"How long do you think your parents will be away?" Wangji asked.

"Not sure, they are probably going to stay there until they know what went wrong with my trial," Hua Ying replied.

"What trial?" Wangji questioned.

"Heavenly Calamity," Hua Ying answered, "it's a trial that a god can go through to advance in their abilities. I am young but I am not a full martial god yet. I have a core like you do until I pass the trial and I pass to gain my martial god status."

"What about you being part ghost?" Wangji asked.

"I also have to go to Mount Tonglu in the future to go through a devastation to reach my A'Die's status as a supreme but I gave a long time before I do that," Hua Ying said.

"What would you have to do there?" Wangji asked.

"Tonglu Mountain is a live volcano and giant mountain range that used to be the Kingdom of Wuyong. Within the volcano lies the City of Gu, which will open its gates every few hundred years and grant ghosts the opportunity to become a Supreme, a ghost of the highest rank. The core of the mountain is called the Kiln. The Kiln is the birthplace of Supreme ghosts. If the last standing ghost is able to break out of the Kiln, they would reach Devastation level of power. If they aren't strong enough they will suffocate and be burned to ashes," Hua Ying explained.

"You have to go through a heavenly trial but also a trial for ghosts?" Wangji asked, "why not one or the other?"

"My parents told me I am what will be the balance of the realms," Hua Ying replied, "mastering both Yin and Yang. I gave my Baba's morals and my A'Die's strength."

Wangji nodded, "You are willing to let me follow you?" He asked.

Hua Ying nodded, "of course...not only because we love each other, but every god needs followers. The more followers, and blessings, the stronger they are."

"So Ghosts gain strength the more they fight, but god's gain strength by merits and blessings," Wangji said.

"Mnn," Hua Ying said, "there is a little more to it but that's the gist of it."

"So what is this place your Baba brought us?" Wangji asked.

Hua Ying carefully stood up and took Wangji over to the altar, "this is Puqi Shrine. My Baba is the god they worship here. He built the shrine himself. His story is...unique."

"How so?" Wangji asked.

"Have you heard of the story of the crown prince of Xian Le, Xie Lian?" Hua Ying asked, "his First ascension was when he was only seventeen...he went through a long series of trials and misfortunes and ascended three times."

"I have heard of that story," Wangji said, "despite what others said, he wanted to protect the people. He didn't grant wealth or fertility, but he tried to provide protection and safety."

"Mnn," Hua Ying nodded, "my A'Die followed him for eight-hundred years."

"Are you willing to tell me about their history?" Wangji asked.

Hua Ying smiled, "of course," He replied, "it's definitely a story that can break your heart but it's also something that gives you a reason to keep fighting. The love my parents have for each other is rare."

"I can tell," Wangji said, "especially when a god and a ghost king pair together."

Hua Ying smiled, "I am god and ghost and you are a cultivator who is working their way up to becoming a god. So talk about pairs."

"Mnn," Wangji hummed.

"By the way, I do apologize for just dropping in and crashing your engagement banquet," Hua Ying said as he sat down on the bed again.

Wangji huffed, "it's fine," he said, "I am glad you did. I learned some things I should have learned a long time ago."

"What do you plan on doing now then? I am sure you have to go back to Gusu eventually," Hua Ying questioned.

"I know, but it would only be to tell Shufu I am sticking with you," Wangji said.

"I'm sure my parents could talk to him for you," Hua Ying said, "after all they can be pretty persuasive."

"Is that with or without threats?" Wangji asked.

"Either way works," Hua Ying said, "my A'Die would probably make threats while my Baba would rather speak civilly."

"Such a contrast," Wangji said.

"Tell me about it. Then again, I was happy to be away from the two for a little while. I could sleep without having to place a privacy barrier over my room to keep the sounds from coming into my room," Hua Ying said.

"Sounds?" Wangji asked.

"Er-Gege, you are indeed still innocent," Hua Ying teased.

Wangji's ears turned a bright pink, "shameless."

"You don't want to hear about my parent's nightly affairs?" Hua Ying asked in a flirtatious tone, "you might learn something."

"Hua Ying!" Wangji warned, "we are alone but you are injured. I would hate for your parents to also just walk in if you are trying to seduce me."

"Is it working?" Hua Ying asked.

"If you wish to keep this up, there is a chance you will regret it," Wangji warned.

"Why would I regret loving you?" Hua Ying asked and stood before Wangji. He then placed his hands on Wangji's chest, "would you really ever hurt me? Especially right now when I am already injured?"

"I do not want to do that," Wangji said, "I love you and I know that your teasing can actually get me riled up. So please just take it easy for right now."

Hua Ying slid his hands up and wrapped them around Wangji's neck, "you do realize I am actually a lot older than you think."

"How old are you then?" Wangji asked.

"Two hundred years old," Hua Ying answered, "I look like I am in my late teens to early twenties, but I'm actually two hundred."

"And you have been calling me Er-Gege," Wangji said, "I should be calling you Gege."

Hua Ying giggled, "the mighty and stone cold Hanguang Jun saying such informal words? That does not sound like you."

"You never no, I have changed over the past few years since we have met," Wangji said.

"Still, you wouldn't call me that, you are too proper to call me Gege...and it makes it sound like my A'Die addressing my Baba as he calls him Gege," Hua Ying said.

"Well, I won't call you that then," Wangji said, "as long as you behave."

"No promises," Hua Ying told him and placed a kiss on Wangji's cheek.