Shen Yuan smirked. “A few sparring challenges, perhaps?”
“Possibly,” Shen Yuxin replied, her lips curving into a smile. “But nothing too serious. The Sect Leader won’t allow anything that might harm you, especially given your recent Tribulation.”
Shen Yuan chuckled. “I’ll be fine, Mom. You worry too much.”
Shen Yuxin sighed, resting her hand on his chest. “It’s my job to worry. You’re my everything, Yuan’er.”
Shen Yuan placed his hand over hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “And I’ll make sure you never have to worry about me.”
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence. Then Shen Yuan broke the quiet with a playful grin.
“Do you think they’ll let me skip the speeches if I promise to light the flame really well?”
Shen Yuxin laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Not a chance, Yuan’er. You’ll have to endure it like everyone else.”
“Figures,” Shen Yuan said with mock resignation. “Alright, I’ll play along. For now, though, I think I’ll take your advice and get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be… interesting.”
Shen Yuxin smiled warmly, leaning in to kiss his forehead. “Rest well, my love. I’ll be going to make sure the preparations are complete by tomorrow.”
As Shen Yuan watched Shen Yuxin leave the room, a warm smile lingered on his lips.
He leaned back against his bed, letting the silence of the room envelop him. Fatigue crept over him, and his eyelids grew heavy.
“About time I rest,” he murmured softly to himself.
The moment his head hit the pillow, he felt the exhaustion once again hitting him. His breathing steadied, and soon he drifted into a deep and dreamless sleep.
…
The morning sun filtered through the windows, its golden rays casting a warm glow across the room.
Shen Yuan’s eyes fluttered, his senses slowly returning as the sound of faint knocking echoed in his ears.
“Senior Brother Shen Yuan, are you awake?” a familiar female voice called from outside.
He groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Come in,” he said, his voice still sleepy.
The door slid open, and two lively figures entered the room—Chen Yue and Zhao Lian, two of his closest friends and disciples of Huo Rong and Bing Rong.
Chen Yue had an alluring hourglass figure, her long blonde hair tied into a high ponytail that enhanced her playful charm. Her mischievous smile and bright, sparkling eyes added to her energetic and captivating demeanor.
Zhao Lian, in contrast, was slightly petite, exuding a calm and composed aura. Her shiny black hair framed her delicate face perfectly, and her eyes held a quiet confidence that grew over time as others acknowledged her efforts.
“Finally awake, Senior Brother,” Chen Yue teased, crossing her arms with a smirk. “We thought we’d have to drag you out of bed.”
“Hmm, dragging me out of bed? Isn’t that a bit bold of you, Yue’er?” Shen Yuan replied with a lazy grin, his voice dripping with playfulness. “You could’ve at least waited for me to prepare a few things.”
Chen Yue’s face flushed slightly, but she quickly rolled her eyes, waving off his comment. “You are just becoming more and more shameless.”
Zhao Lian, who had been silently observing, smirked faintly. “We haven’t seen you in so long, and the first thing you do is tease Yue. Honestly, we expected nothing less.”
Shen Yuan stretched lazily, his toned muscles visible beneath his loose robes. “What can I say? I’ve missed both of you terribly. Surely you don’t mind a little affection?”
Chen Yue huffed, though her lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. “If by affection you mean shameless flirting, then yes, I do mind.”
Shen Yuan stood up, ruffling Chen Yue’s hair as he passed by her. “Don’t be so serious, Yue’er. You know you love it.”
Zhao Lian chuckled softly. “We’re here to escort you to the ceremony grounds. But at this rate, we might be late if you keep teasing Yue.”
Shen Yuan walked to the corner where his ceremonial robes were neatly folded, glancing over his shoulder at the two women. “You’ve both grown even more beautiful since I last saw you. How am I supposed to focus on a boring ceremony when I’ve got such lovely distractions?”
Chen Yue groaned, her face reddening further, while Zhao Lian shook her head, helpless amusement flashing in her silver eyes. “Senior Brother Shen Yuan, you’ve clearly been spending too much time in seclusion. You’re even more shameless than before.”
“After all, it’s the two of you,” Shen Yuan quipped, flashing a playful wink as he quickly changed into his robes behind a privacy screen. “Alright, let’s get going before I get lectured by the Sect Leader.”
Chen Yue muttered something under her breath, but her expression had softened, and Zhao Lian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
As they stepped outside together, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but glance at the two of them, feeling a genuine warmth in their presence.
[Looks like you are enjoying their company, huh.]
Shen Yuan softly smiled while walking ahead. ‘It has really been a long time since I last met with them.’
[But you visited them quite a few times as well before your seclusion. You just wanted an opportunity to tease them.]
‘Haha, no way.’
[Do you want them to join your harem as well?]
Shen Yuan got silent as he thought things through. ‘Not for now. I will let fate decide if we are meant to be together.’
…
As Shen Yuan and the two women made their way toward the ceremony grounds, the air between them was filled with a light-hearted atmosphere.
The morning sun bathed the sect’s intricate architecture in a golden glow, and the gentle hum of activity from other disciples echoed through the pathways.
Chen Yue glanced at Shen Yuan with suspicion. “Senior Brother, why are you being so silent all of a sudden? Are you planning something outrageous for the ceremony?”
Shen Yuan smirked, his sharp eyes gleaming mischievously. “Outrageous? Yue’er, you hurt me. I’m just appreciating the view.”
Chen Yue’s brow twitched, and she crossed her arms in front of her, her face flushing slightly. “If by ‘view’ you mean something inappropriate, I’ll make sure to tell my Master.”
“Oh? Go ahead, I don’t mind ‘facing off your master as well.” Shen Yuan gave a challenging smirk. ‘Of course, in bed.’
Zhao Lian giggled softly, seeing Chen Yue being teased. “Yue, don’t bother. You know Senior Brother likes teasing you so much. It’s probably his way of relaxing before the ceremony.”
Shen Yuan turned his attention to Zhao Lian, a sly grin playing at his lips. “Lian’er, since when did you become so calm and wise? Perhaps I should focus more of my attention on you instead.”
Zhao Lian raised her head, her silver eyes meeting his gaze with a hint of shyness. “It’s all thanks to you, Senior Brother. You became my pillar of strength after helping me so much. Without you, I wouldn’t have even become an Inner Sect Disciple, much less the disciple of Master.”
Shen Yuan smiled lightly and patted her head. “At least you don’t blush as easily as Yue’er now. That’s already a big step ahead.”
Chen Yue huffed, her arms flailing slightly. “Hey! Who said I blush easily? You two are ganging up on me!”