The Golden Palace was silent.
Every gaze—from the ancient elders to the arrogant prodigies—was magnetized to the figure in white.
Ryuzaki Haruto stood at the entrance, bathed in a soft, ethereal light. He was like a deity who had descended to inspect the mortal realm. His presence alone made the opulent hall feel unworthy.
"Is this the Divine Son?" "Seeing is believing... he truly is a banished immortal."
In the midst of this awed silence, a delicate, unladylike sound rang out.
"Slurp."
"Wow... you're the Divine Son?"
A bright, lively voice broke the spell.
Minamoto Ruri stared at Haruto with wide, sparkling eyes. A tiny trail of drool escaped the corner of her lips.
Haruto blinked. He looked down at the girl standing near the Minamoto table.
His first impression was... short.
She was adorable, with her twin ponytails and big eyes, but she barely reached his chest. A true loli.
"Um, who are you?" Haruto asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I... I am Minamoto Ruri..." Ruri stammered, her face turning as red as a tomato. Her heart was pounding like a war drum.
"Ah, Ruri." Haruto realized. "From Mother's clan."
He offered a polite, faint smile. "Thank you for gracing my banquet, Princess Ruri."
Critical Hit.
The smile was devastating. Ruri felt like she had been shot through the heart by Cupid's arrow.
"He... he smiled at me!" Ruri's internal monologue screamed. "He is so handsome! This is illegal! This is a crime against humanity!"
Minamoto Sayaka , standing beside her, felt her own heart skip a beat.
She had intended to tease Ruri, but now she found herself stunned. As a possessor of the Congenital Dao Embryo, she could sense the purity of Haruto's soul. It resonated with her own physique, creating a strange, magnetic pull.
"What is going on..." Sayaka touched her flushed cheek, shocked. "Why is my Dao heart wavering?"
"Haruto!" Lady Shizuka waved him over, beaming. "Come here! Meet your Aunt Sayaka and Ruri, the jewel of our clan."
Haruto walked over. "Aunt Sayaka."
"That title makes me sound old," Sayaka recovered her composure, flashing a charming smile. "Call me 'Sister Sayaka'."
"Sister," Haruto corrected smoothly.
He looked at Ruri, who was now hiding behind Sayaka, peeking out like a shy squirrel.
"So this is the girl Mother wants me to marry?" Haruto thought, sweating slightly. "She looks twelve. Isn't this a crime?"
The Jealous Star
The hall buzzed with admiration. It seemed the Minamoto and Ryuzaki Clans were getting along perfectly.
However, at the Date Clan table, the atmosphere was freezing.
Date Xingyun gripped his wine cup so hard his knuckles turned white. His face was a mask of dark fury.
"How could this happen?" Xingyun grits his teeth.
He had come here to court Ruri. He believed that aside from appearance, he was Haruto's equal in talent and background. But Haruto hadn't even done anything! He just existed, and Ruri was already swooning.
"Is there no justice in this world?" Xingyun thought bitterly. "Just because he has a pretty face?"
Meanwhile, the other Ryuzaki Sequences were watching.
Ryuzaki Yukino (Sequence 7) observed Haruto with her icy blue eyes. "His aura is unfathomable. Even I can't see through him."
Ryuzaki Raijin (Sequence 5) stared at Haruto from his corner, his gaze intense and scrutinizing. The resentment of the branch family burned in his eyes. 'Born with everything... while I clawed my way up from the mud.'
The banquet officially began.
Music played, and celestial dancers performed. But the tension at the Date table was reaching a breaking point.
Lady Shizuka was busy playing matchmaker. "Haruto, you aren't young anymore. It's time to think about giving me grandchildren."
Haruto nearly choked on his tea. "Mother, I am ten."
"Tsk tsk," Sayaka teased, looking at Ruri. "Who was it that said: 'Even if I die, even if I jump off Mount Fuji, I will never accept an arranged marriage!'?"
"Sister Sayaka! Shut up!" Ruri hissed, shaking her head frantically like a rattlesnake. Her face was burning. "I never said that! Fake news!"
Ruri peeked at Haruto again.
'He really is the most handsome person in the world...' Ruri thought, melting. 'Arranged marriage isn't so bad. Actually, it smells amazing! The Law of True Fragrance is real!'
Seeing this—seeing Ruri blush and act shy for another man—was the final straw for Date Xingyun.
His jealousy exploded.
SNAP!
Xingyun slammed his exquisite jade wine cup onto the table, shattering it into dust.
The sharp sound cut through the music. The entire Golden Palace fell silent.
Hundreds of eyes turned to the Date table.
"Young Master!" The old servant, Uncle Fu, turned pale. "What are you doing?!"
Xingyun ignored him. He stood up, his robes billowing with starlight Mana. He glared at Haruto with burning eyes.
"You are the Divine Son of the Ryuzaki Clan?"
Xingyun's voice rang out, filled with challenge and suppressed rage.
"I am Date Xingyun of the Ancient Date Clan. The possessor of the Star King Physique."
He stepped away from his table, walking into the center of the hall.
"They say the Divine Son is a genius sent by the Heavens. Today is a joyous occasion. Would you grant me the honor..."
Xingyun pointed a finger at Haruto.
"...of exchanging a few moves? To add some entertainment to the banquet?"
The hall erupted in whispers.
"He's challenging the Divine Son?" "On his birthday?" "Is the Date Clan insane?"
Haruto slowly set down his teacup. He looked at the angry young man, then at the blushing Ruri. He understood immediately.
'Another jealous stepping stone?' Haruto sighed internally. 'Can't I just eat my cake in peace?'