Wei Ying's POV:

I could smell the Peonies. Opening my eyes I found myself in the spiritual world and Suibian was kneeling in front of me.

Suibian.

"Please don't kneel in front of me" I smile at my old friend who has been faithful to me ever since I was young "you and I are equal". I gesture him to stand by my side and turn to I gaze at the tree. The only Peony tree in this beautiful realm.

"Master Wei" his voice was soft yet firm. Looking into his eyes, I noticed they were exhausted. He had to be, I have troubled him too much in his lifetime.

"I hope you can forgive me Suibian" I smile as his eyes widen "for I was not a good master to you. You have suffered too much in my hands and now because I yet again gave up my core, you're losing your life too".

"Not at all Master Wei, it has been an utmost privileged to have served you and Hanguang-Jun. During my last moments, I could finally acknowledge him to be your rightful partner. I am thankful to have been a part of your journey. I have no regrets" his voice was soft but I detected a sadness in his eyes and I knew the reason.

Looking beyond him I greeted the spirits who were walking closer to us.

Chenqing, Wangji and ultimately Suibian's partner Bichen whose eyes were solemn with pain and anguish.

Bowing down they greeted me and I thanked each of them for they are valiant soldiers.

Bichen's eyes were only for Suibian. He knew after today they'd never meet again for a very long time. Their separation was inevitable and they were aware of it.

I could feel their despair. I have been through the same. Lan Zhan has been through the same too.

Unable to bear the pain, Bichen was before Suibian taking him into his warm embrace. Chenqing and Wangji amble away giving them their privacy as I turn to look up at the beautiful sky above us. I am reminded of the promise I made to Lan Zhan. 'I'll be back soon. I have few ends that need a conclusion, wait for me'.

Suibian was starting to grow weaker and panic set in Bichen. I could his desperate pleas and my heart could no longer bear this pain.

Turning to look at the two lovers who never had the chance to be together, I knew I was at fault for this. It was my powers that made them be apart and I knew that only The Yiling Patriarch could undo the wrong.

Walking closer to them I bow down with my apology "I am sorry. I never wished for this to happen but I do know a way you two can be together" I pause as their eyes lighten with hope "nothing can stop Suibian from leaving this realm and ascending to the immortal realm but I do have the power to bless the two of you for this one boon until you're together forever" I point towards the tree "every year when this Peony tree blooms you two will meet eachother for one night. Remember the time flow is much slower here than the one of the mortal world. I know it isn't enough but eventually you will find eachother again. That's my promise".

Placing my hand on his shoulders, I pull him for a hug and whisper my lifetime of gratitude "You have been faithful to me. My sole friend when I had none. You saw me when I was just a boy to grow up into man who could no longer be your master. But yet, when I wanted you the most, you've always been there. Thank you" parting I cup his cheeks and look at Bichen "you have sometime left with you until he fades away. Use it well until you can be with him again" a rouge tear trails from Bichen's eyes "and Bichen, thank you for being there for my Lan Zhan" looking back at both of them I bow "until we meet again" I close my eyes and that was the last time I met Suibian.

"Wei Wuxian" a familiar voice calls for me and I turned around to find the man for without his help, we wouldn't have won this battle.

"Chìfēng-zūn (Nie Mingjue)" I bow and he reciprocates my salute.

"Which is this place?" He questions and I look around "I believe this is purgatory" and he nods as I continue "thank you for your help, if not for your guidance we would not have won this time".

"No Wei Wuxian, you would have always found a way. I need to apologise for what we all did back then. I am not saying that The Yiling Patriarch was right but you were not bad either".

"Let bygones be bygones Nie Mingjue. Did you meet your brother and make peace with him?" I enquire.

"Yes, thank you for this opportunity that allowed to meet him and make my amends. He was shocked but he understood the intricacies. He's not a bad kid Wei Wuxian, just a brother who dearly loved his elder" Nie Mingjue's eyes were at peace and it was time for him to bid his farewell.

"From here on you're no longer a resentful spirit and thus you shall be ascending to the Immortal realm. Whether you chose to be reborn or not, you can decide eventually. Be well" I bow. With a small smile I see him fade away and remember his message to me when I was in the Burial Mountain.

As I tried to contact the corpses around, it was with his spirit that I connected. It was he who informed me about Jin Guang Yao and Su Shing prior hand and thus we were able to hatch the plan. Well Jin Guang Yao is forever gone and so is Su Shing.

Farewell Chìfēng-zūn. May your spirit shine as bright as you have been.

The last soul that I had to meet was the one that I was indebted to. He was waiting for me all happy as he could be. He greeted me with a cheerful smile and I was comforted in my heart knowing he was living well.

"Mo Xuan Yu" I grinned and he winked "Wei Wuxian" his spirit was bright and warm and the Golden Core shone within him.

"I see you got your core back" I point towards his chest and his eyes brim with happiness "Yes I did. You once promised me that you'd return my core. You kept your promise well".

Back when we traded lives and more so when he sacrificed himself, I promised him that when he is avenged, I shall return his core back to him. Today I had fulfilled the last promise from my end.

"You gave me the life I yearned for. Because of you, I got to live with my Lan Zhan. I had to do this. You now have your core and if you choose to be reborn you can be a cultivator" I catch a cherry blossom petal that was being showered on us. Seems Mo Xuan Yu loves cherry blossom.

"Will you be alright living without the core?" He enquires and I smile "Yes, I think so" is my reply and don't further elaborate it nor does he ask.

"Wei Wuxian?"

"Hm"

"You're never going to ask me are you?" He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"About your relationship with Jin Guang Yao and whatever preceded the event?" I look at his peaceful face "No I won't. That's your story to tell and not mine to ask".

"Fair enough then maybe some other time" his eyes shine "it's time for me to leave Wei Wuxian and for you to go back to your soulmate. Be well. Live healthy" he bows and walks away.

I stay back to watch the cherry blossom until I could not see them anymore. It was time to head back. My Lan Zhan is waiting for me.

Lan Zhan's POV:

It's been three days since he has been unconscious. Three days since he promised he'd be back. Three days since I laid him on our bed in Jingshi.

He is changing.

His skin has become paler but his hair is more raven colour now. The mole that once had disappeared was now back in its place. His body contour was more defined. His resemblance was stark similar to The Yiling Patriarch.

The weather was becoming much cooler now and as I entered Jingshi, there was a loud splash of water. Walking towards the pool that I built, my steps halt when I see a raven haired soul look back at me. In seconds he was in front of me, pressing his entire wet body against mine with a mischievous smirk in place soaking my robes in that process.

"Lan Zhan" his voice oozed sensuality "I am back".

Yes he was.

My Wei Ying was right in front of me.

"You're eyes" I point out "they're crimson red" and he kisses my forehead.

"You think you can live with these eyes? I don't have my core anymore but I am also not weak. I exchanged my soul with Mo Xuan Yu and the one standing in front of you is that of The Yiling Patriarch. You think you can love him too?".

"It doesn't matter" I reply

"What?" He looks perplexed and I pull him in for a kiss.

"It doesn't matter if your Wei Ying or Wei Wuxian or even The Yiling Patriarch because in the end you're mine. You're my Wei and that's all that matters" I kiss his lips again and in the next moment we were on the bed. Me above him and his mischievous smile in place as he teases me "How about you prove it Hanguang-Jun?".

In the end I do.