled as she caught his intent, and she started to rise—only for Luo Jiutian to reach out and gently stop her.

“It’s fine. I’ll handle it,” he murmured.

He stood slowly, eyes fixed on the youth approaching them.

Step by step, Luo Chen closed in, gaze locked on Luo Jiutian, his face unreadable.

Their eyes met.

Tension crackled.

In that frozen instant, Luo Jiutian’s pupils flared dark red, faint patterns flickering, vanishing in a blink.

Luo Chen’s expression shifted.

His eyes lost focus for a heartbeat.

Then his lips quivered, and against all will, a single word slipped out:

“…Father.”