Dance Of The Phoenix
79. The Five Palace Competition

Meeting time is approaching. The palace representatives who had arrived were directed to go to the palace in the mountainous region of Yin City where the event would be held.

The palace is so magnificent and extraordinarily luxurious. It was even grander than the imperial palace so many of those who had first come were instantly stunned.

The main representative of each palace would obviously not be that big. Even the Tianshuang Palace representative who had become tacky while in the city, was now just walking in silence as if he had gotten used to such a magnificent sight.

Basically, Tianshuang Palace was not much different from this boring place. It was even bigger so they were not surprised at all. More precisely, they looked like a group of nobles who came with an unusual calm and cold aura.

Totally different.

Not a few who look up to them feel hesitant to approach. Feels very cold.

Jin Xiao looked at the dorky-looking palace disciples with a condescending look. It was fortunate that Luye Palace would not be that cheerful. Just look, he will succeed in pulling the Tianshuang Palace into the side of Luye Palace.

Just when Jin Xiao thought so, some representatives of Tianshuang Palace reacted when they saw Yuansu Palace representatives coming.

Especially when one of the men near the woman in red dress went to join the representative of Tianhsuang Palace. They look familiar. Jin Xiao could not believe what he saw.

"Damn it!" He cursed secretly while cursing women do not know the rules. They might want to compete with him.

"Senior Jin, it seems that woman is unusual." The disciple who followed him looked at Gu Yuena with a sketch.

"But compared to Senior, he is nothing. We'll support you."

They chanted words of praise and encouragement to Jin Xiao, making the woman show her confidence. Right, that woman in the middle of nowhere is not comparable to her.

While on the side of Yinyang Palace, Gu Yihan who saw Gu Yuena's presence did not display any expression. So far, he is in a neutral position. But he had to be on the side of the Ye Clan opposite Gu Yuena if he wanted to survive.

In the end, he had to antagonize the woman.

Different from Gu Yesha. Since the death of his father and mother, Gu Yesha became increasingly quiet and settled in the Yinyang Academy as if waiting for a miracle to arrive. Although Elder Gao had given him a place, the usually extremely carefree young man had now become dim and devoid of ambition.

The children of duke Gu were completely abandoned without his family background.

In fact, it should have been either Gu Yuan or Gu Yihan to continue the duchy according to imperial rules. But Gu Yuan disappeared, while Gu Yihan retreated, choosing to go to the Ye Clan. The remaining Gu Yesha and Gu Yuena still did not show any signs regarding the ownership of the ducal position.

Over time, Duke Gu would really disappear if they continued like this.

Gu Yihan sighed. Looking around, Gu Yuena seemed to have no interest in the ducal position and preferred to look for Gu Yuan. He could only hope for Gu Yesha who was still in the mental recovery stage.

After a long wait in the palace courtyard, the main door of the palace opened, letting all of them enter inside in an orderly manner.

The palace is guarded by an old man of unknown origin. Clearly, the old man who always held a cane and had a humpback had an unusual ability.

Don't judge someone by their cover.

The old man stood in the center of the large room, letting the representatives of the five palaces enter the hall. Since this palace had magic, everything within it operated independently.

The door behind him closed by itself.

"This inter-palace meeting was opened to improve the relations of the entire palace and stabilize the world. The Palace King has each given you a message and can be carried out in this place. All bloodshed is forbidden, whatever the conflict. If not, then I have the right to punish the revocation of the cultivation base and seclusion."

The old man said in a slow tone, but had a weight heavy enough to make everyone depressed. The aura released was not inferior to the kings of each palace.

"For that, please go to the place already allocated to each palace." The old man stomped his staff, opening six doors representing each palace from the hallway behind him.

From now until the event arrives, they will stay here.

They hurried to walk to the door of each palace. No exception Gu Yuena who followed the group while looking around at everything around.

His gaze shifted on the old man, while the old man also looked at him with a glance. Gu Yuena threw out a face, then looked at Jin Xiao who was looking at him haughtily.

Gu Yuena smiled mysteriously, then bent her knees to greet the princesses of Wyvernia. This made Jin Xiao have to reverse his greetings using the Luye Palace greeting, forced to defend his face.

Ah, it's so nice to piss people off.

Xiao Hei in his arms laughed. While the little snake sitting on his shoulder was just a lazy fall. Xiao Bai on the other hand chose to walk independently like a respectable cat while upholding his head beside his nona legs.

The one who saw it would probably think that Gu Yuena was a summoner who collected cute animals.

Gu Yuena's gaze was turned on the door so quiet without anyone entering it. It was the special door of Linghun Palace.

The thought of examining him flashed so suddenly. But can it be done?

The little snake on his shoulder was aware of Gu Yuena's dangerous thoughts when he saw the dark open space. Sometimes, Gu Yuena's thoughts would be easy to guess for someone who understood her nature.

That's sometimes, you know.

Who knew what Gu Yuena would do after this.

The girl entered with Yun Qiao and the others to make sure of their private room. Each room in this palace has a special design that represents the characteristics of each palace.

Like Yuansu Palace which is filled with luxury and elegance like a kingdom.

Tianshuang Palace was cold and alienated, just think of it as black-and-white that paid more attention to serenity in comfort.

Luye Palace was filled with the treasures of the alchemists and had a characteristic natural feel for medicine.

Yinyang Palace consists of a balance between yin and yang so that it has a neutral impression.

Lastly, the palace is rarely mentioned, the Tao Palace which consists of monks who study taoist science and balance. Their place is usually a temple.

The sixth palace has always been a mystery and a terrifying dark history, Linghun Palace. The room where the people of Linghun Palace were supposed to be in was now empty and filled with deep darkness.

In the Yuansu Palace region, a place where there were many hallways was like a large mansion. Gu Yuena looked at the room whose door had already been written her name.

Each room has a member name that comes in. It had been recorded ever since they stepped inside the palace territory.

Inside the magnificent palace like it was in the middle ages, Gu Yuena looked at the quiet surroundings. It seems like everyone is enjoying independent time. Only he was unemployed, not knowing what to do.

"Am I just cultivating?" Gu Yuena asked herself. His life is really boring, isn't it?

He also entered the room.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

"Hallo?"

Gu Yuena was shocked when she saw the surrounding that was so quiet and dark. This was not a dark place where he had met the Queen of Linghun Palace, but a strange place.

He felt like he was in a palace building, but had many strange statues on various sides like a museum. There was no illumination, but Gu Yuena was still able to see clearly.

He can see many bookshelves that seem to be used as walls. The books look very old and have a language that is not understood. Actually where is he?

"Xiao Bai, Xiao Hei, did you guys hear me?" Gu Yuena tried to contact the spiritual room, but did not hear any words.

In the next instant, he felt some strange breaths present in this room. A faint breath that had a number of more than five people. He clearly did not see anyone present.

Except the statues that stood around him. The breath seemed to come from the statue and was staring at it.

Gu Yuena felt noticed.

This is not a safe place.

He has to find a way out.

Gu Yuena stepped with wide steps tracing the entire place. This place was as vast as being in a palace, making it difficult for him to find a way out.

As all those breaths became clearer and more numerous, Gu Yuena heard the sound of footsteps.

He wanted to take out his weapon, but his power was suppressed until it could not be used. Inevitably Gu Yuena had to hide inside an unlocked closet to observe the situation.

Huh, this feels like a horror movie.

How did he get here?

The sound of footsteps drew closer, accompanied by heavy breathing. The strange strength of the figure was so felt, touching Gu Yuena's weakest part that made a feeling of fear come her way.

This feeling, was like when he met the black fog he found in the residence.

Gu Yuena peeked through the cupboard gap. Sure enough, a wisp of black fog flashed in front of him carrying a powerful aura that made the surrounding atmosphere turn cold.

It seemed like not just one, considering the heavy breath it felt in various places including behind the closet. They were looking for Gu Yuena.

When the sound of the footsteps stopped, seemingly drifting away, Gu Yuena let go of her tension. He returned to peeking.

Strange, all those breaths disappeared instantly.

Even so, Gu Yuena did not loosen her vigilance. He was still watching around vigilantly.

But that calmness did not last long. The breath came back, but it was closer as if it was in front of him.

Gu Yuena turned her gaze upwards. His red iris found a pair of red light which was the eyes of a black fog figure that appeared right above the closet.

Those red eyes saw it!

"Dead!"

Gu Yuena opened her eyes wide as the heavy sound filled her hearing. His ears buzzed for a moment. But what he saw this time was not a strange room and a pair of hideous red eyes, but it was a pair of night blue irises right before him.

Very close ....

Gu Yuena wanted to shout, but her neck choked to the point of not being able to make the slightest sound. In the next instant, the owner of the night's blue irises simply disappeared as if he was a ghost.

Only then did Gu Yuena gain her sanity again. The girl got up from her sleeping position, then looked around with great caution.

Just a dream ....

His gaze shifted on the small snake that was still asleep, as well as Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai also slept soundly nearby.

He looked towards the open window. The sky was still dark, while he lost interest in going back to sleep.

The dream is too bad.

Gu Yuena sighed while rubbing her face in frustration. Usually he always dreamed about his dark past and the terror of his mother. This was his first time dreaming of a strange room and some terrible black fog.

Is that a clue?

Gu Yuena was agitated to the point of not being able to think about it. He got out of bed, went to the balcony of his room to see the outside world.

The wind that blew was so soothing, crashing the sleeping robe and beautiful hair. Looking at the starry night sky and illuminated by the moon, Gu Yuena pondered alone.

Every time he saw the night sky, he remembered someone, and somehow it calmed him down.

Gu Yuena was thinking about the pair of eyes she had just seen. What is so afraid of him, until random things appear in his head to be used as an impingement?

Unfortunately, Gu Yuena did not know, what he saw was not an illusion or a mere delusion.

Bai Youzhe in spirit form inside there faced the balcony door, looking at Gu Yuena's back in silence.

He had seen what Gu Yuena had seen just now.

Or rather, it was once in the same place. It is a terrible place that can bring great trauma.

Bai Youzhe wanted to approach the girl, then told her not to be afraid because she was here. But he can't do it now.

Because he's going to leave.

Tonight is the last night his spirit can survive wandering outside. He would try to quickly resolve the main problem and go to meet Gu Yuena.

The thing is, there's another danger out there approaching.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

The inter-palace meeting has begun.

The old man guarding the main palace had prepared a banquet hall as the meeting place for the palace representatives. It was a beautiful and majestic place, having a huge stage commonly used to perform talent shows and rivalries.

There were many palace representatives who showed their best talent. Starting from the fight, the competition to make pills, the competition of monster power, to the art show.

Gu Yuena had prepared herself to show her dance accompanied by a song from Jin Xiao. The red dress she wore was very pretty and easy to make move, especially fighting.

The most important thing is comfort. Her clothes were neither open nor too closed. More precisely, she wore a long skirt with a hemisphere that could free her footwork. In addition, he also wore a velvet robe considering that this time had already entered winter.

Gu Yuena looked even more radiant with her extraordinary appearance.

Jin Xiao on the other hand was no less interesting. She wore a white dress that showed the femininity of a woman as well as some simple but expensive accessories. That appearance accentuated the beauty and elegance it possessed.

Both women attracted attention. Especially when the two stood side by side, as if asking everyone to compare which one was the most perfect between the two.

Of course Jin Xiao who first approached with his entourage who shifted the representatives of Yuansu Palace. It made Gu Yuena shrouded in people from Luye Palace who were staring at her intensely.

Gu Yuena felt intrigued by that gaze.

"In a moment we'll be on stage. No need to be nervous, I'm very good at playing the lute and it won't make things difficult for you." However, dance must be in harmony with music. He could freely chant any music to humiliate Gu Yuena.

Unfortunately, Gu Yuena did not look nervous let alone agitated. He put on his best smile, then said, "Your musical ability is very famous, I won't deny it. I'll apologize for making your music feel bad for my dancing."

Jin Xiao laughed. "Aren't you being too low?" He thought that Gu Yuena was starting to worry. That was so much fun.

"I'm not down. We can see later." Gu Yuena smiled mysteriously.

He was clearly not humble, instead elevating his own performance that was too good to make Jin Xiao's music drown. But it seemed that Jin Xiao was unconscious and continued to assume that Gu Yuena was frightened.

Let him think like that, at least for now.

Gu Yuena looked at the stage performance that was being carried out while rubbing Xiao Hei's fur in her hand.

By the way, I don't know where Xiao Lin went. From morning on, he did not find the snake. Xiao Lin had not fully recovered, but had already disappeared.

Until finally a few minutes have passed, the banquet became more lively when he saw two girls on the stage simultaneously.

Each of them was the main representative who was considered to have the brightest future of Yuansu Palace and Luye Palace. Their names have become famous lately.

One had managed to break through to tier 7 at such a young age and was the mysterious Great Palace Elder's personal disciple, the, while one is the daughter of the Palace King Luye and is a candidate for the successor to the palace throne.

With just a single look, they already knew the presence of the two on the stage was to compete, not just tighten the relationship of the palace.

In general, the two palaces were going through a cold war despite still profiting from each other through pill distribution and talent recruitment. It's been an open secret.

"Please help." Gu Yuena glanced at Jin Xiao with a wide smile.

Jin Xiao replied to him using a fleeting smile, before finally going to a special place using a musical instrument that had been provided. The girl sat in front of the crystal-clear lute that looked so beautiful.

Gu Yuena took off the robe that enveloped her body. Her appearance looked extremely beautiful making many people amazed. With a red dress that is so beautiful, combining the impression of sexy and luxurious but simple based on the concept of a mixture between eastern and western countries, she looks like a princess.

Jin Xiao squinted his eyes. He was envious, but could not show it. That's fine, the woman's spread of charm will disappear from the plains sooner or later and let her become the most beautiful woman in the world.

Jin Xiao started picking the lute strings slowly for starters. He had chosen a song with a fast and complicated tempo to make Gu Yuena fall in front of everyone. The amateur dancer would not be able to perfectly balance tone and movement.

As soon as the sound of the lute strings rang out, the roar was so melodious, Gu Yuena started to move her body subtly. Aligned movement and in accordance with slow tone.

Gu Yuena's beautiful dance caught their attention and began to focus on her. It looks simple, but difficult to replicate. It was as if music was a part of him.

If they did not know the two people were competing, they would definitely think that Gu Yuena and Jin Xiao were working together making an outstanding appearance

Jin Xiao still remained calm. This is just the beginning.

He moved his hand faster, playing the lute with a higher tempo thus adding to the difficult power of the movement that Gu Yuena was making. He smiled silently while blasting his pointy finger agilely.

However, when he looked ahead, the person who should have difficulty with a sudden change in tone actually looked more stunning.

Gu Yuena danced equating her steps with a tone. He admitted, Jin Xiao is good at using music so that the tone issued becomes very beautiful. The more beautiful a tone, Gu Yuena would dance to the maximum so as not to be left with the beauty of the tone.

His footsteps were always right with the tempo of the music. Her hand released sparks that added an impression of magic to her dance. It made her look like a girl figure that was fused with fire.

"I didn't know he could make that complicated move." Ru Meng who was watching increasingly admired Gu Yuena's ability. The others watched while silent.

On the other hand, Gu Yihan who had been a surprise victim of Gu Yuena during Gu Yueli's wedding was not at all surprised. He felt sorry for Jin Xiao.

It was obvious Jin Xiao's ugly face saw Gu Yuena who was so resplendent.

"Gu Yuena .." - furious Jin Xiao.

It seems like he has to do a little trick.

He played the lute so skillfully that it amazed many people. Yet Gu Yuena's beautiful dance continued to cover up her appearance.

Actually, it's not entirely bad.

Jin Xiao smiled mysteriously.

Some mages perform magic using magic sticks. But he could do it without using a magic wand.

The reason he could be chosen as the successor candidate to the throne was none other than his unique ability. His original weapon was what he often used, the lute itself.

He must not use his soy sauce to influence the people here, or finish his history. But that doesn't mean he can't interrupt Gu Yuena's dance, does it?

Gu Yuena's speed of steps in the dance would be difficult to make her dodge despite being aware of the incoming attack. That was an advantage for Jin Xiao.

A green ray flowed from his hand, dyeing the lute strings with fine magic. When Jin Xiao plucked the strings, the transparent green magic shot through the air towards Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena regained consciousness immediately.

The boy was playing around.

With a shrewd move, Gu Yuena spun around avoiding the invisible attack and jumped down subtly as per the tempo of the music. The sudden extreme movement left many people even more stunned. Even Jin Xiao was shocked.

Gu Yuena's hand let out a sharp spark. His body was in the air, spinning and heading towards Jin Xiao to end the show.

The magic in his hand was exhaled, cutting off some fine strands of Jin Xiao's hair right before his eyes. At that moment, Jin Xiao stared at his spot without being able to blink.

He just received a counterattack.

His pair of eyes looked at Gu Yuena who extended her hand to Jin Xiao's neck as if her hand was a blade. It was actually not wrong, because Jin Xiao could see the needle hidden behind that palm.

Gu Yuena was blatantly threatening him!

Gu Yuena pulled the corner of her lips without making her eyes narrow. He tilted his head while showing a slanted smile. "Good magic."

Jin Xiao had no longer played his soy sauce since the 'accident' had happened. He just stayed on the spot, looking at Gu Yuena in disbelief.

Has he lost?

The next instant, boisterous sounds of applause echoed in the banquet hall.

Jin Xiao was furious, but could not do anything when he heard the expression of admiration towards Gu Yuena. Clearly this was a competition and they had seen Jin Xiao's devious actions ever since Gu Yuena had avoided him. The traces of magic were very clear.

It's clear who's being humiliated here.

Gu Yuena lowered her hand, then lowered her head to whisper something to Jin Xiao.

"You lost."