Chapter 1 One

Chapter Summary: The group was taken to the Heavenly Realm, where Xiao Niangui and the resurrected group appeared.

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dense forest

"Lan Zhan, what do you think? Should we let them go night-hunting on their own this time?"

Wei Wuxian twirled his flute in one hand while watching Lan Wangji walk slowly beside him.

"Um."

Hearing this familiar answer, Wei Wuxian grinned. Although he knew that Lan Zhan also wanted Lan Sizhui, Jin Ling and the other juniors to gain more experience, it sounded like his second brother was indulging him.

Walking ahead of them, the younger generation, who were always vigilant and carrying their swords, took a deep breath upon hearing this and followed the three leaders, Lan Sizhui, as they searched ahead on their own.

Such opportunities for experience were neither numerous nor infrequent. After the sealing ceremony, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji traveled the world together, rarely having the chance to take them night-hunting. These two were extremely experienced in night-hunting, and Wei Wuxian was also knowledgeable in many miscellaneous things and taught well, so the younger generation all enjoyed going out with them.

Besides... the younger generation of the Lan family having to copy the family rules when they return...

The deeper they went into the dense forest, the thicker the fog became. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, who were walking behind, could only see the blurry backs of the younger generation ahead of them.

As the white mist around them grew thicker, Wei Wuxian's playful expression gradually turned serious.

"Lan Zhan, don't you think something's not right...?"

"Hanguang-jun! Senior Wei!"

Before Wei Wuxian could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Lan Sizhui's panicked shouts from afar.

"Sizhui?!"

"Jin Ling!"

Wei Wuxian hurriedly called out a few times, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, without any response. The figure that had been faintly visible in the distance also disappeared without a trace.

"Lan Zhan..."

"Wei Ying!"

After realizing something was wrong, Lan Wangji immediately turned around, trying to pull Wei Wuxian back, but a wave of dizziness hit him and he lost consciousness.

When Lan Wangji woke up again, he got up and looked around. He found himself in a white illusion. Wei Ying was nowhere to be seen. There was only a palm-sized, white-glowing Gusu Lan Clan cloud pattern family crest on a door not far away.

Lan Wangji immediately realized that this was not the mortal world. He walked to the door, pondered for a moment, and then placed his hand on the family crest. Instantly, the light intensified, and the door slowly opened, revealing a long corridor that seemed to stretch endlessly outside.

Walking along the corridor, we came to an open space where a few people were scattered around: Jiang Cheng, who was stroking Zidian with a gloomy expression; Lan Xichen, who was holding Liebing and standing quietly; Nie Huaisang, who was huddled to the side with a folding fan in his hand; Wen Ning, who was standing silently in the corner; and Lan Sizhui, Jin Ling, and others who had just disappeared in front of him.

Lan Wangji looked around but still couldn't see Wei Wuxian. He suppressed his unease and walked to Lan Xichen's side.

"Brother."

Lan Xichen: "Wangji, do you know where this is?"

Lan Wangji: "I don't know."

Everyone present was brought here unconscious, and for now, there is no other option but to wait. Moreover, this place is beyond human power to break through; Jiang Cheng had already lashed out with his Zidian whip several times, yet these pure white water curtains did not even cause a ripple.

"Where's Wei Wuxian?" Jiang Cheng stared at Lan Wangji for a long time before suddenly asking. The others around also looked over in confusion. Since the two became cultivation partners, they had been inseparable, and they had even gone night-hunting together before entering the space. Why was Lan Wangji the only one left now?

"...I don't know."

The usually calm and expressionless Second Young Master Lan showed a hint of panic on his face. Not only could others see his unease, but even Lan Xichen, who knew him best, saw a trace of fear in him that he hadn't felt since Wei Wuxian's rebirth.

Lan Xichen sighed softly and patted Lan Wangji's tense shoulder: "Wangji, perhaps Wuxian hasn't woken up yet. Let's wait a little longer."

Lan Wangji nodded stiffly.

People gradually entered the corridor, including scions of the four major families, as well as some smaller families or sects. As soon as these people poured in, the once quiet space instantly became noisy.

The members of the four major families were relatively calm, each standing silently behind their respective sect leaders. However, the members of the smaller families, who had been inexplicably brought here, could no longer contain themselves and began to shout:

"What kind of hellhole is this?"

Who brought us here?

"Who else could it be but Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch? He's still up to his old tricks after all these years!"

"That's right!"

...

Since the Guanyin Temple and the sealing ceremony two years ago, rumors have begun to circulate about the deeds of Lianfangzun Jin Guangyao. The rumors have gradually intensified, and there are even rumors that Lianfangzun and Yiling Laozu are in cahoots to become kings and tyrants.

Only a few people in the Guanyin Temple knew the truth of what happened back then, and they were all involved. Wei Wuxian, having lived two lives, no longer cared about these rumors and treated them as a joke. Lan Wangji accommodated Wei Wuxian in everything. Jiang Cheng returned to Lotus Pier and silently reserved a room for Wei Wuxian, no longer treating him coldly. Lan Xichen was greatly affected and only emerged from seclusion after a year. Nie Huaisang took the initiative to hold a coffin-sealing ceremony, and the Qinghe Nie Clan was also thriving. Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui also went out night hunting with Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji from time to time.

These people are not gossipy, and they would never tell others about these things, so it's no wonder they all threw mud at Wei Wuxian.

The corridor was now slowly closing, but Wei Wuxian was still nowhere to be seen. Lan Wangji's grip on Bichen tightened, and blood vessels began to form in his eyes.

Just as the space was about to be engulfed by the clamor, the water curtain in front of everyone began to ripple, and a beautiful woman in white emerged from it. Instantly, the noisy crowd was rendered speechless, as if under a silencing spell.

The members of the four major clans exchanged glances, and finally Lan Xichen stepped forward, cupped his fists, and asked, "May I ask how you are addressed, young lady?"

The young woman returned the greeting: "My name is Xiao Lai, courtesy name Niangui."

"Thinking of returning?" Lan Wangji's eyes flickered upon hearing this.

Lan Sizhui, who was standing to the side, also felt that the word was very familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Miss Niangui, may I ask where this place is?"

"This is the Heavenly Realm. I invited you all here to watch a 'Heavenly Film.' After the film, you may leave."

Xiao Niangui smiled faintly, her beautiful eyes sweeping over the crowd who were silenced and whose faces were flushed. Her spell was not the Lan Clan's silencing spell, and it could still be broken. Indeed, a quiet space is more desirable.

Lan Wangji: "Where is Wei Ying?"

"Hanguang-jun, don't worry, he will appear, but not now."

After Xiao Niangui finished speaking, he turned around and looked at the pure white water curtain behind him. He tilted his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Ah, right, there are some other people coming too."

She smiled mysteriously, waved her jade hand, and the water curtain behind her rippled slightly, the first thing to appear was the nine-petaled lotus family crest of the Yunmeng Jiang clan.

Jiang Cheng frowned as he looked at the water curtain. His impatience suddenly vanished when he saw several familiar figures, and his almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief.

"A Cheng!"

The familiar yet distant call exploded in Jiang Cheng's ears like thunder. He stood there stiffly, his eyes gradually filling with tears, leaving Jin Ling, who was standing beside him, somewhat at a loss.

"Sister..."

"Mother...Father..."

The image from his memory appeared before him, and Jiang Cheng's tears fell. He wanted to reach out and touch it, but he was afraid that it was all a dream, afraid that the person in front of him would disappear in the next moment.

"Acheng." Seeing her younger brother's cautious appearance, Jiang Yanli held back her tears, gave a warm smile, and opened her arms.

"Sister!"

Jiang Cheng suddenly threw himself into her arms, and upon truly touching her, he couldn't stop his tears. Behind them, Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan also had tears in their eyes, and gently embraced the brother and sister who were weeping. Reunited with their loved ones, even Yu Ziyuan, who was always strict with Jiang Cheng, refrained from scolding him for not easily shedding tears.

The entire space was silent except for Jiang Cheng's suppressed sobs. No one dared to laugh at him at this moment. Back then, a young man who had not yet reached adulthood had experienced the sudden death of his parents. In the face of a formidable enemy, he had to both revive the Jiang family and fight on the battlefield, shouldering the heavy burden of an entire clan all by himself. One can only imagine how heavy his shoulders were.

After a while, Jiang Cheng raised his head and hugged each of his fellow disciples who had been resurrected with him. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jin Ling, who had been standing still ever since he called out "Sister."

"You brat, get over here and greet your mother and maternal grandfather!"

"mother…"

"Rulan." Jiang Yanli hugged Jin Ling's stiff body tightly, tears streaming down her face again. "He's grown up so much, it's all my fault..."

"Mother!" Jin Ling hugged Jiang Yanli tightly. This was the first time in more than ten years that he had felt his mother's embrace. This was also the second time that this unruly boy, who was as arrogant as his uncle, had cried in front of others.

After crying, Jin Ling wiped away his tears haphazardly, his eyes red, and looked up to ask a question he had always wanted to know: "Mother, who gave me my courtesy name?" So... Mother.

"It's your maternal uncle, Wei Wuxian." Jiang Yanli smiled and ruffled Jin Ling's hair, then turned to Jiang Cheng, "By the way, A-Cheng, where's A-Xian?"

Jiang Cheng's smile froze instantly. He lowered his head, unsure how to respond. Hearing Jiang Yanli's words, Jiang Fengmian, Yu Ziyuan, and their fellow disciples also turned to search the crowd, but they couldn't find that figure.

"A Cheng?"

“Miss Jiang, there’s no need to worry. Young Master Wei is safe, but he can’t show up right now,” Xiao Niangui’s voice rang out.

"Thank you, young lady."

Xiao Niangui caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye and suddenly smiled slyly: "Besides, if Miss Jiang wants to know about Young Master Wei's recent situation, why don't you ask Young Master Lan?"

"Young Master Lan?" The Jiang family members all looked at Lan Wangji.

Lan Wangji paused for a moment, then walked to Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan, knelt down and performed a proper junior's greeting: "Sect Master Jiang, Madam Yu, Miss Jiang, Wei Ying and I have become Daoist partners."

Upon hearing this, the Jiang family disciples were immediately in an uproar. Their eldest brother had always been fond of flirting with girls since childhood, but he was also a person of integrity. When did he give himself away? And to the famous Second Young Master Lan?

Jiang Fengmian and the other two stared wide-eyed, but looking at Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling beside them, and Lan Qiren in the distance, although they looked like they couldn't bear to look, they still acquiesced, and they didn't know what to say.

"This brat, when did he... become gay?!"

Jiang Fengmian quickly held down Yu Ziyuan, who was about to burst into tears, and helped Lan Wangji up with one hand: "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. This is between you two. However, there is one thing: A-Ying is a member of the Yunmeng Jiang Clan. We do not want him to suffer any grievances."

The people of Yunmeng have always been open-minded, and as long as Wei Wuxian can be happy, they have nothing they can't accept.

"Yes," Lan Wangji nodded solemnly in response.

After the Jiang family's family reunion ceremony ended, the family crests of the Gusu Lan Clan, Lanling Jin Clan, and Qinghe Nie Clan appeared simultaneously on the water screen.

A pair of figures holding hands appeared in a flash, and the people of the Gusu Lan Clan immediately showed joy. However, due to the clan rules, they dared not cheer loudly, and could only respectfully clasp their hands and bow: "Qingheng-jun, Madam Lan."

"Brother." Lan Qiren was also filled with joy.

"Father, Mother," Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji bowed in greeting.

Seeing the two of them so steadfast in their etiquette, Qinghengjun and Madam Lan didn't know whether to feel gratified or disappointed. Every parent hopes to feel the joy of their child rushing into their arms when they see their child again, let alone a reunion after being separated by life and death.

Seeing the disappointment in his parents' eyes, Lan Xichen smiled and said, "Mother, actually Wangji and I are both very happy."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lan's disappointment vanished instantly. She stepped forward and embraced her two sons tightly. Though no words were spoken, the deep affection between them moved everyone in the Lan clan present. Even Lan Qiren, who always respected rules and etiquette, simply sighed and said nothing.

Then a tall figure emerged from the water curtain. Nie Huaisang, who had been waving a folding fan and already guessed what was going on, couldn't help but rush forward and hug the person the moment he saw him in person.

"Big brother!"

Looking at his younger brother, who was clinging to him and crying uncontrollably, Nie Mingjue felt both touched and guilty, but still maintained a serious expression:

"What kind of man cries like that!"

Nie Huaisang reluctantly let go. Although his elder brother was like a father to him, and he had always wanted to escape his older brother's "clutches," it felt like something very important was missing from his life without his older brother, who constantly urged him to practice swordsmanship and horse stance, and was always shouting at him. If he could, he would rather be wielded by his older brother with Baxia every day than be alone in guarding the vast Nie Clan.

The last two figures to emerge were both wearing family robes with gold stars and snow waves—Jin Zixuan and Jin Guangyao.

"Zixuan".

Jiang Yanli called softly, and Jin Zixuan rushed over upon hearing her call. The couple, who had parted forever at the full moon banquet years ago, met again, and Jin Zixuan tightly embraced his beloved wife.

Jiang Yanli gently patted his back and said, "Zixuan, this is Rulan."

Only then did Jin Zixuan notice Jin Ling's eyes reddening again, and he gave her a relieved smile: "A-Ling, you've grown up."

"father!"

Jin Ling gave Jin Zixuan a bear hug. Jin Zixuan felt a deep sense of guilt towards the child who was less than a month old and had to endure his death. If he could still get out, he would definitely give him a happy life.

After the embrace, Jin Guangyao, who had been standing behind Jin Zixuan, slowly stepped forward. He didn't approach any of the families, but simply stood quietly in front of the water curtain, watching the Jin Ling family reunite. His face no longer wore its usual fake smile, but instead showed a hint of relief.

“Ah Yao…”

"Uncle..."

Two different names were called out, and Jin Guangyao was startled, looking towards the source of the sound.

A hint of bewilderment crept onto Lan Xichen's gentle face. During his year of seclusion, he had thought a great deal. He had initially trusted Jin Guangyao because Jin Guangyao had always treated him with utmost respect since rescuing him, but he hadn't expected Jin Guangyao to go to such lengths to climb the ranks. He didn't understand him, didn't know whether he should trust him, or whether he should have a reason to forgive him. If today's 'Tianying' incident could help him understand him a little better, that would be good.

As for Jin Ling, after seeing the coffin being carried away at the Guanyin Temple, he no longer knew who to hate. Perhaps it was because Jin Guangyao led his father to Qiongqi Path that a series of events followed. But if it weren't for Jin Zixuan, would Jin Guangyao have been the one who died at Qiongqi Path? Is it really wrong for a person to want to protect himself?

In his heart, Jin Guangyao was always the uncle who loved and cared for him, and who would always make time to comfort and accompany him even when he was busy with other matters. Like Wei Wuxian, they were his family. Should he hate them?

"Second Brother... Ah Ling... It's been a long time." He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

The Nie brothers, standing to the side, were furious, yet they held their Baxia firmly in their hands; the other turned his gaze away, unsure whether to wave his folding fan or not.

At this moment, the water curtain continued to ripple, this time revealing the words 'Yicheng'. Four figures appeared before the water curtain—Xiao Xingchen, Xue Yang, Song Lan, and A-Qing.

"You wicked thing, don't even think about bullying the Taoist priest again!"

The girl's clear voice rang out, and she angrily pointed the bamboo pole in her hand at Xue Yang beside her. Song Lan also warily stepped in front of Xiao Xingchen to block him.

Xue Yang: "..."

He glanced at Xiao Xingchen, whose blindness had now been cured, and quietly walked to a corner without saying a word. Although his expression still carried a hint of mockery, it seemed as if... he was no longer addressing Xiao Xingchen.

Xiao Xingchen looked at him, but ultimately said nothing. He held the candy in his hand, and after bowing to everyone with the other two, he stood aside.

As the Yicheng group members emerged, the water curtain flickered a few more times, and suddenly some relatives who had died during the Sunshot Campaign, the Nightless City, or the mass grave appeared beside the members of the smaller families behind them. In an instant, the scene became very chaotic. Xiao Niangui lifted the silence, and some began to recognize their relatives, while others wept bitterly.

As the crying subsided, Xiao Niangui fell silent again and walked to the front of the crowd. Before he could speak, Lan Wangji's cold voice suddenly rang out: "Why were Wei Ying's parents not resurrected?"

The Jiang family members also looked up at Xiao Niangui.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Niangui's gaze gradually turned cold as he swept over everyone present, and he said, word by word, "Because his parents, in his memory, are just a blurry point of light."

Everyone present fell silent instantly.

In my memory, my parents are just a single point of light.

Do these resurrected people occupy more of his memory than his parents?