Banquet of Elites

“	Zhu Yuxian will hold a Phoenix Feast in the courtyard. What will he wear?	”

Banquet of Elites is an event that ran from February 26^th to March 9^th, 2021.

How to Play[]

From February 26^th to March 3^rd, 5:00 server time, vote for one of the three Dream Illusion outfits using Phoenix Feather to obtain 5 Porcelain Feathers . Players receive one free Phoenix Feather each day and more Phoenix Feathers can be bought for 20 each. The more Phoenix Feathers bought, the greater the discount for future Phoenix Feather purchases. After March 3^rd, 5:00 server time, the voting results are displayed.

Use Porcelain Feathers to exchange for parts of the suits Bamboo Shadow in Pond and Wavy Cloud Shadows.

From March 6^th to the 9^th, additional Porcelain Feathers could be gained from packs in the User's Shop:

Token Pack(a) cost 20 and contained 5 Porcelain Feathers
Token Pack(b) cost 500 and contained 125 Porcelain Feathers
Token Pack(c) cost 1,770 and contained 460 Porcelain Feathers
Token Pack(d) cost 1,990 and contained 530 Porcelain Feathers

Suits[]

Bamboo Shadow in Pond[]

Hair: Green Rattan — 26

Dress: Water from Heaven — 46

Coat: Green Wave Silk — 29

Shoes: Chant — 24

Hair Ornament: Comb Hair — 20

Handheld (Right): Flagon with Red String — 22

Ornament (Left Hand): Twisting Tresses — 28

Ground: Green Snake Silhouette — 31

Background: Tarn of Heaven — 39

Total: 265

Wavy Cloud Shadows[]

Hair: Dahurian angelica — 23

Dress: Pretty White Moon — 37

Coat: Transparent Silk — 32

Leglet: Golden Snake Wrap — 21

Hair Ornament: Flowing Cloud — 20

Necklace: Golden Snake Neckless — 19

Handheld (Right): White Jade Pipe — 22

Gloves: Golden Snake Armlet — 25

Ground: White Snake Silhouette — 30

Background: Silver Waterfall — 36

Total: 265

Voting[]

Brushwork of Romance[]

O where ha'e ye been, my handsome young man?

(New Calendar, Year 677. In a small pub on the eastern coast)
(A gust of wind in the night shakes the 'Pub' sign overhead. It falls, but is caught and put back in place by a deft sword. Xiao Zong enters the pub, his blade still sheathed.)
(He stands in the doorway and looks around. In a corner of the deserted mess hall, a pair of knights clad in blue quietly drink tea.)
Young Waiter: I'm terribly sorry, but we are closed today, sir...
(Xiao Zong raises his gourd and drinks the last drop of wine before placing it on the counter before him.)
Xiao Zong: Fill it up.
Young Waiter: Did you not hear me? I said we're closed--
(Xiao Zong finally draws his snow-white blade from its sheath, pulling it close to the young waiter's face.)
Xiao Zong: I said...fill it up.
Young Waiter: But...I...Master...
(The waiter's body instantly begins to shake in fear, his words catching in his throat. All he can do is look pleadingly at the warrior in the corner he calls 'Master'...)
Warrior: Fill it for him.
(The warrior finally speaks without so much as putting his teacup down.)
Xiao Zong: Drinking tea at an hour such as this... you must have all the time in the world on your hands.
(Xiao Zong sheathes his blade as he sits down before the reticent warrior. The waiter, hands still tremblings [sic], runs into the kitchen with the gourd in his hands.)
Warrior: Aren't you just the same?
Xiao Zong: I am but an ordinary man who calls the world his home. What brings a dignified noble such as yourself to that man's filthy watering hole?
Zhu Yuxian: I am no noble, but this one from Cloud Capital is.
(Zhu Yuxian finishes his cup of tea, then pours himself another.)
Zhu Yuxian: I'm nothing more than the owner of a small pub. I just happen to enjoy having tea in the night.
Xiao Zong: Hmph, lies. You hide something far more imposing beneath that calm exterior of yours.
Zhu Yuxian: Cloud Capital covets all of heaven and earth. I merely seek to protect myself.
Xiao Zong: Hahahaha!
Zhu Yuxian: ...What are you laughing about?
Xiao Zong: I laugh at your petty self-preservation. How very boring, I can see very clearly what it he's after [sic]. But you...
Zhu Yuxian: You think you know what my aims are?
Xiao Zong: I don't, and that's what makes it interesting, don't you agree?
Xiao Zong: But for you to come hiding in the east, you can't be here for any humanism reasons. Perhaps I can lend you a hand?
(The waiter scurries back, carfully [sic] carrying a full gourd but not daring to place it before Xiao Zong.)
Young Waiter: Your...Your...
(Zhu Yuxian smiles slightly, taking the gourd from the waiter and tossing it to Xiao Zong.)
Zhu Yuxian: I suppose I should pay for this?
(The night winds blow the pub's windows open, the sound of talk and laughter coming from within. The moon slowly climbs into the sky, its surface bright and clear.)

Mysterious Dating[]

Customized by Lilith's famous designers.

(New Calendar, Year 678: Lilith Palace)
(At the Lilith Royal Ball, a dashing young man draws everyone's attention. Although dressed in the attire of Lilith nobility, his hair is tied up with a common Cloud hairpin.)
Neva: Please allow me to introduce today's very special guest: his majesty, Prince Zhu Yuxian, from the Cloud Empire.
(The crowd's gaze is fixed on Zhu Yuxian long before Neva finishes his introduction.)
Baroness: How very dashing! I regret not bringing my daughter tonight.
Lady Viscount: He looked at me! He looked at me! I can hardly breathe!
(Zhu Yuxian raises his glass, gently smiling at every lady that greets him and acknowledging the men who raise their glasses to him.)
(Despite his enormous welcome, very few people are actually able to exchange words with Zhu Yuxian.)
(The reason being the royal guard Neva follows Zhu Yuxian closely.)
Zhu Yuxian: Lady Neva...I hear you are the prince's personal guard?
Neva: Indeed.
Zhu Yuxian: Then don't you think his safety is of far more importance than following me so closely? There's no need to abandon your post for my sake.
Neva: The queen has ordered me to protect your well-being for now.
Zhu Yuxian: Since you are so determined, how could I possibly reject having such a beautiful lady as my faithful protector?
Neva: ...
Zhu Yuxian: I'm preparing to see the Prime Minister to discuss the next quarter's business between our two nations. Would you kindly escort me to him?
Neva: Right this way, please.
(Nidhogg is standing off in a corner speaking with a guest who appears to be from the north. He turns around upon seeing Neva.)
Neva: Prince Zhu Yuxian has matters he wishes to speak to you about.
Nidhogg: Long time no see, Prince Zhu Yuxian.
Zhu Yuxian: A long time indeed, Prime Minister.
Nidhogg: I apologize for not personally receiving you. As you can see, I haven't any time to rest outside of my work.
Zhu Yuxian: Not a problem. Besides, my matter isn't particularly pressing. I still don't fully understand a few details of our future cooperation; could we possibly discuss them?
Nidhogg: Of course. Please wait for me in my office for just a moment. I'll be there momentarily.
(Both nod in agreement and part ways. Just as he begins to follow Neva out of the room, Zhu Yuxian stops in place, apparently remembering something.)
Zhu Yuxian: That reminds me, I brought a present for you, Prime Minister.
(Zhu Yuxian pulls out a small, redwood box, and hands it to Nidhogg.)
Zhu Yuxian: I hear you were born in the north. Cloud City is on the border, and enjoys several similarities in customs. I believe you might enjoy this little trinket from that place.
Nidhogg: You're far too kind. I can't wait for my next trip to Cloud.
Zhu Yuxian: Neither can I.
(After Zhu Yuxian leaves, Nidhogg opens the small box. A small, seldom-seen smile appears on his lips.)

Red and Black[]

Very popular among young men on Miraland.

(New Calendar, Year 679: Welton City, Apple Federation)
(At the Apple Federation Auction's charity banquet, colorful lights flash on a screen.)
(The guests sit in their seats, chatting merrily about the treasures and celebrities that will be in attendance tonight.)
(The atmosphere strains slightly as the auctioneer arrives on the scene. The first item on the list: a plain-looking antique wristwatch.)
Auctioneer: Betting starts at ten-thousand and must increase by a minimum of five thousand? Do we have any buyers?
(The price, low as it is, fails to pique the interest of the guests.)
(A single voice breaks the awkward silence.)
Zhu Yuxian: Two-hundred thousand.
(A few gasps are heard, as a number of ladies in attendance cover their mouths with their hands. Even the auctioneer appears somewhat perturbed.)
Auctioneer: ...Two-hundred thousand stardream coins, going once!
Auctioneer: Two-hundred thousand stardream coins, going twice!
Auctioneer: Two-hundred thousand stardream coins, going thrice! Sold!
Guest A: Is he insane? Why pay so much for one watch when he could buy an entire closetfull for that amount?
Guest B: Did I miss something. Is there something special about that watch?
(The attendant quickly brings Zhu Yuxian his purchase. He casually dons his new antique watch before the entire crowd.)
(The auction continues, and the crowd's eyes turn to the next item. Putting his sign down, Zhu Yuxian stands up and walks towards the VIP booth.)
Servant: Mr. Reid, a Prince Zhu Yuxian wishes to see you. He is the one who just purchased that antique watch for two-hundred thousand stardream coins.
Reid: Oh? Let him in.
(Upon entering, Zhu Yuxian discourteously sits right in the seat of honor and picks up a glass of wine sitting on the table.)
Reid: The rumors do you no justice. Your presence is even more imposing than I could have imagined, your highness.
Zhu Yuxian: Let's not waste time on pleasantries. I know very well you're here to buy that which I wish to buy.
(Reid smiles slightly at his words and, with a wave of his finger, orders every attendant out of the room.)
Reid: I thought the Cloud army had its own special training methods. Why would they need a thing such as this?
Zhu Yuxian: I only need to equip a small group of people to protect our home.
Reid: I can understand, but the two-hundred thousand you spent so casually... I don't think a paltry sum such as this could buy what you need to protect your home.
Zhu Yuxian: How much will it take for you to forget this problem ever existed?
Reid: Hahaha, you must be joking!
Reid: I'm nothing more than a businessman. I have an awful memory for anything that doesn't involve money.
(Reid taps a button on the table, and his secretary comes in with a file in hand.)
Reid: Now then, humor me once more with this last joke: cash or credit?

Interactions[]

Zhu Yuxian: You have so many feathers. Why not join us in the voting?
- Phoenix Feather. It looks expensive.
  Zhu Yuxian: Haha, it's not a real phoenix tail. You don't have to be so cautious. Give it to me, I'll compete with you.
- I'm not good at it.
  Zhu Yuxian: Hmm ... Wrong gesture. Let me teach you.

Zhu Yuxian: Have you ever played the drinking game? A wine cup flows down the stream. When it stops, whoever before it takes it and drinks a cup of wine. Do you prefer (sic)
- I'm not really a drinker.
  Zhu Yuxian: Then try the plum wine which is fruity. It will be a right choice for you.
- They are both OK. I can drink whatever you give me.
  Zhu Yuxian: Then try the peach blossom wine. The name goes well with you.

Zhu Yuxian: Why did you expect me to wear this set? Tell me a reason, or drink the wine as punishment.
- I know some stories about the clothes.
  Zhu Yuxian: You know too much. You must drink the wine. Let's see you much you can remember after you get drunk.
- I guess you'll look good in it.
  Zhu Yuxian: It's a reason. All right, I won't force you to drink.

Zhu Yuxian (Brushwork of Romance): You have been staring at me. What are you looking at?
- Your sword ...
  Zhu Yuxian: Do you want to try the sword? Be careful, it's sharp.
- The bird in your hand ...
  Zhu Yuxian: Isn't it cute? I allow you to touch it.

Zhu Yuxian (Mysterious Dating): I'll serve you. What do you want?
- Lemon black tea with Cheese Cake!
  Zhu Yuxian: How do you know that I just bought a can of good black tea? You're lucky today.
- I'm afraid of getting fat...
  Zhu Yuxian: A plump looks cute. And besides, you're not fat at all.

Zhu Yuxian (Red and Black): You seem to be interested in my set?
- Can you tell me privately how much money you have?
  Zhu Yuxian: Shh ... It's a secret. I'll only tell you. Enough to buy all clothes you want.
- Your hair ...
  Zhu Yuxian: I got my hair cut. Isn't it look good?

Results[]

Brushwork of Romance: 2,646,867 votes
Mysterious Dating: 1,198,069 votes
Red and Black: 1,030,237 votes

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

The line "O where ha'e ye been, my handsome young man?" is a line from the anonymous poem/ballad Lord Randall, which is a poem about a man who has been poisoned by his lover. In Chinese, the poem used was a romantic Chinese poem 思帝乡·春日游. The Chinese poem has no additional connotations of murder.