The moon ascends, brushing the branches with a veil of mist; clouds churn in hues of sunset, heralding the arrival of spring. When the blossoms fall to reveal their fragrant hearts, the crimson sun clings to the mountain peak.
Yu Yanran (Special Edition)
The vast land stretches across mountains and rivers, seemingly peaceful and serene, as if time itself had stilled. Yet, who can say how many years have truly passed? Qin Xingchen, having traveled across great distances, returned once more to the place that haunted his dreams.
Here, rugged mountains stand tall beneath a blazing sun. Amidst the towering peaks, a mountain rises into the clouds. A waterfall cascades down like countless threads of silk; from afar, it appears tranquil and beautiful, but up close, it rushes like a torrent of primal energy, crashing with immense force from the heavens into a bottomless lake at the foot of the mountain.
This was where Qin Xingchen and Yu Yanran had lived and cultivated. The lake, known as Thousand Moon Lake, was formed by the great waterfall into the shape of a crescent. At the heart of this crescent lay a meadow. Beyond it stretched a vast, verdant forest, lush and dense, where spiritual energy swirled in the dappled light, creating an otherworldly sanctuary. The surrounding peaks rose and fell, and the cries of rare birds and fierce beasts echoed through the air. These were the long-cultivated lords of the forest who, despite their intelligence, cared little for the lives of human cultivators, choosing instead to rule their own corners of the wild.
On the meadow by the lake stood a small bamboo house. It was modest, with a bamboo platform in front and a courtyard reached by nine stone steps, where various flowers and medicinal herbs shimmered with light. Behind the house lay a forest of purple bamboo.
"The storms have passed, the dust has settled, and yet, you are still here..."
Feeling that familiar aura, Qin Xingchen’s heart raced. A white figure descended gracefully, and with a subtle shift of hand seals, a pale green barrier of energy vanished.
After many years, Qin Xingchen stepped once more into the familiar courtyard. Before him, the flowers and herbs thrived, lush and vibrant. Gazing at the bamboo house, his thoughts drifted, his eyes glazing over as memories flooded back as if they had occurred only yesterday.
Just then, the surrounding energy stirred, and a figure appeared before him.
It was a slender, refined woman of peerless beauty, her features delicate, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a fallen galaxy. She stared intently at the man, her eyes deep and swirling like a pool of clear water. Her shoulders trembled slightly, and tears, poignant and beautiful, traced a path down her cheeks. This was the embodiment of long-held longing, of countless sleepless nights spent wondering if he lived or died, and the terror of being forever parted by the veil of death.
The young man raised his eyes, meeting her gaze. One look spanned an eternity; the icy frost melted into the warmth of spring.
Qin Xingchen spoke, his voice trembling, "Yan'er, are you well?"
"Brother Chen, is it really you? It is so good to see you again. I thought I would never see you again."
Her face was etched with sorrow, tears glistening in her eyes as her body shook, struggling to suppress the overwhelming tide of emotion. Since recovering from her own injuries, she had scoured the world for him. Upon learning that he had been gravely wounded and his fate unknown, she had tried everything, searching with a desperate fervor, yet finding nothing. She had reached a point of utter despair, intending to let her life fade away in this place filled with memories. She never expected that this reunion would breathe new life into her withering heart.
They had parted with his fate uncertain, and in the time since, many seasons had passed.
"Brother Chen, I have missed you so bitterly! I truly thought I had lost you forever. Where have you been all this time?"
"I am sorry, Yan'er. That day, I fell into an ancient realm. I thought I would surely perish, but I was fortunate enough to encounter many celestial opportunities."
"Brother Chen, let me look at you properly. I am so afraid—afraid that this is a dream, and that when I open my eyes, you will be gone!"
She watched him silently, her expression pained, her voice choked with an endless love and longing.
"Yan'er, do not fear. I have returned."
"Brother Chen...!"
The sunlight fell in patches, and in the courtyard, flowers bloomed in a riot of color as butterflies took flight. A purple bamboo leaf danced on the breeze before falling silently to the ground. In a blur, the two figures vanished for a heartbeat, only to reappear locked in a tight embrace. Time seemed to stop. This was the joy of reunion after a long absence, a moment where the weariness of time, the helplessness of separation, and the depth of their longing dissolved into silence, leaving only their weeping embrace.
As the night deepened, the two rested inside the bamboo house, watching the flowers bloom and wither in the dark. The bright moon climbed the branches, wisps of cloud masking its beauty in the hazy night. A jade hand reached out, drawing the thin veil.
A breeze brushed past; the red candle flickered and died, and the clouds churned like mist. The small courtyard brimmed with the essence of spring; flowers seemed to bloom, revealing the vibrant colors of the season, while petals drifted like falling sunset clouds. Through a night of shifting storms, the turquoise waters rippled gently, a small boat glided by, and the green lotus leaves caught the dew, releasing a faint, lingering fragrance.
By the time the blossoms had fallen, it was dawn. Like crystalline dew reflecting off a fragrant stamen, or the crimson glow of the sun gilding the cliffside, the fiery red sun had risen high above the mountain peak.