章 112: Active Pursuit
Expectations for the rest of the performances skyrocketed.
It had always been the norm for better performances to only be shown in the later parts of each festive celebration.
After the performance by the Flying Shell Performance Group, everyone could not help but look forward to seeing the other performances to come.
Unfortunately, they were bound to be disappointed.
That was not to say that the subsequent performances were bad, but the Flying Shell Performance Group had simply left too deep of an impression on everyone.
Of course, almost everyone's memories of the performance could be said to be focused solely on one particular person.
The way Lu Zhiying moved her body along with the music was simply impeccable, incorporating the right amount of grace and force only at the right moments, which made the overall performance just about impossible to look away from.
And that applied even to the female disciples.
In a way, it was fortunate that the performance was being held at the Core Grounds where only the upper echelons of the sect were seated.
After all, they were the calmest group, enjoying the performances in relative silence.
Had it been held either in the Inner Grounds or Outer Grounds, the next performing group would have been shocked by the looks of disappointment that appeared on everyone's faces!
One by one, the different performance groups went up to perform.
As that happened, the disciples in the Inner Grounds and Outer Grounds felt their disappointment grow.
Eventually, it reached a point where they no longer held any expectations for the performances.
Some no longer paid any attention to the projections from the arrays, deciding to focus solely on the food and conversations.
It did not help that the Flying Shell Performance Group had performed early in the night either. Because of that, most of the subsequent performing groups were relatively unknown.
This awkward situation finally ended as time passed, when more established performing groups with their own fanbase started appearing on stage.
Only then did people's attention finally begin to return to the performances.
***
After taking a short rest in their assigned waiting room, the members of the Flying Shell Performance Group were directed to leave the Core Grounds and return to the Outer Grounds, where they would finally get to enjoy the rest of the celebratory banquet.
Upon their return to the Outer Grounds, the group first returned to their respective residences and put down their stuff before reconvening.
"Time to have some good food!" Bo Fei exclaimed excitedly as they slowly made their way to the banquet venue.
"It feels especially good now that we are done with our performance. I can finally eat with peace of mind!" Gu Qiansi agreed.
"I cannot agree more. I was so stressed just now!" Huang An said softly.
"Hahaha, you guys are really exaggerating things!" Lu Zhiying laughed. "But I really am looking forward to the good food too!"
Huang An looked at Lu Zhiying in disbelief.
She definitely was not exaggerating the stress that she had felt!
Come to think of it, Lu Zhiying never asked Gu Qiansi for the Softpetal leaf in the end.
Huang An could not help but feel impressed by Lu Zhiying all over again.
"Oh, right. This will be your first time attending the New Year celebratory banquet, won't it?" Zhao Yunxiao said. "Make sure to eat your fill later. Come tomorrow, we will be having our meals back at the canteen again."
"I will eat my fill even if you didn't tell me so!" Lu Zhiying was visibly excited as well.
"Looks like we have arrived," Zhao Yunxiao rubbed his palms together as they stepped in front of the entrance to the banquet venue. "Time to enjoy!"
"Do you know where our seats are?" Gu Qiansi asked.
"Trust me, I've got this," Zhao Yunxiao nodded. "Just follow me."
The celebratory banquet for the outer disciples was held at a huge square in the Outer Grounds, with a huge piece of thick white fabric hanging on each side of the square.
Images were being projected onto these pieces of white fabric through the use of special arrays, showing everyone exactly what was happening on stage in the Core Grounds.
Currently, a group was putting on a wonderful performance involving speed painting, exciting enough to capture the attention of most present.
Zhao Yunxiao confidently led the way into the banquet venue, perfectly aware of the way to their allocated seats.
However, he never would have guessed the reaction that they were about to get.
They entered silently, but that alone was not enough to evade the senses of the disciples present.
"You are here, Junior Martial Sister Lu!" someone called out from the first table that they passed.
As though it had been a rally to battle, those words instantly caused everyone's attention to turn in their direction.
Zhao Yunxiao instantly frowned, sensing that something was amiss about the situation.
"I saw your performance earlier. It was simply amazing!" the young man who exclaimed earlier had shot up from his seat and was already standing in front of them before they knew it. "Ah, that's right. I am Sheng Qi'an. Feel free to call me Big Brother Qi'an."
"Since you are not familiar with each other, let's not get ahead of yourselves. It is best to just address him as your Senior Martial Brother Sheng," another young man said as he stepped up beside Sheng Qi'an. "As expected of you, Junior Martial Sister Lu. Your performance was simply too mesmerising. I am Zeng Fan, and it just so happened that I am currently considering pursuing the art of dance. I wonder if I can have the honour of inviting you to have a discussion on the wondrous aspects of dance?"
"Since Junior Martial Sister Lu doesn't know me well now, that is all the more reason to start," Sheng Qi'an replied. "As for you, since when have you been into the art of dance? In case you didn't know, Junior Martial Sister Lu is really busy. Please don't waste her time with your temporary interests!"
"And who are you to speak on her behalf?" Zeng Fan retorted.
"I speak nothing but the truth!" Sheng Qi'an said.
Sparks of rivalry crackled in the air as the two stared down each other, neither willing to back down.
Standing in front of them, the members of the Flying Shell Performance Group finally realised what was going on.
And from where they were standing, they could see that it was not just Sheng Qi'an and Zeng Fan as well.
From all over the banquet venue, numerous disciples had gotten up from their seats and were slowly converging towards them!
Still, the rest did not approach as actively as Sheng Qi'an and Zeng Fan.
Not stepping forward yet standing near enough to let their presence be known, they seemed to be taking a wait-and-see approach, wanting to see how things panned out for the two of them before deciding on their next move.
In any case, the two of them had already managed to seize the initiative.
If the others did not plan things out properly, suddenly walking up to the two of them to compete for Lu Zhiying's attention might just make them appear more desperate than sincere.
That was an outcome that they would definitely have to avoid!
Zhao Yunxiao let out a sigh of resignation.
He had wanted their performance to leave an impact, but he truly did not expect the impact to be as huge as this!
Had these fellow outer disciples of his always been this active when it came to pursuing others?
Zhao Yunxiao sneaked a peek at Lu Zhiying who was following behind him, and his gaze inevitably met that of Lu Zhiying, who was similarly looking at him.
The moment the two of them exchanged glances, Lu Zhiying let out a confident smile.
Zhao Yunxiao was surprised by that smile, and for some reason, even felt a chill run down his spine.
With that, she stepped forward past Zhao Yunxiao to directly face both Sheng Qi'an and Zeng Fan.
Noticing her, the two of them immediately stopped bickering and turned to face her as well.
"We recently caught a powerful monster and have specially requested for it to be added to the menu for our table," Sheng Qi'an said with a smile. "If you don't' mind, Junior Martial Sister Lu, would you give me the honour of inviting you to our table? We can discuss the cultivation path while enjoying the good food for the rest of the night."
"The menu for the banquet has been well thought out in advance and is already more than sufficient. Carelessly adding other food to the menu will only disrupt the balance, so why bother doing so?" Zeng Fan scoffed. "Rather than that, why don't you join me at my table as we discuss the various intricacies pertaining to the art of dance, Junior Martial Sister Lu?"
The two of them looked at Lu Zhiying expectantly, and so did many other disciples who were watching from the side.
They understood that while the one who made the first move could gain an advantage over the others, it was still just that – an advantage.
It definitely did not mean that they would surely be the one who had the last laugh.
On top of that, this advantage would also only be for the one with the first successful move.
The key point here was that it had to be a successful move.
No matter how fast they acted, should they fail to capture the attention of Lu Zhiyng, they would only end up becoming an example for others – a lesson for their competitors to learn from!
And as all eyes fell upon Lu Zhiying, she finally opened her mouth to speak.
"Thank you for the invitations, senior martial brothers," Lu Zhiying said with a polite tone. "Regardless of how much I wish to join you, I still need to review the earlier performance with my fellow members of the Flying Shell Performance Group. Perhaps another time?"
As she finished, Lu Zhiying let out a radiant smile that caused the numerous hearts present to skip a beat.
She might not have agreed to meet them tonight at the banquet, but she did not exactly reject them either!
Could this mean that the activities the duo suggested were right up her alley?
Or could it be that Lu Zhiying was simply open to meeting other members of the sect?
One thing was for sure – Lu Zhiying was definitely not completely shutting down such advances.
In their hearts, it was almost as though Lu Zhiying had just given implicit approval for the competition to begin!
"O-Of course! How about tomorrow? We can have a good chat by a pavilion!" Sheng Qi'an quickly snapped out of his daze and asked.
"No, it would be better if Junior Martial Sister Lu comes with me instead," Zeng Fan interjected. "It is always a race against the heavens for us cultivators, and every moment matters. What good is a chat that would not benefit you in any way? Instead of that, let's have a good discussion regarding the art of dance tomorrow. I can also teach you a thing or two about other matters pertaining to the cultivation path!"
"Let's see how it goes," Lu Zhiying answered ambiguously. "If you will excuse me, I'd need to spend the rest of the night speaking to my fellow group members."
"S-Sure, let's arrange another time then," Sheng Qi'an said awkwardly.
"I will come look for you again tomorrow," Zeng Fan said.
"I will come look for you before he does," Sheng Qi'an added.
"Are you asking for a beating?" Zeng Fan spoke through clenched teeth.
Tension grew as the two stared each other down, though neither said anything else for fear of appearing uncouth in front of Lu Zhiying.
At this point, words no longer mattered.
All that mattered was who could get Lu Zhiying's attention!
That was the same thought running through the minds of many of the others watching. Their brains went into overdrive as they started to come up with ideas and formulate their plans.
While these people were busy thinking, Lu Zhiying turned around to face Zhao Yunxiao, gesturing for him to keep moving.
Zhao Yunxiao let out an amused chuckle before continuing to lead the group towards their assigned seats.
As a group that was performing for the New Year celebrations, the Flying Shell Performance Group had been assigned a table of their own, where food would only start to be served upon their arrival.
"Are you sure about this, Junior Martial Sister Lu?" Gu Qiansi asked as they settled into their seats.
"Hmm? About what?" Lu Zhiying asked in return.
"About those guys from earlier," Gu Qiansi said. "Look, I am not against you trying to know more people, but you do understand that they are trying to actively pursue you, don't you? In a romantic sense."
"I am not clueless, Senior Martial Sister Gu. I know that at least," Lu Zhiying nodded.
"Wow, those guys are going to be ecstatic to hear that," Bo Fei remarked.
"So, I assume you are open to accepting their pursuit?" Gu Qiansi tried to confirm. "In fact, it won't be just them either. If you haven't realised, there are many other guys who are probably looking to actively pursue you from now on as well. It might feel good to be popular, but there are times when it can become a little complicated. I just hope you know how to protect yourself and make the right decisions. If you fail to manage this properly, it could even end up affecting your cultivation."
"Nope, you misunderstood, Senior Martial Sister Gu. I won't be accepting anyone's pursuit," Lu Zhiying shook her head. "For now, I simply intend to get to know my fellow sect members. As for protecting myself... would you like to teach me how to do so, Senior Martial Sister Gu?"
"Wow, those guys are going to be depressed to hear that," Bo Fei immediately corrected himself.
Looking at how Lu Zhiying asked the question with such expectant-looking puppy-like eyes, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but scoff.
"Are you sure you need anyone to teach you something like that?" Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes at Lu Zhiying. "From what I see, you should be the one teaching everyone instead!"
"Why do you say that, Senior Martial Brother Zhao?" Lu Zhiying asked with a pout. "I am still young and inexperienced, so I definitely need to learn more about the world from my precious seniors here. You will teach me more, won't you, Senior Martial Sister Gu?"
"Don't worry, I will tell you everything I know!" Gu Qiansi patted her head with a smile. "Don't listen to that Zhao Yunxiao. Guys have absolutely zero clue about the struggles that girls have to go through!"
Zhao Yunxiao shrugged in response and turned his attention to the nearest projection.
"Look, it's the Frost Lotus Dance Troupe," Zhao Yunxiao remarked as he saw the familiar faces entering the stage.
"Oh! Then I definitely have to watch this!" Lu Zhiying answered in excitement.
Upon hearing that, everyone else looked over as well, filled with anticipation for the upcoming performance.
And that did not just apply to those at their table.
The Frost Lotus Dance Troupe was a famous performance group in the Black Tortoise Sect, so they had plenty of fans, be it in the outer sect or inner sect.
Right now, all eyes were on them as the dance troupe poised themselves to begin their performance.
Zhao Yunxiao was the same as well.
It was no longer his first time watching a performance by the Frost Lotus Dance Troupe. However, the level of anticipation that he was feeling this time was far higher for some reason.
After all, considering the fact that Leng Huiqi had been able to transform the dance novice Lu Zhiying into her current state, surely their own performance would be even more amazing?
He could not wait to be blown away!
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