Part 2: Fractured Harmony
In the familiar rhythm of North York, two years had slipped by since Jiang's return from the Wudang Mountains, a period marked by subtle shifts and unspoken yearnings. Now twenty, Jiang stood at the threshold of his chosen path: joining the Toronto Police Service, a career that mirrored his father's dedication and his own ascetic discipline. The day before their shared birthday celebration—his twentieth, her fifteenth—he sought solace in the backyard dojo, his body moving through rigorous katas with precision honed by years of training. Sweat glistened on his skin, each strike a futile attempt to banish the persistent thoughts of Yan, whose presence had become a tormenting flame he could neither extinguish nor embrace.
The creak of the gate interrupted his focus. Su Ming strolled in, his casual stride a stark contrast to Jiang's intensity. At twenty, Ming balanced university engineering courses with his trademark easygoing nature, their friendship a constant amid the changes.
"Yo, Jiang," Ming called, leaning against a post with a grin. "Pounding the air like it owes you money? Party's tomorrow—save some energy for cake."
Jiang paused, wiping his brow with a towel, his breath steady but his mind churning.
"Just clearing my head. Exams for the academy are coming up. What's on your mind?"
They sat on the porch steps, the late afternoon sun painting the cul-de-sac in golden hues. They chatted about some common friends but Ming shifted uncomfortably, his usual banter giving way to hesitation.
"Alright, straight up— what's going on with you and Yan? You two were like super close, at least you were before you went for your training. Now? It's radio silence. She's snappy as hell when I ask why you don't talk anymore, and you clam up too. Spill it, man."
Jiang's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Silence stretched, heavy with the weight of things unsaid. Finally, he sighed, the sound laced with bitterness.
"I'm too old for her now, Ming. She's not the kid tagging along anymore. She doesn't want my company—probably sees me as some boring old man.. I'm 5 years older and.. And we don't have anything in common.."
The words stung as they left him; he missed her fiercely—the way her laughter filled the air, her teasing jabs that once felt innocent. But now, every interaction sparked a dangerous awareness, making sibling-like ease impossible. *How do I go back? When all I see is the woman she's becoming?*
Ming frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, five years isn't that big a deal. But... yeah, Mom mentioned something like that. Said you're both hitting that age where you notice the differences—guy and girl stuff. Can't just shove you together like when we were kids."
He punched Jiang's shoulder lightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Talk to her, though. She's been down about it too. Maybe at the party?"
Jiang nodded noncommittally, but inside, the conflict twisted deeper. *Talk? And risk everything spilling out?*
Across the shared fence, in the Su home, Yan prepared with a flutter of anticipation and confusion. At fifteen, her beauty had ripened into something captivating—long, silky hair framing a face with sharp, expressive features and a figure that drew lingering glances.
Li Mei entered her room, holding two elegant dresses. "Blue or golden traditional for the party, my flower? You'll look stunning either way."
Yan glanced at them, then shook her head with a determined smile. "Mom, I want something fresh—modern. That fusion hanfu everyone's wearing now."
The outfit blended ancient grace with contemporary flair: flowing silk in soft gold and white, cinched at the waist to highlight her emerging curves, with subtle slits allowing fluid movement. As she slipped it on, she twirled before the mirror, feeling ethereal, like a figure from a forgotten tale. Applying makeup—a sweep of eyeliner to accentuate her almond eyes, a bold red on her lips—she pondered her reflection. *Will Jiang ignore me again? Or give me that burning look that makes my heart race?* The confusion gnawed at her; she yearned for his attention, yet it terrified her. *I'm so tired of this distance, watching him from afar like a stranger. Tonight, I'll be my bubbly self—make him see me, make him smile.*
The party at Dragon's Delight unfolded in a whirlwind of lights, music, and the savory aroma of fusion dishes. Guests filled the space, a mix of family, friends, and neighbors celebrating the cosmic bond of the shared birthday. Jiang arrived in a tailored black suit with subtle Asian embroidery, his martial physique exuding quiet authority. He greeted arrivals with polite nods, but his eyes inevitably sought Yan, who moved through the crowd like a golden vision, her hanfu shimmering under the lanterns.
He was hyper-aware of her—every graceful gesture, every curve the fabric caressed stirring an arousal he fought with practiced control. He managed natural interactions: a brief "Happy birthday, Yan" with a forced smile, but jealousy simmered as he watched other boys noticing her radiance.
Yan, meanwhile, huddled with her friends—Aria, Lena, and a few others from school—in a corner, giggling over punch. Their eyes wandered to the group of guys: Jiang's stoic intensity, Ming's playful charm, and their friends' easy banter.
"Oh my god, your brother and Jiang are total heartthrobs," Aria whispered, fanning herself. "And that Ethan guy? So Brit and cute."
Lena nodded, smirking. "Ethan's been staring at you, Yan. Like, full-on admiration. Think he's into you?"
The girls teased, poking Yan's arm. "Ooo, Ethan's got a crush! He's handsome, smart—perfect boyfriend material. Smile back Yan"
Yan laughed at her friend's and turned to smile back at her brother's friend Ethan, finding his admiring gaze funny and oddly complimentary. *It's nice to be noticed like that—harmless, flattering.*
But then she caught Jiang's gaze from across the room, hawk-like, intense, anger and something darker mixed in. It sent a thrill through her, mixed with anger. *Why does he watch me like that? If he cares so much why doesn't he stay with me, smile at me?*
She wondered why two boys evoked such different feelings: Ethan's admiration was light, ego-boosting, but Jiang's? It stirred something deep, chaotic.
*Why him? He's so serious, disciplined—my opposite. Cheerful me, happy-go-lucky, yet he affects me like no one else.* The struggle hit her: she'd tried seeing him as brotherly, but it was futile.
Her inner voice reminded her—*Admit it Yan, you stopped seeing him as a brother at eleven, you have never seen him as a Brother after. That hug before he left for China... He was brotherly to you but you stopped being his sister.. And those dreams...which sister has that kinda dream about her brother??? Stop kidding yourself and accept it - you have a major crush on your brother's best friend*
A spicy memory flashed that brought a flush to her face - a recent dream where Jiang pinned her against a wall, his lips claiming hers hungrily, hands exploring her curves, leaving her waking breathless and aching. *God, why did I have to crush on a guy I can't even talk to.*
Anger at self and shame also twisted inside: *Why am I like this? He's family, he has been the nicest brother to me.. but now- not so much..But am I imagining he is different? Is it me who is different? It hurts, this distance..am I the one imagining it all while he is wondering what is wrong with me???.*
In a corner huddle with the guys, their newest and mutual friend Ethan Clarke—a sharp, handsome twenty-year-old with British charm ousled brown hair, and a quick wit—leaned in conspiratorially.
"Ming, your sister's so beautiful ! I'll be straight with you man - I like her. Is she single? I'd love to ask her for a dance... Can you intro me?"
Jiang's vision tunneled, a surge of possessiveness triggering him. His fist clenched, inches from swinging.
"Back off, Ethan," he growled, voice low and dangerous. The group tensed, eyes wide.
Why is the usually calm unflappable Jiang reacting to a very harmless question?
Ming intervened swiftly, clapping Ethan's shoulder.
"Easy, mate. She's fifteen, not even an adult—way too young for that talk."
Ethan's face drained of color. "Fifteen? Bloody hell, I had no idea. You said today is coming-of-age parties both your sister and Jiang so I thought... and she doesn't look 15..oops not that I looked..oh man, I am blowing up this aren't I? Sorry man, won't even think of it, 5years, God I am no pedo, I swear"
They all laughed at Ethan's stammering and comforted him on his faux pas.
As he listened to Ming explaining how 15 for girls is coming-of-age in their part of the world, Jiang exhaled, a mix of relief and shame washing over him. *Good—she's safe. But... that just reminds me she's off-limits to me too. I am a blasted hypocrite for judging another man for the same crime I am shamelessly committing..*
As the evening progressed and music invited dancing, Yan spotted Jiang standing apart, his posture rigid. With bubbly determination, she approached, her heart pounding. "Dance with me, Jiang-ge? It's our birthday—come on!"
He hesitated, eyes flicking to the crowd. "Not in public, Yan-yan. Dancing's not my scene."
Her laughter bubbled up, light and infectious. "Fine, Mr. Serious. Then follow me!"
She grabbed his hand, dragging him toward the quiet backyard, lamps casting a soft, intimate glow over the grass.
Jiang was powerless against her pull, a genuine smile breaking through despite himself. *Her hand in mine... warm, right. God, I've missed this.*
In the secluded space, the distant melody filtered through like a whisper.
"No excuses here," Yan teased, stepping closer.
They began tentatively—his hands on her waist, hers on his shoulders—dancing to the tunes that they'd danced for last many parties. But now it felt different - the rhythm deepened, turning sultry, even the air warmer than ever, their gazes locked, intensity building.
Jiang noticed everything: the way her eyes sparkled like amber jewels, the subtle rise and fall of her chest beneath the silk, her jasmine scent wrapping around him like a spell. *She's breathtaking... How is she doing this? Driving me mad, just by smiling at me.*
Yan drank in his details: the strong line of his jaw, the warmth of his touch seeping through her dress, the depth in his dark eyes that made her knees weak. *He's so handsome... Is it wrong for me to want to be closer to him?*
They drew closer, bodies brushing in a seductive duet, breaths mingling, drowning in each other's presence. Lips hovered inches apart, the world fading.. Yan closed her eyes instinctively, not knowing why..
A burst of distant laughter from the party shattered the moment.
Jiang jerked back, flinging his hands away from her, covering his face, his hands trembling and shame flooding him. *What the hell am I doing? She's fifteen—my best friend's sister. A min more of this and I'd be calling my team to jail me! *
Yan's eyes widened, hurt flashing. "Jiang-ge, what happened?"
Aroused, torn, furious at his lack of control, he snapped harshly, "Don't get so close to men like that, Yan. It's not safe. You should know better and take care of yourself better. You smile so easily, dance so close and.. and.. Don't forget you're just a child, don't get burned"
Her face crumpled, she took refuge in offense. "How mean of you! I'm not some girl who smiles at or dances with just anyone! I... It was cos it's you.. oh what the hell!"
She spun away, tears stinging, fleeing back to the party.
Jiang slammed a fist into the tree, breaking his skin, anger at himself boiling over. *I wanted that kiss... more than anything. And for that I ruined the last chance to make up with her...I ruined her fun for this day...all she wanted was innocent fun with me, all I wanted...Evil, thats what I am*
Returning separately, the air between them crackled with awkward tension, harmony shattered. Guests noticed nothing but parents and grandparents exchanged concerned glances, sensing the undercurrents.
As the night wound down and only close family lingered amid cleanup and lighthearted jokes, Li Mei quipped,
"We've kept so many traditions tonight, but missed the big one! When a boy turns twenty and a girl fifteen—especially ones bound by the stars like Jiang and Yan—families exchange birth charts to plan a wedding. How about we do that in five years, huh?"
Su Lan laughed and agreed, "For sure, I am already preparing to bring my Yan-yan home. Why wait, lets exchange the charts at the next auspicious day"
Laughter rippled, but Jiang, stacking chairs nearby, reacted sharply. "Mom, that's not funny. Drop it."
Inside he thought, 'She will be an adult in 3 years...why wait for 5.. God what am I thinking! '
Yan, wiping a table, felt the sting anew. Offended by Jiang's quick rejection, she too snapped off
"Yeah, seriously. Not happening - me and Jiang-ge, are you kidding!"
The room fell awkward, families protesting, "Just a joke!" However both moms looked at each other and muttered, 'Whats wrong with the kids now? Haven't we always been teasing them as they grew up? Why is this suddenly a problem? '
But concern etched their faces—the rift between their precious kids was deepening.
As farewells began, Yan stepped on a loose rug, twisting her ankle in a minor tumble. Jiang reacted instantly, lunging to catch her, pulling her against him. Her scraped knee smeared blood on his shirt, their bodies pressed close—his arm around her waist, her hands on his chest. A dizzying rush hit him, confusion swirling amid the intimacy. *Why does her blood feel... electric?*
"Oh my god, Yan are you okay? "
"Look her knees are bleeding..get some gauze"
"Jiang, son, did you twist anything?"
Their parents hustled about worrying.
Jiang observed the wound and asked, "Does it hurt bad? Can you stand up?"
Yan, already embarrassed at the fall and mourning her torn dress said, "Yes, it's just a scrape.. let me up".
As they got up, Jiang checked for any other wounds while Yan felt dizzy and overwhelmed by his closeness - they didn't realize they were standing too close or almost hugging each other. When Su Lan came by with bandages, she was shocked to see their pose - she smiled and called out,
"Yan, come here girl. Let me bandage you"
They both jerked away from each other and Yan mumbling something ran off.
Li grandparents were the only ones who noticed the softness in Jiang's face as he held Yan, his desolate gaze as she left and his clenched fists as he walked away.
That night a full moon rose and separated by walls but linked by fate, both drifted into uneasy sleep.
--------------------
Dreams enveloped them—not ordinary ones, but vivid portals to a world they had never seen,never imagined but somehow remembered - The Twin Gates realm, Guardian realm of the heavenly gates.
Jiang found himself awakening within the dream, his consciousness adrift in a world that defied logic. Disorientation gripped him first—the familiar confines of his bedroom had vanished, replaced by an expanse of mist-shrouded peaks that pierced boundless skies, golden lakes mirroring eternal light, and meadows where luminous jade grass swayed under an air humming with an otherworldly energy. Spirit beasts grazed in the distance, graceful Qilin with iridescent horns catching the ethereal glow.
*What is this place? Not my room... mountains, mist—some kind of fantasy? Am I hallucinating from the fall? Or stress?*
The vividness unnerved him; it felt too real, the crisp air filling his lungs, the subtle vibration of qi—like an invisible force—coursing through the landscape. *This isn't a normal dream. It's... alive. But how? Why?*
As confusion swirled, a figure materialized in the scene: a tall, commanding man striding toward a secluded branching pool hidden within verdant forests, where ancient trees whispered secrets through leaves of shimmering jade. The man—Lihang Qingjian—bore an uncanny resemblance to Jiang himself, yet elevated: ink-black hair flowing like a warrior's banner, sharp features etched with unyielding discipline, an aura radiating raw, immortal power.
Jiang felt an immediate, eerie link—he could hear Lihang's inner thoughts, feel the bone-deep exhaustion from a recent expedition against shadowy demonic forces. *Rest... finally,* Lihang mused, his mind heavy with the weight of duty.
Jiang's own thoughts overlapped in shock: *This guy... he's me? His fatigue—it's like mine after training. But ancient, powerful. A dream version of myself? Why can I hear him? Feel his resolve? It's... intimate, like peering into a mirror of another life.* The voyeuristic sensation embarrassed him slightly, as if intruding on a private ritual, yet he couldn't pull away, the connection between them magnetic.
Lihang, seeking respite, stripped down to simple underpants, revealing a muscled form scarred from countless battles, honed to lethal perfection. He slipped into the cool, qi-infused waters, diving deep to explore underwater marvels: a rainbow-glowing plant emitting a tantalizing, almost seductive fragrance that drew him further into tranquility. *Peace at last,* Lihang thought, a rare moment of vulnerability in his ascetic existence. He closed his eyes and meditated underwater as he absorbed the medicinal powers of the spring pool waters.
Yan entered the dream shortly after, her awakening mirroring Jiang's disorientation but with her own flavor of wonder. The realm materialized around her in breathtaking detail—the same mist-veiled peaks, the golden sheen of distant lakes, the harmonious hum of qi that seemed to resonate with her very breath.
*Where am I? This isn't my bed... it's like a fairy tale world, beautiful and impossible. Mountains glowing, air alive—not Toronto at all. Is this a dream? But it feels so real, like I could touch the mist.*
Her heart raced with a mix of awe and unease; the landscape evoked a strange nostalgia, as if she'd glimpsed it in forgotten memories.
Then she noticed a beautiful shimmering pool and a fairy like lady walking towards it. Yan felt a magnetic connection to her, she was pulled closer to her and then Yan was shocked - this lady looked like Yan imagined herself to look one day in her grand teenage dreams of being a Wuxia/Xianxia princess. Dressed lightly in glowing white and blue dress, the lady appeared lost in thought and distracted; her name Yan Fei suddenly flashed across Yan's mind. Soon Yan was listening to her thoughts as confusion gripped her.
Yan Fei was remembering the conversation she just now had with her Master.
"My most cherished disciple Fei-fei, daughter of my heart. Listen to me. I did a Heavenly divination for you today and I am worried, very very worried. Your life and your love stars are agitated yet powerful. I worry you may get entangled in a deep love that may bring you great joys and tremendous sorrows. My dear, I saw something similar but not as tragic for your mother the day she met your father. I could have asked her to stay away but I didn't want to upset the fates, the joy that was waiting for her. And joy she had - your father was one of the most powerful man of all Immortal realms and he only saw your mother, no other woman. And then they had you and it felt like Heaven was giving them so much. But.. but later.. and my dear, I want to try to keep you safer - for that was the last request your parents had for this worthless friend they had, who couldn't do more for them. So let me protect you. Listen to me. Do not leave the Hall area and do not meet any men. All my other disciples you know but you have yet to meet the most promising of them who joined recently - a prince of the High Peaks. I know not if he may bring you harm, so stay away. I will soon send him and other males for cultivation in Medicinal Mystic Realms till your fate chart changes. So till then, please listen to this old man and stay hidden."
As much as she respected her Master, Yan Fei couldn't suppress a wave of irritation- she had just emerged from a 100years of solitude and meditation and now she has to stay far from her friends again? Because of a new disciple Master took!
She needed to relax away from her place and hall or she may scream. Her favorite forest pool lay before her, the rainbow azulea flowers she grew inside the waters waiting for her. Soon she undressed to her undergarments and waded into the familiar pool. In her distraction, she noticed not the male clothes on the opposite shore nor the presence in the pool.
Unaware of the time submerged, Lihang suddenly sensed a powerful presence entering the pool. His instincts sharpened—*Intruder? maybe a powerful divine beasts? Guard up.* He waited beneath the surface, then surged upward with predatory grace, intent on catching the newcomer off-guard.
The shock was mutual as he emerged, water cascading from his form: before him was Su Yan Fei, clad in light under-robes that turned translucent in the water, her luminous skin glowing like dawn-kissed jade, amber eyes wide with surprise, midnight hair threaded with strands of gold floating like silk in the current. Her form was a masterpiece of divine sensuality—curves that balanced sacred elegance with an alluring vitality, as though crafted to embody both purity and temptation.
Su Yan Fei had barely broken out of her distraction and noticed the powerful presence under water and had just started to worry and retreat; but suddenly her hand was grabbed by a powerful force.
A powerful extremely handsome male came up, taller than her, so close that water from his chin and hair dropped on her. As she came to view Lihang, she wondered dazedly : *Master never warned about a God descending on Earth..who is this! *
Jiang and Yan, invisible spectators to this scene watched their counterparts in this realm meeting each other for the first time. Jiang had earlier witnessed Yan Fei's entrance, felt his breath catch. He had turned around in shyness when she had started undressing.
*Her... that's Yan? Why am I dreaming of Yan like this? But grown, ethereal—amber eyes, golden hair threads, those curves... god, if she looks like this when older, my heart won't survive. So beautiful, it hurts.* The voyeuristic embarrassment deepened, watching this intimate scene unfold.
Yan, in turn, was stunned by the resemblance she could see when Lihang emerged from under water. Jiang-ge, but not really. More powerful, older. Wow.
Yan could hear Yan Fei's confused thoughts,
*Who is he? Such a strong presence... Is he a God or Demi-God in disguise? So..so handsome..can an immortal even look like this? Why did he come here? *
Their voices finally clashed in the charged air, sharp and defensive, belying the undercurrents of awareness.
"Who are you? Why are you here in these sacred grounds? What are you doing in these waters?" Su Yan Fei demanded, her tone imperious yet laced with a flicker of vulnerability as she tried to pull away, acutely conscious of his near-naked state—broad shoulders glistening, defined torso rippling with restrained power.
Lihang's grip on her arms loosened, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unrest.
"Greetings my lady - though we meet so, I bear you no Ill will. Like you, I am an inner disciple of Golden Lakes under your Master, now also mine. You may call me Lihang-ge, as I am older in celestial years. As a Prince of High Peaks, I also greet you as the Saintess of this Hall and it will always be my pleasure to meet you.. but you wrong me here - this pool isn't restricted," he retorted evenly, though his gaze inadvertently traced the water beading on her luminous skin, the subtle curves beneath her clinging robes. "We all have exclusive channels and pools in our hall quarters. These sacred waters are open for cultivation for all others. Since I entered first I shall leave first but I hope you forgive me for startling you"
Beneath the words, his thoughts churned: *Am I a fool to argue with this divine presence? I should run, I have never ran from death or enemies but why do I feel like running to save myself?
Su Yan Fei huffed, her cheeks flushing faintly under the ethereal glow. "Never have I met anyone here before..nobody uses this pool except me and everyone knows this..and..and.. you! Why did you wait to reveal yourself till I was in the waters? It was most unseemly! "
But inwardly, his physical allure pierced her guarded composure: muscles taut like coiled dragons, eyes burning with intensity. *This male... his very presence threatens my control. I am the Saintess of Azure Halls famed for calm and dignity and he shredded it so fast! *
Yan, hearing this, felt a rush of empathy and embarrassment: *Her thoughts... Wow, so even a fantasy realm lady can have crushes.. and confusions.*
Yan Fei watched as Prince Lihang apologise again, bowed courteously and turned to exit from the pool. His stoic face showed no reaction and Yan Fei would have been infinitely happier to know he was as much in a turmoil as she was.
Lihang retreated first, walking fast, his mind a storm: *Iam betrothed to Xun Mei for the realm's sake. Duty first; I promised my father and I can't falter..And she is forbidden to me by Laws of Azure Hall.. I cannot, should not want her...I cannot ever look at her again* Yet her image lingered, a crack in his iron resolve.
Jiang echoed the angst: *So even here, even in this fantasy, Yan is forbidden to me!
After Prince Lihang left, Su Yan Fei too didn't stay - no longer enjoying the waters, she withdrew to the forest's edge, wrapped her robes tighter, her thoughts turbulent: * I value control above all; why does he shatter it so easily? Irritating beyond measure.*
As she walked Su Yan Fei worried about her Master's warning and also suddenly recalled Naiya's message - it deepened her resolve, pulling her mind back to the misty chamber deep within the Golden Lake during her century-long meditation.
The Nymph—Naiya, ancient guardian of the sacred waters—had manifested unbidden as Yan Fei was completing her cultivation inside a cavern deep within the lakes, her ethereal form a mesmerizing swirl of crystalline water and iridescent light, like living rivers coiling into a humanoid silhouette. Her eyes gleamed with the faint, fractured visions of futures yet to unfold, a gift from her eternal bond to the lake's prophetic depths. Naiya's presence had always carried an aura of timeless wisdom, her voice a melodic echo that resonated like gentle waves lapping against unseen shores.
"Child of Azure," Naiya had intoned gravely, her form rippling as she hovered above the meditative pool's surface. "You tread paths veiled in shadow and light. I glimpse vague echoes of what may come—storms of desire and calamity intertwined. Heed me now, for your essence holds perils few can comprehend."
Su Yan Fei, suspended in the lake's golden embrace, had listened intently, her divine senses attuned to the Nymph's words. "I listen with respect, Revered one, please guide me"
Naiya's light form shimmered, as if peering through veils of time. "Your body, heir to the Azure Dragon's sacred bloodline, is a vessel of unparalleled rarity. Powerful as it is with dragon essence, my child - you also bear a greater burden of power. Your body is uniquely attuned for extreme Dual Cultivation—the most profound practice where partners entwine their yin and yang essences through intimate union, exchanging vital qi to accelerate cultivation. In lesser forms, it balances energies, fostering mutual growth. But yours... it nourishes tremendously, infusing your mate with draconic power—strengthening their meridians, purifying their core, and propelling them toward ascension, even to godhood. Your essence acts as a catalyst, amplifying their potential exponentially, like a divine elixir that rebuilds and elevates the soul."
Yan Fei's thoughts had stirred with curiosity and caution. Dual Cultivation... I've read ancient scrolls, but as a Saintess it wasn't a path I ever thought I'll choose but.. it explains the hidden reserves or power I have felt in me but not for me..
"But beware," Naiya continued, her voice dropping to a haunting whisper, fragments of futures flickering in her watery form like distorted reflections. "This gift is dangerously sought. The ambitious, the demonic—those craving invincibility—will hunt you for it. In the wrong hands, the transferred essence could birth tyrants, disrupting the harmony of realms. One misguided union, and your power might forge an unstoppable force, unraveling the Twin Gates' balance. I see glimpses: shadows of betrayal, wars ignited by unchecked ambition. Never yield your body unless certain—he must be a true partner, one of pure intent and Guardian bloodline, to maintain equilibrium, not sow chaos. Seek not the flames that consume, but the ones that harmonize."
The warning had resonated deeply, stirring memories of her Master, Elder Jin Hu, confiding her hidden lineage just before she entered seclusion. In the quiet sanctity of the Azure Hall's inner sanctum, he had revealed the truth:
"Yan Fei, my cherished disciple, you are no ordinary Saintess. You are the sole blood heir of the Great Azure Dragon himself—born from his demigod son, the valiant Azure Prince Long Wei, and his beloved, the previous Saintess of Azure Hall, Mei Ling. They perished defending Shuangtian Zhimen from a cataclysmic demonic siege, their sacrifice sealing a rift that threatened all realms. Your origins are shrouded to protect you; your blood carries the Dragon's undiluted essence—immense power, but a beacon to those who would exploit it for ascension or domination."
That revelation had explained much: her innate affinity for draconic qi, the golden markings that appeared during cultivation, and the whispers she had heard growing up among immortals of a "hidden treasure" in Azure Hall. As Saintess, she was already revered, but her lineage made her a prize beyond measure—capable of granting a partner not just strength, but a shortcut to divine realms, her nourishing body type a legendary boon that could rebuild shattered cores or amplify latent potentials.
Yet it was a double-edged blade; in unworthy hands, it could corrupt, turning lovers into monsters. No wonder my Master has always secluded me at Azure Hall, never venturing out, if others know they will come after me, she had thought then, a chill of isolation settling in. Power like this invites envy, greed... even from allies.
Pondering Naiya's counsel now, as she retreated through the forest, Su Yan Fei considered potential matches. The Master of Lunar Ocean Hall—Lord Huo Feng, a fierce demonic cultivator bearing the Vermillion Bird's passionate bloodline—loomed in her mind. Reputed to be extremely handsome and unyielding, destined to claim the throne of the Southern Immortal Realms, his fire element might complement her water essence, a union of opposites forging unbreakable strength. Water to temper his flames—fated? My nourishing body could elevate his passion without corruption, balancing his ferocity with my calm. The idea held logical appeal, a strategic alliance that could fortify the realms against demonic tides.
But Lihang Qingjian's image intruded unbidden, vivid and unwelcome: his sculpted form rising from the waters, eyes like polished obsidian holding a depth that mirrored her own discipline. Irritated beyond words, Yan Fei thought to herself, ' Master will be displeased to hear that the happened. I should be wary of this male yet I am mooning after his body? His face? This is all because of my secluded life at the Hall. I have only met handsome men at the Hall who after long years no longer excite me and I never ventured beyond the Lakes to see the Immortal Worlds and met other men.. Now that I am fully anointed and will be participating in events across the realms, I may meet other handsome men.. may be the Lord of Lunar Hall will be even handsomer and attractive.. why should I bother about a Prince who is another disciple here, whose marriage would work by rules beyond our Halls and whose presence is dangerous to me as warned by my Master? I should stay away!'
The angst intensified, a storm within her serene soul: Naiya warned of risks; one wrong step could bring misery to the world. Higher purposes demand restraint— not a fool to whims. Yet why does he linger in thoughts, this prince of the High Peaks? His bloodline... High peak Dynasty, guardians of the Twin Gates. But that dynasty held no power of Celestial Guardians.
Yan Fei covered her face in embarrassment- Met him once, and now am already contemplating marriage with this man? He may be the Guardian of the Gates by heavenly edict but not of the Celestial Guardian bloodlines.. And above all he is also my masters disciple - forbidden to me by the laws of our Halls. I cannot afford this distraction.'
With that resolve hardening, Su Yan Fei turned her steps toward the Azure Halls. She would seek her Master, Elder Jin Hu—the most renowned Divination expert across all immortal realms, whose scrying arts could pierce veils of fate and possibility. He will guide her on a suitable cultivation partner, calm this mental chaos and once her partner was found, she would no longer be distracted by this Prince.
Yan, immersed in the dream as an invisible witness, felt a wave of confusion crash over her as the flood of information poured in through Su Yan Fei's thoughts. Azure Dragon heir? Dual Cultivation? This stuff... I shouldn't understand it, right? It's all fantasy jargon. But... I do? Like I've known it all along.
The terms resonated strangely familiar, echoing in her mind with clarity that defied logic, amplifying her disorientation amid the realm's splendor.
------
Morning light pierced the veil, yanking them awake in their beds.
Jiang bolted upright, heart pounding. What was that? Fantasy? Felt real... too real.
Yan, tangled in sheets, blushed furiously. A dream? But those feelings... Mine or Yan Fei's?
Later that day, amid mundane routines, they rationalized: Just mind exploring what we can't have in real life—a forbidden relationship, played out in some mystic story.
Yet for Yan, the terms lingered—Azure Dragon heir, Dual Cultivation, all of it. Must be from bingeing those Chinese cultivation manhuas last week. My brain's mixing comics with real life crushes. Weird... but kinda hot. The confusion lingered, a seed of deeper truth.