Chapter 222: The Unattainable Blossom

Amid clinking cups, the Master of Ceremonies shouted, "National Master has arrived!", and in an instant the lively palace banquet fell silent; in the vast Yuhua Yuan, a pin could be heard dropping.

The Donglin Emperor, before finishing his sip of wine, suddenly stood up.

Has the National Master arrived?

This is literally a once‑in‑a‑creation moment!

Know that since this National Master took office, he has never attended any banquet, nor even appeared at court; only when His Majesty summons him does he occasionally appear in the Imperial Palace.

All eyes turned toward the gate, where a towering figure strode in. The man's face was chiseled like a blade, exceptionally handsome, bearing an aristocratic aura like an emperor; the moment he appeared, people even thought he might be the emperor.

In the Yuhua Yuan, lanterns shone brightly, the Mid‑Autumn full moon was jade‑white, the garden's myriad blossoms vied for splendor, yet the instant the National Master appeared, they all faded into dullness.

He seemed like a luminous body; wherever he went, his radiance eclipsed everything, instantly erasing his presence.

Sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, seas—none can strip away a single strand of his elegance!

"National Master, you have arrived, please sit quickly!" the Donglin Emperor personally greeted him, his face full of ingratiating smile. In the eyes of the crowd, they were secretly astonished.

They had never seen His Majesty interact with the National Master; this was the first time, and they did not expect the National Master to be held in such high esteem by His Majesty.

The National Master gave a gentle nod, noble and cold‑elegant, like a deity descended.

His seat was on equal footing with the Donglin Emperor; no one thought it odd, for when he sat, the Donglin Emperor seemed his subject, the imperial aura completely crushed.

The originally relaxed banquet, due to the National Master's arrival, suddenly had its atmosphere rise, as if enveloped by high pressure, making everyone feel intense pressure!

Since Ling Qingwu first saw the National Master, her gaze never left him. In her eyes, the burning desire rose like a massive wave, seemingly able to engulf a person.

She never imagined that the tiny Donglin Country could have such a peerlessly elegant handsome man!

He was not only unmatched in looks, but his aura was supremely noble, like an emperor, causing her to involuntarily submit!

Even the most outstanding senior brother of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect could not compare to this Donglin National Master!

Ye Qingran glanced at the National Master, also showing a moment of surprise. After all, she had long heard that the National Master was aloof and never appeared at such mixed‑company banquets.

Nevertheless, one must admit the National Master was astonishingly outstanding; when he appeared, in the vast Yuhua Yuan, hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed on him, regardless of gender, especially the women, who seemed to want to devour him.

Ye Qingran, feeling a bit jealous, shifted her gaze, but inadvertently caught Ling Qingwu's fiery look.

"Fine, National Master, you even secured the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect's goddess!" Ye Qingran sneered inwardly.

The National Master was unaware of Ye Qingran's hidden scheming; since he entered, his gaze roamed the crowd until he found Ye Qingran's figure, and never left her.

Although she hadn't dressed up deliberately tonight, she seemed more beautiful than ever before. It made the National Master constantly unable to control the impulse to draw her into their arms and love her fiercely!

This was an experience the National Master had never had before meeting Ye Qingran!

As the National Master kept watching, his gaze gradually softened. Ling Qingwu sensed the change, followed his eyes, and saw Ye Qingran.

A flash of dark light flickered in her eyes!

Again, that damned woman!

Ling Qingwu's eyes flashed, she stood, and said, "Today is Mid‑Autumn; Qingwu wishes to offer a dance, thanking the Donglin Emperor for his hospitality."

She said this while looking at the National Master.

It made people can't help showing an intrigued expression.

The Donglin Emperor laughed heartily, "Since that's the case, thank you, Miss Ling!"

Several disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect all wore puzzled looks. Their usually aloof senior sister had only ever shown a hint of feminine temperament before the peerlessly elegant senior brother; what was different tonight?

Then again, they guessed it was probably because of this peerlessly unrivaled National Master.

The great name of Ling Qingwu of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect was known to many present. This noble daughter of the Sword Zun was difficult to see in ordinary times, let alone watch her dance.

Before the National Master appeared, this Sword Zun's daughter was as aloof as the moon in the sky; after his arrival, she proactively requested to dance. Ling Qingwu's intentions were clear to everyone.

Only, who doesn't know the National Master is always haughty; can this Sword Zun's daughter win his heart with a breathtaking dance?

So everyone wore expectant expressions, awaiting Ling Qingwu's peerless dance.

【9】 Ling Qingwu wore a uniform of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect; because she was one of the highest‑ranking disciples, her attire could incorporate personalized elements, further highlighting her graceful figure and noble bearing.

Ling Qingwu wore a uniform of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, but because she was one of the sect's highest-ranking disciples, her attire could incorporate some personalized touches, better accentuating her graceful figure and noble bearing.

Standing in the center of the crowd, she faced the National Master, her eyes tenderly melting like a glacier. The onlookers couldn't help exclaiming that the National Master's charm was unparalleled, even the famously aloof Ling Qingwu was captivated by him!

The music drifted in, Ling Qingwu flicked her long sleeves and began her dance.

Graceful, floating, supple, elegant, ethereal…

Her dance foundation was evidently solid, so the effect dazzled countless onlookers; even the women present who considered themselves skilled in dance began to doubt their own lives after watching Ling Qingwu's performance!

Ye Qingran couldn't help being drawn in, thinking that if this were in China, she would be a bona fide dance artist!

However, does the National Master have a brain disorder, ignoring such a beautiful dance and staring at her with scorching eyes?

Is there a flower on her face?

Damn, it made her face turn red!

When the dance ended, Ling Qingwu's breath was slightly unsteady; she lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes shining, stared at the National Master, and in a voice like a yellow warbler from the valley said, "National Master, are you satisfied with the dance Qingwu performed?"

The National Master, seeing Ye Qingran enthralled, heard someone call him, lifted his eyelids, and coolly replied, "Didn't watch."

Didn't watch?

Ling Qingwu wondered if she had misheard.

The National Master said he hadn't watched?

Her complexion gradually darkened.

The crowd also froze for a moment, then, realizing, covered their mouths and snickered.

Earlier they wondered whether the peerless beauty Ling Qingwu could capture the National Master's lofty heart, but they didn't expect the National Master to be so straight‑forward, ignoring such a beautiful dance entirely.

So, what was the National Master looking at just now?

"Pfft~" Ye Qingran couldn't hold back, covered her mouth and laughed. National Master, could you not be so straight‑forward?

The National Master heard her laughter, saw her smile blooming like a flower, and his gaze deepened. The crowd followed his line of sight, saw Ye Qingran, and instantly understood.