The riverbank of Plum Blossom City was a sea of warm, golden light. Thousands of paper lotus lanterns floated gently down the dark water, carrying the wishes of mortal families and wandering cultivators alike.
Away from the noisy central plaza, the stone path along the river was much quieter. Weeping willow trees draped their long, green branches over the water, creating small, private shadows for couples to walk through.
Yan Shuo and Tantai Zhi strolled closely together, their shoulders brushing with almost every step.
In her hands, Tantai Zhi held a delicate, glowing paper lantern shaped like a fat little rabbit. Yan Shuo had bought it for two copper coins from a mortal vendor. To anyone else, it was a cheap festival toy that would burn out in an hour.
To Tantai Zhi, it was a supreme divine artifact that needed to be protected at all costs.
