Heart's Disclosure: Sharing the Innermost Depths

Zi Qian lay on his bed, the moon casting a soft glow through the window, illuminating the turmoil in his mind. He stretched out his arm, fingers grazing the cool sheets, replaying the moment when the Prestigious Crown Prince had unexpectedly stolen his first kiss. With a mixture of confusion and frustration, he brought his hand to his lips, tracing the ghostly imprint left by the prince's touch.

"What have I done?" he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing as he contorted his face into a comical expression of distress. "I had envisioned sharing my first kiss with a beautiful woman, not..." He trailed off, unable to finish the thought. Closing his eyes, Zi Qian recalled the sensations that had surged through him during the stolen kiss. The fluttering in his stomach, the quickening of his heartbeat, the symphony of emotions that had coursed through him in that fleeting moment of intimacy. Despite his confusion, he couldn't deny the genuine connection he had felt with the prince, evidenced by the sincerity in his eyes as they locked in that brief, electrifying encounter.

As Zi Qian lay there, his thoughts swirling in the aftermath of his internal turmoil, his fingers absentmindedly toyed with the delicate amulet hanging around his neck. Lost in his reverie, he whispered softly, almost to himself, "Yu Xuan, are you still here?" The amulet glimmered faintly in response, but there was no immediate reply. "Yu Xuan?" Zi Qian called out again, a note of uncertainty creeping into his voice. Silence lingered, stretching the tension in the air until Zi Qian could bear it no longer. With a sudden surge of determination, he sat up, his gaze fixated on the amulet dangling before him. Then, just as he began to doubt, a brilliant burst of light erupted from the amulet, accompanied by a swirling crimson mist that coalesced into the form of Yu Xuan, seated beside him. Zi Qian's eyes widened in astonishment, his heart pounding in his chest as he beheld the unexpected apparition.

"You!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a mixture of shock. "What happened to you?" Yu Xuan inquired softly, his elbow nudging Zi Qian gently as if to offer comfort and support. "I can sense your distress. You can share with me if you want."

Zi Qian's gaze flickered between Yu Xuan and the floor, uncertainty etched on his features. Part of him longed to unburden himself, to pour out the conflicting emotions that churned within him.

"Come now, don't be so stubborn," Yu Xuan chided gently, his voice carrying the weight of millennia-old wisdom. "I can offer you guidance. After all, I've traversed more than ten thousand years of existence. There's little that I haven't seen or experienced."

Zi Qian's lips tightened, his expression guarded as he met Yu Xuan's unwavering gaze. "And why should I confide in you?" he retorted, his tone tinged with skepticism. "We're not even that close, old man."

A wry smile danced across Yu Xuan's lips as he leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, but you forget, young one," he countered, his voice laced with amusement. "It was this 'old man' who tended to you for an entire month while you lay in a coma. Who else but I would have watched over you with such dedication?"

"I don't believe you!" Zi Qian exclaimed, his skepticism unwavering.

"Mhmm!" Yu Xuan's response was calm, almost nonchalant, as if he had expected Zi Qian's disbelief. "That is your choice. But consider this: while your friends may have tended to you, it was my spirit essence that sustained you during your darkest hour. Without it, you would have perished long before." Zi Qian's eyes widened in realization, a flicker of uncertainty clouding his features. Despite his doubts, he couldn't deny the truth in Yu Xuan's words. "And stop calling me an old man," Yu Xuan added with a playful smirk, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Don't I look young?"

Though a sense of gratitude flickered within Zi Qian, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. He couldn't shake the memory of Yu Xuan's murky past, the tales of his alleged misdeeds and the lives he had purportedly harmed. With a furrowed brow, Zi Qian leveled a skeptical gaze at the ancient spirit. "You may have helped me, but for what purpose?" Zi Qian's voice held a note of accusation, his suspicions simmering beneath the surface. "Was it merely for your own selfish gain? Who else would willingly share their spirit essence? It's absurd!"

Yu Xuan's smile faltered, his expression momentarily clouded by Zi Qian's cutting remark. Yet, true to form, he quickly regained his composure, masking his discomfort with a casual chuckle.

"Well, that's not what we're here to discuss, is it?" he deflected smoothly, his tone light-hearted as he attempted to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic. "Just tell me, what happened to you?"

"Ugh, you're insufferable, old man!" Zi Qian's frustration bubbled to the surface, his irritation palpable as he shot a glare at Yu Xuan. He could feel the weight of Yu Xuan's gaze, like a playful challenge daring him to reveal his secrets. "My personal affairs are none of your business. Why can't you just leave it be?" Yu Xuan's eyes danced with amusement, a sly grin playing at the corners of his lips as he leaned in closer, his presence looming over Zi Qian like a mischievous shadow. "Oh, but where's the fun in that?" he teased, his voice a melodious blend of amusement and intrigue. "If you won't spill the beans, then I'll simply have to dig them out myself."

Zi Qian's heart hammered against his chest, his palms growing clammy as he warily eyed Yu Xuan's approach. He could feel the tension crackling in the air, thick with the promise of impending revelation. "W-what do you mean?" he stuttered, his voice betraying the tremor of fear that coursed through him. With a dramatic flourish, Yu Xuan closed the distance between them, his presence engulfing Zi Qian in an aura of ancient power. He leaned in closer, his breath ghosting over Zi Qian's ear as he whispered, "My dear little brother," his voice honeyed with mock sympathy, "I may be old, but I'm not without my tricks. With a mere touch, I can sift through the depths of your mind, uncovering every secret you try to hide."

Zi Qian's breath caught in his throat, his pulse thundering in his ears as he felt Yu Xuan's finger press against his forehead. The world seemed to tilt on its axis as a wave of panic washed over him, his mind racing with a million thoughts and fears. "I only need to look into your ey--" Yu Xuan's words were cut off as Zi Qian interjected hastily, a surge of panic propelling him to speak before the ancient spirit could delve into his mind.

"Wait!" Zi Qian's voice trembled with urgency, his eyes wide with apprehension as he sought to forestall Yu Xuan's probing gaze. He couldn't bear the thought of Yu Xuan witnessing the intimate moment he had shared with the Crown Prince in vivid detail. Better to reveal the truth himself than to risk exposing his vulnerability to the ancient spirit's scrutiny. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Zi Qian met Yu Xuan's gaze with a mixture of trepidation and resolve. "I'll tell you," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But please, don't... don't look. It's something I'd rather keep to myself."

Yu Xuan's chuckle echoed softly in the recesses of his mind, a silent acknowledgment of his successful manipulation. "That's the spirit, boy!" he exclaimed with feigned enthusiasm, his hand landing heavily on Zi Qian's shoulder in a congratulatory gesture. Zi Qian winced as Yu Xuan's palm made contact with his shoulder, a faint furrow knitting his brow in annoyance. Though he appreciated Yu Xuan's attempt at encouragement, he couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that gnawed at him. Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Zi Qian forced the words past the lump in his throat, his voice tinged with a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. "Someone... someone stole my first kiss," he confessed, his cheeks burning crimson with shame as he relived the memory.

"Well, that's hardly a cause for distress," Yu Xuan remarked casually, his tone tinged with reassurance. "A kiss is a symbol of affection, after all. There's no need to dwell on it." He continued, his voice gentle yet firm, "Kisses are meant to be shared between lovers, so what's the harm? If you have genuine feelings for someone, then there's no reason to fret over a stolen kiss." Zi Qian paused, a tumult of emotions swirling within him as he hesitated to reveal the full extent of his inner turmoil. "Wait, actually, I'm not finished," he interjected, his voice quavering with uncertainty. "The person I shared that kiss with... was the Crown Prince."

His words hung in the air, heavy with implications that threatened to unravel the delicate fabric of his world. "Why," he wondered aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, "among all the beautiful maidens in the kingdom, did he choose me, to bestow his affection upon?" Yet, amidst the confusion and self-doubt, there lingered a flicker of warmth, a memory of the fleeting moments of bliss he had shared with the Crown Prince. "But," Zi Qian continued, his voice gaining strength with each passing word, "despite the uncertainty, despite the turmoil... I felt good when I kissed him."

A wistful smile played at the corners of Zi Qian's lips as he recalled the sense of peace and contentment that washed over him whenever he was in the Crown Prince's presence. "I feel comfortable with him," he admitted, his voice tinged with longing. "Whenever we're together, all my stress melts away, and I can't help but smile."

"And just a few moments ago," Zi Qian's voice faltered slightly as he recounted the memory, his heart fluttering at the mere thought, "the way he confessed that he missed me... it sent goosebumps down my body." "I could feel it, you know," Zi Qian confessed, his voice tinged with wonder. "My heart pounding like a drum, the sincerity shining in his eyes, and every time he touches me, it's like a swarm of butterflies erupts in my stomach. But... what is that feeling?"

"That's love, you fool!" Yu Xuan exclaimed with exasperated amusement, unable to contain his laughter as he playfully smacked Zi Qian's shoulder once again. "What you're describing are classic symptoms of love! It's the Love Syndrome, my dear boy!" Zi Qian's eyes widened in realization, a flush of embarrassment creeping into his cheeks as he processed Yu Xuan's words. "Love Syndrome?" he repeated, the absurdity of the term sinking in. "Is that even a thing?" Yu Xuan nodded emphatically, his grin widening as he leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, it's very much a thing," he insisted, his voice brimming with mock seriousness." Congratulations, you're head over heels in love!"

"Ughh, that's not true!" Zi Qian protested, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as he brushed off Yu Xuan's teasing diagnosis. "And besides, what would a person like you know about love? Have you ever loved someone?" His words carried a sting of accusation, fueled by a lingering distrust of the ancient spirit's enigmatic past. "And who would love a once-evil person like you?" The barb struck deep, a pang of hurt flickering across Yu Xuan's features before he masked it with a wistful smile. "Ah, my dear Zi Qian," he murmured, his voice tinged with melancholy amusement. "You wound me with your words, but fear not. Love, like life, is full of surprises. And perhaps, even an evil fox like me can find a place in someone's heart but i highly doubt it."

A heavy sigh escaped Yu Xuan's lips as he cast a fleeting glance towards the horizon, his gaze clouded with longing. "But I must confess," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper, "the notion of reciprocated love feels like a distant dream, an unattainable fantasy that I dare not entertain." With a resigned shrug, Yu Xuan turned back to Zi Qian, a glimmer of sadness lingering in his eyes. "Nevertheless," he added with a faint smile, "we persevere, hoping against hope that one day, our silent prayers will be answered, and our love will find its rightful place in the world."

He paused, his gaze distant as he gathered his thoughts. "It's true," Yu Xuan continued, his voice heavy with the weight of his own unspoken longing. "Love cannot be forced, for it is the purest and holiest of emotions. And while it may seem futile to love someone who cannot return your feelings, remember that their happiness matters above all else." With a gentle pat on Zi Qian's shoulder, Yu Xuan rose to his feet, his expression unreadable as he turned to leave. Zi Qian's conscience gnawed at him as he watched the subtle changes in Yu Xuan's demeanor, his heart heavy with regret. "Was I too harsh?" he wondered silently, a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience.

Feeling the weight of his words, Zi Qian reached out, gently grasping Yu Xuan's wrist to halt his departure. "Where are you going?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "I'm going outside," Yu Xuan replied matter-of-factly, his tone betraying no hint of the turmoil raging within him.

"But no one knows you here," Zi Qian pointed out, his brow furrowing with confusion. Zi Qian's eyes widened in realization as Yu Xuan's explanation unfolded before him. "But earlier, you mentioned that you were planning to enter the academy as a disciple," he recalled, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What happened to that plan? Won't you still have to take the entrance exams? They can't just be postponed indefinitely."

in his eyes as he offered Zi Qian an understanding smile. "Ah, young man," he began, his tone gentle yet resolute. "I told you before that the Ghost Lotus Alliance sent a clone of you here. That means your clone has already cleared the exams on your behalf, allowing you to remain here without worry. Postponing the exams wouldn't make sense." A sense of relief washed over Zi Qian as he absorbed Yu Xuan's words, grateful for the unexpected turn of events. "And what about you?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued. "You mentioned reconsidering your plans. What did you decide?"

A mischievous twinkle danced in Yu Xuan's eyes as he leaned in closer, his voice conspiratorial. "Instead of rejoining as a student," he revealed with a sly grin, "I've decided to take a different path. After some consideration, I've decided to join as a teacher." "Teacher! Yu Xuan, are you mad?" Zi Qian exclaimed, his disbelief evident in his wide-eyed expression. "Do you honestly think they'll accept you as a teacher? You look like an 18-year-old young man!" Yu Xuan chuckled softly, a hint of confidence coloring his demeanor as he shrugged off Zi Qian's skepticism. "Come on, Zi Qian," he retorted, his tone playful yet assured. "I don't think they'll judge me solely based on my appearance. Besides, I possess a wealth of knowledge and skill in martial arts, and my cultivation has reached the highest spiritual rank. With mastery over the six great skills, I believe I have much to offer as a teacher. They may surprise you yet."

"The six great skills?" Zi Qian's curiosity piqued as he furrowed his brow in contemplation. "What are those?"

"I've never heard of them," he admitted, his voice tinged with intrigue as he awaited Yu Xuan's explanation.

"When the time comes, you'll learn all about them," Yu Xuan assured Zi Qian with a cryptic smile, leaving the details shrouded in mystery.