Immortal Realm, Land of Ultimate Bliss, Qingli Palace...
Within the Land of Ultimate Bliss stood tens of millions of mountain peaks, and just as many grand, sweeping structures or exquisite, unique buildings. Yet places like Qingli Palace—ancient in style, deserted as a gate where sparrows could nest, bleak as clear autumn—were few. Perhaps tranquil and serene suited it better, for it lacked the baleful air of schemes, slaughter, and fighting.
At least, Qingli Palace, wreathed in clouds and mist, appeared so quiet and peaceful on the surface. Yet that was merely the surface. The liveliness within was beyond comparison with anywhere else in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.
At the very center of Qingli Palace stood a vast palace hall. Beneath eaves thick with moss, its old wooden doors were tightly shut. Standing outside, one could not hear the slightest sound within, but once one entered, one would be drawn in by the swirling dances and drifting songs.
Within this enormous hall, the floor was polished green jade, smooth enough to reflect a person. Countless songstresses held all manner of instruments and sang in mellifluous voices, while great numbers of dancers displayed their graceful figures. Some danced alone, others in groups, separated by soundproof barriers so that none disturbed the others.
Yet today, every soundproof barrier in the hall had been removed, because they all had to cooperate fully with the principal performer personally selected by the Immortal Emperor and Empress to present a song in celebration of their grand wedding. Under Qing Niang's drilling, they rehearsed with that principal performer again and again, but that principal performer was truly too foolish. Often, a single movement of his would drag everyone into endless repetition.
"Damn it! I'm not doing this anymore..." A grief-stricken roar rang through the hall once again.