Sect Leader Lin Ruyan sipped her rice wine quietly as the room remained tense. Lin Qingyu and the Liu twins stood stiffly, their eyes occasionally flicking toward the sect leader, waiting for her verdict.
Lin Xuanji (Mo Tianzun) glanced at the woman before him—his so-called aunt in this life—and scoffed inwardly:
"So this is the famed Jade Alchemist, the most renowned healer in the Martial World. Aunt to this body's original owner, and Lin Qingyu. Never heard of her in my previous life… probably because I didn't bother with small figures."
Finally, Sect Leader Lin Ruyan set her wine cup down with a soft clink and spoke:
"So, you want your older brother, Lin Xuanji, to take your place as a concubine for the Crown Prince? Representing our sect, Qingyu?"
Lin Qingyu nodded seriously. "Aunt Ruyan, you know my reasons." She gave her aunt a pleading look, eyes wide like a puppy's.
Ruyan sighed softly. "Very well. But, Xuanji… are you truly fine with this? It won't put you at a disadvantage?" She paused, her voice gentler now. "His Highness's concubines are all young women. You would be the only man. And with your… unique situation…"
Xuanji gave a small sigh, then nodded. "I'm alright with it, Aunt Ruyan. It's my decision. You know I care about my mèimei. I'd do anything to make her happy."
"Hah. That's the first time I've said something like that. Feels strange," he thought, unfamiliar with such soft sentiments.
Sect Leader Ruyan studied him for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Very well."
"Thank you, Xuan gege! I love you!" Qingyu cried out, leaping into her brother's arms.
Xuanji (Mo Tianzun) froze. No one had hugged him since his arrival in this world—not in decades, maybe centuries. He stood there awkwardly as Qingyu clung to him with pure affection.
——
Later that evening, Qingyu sat outside the cottage, sipping her wine happily as she gazed at the mountain scenery. The twins had already dozed off beside her.
Xuanji stood, dusted his robes, and turned to leave.
"Where are you going, gege?" Qingyu called softly.
"Tomorrow the carriage will arrive for me, right? I want to pack early," he replied.
"Okay, Xuan gege. Rest well!"
Xuanji left the cottage and quietly descended the mountain path. After a brief scan of the surroundings, he took to the air and flew down to a forest hidden beneath the cliffside. There, he found a quiet rock by a stream and sat cross-legged, entering meditation to align his Qi.
As he calmed his breath, his senses flickered—someone was nearby.
He opened his eyes sharply and saw a familiar figure moving in the shadows.
"YunHuayin?" he called out.
The nine-tailed fox demon froze, then turned slowly.
"L-Lord Tianzun… you're here," Huayin said softly, bowing slightly as he approached.
Xuanji crossed his arms. "Don't act so nervous. You're a father figure to this body's original owner—I won't hurt you. And call me Lin Xuanji, not 'Tianzun.' It's our secret now."
Huayin gave a small nod but said nothing.
"Where are you headed, wandering around in the middle of the night?" Xuanji asked, narrowing his eyes.
"...To the Spirit Realm," Huayin replied, his hand trembling slightly.
"The realm we hail from, hmm? Why?" Xuanji asked, his gaze sharp.
"To find a map… for a forbeddin poison," Huayin murmured.
Xuanji raised an eyebrow. "For your lover? The Water Dragon, I presume?"
Huayin's eyes widened. "H-How do you know?"
Xuanji smirked. "Just some romance tale I happened to read."
Huayin flushed.
"Alright. Let's go," Xuanji suddenly said, standing and levitating off the rock, descending toward the forest floor.
"H-Huh?" Huayin blinked in confusion.
"I said, let's go to my realm. I made plenty of that poison myself back in the day. I've got more than enough."
"You—WHAT?! You're the creator of the Nirvana Ghost Posion?!" Huayin gasped, eyes wide in disbelief.
——————
涅槃鬼毒 (Nièpán Guǐ Dú) — "Nirvana Ghost Poison"
涅槃 (nièpán) = Nirvana / rebirth (Buddhist)
鬼 (guǐ) = ghost
毒 (dú) = poison
> Forbidden posion used by demon cultivators to bring a soul back for a second chance at life.
——————
Xuanji grinned. "Most of the legendary artifacts and toxins in this world? Probably 95% are my handiwork."
He shrugged and turned, striding deeper into the trees.
"W-Woah…" Huayin whispered, then quickly followed.
The two figures disappeared into the darkness, headed for the forbidden lands hidden near the Yunxiao Sect.