Origin (Chpt. 1)

"Is the food to your liking, A-Yan?" Chyou smiled as she carefully took a seat beside Yu Yan's. The Queen and her permanently settled guest were seated at the palace's great dining hall, enjoying a simple, but pleasant lunch cooked by the Royal Family's personal chefs. Dishes of all delicacies were served onto the table and took up nearly half the space. Yu Yan eagerly selected her favorite foods and placed them onto her plate. Chyou hadn't minded her slightly improper behavior, and smiled at the guest, happily relishing the handmade shrimp dumplings, along with other side dishes to her left and right.

Yu Yan let out a delighted smile as she looked up from her fairly empty plate, resisting the impulse to shove food into her mouth, also knowing that she was in the presence of the queen of the Kingdom of Shen Tian. "It's wonderful; I'm really enjoying it."

The Queen was rest reassured, knowing that Yu Yan was enjoying the meal. "Of course; otherwise, why would I have selected Shen Tian's most renowned chefs from across the Heavenly Kingdoms?"

Yu Yan laughed. "As long as the food is edible, I'm satisfied with whatever is served to me."

With a shake of her head, the queen indicated her dissatisfaction of her response. "That is no fit manner for a youthful, maturing lady such as yourself—it is our obligation to guarantee that you must acquire the necessary resources we provide for you...! Chang-er, after all, wanted what was best for you!"

Yu Yan smiled as she glanced out a neighboring window, where she could witness the sun gently itself behind the horizons—sunsets, in her opinion, was as beautiful as a treasure chest of infinitely glistening diamonds.

She turned back towards the Queen and softened her eyes. "If it wasn't for him who opted to take me into the palace, and ensuring me a healthy and luxurious life, I'm truly uncertain with what I would be helplessly doing at the moment."

The queen smiled and nodded in agreement. "It was a remarkable thing of him to do—truly the kindest thing he has ever done."

She then clasped her hands softly into hers, a solemn, but gentle expression, one that showed a strange sense of trust, appeared on the queen's face. "Now, promise me this, my dear, that regardless of what happens or whatever circumstances shall arise, you will never leave his side. Assure me that you will never shatter your unbreakable bond."

Yu Yan gently pressed Chyou's hands into hers as she made eye contact with her, a genuine expression held on her face. "I swear," she pledged.

Chyou patted her on the head with a chuckle. "I'm only messing with you, my dear. I wouldn't dare urge you to stay with him; it's a decision only you can make. Perhaps you'd want to stay...?"

Yu Yan's face became flushed as her heart rate accelerated. "Ah... well...

Chyou laughed once again and leaned closer. "Is he your type?"

"Ah..." Her cheeks burned redder than ever, as she clenched at the side of her robe.

"What are the two of you talking about?" A voice from behind had just recently entered the massive palace dining room and had soon discovered both the queen and Yu Yan conversing while eating on one side of the table.

Yu Yan swung her head around as soon as she heard the voice. It was Ping Chang.

Yu Yan jumped up instantly and held out her hands to bow, greeting the young prince. "T-Tai Zi Dian Xia...! You're back so soon?"

Seeing Ping Chang's beautifully developed complexion again nearly made her drool—that sophisticated and exquisite face, together with his silky smooth, raven hair and slender body, would be enough to make a girl swoon. He truly lived up to his reputation as the "Mei Li Immortal."

Ping Chang smiled warmly as he gestured Yu Yan to lift her head up. "Yes, I've come back from monitoring the charity event with the other Shen Tian guards accompanying me as well. Shi Mei, please, lift your head up; there is no need to act so formally. Good evening, to you too, as well mother."

Chyou acknowledged his formalities and smiled with a nod.

Yu Yan, on the other hand, shook her head, firmly remaining in a bowed position. "Because you are his highness, I feel it necessary to address you appropriately. Unfortunately, I am nothing more than a commoner who is being tended after by the noble royal family of the Kingdom of Shen Tian, and I can't praise you enough for the generosity you have shown me over the years—the least I can do is pay my respects."

Of course, Ping Chang has never really paid close attention to Yu Yan's speech in the first place. He would frequently lock his gaze onto her and found it quite hard to focus on the conversation itself. Though, it didn't mean that he had ignored whatever she said. Whenever she would request something, which was quite rare of her to do, he would fulfill her proposals without another thought.

Ping Chang smiled. "That's quite interesting of you to think such a thing. I appreciate it, Shimei. However, I'm the one who had offered to take you in, so there is no need to repay back your thanks if I had requested for your stay in the first place."

Yu Yan slowly raised her head up. "If that's what Dian Xia says, then I can no longer argue any further."

He nodded in response. Although Yu Yan was slightly stubborn, she also possessed the temperament of an obedient child, one of her characteristics Ping Chang found pleasant.

Ping Chang shifted his attention to the empty plate. "Have you eaten your fill?"

"Ah..." Yu Yan looked at her plate and smiled lopsidedly. "About that, please inform the Head Chefs that this Shi Mei has had possibly the best meal ever."

Ping Chang laughed. "But it's the usual meal you receive every day... how could it be any different from today??"

Yu Yan heaved a gentle sigh and glanced up at him. "I honestly don't know..."

Because of the brightly lit lanterns which surrounded the entire corridor of the kingdom, the scenery had provided an astonishingly majestic sight. Pedestrians who have ascended, from early teens to the elderly, were bustling through the buildings and other services scattered throughout the Tranquil Avenue. Shop owners hurriedly gathered out their boards, indicating their specials and whatever was one sale.

"Get your Regenerative Medicine for 30% off!"

"Selling mooncake for 10 copper coins emeralds each! Come get it before we are out of stock!"

"Talismans for 6 copper coins each! We shall fend off malicious spirits to keep the Kingdom at peace!"

"Here! I have cultivating robes with me! Come! They are in the latest trends and have been fabricated by the region's most prominent tailors!"

As Ping Chang and Yu Yan strolled through the lit and bustling streets of the vast nights, passing shop owners, cultivators, and citizens as they politely bowed their heads, greeting the young prince. He smiled in return, as he nodded his head. Yu Yan bowed as well, creating such a formal image for someone who had close ties with the royal family.

"Please, my lady, there is no need to..!" A shop owner designing qipao, seated down on a stool, quickly gestured for her to stop. "I am in no position for you to treat me so formally..!"

"That is not true," Yu Yan announced sincerely, "I believe the people of Shen Tian should be treated just as equally as the royal family, however, I suppose that will never be the case considering society's judgements. But, that is what I truly believe."

The shop owner blinked her eyes, baffled with her response. On the other hand, a slow smile spread across Ping Chang's face. "Well, you especially don't hear that nowadays.."

Yu Yan laughed as she playfully nudged him in the elbow. The two were indeed close, ever since they had known each other over the course of the years. Of course, Ping Chang would often jokingly comment on Yu Yan's thoughts every now and then.

"Oh, Shimei, if you would like for me to purchase anything here..?" Ping Chang looked around the store and back at Yu Yan, waiting for a reply. The qipao that the shop owner displayed at the front wasn't bad in appearance and instead, was decent enough to be worn for a special occasion. The embroidered silk provided a pleasant texture and was quite comfortable for one to wear for a long period of time.

Before Yu Yan could say anything, the shop owner suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I nearly forgot..!" She quickly sat up from her stool and rushed into her miniature qipao store. Yu Yan and Ping Chang were curious enough to see what she went to retrieve, so they waited for her to return to the front. A few moments later, she hurriedly returned outside, carrying a silky, Lavender dress with her. "I... I've made this especially for you, my lady...!"

Yu Yan was taken aback, particularly because she had never imagined someone to design such an exquisite gown for herself. She spread out the garment, displaying the intricately stitched patterns of butterflies and violet flowers on the upper torso. Layers and layers of lavender silk were draped around the skirt of the dress, adding the perfect amount of volume—it was a stunning attire, stunning enough for the girls of the Kingdom of Shen Tian to go crazy about. Yu Yan was intrigued by who this woman was and how she was able to construct such a fairly attractive qipao dress. That's when she discovered her true identity. Her eyes widened as she peered up at the Chinese characters on a wooden board that proudly hung above the store.

"'Mei Zhen's Cheongsam.'"

Her jaw dropped open as she swiftly moved her attention to the business owner. "The Mei Zhen? Known throughout the Heavenly Kingdoms for fabricating the most renowned qipao? Just to confirm, who has designed the Heavenly Empresses' attires as well??"

Mei Zhen smiled as she slowly nodded. "You are indeed correct, my lady."

"WHAT??"

Yu Yan was quite loud, loud enough for everyone on the Tranquil Avenue to give her stares. "Ah..." she nervously laughed as she waved her hands around. "It's... it's nothing!"

To her surprise, the pedestrians quietly nodded as they resumed their previous behaviors. Ping Chang tried best to hold back his laugh. "Shi Mei, I am assuming you like the dress?" Witnessing her earlier reaction, it was impossible to assume that she didn't like it.

"I..." Yu Yan gently sighed as she slightly smiled. "Tai Zi Dian Xia, I very much appreciate it. However, as much I adore it, there isn't any other reason for you to purchase this dress for me…"

"My, Lady, I'm not pressing any charges for it! I am terribly sorry for not mentioning it earlier…"

Yu Yan went speechless. "Wha… so it's more like a gift?"

Mei Zhen smiled and then bowed her head. "You have been an outstanding influence on my daughter and I, you see. We've all witnessed how Tai Zi Dian Xia took you in because of the great potential he saw in you." Mei Zhen looked up towards the cloudless starry night sky, along with that moon gracefully hanging above. "My daughter, aspired to be like you, in order for her to find a great man herself."

A mix of emotions flowed throughout Yu Yan. She was shocked, but all the while impressed to become such an influencer to others. This feeling, was indeed something that she had never experienced before. A sense of relief flashed in her eyes as she relaxed her mind.

"But... she was never given the opportunity..."

That last sentence had captured Yu Yan's attention. "Madam... what exactly do you mean by that?"

Mei Zhen's gaze then fell to the ground, as her complexion darkened abruptly. "That... that devil took her away..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she sobbed. Everyone on the Tranquil Avenue shifted their attention to glance at the sorrowful Mei Zhen, who had covered her eyes, so no one could see that she had lost her composure.

"I pity her…" said a shop owner as he shook his head, continuing to sweep the ground.

"Why did she say 'Took her away'?? Hasn't her daughter fled the Heavenly Kingdoms and into the Cataclysmic Provinces against her own free will..?" A group of middle-aged cultivators whispered amongst themselves.

"Exactly; Mei An is at fault for falling head over heels for him… But then again, the poor girl had yet to reach God Level in her cultivation skills. Judging by this person, if he really did harbor ill intentions from the start, how could she have the appropriate cultivation base to defeat him?"

"He's quite troublesome and tends to kidnap any beautiful women who he would deem suitable as his own, personal concubine. As for the ugly ones, he would pay no mind to them."

"I've heard somewhere that he is incredibly good-looking in appearances. I believe he's rated top ten on the charts between all of the world's immortals.."

"Tsk tsk. Women, these days… they are easily influenced over men.."

Ping Chang furrowed his eyebrows; meanwhile, Yu Yan gritted her teeth, holding back her temper.

'What impudence! They should know better than to mess with someone this high in ranks in the kingdom of Shen Tian, and yet, they dare to comment such repulsive remarks out loud? Why, how brave of them! What would happen then, if your only daughter had suddenly gone missing? Who would be the ones crying, now?'

Yu Yan was just about to give those gossipers a piece of her mind, before Mei Zhen stopped her.

"My Lady, there is nothing to be furious over—it would be too rash to recklessly fight those who shouldn't be the ones at fault, considering how careless I was in the past. Mei An and I, well, our relationship grew farther apart as she traveled all around the world to develop her spiritual foundation base. Although, it's not as bad as it seems; I'm quite used to these criticisms, by now." Not to mention, Mei An's father had sadly passed away from the recent ghost invasion of the heavenly realm several decades back. Ever since then, she possessed the will to strengthen her abilities to kill off as many resentful spirits as possible, bringing both peace to the world, and avenging her father's death.

She attempted to smile, however, you could identify the hurt under her eyes. It was pointless to argue over something that wasn't of her concern, however, seeing that Mei Zhen was being practically laughed at, Yu Yan couldn't just sit around idly by, witnessing her reputation gradually being crumbled to pieces.

'No, madam. The blame cannot be rightfully placed on you either. You had done your utmost to ensure your daughter's safety, and yet that opportunity had been greedily snatched by that selfish ghost. The others, unfortunately, don't seem to view the situation that way and instead, figured it was Mei An who had blindly found herself in need of help.' Not knowing the circumstances beneath the causes, often times, it's only human instinct to blame the victim, after all.

Mei Zhen then took a small deep breath as she placed the qipao into Yu Yan's arms, attempting to divert her attention elsewhere. "Here.. Please take this as a token of my gratitude..."

"I... can't accept this... No. I mustn't except this."

It was a wonder that Mei Zhen kept her business going. After losing her daughter, she grieved and sulked wherever she went, unable to take her mind off her—it was truly pathetic. However, most have kept their distance from her, and soon her business's sales have dropped, until she was only able to afford such a small shop. Knowing how successful Mei Zhen had become, it was reasonable for her to own an entire residence filled from the ground up with all sorts of luxurious clothing. Yu Yan hadn't been informed of the incident with her daughter, so she had figured that she was still running that fortunate business of hers, instead of spending the rest of her entire life in such a hardly noticeable place.

Yu Yan bit her lip. "Please, you need this more than I do..." She offered back the dress as she turned in the opposite direction, and gestured towards Ping Chang. "You are bound to find your daughter, I am sure of it. Unless, you are unable to, I wouldn't hesitate to search for her myself, and to return her to where she rightfully and originally belongs." She glanced back at Ping Chang. "Tai Zi Dian Xia, let's search for a place to eat; I bet you're starving from all of that waiting, my apologies."

"Ah, yes, let's," Ping Chang nodded his head towards Mei Zhen. Turns out, he believed that what she had experienced in the past will take quite a while for her to get used to—it was best not to question her any further regarding the subject matter. Mei An was a sympathetic, young Medical Goddess in training who had spent years assisting her mother with her established business, and was exceptionally friendly to everyone she encountered. She was the sort to forgive anyone for their mistakes, no matter how serious the repercussions were, because she believed that everyone should be given the right to have a second chance. Although Ping Chang wanted to know more about her disappearance, he felt it was rude to request for the reason behind it, as to not trouble Mei Zhen any further.. "Please pardon us.." And he followed her onto the other side of the Tranquil Avenue.

"My... my lady! Tai Zi Dian Xia! Please wait a moment!" Just as Mei Zhen was about to run after them, though it was quite difficult to make in the crowd, she saw that slender hand of Yu Yan's wave back at her, implying her temporary farewell.