The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

Zhennanguan, Lingquan Bieyuan

Chen Xuan sat at a stone table in the courtyard, holding a yellowed ancient book in his hand, carefully flipping through it.

This is the "Secret Records of the Southern Frontier Demon Clan" sent by Taiqingzi last night, which records the inheritance and secrets of the ancient demon clan.

"gentlemen--"

A pleasant female voice came from under the corridor, carrying a hint of coquettishness and a touch of joy.

Wu Minghuang changed out of her crimson-gold phoenix flame battle armor and into a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). Her long hair was loosely tied up with a single jade hairpin, making her appear less like an empress and more like a gentle, feminine woman.

She came over carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of lotus seed soup on it.

"I made it myself, try it."

Wu Minghuang placed the soup bowl on the stone table, then sat down opposite Chen Xuan, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him. "The lotus seeds from the Southern Frontier are the sweetest, and when paired with spiritual spring water, they soothe the mind and replenish vital energy."

Chen Xuan glanced at her, then looked down and continued reading: "Just put it there."

Wu Minghuang refused, picked up the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and held it to his lips: "It'll only be effective if you drink it while it's hot."

Chen Xuan: "......."

He put down the book and said helplessly, "I'll do it myself."

No, I'll feed you.

Wu Minghuang's eyes curved into crescents. "I wanted to do this three hundred years ago, but I was too timid back then and only dared to watch from afar. Now I'm determined to do it."

Chen Xuan looked at the spoonful of lotus seed soup in front of him, then at the determination in Wu Minghuang's eyes, and finally opened his mouth.

The soup was sweet and smooth, truly a perfect dish.

"Is it good?"

Wu Minghuang asked expectantly.

"Um."

"Then have another sip."

"......"

One spoonful after another, the bowl of lotus seed soup was quickly emptied.

Wu Minghuang put down the bowl with satisfaction, but showed no intention of leaving. Instead, she moved closer to Chen Xuan, almost sitting right next to him.

"Sir, what are your plans for today?" she asked.

"Read a book."

"Have you finished watching?"

"Meditate."

"Are you done meditating?"

Chen Xuan finally turned to look at her: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Wu Minghuang smiled, reached out and took his arm, leaning closer to him: "I want to stay with you. Three hundred years ago, you always said that cultivation was the most important thing and forbade me from getting too close."

"Now I'm not going to be the Empress anymore, I'll just be Wu Minghuang, and I just want to stay with you, is that not allowed?"

Chen Xuan's body stiffened slightly, and he tried to pull his arm away, but Wu Minghuang held him even tighter.

"Let go."

He frowned.

"Not loose."

Wu Minghuang pressed her face against his shoulder and whispered, "This time, I won't let go again."

"A three-hundred-year wait is too painful; I don't want it to happen again."

Chen Xuan remained silent.

He could feel the warmth from her shoulder, smell the faint lotus fragrance in her hair, and hear the longing and grievance in her soft voice.

In the end, he simply sighed softly and let her hold him.

At the courtyard gate, Taiqingzi was about to come in to report on the cleanup of the remaining demons in the Southern Frontier when he saw this scene. His old face turned red, and he quickly turned around and left.

"What's wrong?"

Pei Hanchuan happened to walk over.

"Ahem... well, the Holy Master and the Empress are... having a heart-to-heart talk."

Taiqingzi lowered her voice, "Let's come back later."

Pei Hanchuan glanced into the courtyard and saw Wu Minghuang nestled on Chen Xuan's shoulder. His lips twitched slightly, and he turned to leave.

The two had only taken a few steps when they saw a figure in white gracefully approaching from the other end of the corridor.

She was a woman in her early twenties, dressed in a moon-white long dress, with long hair like a waterfall, beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and a cool and aloof temperament like a plum blossom in the snow.

She held a jade box in her hands and walked lightly, but stopped abruptly when she saw the scene in the courtyard.

"Miss Shangguan?"

Taiqingzi recognized her. "What brings you here?"

Shangguan Wan'er.

In her previous life, she was the female prime minister of the Tianfeng Dynasty, who assisted Wu Minghuang for three hundred years and was also one of Chen Xuan's disciples.

Shangguan Wan'er felt a mix of emotions.

She also likes Mr. [Name].

"Miss Shangguan?"

Seeing that her expression was not right, Taiqingzi called out softly.

Shangguan Wan'er came to her senses, took a deep breath, suppressed the bitterness in her heart, and stepped into the courtyard.

The footsteps startled the two people in the courtyard.

Wu Minghuang looked up, saw Shangguan Wan'er, and her eyes lit up: "Wan'er? You've come!"

She released Chen Xuan, stood up to greet him, and took Shangguan Wan'er's hand: "I knew you would come."

"The news about the Southern Frontier spread so quickly, you must have received the news."

Shangguan Wan'er forced a smile: "Your Majesty... no, Sister Minghuang. It's good that you're alright."

She looked at Chen Xuan, her eyes slightly red, and bowed respectfully: "Disciple Shangguan Wan'er greets Master."

A subtle silence fell over the room.

Shangguan Wan'er lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting her sleeves.

Wu Minghuang looked at her, then at Chen Xuan, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

Taiqingzi and Pei Hanchuan stood at the courtyard gate, unsure whether to leave or stay, so embarrassed they wished they could just disappear on the spot.

Finally, Chen Xuan broke the silence:

"Wan'er, what are your plans for the future?"

Shangguan Wan'er looked up at Chen Xuan, then at Wu Minghuang, and suddenly smiled.

That smile was gentle, yet it carried a sense of relief:

"What are your plans, disciple?"

She paused, then said softly:

"This disciple still wishes to follow Master and the Empress."

Wu Minghuang held her hand: "Wan'er, I know your feelings. From now on, we'll each go our own way."

"You call me sister, I'll call you Wan'er..."

"Sister Minghuang."

Shangguan Wan'er interrupted her, shaking her head and smiling, "No need to say anything, I am your subject, your sister. And I still am."

She looked at Chen Xuan, her eyes clear:

"Sir, you are a sage teacher, a minister in plain clothes, a light illuminating an era. Such an existence should not belong to one person."

"In my past life, I dared not compete because I knew I couldn't win, nor should I have."

"In this life..."

Her smile brightened:

"Why divide it? Why not just keep it together?"

Wu Minghuang was stunned.

Chen Xuan also showed a rare hint of surprise.

At the courtyard gate, Taiqingzi stumbled and almost fell.

Pei Hanchuan's lips twitched, and he turned and left.

He couldn't stay here any longer; he feared his Dao heart would become unstable if he stayed any longer.

Shangguan Wan'er laughed even more happily:

"What, am I wrong? A person like you deserves to be respected and protected by more people."

"I am willing to stay by your side, Minghuang and I."

"The path of spiritual cultivation is long, wouldn't it be good to have someone else take care of Mr. [Husband]?"

Looking into her open and honest eyes, Wu Minghuang suddenly smiled as well.

She reached out and pulled Shangguan Wan'er into her arms:

"Good Wan'er, you are still so insightful."

Shangguan Wan'er leaned on her shoulder and whispered, "Because I know that some things can't be forced."

"Being able to stay by my husband's side is already a great blessing; as for everything else, let nature take its course."

Chen Xuan looked at the two people embracing in front of him and rubbed his temples.

He suddenly realized that agreeing to stay might have been a mistake.

"gentlemen."

Wu Minghuang released Shangguan Wan'er, turned to look at him, a sly glint in his eyes, "What do you think of Wan'er's suggestion?"

Chen Xuan remained silent for three breaths, then stood up:

"I'm going out for a walk."

"I'll stay with you!"

"I'm going too!"

The two stood up at the same time and followed each other, one on the left and one on the right.

Chen Xuan paused, turned around and looked at them: "You..."

"Didn't the gentleman say he wasn't leaving for the time being?"

Wu Minghuang said matter-of-factly, "Then wherever we go, you will go too."

Shangguan Wan'er nodded: "Sister Minghuang is right."

Chen Xuan: "......."