The sun had long since dipped behind the mountains, casting the world in a twilight veil of blue and silver. High above the lowlands, where pine trees stood like silent sentinels and wild winds whispered ghostly tales, Lin Xuanji(Mo Tianzun) walked.
His steps were uneven, each one echoing weariness deep in his bones, garments clung to his body, damp with cold sweat. Two battles with resentful spirits in a single day had taxed even his formidable strength. His Raven hair, once flowing like an ocean wave, now drooped with exhaustion. Yet he walked on, alone as ever.
Far behind him, Yinling Village was but a fading memory swallowed by mist.
———
Elsewhere, miles down the slopes of the same mountain range, four figures moved swiftly under the cover of moonlight. The Crown Prince of the Imperial Palace (Tianxun Sect), dressed in imperial robes lightened for travel, led the way, his expression sharp with unspoken concern. Beside him, the Liu Twins—Liu Fenglan and Liu Zhenhai and JiangFenglie—exchanged glances, their brows furrowed.
"we already looked every where but there's no trace left of that Black Man who kidnapped our Young Master Lin," Zhenhai said
Fenglie, clad in fire-colored robes, flared his nostrils. "He wouldn't run far away from our Sect but if he planned something big maybe his no longer here but in another Sect with Concubine Lin."
The Crown Prince clenched his fists. "Then we shall find him before he hurt Xuanji."
———
Back on the ridge, Lin Xuanji's knees buckled. He caught himself against the trunk of a snow-covered pine tree, breathing heavily. He could barely channel Qi because of his new body. His spiritual sea was like a dried-up pond, cracked and empty not like his previous body when he was still MoTianzun. Only sheer pride kept him moving.
It was then that he heard footsteps—not loud, not hostile. Gentle crunches on snow, careful and hesitant.
"Grandfather... ishedead?" a young voice asked in a whisper.
"No, just tired," came the reply. The voice was old, soft-spoken but refined—carrying the calm tone of a man used to ceremony, not battle.
Lin Xuanji raised his head slightly. His vision swam, but he saw them: a kindly old man in pale blue robes with silver-thread embroidery, and a little boy with bright eyes and a long sash tied neatly around his waist.
The old man met Xuanji's gaze and flinched, as if sensing something otherworldly—perhaps even divine. But after a pause, he bowed respectfully and stepped forward.
"Young cultivator," the old man said gently, "you are injured. May we assist you?"
Xuanji blinked. He could tell at once—these two were not ordinary mortals. Their Yin energy was strong but not malicious. Pure, serene. Like moonlight on water. A small clan, perhaps. Wealthy, by the silk of their robes. Disciplined, by the etiquette in every gesture.
He could feel the child's untrained Yin aura swirling protectively toward him, instinctively seeking to ease his pain.
"…If you must," he murmured.
.
.
.
They carried him—not with brute strength, but with carefully guided energy—back to their estate nestled deeper in the valley. The path was steep, but no trace of arrogance or suspicion marred their expressions. They simply treated him as a wounded traveler in need of help.
The estate itself was serene—low pavilions built from snow-wood and soft jade tiles, streams of silver water running through manicured gardens. Lanterns flickered blue with flame touched by Yin energy, and a soft chime sounded at each step, like wind through crystal.
Inside, as Lin Xuanji rested upon a futon, warmed by spiritual herbs and snow lotus tea, he heard the old man and child speaking in the hall beyond.
"Grandfather, his Yin pulse… it's like nothing I've ever seen."
The old man hummed. "That boy carries a storm within him, and yet his soul is quiet. Dangerous, but notevil."
"You're not afraid?"
"Of course I'm afraid," the elder said. "Only fools aren't. But I was raised to honor the Code. We offer shelter to those who do not threaten peace."
———
Back on the trail, the Crown Prince paused suddenly.
"What is it?" Fenglie asked.
"...The wind changed," the prince said. "It smells like—jasmine, and snow lotus?"
Fenglan narrowed his eyes. "A clan dwelling nearby?"
"A rare one," the prince muttered. "I've heard rumors of a Yin-rich family that lives far from sects and politics. Strict as the Lan Clan, but with ties to moon-based cultivation."
The Liu Twins exchanged looks again. "Then we head that way?"
The Crown Prince nodded once, determination hardening his gaze.
"Lin Xuanji is no ordinary boy but one of my Concubine too, maybe he was their saved by those people" he said softly. "I shall bring him back to the Tianxun Sect safely if we finally found him there."