"Isn't it them? The twins of the sun."
"Bah. They don't look like twins at all."
"Who's the one in blue? He's my type."
"Don't even think about it. How do you not know who he is?"
"I'm still new. So, who is he?"
"That's the Wind Lord. He really- My god! he looked at me. I'm going to die."
"Stop talking nonsense. You're immortal. You can't die."
Above the clouds, bathed in the fiery glow of the setting sun, rested the dreamy glass bridge. Not made of stone or steel, but crafted from moonlight and starlight, it gleamed in a thousand rainbow hues. Its sharp edges caught the sunlight, weaving golden threads that danced through the sky like fiery ribbons.
The bridge stretched wide and straight, the clouds below churning and foaming. In the distance, at one end of the bridge, stood a massive fortress carved from moon rock, perched atop a hill kissed by pearls. Its tall towers reached into the sky, like spears piercing the evening stars. On the other end was a circular pavilion, its floor intricately carved with floral patterns.
Several gods and goddesses lingered on the bridge, engaged in pleasant conversation, their every step echoing off the glass. Among them, two young men stood out, positioned near the Tabernacle. Their long locks of hair flowed in the wind, and their robes swayed with the breeze.
"Didi, they're talking about you," the elder of the two, dressed in red, whispered to the other. His eyes were like the setting sun, and his smile carried the gentleness of moonlight. He was a tall and slender deity, radiating warmth and grace.
"Useless chatterers. There's no point in listening to them," the young man dressed in blue and white, like the afternoon sky, replied coolly. His eyes, a silvery hazel, resembled the mild rays of the autumn moon. He held a wind whisk in his right hand, and unlike his brother, his beauty was as fierce as the burning sun, exquisite and intimidating.
"Didi, don't be so arrogant. At least talk to them with a smile," his brother suggested with a smirk. He knew well that his proud brother wouldn't do it, no matter how much he urged him. Turning his head slightly, the Wind Lord cast a deadly, fiery gaze over the other deities, silencing their chatter.
"Oh, they're afraid of my smile too. See?" he said, shrugging nonchalantly.
Fire God, He Yu said nothing more, only offering a small smile.
"Why are you smiling? Tell me, Gege," Zi Feng asked, his tone casual as he crossed his arms, his wind whisk resting in his left hand.
"Zi Feng, how will you find a girl if you keep acting like this?" He Yu teased. But Zi Feng remained silent.
"What's this? You're not answering? Could it be… you already have someone?" He Yu grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
Zi Feng's face turned as red as the sun. He hesitated, avoiding his brother's gaze, and tried to brush it off.
"Oh, who is it? Tell your Gege, will you?" He Yu pressed, his tone light and teasing. "No one, humph," Zi Feng mumbled, his embarrassment palpable.
"Aiyaaa," He Yu laughed uncontrollably, his laughter echoing across the bridge. "You've been rejected, haven't you?" He Yu managed to say between fits of laughter, his eyes squinting with amusement.
"Never. Rejected? Who? Me? The Wind Lord? You're thinking too much," Zi Feng scoffed, trying to hide his embarrassment. With a flourish, he brushed off his cloak and flew toward the pavilion. He Yu remained on the edge of the bridge, still chuckling softly.
"So, someone actually rejected him, ha-ha," He Yu laughed to himself, the sound of his amusement lingering in the air.
***************************************************************
"Yu Shidi?""Yu Shidi, get up.""Yu Lingyu?"
A faint, gloomy light filtered into the room as Yu Lingyu slowly opened his eyes. His right hand rested in a familiar, comforting touch, soft and warm.
"Da Shixiong," he whispered, his voice soft and fragile. Wei Yunhe's blurred face lingered before him, and the scent of burning incense filled the air, heavy with the remnants of meditation.
Sunlight streamed through brightly painted rolling curtains, casting its glow on the soft, well-centered stones of the earth. The polished iron frames surrounding the large semi-circular windows were carved with intricate dragons. Their scales caught the light like a thousand emeralds, glittering with every flicker of the sun.
A low table of aged, polished wood sat in the center of the room, surrounded by cushions embroidered with gold thread. On the wall, near the couch flanked by bonsai trees, hung a large painting of miniature landscapes and water streams.
The silk drapes, hanging delicately over the couches, swayed slightly in the air, which was rich with the scent of sandalwood. The room seemed steeped in an almost tangible aura of lofty meditation, every corner etched with serenity and calm.
But as beautiful as it all was, it felt unfamiliar to Yu Lingyu. His Da Shixiong's room was never this luxurious. It had always been simple and neat, nothing so extravagant. Sitting up on the bed, Yu Lingyu rubbed his eyes as if trying to clear away the haze clouding his mind.
"So, you've finally decided to wake up?" A voice called out from the entrance of the cabin.
The warmth of the touch on his hand disappeared as Wei Yunhe shifted away from him, his gaze immediately turning to the person standing at the doorway. Yu Lingyu could sense the distaste radiating from Wei Yunhe's posture, even without seeing his face clearly.
"Oh, Wei Shidi, don't look like that." Wu Xuan chuckled, a playful smirk on his lips. He was dressed in fresh clothes and appeared to be in a cheerful mood. Yu Lingyu instinctively grabbed Wei Yunhe's hand, pulling him back.
Wei Yunhe, with a soft sigh, gave up on Wu Xuan and turned his attention to Yu Lingyu, his gaze filled with concern, like that of a mother watching over a wounded child.
"Yu Shidi, how are you feeling?" Wei Yunhe asked, settling on the corner of the bed.
Before Yu Lingyu could answer, Wu Xuan stepped forward and grabbed Yu Lingyu's right hand, checking his pulse with a slight frown. "He's fine," Wu Xuan said, leaning against an iron frame with his arms folded across his chest.
Yu Lingyu was still confused, his mind muddled. "What happened? Where are we?"
Wu Xuan rolled his eyes, as though the answer was obvious. "Haha. You're at Juyao Peak, my cabin."
Yu Lingyu's brow furrowed in confusion. "Juyao Peak?"
Wei Yunhe, still looking worried, leaned closer. "Yu Shidi, don't you remember anything?"
As Yu Lingyu's mind slowly began to clear, he was startled by a strange sensation, something soft and furry brushing against his legs beneath the blanket. He swiftly threw the covers aside, only for a swift black shadow to dart over his shoulder, pulling him back onto the bed. Wu Xuan's expression soured instantly. "Where did that smelly animal come from again?"
Hu Mao?
Yu Lingyu's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't a dream. "Luo Shidi!" he called out urgently, his voice rising in panic. "Da Shixiong, where are they? San Shidi and Luo Shidi-"
The words came out in a rush, as though he was waking from a nightmare, desperately trying to piece together the fragments of his memory.
"They're fine," Wei Yunhe said, relief softening his voice.
Yu Lingyu exhaled, shoulders relaxing. Wei Yunhe's face was tight with unspoken questions, but he didn't press.
"I've already informed the elders about the Skull Maniac. Don't worry," Wu Xuan added with a snide tone, clearly trying to remind Yu Lingyu about the person who had taken care of everything.
"Haha. You've been our sleeping princess for over three days now, Yu Shidi. You fainted the moment he left. Don't you remember?" Wu Xuan grinned, squinting at him.
It was a lie. And yet, Yu Lingyu was in no state to argue.
"Wu Xiong kept you here to monitor your condition. We still don't know what kind of demon it was," Wei Yunhe added. He reached under the pillow and pulled out a phoenix-feather-shaped mask, placing it gently in Yu Lingyu's hand.
Only now did Yu Lingyu realize what had been missing. His mask.He took it, brushing his fingers over the familiar ridges. He had worn it nearly every day for eight years.
"I'll go get you some soup," Wei Yunhe said with a smile, soft and caring. As he stepped out of the room, he threw Wu Xuan a sharp, warning glare.
"What is this? Is he your mother? Then your San Shidi must be your father," Wu Xuan scoffed, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "They act like you're some precious daughter they're protecting from a marriage proposal."
Yu Lingyu frowned. He seriously considered smacking that smug look off Wu Xuan's face.
"What happened?" he asked instead, rising from the bed. His hair spilled over his shoulders, unbound, and he was still dressed in only his inner robe.
"Hmm?"
"Did I... do something wrong?" he asked quietly, scratching the back of his head.
"Oh no, nothing at all," Wu Xuan said, his voice now like sharpened ice.
Yu Lingyu stiffened. That tone meant only one thing: he had done something.
"You only burned off half my hair and flattened half the forest. That's all."
He turned slightly to show a singed edge of his hair.
Yu Lingyu winced. Don't blame me. It's not my fault I'm the son of the Sun God.
When he lost control of his emotions, flames tended to spiral around him like a storm. It wasn't new. Quickly, he put on his mask, adjusting the straps as though it would also hold back the burning heat inside him.
"Come on. Elder Shi asked me to bring you to him when you woke up," Wu Xuan said, already turning away.
"But Da Shixiong-"
"It's not like he can make soup in five minutes, can he?"
With a sigh, Yu Lingyu dressed in his Jun Peak uniform, which had been carefully laid out for him. As he stepped out of the cabin, the weasel, Hu Mao, scurried beside him. Every time it passed, Wu Xuan glared daggers at the creature.
Juyao Peak was even more breathtaking than the rumors. The entire hill was cloaked in green, its ancient stone buildings rising from the mountainside like weathered jade sculptures. Their tall, conical roofs shimmered in sunlight, nearly brushing the clouds.
The sect's entrance began at the base of the mountain: a staircase carved directly into the rock, guarded by massive lion statues. At the top stood a towering circular archway, imposing and elegant, a silent symbol of Juyao Peak's dominance.
Unlike the bustling Jun Peak, Juyao Peak was quiet and peaceful. Only the clash of training swords and hushed conversations stirred the air.
Until a voice, sharp and furious, cut through the calm.
Familiar. Too familiar.
Why... does that voice sound so familiar?
"Oh, your father is here again," Wu Xuan said, rolling his eyes with a cold sigh.
At the base of the steps near the entrance, San Jie stood glaring at the Juyao Peak disciples like a wolf ready to pounce. The three disciples guarding the gate were blocking his way.
"What? Why can't I go in? Do you think we just stood by while you locked up our Shixiong?" he shouted.
Yu Lingyu's face turned red with embarrassment. "Oh, please, San Shidi..." he muttered under his breath.
Luo Cheng and Duan Xia stood beside San Jie, calm as ever, not stepping in.
"What are you whispering about?" San Jie snapped, suddenly grabbing a Juyao disciple by the collar. If Luo Cheng hadn't pulled him back, a fight might have started.
"Oh, Da Shixiong!" one of the Juyao disciples spotted Wu Xuan and called out happily.
Wu Xuan gave a small nod in response.
San Jie followed the voice and turned his head. His face twisted in disgust when he saw Wu Xuan, but lit up with a grin the moment his eyes found Yu Lingyu.
"Yu Shixiong!"
Yu Lingyu gave a small wave, half-hiding his face in shame.
"I'll talk to them," Lingyu said, trying to walk toward the stairs. But someone stepped in his path.
"You can't."A young girl with short, choppy hair blocked his way. Her Juyao Peak robes were more detailed, as if she had some special rank. She seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Why not?" Yu Lingyu asked, blinking.
"Our Shizun wants to see you. Are you going to make him wait?" she asked, crossing her arms and raising her chin with a stubborn look.
Yu Lingyu suddenly remembered someone from his past life, the Sun God's secretary."Oh Zi Feng, please! Are you really going to avoid the Great God? Is your little work more important than his presence?" she would complain in that same sharp tone.
A smile curled at the corner of Lingyu's mouth without him realizing.
"Yuan Shimei, let him go. It won't take long." Wu Xuan said sternly behind her.
"But Da Shixiong-" Yuan Shimei began, but she stopped immediately when Wu Xuan gave her a fierce glare.
"You must be Miss Yuan Yu Yi. Please excuse the disturbance." Yu Lingyu said politely before running down the steps.
San Jie had a few scratches on his face, but they didn't hide his sharp features. He wore a red headband today, making him look even more aggressive.
Luo Cheng and Duan Xia hadn't changed a bit. Calm and composed.
"Yu Shixiong, are you alright?" Luo Cheng asked, gently taking Lingyu's right hand. His stormy gray eyes were filled with quiet concern.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Yu Lingyu said with a nervous smile.
"Let me check," San Jie said, pushing Luo Cheng aside and reaching for Lingyu's wrist. But just then, he spotted the black weasel standing near Lingyu's feet and immediately screamed.
He jumped behind Luo Cheng like he'd seen a ghost."Get rid of him! Get rid of that bastard!" he shouted in panic.
Above them, Wu Xuan watched this little reunion drama with a smile tugging at his lips."...I think I like that weasel now," he muttered to himself.
"Aww, he's so cute!" Duan Xia said, happily picking Hu Mao up into her arms.
"Put it away!!" San Jie shouted again like his life depended on it.
"Ah, San Xiong... he's just a harmless animal. Why are you so scared?" Luo Cheng said with a chuckle.
Yu Lingyu quickly grabbed San Jie's shoulder, stopping him before he could grab a nearby rock and throw it at the weasel.
"That weasel helped a lot to save you," Lingyu said, though he had to bite his tongue to stop from saying 'The weasel himself locked you up, though.'
He quickly turned back on before his face could show anything.