Chapter Text
Xie Lian walked along a desolate dirt road, his white robes trailing behind him in a fluttering motion. He looked up at the cloudless sky adjusting his battered bamboo hat. He sighed lightly as he closed his eyes and mindlessly shrugged his shoulders, hoisting the sack of scraps and garbage on his back higher.
A low grumble was heard as Xie Lian stopped in his footsteps. His eyes drifted to the side where a dense forest lay. A cryptic aura seemingly draped over the entirety of it. Xie Lian raised an eyebrow as his body turned towards the forest, mild curiosity overtaking his mind as he stepped forward.
A few steps ahead and Xie Lian now stood in front of the cryptic forest. He narrowed his eyes before reaching his hand out to part a rather dense bush so he would be able to access the forest.
His hand had barely touched the distinct leaves of the bush before a rush of air and light assaulted his eyes and senses. He let out a surprised gasp as he shut his eyes tightly, the light beginning to burn his eyes.
The light grew brighter and wind whipped at his face and visible skin, his bamboo hat being thrust backwards and off his head.
Xie Lian suddenly felt a heavy wave of dizziness wash over him as he seemingly whirled around. His eyes grew heavy and soon he shut them, his body going lax in the light like a tornado.
***
Xie Lian groaned softly, his hands instinctively coming up to rub at his forehead. His eyebrows shot up as he slowly opened his eyes, once again his eyes being assaulted by bright light. He quickly turned his head to the side and he opened his eyes once more. Xie Lian blinked a few times allowing them to adjust. His eyes landed on several pairs of boots, some of them shuffling their feet and others standing almost stock still.
A hand suddenly grasped his shoulder, fingers slightly digging into the thin fabric of his robes. Xie Lian quickly turned his head to see a 15-16 year old girl staring at him. She had ragged clothes and her hair was quite disheveled.
Xie Lian's eyes landed on her as he gave a soft smile, though his eyes held confusion in them. The girl seemed to have some sort of recognition, from the way her dim purple eyes seemed to light up. The hand that still grasped his white robes clenched tighter into the fabric as the girl opened her mouth.
“G-general Hua…” The girl fumbled around the words.
Xie Lian laid still for a moment before he shot up right, his head pounding with the unexpected action. He twisted his body so he was now facing the girl in an upright position. His eyes softened ever so lightly as he took the girl in once more.
“Ban Yue?” He said in a soft tone trying to confirm that this girl was in fact the same little girl who had stolen his food.
The girl's eyes watered as she let out a barley muffled sob throwing herself at Xie Lian. Her hands came to entangle themselves in his long brown hair and his white robes.
“Yes! It’s me! I-I'm Ban Yue!” She sobbed into his robes. Xie Lian let out a soft chuckle as one of his hands came to slowly rub comforting circles into Ban Yue’s back.
“You have grown a lot…” He murmured as he continued his methodically circling motion. “I’m…sorry for leaving you alone back then.”
Ban Yue simply hugged him tighter as she cried just a little harder.
“No! Don't be sorry, please!” She withdrew from Xie Lian’s robes as she sniffed, coming face to face with him. She furiously wiped the tears that ushered from her eye.
Xie Lian rested his hand on top of her disheveled hair and patted softly.
Ban Yue chuckled lightly, feeling the familiar gesture.
Before either of the two could continue their conversation a voice rang out in the room they had been sitting in. Xie Lian looked up from Ban Yue, his hand coming to her back in a protective manner. He hadn't even noticed where they were.
“Ahem. Hello everyone!” A soft yet firm voice called out from the front of the room. A girl stood in front of everyone, her eyes flicking around the room.
Everyone turned their heads towards the front, many gaped at the young woman, and many took a defensive stance.
An armored general spoke up after a few minutes of tense silence. He straightened his form and glared at the young woman.
“Who are you? Where are we?!” The general practically roared. His golden eyes flashing with uneasiness and rage at the same time.
“Well first of all I want you all to know that I will not hurt you.” The young woman responded, her voice soft as she looked at the armored general. “Second of all you are in my own personal room!” She exclaimed with a hint of joy as she lent out a small smile.
The general who had spoken first seemed to step back slightly, his hand roaming over his body to reach for his bow. The young woman noticed and her smile faltered at the slight.
“Please General Nan Yang refrain from bringing any unnecessary violence into this area.” The young woman gave him a small smile before she turned away and faced the rest of the immortals and a few ghosts in the room.
“Alrighty! You can all call me Quinn.” The young woman stated as she looked in the crowd of people before her eyes landed on Xie Lian. She smiled at him, her hand coming up in front of her in a beckoning type of motion.
Xie Lian’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he slowly stood up. Ban Yue slowly followed his motion and stood next to his side holding the long sleeve of his robe. Quinn chuckled softly as she gave an approving nod.
“Your highness.” She spoke in a soft tone as she bowed slightly towards Xie Lain. “Please come to the front. You can bring Ban Yue along as well.”
Xie Lian startled slightly at the greeting, smiling sheepishly as he walked to the front of the room to stand a few feet away from Quinn. Ban Yue followed behind him, holding his robe.
“Okay now that I know everyone is here we can get down to the seating part.” Quinn loudly announced as she pointed to the chairs that were in a few rows. “I have the chairs labeled and everything but for the sake of doing this fast and without a hitch I will sit you all by myself.” Her eyes drifted to Xie Lian and she gestured towards the front row of chairs.
She motioned to a red theater chair that was smack in the middle of the first row. Xie Lian followed her gaze and jumped as he made his way to the chair.
“Do you want me to sit here?” He asked, scratching at his chin.
“Yes, your Highness.” Quinn confirmed as she stepped forward towards Xie Lian whispering something into his ear that the others couldn't hear. “I made sure that this chair was the nicest I could find.”
Xie Lian gave her a close eyes smile as he slowly sat down on the chair, practically sinking into the cushion. He looked back up at Quinn and she smiled at him before she turned away and towards Ban Yue.
“Ban Yue you get to sit next to General Hua. Is that alright?” Ban Yue looked up at her before she looked at Xie Lian jumping onto the seat on Xie Lian’s right.
“Alrighty that must be a big yes.” Quinn nodded to herself before straightening back up. “Okay. The person who sits on his highness’s right side is San Lang.” Quinn announced before turning to face General Nan Yang next. “General Nan Yang you sit next to San Lang and General Xuan Zhen you sit next to Ban Yue.”
Mu Qing who was leaning against the back wall of the room looked up and scowled. He rolled his eyes as he walked down towards the front row and plopped down into the cushion chair, not even sparing a look at Ban Yue.
Feng Xin walked over in a much more calm manner and sat down in his assigned seat.
Quinn nodded to herself mentally celebrating for not putting the two together. Her eyes landed on the empty seat next to Xie Lian and sighed. “San Lang, please sit down.” She called as she watched the familiar figure emerge from a corner.
A young man walked over towards the front of the room before plopping down into the seat next to Xie Lian. He wore maple colored clothing of high nature and he had sleek black hair that was put up in a carefree ponytail.
Xie Lian glanced beside him to examine the young man named San Lang. Xie Lian noted his handsome yet youthful face and the way his eyes showed almost like stars.
San Lang looked over at Xie Lian and grinned, he began to open his mouth before he was cut off.
“Please refrain from talking for a little while so I can get this seating arrangement done.” Quinn spoke as she began to name out seating places. “So sitting behind General Xuan Zhen is General Ming Guang. Then next to him we will have Ling Wen.” Quinn paused as she watched the two immortals make their way to their assigned seats.
“Next we have the Emperor Jun Wu. Then the last two spots will be filled with the wind master and the earth master.” Quinn turned her back once everyone was seated and stepped towards a large black surface. She reached upwards and clicked a button before a strange wheezing sound entered the room.
“Right. Before we get started, any questions?” Feng Xin raised his hand. Quinn nodded towards him waiting for the question.
“Why are we here?” He asked as he squeezed his hands together in a somewhat nervous state.
“Well you are all here to react to your future!” Quinn explained as her eyes landed on Xie Lian.
“What…How is that possible!?” Pei ming called out as he huffed with annoyance.
“Don't know and don't really care to explain. So since there are no more questions, let's get this started.” Quinn gleefully explained as she clapped her hands, the screen turning on behind her. She bowed slightly as she exited the now quiet room.