— Meanwhile, Shen Yan's Residence — Verdant Moon Courtyard
Shen Yan sat in silence, staring blankly at the reflection in the polished jade basin before him. His long black hair spilled over his shoulders like flowing ink, and his golden-embroidered robes glimmered softly under the flickering candlelight.
His mind was a storm.
'Am I dreaming? I... I died in that alley. That betrayal, that pain...'
He clenched his fists, the image burned into his memory —
His girlfriend, the woman he had loved for three years, staring down coldly as Luo Fan slit his throat.
He bled out, unheard, unloved.
'So this is death? Or is it... something else?'
His brows furrowed, anger and sorrow mixing beneath his calm exterior.
A soft voice interrupted his spiral.
"Young Master, is something troubling you?"
The soft, melodic voice pulled him from his storm of memories.
He turned. Standing nearby was a young woman with silver-gray eyes and jet-black hair cascading down her back. She wore a simple gray-blue hanfu — modest, yet meticulously kept. A small silver bell hung from her sash, silent unless she willed it to chime.
She was Yue Lian, his personal attendant.
But more than that — she had served him since childhood, one of the few who had remained by his side without betrayal. A trusted companion.
"Young Master, you used a forbidden technique… You've been unconscious for two days." Her voice was laced with worry. "If you hadn't awoken by the third, I would've had to inform the Elders."
She bit her lip. "We both would've been punished for breaking sect rules. Please… for the sake of your father's honor, don't do anything reckless again."
"I understand," Shen Yan replied with a nod, trying to ease her concerns.
"Although you've only just woken up, I already sent word to the sect's Grand Alchemic Physician. They should be arriving shortly."
"He or she?" Shen Yan raised an eyebrow. "So there are two physicians?"
Yue Lian paused, her expression turning oddly conflicted. "Yes... maybe."
Just then—
"OHH~ MY~!"
A dramatic voice rang from outside, followed by the swift opening of the door.
A figure glided in.
Draped in flowing lavender and pink robes embroidered with gold, the newcomer moved with exaggerated grace. A fragrant breeze seemed to follow him, carrying the scent of peach blossoms and something vaguely medicinal. His lilac eyes, half-lidded and framed with long lashes, gave him an eternally dreamy expression.
His long, silky black hair was tied into a side bun decorated with fragrant flowers and jade pins. Porcelain-pale skin, lips stained red, and fingers painted with shimmering spiritual polish — everything about him exuded an ethereal yet flamboyant charm.
He carried a perfumed fan — with a painting of himself on it.
This... was Lan Xun, the sect's Grand Alchemic Physician.
Rumors claimed he had lived over two centuries, preserved by "Secret Orchid Pills." One tale even insisted he had turned a prince into a frog for calling him "old lady."
"To think the esteemed Young Master Shen would summon a delicate flower like me at such an hour… How scandalous~" he teased, fanning himself.
Shen Yan blinked. What... creature is this?
Lan Xun's gaze roamed over him like a predator sizing up its prey. "To be the one to cure your condition… is this damsel's greatest honor~" he purred.
A chill crawled down Shen Yan's spine. He instinctively crossed his arms over his chest.
"Cough, cough—" Yue Lian cleared her throat, shooting Lan Xun a glare. "Master Lan, please. The Young Master has just regained consciousness. We wouldn't want him to faint again."
Lan Xun giggled behind his fan. "How could I possibly harm such a sweet little darling?"
But his eyes didn't lie.
Yue Lian's brow twitched. "Master Lan, please begin the treatment."
With a playful sigh, Lan Xun nodded. He muttered a quiet incantation, and his eyes glowed faint green. He studied Shen Yan for a moment before whispering,
"Externally… no issues."
"Then what about inside?" he muttered
Lan Xun exhaled a strand of spiritual mist that twisted midair, taking the shape of a transparent, serpent-like spirit infused with healing qi.
It shimmered in hues of green and silver, coiling like smoke given form.
Before Shen Yan could react, the spirit snake slithered into his mouth. His body tensed in horror.
"Mmmph—!?"
A formless force restrained him, locking his limbs in place as the snake twisted through his meridians. Sometimes it felt like one serpent… other times, like ten were wriggling inside.
'WHAT the hell is this!? This freak's using snakes for medicine? This can't be normal—!'
Moments later, the snake emerged from his mouth and dissipated. The invisible restraints vanished, and Shen Yan leapt from the bed, hiding behind Yue Lian.
Yue Lian stepped forward. "Master Lan, what did you discover? Is the Young Master... alright?"
Lan Xun glanced at the fading serpent and shook his head.
"Young Master is gravely ill."
Shen Yan's heart clenched. What? Don't tell me—
"If not treated soon… his yang energy may never recover."
Shen Yan's face turned pale.
'D-does that mean I'll no longer be a man!?'
Yue Lian's face tensed. "Please, no matter the price — treat him!"
Lan Xun gave her a mischievous smile. "OHH~MY, I was only teasing."
Yue Lian resisted the urge to throw a chair at him.
Lan Xun took out an herb pouch and handed it to her. "His meridians and spiritual veins are intact. These herbs, taken with spiritual fruits, will restore him in three days."
As he turned to leave, he paused and glanced back with a smirk.
"Young Master, should you wish to summon this flower again for reasons beyond treatment, this one shall always be at your service~"
Shen Yan dove beneath his blanket.
Lan Xun chuckled. "How adorable. So shy~"
As Yue Lian walked him out, Shen Yan screamed inwardly:
'What Grand Physician!? That demon nearly killed me with that snake! This is definitely not Earth anymore... It's all real. I've transmigrated.'
He lay still, eyes fixed on the ornate ceiling.
"Should I really just let go of my past?"
He sat up, and walked to the window. The cool night breeze carried the scent of lotus and pine. Moonlight shimmered across the sect's core grounds — distant peaks shrouded in mist, white cranes gliding over Mirror Lake.
Shen Yan closed his eyes. Memories of his past life flashed again — his parents' death, the betrayal by relatives, and the girl he loved most… who killed him in the end.
So much pain. So much loss.
Could he really let it go?
He opened his eyes slowly.
No.
Not forget — but move forward.
A small smile curled on his lips.
'Judging from Yue Lian and this residence, this body once belonged to someone with high status. That gives me a starting point others would envy.'
"I won't be trampled again like my last life," he muttered. "If Heaven gave me this second chance... I'll live well."
He looked up at the moonlit sky, his heart lighter yet firm.
'I wonder what surprises this new world holds?'
The door creaked open.
Yue Lian stepped in. "Young Master, I forgot to mention. Miss Jin Lianhua will be visiting Soon. Perhaps... for a stroll."
"Jin Lianhua?" Shen Yan raised a brow. "Who's that?"
Yue Lian sighed deeply. "Your fiancée, Young Master."
"WHAT?!"