Chapter 177: Zhao Yunji’s Sword Dance Shocks the Crowd!

Earlier, Su Xueni and the other two ladies displayed a beauty that could enchant an entire nation. Now, Mo Shuiqiu and Lu Miaoyin took a different approach, blending artistic elegance with feminine grace to create a profound and mysterious atmosphere.  

Mountains, rivers, and flying birds depicted in their performance seemed to manifest before the audience’s eyes. Mo Shuiqiu painted in the air, while Lu Miaoyin wrote, seamlessly combining their dances with the arts of painting and calligraphy.  

This mesmerizing display stunned the audience, leaving many with mouths agape and eyes transfixed.  

“Watching this dance feels like a spiritual cleanse.”  

“Indeed, it’s so soothing, as if my heart has been purified!”  

“If I could witness such refined performances daily, I’d gladly abandon cultivation!”  

“Ha! Dream on. Don’t you know these two are the Crown Prince’s women?”  

“Exactly. The Crown Prince once visited Yunmo Dao Palace and later helped Qinglian Immortal Island eliminate the Dragon Clan. Watching this performance is a privilege we owe entirely to him!”  

“Ah, why is it that all the world’s most stunning women belong to the Crown Prince?”  

The crowd was torn between awe and lamentation, with many downing their drinks in frustration.  

As the music ceased and the dance concluded, thunderous applause erupted. This performance was in no way inferior to the one by Su Xueni and her companions earlier.  

After bowing respectfully to the Crown Prince, the two ladies left the stage gracefully.  

“Haha, I thought the earlier performance was unbeatable, but who would’ve expected this surprise!”  

“Surely, nothing can surpass this now, right? I can’t imagine anyone topping it.”  

Several more performances followed. Although they were remarkable, none matched the brilliance of the previous acts.  

The only solace for the crowd was enjoying the zither melody from the Immortal Musician, which prompted many to close their eyes, swaying their heads gently to the rhythm.  

“Little sister, why don’t you perform a dance? I recall you’ve learned court dances before.” Zhao Yunji finally seized an opportunity to provoke Zhao Qingmeng.  

After all, the earlier performers were all Lin Qi’an’s close confidantes. If Zhao Qingmeng refrained from participating, it might appear she was inferior. On the other hand, if she joined but failed to match them, it would be even more humiliating.  

Unexpectedly, Zhao Qingmeng remained indifferent. 

“Do you think I need to? Brother Lin’s love for me isn’t something these coquettish acts can sway.”  

Smiling faintly, Zhao Qingmeng continued, “Oh, by the way, sister, look at this Gold-Winged Cicada Lin Qi’an gave me. It’s our token of love and allows us to communicate wherever we are.”  

“…” Zhao Yunji was nearly driven mad with frustration.  

When it came to verbal sparring, she was no match for this mischievous little sprite. She couldn’t understand how this girl had become so adept at palace intrigue!  

“Speaking of which, sister, the second and third-ranked beauties of the Saintess list have already performed. Can the number one beauty sit idle any longer?”  

“…”  

What was that supposed to mean? Did she think I would lose to those painted women?  

Slap!  

Zhao Yunji slammed her palm onto the table and stood up. With a tap of her foot, she gracefully leaped to the center of the stage.  

The sight of the golden-robed woman stunned everyone.  

The entire hall rose in unison to bow.  

“Greetings, Princess!”  

How could they, mere mortals, deserve to witness the dance of Canglan Dao Domain’s First Goddess and Princess?  

The only one who remained seated was Lin Qi’an, who sipped his wine leisurely, dressed in pure white robes as immaculate as freshly fallen snow.  

“Everyone, there’s no need for such formalities,” Lin Qi’an said calmly. “Since the Princess has come forward, she’s clearly here to enhance the evening.”  

Reassured by his words, the audience exchanged glances and dared to sit again. But in the next moment, Zhao Yunji raised her delicate sword, pointing it directly at Lin Qi’an!  

What… what was she doing?  

“Hmph.” With a soft snort, Zhao Yunji withdrew her sword and traced a crescent arc in the air. Her graceful figure began to move, her golden silhouette weaving through the moonlight.  

“She’s… she’s dancing with a sword!”  

“Unbelievable! I never thought I’d live to see Princess Yunji perform a sword dance!”  

“She’s the top Saintess of Canglan Dao Domain. Just seeing her in person is a lifelong honor…”  

“Brother, I wouldn’t even dare to dream of this! It’s too surreal.”  

The many prodigies present almost turned to stone, questioning if they were even worthy of witnessing such a magnificent spectacle.  

Zhao Yunji’s sword dance lacked any coquettishness. Her golden figure glided like a fledgling swallow. As the zither melody filled the air, her jade-like hands spun lightly, while the gleaming sword flickered as swiftly as lightning.  

The sharp gleam of the blade merged seamlessly with her ethereal beauty.  

The scene was like a celestial maiden dancing under the moonlight. Each sword stroke seemed to cut down a moonbeam, creating a breathtaking and otherworldly spectacle.  

Even Lin Qi’an, his wine cup poised in mid-air, paused to savor every intricate sword move.  

Swish!  

As Zhao Yunji sheathed her sword, a fresh breeze whistled through the hall.  

The pristine moonlight fell on her frost-like face, her cold and proud demeanor captivating everyone in the audience. 

“Excellent,” Lin Qi’an remarked, his voice breaking the silence.  

That single word erupted through the hall like a thunderclap.  

“Brilliant! Absolutely flawless!”  

“This event was worth every moment. I almost skipped it, thinking it was just another social gathering. Missing this would have been the regret of a lifetime!”  

“This is truly the First Goddess of Canglan Dao Domain! Who could compare? Impossible!”  

“But wait, didn’t the Crown Prince and Princess Yunji dissolve their engagement? Why would the Princess perform now?”  

“How should I know? The Crown Prince is just incredible, that’s all that matters!”  

No one could have anticipated that a proud and untouchable figure like Zhao Yunji would perform such a captivating dance in public.  

Yet, it was clear to everyone that her motive wasn’t to compete with other women for attention. The only explanation was Lin Qi’an.  

“This performance is simply to thank you for eliminating the disaster that plagued my Tai’an City. Nothing more,” Zhao Yunji declared before leaving, her tone pointed and prideful.  

Everyone knew her outward words of gratitude were nothing more than a cover for her true feelings.  

“Little sister, your dance was extraordinary! I’m so proud of you!” Zhao Ziyu praised excitedly as Zhao Yunji returned to her seat.  

However, Zhao Yunji merely rolled her eyes at him.  

“Thank you. Next time, don’t be proud.”  

“…Seriously?” Zhao Ziyu muttered under his breath.  

He consoled himself with the fact that his sister wasn’t one of Lin Qi’an’s many romantic partners, unlike the other Saintesses who had just performed. This was a small comfort to him.  

As the evening progressed, the remaining dances seemed lackluster by comparison.  

“After watching Princess Yunji’s sword dance, nothing else holds any appeal.”  

“Agreed. Tonight must have reached its peak.”  

“We’ve already seen three incredible performances and heard the music of the Zither Immortal. What more could we ask for?”  

“All thanks to the Crown Prince for such a feast for the senses!”  

Finally, the event reached its final act. The last performer emerged—a woman clad in a black gauzy gown, her face concealed by a veil, exuding an air of mystery.  

“What’s with the veil? Is she ashamed to show her face?”  

“Exactly! Even Princess Yunji didn’t wear a veil, and she’s the top-ranked beauty. What’s with this pretense?”  

“What’s the point of hiding? It’s already uninteresting!”  

Having witnessed Zhao Yunji’s sword dance, the audience had little expectation for what followed. Seeing a veiled performer only further dampened their enthusiasm, leading to murmurs of impatience.  

However, as the Zither Immortal’s melody filled the hall, they reluctantly decided to give the final performance a chance.  

As the haunting music drifted through the air, the woman began her solo dance. Ten breaths later, the entire hall fell silent. A pin drop could be heard amidst the stillness.  

The woman seemed to merge with the night sky itself, her flowing black hair illuminated by the moonlight like a sacred aura.  

Her every movement—each spin of her toes, each flick of her wrist, each kick of her leg, and each flourish of her dress—was executed with perfect precision. Even the subtle opening and closing of her long, enchanting eyes seemed to stir the soul.  

She danced like a spirit bird gliding gracefully through a misty night, embodying all that was ethereal and beautiful.  

What set her apart was the deep sorrow and loneliness interwoven into her performance. Her breathtaking movements conveyed emotions so profound they penetrated the hearts of the audience, leaving many in tears.  

“How could such a dance exist? I can’t believe what I’m seeing…”  

People wiped their tears, their voices choked with emotion.  

“Who is this woman? Why have we never heard of her before?”  

The crowd, accustomed to calling extraordinary women “fairies,” found this performer to be something entirely different.  

Unlike the usual term of endearment, this woman truly seemed like a celestial being descended from the heavens, generously sharing her divine beauty with the mortal realm.  

Even Zhao Ziyu was so entranced that he sat slack-jawed, drooling. As for Lin Qi’an, he couldn’t help but lose himself entirely. His wine cup tilted in his hand, spilling its contents as his gaze remained fixed on the stage.  

Even the Saintesses who had performed earlier found themselves deeply moved and humbled.  

“This dance could only belong in the heavens!”  

The hall resonated with an unspoken understanding. They had witnessed a performance unlike any other—a fleeting glimpse of the divine.