Chapter 137

Chapter 137

After enduring such a calamity, with their own sect gate washed away, the Nanshan Sect had finally settled in the Blessed Cavern. Someone proposed holding a relocation banquet. To spare Luo Ci any trouble, they prepared everything in secret, inviting him only after all arrangements were complete.

The seat of honor at the banquet was reserved for Luo Ci. As he took his place, everyone rose to pay their respects, which Luo Ci accepted with composure.

It wasn’t until they addressed him, "Greetings, Sect Master of Nanshan," that Luo Ci paused.

"Sect Master of Nanshan?" At first, Luo Ci didn’t realize they were referring to him. He turned his head slightly, and seeing everyone looking at him, he finally understood.

"Yes," said the eldest and most senior cultivator of the Nanshan Sect, stepping forward. "To be honest, since the passing of our founding ancestor, the Nanshan Sect has been scattered, with members leaving one after another... Those who remain are impoverished wandering immortals. If not for you, Immortal Luo, we wouldn’t have survived the flood. You have shown the Nanshan Sect profound kindness, so we wish to honor you as our sect master."

Luo Ci crinkled his nose. "But I’ve never been a sect master before."

He had no experience. Back when he stayed at the Cloudtop Sect, there were over twenty law-enforcement elders alone, and the workload was overwhelming. He wasn’t confident he could handle this responsibility.

Man Yu chuckled, pouring him a cup of immortal wine. "The Nanshan Sect is different from other sects—there’s hardly anything to manage. Immortal Luo needn't worry. You can just think of yourself as an auspicious symbol."

In other words, they were treating him like a little good luck charm.

Luo Ci glanced at Little Ears and the immortal lotus. Little Ears was tearing into spiritual beast meat, stuffing it into its maw, while the immortal lotus watched him with a smile.

Then he looked at the members of the Nanshan Sect, all looking at him with hopeful expectation.

Luo Ci understood they were grateful for his kindness and wanted to honor him as their sect master.

After some hesitation, he realized that while he planned to leave eventually, having the Cloudtop Sect look after the Nanshan Sect in his absence might still leave gaps. If he became a nominal sect master, other immortal sects, knowing his reputation, would likely think twice before causing trouble. That wouldn’t be a bad arrangement.

Once he made up his mind, he nodded. "Alright, but I won’t stay in the immortal realm forever." He felt it was best to make this clear from the outset.

Seeing the serious expression on that delicate, palm-sized face, Man Yu thought of the one he loved in the mortal realm. His heart soured slightly, weighed down by mixed emotions. "You’re still going back? To find him?"

Luo Ci replied as though stating the obvious. "Of course."

He sighed softly. "I’ve been away for so long."

Man Yu was perceptive, and Luo Ci’s face was an open book. Whenever topics like this came up, his porcelain cheeks would turn pink as if warmed by steam, his teeth biting his lips as he lost himself in thought.

This was the expression he only wore when thinking of someone he loved.

Man Yu had this confirmed once again, his heart aching faintly. But he didn’t want Luo Ci lost in memories, so he placed a cup of wine before him. "Try this. It’s a fruit wine specially brewed by the Wine Immortal."

The Wine Immortal was also a wandering cultivator of the Nanshan Sect. It was said he achieved enlightenment through the Way of Wine, ascending as an immortal. He owned a wine jar crafted from phoenix wood, and any wine brewed in it was at least of spirit-grade. His most famous creation was the "Mortal Intoxication"—a single cup could immerse one in three lifetimes of mortal reincarnation.

Luo Ci sniffed, catching a fresh, fruity fragrance. "Is this *Mortal Intoxication*?"

"No, the Wine Immortal stopped brewing that long ago," Man Yu replied, shaking his head.

*Mortal Intoxication* was once the most coveted wine in the immortal realm. But after the Wine Immortal drank it himself, he dreamed an epic dream, awakening with his robes soaked in tears. No one knew what he had gone through in those three mortal lifetimes, but after that night in the immortal realm, he never brewed *Mortal Intoxication* again.

Man Yu: "This is just simple fruit wine made from spiritual fruits."

Luo Ci hesitated. The last time he indulged, he slept for four hundred years. But the pink-hued wine in the cup, its fragrance permeating the banquet, was too tempting. He couldn’t resist extending his small tongue for a taste.

As expected, the fruit wine wasn’t spicy at all—instead, it was sweet.

Man Yu watched his expression. "How is it?"

Luo Ci pursed his lips, now glossy as if coated in honey, and nodded with a befuddled yet compliant look. "Mmm, so sweet."

Man Yu turned to speak with others for just a moment, and when he looked back, Luo Ci’s cup was already empty.

Luo Ci held the cup, tilting it to verify there was nothing left, then tugged at Man Yu’s sleeve.

"More?"

"Want another?" Man Yu poured him another cup.

Luo Ci buried his face in it, gulping it down in one go. The Wine Immortal’s brews were always intoxicating. Though the fruit wine didn’t taste strong, the sweetness spread through him, washing away all worries as if he were floating among clouds. Unconsciously, his little ears emerged.

Man Yu, sitting closest, caught a glimpse and wondered if he was drunk, his sight growing blurry.

But when he instinctively reached out and touched the furry ears, he froze.

After drinking, Luo Ci’s eyes glistened like still water, his drunken little head resting in the bend of his arm. When he slightly opened his eyes, his snow-white lashes fluttered faintly, and Man Yu felt his own heart skip a beat.

"Eep..." Luo Ci felt his ears being touched and raised a hand to pat them, only then realizing they’d popped out again.

He tried desperately to retract them, but whether it was the alcohol or not, several attempts failed. Panicked, he stood up from his seat and hurried toward his room.

Man Yu, startled, instinctively chased after him. "Luo Ci..."

Just as Luo Ci ran into the courtyard, he collided headfirst into someone’s embrace. Dazed, he sniffed, recognizing the familiar scent, and whimpered, "Lu Yun..."

The courtyard was filled with blooming immortal osmanthus, its heady fragrance filling the air. Man Yu stopped abruptly at the entrance. Beneath the flowering tree stood a tall, ancient figure—dark hair beneath a divine crown, robes embroidered with arcane patterns. Just one glance made his mind spin, the coppery taste of blood in his throat.

Man Yu’s head buzzed. At first sight, he felt as if he were facing an ancient, unfathomable abyss—something vast and untouchable. He dared not linger, nor could he bear to look...

Through the pain of his splitting consciousness, his vision blurred and swayed. He barely caught a glimpse of the figure, who didn’t even glance his way, scooping up the youth and vanishing into the depths of the courtyard without a backward glance.

***

"Lu Yun..."

Luo Ci sat on the soft couch, tilting his face up in confusion. "Is it really you, Lu Yun?"

He blinked dazedly.

The drunken little fox’s vision was too blurred to see clearly, everything swaying hazily, but his nose caught the familiar scent.

Lu Yun sat beside the couch, resting a hand gently on the little fox’s head. The fox’s eyes were bright yet bewildered, his porcelain cheeks tinged with a soft peach hue. Even without touching, one could tell how soft they must be.

He countered, "What do you think?"

The question stumped the little fox.

Luo Ci’s muddled little brain struggled to process things as he hugged his big tail, tugging at it while laboriously piecing together his thoughts.

He tried to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Lu Yun disliked the immortal realm and never came here, so this probably wasn’t him. He had just drunk the Wine Immortal’s brew—maybe it was an illusion conjured by the wine, showing him the person he wanted to see.

That seemed like a plausible explanation.

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

The little fox nodded thoughtfully while pondering.

"I know now..." Luo Ci curled up in Lu Yun's arms, mumbling sleepily, "I know everything..."

Lu Yun looked down at the drunken little fox. "What do you know?"

"..." Luo Ci closed his eyes without answering. His tiny paws pawed at his waist, wiggling his bottom as he nestled deeper into Lu Yun's embrace with his fluffy, snow-white tail. The ticklish sensation from the tail made Lu Yun cover it with his palm, restraining its movement.

The little fox, displeased by the restriction, grumbled. "You're not real. You're just my imagination, so you have to listen to me."

"...Just my imagination?" Lu Yun looked at the whining little fox, his brow furrowing briefly before relaxing. "Why imagine me? Do you miss me?"

He missed the little fox dearly.

So he wanted to know—when he longed for the little fox, did the little fox miss him too?

Luo Ci flicked his little ears, pressing his cheek against Lu Yun's palm and rubbing against it. "Of course I miss you... I miss you so much every day..."

To emphasize his feelings, he repeated the words of longing several times.

Lu Yun listened quietly, never interrupting.

"Is the Divine Palace not good enough?" Seeing the little fox roll onto his stomach, sinking into the soft cushion and letting his head droop as if about to fall asleep, Lu Yun asked the question that weighed most on his mind. "Why did you come to the immortal realm?"

Luo Ci nestled obediently on the couch, half-asleep, barely lifting his eyelids. "Because of you, Lu Yun..."

"...Because of me?"

This answer was unexpected.

Luo Ci gave a sleepy hum, his voice heavy with sleep. "You don't like the lower realm... I wanted to see little furball and the others, to know how they were doing... Once my wish was fulfilled, I planned to stay in the Divine Palace with you forever."

The little fox yawned again. "You're supposed to become my cultivation partner..."

He hadn't shared this plan with Lu Yun, so naturally, Lu Yun hadn't known. He had assumed the little fox was merely drawn to the mortal world, even fearing he had forgotten their promise. Yet, the little fox had kept it close to heart and made such plans.

"You're right."

Lu Yun lay down as well, encircling the little fox in his arms. The scent of fruit wine, immortal osmanthus, and the little fox blended into a familiar, comforting scent.

Even the thin blanket carried the same aroma.

"I missed you too," he murmured.

The winters without you were long and hollow.

With you, the snow was full of color. After you left, it returned to its plain white again.

Before I met you, I had lived through so many empty years.

Now, I can no longer bear them.

If this isn't affection, then what is?

Never before had his heart been so wholly tethered to another, so it all felt new.

Whether contentment, sadness, or confusion—all of it was new.

But there was no need to worry. Any worries you have, I would resolve for you...

The shadows of the osmanthus trees stretched endlessly across the courtyard, where spirit herbs shimmered in the divine light, swaying joyfully, their leaves and buds emitting faint, firefly-like glimmers.

Luo Ci's ears flicked. He opened his sleepy eyes, pressing his cheek against Lu Yun's chest to listen before lifting his head in surprise. "Did you just... let me hear your thoughts?"

Lu Yun chuckled, gently patted the little fox's back.

The heart does not lie—so he wanted the little fox to hear it too.

Luo Ci buried his face in Lu Yun's shoulder, rolling around until a soft, milky dimple on his lower back was visible.

"I hope you're still here when I wake up..."

A sleepy mumble.

The little fox finally fell fast asleep. Lu Yun let him use his arm as a pillow while the fox's fluffy tail wrapped around his waist. Looking down at the little fox's adorable, pink nose, he waited quietly for him to open his eyes again.

"No matter when you wake up, I will be here."