In the past, the previous Sect leader of Snow Peony and the current Sect leader of Refined Osmanthus did not get along. The reasons have all just been rumours being passed around until it became a convoluted, melodramatic plot so no one really knows for sure other than the two people themselves. Over the years, the hostilities between the two Sect leaders translated to the disciples being hostile to one another, despite both parties’ efforts to quell their disciples.

But, ever since Jin Huang Xiu had been given the title after the previous Sect Master had left to roam the world, peace efforts have been made so that the shaky relations between the two sects were at least to the level that they could be civil, maybe cordial, to one another.

The disciples couldn’t help but get excited at the idea of a possible joint lesson between Refined Osmanthus and Snow Peony. They had no doubt in Jin Huang Xiu’s combat techniques, of course (that would be blasphemous to even think about) but to learn from the top most and best fighters of the cultivation world would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? Even getting a chance to spar with their students would be an incredible honour.

Jin Huang Xiu and Bai Xing continued on their way after the former dismissed the junior disciples to head to the classrooms. They passed through a series of corridors until they reached the inner most courtyard of the palace complex. It was an incredibly wide, empty space, with a series of staircases leading down to the other lower levels of the complex that went all the way down to the base of the mountain.

Snow Peony’s palace was built on the side of a mountain in the nothern most part of the country, hidden from plain view by a natural barrier of dense forestry, thick cold fogs, and low-hanging clouds. Like most Sects, there was also a barrier encircling the entire mountain range, which meant that only those granted entrance by the Sect Leader himself or the disciples who have entrance passes with them can come and go out of Snow Peony as they please.

Because it was located in the northernmost mountain range, it was cold for most times in the year, like it was today. A cold, strong wind blew past them, their robes swaying in the icy cold swirls. The skies above were dark and grey, the threat of snowfall imminent. Regardless of this, none of them could feel the effects of the cold, most especially disciples of the Snow Peony Sect. Those who are past their Foundation Creation Tier would be strong enough to withstand the effects of the harsh elements.

But even if Bai Xing’s body could withstand the cold, he was sure that being caught in a snowstorm would make flying back to his Sect more dificult than necessary. Weaving himself around through strong winds and snow is a feat too impossible. As such, he turns to Jin Huang Xiu and gives him a small but fond smile.

“I’ll be back in three days,” he promises. “Would you like me to bring anything for you?”

Bai Xing never fails to ask this question each time he parts ways with Jin Huang Xiu. When he does ask, he expects the usual reply of, “I don’t need anything” to come out from Jin Huang Xiu, as the man was not one to ask for things that he could get himself, if he so desired. Regardless, Bai Xing still comes back, having bought something with him; be it flowers, sweets, or a book that Jin Huang Xiu might find interesting to read or even a combination of all three.

This time, Huang Xiu replies as much as he expected. Though a bit disappointed—as he had thought he had been getting a constant stream of surprising things from Huang Xiu today—he still smiled and bade his lover a soft goodbye. He would have kissed him but many eyes were on them.

Then, he corrected himself and saluted him. At the end of the day, he was the da shixiong of a different Sect and Jin Huang Xiu was a Sect leader. No matter what, hierachy must be followed.

“Travel safely,” Huang Xiu says as Bai Xing unsheaths his sword to mount it. Bai Xing glances down at Huang Xiu’s impassive gaze and nods, bidding Huang Xiu another goodbye before he finally takes off at breakneck speed.

Jin Huang Xiu watches him disappear in the distance and lingers for a few moments before he turns his back and makes his way towards the classrooms, where the disciples are waiting for him. His deliberately slowed his pace as he walked down the corridors.

Though his gaze remained cold and impassive, his mind was reeling. His hands were hidden underneath the folds of his long robes so that no one could see that they were curled into tight fists, trembling slightly as he tried his best to be calm and composed.

Was this an elaborate dream? Perhaps. Something his mind cooked up as he lay dying in his chambers? Maybe.

Has his heart been taken over by a powerful demon and it was showing him such a deceptively beautiful dream? But Bai Xing was warm, hale, and healthy.

He was alive. He definitely was alive.

Or, could it be that the impossible has been done? That he was sent back in time? Back to a time before he wasted away? Back to a time when Bai Xing had not died from an assassin’s blade on that dreaded night?  

No mortal or even cultivator had that kind of power. Not even he could do something as lofty and impossible as that. He had not even reached Peak level of Immortal Godhood. Despite the name, becoming an Immortal God does not grant you immeasurable power that only real Godly beings posses. He can attest to that, seeing as both his parents and grandparents have long since left the mortal realm to join the Gods.

Jin Huang Xiu stopped at his tracks.

The Gods. Could they be the reason? Had they… had they given him merciful grace and sent him back? He isn’t even sure if he was sent back in time yet. He needed to confirm everything first.

With that resolution in mind, Jin Huang Xiu continued on his way to see his disciples.