The art of creating a Cave Heaven wasn't exactly difficult for immortals of the present era.
Madam Ping—immortal title Madam Ping—was one of those who mastered it.
As for Gu Chen, the exalted Master of the Taixuan Sect, the Cave Heaven technique he commanded was far more profound. The space he opened was incredibly stable, practically an independent small world of its own.
Opening a Cave Heaven was easy—filling it with a sea of flowers, however, was not.
Wild Glazed Lilies had long been wiped out in history by a great flood, leaving only a few traces behind.
It was only after the passage of ages that people began cultivating artificial Glazed Lilies.
As for the wild ones—they were exceedingly rare, perhaps only to be found in remote sacred mountains.
But Gu Chen didn't need to go to such trouble.
He directly contacted Cloud Retainer.
The True Lord said it would be difficult.
After a bit of flattery from Gu Chen, the proud immortal finally relented—saying that while this might be difficult for others, for her it was mere child's play.
Soon enough, she sent over a bundle of wild Glazed Lilies, fresh soil still clinging to their roots, fragrant and clearly just dug up from somewhere.
Gu Chen planted the lilies and began evolving his Cave Heaven.
Under his immense power, a hundred years passed within moments in that inner world.
Abundant energy and a nurturing environment allowed the lilies to flourish, multiplying from a few sprigs into a vast sea of blossoms.
Satisfied, Gu Chen returned to the courtyard, deep in thought.
"Done already?"
A slow, curious voice drifted over—Paimon floated lazily toward him.
"Yeah," Gu Chen nodded, "just wondering where to put it."
"Why not like Granny Ping's teapot?" Paimon suggested with a shrug.
Gu Chen pondered, then took two steps backward toward the moon gate, eyes lighting up.
He suddenly recalled an animated movie—Howl's Moving Castle.
The doorknob could twist, switching the world beyond the door…
Could he do the same with the moon gate?
After a moment's thought, Gu Chen decided to try.
Ignoring the puzzled Paimon, he focused his will—and the moon gate began to shift and twist like living clay. In the blink of an eye, an alchemical-looking console appeared beside it, topped with a crystal orb that shimmered with light.
"What's that?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Turn the orb," Gu Chen explained. "If the image inside shows the courtyard, passing through leads here. If it shows the sea of flowers—you'll step into the Cave Heaven. There's a matching console and moon gate inside, so you can come back just as easily."
He chuckled to himself. "When we have kids later, and more Cave Heavens… they could play hide and seek between worlds. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
"So magical?!" Paimon gasped. "Let me try—"
"Nope." Gu Chen wagged a finger, smiling slyly. "This one's a gift for my wife."
Paimon froze, then drooped. "Ah… so your wife gets first try, huh? When she arrives, I'll beg her to take me in! Sister Guizhong is so kind—she definitely will!"
Just as she said that, a soft breeze rolled in, carrying a swirl of white mist.
The mist settled on the cobblestone path and took form—a petite girl in embroidered robes, her delicate face filled with a mix of hope and nervousness. She murmured softly, "The locator says it's nearby…"
"Eh? It's Guizhong!" Paimon cried, waving excitedly.
Guizhong turned toward the sound, and when her gaze met Gu Chen's, she froze for a heartbeat—then lifted her chin proudly, hands on her waist. "You've merged your Dao, huh? I've done really well since then!"
Gu Chen smiled warmly. "As expected of my chosen Grand Elder. You've worked hard."
Guizhong's eyes glistened with unshed tears. Her nose tingled as she softly punched his chest. "You irresponsible Master! Luckily… I found you."
Then she leapt lightly into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly.
Gu Chen's smile deepened as he supported her gently. "You've suffered a lot, haven't you?"
"A little," she admitted, "but I wasn't miserable!"
"That's good. Whoever dares make our Grand Elder suffer deserves a beating."
"I'm not the Grand Elder anymore," she huffed. "I'm going to be the Sect Master's wife!"
"As you wish—my Sect Master's wife," Gu Chen replied with mock solemnity.
Paimon floated nearby, arms folded, watching their tender reunion with relish.
The scene froze for a moment—
[Paimon]: (Photo: tall, handsome Gu Chen holding a blushing Guizhong in his arms)
[Paimon]: I was just craving snacks, but… huh? I suddenly feel full! (Hu Tao's mischievous emoji)
[Kaeya]: Do you know how much this hurts us single people?! You don't care! You just wanted to share the pain so we'd all suffer together! (Nahida pointing accusingly)
[Venti]: I'm full.
[Furina]: Full +1. But seriously—how does Miss Guizhong walk barefoot without getting dirty? (Nahida curious emoji)
[Nahida]: (Thinking deeply) Wait… I don't wear shoes either.
[Collei]: So sweet!! Also @[Cyno]—Grand Arbiter, you don't wear shoes either, right?
[Cyno]: (Cyno: Duel!)
[Neuvillette]: Lady Furina, perhaps you haven't considered… the strong don't walk. They float.
[Furina deleted a message]
[Neuvillette]: (Screenshot of Furina's deleted message)
[Furina]: …Was that really necessary?! You even saved a screenshot?!
At Gu Residence, Ying and Raiden truly welcomed Guizhong's arrival.
Ying, as the official main wife, carried herself with generous grace.
Guizhong glanced at the private chat Raiden sent and found the purple-haired sister rather amusing.
"By the way, Sister Guizhong," Paimon giggled, "Gu Chen made a Cave Heaven for you! He said you're the first to see it—take me with you, please?"
Guizhong found the little one adorable and agreed with a smile.
The group entered through the moon gate console—
And instantly, the fresh fragrance of Glazed Lilies filled the air, soothing and bright.
"Wow!" Paimon exclaimed, floating into the sea of flowers. She carefully found a patch of space, laid face-up, snapped a selfie, and posted it to the group chat, causing a chorus of envy.
[Nilou]: A sea of flowers! (Sucrose: Envious)
[Collei]: So beautiful! I can almost smell the air! (Sucrose: Envious)
[Yoimiya]: Cowards, I can imagine it! (Sucrose: Envious)
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Brave fool. I can't even imagine it… (Energy low)
Meanwhile, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had already arrived in Liyue.
She glanced at the group chat, hesitating.
Obviously, Gu Chen and Guizhong were… rather occupied. Was it really proper to show up now?
Considering her strained past relationship with them—even if she wasn't the same Sustainer from the previous life—it still felt awkward.
After much thought, she decided to ask Morax—Zhongli—for help.
After all, he was technically her subordinate. Maybe he could ease the tension first. That way, she wouldn't get chopped for interrupting a love scene.
"All for the sake of Teyvat…" she muttered, opening a private chat with Zhongli atop Mt. Tianheng.
Inside the Glazed Lily Cave Heaven.
"Didn't Paimon say she was hungry earlier?" Ying nudged the little one who was half-asleep among the flowers.
"Huh? Did I?" Paimon murmured.
"You should give Guizhong and Gu Chen some alone time," Raiden said with a gentle smile.
"Oh—right!" Paimon perked up instantly.
She called out, "Gu Chen! I'm hungry! I'll go eat with Ying and Sister Raiden!"
"Go ahead," Gu Chen waved.
Once the trio left, only Gu Chen and Guizhong remained in the sea of blossoms.
Guizhong was lively—not exactly gentle like Raiden, nor occasionally playful like Ying. Her liveliness carried an effortless grace, unlike Hu Tao's mischief.
She suddenly recalled the chat messages about her bare feet, frowning slightly.
"Why did Furina even ask that…?" she muttered.
Gu Chen sat nearby as she reclined among the flowers, lifting one long, fair leg and resting her foot on his thigh. "See if they're dirty?"
"...?" Gu Chen blinked, then solemnly grasped her ankle.
Her five toes were like delicate jade, smooth and soft, the soles pale with a healthy pink hue. Startled by his touch, her toes curled slightly—adorably so.
"What perfect—uh, white chocolate popsicles—I mean, jade feet! Not dirty at all!" he said seriously.
Guizhong giggled. "Ying was right, you do have a thing for feet."
"No," Gu Chen said softly, "I like you more than your feet."
Guizhong froze, then her smile bloomed brighter than the lilies around them.
Her expression turned tender but resolute. "I was too reserved before… This time, I'll be brave."
With that, she leaned forward.
"...?"
Gu Chen blinked, then smiled faintly. Life was good—each of his wives so different, each precious in her own way.
As the silken robes fluttered to the ground, the Cave Heaven filled with light and color, clouds tinged with rosy glow.
"Are you ready?"
"Eh?"
"Tonight's going to be sleepless."
Paimon's words left Ying and Raiden staring at each other in dawning horror.
Just moments ago, they'd been happy about Guizhong joining the family. Now, they looked like battle-scarred sisters, eyes full of pity.
Paimon sighed. "Poor me too! Ying, please—sleep with Sister Raiden, okay? Don't torture me!"
Ying glanced at Raiden.
Raiden tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "Then tonight, Ying and I shall sleep together."
Ying was moved to tears. The gentle Raiden truly felt like both an elder sister and a loving mother.
With thickening skin, the girl dove into her embrace. "I knew Sister Raiden was the best!"
Raiden smiled, eyes crescented in amusement.
That night, the newly unsealed Guizhong recovered quickly—after all, she was both an Archon and a cultivator.
She'd long steeled herself for this life ahead. Despite her shyness, she still invited Ying and Raiden to join.
Gu Chen, however, had one small problem.
Two was fine—left and right embrace.
But three… how was he supposed to manage that?
He didn't know—until the next morning, when he woke up on the floor.
No need to ask who kicked him down.
Raiden slept quietly, Ying sometimes kicked her blanket—but not that hard.
So, the culprit was obvious.
Gu Chen rose, staring blankly at the three sleeping peacefully together, smiles on their faces.
Fine.
This bed clearly doesn't have room for me anymore!
"You're so pitiful," Paimon said from the window.
"When did you get here?" Gu Chen asked, bewildered.
"It's ten already! I got hungry and bought breakfast. Want some?"
"You're the best," Gu Chen said, touched.
"Humph, now you know Paimon's worth?" she said proudly, mimicking Eula's pout.
"In this house, only Paimon is my little warm jacket."
"Hehe~" Paimon beamed.
"Now hand over the food, and watch how I wake them up."
With a mischievous grin, Gu Chen waved the breakfast over their sleeping faces.
Ying, dreaming blissfully, turned over, sniffing the aroma.
Sunlight streamed in, and she looked like a lazy little piglet.
Raiden stirred, chuckling softly at the sight. "You're up?"
"I was wondering why it felt cold—turns out I was on the floor," Gu Chen muttered.
Raiden covered her lips, laughing. "I heard them kicking something last night… so it was you?"
"Yeah."
Paimon bit her lip, shaking with suppressed laughter.
She could barely hold it in!
After a deep breath, she said, "Oh right—Zhongli messaged me. He wants to meet you today."
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, thinking for a moment, then smiled knowingly. "Probably about the Taixuan Sect."
"Dunno," Paimon shrugged. "He didn't say."
"Could it be about the World Stabilizer?" Raiden wondered aloud.
Gu Chen's brows lifted. "If that's the case, it shouldn't be him coming…"
"Maybe the Sustainer wants to talk but feels awkward, so she asked Mr. Zhongli to bridge the way?" Raiden guessed.
"Could be."
Gu Chen chuckled. "Meeting the Sustainer of Heaven, huh… I'm curious to see what she'll say."
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