Except for Sean Shaw.
His whole body radiated resistance—he might as well have had 'Don't pick me' written across his face.
Lucia Lu saw how tense he was and couldn't help but find it funny.
Lady Hundred Blossoms cast a spell, conjuring a peony blossom that began to dance among the Celestial Emperor's students.
It floated unpredictably—sometimes up, sometimes down—never following any pattern.
Then, His Majesty the Celestial Emperor would close his eyes and call 'stop.' Whoever the blossom landed in front of had to perform.
Lucia Lu sent a voice transmission to Adrian Drake: "Adrian, this Lady Hundred Blossoms—what kind of immortal is she?"
"She's a Peony Flower Fairy," Adrian answered. "The Empress Dowager's personal maid, very much in her favor."
Peony blossom, Lady Hundred Blossoms.
She couldn't help but think of Hundred Blossoms Paradise and Lady Lana He.
"What's her background?" Lucia Lu asked again.
"Uh... I don't really know. Why do you ask?"
"Lady Hundred Blossoms, and her surname is Lan—makes me think of Hundred Blossoms Paradise," Lucia said. "Is she from there?"
"That I really don't know," Adrian replied.
Lucia didn't say anything more.
The first person Lady Hundred Blossoms picked was Jenna Summers.
Jenna had changed into a feathered costume and performed the Azure Phoenix Birdsong Dance.
Only now did Lucia realize just how talented Jenna was at dancing.
Her movements shifted from light and playful, to simple and cute, to angry and fierce—she brought the Azure Phoenix to life with every step.
When the performance ended, the hall erupted in applause.
The Celestial Emperor was delighted and said Jenna was delicate in health, so he rewarded her with a protective Celestial Relic.
Divine Lady Jenna Summers glowed with radiant light, accepting the honor with elegant gratitude.
Adrian Drake had once liked Jenna—and honestly, it wasn't hard to see why.
She really did look every inch the dazzling goddess!
But this same goddess had stolen someone's Yin Core and framed others for it.
Lucia Lu shook her head. You can know someone's face, but not their heart.
Luckily, Adrian's feelings for her had faded. He didn't care anymore whether she was good or bad.
Lady Hundred Blossoms stepped forward and announced loudly, "Divine Lady Jenna Summers's dance was truly unforgettable! Now, let's see who will be next."
She sent out the blossom again, letting it drift through the crowd.
This time, the blossom landed right in front of Sean Shaw.
Lucia Lu froze for a moment, surprised.
From her angle, she could clearly see that the blossom hadn't originally landed in front of Sean Shaw.
It was supposed to go to someone else, but Lady Hundred Blossoms secretly used magic to steer it toward Sean.
Her movements were incredibly subtle.
Everyone was so focused on the flower that no one noticed Lady Hundred Blossoms at all.
"Fifth Highness," Lady Hundred Blossoms said with a smile. "It's your turn! Let's see what surprise you'll bring His Majesty."
Sean Shaw frowned and didn't move.
"Fifth Highness?"
"I can't," Sean said. "Pick someone else."
"Fifth Highness, today is His Majesty's birthday! As a son, don't you want to show your filial piety?"
Sean repeated, "I said, I can't."
"How could that be?" The Celestial Empress chimed in. "Don't you know music? Your birth mother taught you when you were little. Why not play a tune on the Mystic Harp? Play the 'Heavenly Birthday Ode'—it's perfect for the occasion."
Sean's face turned cold and he stood up.
Lucia thought he was about to play and even felt a bit excited, but Adrian Drake quickly sent her a voice transmission: "Uh-oh! His musical skills are actually terrible. He might walk out instead."