Night fell and the children amused themselves playing tic tac toe (also known as noughts and crosses) in the sand.

The Flowers of Venus began the process of lighting the fire and cooking, while others sat around in small groups.

Wei Ying was still lying on the sand, still warm from the sun, Lan Zhan sitting next to him, playing with his hair. His red ribbon was tangled in long, elegant fingers, Lan Zhan's thumb caressing its silkiness.

"Isn't it lovely how they come out a few at a time?" Wei Ying said, watching the stars as they twinkled in the velvet sky.

"Mn."

"You're not even looking. How do you know what I'm talking about?" Wei Ying giggled, a little annoyed.

"I am looking at something more beautiful."

Only the gradual darkness hid Wei Ying's flaming face, and he hid it behind his hands, whining.

"That's so embarrassing."

"I have not been looking anywhere else." Lan Zhan told him, honestly.

"Lan Zhaaan!"

He was answered by a light laugh.

It was nice to be like this, no worries on their minds, just relaxing here with friends and family. Wei Ying was not ignorant of this being something special, and he sat up. Lan Zhan manoeuvred him to sit in front of him, while he smoothed out the tangles and brushed away the sand from Wei Ying's hair, before wrapping it up into a neat ponytail.

Tiaopi De Long and Zai Shu Xia approached them.

Wei Ying shifted closer to Lan Zhan when they sat down. Lan Zhan wrapped an arm around his waist and they presented themselves as a single unit towards the couple.

"Thank you for bringing us here." The Seventh Sea Dragon said, taking his wife's hand in his.

He seemed to want to say something else, but wasn't sure how to.

Before he could say anything though, a strong wind blew, upsetting the utensils above the fire and Hongse quickly took control, protecting it with an air ball.

Sand flew in all directions and then they gasped, for they had an unexpected visitor.

The sky was lit up with a fiery bird, orange, red and gold, burning stronger than a midday sun, his seven fiery feathers in a pluming tail surrounding him like a peacock. He was huge, his talons each the size of two men, and possibly on that beach, only Suanni could have taken him down. A white halo of light surrounded him, lighting up the whole beach.

Wei Ying looked towards their friend and expected him to be ready to fight at least, but Suanni was...bowing?

Bichen was already out, Lan Zhan standing in front of Wei Ying, ready to protect him.

Wei Ying leaned up to whisper in his ear, "you look so hot right now, I'm definitely going to remember this. But, I think he's a friend. Look."

Sure enough, all around them were bowing to the magnificent bird.

Jiang Cheng caught his eye and raised a brow, to which Wei Ying shrugged and bowed along with everyone else.

"Welcome our father." Daden Yaonu said.

Of course then, everything clicked into place.

This was the Great Celestial Phoenix, father to the seven Sirens of the Sea.

The massive bird bowed in reverence to Suanni, before looking for someone there, amongst them. His sharp red eyes glowed when they landed on Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. They stood straight and strong as the phoenix approached.

"Welcome, Celestial Immortal." They said, bowing.

He nodded, and bowed in acceptance.

"I have come to thank you in person. It is because of you both, that our family is together again. The future generations will always remember this good deed of yours. If there is anything I can do to repay you, name it, and it shall be yours."

Wei Ying looked at Lan Zhan. He spoke to him through their mental connection.

My love, is there anything you want?

Lan Zhan shook his head.

Nothing he can give me. Only you.

Wei Ying blushed, but carried on.

I want only you too, but there is something else.

Ask him, then.

Lan Zhan smiled at him, and then they turned to face the Great Phoenix.

"Would you happen to know where we can find the memory plant? Jiyi Huifu? Daden De Long told us about it. Or do you know of any other cure to restore someone's memories?" Wei Ying bowed once again.

"I have heard much about your selfless nature. I am going to assume that this is for someone else, again? Since you seem to have perfect recollection."

It looked to Wei Ying as if the Phoenix was laughing at him.

"Actually, it is for the Master of the Flowers of Venus. Something happened to him, and he lost all his memories. Now he behaves as a simpleton....it's just terribly sad."

Lan Zhan stood closer to him, his hand reaching out to clasp his, squeezing it to give him strength.

"Commendable that you wish for him to be well." The Phoenix looked as if he was thinking hard.

"I wish for all those around me to be happy and at peace. It may sound naive to some, and stupid to others, but I believe that love is the only important thing." Wei Ying prepared to be humiliated, perhaps he thought that he would be laughed at.

But Lan Zhan was looking at him as if he was holding the moon within his hands, with awe, admiration and a whole lot of love in his eyes. Wei Ying hid his face in those beloved white robes.

"It is a noble wish. Not stupid at all, just to those who wish to remain ignorant." The Phoenix replied, also watching him in a new way. "Our Elders and ancestors had much the same wish. Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, they all tried to gift this message. Many came before you, and many will come after you, all who hold this secret deep within their hearts. It is up to the individual if he should listen." He ruffled his fiery feathers and sparks flew around them. "As for your other problem, look for the Ju Xing Valley. Your answer lies there. But be warned, that plant does not survive anywhere else. Nor can it be used dry. It must be used fresh." The Phoenix spread his great wings and prepared to fly.

"But wait!! You haven't told us where that Valley is!" Wei Ying shouted, trying to be heard above Suanni's deafening roar.

The Phoenix laughed.

"Where's the fun in that? However, " He pointed with his beak towards the south. "Look to the TianLang Xing. I wish you good fortune on your travels." Then he turned to Tiaopi De Long. "You will stay with your brothers for one year. When the horoscopes change, you may follow your heart. Mend the bridges that were once broken and you shall be whole again."

With a clamouring screech that echoed against the backdrop of the cliff behind them, the Phoenix took off into the night sky, leaving a fiery trail. One feather fell from his great tails, and he winked at Li XiWang when she went to pick it up.

Tiaopi De Long sat down on the sand, looking dejected.

"Is that what you wanted to ask us?" Wei Ying said, watching him.

"Yes. I was going to ask you if we could accompany you on your search for the memory plant." He replied, looking at Zai Shu Xia.

"For my master. I feel responsible, as he only followed us to the Nether world because he was searching for me." She added.

"Our father wishes for the next generation to be born, and that can only happen when the Seven Dragon Kings are reunited." Daden Yaonu came and sat with them.

Li XiWang came to show her fathers the Phoenix feather. It was still glowing with an orange light.

"Keep that safe, niece. There must be a reason why he gifted it to you." Daden Yaonu told her. "Our father promised a child for each of his feathers, but it has been a long time since we were Seven Sirens of the Sea. Now only six of us remain, this is his gift to you."

"I will, aunt." Carefully, she stowed it away in her Qiankun pouch.

*******

A/N

Thank you dear readers, one whole week and a day, we have reached one thousand reads.

You guys are simply marvellous!

Let's kick some ass and chew gum, as my niece likes to say. Better not mix those two up...

Have a great day, everyone.