The Will Star Banquet was an exclusive gathering for those powerful enough to claim spots on the General Star List—a total of one hundred and eight participants. It was typically held mid-year, once the rankings had stabilized, and hosted by the Inner Academy’s Top Ten Societies. The event aimed to promote exchange and cooperation while coordinating resource allocation, with elders on hand to keep the peace.
This year, the Inner Academy’s top society, Seven Stars, was playing host.
In the script, it was at the Will Star Banquet that Yan Zhen reunited with Zi Xunyi. They went from online acquaintances to real-life friends, their intimate interactions stirring jealousy in Wen Canglan and drawing no small amount of targeted harassment toward Yan Zhen.
At the same time, the banquet marked the debut appearance of the mysterious number one on the General Star List, Gu Tiange.
Yan Zhen and Huangfu Wenqing received invitations delivered by members of Seven Stars, cordially inviting them to attend the annual Will Star Banquet at Crystal Pavilion three days later.
Long Ying and Zi Xunyi, with their special statuses and overwhelming strength, received invitations as well, even though they weren’t on the General Star List.
In her past life, Zi Xunyi had no interest in attending any banquet. But when her “dream lover” mentioned he would be there, she went anyway. The two even played a guessing game to see who could spot the other first…
Though Zi Xunyi hadn’t fully fused her memories, the mature version of herself had shown her those from her past life. Recalling the moment now, the corners of her mouth curved upward slightly.
Huangfu Wenqing had never been a fan of these time-wasting elite gatherings.
“Are you going, Yan Zhen?”
“I happen to have some free time, so why not crash for a free meal? Right, Long Ying?”
Long Ying was about to blurt out “Right,” but she swallowed the words and put on an air of mature sophistication instead.
“You’re wrong, Yan Zhen Zhen. Mooching food isn’t the most important part—it’s making sure those people don’t look down on us!”
Yan Zhen blinked in surprise, shooting an unexpected glance at the loli dragon girl. A rice-bucket loli saying mooching food wasn’t the priority?
Long Ying glanced at Yan Zhen and saw the astonishment on his face. She felt secretly triumphant.
—As expected, becoming a ladylike dragon is the way to make Yan Zhen Zhen see me in a new light~ Great, I have to keep at it, push even harder!
“Then we’ll go,” Huangfu Wenqing said curiously. “Do we need to wear formal attire?”
“Probably casual is fine. Uniform should work,” Yan Zhen replied with a laugh. “When you’re good-looking, you can afford to be a little willful with your clothes.”
Huangfu Wenqing’s cheeks flushed faintly. With a sidelong glance at Zi Xunyi, who wore a faint smile on her face, her face grew even redder—from sheer annoyance.
—W-what do I care about her? I’m Yan Zhen’s fiancée now! She’s the one who came later, the little third! So spineless!
Three days later, Yan Zhen headed to the banquet site accompanied by his three stunning beauties.
The women hadn’t donned formal gowns, but they’d dressed up a touch, all in casual outfits. Huangfu Wenqing’s green hair and green skirt made her look like an exquisite forest elf. Zi Xunyi, clad in purple with her matching purple eyes, moved with effortless elegance and nobility. Even Long Ying had switched to a little skirt and children’s shoes, her pink locks tied into low twin tails that made her seem even more clever and cute than her usual wild-child vibe.
Yan Zhen had tidied himself up as well, shaving off some of his boyish charm in favor of a more mature handsomeness—like so many avid novel readers.
The four of them drew no shortage of stares along the way.
The Purple-Clothed Goddess Zi Xunyi, shared idol of every boy in the Inner Academy;
The Emerald Sword Fairy Huangfu Wenqing, whose star had risen lately to claim the forty-ninth spot on the General Star List;
The dark horse new student Yan Zhen, who had turned the Inner Academy upside down over the past few months and cracked the top ten at Mystic Master Realm; and the super-violent pink-haired loli Long Ying, who stuck close to his side.
—Too intimidating!
Onlookers hastily cleared a path, signaling they wanted no part of it, then turned away to sourly eat their lemons in envy.
The group reached Seven Stars Pavilion, only to run into members of Mirror Society right at the entrance. Their leader, Wen Canglan, spotted Zi Xunyi arriving with Yan Zhen for the banquet, and a thick wave of jealousy welled up inside him.
Still, he knew better. Zi Ji was only close to the kid because of their old connection—that was all.
After all, everyone in the Inner Academy knew Yan Zhen was already engaged to Huangfu Wenqing. There was no way he’d ever win Zi Xunyi’s heart.
That thought offered Wen Canglan his one shred of comfort.
“Zi Ji, you’re here too,” Wen Canglan said, stepping forward to greet her. “Shall we head in together?”
Zi Xunyi simply hooked her arm through Yan Zhen’s and replied coolly, “I’m good going with Yan Zhen.”
Wen Canglan’s face went rigid. He stared in disbelief at their linked arms, regret churning in his gut.
He hadn’t said a word, and Zi Xunyi had kept a proper friendly distance from Yan Zhen. But the moment he spoke up, she went and used the guy as her shield.
Damn it!
“In that case, I’ll go on ahead.”
Wen Canglan didn’t dare push his luck with Zi Xunyi any further, lest he hand Yan Zhen an unearned win. He hurried inside with his followers.
Unbeknownst to him, Yan Zhen and Zi Xunyi’s relationship had long since crossed that final boundary. Zi Xunyi was even carrying his child—the fetus in her womb currently chatting telepathically with its own mother concubine.
Three months had passed. Without Chen Xi’s secret technique to retard its growth, Zi Xunyi would already be waddling around with a big belly.
“Cousin brother-in-law!”
Cousin Sister Yudie came over with her Transformation Butterfly senior sisters. Without any ceremony, she clapped Yan Zhen on the shoulder. She eyed Zi Xunyi on his arm, then the coldly aloof Huangfu Wenqing, and her expression turned meaningful. She sent him a private transmission.
“You’re something else, you know that? One fiancée’s bad enough, but you even dare mess with this one? Not scared the Heavenly God Clan will come erase you?”
Yan Zhen felt awkward and transmitted back, “You’re overthinking it, sis. It’s not like that between us.”
“Don’t kid me—the way she looks at you is just like Xuan’er does!”
“Cough cough…”
Yan Zhen had no intention of admitting anything. He was genuinely afraid of what the Heavenly God Clan would do if they found out—not just dating, but knocking her up outright.
“Drop it, sis. Let’s get inside—the banquet’s starting soon.”
“Hmph!”
Cousin Sister Yudie had no real comeback for Yan Zhen. Xuan’er doted on him so much that even her aunt and the family head held him in high regard. His standing in the Yu Family now outstripped hers.
—She could kind of understand how Wen Canglan felt. She’d once been the Yu Family’s star among the younger generation!
Having fallen from grace, Cousin Sister Yudie turned her eyes to the adorable pink-haired loli, instantly feeling soothed. With a beaming smile, she asked, “Little Long Ying, long time no see. Missed your sis?”
Long Ying had no love for this woman who had petted her nearly bald in her past life. “Nope!” she declared flatly.
“Uh…”
“Hmph~”
As Long Ying darted behind Yan Zhen, Cousin Sister Yudie’s heart shattered anew.
—She had come first. She was the one who’d found Little Long Ying. So why was she so clingy with this philandering cousin brother-in-law?
Reeling from the double blow, Cousin Sister Yudie led her sisters into the venue, a resentful look on her face. She ignored Ling Fei’s wave hello.
“What’s her deal, Yu Die? Didn’t even acknowledge me.” Ling Fei scratched his head in bewilderment. His gaze shifted to Yan Zhen and company, and he ate a lemon of his own. “That punk’s got way too much lady luck. Hope that gloomy glasses guy doesn’t beat you to death. Later!”
“…”
