Moon Festival

The announcer’s voice boomed across the vast arena, filled with excitement and pride.“So, ladies and gentlemen… now we begin our festival!”His words echoed throughout the venue, rising above the gentle murmur of the crowd. The lighting dimmed slightly, and soft glowing patterns shimmered across the stage, marking the start of a sacred tradition.The eight volunteers who had earlier stepped forward with impressive and graceful entrances now quietly returned to the specially prepared seats reserved for them. Their seats were placed on an elevated platform near the front of the stage, cushioned and decorated with traditional symbols in silver and blue, representing the Moon Goddess.The announcer raised his arm slightly, and the crowd instinctively fell silent once again.“As our tradition goes,” he continued, his voice now steady but respectful, “we worship our Goddess in the holy festival that comes only once every four years… when the seven Oxian Stars align in the shape of a lotus, with the full moon resting at its center.”He paused, allowing the weight of those words to settle. “And tonight… is that sacred night.”A wave of calm awe spread through the spectators. People bowed their heads briefly in reverence.“First,” the announcer said, “we will begin by lighting the Holy Torch… a ritual that requires not just strength, but pure energy and unwavering resolve.”He let that sink in before adding, “Will we see a genius tonight, someone who can light it alone? Or, as in previous years, will our respected elders step in to complete the rite?”The announcer slowly gestured to the object at the center of the stage.There it stood — the Holy Torch.Tall like a pillar, with ancient carvings spiraling up its white-marble base, it had not been lit in years. A translucent circular formation was etched into the floor surrounding it — this formation measured the purity and strength of energy injected into the torch. As the torch responded, the formation would glow and display a percentage, reflecting how close someone came to igniting it fully.This torch was no ordinary artifact.It had been left by the Moon Goddess herself. According to legend, to light it, one needed pure energy — not just raw power. Even if someone was overwhelmingly strong, a single doubt in their resolve could lead to failure. In the long history of this land, only one person had managed to light the torch fully by herself… and she had collapsed immediately afterward, drained to her very core.Now, under the silver gaze of the full moon and the sacred alignment of the stars above, the test was about to begin.From the seating area, Ryler stood and looked at Morlen, who gave a slight nod. With a quiet breath, Ryler stepped down to the stage.He approached the torch slowly. The crowd watched in total silence.Ryler extended his hand and placed it gently on the base of the torch. A faint glow appeared under his palm. He began to circulate his energy, and a subtle warmth spread around him. His flame energy flickered into existence, and the air shimmered faintly as heat waves rose from the stage.A minute passed. His face turned pale. He withdrew his hand with a sigh and looked at the glowing ring beneath his feet. The formation showed 11%.A murmur spread through the crowd.Next, Sunica took her turn. She managed to reach 12%, and quietly returned to her seat.Then came Humera, who confidently walked to the torch. She focused, injected her energy carefully, and surprisingly achieved 47% — a significant jump. The crowd applauded her effort.Following her, Elisa stepped forward, her expression calm and composed. She placed her hand on the torch and closed her eyes. Light rippled across the formation… and it climbed to 51% — the highest so far.Then, Morlen rose from his seat. His gaze swept across his competition, pausing briefly on Elisa. He stepped forward with an air of quiet determination.Once on stage, he touched the torch but did not immediately channel his flame energy. Instead, he paused, realizing that strength alone wouldn't suffice.“It’s about purity…” he thought.Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and began channeling his energy, focusing entirely on its essence, not just force.It took effort, but he completed the process and then glanced at the formation — 62%.He let out a faint smile and stepped back.Then came Kushant, who approached silently. He placed his hand on the torch and channeled his energy with great focus. To everyone’s surprise, he too reached 62%, matching Morlen exactly.At this point, the crowd’s excitement began to fade.A few whispers echoed from the sides:“Guess no one will light it this year either…”“Same result as always.”Then… someone else stood.A quiet figure — Chiara.She walked slowly toward the stage. The air shifted.Even though she wasn’t trying to attract attention, her very presence felt unnatural — sharp, still, and impossibly distant.The old lady sitting beside Helmen slightly narrowed her eyes. A spark lit up in them, as if something had just clicked.Chiara stepped forward, reached the torch, and raised her hand.The moment her palm made contact, something strange occurred — it felt as if the very energy around her bent to her will, surrendering without resistance. Heat rose rapidly. Light flowed gently through the torch, then expanded.A soft glow emerged along the torch’s base.A minute passed.Then… the light suddenly faded.Confusion flickered across Chiara’s face for the briefest moment.The crowd leaned forward to see the result.Gasps followed.99%.She had come one percent away from lighting the holy torch.Even those who had previously attempted it sat in stunned silence.Chiara let out a long sigh and turned away. As she walked back to her seat, her gaze briefly fell on Sheo, just for a moment, before she looked away.Sheo, who had been sitting quietly, had Dreamy curled up on his lap. The fox cub was watching the stage with large, curious eyes.Sheo was speaking with Shuna, telling her — in short, careful phrases — about his recent adventures.Both of them turned their attention to Chiara as she passed.Then, slowly and without a word, Sheo stood.He gently handed Dreamy to Shuna, who accepted the fox without question. Dreamy wriggled once, then curled into her arms.The crowd noticed Sheo.Whispers erupted instantly.“Why him?”“They should’ve chosen Luzi…”“He didn’t even awaken his energy until last month!”“He’s the weakest in their group.”Sheo walked calmly toward the torch.He ignored every word. His eyes were calm, steady.Once before the torch, he placed his hand on it.Nothing happened.The crowd’s disappointment was audible.The progress bar on the formation remained stuck at 0%.Sheo slowly removed his hand. He turned slightly — and just as people were about to sneer and mutter —He spoke.Just one word.“Burn.”And then—The air trembled.The entire stadium's energy shifted — as if the heavens themselves had bowed before that command.An overwhelming heat filled the surroundings. In a blink, that power rushed into the torch like a tidal wave.0%… 100%.In an instant.Silence.The mocking whispers froze in the air.Everyone stared in shock.Only two pairs of eyes had been watching Sheo closely from the start: the old lady, and Chiara.They didn’t look surprised — only thoughtful.What Sheo had done wasn’t just about purity.The others had poured their energy into the torch — letting it soak passively. But Sheo had done something else.He had compressed his pure energy into a dense core, and once it was ready, he had burst it at the torch’s center — filling it in an instant.It was a true test of control, precision, and purity.As he stepped back, a white flame ignited atop the Holy Torch — bright, dazzling, absolute.It shimmered like moonlight but radiated a deeper heat.The entire crowd — commoners, nobles, sect elders, and leaders — bowed their heads.Even Sheo bent his waist and gave a respectful bow.And then—A beam of white light suddenly shot from the flame and entered Sheo’s body — so subtle and precise that no one else noticed.Inside him, that light sank into his flame seed, merging silently.When Sheo looked inward, he saw his flame — more refined than ever before. His seed now shone with a dazzling blue glow.The power within it… was immense, but not yet fully mature.It would take time. A long time.But from this point forward, Sheo could use a portion of it.He lowered his head slightly in gratitude and then returned to his seat.The crowd was still in disbelief.Then, finally, the announcer’s voice echoed again — breaking through the stunned silence:“Sheo, from the Xenic Moon Sect… has successfully lit the Holy Flame!”Cheers erupted like a tidal wave.People clapped, shouted, and stood up in excitement.And with the lighting of the Holy Torch — as if the land itself rejoiced — the true festival began.Lights brightened across Qingming.Dancers took the stage. Musicians played. People sang, performed, and prayed. Laughter filled the air.From the smallest street stalls to the highest terraces, the entire city was immersed in happiness and celebration.The night glowed with spirit, fire, and faith.And the sacred white flame continued to burn — high and proud — beneath the lotus-shaped constellation and the full moon above.Far from the bright, bustling moon festival of Qingming, several kilometers away near a quiet mountain range, the night air felt colder, heavier.Five shadows silently appeared over the ridge.Their outlines were faint, their forms cloaked in swirling black smoke that moved unnaturally against the wind. It clung to them like living ink, obscuring their features and blending their presence into the night.The stillness was broken by a voice—deep, cracked, and hoarse like wind scraping against dry stone.“Qingming… and its famous Moon Festival.”The speaker didn’t move. His voice alone seemed to echo through the darkness, heavy with disdain and something older—perhaps recognition.One of the shadows, slightly taller than the others, shifted forward. His presence radiated authority. Though nothing could be seen clearly, the way the smoke curled around him—slower, more controlled—marked him as the leader.He raised his hand slightly, fingers barely visible through the haze.“Havnim,” he said quietly.One of the shadows immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and remained still, waiting.“Go,” the leader continued. “Eliminate any possible threats. Then meet us in Pulkina.”Havnim bowed again. No words were exchanged. Within a breath, all five shadows disappeared into the night, swallowed by the darkness as if they were never there.Meanwhile, back in Qingming, the festival lights danced across the night sky.After a long sequence of mesmerizing performances—dancers, musicians, fire art—the stadium was now brimming with cheers and sparkling eyes. Families, cultivators, nobles, and children alike waited for what was next.The announcer, standing at the center of the elevated stone stage, stepped forward again. His robe shimmered silver under the moonlight.With a wide smile, he raised his voice, letting his energy amplify his words across the entire arena.“I hope your excitement hasn’t faded yet,” he declared, his voice filled with anticipation. “Because our final act tonight is unlike anything before—one of the most sacred trials of our Moon Festival!”The crowd quieted.“It is the legendary Lunar Gate Formation—a test that challenges not your strength, but your essence. And to lead this sacred trial, we invite someone truly special—”He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.“Sixteen years ago, she challenged this formation… She lit 499 Spirit Candles and received the Moon Goddess’s Blessing. A proud daughter of the Xenic Moon Sect—Shuna!”Applause erupted from all sides.In the sky above, a calm figure descended slowly, flying with controlled ease. Shuna’s long robes flowed behind her like water, reflecting faint moonlight. She landed gently at the center of the stage, near the Spirit Garden formation.She looked toward the elders, then toward the crowd. Her eyes paused momentarily on Jinnia, who was clapping with a bright smile. Shuna gave a faint sigh and then raised her hand, circulating a soft energy wave to amplify her voice clearly across the arena.“The Lunar Gate Formation does not test power. It does not care for status. It tests your body, mind, and soul—especially the balance between your spiritual energy and your genetic purity.”Her tone was calm, instructive.“No amount of wealth or technique can help if your energy is not in harmony with the Goddess. You will fail.”A solemn silence settled.“As we’ve recently uncovered from ancient manuscripts, this trial wasn’t just a challenge. The Moon Goddess left it behind to select a successor—someone who could inherit her powers.”The crowd stirred.“That successor… will light all five hundred Spirit Candles. And according to prophecy, that person will appear in an era of great change, bearing a Moon Grace not ordinary—but holy.”Shuna gestured toward the Spirit Garden.“Walk the path. Circulate your energy. The number of candles you light reflects your purity. Light more than 495, and you may challenge the Lunar Formation.”“If you complete it… not only will you receive the Goddess’s Blessing, but the Xenic Moon Sect will grant you one wish—any wish within our reach.”A respectful silence followed. Then, one by one, the participants began their trials.Ryler walked forward first. He entered the Spirit Garden with steady breath and calm steps. Energy flowed from his palms in a controlled current. After a few minutes, 452 candles lit up.Then came Sunica—her technique was refined, but her energy wavered at the edges. She stopped at 448 candles.Humera, Elisa, Morlen, and Kashant followed.Of them, Morlen and Elisa showed exceptional composure. Their energies were steady, deep, and clean. Both lit up exactly 480 candles—drawing scattered gasps from the crowd.Then, it was Chiara’s turn.She stepped into the Spirit Garden with her usual calm. Her silver robes fluttered slightly with each slow, confident step. She began circulating her energy—pure, refined, undiluted by emotion or pride.Her aura spread like moonlight over still water—quiet, yet absolute.As the energy flowed, a faint mark began to appear on her forearms, hidden beneath her sleeves. It glowed softly—a mark not of cultivation, but of bloodline.Even with such purity, the last candle refused to light. After long minutes, she stopped at 499 candles.She turned silently, walked back, and locked eyes with Sheo. Her expression didn't shift, but her gaze lingered.Sheo exhaled slowly.Then stepped forward.In the seats above, the old lady sitting beside General Helmen narrowed her eyes.“Just as I thought… a heavenly blood.”She smiled faintly.But then, her gaze flickered—shifting toward the horizon.Something felt… wrong.Her spiritual sense stretched far into the borders of Qingming.She leaned slightly toward Helman and whispered through spiritual telepathy:“Helmen. Keep your guards up.”Sheo walked toward the Spirit Garden. He paused before the candles. The moonlight reflected softly on his hair.He inhaled, calming his breath, then began.The garden responded to him, reacting strangely—some candles lit instantly, others flickered erratically. His control was careful but deep. As his energy stabilized, the candles continued to light, one after the other.But in the end… even he stopped at 499.The announcer, clearly amazed, clapped loudly.“What a miraculous night! Not one, but two geniuses! Both have the right to challenge the Lunar Formation!”The crowd roared in approval.Sheo and Chiara both nodded quietly.Chiara didn’t speak, but inside her heart, something stirred. For years, since the day she began training, she had never tasted defeat.But today… in front of thousands… she had been defeated. And by a boy she barely knew. The fire that ignited inside her wasn’t rage—but challenge.The announcer smiled broadly.“Normally, the Lunar Formation is a solo challenge. But tonight… how about a competition?”Cheers erupted from the audience.Sheo sighed. He glanced at Chiara, then turned his gaze slightly, locking onto Rubika in the crowd. His mind wandered to the Moon Grace—the one Rubika had absorbed so easily.Was it meant for her?He clenched his fist lightly, then shook the thought away. The trial demanded focus.The announcer raised his voice again.“The task is simple! Break the Moon Sphere—navigate through the obstacles and forge your path!”Two shimmering Moon Spheres floated in the air, surrounded by invisible barriers.Both Sheo and Chiara approached. As they neared, their bodies felt heavier. A strange pressure distorted the space. The only path forward was a specific one—hidden and winding.Chiara moved first.She used her energy to probe the area carefully. Her movements were calculated. After a moment, she stepped forward—not straight, but from an odd angle, as if following a path others couldn’t see.Sheo stood still, eyes closed. His body unmoving.Halfway through the path, Chiara looked back.Sheo remained motionless.Then—he moved.A silent burst of mist and lightning exploded from his position. His body blurred, entering the maze from a direction that defied logic. Every twist, every step—impossible angles, perfect precision.The audience gasped.Chiara gritted her teeth and pushed forward, increasing her speed.But Sheo’s momentum couldn’t be stopped. With a flash of silver under the moonlight, he unsheathed his sword, slashing through every obstacle that attacked.Then—slash—the Moon Sphere before him split cleanly in two.A few seconds later, Chiara’s sphere shattered as well.Holy light descended upon both of them.Jinnia clapped and smiled.“Congratulations! You each now have the right to ask for a wish.”Chiara stepped forward first. Her tone was cold, her eyes steady.“I wish… for a one-on-one match with Sheo.”The crowd fell silent. Even Jinnia looked shocked.Sheo glanced at her, then nodded slightly.“But not today,” he said calmly.Chiara accepted with a single nod.Then Jinnia turned to Sheo.“And you?”He looked up at the sky, then at Rubika.“I want to use the Lunar Formation to test someone else.”Jinnia raised her brows.“Who?”“Rubika.”Rubika, surprised, slowly stepped forward. Dreamy leapt from her head onto Sheo’s shoulder.Sheo took the holy light he had received and pressed it gently toward Rubika’s chest.The moment it touched her, her body absorbed it entirely.Jinnia’s eyes sharpened.“Rubika,” Sheo said softly, “Can you walk through the Spirit Garden… for me?”Rubika nodded, confused, but trusting.Each step she took glowed with pure light. One by one, candles lit up. All of them.And finally—the 500th.A divine light burst from the Moon Goddess statue, covering Rubika’s body in a radiant aura, refining her.But then—something changed.Sheo’s expression sharpened. He vanished from his place and reappeared beside Rubika, slashing through the air. A black needle shattered before it could strike her.More needles came—one, two, three.Sheo parried them, but they threw him back, pinning him to the wall.The crowd screamed.The sky twisted.Dozens of needles rained toward Rubika, Chiara, and Sheo.But just before the final blow struck—BOOM—a shadow landed, destroying the needles in one move.A voice cut through the air like thunder.“How dare you… invade our festival?!”Jinnia’s aura erupted. Elders appeared around Rubika instantly, forming a dense mist barrier.Chiara moved and dodged a needle—but another came straight toward her.Ahanka appeared in front of her, shielding her from harm.Shuna stepped forward, ready to protect Sheo—but just then, an unseen force shattered the space infront him.General Helmen caught Sheo .He narrowed his eyes toward the distant space and said in a low voice:“Reveal yourself, intruder.”