Chapter 420.1: At Last, I See You

The Moon Radiance Banquet was one of the most joyous and festive occasions in the Divine Moon Palace. A ten-thousand-year birthday counted as a grand occasion for any cultivator. Among mortals, such a day could mean fireworks and three miles of red silk and lanterns. The cultivation world celebrated such in more dazzling manners.

Rows of lantern trees lit up the sky, each bearing a thousand lights with flames flickering upon their branches. Even though it was night, the Divine Moon Palace blazed as bright as day. Streaks of light flickered past now and then as cultivators arrived in wide robes and flowing sleeves. They offered gifts, filling the place with a lively bustle.

Yu Tiao, who hosted the Moon Radiance Banquet, sat at the seat of honor with a wide smile. She wore a red overcoat with a cicada print on the front, and a sapphire-blue halter beneath, beaming with joy and grace. "Pass along my thanks to Envoy Hong Jun!"

The one who had just delivered a birthday gift was Hong Jun's younger brother. An envoy was the highest-ranking authority over a territory within the Demon Abyss, second only to a Yang Spirit. An envoy typically never left the area under their charge. Hence, Hong Jun had sent his own brother to deliver a gift to Yu Tiao. It was his way of trying to pull strings and establish connections.

"Half of the nineteen territorial envoys have already sent someone. Sister Yu Tiao, I am so jealous of you!"

"If it were me turning ten thousand years and holding a Moon Radiance Banquet, I doubt anyone would even bother showing up. These envoys wouldn't even send a representative."

Inside and outside the great hall of the Divine Moon Palace, chatter and laughter rose in waves. Not one of them bothered to hide the envy in their eyes as they gazed at Yu Tiao.

In a corner where moonlight fell softly, Jin Li sat somewhat aloof and composed.

Moon Frost glanced at her. "When it's your turn for a Moon Radiance Banquet, it'll be ten times, a hundred times livelier than this."

Jin Li remained quiet.

Moon Frost stared at her once more, unable to help a note of admiration slipping out. "Dress up even a little and you'd outshine every flower in this room. You'd best not go to wish Yu Tiao a happy birthday looking like that, or she'll probably curse you out in her heart."

Perhaps because of the occasion, or perhaps egged on by Moon Frost, Jin Li had set aside her usual plain robes for once. The faintest trace of makeup graced her snow-white face, while a slanted golden hairpin adorned her hair. She had an air of delicate but striking beauty.

Her long saffron skirt was threaded with gold. A pale yellow gauze draped over her shoulders while she wore a plain layer underneath. At her waist was a crimson jade belt shaped like a bird, from which the Linglong Xi Jade hung. Her nose was fine and sharp, but her lips were slightly roughened from battle. Yet, her beauty was enough to topple kingdoms.

Jin Li said with a faint edge of killing intent, "This isn't suited for the battlefield."

Moon Frost couldn't help herself. "Out of all the Moon Maidens here, you have the fewest suitors. I’d say it's exactly because of that killing intent. It makes people afraid to even approach you."

Though Moon Maidens were forbidden from marriage, plenty still admired them from afar. The Divine Moon Palace would simply look the other way if they enjoyed a single night's pleasure.

The soft moonlight illuminated Jin Li, making her all the more striking.

Moon Frost teased, "By the way, I heard that Heavenly Venerable Mochi of the Absolute Moon Abyss has taken a liking to you. He even said that he wants you as his dao companion."

Jin Li's expression didn't change. She sat off to the side and appeared cold. Her fingers gently traced the Linglong Xi Jade.

The birthday celebration carried on and more and more guests arrived. Great Venerables could no longer stir much conversation. Only Mythics drew any real attention.

A female Mythic called Zhe Gui stepped forward with her gift, drawing quite a few glances from the Yin Spirits. "I offer my congratulations to you, Senior Sister. As a gift, I present you with these three strands of Innate Primordial Energy. May you swiftly ascend to the Star World position."

Yet, among the higher-ranked guests, she barely registered as notable.

Yu Tiao smiled with her eyes, replying politely, "May you also ascend to the Star World and claim your position soon, Junior Sister."

Zhe Gui offered a faint smile, exchanging a few more pleasantries before stepping back.

The scene didn't escape Moon Frost's notice, and a complicated look flickered across her eyes. "Something's off about her."

Jin Li looked over, surprised. "Hm?"

Moon Frost said flatly, "I've received word that she may be harboring thoughts of betrayal. There's a chance she'll try to flee the Divine Moon Palace today and defect to the Moluo Clan."

Unlike Jin Li, she belonged to an intelligence unit and dedicated herself to gathering intel.

Moon Frost asked, "Are you interested in intercepting her and her contact together? It'd count as a merit for you too."

As long as they could prevent Zhe Gui from leaving the Divine Moon Palace’s territory, nothing serious would happen. With the Serene Radiant Waning Moon still active and Longyue around, there was little to fear. Traitors like Zhe Gui existed on both sides.

Jin Li nodded. "Fine."

Moon Frost laughed. "Making you work on your own birthday, I really am a bit of a schemer, aren't I?"

Up on the stage, figures moved in a lively crowd. Guests filled every corner of the hall, and laughter rang throughout. It felt like an entirely different world from the corner where Jin Li sat.

Moon Frost couldn't help but sigh again. "You really ought to be enjoying all this splendor the way Yu Tiao is."

Jin Li was, after all, a Moon Maiden who had considerable standing within the Divine Moon Palace. She was ranked on par with a Yang Spirit. Even on an ordinary birthday, the other Moon Maidens would draw crowds of guests, let alone at a grand Moon Radiance Banquet. Those who couldn't attend in person would at least send a letter along with a gift. But today, with the celebration nearly over, no one besides Moon Frost had offered Jin Li even a single word of congratulation.

Moon Frost, who oversaw intelligence, hadn't received any correspondence addressed to Jin Li either. She understood why. Ever since Jin Li's return, she'd thrown herself entirely into the demon abyss, fighting relentlessly for combat merit and rarely reached out to others. It was hardly surprising her circle had grown so quiet.

Jin Li shook her head. "None of that matters."

She had never really cared about these things.

"You, honestly..." Moon Frost sighed. "Come on, let's follow her."

The suspicious Zhe Gui had already slipped away.

"All right."

The two of them concealed their presence and left the bright, bustling banquet behind. The surrounding vicinity remained just as lively, filled with dazzling lights of every color.

Moon Frost trailed at a distance with a spark of excitement in her eyes. "So there really is something going on. She is sneaking around and moving so suspiciously!"

Uncovering a Mythic traitor was a genuinely big catch. Jin Li stood side by side with Moon Frost, the two of them melting into the shadows as they tailed Zhe Gui from afar.

Moon Frost mused, "To think a Mythic would choose to betray us. What a shame. I wonder who she's meeting, a Great Venerable or another Mythic?"

Moonlight flickered and swayed as the two followed close behind Zhe Gui. Moon Frost wore a calm expression.

Jin Li muttered, "Let's hope it's someone strong."

The stronger the opponent, the greater the merit she could earn.

Moon Frost smiled faintly. "Great minds think alike."

This was Divine Moon Palace territory. Even if the two of them ran into an unbeatable enemy, fleeing would pose no real risk. They followed closely, covering ten thousand miles in no time. The bustle that had filled the Divine Moon Palace faded entirely. Silence enveloped the land around them, and only the pale, cool light of the moon accompanied them.