Chapter 89 Extra Chapter 1: Reunion, Looking at the Moon.

As the mist spread and the star pivot shifted, the light of the formation faded, and two figures appeared deep within a narrow alley.

"Have we arrived?" As Shen Mingxin steadied herself, her phoenix eyes darted around, surveying her surroundings, and she also subtly released a bit of her divine sense.

"good."

Chu Shenxiang's gaze swept past the overturned trash cans at her feet and looked towards the corner of the street scene revealed at the alley entrance ahead.

Skyscrapers, neon lights, and the constant honking and braking of cars; occasionally a pedestrian walks by, head down, looking at their phone, radiating the weariness of a corporate slave.

This is a modern society that is completely different from that world of spiritual practice.

"We've arrived."

Chu Shenxiang confirmed this, her voice filled with a confusion and turmoil that was no less than that of Shen Mingxin, a newcomer to this unfamiliar place.

Whether it was those two hundred years of pain and darkness, or the decades after becoming a god, spreading the Dharma throughout the world, protecting the nine provinces, and enjoying the most prosperous incense offerings, or even the many years since abandoning the path of godhood, turning to cultivation, and starting anew as a human, Chu Shenxiang has never forgotten where she came from.

This is the essence of his life, which cannot be easily changed no matter how much wind and rain he endures.

Therefore, when he realized that the laws of nature were about to change and that the barrier of the world would have a brief crack, the first thought that popped into his mind was to go home and see.

He has reached the end of his cultivation path. Although he has lived in seclusion for many years and no one knows about him, he can still be called one of the top Yuan Shen powerhouses in the cultivation world. In addition, with his profound study of magic and his deep understanding of the mysteries of heaven and earth, he created a cross-world array following some kind of guidance in the dark. Although it was difficult, it was not a pipe dream.

Upon learning of his idea, Shen Mingxin joined in without hesitation, helping day and night.

“I also really want to meet my brother’s family,” Shen Mingxin said. “Even though my brother said that there are limited acceptances of male-female relationships in your area, I still want to meet them. I hope my brother can gain more—close friends, family, a Daoist partner…”

"Oh, forget about Daoist partners, I'm the only one. As for the other two, the more the merrier."

The young man in red pressed the fan to his lips, his smile as bright as the spring sunshine outside the window.

Chu Shenxiang, captivated by the spring scenery, smiled and lowered her eyes slightly, saying, "Even if we go back, we might not be able to see each other again. We don't know how time flows between the two worlds."

"Three or four hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye here. If the time difference is not much, then the world must have changed drastically. If the difference is huge, then there may still be a chance to meet again, or it may be much longer, so long that even the earth has changed and all traces of the past have been erased."

“However,” Chu Shenxiang paused, “no matter what, I still want to go back and take a look.”

"If you can see it, then you will; if you can't, then it's fate, and you shouldn't force it."

With this in mind, Chu Shenxiang and Shen Mingxin devoted themselves to array formations for nearly ten years, and finally, on this day, the opportunity arrived.

With the formation complete and the celestial order shifting, he returned to his homeland with his beloved.

"This is the date of September 25, 2026 in this world. Brother, I remember you said you left in 2018. Only eight years have passed, not long at all. Your family must still be here!"

Shen Mingxin's voice suddenly rang out from beside her, startling Chu Shenxiang out of her daze.

Chu Shenxiang was taken aback: "2026?"

“Yes!” Shen Mingxin looked at him, “I just secretly used my divine sense to look outside…”

The two have been together for one or two hundred years. Chu Shenxiang has no intention of hiding her modern life, so over time, Shen Mingxin has learned a lot about this unfamiliar world.

At least time, words, titles, and some simple common sense are not difficult for him.

"2026..."

Chu Shenxiang's consciousness stirred slightly, sweeping towards the outside of the alley.

This cross-boundary formation cannot pinpoint a specific location, but judging from the faint accents of the pedestrians, it should be not far from his hometown.

“It really is 2026, Dongzhou City,” Chu Shenxiang finally showed a change in expression. “My home is right next door, in Baidao City.”

"Then let's go quickly!" Shen Mingxin said happily. "I just heard those people say that today is the Mid-Autumn Festival here. You said it's a traditional festival in your country, a day for family reunions, perfect for families to gather together..."

Chu Shenxiang paused, nodded slightly, and cast a spell on the two of them to conceal their forms. She then took Shen Mingxin's hand and stepped through the space.

After just a few steps, the chaotic and ever-changing scenery around them came to a standstill, transforming into a familiar yet unfamiliar neighborhood.

Chu Shenxiang led Shen Mingxin into the residential area, stopped near one of the apartment buildings, and looked up at a certain apartment with its lights on.

Shen Mingxin followed his gaze, her eyes sparkling and captivating in the glow of countless lights.

"Brother, aren't we going up to take a look?"

He noticed Chu Shenxiang's silence and asked softly.

Chu Shenxiang remained silent.

Shen Mingxin wrapped his arms around Chu Shenxiang's waist and gently brought his face close: "I prepared so many gifts for Uncle, Aunt and Little Sister, we can't let them go to waste, right, brother?"

Chu Shenxiang embraced him, looked down at him, and whispered, "I checked with my divine sense, and my memory is correct. I did die eight years ago. My sister, who has a wild imagination, might believe that my son, who has been dead for eight years, will suddenly appear, but my parents will probably be more shocked than happy."

"Besides, our formation can only last for a few days. After a few days, we will eventually have to leave. After losing and regaining, it will be another farewell... They are over sixty years old this year. They are getting old. Meeting like this may not be a good thing for them."

"Being able to see your beloved family again, even if it's just for a short time, isn't that a good thing?" Shen Ming thought to himself.

Chu Shenxiang met his gaze.

Shen Mingxin paused, then looked away, her eyes sparkling in the light and shadow.

“Even if we don’t meet formally, it doesn’t mean we can’t meet at all,” Shen Mingxin sighed softly.

He knew Chu Shenxiang's concerns. He felt sorry for her and didn't want her to be left hiding like a thief, peeking around like a thief, or just sitting in the door without recognizing her family, and ultimately leaving with regret.

Suddenly, Shen Mingxin seemed to remember something. His eyes flickered, and he looked up at her, saying, "Brother, do you still remember the spell you taught me? Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and everyone should have a good dream..."

Shen Mingxin smiled, and with a wave of his hand, a streak of light flew out.

It's the art of dream creation.

Chu Shenxiang recognized him, her expression shifted, but she did not stop him.

...

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a day for family reunions. All the children in the family are coming back, so Ms. Du Conghuan got up early this morning and started getting busy.

Old Man Chu had only recently retired and was not yet used to this leisurely life. He got up even earlier than Ms. Du, went to the park to practice Tai Chi, then went to the market to buy groceries according to the list provided by Ms. Du, and then strolled home.

When I got home, the house was already filled with the delicious and rich aroma of soup.

Ms. Du watched the soup while playing on her phone, humming along to the videos on it.

Old Man Chu peeked out and exclaimed, "Oh my, our great singer is singing again!"

Ms. Du rolled her eyes at him: "Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and wash your hands and peel all the potatoes. We'll add braised pork ribs with potatoes for lunch today... Peel more garlic, and also some garlic shrimp and garlic oysters..."

"It's just the three of us, why add so much food?" Old Man Chu wondered. "Tianxin says she's on a diet, so she won't eat much. We'll just have to clean up the leftovers anyway..."

Ms. Du chuckled, "Who said it's just the three of us? I just got word that my son is coming back today, with his girlfriend... Hey, let me tell you, when they get here, you're not allowed to put on airs or act all high and mighty. If you hadn't been so unreasonable last time, making such a fuss over your son finding a girlfriend, would he have stayed away from home for eight years? This time he's finally back, so you'd better behave yourself, like I did..."

"Learn from you?"

The beginning was one thing, but what he said next made Old Man Chu almost doubt he'd heard correctly: "Yes, I couldn't let it go back then, and I made a big scene, but how much better are you than me? Why don't you learn from me..."

Ms. Du rolled her eyes even more: "Mind your own business! I'm perfectly fine now! Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and peel the potatoes!"

Old Man Chu pursed his lips, carried in several large plastic bags, squatted down to the side, and began peeling potatoes.

After slicing through two, he suddenly asked, "That little bastard... is he really coming back?"

"Go look at my phone yourself," Ms. Du said, ignoring him.

Old Man Chu wiped his hands, adjusted his glasses, and actually went to the living room to look. After looking, he came back, sat on a small stool, and continued peeling potatoes without saying a word, only wiping his eyelids.

Ms. Du caught a glimpse of it, but said nothing, only letting out a deep sigh.

The room quieted down, except for the bubbling of the chicken soup.

But this quiet did not last long.

Just a few minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Ms. Du and Mr. Chu both jolted and exchanged a glance instinctively.

Old Man Chu: "My daughter said she has to go to the company this morning, so she can't come so early..."

Ms. Du: "And she has the key..."

"so……"

Ms. Du immediately sprang out of the kitchen, washed her hands, wiped her face, and tidied her hair in one go. In just over ten seconds, she appeared at the door with a kind and friendly smile and opened the door.

Two men were standing outside the door.

One was slightly taller, wearing a trench coat, with a handsome face and a mature, aloof demeanor. The other was thinner, dressed in a red and white casual outfit, with bright eyes and a cheerful yet natural and lively smile.

The two looked travel-worn, carrying large and small bags, clearly having returned from a long journey.

"mom."

Chu Shenxiang spoke first.

He hadn't used that title for many years, and he thought he would hesitate when he spoke, but when he actually did, he found that it was no different from the many, many times before.

"Mom, have you seen my school uniform? I don't know where I put it..."

"Mom, look, look! I just caught a big grasshopper, isn't it amazing!"

"Mom, I want to have a kitten too, please, please say yes, you're the best mom in the world..."

"Mom, I found an internship. When I get paid, I'll treat you and Dad to something delicious! I won't include Tianxin, let her eat shit..."

"Mom, I'm working overtime this holiday, so I won't be coming home..."

"mom……"

"mom……"

Chu Shenxiang couldn't recall how many times he had called her "Mom" over the past twenty years, but it must have been far more than he imagined.

Before seeing her, he thought that three or four hundred years had passed, and he had changed drastically, his memories of the past were blurred, and he would never lose his composure. But when he truly faced that extremely familiar and extremely beautiful face again, he realized that he was wrong.

In just eight years, or three or four hundred years, no matter how much time passes, he will never forget this face.

She is his mother.

"mom……"

Chu Shenxiang met those cloudy, aged eyes across the vast expanse of time, and tears welled up in her eyes at just one glance.

Ms. Du was startled.

She was holding back tears, her nose tingling, so as not to embarrass herself in front of her child's boyfriend, when she looked up and saw her own child lower his eyes and burst into tears.

"Oh dear, you're over thirty, what are you crying for!" Ms. Du grabbed one of them, wiped her face a couple of times, then pulled them both inside. "Come, come, come in quickly. Mingxin, right? Shenxiang has praised you so many times, she's raved about you, but seeing you today, it's not praise at all, it's clearly disparagement! The real person is so much better than she described..."

Ms. Du laughed heartily as she led the two to change their shoes, though her eyes were slightly red as she spoke.

"Auntie, I apologize for disturbing you on your first visit..." Shen Mingxin replied with a smile.

"Hey, what's bothering you? If this is bothering you, I'd love for you to come and bother me every day... You're back, so why bring anything... Old Chu, haven't you finished peeling the potatoes yet? Don't hide in the kitchen, come out here, weren't you just talking about the kids...?"

Old Man Chu didn't say anything, but after two minutes, he came out of the kitchen.

The father and son looked at each other for a while. Old Man Chu raised his hand, patted Chu Shenxiang on the shoulder, and said nothing.

Chu Shenxiang held her father's hand, bent down, and gave the old man a hug.

When I was little, my father would always secretly bring me some snacks when he came home from working overtime, like fried chicken or kebabs. If I wanted them, my father wouldn't give them to me directly. Instead, he would open his arms and say, "Give Dad a hug," and then my father would give them to me.

The child reluctantly rushed over, gave a perfunctory hug, and then happily ran off with the snacks.

Later, the child grew up and could buy whatever he wanted to eat, but when his father came home, he would still bring snacks, only he no longer needed a hug. As children grow up, everything tends to become more reserved.

But right now, Chu Shenxiang is unusually frank.

Old Man Chu paused for a moment, then patted Chu Shenxiang's shoulder again, but this time, his hand trembled slightly.

After the hug, Old Man Chu adjusted his glasses, looked at Shen Mingxin, and tried to ask kindly, "Mingxin, right? Don't be shy, make yourself at home. Your aunt and I are not fussy people. If you want anything to eat or drink, Shenxiang will get it for you..."

"Hey Mingxin, do you like this? Tianxin bought it; it's for you young people. Old Chu, what are you standing there for? Go cut some fruit..."

"Please don't rush..."

Chaos erupted in the living room.

After a short while, the initial excitement and lively atmosphere of meeting for the first time or seeing each other again subsided, and the four of them sat on the sofa chatting.

Ms. Du was concerned about the couple's health and career, mentioning it in almost every other sentence. Mr. Chu, on the other hand, valued their retirement and took every opportunity to recommend commercial retirement insurance to them, acting exactly like an insurance salesman.

Ms. Du found him annoying and kicked him to cook.

Faced with her mother's question, Chu Shenxiang answered frankly: "...You don't need to worry about our bodies. We have achieved great success in our cultivation. In that world, we have already reached the highest level of the Primordial Spirit Realm, with a lifespan of about four or five hundred years. We are only halfway through now."

"Having reached the Nascent Soul Realm, one could say one's career is thriving..."

"Normally there's nothing important to do, I just travel around the world, occasionally saving lives, but I don't want to interfere too much with cause and effect..."

"Actually, I've thought about using my modern knowledge to modify that ancient world, but unfortunately, I'm a humanities student, and my interests aren't in science and engineering. I can read hundreds of Taoist books, but my knowledge of science and engineering is practically nonexistent. Besides, many things can be done with magic, so science isn't really necessary..."

"What I couldn't accept most when I transmigrated was the outhouse. Although I didn't need to use it myself, the smell was unbearable, whether in the city or the countryside. But it's all better now. All mortals cultivate, so this problem has long been solved..."

Such an answer was absurd, but for some reason, Ms. Du did not find anything wrong with it. She listened as if she were hearing her own child working in a rented house in another city. She remained calm and answered the questions as usual.

Just then, Chu Tianxin received the message and rushed over from the company in a panic.

When the brother and sister met, they first gave each other a cheeky kick before sitting down to exchange pleasantries.

"Mingxin is good-looking, a great person, and his career is booming. How did you manage to snag such a perfect partner..."

Chu Tian complained bitterly.

Chu Shenxiang glanced at her indifferently: "No manners."

"Pretentious!" Chu Tianxin scoffed.

In the lively atmosphere, apart from Shen Mingxin, the new family member, everyone else cooked two of their signature dishes.

In the crisp autumn air of the north, with the sun shining brightly, five people sat around the dining table by the floor-to-ceiling window, some serving bowls and chopsticks, others serving dishes and pouring drinks.

At exactly noon, the old-fashioned grandfather clock struck loud, and the five people raised their glasses and clinked them together: "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Joy, excitement, exhilaration, tenderness—everything converges in this moment, under the warm sunshine.

Chu Shenxiang remembers that this is called reunion.

...

Ms. Du was awakened by a cell phone ringing.

When she opened her eyes, her gaze was still blank, as if she were still immersed in something and couldn't come to her senses. After a moment of stunned silence, she slowly reached for her phone and answered the call.

They're selling insurance.

Normally, Ms. Du would hang up immediately after hearing only a few words, but not today. She didn't. The other end of the call ended only when the other person saw that she wasn't speaking and assumed she wasn't there.

Ms. Du put down her phone and checked the time.

It was a little after nine o'clock at night.

At this time, if it weren't for the Mid-Autumn Festival, it would be her and Old Man Chu's time to watch TV. But today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and their daughter has come home. Right now, only she is left at home. Old Man Chu and his daughter went downstairs to buy late-night snacks. At their age, eating late-night snacks, I wonder if their stomachs can handle it.

Ms. Du muttered to herself as she opened the family group chat and began typing.

[I dreamt of Shenxiang. He looks the same as before, even more handsome, but not as playful and talkative as before. Maybe he's grown up and matured. He told me that after he died, he traveled to an ancient world where he can cultivate. He's doing very well, has a girlfriend, and she's a handsome young man.]

The group chat was silent for a moment.

Old Man Chu: [Tianxin and I were waiting for barbecue by the roadside, and I accidentally fell asleep while sitting there. I even dreamed about Shenxiang...]

Chu Tianxin: [Just like your dream, Mom!]

Ms. Du felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and her hands trembled slightly as she typed: 【Could it be…?】

Old Man Chu: [Could it be that we've been watching too many fantasy short dramas lately?]

Ms. Du: [...]

Chu Tianxin: [...]

Chu Tianxin: [The fact that all three of us had the same dream is definitely unusual! I believe it's more likely a dream from my brother, a message to reunite with us during the Mid-Autumn Festival!]

Ms. Du: [That's right!]

Old Man Chu didn't say anything, but he did send a cute smiling emoji.

Outside the residential area, Chu Shenxiang turned to look at Shen Mingxin. Shen Mingxin smiled, raised his eyebrows at him, and pointed to the sky: "Look, the moon."

Chu Shenxiang looked at him and said, "Yes, the moon."

Her voice was low and gentle, like water.

Right now.

The moon in the sky is a moon of reunion, and the person before me is the one I love.

-----------------------

Author's Note: [Dog head with rose in hand] The first side story is rewritten and uploaded. The second one will probably be a little later, but it'll definitely be out today! (But it won't be this long cough cough)

*

The last sentence was added on September 23.