Chapter 333: Bright Moon Illuminates My Heart

"That's right, three days from now is our Ice and Snow Divine Dynasty's triennial Sinking Fish Festival. You'll understand then."

Prince Ying didn't elaborate, and no one asked, but Xu Yang vaguely felt that things weren't as simple as they seemed; there had to be some special circumstances involved.

They landed at an incredibly exquisite ice-blue palace. The courtyard was filled with various kinds of cherry blossom trees, and as soon as they entered, everyone could smell the refreshing fragrance of the flowers.

"Wow! It's so beautiful here, truly fitting for a prince's residence!"

The youngest of the Five Golden Flowers started gushing again. This girl was well-known for her love of flowers and plants, and seeing so many cherry blossom trees immediately made her heart flutter. Everyone just smiled and shook their heads, not stopping her.

"This is my private residence. Please make yourselves at home. Feel free to do whatever you like and don't hesitate to ask if you have any requests."

As soon as Prince Ying entered his own residence, he seemed to transform. His melancholic and cold demeanor vanished, and he appeared to genuinely welcome Xu Yang and the others.

"Outside, countless people are likely watching me in secret, so I can't expose any weakness. But in my own residence, no one can do anything to me, so I can be more relaxed. For these three days, you are my guests. If you wish to explore the city, just inform the butler, and he will arrange for someone to protect your safety."

Xu Yang nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Ying. To be honest, we came here to search for an old friend. I also plan to look around before the Sinking Fish Festival and hopefully find something."

Prince Ying offered a faint smile. "I've already made arrangements. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you should have news about the person you're looking for within three days."

"That's wonderful!" Xu Yang exclaimed with delight, cupping his hands towards Prince Ying. "If Your Highness ever needs my assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

Prince Ying smiled and nodded. "I still have some matters to attend to in the palace, so please excuse me. Feel free to make yourselves comfortable. Take this token; if you encounter any insurmountable trouble in the city, showing this should be helpful."

With that, Prince Ying took out his personal token and handed it to Xu Yang before ascending into the air with his white-robed guards, heading towards the palace.

"Let's go explore as well."

Seeing that everyone was restless and curious about the Ice and Snow Divine City, Xu Yang gave the order to disperse.

Long Kun didn't hesitate, immediately asking the butler for directions to the city's most famous song and dance hall to enjoy himself.

Little Tuan Tuan and Taotie went for a stroll with Ling Yao, while Ling Qingshu, having nothing specific to do, joined the Five Golden Flower sisters in browsing the jewelry street, just to pass the time.

As for Little Hua, since she had nothing to do during their journey, Xu Yang taught her some cultivation methods, guiding her onto the path of cultivation. Originally, Xu Yang had wanted to take her out to explore, but the girl proved to be quite diligent. Perhaps she constantly thought about wanting to do something for Xu Yang, as she would sit cross-legged and cultivate whenever she had free time. Xu Yang could only let her be.

After leaving the residence, only Princess Wushuang remained by Xu Yang's side as usual.

"Is there anything you want to say?"

The two walked along the street, observing the people of Ice and Snow City. The atmosphere in the city-state seemed no different from the mainland; the familiar hustle and bustle had returned.

"Prince Ying's demeanor alone shows how intense the struggles within the royal family are. The only thing I don't understand is why, with so many members in the royal family, they sent the Third Prince to receive us. And that so-called Sinking Fish Festival also seems peculiar."

What Wushuang said echoed Xu Yang's own doubts. He actually didn't want to get involved in the power struggles within the royal family, but to find Bai Lianxue, he would have to repay the Third Prince's favor no matter what.

However, he didn't have too many concerns. As the saying goes, 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.' No matter what trouble arose, there would always be a solution.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived near a stone bridge in the southern street. It was crowded with people continuously looking down at the river, appearing exceptionally lively.

Xu Yang and Wushuang exchanged glances and moved closer. Upon closer inspection, a full moon was reflected in the middle of the river!

Strangely, the sky above the Ice and Snow Divine City was always crimson throughout the year, with no visible cycle of sun and moon. According to the people around them, this river was the only place where moonlight could be seen. It was said that those with destined connections who came here could see their beloved in the reflection of the full moon.

Xu Yang dismissed it as a joke and had no intention of trying it out. Princess Wushuang, however, found it interesting.

"Don't you want to try? Since we've come all this way, it must be fate. What's the harm in treating it as a game?"

Xu Yang was taken aback by Wushuang's words. He walked to the edge of the bridge, leaned over to look at the center of the moon's reflection, and released a burst of spiritual energy.

The next moment, ripples spread across the entire river, and the moon's reflection began to convulse rapidly, becoming increasingly blurry. In Xu Yang's vision, one blurry face after another flashed past. He couldn't make out each face clearly, yet he felt unusually familiar with all of them. As the ripples gradually vanished, the last outline to appear in his sight was strikingly clear: it was Wushuang's face, right beside him!

"This..."

Xu Yang instinctively forced himself to regain some clarity, simultaneously interrupting these thoughts and feelings. He knew that he didn't belong to this illusory world and would eventually have to leave.

And Wushuang, in Xu Yang's view, was the only person he couldn't take with him, and he didn't want to form too deep a bond with her.

As if waking from a startling dream, Xu Yang sighed in relief after regaining his composure and, without another word, walked towards the other side of the bridge with his hands clasped behind his back.

"I'll wait for you below."

Wushuang watched his receding figure with a faint smile, then fixed her beautiful eyes on the center of the moon's reflection beneath the bridge. No ripples appeared as expected; instead, only Xu Yang's back, which had just been reflected in her pupils, reappeared in the moon's center...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

To Xu Yang and the others' surprise, Prince Ying hadn't returned even once during these three days, leaving Xu Yang's group free to do as they pleased in his residence.

It wasn't until the morning of the third day that a squad of splendidly dressed palace guards appeared at the prince's residence gate, clearly there to escort Xu Yang and his companions into the palace.

The leading guard personally approached Xu Yang and respectfully handed him a document.

"Prince Ying specifically sent this humble general to welcome you honored guests into the palace for the Ice and Snow Divine Dynasty's triennial grand ceremony—the Sinking Fish Festival!"