After the ceremonial rites in the morning, the members of the sect left the Xuanwu Temple to prepare for the rest of the day.


    The New Year celebrations of the Black Tortoise Sect largely referred to two main items – the celebratory banquet and the performances.


    But in order to accommodate the sheer number of members within the sect, the celebratory banquet had to be split into sections, and would be simultaneously held in three different locations.


    The upper echelons of the sect would attend the main banquet in the Core Grounds. This included the sect leader, elders, protectors, core disciples, and certain deacons.


    The rest of the deacons would join the inner disciples in the Inner Grounds.


    As for the outer disciples, they would have their own celebratory banquet in the Outer Grounds.


    But no matter who they were, most of the disciples felt nothing but anticipation as they eagerly prepared for the start of the celebrations.


    It was a rare opportunity to meet and interact with everyone else in the sect, so most disciples wanted to make sure they looked their very best.


    As for the reason why, it varied from person to person.


    Some treated this as a competition with their rivals, wanting to look better and more successful than the other.


    Some treated this as a chance to show their capabilities to others, wanting to network and forge new ties within the sect.


    There were even some who dressed up simply to appeal to those they fancied, seeing this as a golden opportunity to connect with a potential cultivation partner.


    It was not uncommon whatsoever to see numerous people subtly bring along their treasures to the banquet, only to accidentally flash them at those around them.


    “It’s so nerve wrecking!” Huang An remarked in her usual meek voice as they waited in their assigned room.


    “Don’t be nervous, just as we always do in practice and will be fine,” Bo Fei’s attempt at assuring her emerged in the form of mere broken sentences.


    “Listen to yourself, Senior Martial Brother Bo. What are you even saying?” Zhao Yunxiao laughed.


    “Shut up, I just tripped a little on my tongue, that’s all!” Bo Fei answered in irritation.


    “You better don’t trip on your tongue later!” Zhao Yunxiao cautioned.


    “Worry about yourself instead!” Bo Fei retorted.


    “Here, take this,” Gu Qiansi started handing out small leaves to everyone. “This is the leaf of a Softpetal plant. Chewing on it will help calm you down a little.”


    “Thank you, Senior Martial Sister Gu! I needed that!” Huang An immediately skipped over and grabbed a leaf.


    “As reliable as always, Junior Martial Sister Gu. For this, I can reward you with a date anytime in the next three days,” Bo Fei took one as well.


    “How generous of you, but no thank you,” Gu Qiansi rolled her eyes.


    “Can’t you make it taste better? It tastes too bitter,” Zhao Yunxiao remarked while chewing on a leaf.


    “Do you think this is meant for you to savour the taste?” Gu Qiansi clicked her tongue in irritation before turning to Lu Zhiying. “Are you not going to take one, Junior Martial Sister Lu?”


    “Nope, I’m not feeling nervous at all. So, I don’t think there’s a need for it,” Lu Zhiying shook her head nonchalantly.


    “Is that so? All right then, just let me know if you want one later,” Gu Qiansi was not too surprised at her response.


    “You are amazing, Junior Martial Sister Lu!” Huang An was the one who widened her eyes at Lu Zhiying’s response instead.


    This might be the Flying Shell Performance Group’s first time performing for the New Year celebrations, but it was not exactly their first performance in front of others. Even then, they were still feeling rather nervous.


    In contrast, the first-timer Lu Zhiying was actually completely unfazed.


    Huang An could not help but feel impressed.


    “You are amazing indeed,” Bo Fei nodded in agreement.


    “What are you looking at, Senior Martial Brother Bo?” Gu Qiansi snapped. “Junior Martial Sister Huang is complimenting Junior Martial Sister Lu’s guts, not her looks!”


    “Why can’t they both be amazing?” Bo Fei frowned. “Or are you jealous that I am not complimenting you instead? Don’t worry, your body is amazing too.”


    “Wow, you really are hopeless,” Gu Qiansi exclaimed in disbelief.


    “On a more serious note, shall we practise one last time?” Huang An suggested. “I saw that our slot is rather early after all. There’s not much time left to practice.”


    The order in which the performances were held was of great importance when planning any celebrations.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Usually, the more anticipated performances would be saved for last, so as to end the night on a high note.


    As a casual performance group comprising mere outer disciples, the Flying Shell Performance Group was naturally not given as much emphasis from the organisers, at least in comparison to the more established groups.


    Therefore, they had been arranged to be one of the first few groups to perform.


    “No, practising too much right before the actual performance might have the opposite effect and make us feel more nervous. We are already good enough, so we just have to relax and do as we usually do,” Zhao Yunxiao disagreed. “Instead of that, we should be taking this opportunity to go greet the seniors instead.”


    “Go greet the seniors?” Lu Zhiying tilted her head in confusion. “I thought they told us not to wander around the Core Grounds just now? Or is Senior Martial Brother Zhao thinking of sneaking out?”


    “Of course not! It is absolutely forbidden for outer disciples to sneak around in the Core Grounds!” Zhao Yunxiao hurriedly shook his head. “But while we can’t sneak out of here, there is no problem with visiting other performance groups’ waiting rooms to send our greetings. This is a good opportunity to network as well.”


    “That’s a great idea! Let’s go visit the dancers!” Bo Fei immediately agreed.


    “Won’t they find us a bother?” Gu Qiansi had her reservations.


    “We just have to not overstay our welcome,” Zhao Yunxiao waved a finger at her. “Don’t you think that this is a good chance for Junior Martial Sister Lu to familiarise herself with the other inner disciples too?”


    “This...” Gu Qiansi glanced over at Lu Zhiying, who simply blinked blankly in response.


    From her silence, it would appear that Lu Zhiying was indifferent to whatever choice they made.


    However, Gu Qiansi knew that Zhao Yunxiao had a point.


    It might not be much of a deal for the rest of them, but this was indeed a rare opportunity for Lu Zhiying to get to know other inner disciples. This was especially important since she was bound to enter the inner sect sooner or later.


    Knowing more inner disciples would only make her life easier in the future.


    “All right then,” Gu Qiansi finally relented. “Let’s do that.”


    “That’s decided then!” Zhao Yunxiao smirked upon hearing her agreement. “Let’s get going!”


    With Zhao Yunxiao in the lead, the group carefully tidied up their clothes before heading out.


    The performing groups had all been assigned waiting rooms surrounding a huge courtyard, neatly arranged in order of their performance timings.


    </a> This meant that the rooms directly beside theirs would be performing immediately before and after them.


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    “You’re right, they are the final performers tonight,” Su Ruining said. “Have you met them before?”


    “This is actually our first time performing for the New Year celebrations, so no, we never had the chance to greet them in the past,” Zhao Yunxiao answered.


    “I see. In that case, I will advise against going to talk to them. But if you really want to, try to rein in your temper a little when doing so, Junior Martial Sister Lu,” Su Ruining replied. “They are not exactly the nicest people to talk to.”


    “Don’t worry, I’m always very careful with my words! I’m sure it will be fine!” Lu Zhiying said.


    “You don’t seem to know yourself very well,” Su Ruining laughed.


    From the side, Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi could not help but nod in agreement.


    With that, they left and headed for the final room.


    Knock-! Knock-!


    “Who is it?”


    “We are members of the Flying Shell Performance Group and will be performing later as well,” Zhao Yunxiao answered. “We have heard a lot about the Shooting Suns and are great fans of yours, so if it is not too much of a bother, we are hoping to take this opportunity to convey our greetings.”


    “Tsk. How irritating. Hold on, then.”


    Zhao Yunxiao: “...”


    Su Ruining was not joking earlier.


    Judging from their first few exchanges, the Shooting Suns truly did not sound like they are the nicest people to talk to!