"I... haven't visited my mentor in ages. It's about time I went to see him."
"Then go ahead."
Your Highness, this is such a big event—Grace will definitely be at Blaze Summit. Why don’t you come and check her out?
Evan Xiao paused, then looked up at Leon Zane.
His gaze was colder than ever.
Leon Zane practically jumped out of his skin. "Forget I said anything! Seriously! I'm just a little curious, okay? I'll go check her out myself!"
He grabbed the invitation and turned to leave.
As he walked away, he muttered, "...It's been so long, I wonder if she's already married with kids? We did know each other, after all. If she's married, I could at least bring a wedding gift..."
Feeling the air behind him grow even colder, Leon hurried his steps and ran out.
But as soon as he got outside, Ian Zhu grabbed him.
"What?" Leon Zane asked.
"Are you going to Blaze Summit?"
"Yeah!"
"Can I come with you?"
Leon Zane scrunched up his face. "What's the big idea? Why do you wanna tag along?"
Just wanna see for myself—who is this 'Grace' everyone keeps talking about?
"You want to go?"
Ian Zhu nodded.
"Not taking you." Leon Zane walked off.
The next day.
Leon Zane sighed, shooting a look at his two loyal shadows. "Alright, alright. Let's roll."
Ian Zhu exchanged a knowing, cheerful smile with Leon's sister, Raina Zane.
Since Leon wouldn’t take Ian Zhu, he went to find Raina and told her Leon was heading to Blaze Summit, egging her on to go meet Grace together.
Leon was powerless against Raina's puppy-dog eyes. In the end, he surrendered and took both of them along.
The three of them grabbed their gifts and were just about to set off when, suddenly, someone appeared before them.
"Huh? Your Highness?" Leon looked at him. "We're about to head to Blaze Summit. Is there something you need us to do?"
"Why are so many of you going?" Evan Xiao frowned.
"Senior Brother, I haven't gone down to play in ages. I just want to take the chance to look around," Raina said.
Evan Xiao glanced at Ian Zhu.
His look clearly meant: What are you up to this time?
Ian Zhu's big eyes darted around and he said, "Leon insisted I come along!"
Leon spluttered, "I—hey, that's not—"
"Yup, yup! My brother was terrified he'd embarrass himself alone, so he begged Ian Zhu to go with him!" Raina cackled, mercilessly exposing Leon.
Luckily, Evan Xiao didn't say much. He just said, "Let's go!" and walked off.
Leon stood there, dazed. "Wait, 'let's go'? Does that mean what I think it means?"
"Probably... His Highness has decided to go to Blaze Summit himself?" Ian Zhu guessed he understood correctly.
"Is that what he meant?" Leon asked.
"Yep, yep! Hurry up! Or we'll totally lose my senior brother!" Raina dashed after Evan Xiao. "Wait for me, Senior Brother!"
...
Blaze Summit.
Today marks the Spirit Alliance's grand five-millennium anniversary.
All of Blaze Summit was beautifully decorated, filled with a festive and harmonious atmosphere.
Grace was dressed in the Spirit Alliance’s official women’s uniform today—a crisp white outfit with blue trim—as she greeted and helped guests.
Early in the morning, royals from every empire across the Ten Wilds Continent arrived one after another.
And all sorts of major sects showed up too.
Including the Rune Sect.
Sadly, her aunt, Maya Summers, had just joined the Rune Sect and was too junior to get invited.
"I heard that last time, during the millennium celebration, all three Great Houses sent people! Wonder if they’ll show up this time?" A nearby Spirit Alliance girl looked up at the sky.
Her friend looked up too and said, "That’d be awesome! I really wanna see what the Great Houses look like."
Just as she finished speaking, auspicious music began to play in the sky, and a faint swirl of colorful mist appeared in the air.