Lan Xichen was actually brought over to Puqi Shrine by Xie Lian. Since Wangji was ascending soon, Xie Lian wanted to talk about some things with him. Hua Cheng, Wangji and Hua Ying would also be there. Lan Xichen wanted to make amends with them and gain their trust again. He knows that he was manipulated by Jin Guangyao but he can't use that as an excuse entirely. He still hurt his Didi and Hua Ying.

"Hua Ying and Wangji have been working on mending their relationship," Xie Lian said, "Wangji will be ascending in a couple days. Him and Hua Ying both want to try and rekindle their relationship but Hua Ying has some concerns."

Lan Xichen looked at Hua Ying, "I am listening."

"I love Lan Zhan, Zewu Jun, and I want to be his forever. I am having a hard time wanting to fully commit to him because of your sect. My trust in you and your family was broken long ago, and I am not sure how long it may take to be fixed," Hua Ying told him, "I am willing to try to make it work for his sake."

"I know," Xichen said, "Shufu and I have not made it easy...especially me. I know I hurt you in such a horrible way but I am learning from my mistakes. I want my Didi to be happy. If he is happy outside of Cloud Recesses, I will support his decision...plus if he is ascending soon, him being a god makes him immortal so it wouldn't right to keep him inside the sect. He cannot be bound by it forever. I am okay with running the sect with Shufu."

"You mean that?" Wangji asked in a bit of surprise.

"I do," Xichen said, "I want you to be happy."

Wangji nodded, "thank you," he said and looked at Hua Ying, "what do you think?"

"He can visit you whenever he pleases of course, but I'm not sure how often I'd actually go to Gusu...I am a Ghost king now, and I am not exactly allow inside the sect as it is a rule for the kind of being I am," Hua Ying said.

"You and your parents can come to Cloud Recesses anytime," Xichen said, "I will even add to the rules that you and Hua Cheng are to be treated with respect."

Hua Ying grinned, "that would be a sight to see," he said and looked at Hua Cheng, "if they break it, we can paint the clan red with spider lilies and crimson rain."

Hua Cheng chuckled, "you are definitely my son."

"Imagine them all trying to wash the red out of their white robes," Hua Ying said.

Hua Cheng laughed again. Xie Lian cleared his throat and glared at the two, "behave you two," he said and looked at Hua Cheng, "San Lang, you are the parent, act like it."

"I am," Hua Cheng said, "I am supporting my son."

Xie Lian sighed and looked at Xichen, "I apologize on their behalf."

"No need," Xichen said, "I might find it interesting to see myself...Shufu might have a Qi Deviation though."

Hua Ying laughed, "he has one of those anytime his blood pressure spikes...which usually involves me in some way.

After speaking, Hua Ying felt a sudden rush of emotions running through him. They were mixed emotions, like pain, anger, sadness, betrayal, love, and anxiety. These emotions were not his own. They were Wangji's. Hua Ying looked at Wangji who was sitting beside him. Lan Wangji looked confused about something.

"Lan Zhan?" Hua Ying asked in a whisper, "are you alright?"

Wangji looked at Hua Ying and then his brother, "Xiongzhang, as much as I will always love my home, I am not sure if I want to return to Gusu again."

Everyone looked at Wangji a bit surprised. Hua Ying especially, "why?" He asked.

"There are nice memories there but the bad memories outweigh those," he replied, "I will visit of course but, I don't want to call it home anymore. It hasn't felt like home in a long time...not since I was betrayed by you and Shufu and you two refused to understand me."

Lan Xichen sighed and nodded in understanding, "I understand, but if you do not wish to go back, where will you go?"

Xie Lian smiled, "he has a place here, and after his ascension, he will have a place of his own in the heavenly kingdom. I'm sure Hua Ying wouldn't mind him staying in his old palace."

"It would be a shame to let it sit there gathering dust," Hua Ying said, "plus he'd only be there for certain periods of time."

"Gusu will always be there for you if you ever wish to return, but I will respect your decision. Shufu might take a bit more time to accept it but it is not too big of a problem. He will understand eventually," Xichen said.

"Xichen, I have been meaning to removed the shackles from you," Xie Lian said, "I trust you will be smart about your future."

Lan Xichen nodded and promised to be more careful. Xie Lian removed the shackles and Lan Xichen had his abilities, his luck, and his strength back. He was not going to waste his freedom this time, "thank you, I should get back to Gusu. Someone has to face Shufu eventually," he said.

"Thank you, and I apologize for putting this on you," Wangji said.

"It's alright," Xichen said and looked at Hua Ying, "if you don't mind me asking, how did you know something was wrong with Wangji before anyone else did?"

"I can feel his emotions," Hua Ying answered, "I can sense others auras, emotions, and intentions. I can tell if a person is being honest or not. It's an ability I have now that I am a full ghost king."

"Oh," Xichen said, "not that it may be necessary, just promise me you will love and protect my brother?"

"You have my word," Hua Ying replied.