Chapter Text
"Good grief..."
As the connection between the consciousness of Kunlun Mirror and the Divine Artifact was broken, the three of them could finally tinker and reveal the real body of the artifact.
Currently, Lan ShuangBi and Wei Wuxian had climbed out from the deep gorge, back to the top of the cliff they first started. It's Dawn already. The Sun crept out from the Eastern horizon slowly yet steadily, sending out beam after beam of elongated rays of light. The Cliff was still shrouded in thick mist, but the white clouds swirled gradually, revealing what was underneath.
A large expanse of translucent, almost illusory, gigantic piece of mirror.
The first time Wei Wuxian was awestruck at the size of another Being or Thing was back then when he saw the enormous form of Xuanwu. If the tortoiseshell of Xuanwu of Slaughter could be compared to the large training field of one Major Sect, then this mirror was no longer just one corner of a Major Sect dwelling. It's the entire Major Sect itself!
The colossus mirror floated in a large expanse, covering the entire canyon in Kunlun Mountain Range. Its outline was shaped by the swirl of pristine white clouds, curling on the edges of the artifact, forming the mirror's outer rims. The center of the mirror flickered slightly reflecting the faint rays of the Morning Sun, altering between reality and illusory.
It was mesmerizing.
The three Cultivators were silent for a long time, immersed in this magnificent moment, a view of mystical wonder.
The Legacy of Immortality.
It was Wei Wuxian who broke the silence with a sigh. "...Immortals, huh..."
Both Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen were quiet. However, they too, felt a tightness in their hearts. An indescribable feeling. It's similar to when people who had never seen the extensiveness of Sea, first came to a Sea Voyage. The feelings they had at the moment were exactly, the realization of how grand the Universe was, and how long the journey of Immortality was in truth.
Mortals called them Immortal Cultivators, but they were in fact, not Immortal. It's just a figure of speech. Even when referring to Immortal Baoshan Sanren, the respected oldest Senior known to this day, hadn't achieved true Immortality and had yet ascended to the Immortal Realm.
Immortality wasn't just living longer lifespans. Neither was it attained by being exempted from dying. The meaning of Immortal in Cultivation was turning into a whole brand new Being. Becoming a Deity. Obtaining a Godhood. Becoming a God wasn't to prove purity, but to prove enlightenment in the Dao, in the path the Cultivators had chosen.
Kunlun Mirror, was one of the legacies of Immortal Realm.
It silently reminded the people that the world of Immortality did exist.
It's there. Waiting for the Cultivators to ascend.
These few acres of land of the Cultivation World they had been fighting and guarding for years, were frankly just a small corner of the entire Universe.
The status, power, and reputation that the Cultivation Clans had been pursuing, seemed so fleeting compared to the real goal of Cultivation: Ascension to the Higher Realm.
"Tsk tsk, such a Giant Baby. We're practically entering the belly of the mirror when we descend upon the cliff." Wei Wuxian caressed his chin and thought out loud in amusement.
"Giant Baby?" Lan Xichen stifled a peal of laughter.
"Isn't it? The Consciousness wasn't that old compared to the age of the Mirror itself. It's practically a Giant Baby luring travelers inside."
The mirror was a Treasure (Bǎo), and the consciousness was still a Baby (BǎoBǎo). Therefore, it's a literal and metaphorical Giant Baby.
"Ahh...If you said it that way, it does seem fitting." Lan Xichen thought about the pun and laughed. "But, how about fellow Cultivator Bai? Have you found out the reason for his death?"
Lan Wangji who'd been silent until now finally opened his mouth to respond, "He should have been someone whom the Mirror trying to take possession of before us. Kunlun Mirror magnifies one's Heart, inducing a general obsession before death to strengthen, resulting in the rise of his corpse."
Seeing Wei Wuxian nodding in approval, Lan Xichen sighed, "So that was it...But why Bai Lian and not others?"
Wei Wuxian laughed at this before explaining, "It's simple! Because Brother Bai was the most handsome among the other visitors!"
When it came to "Handsome Brothers" and "Pretty Ladies", Wei Wuxian's aesthetic had never been wrong. He knew from the start, Bai Lian was the most handsome among the other corpses there. The Kunlun Mirror was awfully picky at deciding which vessel it would occupy. Naturally, it wanted to pick the best, including the appearance.
"Just because...he was the most good-looking?" Lan Xichen felt a little funny at this thought.
"Well, not just due to appearance." Wei Wuxian smiled and guessed, "His soul too, most likely, should be the purest one, something that the Mirror took a fancy for. Just look at his obsession, it was to see his family member being happy. Such a person, don't you think he must have such an innocent heart?"
Lan Xichen nodded his head in understanding and sighed once more. "In any case, it's unfortunate for him to be..."
Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Double Jades and sighed in his heart. It was indeed unfortunate. If either one of them were to be occupied by the Mirror, how depressing would it be for him?
Lan Wangji asked, "The other people, what happened to them?"
"Ahh, that is, what Wei-Gongzi has said before about the real reason for the howls, and after hearing that, matching with their cause of death, poisoning, it's easy to know what the source of poison actually is."
Lan Wangji thought for a second and seemed to understand. "Volcanic poisonous gas."
Kunlun Mountain Range was known for its Hot Springs. In some cases, Hot Springs would release highly toxic gas that was able to kill humans upon inhalation. Oftentimes, without them noticing it at all before they abruptly keeled over in the death door. Cultivators had yet culminated Iron Muscles and Bronze Bones for their bodies. They were still vulnerable to Natural hazards, especially in a gaseous state they couldn't detect.
Lan Xichen hummed and said, "Regardless, even if their death turns out to be due to natural hazards, Kunlun Mountain itself is the holy place of us Cultivators with various mystical wonders."
KunlunShan itself after all, was the Axis of the World. The Mountain Range pointed directly to the Northern Constellation, the Seven Stars, the Big Dippers, the anchor in every array and ritual in Taoism. Its seventh star was called Tiānguān (天關), Heavenly Pass, opened up the way to Heavenly Realm. Kunlun Mountain Range represented the direction towards the north celestial pole and the communication channel between Earth and Heaven.
"...It is no wonder that Kunlun Mirror appears here." Lan Wangji agreed and glanced toward Wei Wuxian who at some point had disappeared to another corner of the cliff.
Wei Wuxian had been looking around when the two of them were talking. After the mists receded in the cliff, the sight had become clearer. He was unable to see it properly yesterday, but now, he could observe the location better.
"So, should we just leave it here? Or bring the Mirror back to Gusu?" He asked as soon as he went back to their spot.
He looked at Lan Xichen and said, "Kunlun Mirror appeared here, the source of all Qi. But Gusu Mountain itself has an excellent Feng Shui. A lush, vibrant mountain shrouded in natural mists all year round, rich in Earthly and Heavenly Qi. If you're willing, I'm sure the Cloud Recesses can accommodate this Big Baby."
"Well..." Lan Xichen had to consider a lot of things before deciding what to do with this Divine Artifact.
Lan Wangji himself had another concern. "How are we going to bring it?"
"If you ask me..." Wei Wuxian mused with interest, marveling at the colossus Mirror.
He thought for a moment, and said, "Teleportation? If we study and tinker with the runes in the teleportation talisman, we might discover some way how to teleport things. It's a Divine Mirror, a Spiritual Artifact, in essence, it shouldn't be that hard to modify the teleportation runes to be able to teleport the mirror like it works on Cultivators."
Lan Wangji deduced the probability of such an idea and inferred Wei Wuxian's proposal to be feasible. The problem with how to transfer was solved. The only left would be, whether they'd bring the Mirror back or not.
The two of them focused their gaze on Lan Xichen, waiting for his decision. Lan Xichen felt their gaze and chuckled helplessly. "Don't look at me. You two are giving me too much pressure."
"Don't mind us, Zewu-Jun." Wei Wuxian grinned and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, mimicking how a Senior would encourage their Juniors to think about some assignments. "Take it easy. Go ahead and think slowly."
Lan Xichen clasped his grabby paws and apprehended it securely.
He said later, "Well...we can just leave it here as it originally is. But leaving such a potent Divine Artifact in the middle of nowhere might lead to various consequences. You should understand without me saying. Besides, the only ones who would like to travel around here weren't just us, but anyone else could. Now that the Mirror is out in the open and the consciousness is no more to mislead others, the discovery will just be around the corner."
Wei Wuxian enthusiastically followed, "Then, bring it back?"
Lan Xichen glanced at him and smiled. "If we bring it back, the two of you should also understand what this leads into."
"Uproar." Lan Wangji uttered quietly.
Lan Xichen nodded. "Exactly."
What did it mean to bring a Kunlun Mirror, back to the Cloud Recesses?
The implication was more than just employing Xuanwu of Slaughter as their Sect's Guardian.
It's a damn Divine Artifact! A prehistoric treasure. The legendary relic of Immortal Realm.
The impact of possessing such laurels was more than obtaining the coveted Yin Tiger Tally. If the Tally showcased the unadulterated power many people had seen, the Kunlun Mirror represented both prestige and supremacy. It elevated the sovereignty of Cultivators from the truest essence of their identity, of an Immortal Cultivator.
This means it would put GusuLan at the forefront of the public's attention.
"Hey...look at us." Wei Wuxian joked, "Lan Zhan, back then we just camped for some days in some cave but we got to slay a Xuanwu of Slaughter. Now, the three of us just play around in some mountain, and we obtain ourselves a Kunlun Mirror. Next time we go out, what do you think we will find?"
Lan Wangji lowered his eyelids. "...That needs to be seen until the real outing."
Wei Wuxian laughed softly. "You're right. But the aftermath of the Kunlun Mirror's discovery should be quite huge and take a long time to settle. Wait until that day, and let's go to have an outing again together...right, Lan Zhan?"
Lan Xichen remained silent.
Lan Wangji pressed his lips tightly for a while before releasing it and replied, similarly softly, "...Mn."
He didn't say it plainly before during the confession in the gorge, or even just now.
But, Wei Wuxian can't leave Lan Xichen.
It was more than just being unable to betray his spouse, but also he knew Lan Wangji never really meant to ask him to elope together and leave.
Lan Wangji delivered such sentences to express his grievance, selfishly wanting to know the chance to be picked over someone else.
But it wasn't his wish.
Then, what was his wish?
Wasn't that obvious?
To let Wei Wuxian understand his feelings and accept them.
"The song I sang for you, it has a name. WangXian."
WangXian.
From Wangji to Wuxian.
I hope that someday this overflowing feeling will reach to you.
And it's been finally conveyed.
Wei Wuxian had responded, "The name of the song, I like it."
Lan Xichen shifted his eyes to look somewhere else.
The clench on his palms unfurled.
Followed by the unfurling of a smile on the corner of his lips that he couldn't stop.
He said,
"Let's just bring it back."
Wei Wuxian heard Lan Xichen spoke. He raised his brow slightly. "Are you sure?"
Lan Wangji was also looking at him, seeking confirmation.
After a pause, Lan Xichen gave a solemn look at the two people in front of him and spoke seriously, "Wangji, Wei-Gongzi, the two of you must have understood the implication of the decision I made today. My choice right now will highly affect how our Sect will become in the future. It is related to the direction in which GusuLan will be headed, not only a few years later but also generations ahead. Therefore, if you have a contention against my decision, you may speak right now, and let's discuss it to find some common ground."
The discovery and revelation of the Kunlun Mirror would undoubtedly spark countless impacts on the Cultivation World.
It displayed the Wonder of Immortal Land. It would remind the Cultivators of their true journey in Cultivation. It would change the course of Cultivators' pursuit.
A few months ago, Lan Xichen envisioned Wei Wuxian's inventions and their correlation with the probability of future trajectories.
Wei Wuxian's auxiliary tools for adventure, and the appearance of Kunlun Mirror, it would mean the booming of further exploration in every corner of the Cultivation World. The urge and desire to explore would heighten. People's interests would change. As their mindset changed, the future of the Cultivation World would have to undergo huge reformation.
The question would be, Is GusuLan ready to be the eye of the storm?
Will he, Lan Xichen, be able and dare to face such an important turning point and be That Person who brings change in history?
Wei Wuxian was truthfully surprised at Lan Xichen's decision. The gentle Zewu-Jun should have preferred tranquility. Should have embraced cordiality. Should have been someone who stood in the middle ground, a peacemaker, promoting harmony and stability.
If there's someone bold enough to take upon this chance, it should be Wei Wuxian. It would never be Lan Xichen. It should have been that way.
Since when had it been changed?
When did Lan Xichen start to change?
Lan Xichen saw the silent inquiry in his younger brother's eyes, and the undisguised wonder in Wei Wuxian's gaze.
He smiled and suddenly uttered a question, "Wuxian, Wangji, don't you think...it is time to open up a new era?"
Sunshot Campaign had ended.
It brought down the Goliath of Wen Clan's dominance for nearly 600 years in history.
It would be a lie to say this change didn't bring any transition in the Cultivation World.
What kind of modification?
Who would start the metamorphosis?
Previously, perhaps even a few months ago, Lan Xichen was just a passive bystander. He would just passively be a Sect Leader of GusuLan Sect. He would just passively be a member of the Hundreds of Cultivation Clans.
Peacefully following the crowds.
Peacefully let however the people around him decide how the destiny of their world would be.
Peacefully stood on his ground, just being Zewu-Jun who smiled and radiated kindness to every being.
Whatever happened in the turbulence of the World itself had nothing to do with him. Neither was he willing to partake of it nor did he have a desire to be the one leading it. Just there, exist, drifting in the river of fate.
But all of it changed after that one night in Jinlintai.
His life had been turned upside down, it was revised from top to bottom. It wasn't just him as a person who had been affected. It was no longer about his private life. Everything about Lan Xichen, his view, his stance, his aspirations, his thinking, every part of him had to be rectified.
Lan Xichen was still Lan Xichen.
He still loved Peace and stability.
But he was no longer a Passive Player.
He wouldn't let others decide his destiny.
He would no longer allow others to lead him by the nose.
He refused to give others a chance to play the fate of the people around him however they wanted.
Lan Xichen understood, that even if he continued being a passive person, would others obediently be passive parties?
Just because he had no desire or avarice, would others be similar to him and content to live their current life?
Just because he had no wicked intention, would others also be free of malice in their hearts?
When those who declined to remain decorous implemented their ambitions, would Lan Xichen be spared from the turbulence they might create in the process?
People were sleeping innocently, but disaster fell from the sky.
No one could predict the hearts of other people.
His plight in Jinlintai was the sole example.
Even if he wasn't funnily enough to be dragged into the wrong pit, would that mean he'd be exempted from the turbulence otherwise?
Let's say that Wei Wuxian was the only one being implicated, but would that mean Lan Xichen could stay on the sideline?
Considering Wei Wuxian's personality, that was very unlikely. The young man was the kind of person who'd hit back at the person who hit him and wouldn't stay silent when being bullied. Wei Wuxian wouldn't have been obedient and complied with LanlingJin's wish. A direct confrontation most likely happen. Considering how poor the temper of the young man had been at that period, a straightforward fight would commence.
Once a fight broke out, it was no longer important what's the cause of the fight. Their attention would be occupied mostly by Wei Wuxian's audaciousness to start a fight with a banquet Host, still in other people's Sect ground. In that case, as a Sworn Brother of Jin Guangyao, would Lan Xichen be able to stay passively aside? No, he wouldn't. He would be dragged to the side of LanlingJin. To condemn Wei Wuxian who was hateful and arrogant enough to flaunt his power in other Clan's home.
If the battle escalated further, death would be a sure result.
See? Even if it wasn't Lan Xichen who had an ulterior motive — even if the pit was directed at someone else — even if he didn't want to be a busybody who poked in others' business — even if he didn't mistakenly fall into the pit — Lan Xichen would still be implicated in the turbulence.
The Lan Cultivators that Lan Xichen brought might die, because of someone else's problem, due to someone else's ambition.
Lan Xichen was not a Fool.
He was one of the prodigies exalted in his generation.
As a person, Lan Xichen himself had a flexible mind, willing to adapt and accept diversity, which means, he wasn't an ignoramus person who failed to discern reality. The very proof of it was the fact that the Sunshot Campaign was first put forward by the 20-year-old Lan Xichen, who had just lost his father and their Sect's Pride, the Library Pavilion. Back then, he'd understood the current affair and wasn't stupid to just lay in wait but actively pushed the changes in the Cultivation World.
Experience is the Best Teacher.
After experiencing firsthand the unpredictable nature of fate, it's to be expected for Lan Xichen to also learn and be enlightened about the inevitable outcome.
He had the power, the ability, the capital, the reputation, the prestige, and the people who would support him unconditionally.
Therefore, why would he let others do whatever they want and decide the destiny of his and those he cherishes?
Don't you think...it is time to open up a new era?
Upon Lan Xichen's seemingly abrupt question, Wei Wuxian quickly digested all the meaning and implications beyond, and afterward, he laughed out loud.
Clutching his stomach and letting out unbridled laughter with mirth.
He wondered before, since when did Lan Xichen change?
But he realized, that Lan Xichen didn't change.
He was evolving.
As a Sect Leader and as a person.
As a Sect Leader, he started to think more about how to improve his entire Sect further.
As a person, he started to be enlightened more about his identity, a Cultivator.
What he sought wasn't just status and self-importance, but Cultivation itself.
That's why he would not only contemplate how to bring his entire Sect ahead, but also how to reform the Cultivation World, to flourish once again the glory of Cultivation.
It wasn't just about status, but the Great Wonders lay beyond "Cultivation" itself.
'Ahhh...how mesmerizing...'
The illusion in the Kunlun Mirror was wrong about one thing.
Lan Wangji had never been the lesser Jade.
Truthfully speaking, in Wei Wuxian's eyes, he was someone who shone brilliantly, the brightest star in the sky. The embodiment of his title, Hanguang-Jun, the Light Bearer.
Wei Wuxian admired and respected Lan Wangji from the bottom of his heart, as an individual who stayed true to himself. Holding on tight to his conscience. Steadfast. Worthy of his Heart, Worthy of the world.
A trait that, unfortunately, the previous Lan Xichen was unable to perfectly exhibit.
But now, in front of him, no more cases of stars shading the other,
Only Two Illustrious Jades remained.
Each shone brightly with their own brilliance.