Qiao Xuan blinked innocently, looking quite pitiful. No matter who drinks this wine today, one thing’s for sure—he absolutely wasn’t going to!

He didn’t really want his master to drink it for him. He was only hoping his master could shield him a little. Surely Shu Chen and Hua Lan wouldn’t force his master to drink, right…?

Who would have thought that the moment he spoke, Hua Lan and Shu Chen’s expressions immediately darkened, both shooting unfriendly looks at Yun Ting Shu.

Qiao Xuan shrank back, a bit regretful now, worried that his master wouldn’t be able to handle them both. But his master was so powerful, escaping with him shouldn’t be a problem, right?

He really had no other choice… T_T

Shu Chen was incredibly displeased. Qiao Xuan refused to drink his wine and was so guarded and distant, yet he clearly relied on Yun Ting Shu. Did he really think so little of Shu Chen…?

As for Hua Lan, he was filled with jealousy and frustration. This peach blossom wine was brewed by Qiao Xuan himself, a token from when they first met. Yet Qiao Xuan showed no emotion toward it, acting as if it meant nothing, and even lightly suggested someone else drink it…

How could you be so heartless?

Hua Lan’s chest was full of pain and anger, but as a god who had lived for over ten thousand years, he wasn’t one to act impulsively. Even though Qiao Xuan’s actions hurt him deeply, Yun Ting Shu was someone Qiao Xuan trusted and relied on. If Hua Lan rashly offended Yun Ting Shu, it would only drive Qiao Xuan further away.

Additionally, there was another reason Hua Lan held back. Yun Ting Shu appeared to have the cultivation of an upper deity, yet despite Hua Lan’s vast network of connections, he had never heard of Yun Ting Shu. Could it be that there was an upper deity in the Celestial Realm that Hua Lan didn’t know about?

And when they first met in the Celestial Palace, Qiao Xuan had clearly said he was a disciple of the Guiyuan Sword Sect. Since Jiang Weiqing recognized him, that should have been true. Hua Lan had never doubted Qiao Xuan’s identity, only whether he remembered his past life. If so, Qiao Xuan’s master should have been a mortal, not an upper deity.

If what Qiao Xuan said now was true, then his original claim was a lie.

Not only had Hua Lan been deceived, but Jiang Weiqing as well.

To fool both of them was no small feat.

Despite his many thoughts, Hua Lan decided that since Yun Ting Shu was Qiao Xuan’s master, he wouldn’t lightly make an enemy of him.

Fixing his gaze on Yun Ting Shu, Hua Lan spoke solemnly, “May I ask who you are?”

Yun Ting Shu smiled slightly. “Zebai Mountain Range, Xuanhe.”

Hua Lan paused for a moment and then recalled something. The Zebai Mountain Range lay at the edge of the Celestial Realm, vast and expansive, but shrouded in mist since ancient times. Anyone who ventured there was either killed or seriously injured. Eventually, word spread, and it became known as a forbidden land, a place no one dared to enter. It was speculated that either an ancient god resided there or that it was the site of ancient ruins.

For tens of thousands of years, no one had emerged from the Zebai Mountain Range, and people gradually assumed its resident had long since died, leaving only ruins.

But now, it seemed that this ancient deity was still very much alive.

Hua Lan’s expression grew more serious. “So, you’re the deity of Xuanhe. I’ve long heard of you.”

Yun Ting Shu nodded slightly. “You’re too kind, Emperor. This is my young disciple, and he’s still a bit unruly. I’ve come to take him back.”

Yes, yes, please take me back!

Qiao Xuan gathered his courage and quickly scampered from Hua Lan’s side to hide behind his master, as obedient as could be.

Hua Lan clenched his hand at his side, his jaw tight. He had waited so long to reunite with Qiao Xuan, and now he had to let him go again? Watch him leave once more?

No, he wouldn’t accept it.

Hua Lan’s gaze sharpened as he looked straight at Yun Ting Shu, taking a deep breath before speaking slowly, “Your disciple and I shared a romantic bond in a past life. Our reunion now means our fate isn’t over yet. I hope you can allow it to continue.”

The moment these words left his mouth, the atmosphere turned so tense that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard.

Shu Chen, who was usually indifferent, even to the end of the world, was now visibly shocked. When did Qiao Xuan have a romantic bond with Hua Lan in a past life? What’s going on?

Qiao Xuan’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Hua Lan. He actually confessed it straight out like this?!

He grabbed his master’s sleeve and frantically made eye contact, pleading silently.

It’s all over! The bond is over! You must not agree!

Yun Ting Shu looked down at the boy clutching his sleeve, seeing his pitiful and frightened expression, and sighed helplessly. He turned to Hua Lan and said, “I appreciate the Emperor’s feelings, but as this was a tribulation in the past, the bond has ended with that life. Now, you and my disciple are different people… I hope the Emperor will not be attached to a past romantic tribulation.”

Hua Lan’s voice was firm, “I understand your concerns, but my feelings for your disciple will not change. I hope you’ll give me a chance. I will not let him down.”

Yun Ting Shu shook his head. “The past cannot be forced. Emperor, you’ve cultivated the Dao for tens of thousands of years. How can you not understand that?”

With that, he grasped Qiao Xuan’s hand and turned to leave.

Hua Lan’s gaze darkened, and he was about to step forward to stop them, but Shu Chen suddenly appeared in front of him, his tone cold and sharp. “You’ve been told not to force things. A’Xuan has no interest in rekindling any past bond. Why are you still trying to follow?”

Qiao Xuan followed his master, finally feeling the weight lifted from his chest. But thinking back on what had just happened, he couldn’t help but sigh.

To be honest, he never blamed Hua Lan for what happened in that life. Back then, when he was still Rong Xuan, he had intentionally told others not to inform Xiao Lü of certain things because he knew it would only distract Xiao Lü and ruin all the progress he had made. It would have made Rong Xuan a burden.

For Xiao Lü, his career was more important than love. For Rong Xuan, wasn’t revenge more important than love?

So he kept his silence, even though he knew Xiao Lü probably wasn’t entirely unaware…

It wasn’t just Hua Lan’s fault. It was a choice they both made, and once someone dies, all debts are settled. Why hold on to the past?

Qiao Xuan didn’t understand why Hua Lan couldn’t let go.

But he was certain that he had no intention of falling in love again. Since he couldn’t give Hua Lan what he wanted…

He had no choice but to refuse him coldly.

Hua Lan did seem very hurt, though, which made Qiao Xuan feel a bit guilty.

Oh well, oh well, Master is right. It’s better to go back and focus on cultivating! Every time I go out, it’s just trouble…

Qiao Xuan almost teared up at the thought. Weren’t I supposed to live a carefree life as an immortal? Eat, drink, play, and wander around… But every place I go, I run into exes. It’s only been a few months, and I already want to go home! The world outside is way too dangerous!

His head drooped, and his spirits couldn’t be lower.

Yun Ting Shu looked at the boy walking beside him, his head hung low, radiating dejection. After a moment’s hesitation, he gently patted Qiao Xuan’s head and said softly, “It’s over now. Let’s go home.”

Qiao Xuan nodded. He’d bought almost everything he needed, so it wouldn’t be too boring to return…

Thankfully, Master had shown up in time today, or else he wouldn’t know how to get out of that mess!

Just as Qiao Xuan was about to ask his master if they were heading back now, Yun Ting Shu’s gaze suddenly sharpened. He said, “Go inside first.”

Recently, Qiao Xuan had become like a frightened bird, so he didn’t dare disobey his master’s words. He immediately dashed into the inn.

Yun Ting Shu turned around, his gaze locking onto the slowly materializing figure of Shu Chen. His brows furrowed slightly.

Shu Chen’s gray eyes were cold as he asked, word by word, “What is this about a romantic tribulation?”

Yun Ting Shu replied calmly, “It’s exactly as you saw. He went to the mortal world to undergo tribulation and accidentally formed a romantic bond with Hua Lan, but that’s all in the past.”

Shu Chen stared at Yun Ting Shu’s calm demeanor, suddenly overwhelmed with anger. He roared, “Yes, some people undergo tribulations to achieve enlightenment, but that’s only when they have no other choice! Qiao Xuan was doing just fine. Why did you send him to undergo a tribulation? Don’t you know how difficult that is?”

The thought of Qiao Xuan enduring the trials of a romantic tribulation without his knowledge made Shu Chen both heartbroken and furious. Romantic tribulations were no ordinary hardship. Unless one sought to cultivate the Way of Detachment, no immortal would willingly endure such pain, severing all ties to love and enduring the worst of human suffering.

Moreover, knowing that Qiao Xuan had fallen in love with Hua Lan during the tribulation filled Shu Chen not only with heartache and anger but also with an undeniable twinge of jealousy. Even if Qiao Xuan no longer remembered, he must have truly loved Hua Lan during the tribulation…

No wonder Hua Lan wouldn’t let go.

Shu Chen clenched his fists. He resented Yun Ting Shu for sending Qiao Xuan into the tribulation, and he despised Hua Lan for not treating him well.

Yun Ting Shu’s lips pressed together as he spoke softly, “He had to go.”

It was his only chance at survival.

Shu Chen couldn’t comprehend this. He stared at Yun Ting Shu, whose expression never wavered. No matter what he did, everything seemed so natural to Yun Ting Shu, as if he never needed to justify anything. As a high god who protected the Three Realms, he always acted according to what he deemed right. But how could such a god possibly understand love?

Yet, not everything in the world needed to be right. Sometimes, it was about being reckless, about breaking the rules.

Whether someone is a god, a mortal, or a demon, what’s the point of living without feeling anything?

Shu Chen had thought Yun Ting Shu would at least protect Qiao Xuan, but he could just stand by and watch him endure the trials of a romantic tribulation, suffer through so much, simply because he believed it was necessary.

This man hadn’t changed at all.

Shu Chen’s gaze turned cold. “You have no idea what he wants, so why are you keeping him by your side? You can’t give him what he wants. Leave him with me. He likes staying in the mortal world. I’ll stay with him, travel the world with him, let him enjoy life, and do whatever he wants…

Don’t worry, I’ll protect him well. You can return to the Celestial Realm alone.”

Yun Ting Shu looked at Shu Chen, a hint of suppressed emotion deep in his pale eyes. You don’t understand anything…

His lips pressed tighter as he slowly said, “You don’t get it.”

Shu Chen’s gaze was mocking as he suddenly waved his hand. A bamboo sword appeared in his grasp, its point aimed at Yun Ting Shu. His voice was icy as he declared, “I won’t let you take him!”

…

Meanwhile, Qiao Xuan sat in his room, looking around. There wasn’t much to pack.

But weren’t we supposed to return to the Celestial Realm? Why hasn’t Master come back yet?

Resting his chin on his hand, Qiao Xuan sighed. It’s been so long. I wonder if the mushrooms in Xuanhe Valley miss me. After all the scares I’ve had recently, I feel guilty for frightening those poor mushrooms. When I go back, I’ll be sure to treat them well!

Wait. Qiao Xuan suddenly felt a shift in the energy outside. Sticking his head out to look, his face turned pale in an instant.

What the heck?! Why are Master and Shu Chen fighting?!

This is the mortal realm!

Although the two seemed to be holding back, having set up a barrier to avoid harming mortals, if they lost control, the capital of Nanyue wouldn’t stand a chance!

Qiao Xuan’s expression grew anxious, and he was about to rush out and stop them when suddenly his body went numb, and he collapsed backward, powerless.

In an instant, Hua Lan had reached out and pulled Qiao Xuan into his arms. His cold gaze swept across the sky before he turned and left with Qiao Xuan without hesitation.

Qiao Xuan: …!

Hua Lan, you! You look like such an upright man, but who knew you’d take advantage of someone’s weakness like this?!

The wind howled in his ears as Qiao Xuan grew increasingly nervous. Where is Hua Lan taking him?

It wasn’t long before they left the capital and arrived in the countryside, tens of miles away. Below them was a dense forest of trees, and within the mountains, Qiao Xuan could vaguely make out a sprawling complex of tombs. His face turned white—this must be the Xiao family’s imperial mausoleum. What was Hua Lan planning to do here?

Hua Lan finally stopped, but he didn’t release Qiao Xuan from his arms. He gazed deeply at the young man, his eyes filled with unhidden affection. His voice was low and hoarse as he said, “Xuan’er, you remember everything, don’t you? That’s why you came back…”

Qiao Xuan trembled. Y-you need to calm down. Let’s talk this over, okay?

Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to discuss love in a graveyard?

Hua Lan’s voice was thick with pain, “After you died, I never forgot you. So before my death, I instructed them to bury us together, hoping that in the next life, I’d be able to see you again…”

Qiao Xuan: … You’re making me even more scared.

I thought you were a normal guy!

Shouldn’t you be buried with your empress?!

Hua Lan stared at the young man’s face. Over the past thousand years, he had fantasized countless times about this reunion…

His gaze seemed almost pleading as he said, “I know I made mistakes in the past… but could you give me another chance? This time, I promise I won’t let you get hurt again…”

So please, don’t make such a decisive choice, just like that time in the sea of fire, where you didn’t even leave me a chance to save you…

Qiao Xuan looked at the elegant and handsome man in front of him, who gazed at him with such sorrow. In that moment, Hua Lan seemed to overlap with Xiao Lü. He was no longer the high and mighty Celestial Emperor, nor the supreme ruler of the human realm, but just a man tormented by unrequited love.

No matter who you are, there are always things you can’t have.

Even Hua Lan couldn’t escape that.

But we aren’t right for each other anymore. I’m no longer Rong Xuan, so why are you still trying to be Xiao Lü?

Wasn’t the price we paid back then enough?

If you hadn’t opened that door, and if I hadn’t let you go, none of this would have happened… That hesitation only caused more harm to both of us, and in the end, it did no one any good.

Qiao Xuan gritted his teeth and said, “Some things… I’ve already forgotten.”

Hua Lan froze.

So, you do remember everything. You just don’t want to remember.

You didn’t come back to see me.

You don’t want to have anything to do with me anymore.

You don’t want to get tangled up with me again.

Is this your answer?

Hua Lan couldn’t accept this outcome. A dark emotion flickered in his eyes as he raised a hand, gently brushing the young man’s face…

His touch was filled with tenderness and affection…

Qiao Xuan grew more anxious. It seemed his words weren’t enough to convince Hua Lan. Wait, he had an idea!

Back when he was forced to undergo tribulation, it was because he couldn’t pass the heavenly tribulation and was nearly obliterated. He had no choice but to reincarnate and undergo the trial. But why do most immortals undergo tribulation? It’s usually to break through or improve their cultivation, right? And those who deliberately go through a romantic tribulation are often trying to sever their emotional ties and abandon love…

He hadn’t intended to follow the Way of Detachment, he just didn’t want to die or fall in love… but the result was the same!

I can act that part!

Qiao Xuan’s gaze grew cold and indifferent as he looked at Hua Lan and said slowly, “Love is nothing but a burden to me. Why does the Emperor insist on clinging to it?”

Hua Lan’s face turned pale at those words. He realized something…

Qiao Xuan knew what Hua Lan was thinking and steeled himself, speaking in an icy tone, “It was nothing but a romantic tribulation. I’ve already let it go. As a god, surely you can do the same?”

Hua Lan stared at the boy’s indifferent eyes, no longer seeing the warmth they once held. He looked at him as if he were a stranger, and in that moment, Hua Lan had no choice but to accept the truth—Qiao Xuan no longer loved him.

To Qiao Xuan, it had been nothing more than a romantic tribulation.

A fleeting dream.

A dream that, once woken from, left nothing behind.

Love severed, worldly ties cut.

Hua Lan closed his eyes in anguish. He had gone to the mortal world to experience human emotions, only to find himself trapped in them. He had thought Qiao Xuan’s appearance was something different in his long, lonely life, but in the end, it was dismissed as just a “romantic tribulation.”

He had thought Qiao Xuan was his trial, but he was also Qiao Xuan’s.

All the hatred and pain he had caused only served to help Qiao Xuan cultivate the Way of Detachment.

If he had been able to protect the Rong family from destruction, if he had been able to save Qiao Xuan from the empress’s harm… would that romantic tribulation have never come to pass? Could they have had a happy ending?

Qiao Xuan felt a twinge of guilt but forced himself to finish speaking.

You thought it was just a single life’s romantic tribulation, but it was actually seven lives’ worth!

Even if love wasn’t part of the equation, if I agreed to be with Hua Lan, he’d have to deal with Bai Cang, Jiang Weiqing, and possibly Shu Chen… That’s a death wish for sure! It’s not just dangerous for me but for Hua Lan too! It’s best to stay single and keep everyone safe. Win-win!

Seeing Hua Lan in such despair, Qiao Xuan felt a rare moment of softness and whispered, “Your Majesty… forget about me.”

Hua Lan stared blankly at the boy…

Caught in those clear, gentle eyes, he felt as if, for a moment, he was back in that peach orchard, at their first meeting…

You don’t love me anymore, but at least you don’t blame me.

Telling me to forget you…

Maybe that’s the last bit of kindness you have for me. But I’d rather you weren’t so kind…

Qiao Xuan saw Hua Lan lost in thought for a moment and seized the opportunity. He shattered the spell holding him in place, casting a spell that sent Hua Lan flying! Then, without looking back, he darted away!

Ahead, two figures in white and gray robes approached.

It was Yun Ting Shu and Shu Chen.

Qiao Xuan’s eyes lit up. Master was here to save him! He flew toward Yun Ting Shu without hesitation, but just as he was still hundreds of meters away, a powerful force suddenly pulled him downward!

What was happening?!

Qiao Xuan looked down in shock and saw cracks spreading across the ground below. The fissures rapidly expanded, and the entire ground collapsed with a deafening crash! A massive black hole appeared, like a whirlpool, pulling everything around it into its depths!

Qiao Xuan couldn’t move, his body plummeting toward the hole. What the heck is going on?!

Author’s Note:

Qiao Xuan: This author has no heart. When will this battlefield of lovers end?!

Author: There are only two so far, we’re just getting started…

Qiao Xuan: …