[LAND OF MYSTERY]
A man floated at the center of a glowing river suspended in midair. Golden and white light rippled across the current, spilling into the vast expanse around him until the air itself shimmered with power. Energy thickened the atmosphere, humming softly, alive.
Xuan sat cross-legged above the luminous waters, his eyes closed, his breathing steady. His hands moved with deliberate precision, fingers curling and straightening as though guiding invisible threads. Energy circled him, rising and falling like waves of a restless tide.
In the stillness, his mind wandered back to a day long ago—the day he left the Heavenly Realm.
"Repairing Guixu is dangerous," his mother had said, her voice trembling as though each word weighed on her heart. She had looked at both her sons with pity, her eyes filled with reluctance. "Your Majesty, Wei and Xuan are still so young."
His father had not softened. "As the Empress, you should serve the greater good of the people," the Emperor had answered, his tone sharp with resolve. "Sentiment has no place here. If the princes do not train in solitude from a young age, how will they ever bear the burden of the Four Realms when Guixu falters again?"
Xuan remembered the way his younger self had felt in that moment—his knees pressing into the cold floor, his head bowed low in determination. "Father," he had said, voice bold though his hands trembled, "Wei is too young. Let me go instead. I am willing to shoulder the burden."
His mother had risen abruptly as tears streaked her face. "No, Xuan!" she had cried, her voice breaking. "You are only a child."
But he had bowed again, deeper this time, his young frame stiff with resolve. "Father. Let me go."
The Emperor had studied him, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Very well," he had said at last. "You care for all living creatures. That is what makes you worthy. I am proud of you." Then he had turned to his court. "Make it known that the Crown Prince, Li Xuanshang, is promoted to Empyrean rank. His training begins today."
The memory faded as Xuan's eyes opened. A rush of bright light surged outward, spilling from him in radiant arcs before folding back, sinking into his body. With a quiet exhale, he lowered himself from the air until his feet touched the ground. He lowered his hand and nodded once, a small, private gesture of approval.
"Your Highness."
A figure appeared behind him, stepping forward from the shimmer of teleportation. The man bowed low.
"You have cultivated for one thousand five hundred years, remaining chaste and steadfast. You may leave today and reunite with your family."
Xuan turned toward him, but said nothing. His silence was heavy, unreadable.
The man hesitated before continuing, carefully, "It has been long since you have spoken with others. I imagine you must feel… apprehensive about the reunion."
Xuan's gaze shifted to him, sharp as a blade. The man faltered beneath it, then steadied himself with a breath.
"If I may, Your Highness, word is that the Jade Deity, the Rain Deity, and the Thunder Deity will all attend your reception. You have cast away your emotions for so long, I fear you may find it difficult to interact. Please, when you greet them, speak with tact. Do not be as blunt as you often are. Otherwise—"
He never finished. With a flick of Xuan's hand, his lips sealed shut, the words dying before they left him.
Xuan turned his back on him, the golden river casting its glow across his face. A long silence passed before he let out a low breath, his voice deep and quiet.
"I suppose," he murmured, almost to himself, "my quiet days will soon be behind me."
. . .
[HEAVENLY REALM]
The Heavenly Court gleamed with majesty. High upon the golden throne, the Emperor and his Empress sat in solemn poise. Below them, on either side, Xuan's younger brother and sister stood with anticipation bright in their eyes. Courtiers and attendants lined the hall, their gazes fixed on the doors, waiting for the long-absent prince.
"Empyrean Li Xuanshang has arrived," an eunuch announced, his voice echoing through the hall.
The air shifted. A quiet ripple of expectation moved through the court as all heads turned.
Xuan entered with a steady gait, his face unreadable. His aura pressed against the hall—vast, contained, yet impossible to ignore. Every step he took seemed deliberate, heavy with years of solitude and cultivation.
His brother and sister lit up at the sight of him, their smiles wide and unrestrained. His mother's eyes softened, brimming with warmth. But his father… the Emperor's gaze was sharp, calculating, as if weighing every movement of his son.
Xuan's own eyes swept over them all. They felt strange to him, familiar yet distant, as though they belonged to another life.
"Xuan has grown tall," the Thunder Deity whispered to his companions.
"A millennium and a half of training," the Jade Deity murmured back. "He must be nearing twenty-seven hundred years now."
The Thunder Deity smiled. "He's grown into a fine man."
The Rain Deity scoffed lightly. "I was every bit as handsome at his age."
"That's an understatement," the Jade Deity countered, drawing a few muffled chuckles.
Xuan walked until he stood only a few paces from the throne. He bowed low, his voice calm, steady. "Greetings, Father. Mother."
The Empress's smile bloomed instantly. "Li Xuanshang," she breathed, her eyes glowing with pride and relief.
His younger siblings could no longer restrain themselves. "Xuan!" they cried, breaking decorum as they rushed forward. But before they could reach him, Xuan stepped back, his brow furrowing, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.
They halted mid-stride, startled, their smiles faltering.
And then the Emperor moved. In a blur, he surged forward, leaping from the throne, his energy crashing like a tidal wave.
Xuan's eyes widened. Father? Instinct snapped into place. His hand swept through the air, summoning a radiant shield of power just in time to block the strike. The palace trembled, golden tiles rattling.
"Your Majesty!" the Empress cried, rising to her feet in alarm.
Gasps filled the court.
The Emperor's attacks came fast, one after another, each blow fierce. Xuan's heart raced—why is he doing this?—but his body responded with ease, deflecting, parrying, flowing with the storm. Still, the bewilderment burned in his chest.
At last, enough. Xuan released a fraction of the power coiled inside him, flicking his hand outward. A wave of energy burst forth, striking the Emperor squarely. The older man faltered, lost his balance midair, and fell heavily to the ground.
"Father!"
"Your Majesty!"
Guards rushed forward.
The Emperor raised a hand, halting them. Slowly, he rose to his feet, dusting off his sleeves. Then, to everyone's astonishment, he smiled.
"You've cultivated the Imperfect Celestial Body," he declared proudly. "Xuan, you did not let me down."
Xuan blinked, his breath unsteady. Imperfect Celestial Body? That was… his chest tightened with confusion. He nodded faintly, though his thoughts churned.
The court erupted with joy, courtiers whispering their admiration. The Empress hurried down from her throne, her face glowing.
"My son," she said warmly, reaching for his hand. "How have you been all these years? I heard you never took a single break from your training. Are you hurt?" Her fingers sought his, desperate for reassurance.
But Xuan's body stiffened. His instincts recoiled, and before he could stop himself, he stepped back, out of reach.
Her hand froze midair. The light dimmed in her eyes, her smile faltering as pain crept across her face.
Xuan's stomach tightened. Fool. You hurt her. Quickly, he bowed low, forcing his voice steady. "Do not worry, Mother. All is well." But even as he said it, his tone carried the distance of a stranger.
An uneasy silence filled the hall, broken only when the three deities bustled forward, eager.
"Xuan, look at you!"
"You've completed your cultivation. Magnificent!"
"You are as handsome as the stars themselves!"
Hands pressed against his shoulders, his arms, his back. Their touch crawled across his skin. Too close. Too much. His chest tightened. He drew in a sharp breath and stepped away, bowing again.
"Masters," he said evenly, "you flatter me."
Before relief could settle, his sister rushed at him. Small arms wrapped around his waist, squeezing tightly.
"Xuan!" she cried, her voice bright with happiness. "I missed you so much!"
Xuan froze. Every muscle in his body went rigid. His jaw clenched, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Ziwu…" His voice was calm, but the strain was clear. "Let me go."
She looked up at him, startled. Slowly, reluctantly, she stepped back, her smile breaking, her eyes glistening with hurt.
Xuan released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his fists curling at his sides. Too much. Too fast. His chest ached with the weight of so many eyes, so much touch after centuries of silence.
"Xuan."
His father's voice cut through the tension. The Emperor's expression softened, almost indulgent. "I have good news." He stepped closer. "Eighteen years ago, in the mortal realm, a princess was born, Princess Xiao. She bears a rare gift. For the sake of our eternal friendship with the mortal realm, I arranged for her to become your consort."
Xuan stilled. His brows knit, his face tightening. Consort?
"Now that your cultivation is complete," the Emperor continued, "you will descend to the mortal realm the day after tomorrow and marry her."
The court stirred, faces beaming, clearly aware of this arrangement long before him.
Xuan's gaze swept across them, his chest heavy. He turned back to his father, his voice calm but edged. "Consort?" He bowed slightly. "Father, I cannot accept this arrangement."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Why not?"
Xuan straightened, resolve in his voice. "If something happens to Guixu, I may be called to sacrifice my life. If I marry Princess Xiao now, I risk leaving her a widow. Please reconsider this, Father."
His father's face hardened. "Marriage to Princess Xiao is also your duty as Crown Prince. The bond between realms must be upheld. Our traditions cannot be cast aside." His tone softened slightly, though his eyes remained firm. "Rest for now. You will leave in two days."
"Father, I—"
"This has been decided." The Emperor's voice was final, cutting through the hall like a blade. "No need to argue further."
The silence that followed was heavy. Xuan bowed again, though inside his thoughts swirled like a storm.