The Midnight Dew Lotus incident—as it was already being called in hushed, reverent tones throughout the sect—had elevated Xiaolong from "mysterious visitor" to "probable immortal in disguise" in less than a day. This was, Xiaolong reflected with grim amusement, technically accurate in the worst possible way.

  Morning found her seated on a smooth stone by the edge of the Azure Pool, watching disciples scurry about the compound with uncharacteristic energy. The usual measured pace of sect life had accelerated to something resembling organized chaos, with junior disciples hauling stacks of ceremonial vessels, elders conferring in tight circles, and an air of anticipation that made the very mist vibrate with possibilities.

  "The Water Gathering Festival approaches," Li Feng explained, appearing beside her with two steaming cups of mountain herb tea.

  He settled next to her on the stone, robes arranged with the unconscious precision of someone who had spent years perfecting the art of proper sitting. "Once per season, when celestial alignments enhance spiritual resonance, we collect water from seven sacred sources to renew the sect's foundations."

  Xiaolong accepted the cup, savoring its warmth against her palms. Despite her draconic nature's affinity for heat, her human form experienced cold with distressing constancy. "I've observed many water ceremonies over the centuries," she began, then quickly caught herself. "In my studies of various traditions, that is."

  Li Feng's expression remained perfectly neutral, though something flickered behind his eyes that might have been amusement or suspicion—sometimes Xiaolong found these human micro-expressions frustratingly similar.

  "Each sect approaches the ritual differently," he continued smoothly. "For Azure Waters, it represents both practical spiritual maintenance and symbolic renewal of our cultivation covenant."

  Across the courtyard, a group of disciples struggled to untangle what appeared to be ceremonial banners depicting stylized waterfalls and cloud formations. One particularly enthusiastic junior disciple became so thoroughly wrapped in azure silk that he resembled nothing so much as a spiritual caterpillar undergoing an unusually vibrant metamorphosis.

  "Is such... exuberance... typical?" Xiaolong asked, watching as three senior disciples attempted to extricate their cocooned colleague without tearing the clearly valuable fabric.

  "Anticipation flows most turbulently before finding its proper channel," Li Feng replied with what sounded like a quotation from some water cultivation manual. "The festival represents rare advancement opportunities, particularly for junior disciples."

  Before Xiaolong could inquire further, a familiar voice called out with characteristic irreverence.

  "Elder Brother Li! Your presence is requested by Elder Wei, who has expressed his desire for your attendance in terms that suggest volcanic eruptions would be a gentler alternative to refusal."

  Ming Lian approached with his typical loose-limbed gait, somehow managing to bow respectfully while simultaneously conveying the impression that he found the entire concept of formality amusing. He nodded to Xiaolong with considerably less ceremony.

  "Sister Xiaolong, your reputation grows faster than spirit bamboo in a lightning storm. Six separate disciples have asked if you might bless their water vessels before the gathering. I believe you've been promoted from 'interesting visitor' to 'minor deity' without the troublesome interim steps."

  "I have no interest in deification," Xiaolong replied dryly, thinking that she'd spent quite enough effort avoiding being worshipped over the millennia. Dragon cults were particularly troublesome to discourage once established.

  "Then perhaps avoid making any more plants perform unnatural acts of devotion," Ming Lian suggested with a cheerful lack of tact. "The younger disciples are already composing poems about your communion with the midnight lotus. Most are terrible, though Young Brother Feng has a promising couplet about 'petals opening to celestial touch' that's only moderately embarrassing when recited aloud."

  Li Feng rose with fluid grace that spoke of years of disciplined movement. "Elder Wei awaits. What matter requires attention?"

  "Assignment of gathering groups," Ming Lian replied, suddenly more serious. "The seven water sources must be approached with proper ceremonial attention, led by disciples with appropriate spiritual attunement. You've been requested to lead the Cascade Falls gathering—the most challenging location, requiring significant control to manage the water's volatile spiritual currents."

  Pride flickered briefly across Li Feng's features before being submerged beneath his usual composure. Xiaolong found herself oddly moved by his momentary display of entirely justified satisfaction—so different from the entitled self-congratulation typical of dragons.

  "And what of our guest?" Li Feng asked, with a glance toward Xiaolong.

  Ming Lian's expression shifted to one of exaggerated diplomatic caution. "Elder Wei has... suggested... that Sister Xiaolong might participate as an honored observer. His exact phrasing carried the particular tone he reserves for suggestions that are functionally indistinguishable from imperial edicts."

  Xiaolong understood the subtext perfectly. Her demonstration with the lotus had brought increased scrutiny, and now the sect leadership wished to observe her under controlled ceremonial conditions. What appeared an honor was equally an assessment.

  Dragons did not typically accommodate such human machinations—they either refused outright or demonstrated power sufficient to discourage further presumption. Yet Xiaolong found herself curiously amenable to participating. Perhaps another sign of her ongoing transformation.

  "I would be honored to observe your sect's traditions," she replied with formally.

  "Excellent!" Ming Lian clapped his hands together. "You'll receive ceremonial vessels and ritual instruction this afternoon. The ceremony begins with tomorrow's dawn blessing at the Azure Pool."

  As Li Feng departed to meet with Elder Wei, Ming Lian lingered, his usual mischievous expression softening into something more considerate.

  "A word of advice, if I may?" he offered. When Xiaolong nodded, he continued, "The Water Gathering Festival attracts significant attention from all quarters of the cultivation world. Representatives from allied sects often attend the culmination ceremony. Your... unusual abilities... may draw more attention than anticipated."

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  The warning was delivered with surprising subtlety for one normally so direct. Xiaolong appreciated the gesture, even as she noted the implication that her attempts at inconspicuous behavior had been less successful than hoped.

  "I understand," she replied. "I shall endeavor to be unremarkably competent."

  Ming Lian's laugh startled a nearby disciple into nearly dropping an armful of ceremonial scrolls. "Sister Xiaolong, I suspect you could not be unremarkable if you dedicated a century to the attempt. But perhaps aim for merely interesting rather than revolutionary."

  After Ming Lian departed, Xiaolong remained by the Azure Pool, contemplating this unexpected development.

  Dragon instinct suggested withdrawal from such scrutiny. Human curiosity recommended participation. The ongoing transformation of her nature left her suspended between these opposing inclinations, like a raindrop caught between cloud and earth, not yet committed to its descent.

  Her contemplation was interrupted hours later by the arrival of a solemn young disciple bearing an ornate wooden box inlaid with mother-of-pearl in patterns suggesting flowing water.

  "Honored visitor," the girl intoned with careful formality, "I am instructed to deliver your ceremonial vessel and provide guidance for tomorrow's rituals."

  The box contained an exquisite crystal flask that seemed to capture and refract light in impossible patterns. Unlike the simpler vessels Xiaolong had observed being distributed to junior disciples, this one bore subtle formation patterns etched into its surface—spirals and whorls that resonated with water essence.

  "This is..." Xiaolong began, genuinely impressed despite herself.

  "The Starlit Dew Gatherer," the disciple supplied reverently. "One of seven master vessels created by our sect founder. Usually reserved for elders or particularly favored disciples."

  The political message couldn't have been clearer had it been written in blazing characters across the sky. The sect leadership was simultaneously honoring her and highlighting her importance—making her visible to all observers during the ceremony. Xiaolong couldn't decide whether to be flattered or concerned by this development.

  The young disciple proceeded to explain ritual purification methods, ceremonial movements, and proper invocations with the earnest thoroughness of someone who had memorized a text without fully comprehending its significance.

  Xiaolong listened with appropriate attention, though most human cultivation rituals struck her as unnecessarily elaborate compared to the direct manipulation of energies practiced by dragonkind.

  By late afternoon, the entire sect had been organized into seven gathering parties, each assigned to collect water from a specific sacred source. Ceremonial robes had been distributed, vessels purified, and preliminary blessings performed. The anticipation had crystallized into focused preparation, with even the most excitable junior disciples settling into the rhythms of ritual readiness.

  As evening approached, all disciples gathered around the Azure Pool for the opening ceremony. Standing among the assembled cultivators, Xiaolong found herself caught in an unexpected sensation of community—so different from the solitary majesty of draconic existence.

  Elder Wei stood at the pool's edge, his formal robes rippling with subtle energy patterns that mirrored the water's surface. Behind him, the sect's other elders formed a semicircle, each holding a ceremonial vessel similar to the one Xiaolong had received.

  "Water flows through all existence," Elder Wei intoned, his voice carrying across the gathering with perfect clarity. "From highest heaven to deepest earth, from first breath to final release, water connects all states of being. Tomorrow, we renew our covenant with this fundamental force, collecting the seven sacred essences that maintain our sect's spiritual foundation."

  As he spoke, the Azure Pool began to glow with soft luminescence, responding to the gathered spiritual energy of hundreds of cultivators focused on a single purpose.

  Xiaolong had witnessed far more impressive displays of power throughout her existence, yet found herself unexpectedly moved by the harmonious intent underlying this relatively modest demonstration.

  "Each drop contains the ocean," Elder Wei continued. "Each cultivator carries our shared legacy. May tomorrow's gathering strengthen both individual vessels and our collective purpose."

  At some unseen signal, the seven lead disciples stepped forward—Li Feng among them—and knelt at the pool's edge, touching their ceremonial vessels to the water's surface. The luminescence intensified, tendrils of light climbing the crystal containers like living vines seeking sunlight.

  Xiaolong, observing the ritual with scholarly detachment, was unprepared for Elder Wei's gesture summoning her forward to join the lead disciples. A murmur rippled through the assembled cultivators as she stepped toward the pool, her assigned vessel in hand.

  "Our honored guest joins tomorrow's gathering," Elder Wei announced. "May fresh perspectives bring new insights to ancient practices."

  Kneeling beside Li Feng, Xiaolong carefully followed the ceremonial motions she had been taught, touching her vessel to the water's surface. The contact sent an unexpected surge of awareness through her senses—the Azure Pool's water responding to her presence with far greater intensity than it should have for someone supposedly suppressing their spiritual essence.

  Where the other vessels collected simple tendrils of luminescence, hers erupted with patterns of light that swirled through the crystal in complex formations resembling miniature constellations. The reaction was subtle enough that only those with refined spiritual perception would notice the difference, but Xiaolong knew that every elder present would observe the anomaly.

  Li Feng's eyes met hers briefly, a silent question in their depths. Xiaolong gave an almost imperceptible shrug—the water's enthusiastic recognition was beyond her control, another manifestation of her changing relationship with elements that once simply obeyed her draconic commands.

  As they rose from the pool's edge, the ceremony concluded with final instructions for the morning's departure. Disciples dispersed to complete preparations and observe the traditional evening meditation before the gathering.

  Xiaolong had nearly reached the guest quarters when a familiar voice called out.

  "Fellow Daoist Xiaolong."

  She turned to find Song Bai approaching, formal and precise in every movement. The junior disciple's beauty remained remarkable even by immortal standards, though Xiaolong had come to recognize that her seemingly delicate appearance concealed a spirit like tempered steel.

  "I notice you've been assigned to the Mirror Pond gathering group," Song Bai observed, her tone carefully neutral.

  "I have yet to receive group assignments," Xiaolong replied.

  Song Bai's smile remained perfectly positioned on her face while never quite reaching her eyes. "How fortunate, then, that you'll be joining my group. Mirror Pond offers the most spiritually reflective waters in our territory—perfect for one with your... unique perspective."

  The emphasis placed on "reflective" carried unmistakable significance. Mirror Pond was reportedly known for revealing glimpses of cultivators' true nature in its waters—a potentially catastrophic complication for a dragon attempting to maintain human disguise.

  "I look forward to learning from your expertise," Xiaolong replied with equal formality, refusing to show concern at this development.

  "Indeed." Song Bai's smile sharpened slightly. "The waters of Mirror Pond have a remarkable quality—they reflect not merely appearance, but essence. Most illuminating for those seeking deeper understanding."

  With a perfect bow that somehow managed to convey both respect and challenge, Song Bai departed, leaving Xiaolong contemplating this newest complication in her increasingly complex human existence.

  The Water Gathering Festival had just transformed from simple cultural observation into potential exposure of her most carefully guarded secret.

  As the last light faded from the western sky, Xiaolong gazed toward the mountains where Mirror Pond presumably awaited, wondering whether water that revealed true nature would prove ally or adversary to a dragon seeking to become less than she was.