The gates of Tianxun Sect loomed ahead, carved with dragons and gold inlay, shining beneath the late morning sun. The victorious group—Mo Tianzun, Crown Prince Longxuan, the Liu Twins, Jiang Fenglie, and the celestial lovers Canglong Shuiyun and Yun Huayin—had barely stepped foot past the threshold before the entire sect stirred with whispers and movement. Word had spread of their victory against Liu Shengjie's forces.
Drums sounded. Bells chimed. A wave of disciples hurriedly bowed as the group passed, murmuring with awe and confusion, their eyes lingering too long on the white-haired man in black robes who walked beside the Crown Prince.
Mo Tianzun remained silent, his expression unreadable, though his golden eyes flicked cautiously to the side when the inner sanctum doors opened ahead.
From inside, a familiar voice rang out.
"Xuanji?"
Mo Tianzun froze mid-step.
A woman with silver strands woven into her hair emerged—dressed in healer robes of Yunxiao Sect, her face pale with disbelief. Behind her, a younger woman followed, equally still and stunned.
Auntie Ruyan and Lin Qingyu.
"You're alive..." Qingyu whispered. "But—"
Tianzun lowered his gaze, his heart clenching. The name 'Lin Xuanji' had long turned to ash within him.
"I'm no longer him," he said softly, bowing slightly. "Forgive me for occupying this body... but Lin Xuanji's soul has long passed on. I am merely—what remains."
Silence. Qingyu stepped back, tears pooling in her eyes. Ruyan, ever the composed one, nodded slowly as if she had suspected as much. "Even so… thank you for keeping his body safe."
Longxuan moved closer to Tianzun's side, as if shielding him from any pain that might follow.
But then—the air shifted.
Golden robes flared as the Emperor himself strode forward, flanked by ministers and guards. His cold eyes locked onto Mo Tianzun.
"You," he said, voice sharp. "You may have saved my son... but your past is not forgotten."
Longxuan immediately stepped forward. "Father—he fought beside us. He risked his life—"
"I said I would not take his head," the Emperor interrupted. "And I will not. But he will not step foot in Tianxun again. The former Lord of the Demon Realm has no place beside my court."
Fenglan clenched his fists. "That's not fair!"
Zhenhai, usually calm, added quietly, "We owe him everything…"
Huayin placed a hand over his heart. "If you exile him again, Your Majesty, you may as well exile truth."
But Mo Tianzun raised a hand gently, silencing them.
"I understand," he said with a quiet smile. "I never asked to be welcomed. I only came because... I had to see that they were safe."
Longxuan's eyes flickered with pain, but before he could speak again, Tianzun turned to him and placed a hand on his chest.
"You can visit me anytime," Tianzun whispered, "at Yunxiao Healer Sect. My door will never be closed to you."
The Emperor watched them both with narrowed eyes, clearly noticing the intimacy between them.
The tension was heavy—until it shattered.
Heels clacked against marble.
A soft, syrupy voice called out.
"My prince has returned?"
Everyone turned.
A woman in flowing pink robes glided into the hall like a blooming lotus. Her hair was done intricately with sapphires and pearls, and her lips curled in a knowing smile.
Mu Shuirou.
She rushed toward Longxuan and without warning, threw her arms around him.
Everyone—including Tianzun—froze.
Longxuan's eyes widened as her perfume overwhelmed his senses. "W-Wait—Mu Shuirou—!"
"My beloved husband has been gone so long," she pouted dramatically. "I've missed you dearly."
Before Longxuan could escape, another figure entered behind her, fanning herself with a feathered fan.
The Empress Dowager.
"How dare a husband leave his wife for months on end?" she said with mock outrage. "Poor Shuirou has been pining so."
Mo Tianzun felt something cold prick inside him.
His gaze slid from Longxuan to the woman clinging to him, then back again.
"…Husband?" he echoed under his breath.
Fenglan's mouth dropped open. "Wait. You don't know Master Mo?"
Jiang Fenglie immediately looked at the ceiling.
Zhenhai winced. "Oh no…"
Longxuan finally disentangled himself from Shuirou and stepped forward, clearly flustered. "Tianzun—listen—I didn't want this marriage. It was arranged by the court after you were gone—!"
Shuirou batted her lashes at Tianzun. "Are you his friend? Or… someone important?"
Mo Tianzun did not answer. His expression remained calm, but his posture had straightened, just slightly cold.
"I'm… no one," he said.
But his eyes said otherwise.
Longxuan immediately moved toward him. "No! Don't say that—you're everything to me. Please don't—"
"Crown Prince," the Emperor cut in. "Escort your wife. There are matters of the court to discuss."
"But—!"
Tianzun smiled, gently pushing Longxuan back. "Go. It's alright."
As Longxuan was reluctantly led away, his eyes never leaving Tianzun, the hall slowly emptied.
Mo Tianzun stood alone in the middle.
A smile curved his lips—but it did not reach his eyes.
"I see…" he whispered.
And with that, he turned away, walking back toward the gates where a carriage from Yunxiao waited.
Only the echo of his footsteps remained in the grand hall behind him.