Yun studied Shen’s body, the corner of his lips curling into a relieved smile. After all, Shen Wu suffered those unhealable curses to save him decades ago, and the guilt had always gnawed at him—so much that he wished Shen had given up on him that day to escape alone.
"Are you feeling better, brother? Did you see or feel anything?"
Xu Fei exhaled and leaned on his battle ax, admitting Yun was right and Shen’s condition came first.
"I swear to return my robes and track this bastard down if he did anything to you, brother."
The other elders frowned and approached to hear their only witnesses’ testimony.
Meanwhile, Shen’s gaze lingered on Mei Lan’s rosy cheeks and rising back. Tears trailed down his softening eyes, his legs buckling under the weight of his relief and joy.
Yun caught him before he fell and guided him to the bed.
"Got you, brother." He nodded, drawing a bedsheet to hide Mei Lan. "Take a deep breath and share what you know, or those pests will never leave."
Shen observed him, conflicted emotions knitting his brows before a steely glint flashed in his eyes.
"The only thing I saw is you lot barging into a bedridden man’s room. You almost scared me to death!" He gritted his teeth, pointing at them. "You’re the ones who should explain what this is all about!"
The elders exchanged bewildered glances. No matter how they turned his words, it was hard to believe he leapt before the spatial crack just because of a scare.
However, Yun nodded despite the discrepancy.
"You’ve been in a coma for the past week. Dazed and lost, you jumped out of bed to see what happened reflexively." He raised his voice, a hint of anger hidden beneath his calm claim. "Who would doubt a dying man?"
Xu Fei’s eyes narrowed—the explanation made sense. Even if it didn’t, he’d always cover for his brothers.
"I confirm Yun’s claim as the first who barged in. Shen looked more confused and scared than anything." He moved to the bed and lifted Shen with care. "He needs urgent rest, so I’ll take him to my house since he knows nothing. The scene is yours to investigate."
Yun picked up the bedsheet covering Mei Lan as best he could and thanked her for not waking up.
The others watched them leave, then shrugged. If Xu Fei hadn’t barged in first, they would have killed Shen to catch the mage with how thin he was.
They quarantined the house and sent someone to fetch Xian Yunxu.
Meanwhile, Yun and Fei questioned Shen Wun. However, the latter only cradled Mei Lan, his gaze fixed on the pale moon and his mind wandering until they gave up and went to bed.
Shen didn’t find sleep tonight. His thoughts were too chaotic, the events too impossible. Not only was he healed, but Mei Lan... She got a new life and a second chance at cultivation.
He brushed her smooth cheek, his finger trembling as he remembered what he saw. The sky-blue hair, the short back... It could only be Adam.
"You never accepted my help or called me master, but you’d go this far for us?" He muttered, biting his lip as tears rolled down his cheeks. "I don’t know why you hide, but I’ll never forget this debt."
Even though Adam appeared in a shroud of mystery, he couldn’t help but remember their respectful interactions and the care he and Misha had given him. He wanted to believe all these moments were genuine.
A soft smile curved his lips. "I know they were."
As the wind carried his mutters, the sect elders roiled in pursuit, using formations and techniques to find clues. Yet, the culprit slept peacefully beside Misha, a bright smile contrasting with the relentless search.
The sun soon replaced the moon, a new day washing tonight’s happenings under a secretive lock. Instead, flushed disciples rushed down the streets, their eager voices permeating the air with shared excitement as they scrambled toward the sect’s central peak.
Misha was even more eager. Delight sparkled in her golden eyes as she jumped on Adam’s back and pointed at the shop’s door.
"The elusive sect leader is finally coming down!" She leaned over and kissed his forehead, chuckling. "Are you sure no one saw you?"
"I erased any trace of mana in a one-kilometer radius and folded space to hundreds of different places before returning." He smirked.
He had waited for this day to act. With the festive atmosphere and disciple selection, the elders would have no time to look for him nor the desire to show their incompetence to the leader.
"Even that bastard Magus would have no chance to retrace my steps."
"Alright. Let’s see Shen and Aunt-" She raised her fist and corrected herself. "Sister Mei Lan!"
Itching to see the duo’s confused yet radiant faces, they left the shop and found them at Xu Fei’s place.
Shen lunged at him the moment he entered. Arms wide open, he embraced him in a tight, silent hug.
He patted the man’s back, confused and oblivious that he knew.
"It’s good to see you recovered. You frightened us when you refused to wake up for a week."
Misha jumped down and joined the hug, nodding. "Let’s celebrate this miracle together." Her eyes sparkled at Mei Lan. "Is this beautiful sister a new disciple?"
Shen’s eyes watered as he bit his lips, fighting the urge to thank them. How could he when they didn’t leave a single clue? No, he’ll remember their kindness and strive to repay them.
He pulled back and shook his head.
"Another miracle occurred. Mei Lan grew young again and got a dan tian perfectly aligned with her affinity." His fingers trembled as he patted their heads. "You don’t know how much she suffered before I found her. But it’s in the past!"
With a soft smile, he guided them to Mei Lan, who immediately hugged them as he continued.
"It feels like a dream," Mei Lan said, crying as they whispered congratulations.
Then, she pulled back, a determined glint flashing in her eyes as she pulled their chairs. "We can’t waste time. Eat up before the ceremony, or you’ll miss your chance to become the sect leader’s disciples."
"Thank you for your care, sister Mei Lan," they said in unison, jumping on the chair and devouring the food.
"S-Sister?" Mei Lan clutched her robes, looking down at her generous figure and porcelain skin, a bright blush burning her cheeks.
She exchanged a shy glance with Shen, who nodded as he sat. "You’re young again, so it sounds about right? I’ll forge a new identity and guide you on the cultivation path after the disciple selection. You have a bright future ahead of you." He shook his head and smiled. "We all have now, and I know you two can pull the impossible off."
Mei Lan nodded, loading their plates with steaming rice and fresh fish with a dreamy smile. "If someone can break our leader’s stubbornness, it’s you. Show him that Xian Yunxu’s talent doesn’t reach your ankle."
They ate in this heartwarming atmosphere before they left together, their figures melding with the excited disciples and their fists tightening.