After his brief night stroll to think things through, Xiao Zhan returned to the dimly lit chamber. As soon as he stepped past the door, a sudden jolt of alarm shot through him. His spiritual energy was being drained at an alarming rate.
What the hell?!
His eyes flickered downward, landing on the intricate circle formation etched into the floor.
A trap array??!
The shimmering lines pulsed ominously, trapping him like a moth ensnared in a spider's web. He tried to summon Suibian but a sense of despair enveloped him when he realized he had left it by the bed when he rushed out earlier.
"Shit! Yibo!" he gasped, a wave of dread washing over him. His gaze shot to the far side of the room, where a figure loomed over Wang Yibo, who was barely conscious and held captive. From the looks of it, it seemed like his spiritual energy was sealed away. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Xiao Zhan yelled. "Get away from him!"
"Ah, Young Master Wei," the intruder drawled, a greasy smile gracing his lips. He pressed the edge of his sword against Wang Yibo's neck, the glint of the blade sharp and cruel. "Finally, you're looking at me."
Xiao Zhan's eyes narrowed, burning with an unyielding resolve, the crimson hue of his anger blazing like wildfire. "SU SHE!" he roared, each syllable dripping with venom, his piercing gaze capable of incinerating the man before him. It was a look so fierce that Su She could almost feel the heat radiating from it, a warning that if looks could kill, he would be ashes. "Don't you dare touch him!"
"Young Master Wei, I am very pleased that you still remember my name." Su She said, smiling.
"You ungrateful bastard!! Is this how you pay me for saving your life?!" Xiao Zhan snapped.
Su She tilted his head, amusement flickering across his features. "I've been waiting for the perfect moment to express my gratitude, Young Master Wei. But alas, you've always looked past me, blinded by the charms and good look of this," he gestured disdainfully at Wang Yibo, "this undeserving person. You fail to see that we belong together." he finished, looking back at Xiao Zhan.
"What kind of delusional fuck are you talking about?" Xiao Zhan spat, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. A dark smog of resentful energy began to swirl around him, tendrils of darkness wrapping around his form like an ominous cloak, a reflection of his inner turmoil. The sight of Wang Yibo-his Lan Zhan-vulnerable weakened, and at the mercy of Su She only fueled the inferno of rage within him. "Let him go!" Xiao Zhan's voice boomed like thunder, "I swear, if you so much as scratch him, I will unleash a wrath upon you that you cannot begin to fathom!"
Su She's lips twitched, a sinister grin forming. He yanked Wang Yibo closer, the tip of his sword biting into the soft flesh of Yibo's neck, drawing a delicate line of crimson on the jade-like skin. "You can kill me. I don't mind dying in your hand. But if you do, you will kill this person too," he taunted, the sweetness of his voice laced with poison. The blade pressed deeper, forcing a shudder from Wang Yibo, whose breath hitched in his throat as pain sliced through the haze of his consciousness. His eyes struggled to stay focused but whatever Su She drugged him with, was way too potent. "You see, I think my blade would be faster. Do you want to bet?" Su She added, his smile widening as he observed the droplets of blood that began to roll slowly down Wang Yibo's neck, each bead a clear reminder of how easy it was to take the life within the body.
Xiao Zhan's heart thudded painfully against his ribcage, each beat echoing the urgency of the moment. "No!! Stop! Don't hurt him!" He shouted anxiously. He could feel the tendrils of resentful energy coiling around him, waiting to be unleashed. Yet, he remained ensnared within the trap array, bound by invisible chains of magic that sapped his spiritual energy like a vacuum. The thought of a single slip, a second too late, sent his mind spiraling into darkness, envisioning a future forever stained by the loss of the love of his life. He'd been in a situation where he hadn't managed to move fast enough, and the cost had been Qingheng-Jun's life. The stakes were impossibly high, and he couldn't find it in him to risk it, regardless of how small the possibility of failure was.
He was Wei Wuxian, a force to be reckoned with, yet here he stood, powerless as the situation unfolded around him like a horrifying play. Anguish pooled in his chest, threatening to overflow as he struggled against the confines of the array, every fiber of his being screaming for him to act. "Stop!"
Su She's gaze gleamed with triumph, watching the turmoil in Xiao Zhan's eyes with unbridled delight. "Good choice, Young Master Wei."
Xiao Zhan clenched his jaw, his grip on his flute tightened but he remained still. "What do you want?" he asked carefully, keeping his anger in check.
Satisfaction blossomed in Su She's gaze, "How about this? I let him go if you come with me." He suggested.
Xiao Zhan laughed bitterly. "And why would I want to go with you!?"
"You don't have to, if you don't want to, Young Master Wei." Su She's face then turned cold. "I will just cut his throat and you can watch." He threatened again, pressing the sharp metal of his sword to Wang Yibo's jugular.
"Ugh..." Wang Yibo groaned lowly, his brows knitting together, those sharp features contorting with pain
Fear pierced Xiao Zhan like a thousand tiny needles, his heart raced, hammering against his ribcage as desperation clawed at his throat, "Okay! Okay! Please stop," he pleaded, his voice trembling under the weight of anxiety. The air around him crackled with tension, thick and suffocating, as he forced out the next words. "If I come with you, will you really let him go?"
A glint of amusement flickered in Su She's eyes, a serpent sizing up its prey before the kill. "Of course. I am a man of my word, " he replied smoothly. He continued, "But first, you have to seal your core and drop your flute."
Xiao Zhan glared at him, a mixture of defiance and desperation swirling within the depths of his darkened gaze. With a heavy heart, he dropped Chenqing to the cold, hard floor, the sound echoing like a death knell. He then pressed the acupoints that regulated his spiritual energy, sealing off access to his core, feeling the familiar warmth drain away, replaced by a gnawing emptiness. "Now, let him go," he demanded, his voice steadier than he felt.
"As Young Master Wei wishes," Su She replied sweetly, pushing Wang Yibo aside and sending him crashing to the ground. Before Xiao Zhan could react, he lunged, grabbed Xiao Zhan's wrist, and pasted a talisman on his chest that rendered the Yiling Patriarch completely immobile. At the same time, he could feel the Yin energy he had been gathering disperse like mist under the sun.
Fuck! I can't move at all! What the hell is this?
"This talisman is specially made for you, Young Master Wei. You won't be able to use resentful energy now." Su She told him, "Also, the trap array is inspired by the maze array that you built for the Gusu Lan sect." Pride radiated from him.
I've underestimated this wretched son of a bitch!
Xiao Zhan wanted to scream, to unleash the torrent of anger boiling inside him, but he was ensnared in silence, his mouth sealed shut by the talisman's power.
"We can continue our conversation later. You can look forward at what I have prepared for you, Young Master Wei." Su She's voice was laced with malicious glee as he retrieved a transportation talisman from his sleeve. "I promise."
"Wei... Ying..." Xiao Zhan heard the weak, strained voice of Wang Yibo. Before he could gather his thoughts and respond to the call, a blinding light erupted around him, engulfing his vision and plunging him into a disorienting void. The feeling of falling through space invaded his senses, a spiral of chaos that left him reeling. The side effects of the transportation talisman crashed over him like a wave, the edges of his consciousness blurring as he felt the last remnants of his strength slip away.
No! Not now!
Xiao Zhan screamed inwardly, willing himself to stay conscious just a little longer, but everything became hazy.
*******
Lan Wangji's piercing gaze was fixed upon the talisman that lay before him. Amidst the elegant chaos of messy cursive, Lan Wangji recognized the familiar, albeit erratic, unmistakable handwriting of his Wei Ying.
"This will allow us to walk the streets without being recognized, and it'll last for half a day," Wei Wuxian informed him as he put down the final stroke.
"A disguising charm," Lan Wangji stated, nodding in acknowledgment. "Clever." He praised.
Wei Wuxian grinned proudly as he placed down the finishing stroke of the talisman. "Yes. It's like wearing a mask that will turn off the beauty filters that we have on." He said, brimming with confidence.
"..." Lan Wangji stared incredulously at Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian smirked at the reaction and shrugged his shoulders, "We are too handsome for our own good, Lan Zhan. That's why we are celebrities, you know." He stated a playful glint sparkling in his eyes.
"Ridiculous." Lan Wangji said after a moment of pause.
Wei Wuxian pouted childishly, "Hmmm... Am I not good-looking in your eyes, Lan Zhan?" He asked in faux offense, batting his eyelashes. "Do I just look ridiculous to you?" He teased.
Lan Wangji sighed, "Wei Ying, we should make a move now." He said in the end.
"Okay! Okay! Let me put this disguise on first." Wei Wuxian agreed, activating the talisman. The spellwork was done in seconds and Lan Wangji's gaze lingered at Wei Wuxian's face. "How do I look now?" He asked, grinning with his 'new' face.
Lan Wangji didn't know how to reply to that question. The person before him does not look bad but he sure does not look like Wei Ying. One thing is for sure, the appearance is suitable for blending in with society. Eventually, he settled with, "No comment."
Wei Wuxian laughed at that and he laughed even harder when Lan Wangji's disguise was on. "Lan Zhan! Stop frowning with that face, you may scare people! Hahahaha..."
"Wei Ying..." Lan Wangji said warningly.
"Gege, you're scaring me." Wei Wuxian responded innocently.
Lan Wangji narrowed his eyes at Wei Wuxian's mischievous expression. "Stop fooling around. We'll be late "
"Ahh, right. Let's go!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed. He was excited that he finally got to drive a car himself.
Lan Wangji was at least at ease when no one paid attention to either of them when they entered the restaurant. To be safe, Wei Wuxian had booked a private dining room for their meeting with the author. They didn't wait long when the author came to the room. She paused briefly to eye both Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian (who never took off their disguise) warily, her eyes linger longer at the latter. Then she nodded at them, "May I sit down?"
"Please." Wei Wuxian smiled, gesturing toward the seat.
After she sat down, Wei Wuxian began speaking, "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us today."
"I was under the impression that Mr. Xiao Zhan and Mr. Wang Yibo would be here, instead." The author commented calmly.
"Ah, of course. Give me a second." Wei Wuxian said, deactivating the disguise charm.
A small gasp escaped the author's mouth when she saw his face properly.
"I know this is kind of shocking to you but there isn't any need to fear." Wei Wuxian assured her.
The author composed herself rather quickly, "It's indeed surprising to see a spell in this era," she remarked.
"Huh?" Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow, processing her words. Lan Wangji looked equally surprised as well.
The author turned to look at Lan Wangji, "And, you must be Mr. Wang Yibo."
"Mn." Lan Wangji hummed, dispelling the talisman that was on him.
"Hold on a sec." Wei Wuxian said, confused, "What do you mean by 'spell in this era'?" he asked.
The author smiled, "Well, I haven't seen one for a long time now. Especially one that is as brilliant as this, Mr. Xiao." She stated. "And I am sure you have a purpose behind undoing a spell right before my eyes."
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stared at her questioningly for a few seconds. "You're familiar with a spell?" Wei Wuxian asked cautiously.
"I am." The author confirmed, smiling warmly.
"Are you, by chance, not from this era?" Wei Wuxian questioned.
The author chuckled softly. "I just happen to live long enough to know. I just didn't expect that both of you are capable of using cultivation art."
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exchanged a glance, then both turned towards her.
"Let us reintroduce ourselves first." Wei Wuxian started. "My name is Wei Ying and this is Lan Zhan." he gestured to Lan Wangji.
The author was unperturbed by the revelation as if she already anticipated this situation. She simply sighed in response. "This must mean, the time rift had happened." She said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Lan Wangji inquired, furrowing his eyebrows together.
"Time rift?" Wei Wuxian asked curiously.
The author sighed again before speaking, "That's a term used when two different universes collide into each other in a single point. This sort of rift would create a distortion which can lead to paradoxical states in reality. In this vast universe, there are countless realities. This unfortunately happened because of a taboo you broke, Wei Wuxian. When you defied time itself, a rift was created-a fracture between these realities."
Wei Wuxian blinked, "Me?" he pointed to himself.
"To be precise, the original version of you." The author corrected.
Wei Wuxian felt like he was struck by lightning when he heard those words. "You mean, there's another me?"
The author nodded grimly. "When 'you' defied the law of time, your soul scattered all over the time dimensions and each fragment of your consciousness formed its own path, leading to divergent existences. One somehow managed to be reborn into this world."
"Xiao Zhan..." Wei Wuxian whispered. He felt cold dread creeping up to the bottom of his heart.
"Yes." The author acknowledged, "Xiao Zhan and you are the last two pieces of your soul fragment to merge back and complete your soul into its original form. "
Wei Wuxian's heart raced, a blend of confusion and an unsettling sense of dread coiling within him. "But why? Why did I-no, why did he have to break the law of time?" The frustration in his voice was palpable, and he could feel the heat rising to his cheeks.
"The power you wielded was far beyond comprehension, Wei Wuxian," the author explained, her gaze softening as she observed him. "In your determination to save the you love; you were willing to make choices that others would deem reckless. Such bravery, however, led to unintended consequences."
Lan Wangji shifted slightly, his hand brushing against Wei Wuxian's, a reassuring touch amidst the storm of emotions. "What does this mean for Wei Ying?" he asked, his voice low and calm, despite the swirling storm of questions brewing in his brain.
The author's expression turned serious, looking at Wei Wuxian, "He will have to choose. To give up the past memories and live as Xiao Zhan or return to the original timeline once more."
There was a moment of silence after she finished speaking.
"But... What about Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian eventually spoke up, "He couldn't be here because he broke a taboo too, right?"
"He's here because he's your true soulmate and the link between your souls is so strong, that you two are bound to be together regardless of which timeline or dimension you are in. Your fate is connected."
Silence engulfed the table while they absorbed the author's words.
"So, if I choose to stay here, I will forget my entire existence and my memories as Wei Wuxian?" Wei Wuxian asked quietly, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Yes." The author replied.
"And Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian questioned. "Will Lan Zhan forget me as Wei Ying?"
"The two of you will return as Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo without any memories of your past selves." She explained.
"So, it'll be like we don't exist anymore?" Wei Wuxian said weakly.
"Something like that," the author replied solemnly. "Regardless, you will retain your soulmate bond with each other," she added when she saw the doubt etched on both Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's faces.
"And what will happen to Xiao Zhan if he remains in the other realm?" Lan Wangji suddenly asked.
"After this time rift is repaired, he will become Wei Wuxian as the complete form," the author replied.
"And how do we fix the rift?" Wei Wuxian asked tentatively.
"You and Xiao Zhan have to open up the portal of time simultaneously." The author said.
"How? I can't even connect with him, not with my current condition." Wei Wuxian exclaimed in frustration. "The backlash is too severe for my body to handle."
"I can help you restore your golden core," the author told them.
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened as he looked at her in surprise. "You mean... You can bring back my golden core?" he said doubtfully. "But that's not possible."
"It is possible," the author replied confidently.
Lan Wangji frowned in thought as he realized something. "Baoshan Sanren?" he murmured.
The author smiled faintly at the sound of her name, nodding in acknowledgment.
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened at the mention of the name. "Y-you are... You are Baoshan Sanren?!" he rasped.
"I haven't heard that name in a long time, but I suppose you might call me that," Baoshan Sanren chuckled.
Both of them immediately gave her a proper bow. "We are honored by your presence, Master."
She waved a hand in dismissal. "Please, no need for such formalities. I feel old if you call me that," she said jokingly.
"But-" Wei Wuxian tried protesting.
Baoshan Sanren held up a finger, indicating for him to stop. "Let's order something before we continue our discussion. I'm a little hungry."