Legend had it that the East Sea Ever-Bright Pearl was a treasure discovered hundreds of years ago. The Emperor of Xi Yan had sent men to the East Sea in search of the immortal mountain of Penglai, and they found the pearl on a deserted island.

Rumor claimed its light was bright enough to illuminate an entire island. Ever since obtaining this precious treasure, the Emperor of Xi Yan had kept it on the highest floor of the palace’s Exquisite Pagoda, only to be brought out once a year by the Priest.

Xi Yan had treasured the Ever-Bright Pearl for centuries; no one expected them to suddenly gift it to Beili.

"Master, is the East Sea Ever-Bright Pearl a type of Luminous Pearl?" Ye Qianning asked quietly. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"More or less. A Luminous Pearl can only light up a room, but the Ever-Bright Pearl is bright enough to illuminate an entire island." In his youth, Dean Chen had traveled to Xi Yan to lecture and had been fortunate enough to see it once during a ceremony held by the Priest.

"It must be a very small island, then," Ye Qianning muttered.

’Isn’t that the same principle as a lightbulb?’

The Beili Emperor’s eyes lit up, and the Empress and her host of Concubines also looked on in astonishment.

They had all heard the legends, but none of them had ever seen it.

As the Xi Yan Crown Prince finished speaking, three serving maids entered from outside the palace hall. The one in the lead carried a tray, upon which sat an object concealed by a black cloth.

The serving maids walked to the front, knelt, and paid their respects.

"Please, rise," the Beili Emperor said, unable to hide his delight.

The serving maids rose. Mo Geluo stepped forward. "Allow me to unveil the birthday gift for Your Majesty."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and whipped off the black cloth. A brilliant light burst forth, instantly bathing the entire palace in a light as bright as day.

Everyone was utterly stunned. They stared at the Ever-Bright Pearl, then looked around the illuminated hall.

Ye Qianning looked as well. The pearl was the size of a small ball. Its white light was brilliant yet soft, not searing to the eyes. However, one could not stare at it directly from up close for too long, or it would induce dizziness.

"For Xi Yan to present such a priceless treasure is truly an eye-opening experience for Us. Beili and Xi Yan will surely be bound in a century of friendship!" The Beili Emperor was overjoyed.

He, too, had only heard tales of the Ever-Bright Pearl and had never laid eyes on it.

"As long as the Beili Emperor is pleased," the young Xi Yan Crown Prince said with a wave of his hand. Mo Geluo then covered the Ever-Bright Pearl with the black cloth.

The grand hall returned to its previous state. After the brilliant flash, the return to the initial dimness felt gloomy and oppressive, leaving everyone feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Many people saw large black spots clouding their vision, making it difficult to see clearly.

Ye Qianning, however, felt fine. In contrast, Dean Chen, the officials below her father, and even the Beili Emperor seemed disoriented, shaking their heads to clear their vision.

Suddenly, she sensed an unusual presence. An incredibly fast figure flashed past overhead.

The figure moved with incredible speed, yet Ye Qianning saw it all with perfect clarity. It was like watching a play as the dark shadow openly took an item from the Beili Emperor’s waist.

It even had the audacity to replace it with a counterfeit before vanishing from the hall.

The Beili Emperor was rubbing his eyes, his vision still not fully recovered.

Ye Qianning scoffed. ’The four nations were never truly at peace. When someone presents such a treasure at a birthday feast, what they seek in return must be even more valuable.’

’The person in black seemed to take a key, but I have no idea what it’s for.’

She shook her head slightly and took a bite of a pastry. ’I’ll ask Dad about it when I get back. If it’s just a key to the treasury, then there’s no need for us to get involved.’

’But if it’s something more serious, we’ll have to do something. After all, Dad is the General, and he’s always the first to charge into battle when war breaks out.’

She couldn’t be certain if the black-clad figure was from Xi Yan. Her gaze shifted to the Xi Yan Crown Prince, only to find him staring right at her.

His eyes were dark and deep as an abyss, rather fitting for his name, Xiliu Yuan.