So they finally made it to the Beast Realm.
And surprisingly—surprisingly—nothing went wrong.
No ambush, no sudden demon attack, no strange fog swallowing people whole. Just… a smooth arrival. Almost too smooth, if you think about it.
The Beast Realm itself felt different from the mortal lands. The air was colder, cleaner, sharper—like every breath carried a trace of wild energy. The mountains stretched endlessly, their peaks dusted with snow that never seemed to melt. Even the silence there wasn't empty. It felt… watchful.
Like the land itself was alive.
They were received without much trouble and given separate rooms for the night, which, honestly, made sense. Man and woman, different quarters—it was basic courtesy, even in a place ruled by beasts.
But here's the thing. Neither of them slept
Xing Yue lay on her bed for a while, staring at the ceiling, but her mind refused to quiet down. Too many things had happened recently, and for once, even the calm of the night didn't soothe her.
So she got up.Quietly. And walked out.
She made her way to the Snow Villa courtyard—a place tucked slightly away from the main halls. It was beautiful in a very quiet, almost lonely way. Snow covered everything, soft and undisturbed, like no one had walked there in years. Large rocks stood scattered across the ground, half-buried in frost, their surfaces glinting faintly under the pale light.
The air was cold enough to bite, but Xing Yue didn't seem to mind. She stepped into the center of it all and just… stood there.
Still.
Silent.
Her robes shifted gently with the wind, and her long night-blue hair flowed behind her like a dark river against the snow.
And then, naturally—her thoughts drifted.
To Shen Yaoguang.
Out of all of them, Shen Yaoguang had always been the quiet one. Not as explosive as Cui Wulei, not as distant as Xing Yue herself used to be. There was something steady about her… something that felt like winter—cold, yes, but not cruel.
Even when she attacked, it was never excessive. Never merciless.Which made everything more confusing.
Why did things change?
When did they change?
Xing Yue exhaled slowly, her breath turning into mist in the cold air.
"Must everything really fall apart…" she murmured under her breath.
And just as that thought settled—
The wind shifted. Not gently. Not naturally.
It came suddenly, violently—like something had been released.
A sharp gust tore through the courtyard, lifting snow into the air and sending small rocks skidding across the ground. One of them shot straight toward her.
Xing Yue reacted instantly. She stepped aside smoothly, her movements precise, controlled—but before she could fully stabilize—
Another gust came. Stronger. Then another.
And then it wasn't just wind anymore.
It was a storm. Snow spiraled upward, faster and faster, forming a twisting column right in front of her. A tornado of white, roaring with a force that didn't belong in a peaceful courtyard.
Xing Yue's eyes narrowed. "Not again…" she muttered.
She tried to move—tried to step back—
But the pull was immediate. Relentless.
The force dragged at her robes, her hair, her entire body, and before she could anchor herself—She was pulled in. And just like that, everything changed.
Inside the tornado… it wasn't chaos.
It was silence.And then—Clarity.
The storm vanished as if it had never existed, and Xing Yue found herself standing on solid ground once again. But it wasn't the courtyard anymore. Not even close.
In front of her stretched an entirely different world.
It was vast, open, and… peaceful.
Temples stood in the distance, their roofs dusted lightly with snow, but not abandoned. No—this place was alive. Small huts lined the paths, smoke rising gently from their chimneys. And scattered across the open spaces were children.
Laughing.
Running.
Shouting to each other with bright, careless voices that echoed through the air. It was warm here—not in temperature, but in feeling. The kind of place where nothing bad had ever happened. Or at least… where nothing bad was allowed to remain.
Xing Yue stood there, completely still.
Conflicted didn't even begin to describe it.
The first time she had been dragged into something like this, it was darkness. Endless, suffocating darkness that swallowed everything whole.
But this?
This was the opposite.Too bright. Too calm.
Too perfect. And somehow… that made it just as unsettling. Her brows furrowed slightly as she turned, trying to understand where she was—
And then—
A voice spoke. Right behind her. "Long time no see."
It was calm. Familiar. And carried a weight that made her pause instantly.
Xing Yue turned slowly.
And the moment she saw the figure standing there—Her expression shifted.
Not fear. Not anger. Something deeper.
Something more complicated.
"…Mn," she said after a brief pause, her voice quieter than usual.
"It's been a while."
And just like that—Things she thought could finally make sense to her fuzzy mind.
____
Meanwhile,Jiang Yunxian woke up slowly.
Not the kind of waking where your eyes snap open and you're instantly alert. No, his was the heavy kind—the kind that drags you out of sleep like you're being pulled through water.
And honestly, it made sense. He had been drinking. Not a little either.
So naturally, his body resisted waking up. He turned slightly on the bed, brows knitting together as if he could simply ignore whatever was disturbing him and fall back asleep.
But he couldn't. Because his chest… burned. Not painfully, not like a wound—but like something warm had been lit inside him. A steady, uncomfortable heat that refused to be ignored.
He exhaled slowly, eyes still closed, trying to endure it. Nothing changed. The feeling only grew more noticeable.
"Aiya…" he muttered under his breath, voice hoarse with sleep. "What now…"
With a reluctant sigh, he finally opened his eyes. The room was dim, lit faintly by the pale glow filtering in from outside. The Beast Realm nights had a different kind of light—not bright, not soft, but something in between. It made everything look distant, like the world was slightly out of reach.
He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, clearly not in any hurry to move.
Then, with visible reluctance, he shifted and pushed himself up into a sitting position.
His hair was slightly disheveled, his robe loose, his entire posture screaming 'I would rather prefer to be asleep right now.'
But that warmth in his chest wouldn't let him.
So he gave in. Reaching toward his lapel, he slipped his hand inside and pulled something out—a small object, almost insignificant at first glance. A speaking ocean orb. It rested in his palm, barely the size of it, smooth and faintly luminous. At first, it looked like a simple glass sphere, but the moment you looked closer, you could see it—
Something moving inside. Like waves.
Tiny, endless waves shifting within the orb, reflecting light in a way that made it seem deeper than it actually was. It wasn't just an object. It felt… alive, in its own quiet way.
Jiang Yunxian stared at it. Not with curiosity.
Not even with urgency. Just… looking.
As if waiting for it to explain itself.
"Why are you sparkling like this…" he murmured, turning it slightly between his fingers. The faint glow reflected in his eyes, but his expression remained as relaxed as ever.
Truth be told, he wasn't the type to overthink things. If something didn't make sense, he didn't chase after the answer immediately. He let it be. Either it would reveal itself… or it wouldn't.
Simple. But even so—
He remembered the words clearly, Hong Tian Luo's words to be precised. Not clearly, not in full detail, but enough to linger in the back of his mind like an unfinished sentence.
If he paid attention… if he followed those words carefully…
This orb might not be as simple as it looked.
Jiang Yunxian tilted his head slightly, still staring at it.
Then he gave a small, almost lazy smile.
"Well," he said quietly, "I'll figure you out tomorrow."
Just like that. No urgency. No pressure.
As if whatever mystery it held could wait.
And with that, he leaned back slightly, still holding the orb in his hand, letting his thoughts drift once again.
Outside, the Beast Realm remained silent and vast, the night stretching endlessly across snow-covered peaks. And somewhere not too far away—
Xing Yue stood in a world that shouldn't exist. While Jiang Yunxian, completely unaware, sat with a key he didn't yet understand. The kind of quiet moment that feels small—
But isn't.
Because things like this? They never stay simple for long.
__
So, morning came quietly in the Beast Realm.
No loud noises, no chaos—just that steady, almost eerie calm that place always carried. The kind that made you feel like even the wind was being careful not to disturb anything.
Then came the knock.
Not loud. Not urgent. Just… precise.One knock on each door. Perfectly timed.
Both doors opened almost at the same moment, and there they were—Jiang Yunxian and Xing Yue.
Now, if you saw them side by side, you would immediately notice the contrast.
Jiang Yunxian looked like he had just come from a pleasant dream. Relaxed posture, easy smile, not a trace of worry on his face.
Xing Yue, on the other hand?
She looked like she had fought a war in her thoughts and lost patience halfway through it.
Her expression was calm, but not soft. There was a faint heaviness in her eyes—the kind that came from not sleeping at all.
And honestly, she hadn't.
As for Jiang Yunxian… well, he didn't sleep either. But for him, it wasn't thoughts.
It was that orb. That small, quiet thing sitting in his lapel, refusing to let him rest, like it had its own will. It hadn't spoken, hadn't done anything dramatic—but its presence alone was enough to keep him awake.
Still, if it bothered him, he didn't show it.
Of course he didn't. Standing before them was Lianhua. Exactly as she always was.
Smiling.
Soft, composed, almost too serene for someone living in a place like this. Her snow-white fur draped around her shoulders, even though the air that morning wasn't particularly cold. It gave her that ethereal look, like she belonged more to winter than to any season.
"How was your morning?" she asked gently.
Now, that question? Completely unnecessary. Xing Yue hadn't slept.
Jiang Yunxian hadn't rested. But both of them nodded anyway. Because what was the point of explaining? Lianhua studied them for a brief moment, her smile not fading—but something in her eyes suggested she understood more than she let on.
Still, she didn't press. Instead, she spoke again. "Long Junlan would like to meet you."
Jiang Yunxian's smile widened immediately.
"Oh ho," he said, almost amused. "That wig man is calling for us? What a surprise. I suppose he couldn't wait to see us, especially since we're holding onto something he wants."
Xing Yue didn't even react this time. She had already accepted that this man would say whatever came to his mind.
Lianhua, however, paused just slightly.
"The Emperor is not like that," she said calmly. Then, with a small gesture of her hand—
"This way, please."
And just like that, they began walking.
The path to the Azure Scaled Court wasn't short, but it wasn't dull either.
If anything, it was… impressive.
The deeper they went, the more the Beast Realm revealed its strange beauty. Snow didn't cover everything here, only parts of it, as if placed deliberately to highlight certain areas. The ground shifted between stone and frost, and the air carried that faint, crisp scent that made every breath feel sharper.
Then they passed it.
The Heavenroot Arbor. That massive tree.
The same one they had noticed the very first time they entered this place. And even now, it was impossible to ignore. It towered above everything, its trunk wide and ancient-looking, yet somehow still alive with energy. Its branches stretched endlessly, leaves shimmering faintly like they were holding onto light itself. It wasn't just a tree—it felt like something sacred.
Jiang Yunxian slowed down slightly, his gaze fixed on it.
"This tree…" he muttered, almost to himself, "it really does something to you."
Lianhua smiled faintly. "Many people say that," she replied. "It hasn't actually been here for that long. I mean the tree."
That caught Xing Yue's attention.
"How long?" she asked, her tone curious but not overly interested.
Lianhua thought for a moment. "It was planted about two years after the Emperor was crowned."
Xing Yue's brows lifted slightly.
"That was… a hundred years ago?" she said, a hint of surprise slipping through. "Wow. I guess beautiful things are meant to last."
Jiang Yunxian let out a small chuckle. "That's just something people say," he replied, folding his arms as he walked. "Things don't last because they're beautiful. They last because someone takes care of them."
He glanced at the tree again. "But I suppose… in this case, you're not entirely wrong."
Xing Yue didn't respond.
Not because she disagreed—just because she didn't care enough to argue. And so, they continued. Step by step, the path widened, the structures grew grander, and the atmosphere shifted.
By the time they reached the Azure Scaled Court again— That same overwhelming presence returned. The towering pillars.
The endless space.
The quiet authority pressing down from every direction.
Lianhua stopped just before the entrance, turning slightly toward them.
"The Emperor is waiting," she said.
And for a brief moment— everything felt still.
Because whatever was about to happen next? It wasn't going to be simple.
__
The Azure Scaled Court stood exactly as it had always been. Grand. Immense. Almost suffocating in its magnificence.The moment they stepped inside, it felt less like entering a hall and more like stepping into the domain of something ancient. The pillars alone were enough to command silence—massive, spiraling upward like coiled dragons frozen in motion, their scales etched with intricate patterns that shimmered faintly under the soft blue light.
Everything had a sheen to it.
Not bright, not blinding—just enough to remind you that this place was not built by ordinary hands. At the far end of the court, elevated above all else, was the high seat.
And on it sat Long Junlan.
The Dragon Emperor.
His presence alone filled the hall, not through force, but through something far more unsettling—control. Absolute, effortless control. His long beard, white as aged snow, flowed down his chest like a declaration of time itself. It was… excessive. Completely unnecessary.
And yet—
It suited him.
Jiang Yunxian, however, clearly disagreed.
The moment he stepped forward, instead of offering the expected formal greeting, he tilted his head slightly, eyes scanning the emperor with open curiosity.
Then he smiled.
"Seems like you are so addicted to your beard," he said casually, "that you can't spare even a bit of effort to trim it."
Xing Yue, standing beside him, closed her eyes briefly. "Shut up," she muttered under her breath, already feeling the headache coming.
Long Junlan, however—Smiled. Not forced. Not strained. Just… smiled.
"Oh?" he said, his tone light, almost amused. "As blunt as ever."
Jiang Yunxian studied him for a second longer. (Wow,) he thought. (Even when annoyed, he still smiles.)
Men like this are dangerous.
He didn't say it out loud—but it showed in the way his gaze sharpened just a fraction.
Long Junlan leaned back slightly on his seat, fingers resting calmly against the armrest.
"I know why you are here," he said. "Your time has been exhausted. You may now present the object."
Before Xing Yue could respond, Jiang Yunxian spoke.
"First," he said, his tone still light but his words firm, "bring our friend. Then we can talk about trust."
There was no hostility in his voice.
But there was no room for negotiation either.
Long Junlan's gaze shifted to him, studying him more carefully this time.
"I taught your friend," he said slowly, "to become a true phoenix. Why is it that you do not trust me?"
Jiang Yunxian gave a small shrug, as if the answer was obvious. "Seeing him is believing he's fine," he replied. "Don't misunderstand—I'm not accusing you of anything."
He paused, then added with a faint smile,
"But you are a beast. He is also a beast. I'm just a human who drinks until he forgets his own name. And she—" he gestured lazily toward Xing Yue, "—is an immortal who, for some reason, agreed to help me." He lowered his head slightly in a gesture that looked respectful.
"I hope you understand."
The meaning, however, was unmistakable.
I DO NOT TRUST YOU!
The hall fell silent. Even the faint echoes seemed to retreat, as if the space itself was waiting.
Then—
Long Junlan laughed. A deep, resonant sound that filled the entire court, bouncing off the pillars and returning in waves.
"Good," he said, exhaling slowly as the laughter faded. "Very good." His smile widened slightly.
"You are right to be cautious." He lifted a hand.
"Your friend is on his way."
And so, they waited. Tea was served. Elegant, fragrant, carefully poured. Xing Yue accepted it with grace. Jiang Yunxian… tolerated it.
He held the cup like it had personally offended him, taking occasional sips with the expression of someone enduring a mild punishment.
Time stretched. Minutes turned into hours.
The court remained unchanged, still and imposing, as if time moved differently within its walls.
Then finally—
The doors opened. Slowly. Heavily.
The sound echoed through the hall like a signal. Two guards entered first, stepping aside as a figure walked in between them.
A young man he was tall and lean, his posture was steady, his movements controlled but not rigid. His features were refined—an oval face, sharp jawline, and eyes that held a quiet intensity. There was something undeniably striking about him.
Handsome, yes.
But more than that—polished. Too polished.
"Behold," Long Junlan said, his voice carrying easily across the hall, "your friend. Rong Qi."
Jiang Yunxian looked at him. Really looked.
And then—He smiled. It was genuine at first.
This was the first time he had seen Rong Qi in human form. There was something almost proud in that moment, like seeing someone you knew finally step into something greater.
"Hello, friend," the young man said.
Jiang Yunxian paused for just a heartbeat.
Then he smiled back.
"Hello."
His voice was light. Cheerful. Natural. But Xing Yue, sitting beside him, felt it. That tiny shift. So small most wouldn't notice. But it was there.
Long Junlan leaned forward slightly.
"Now that your friend has completed his cultivation," he said, "may I have the Heart of Yanshi?"
Jiang Yunxian didn't answer immediately.
He just kept smiling.
But this time—
It wasn't warm. It wasn't relaxed. It was sharp. Almost mocking.
"Why's that?" he asked.
Long Junlan's eyes narrowed just slightly.
"Because that was our agreement."
Jiang Yunxian tilted his head.
"That won't work," he said lightly. "I can't give you something I don't have."
A pause.
"That is unacceptable," Long Junlan replied, his tone still calm, but firmer now. "We have fulfilled our part."
Jiang Yunxian let out a soft breath, as if slightly tired of the conversation.
"No," he said. "You haven't."
The air shifted. Subtly. But unmistakably.
"Speak clearly," Long Junlan said.
Jiang Yunxian leaned back slightly, then glanced sideways—toward the young man standing before them. Toward "Rong Qi."
Then he chuckled softly.
"Alright," he said. "I'll make it simple."
He turned his head fully this time, his gaze landing directly on the man. His smile didn't change.
But his eyes—
Were completely cold. "I can't give you the Heart of Yanshi," he said calmly, "because I do have it…"
A brief pause. Then—
"…and also because-" He pointed slightly with his chin.
"That is not my friend."