Zhao Lixuan naturally knew of the Ancient Divine Traces Jiang Chen mentioned.
After all, before Senior Brother Shen’s disappearance, he had been tirelessly searching for them.
These Divine Miracles had existed since ancient times, but most had lingered only in legends and scriptures, ethereal and elusive.
Even after the cataclysm in the Unstained Immortal Realm twenty years ago spurred more frequent manifestations, countless mighty immortals and cultivators had scoured them without success, leaving scant confirmed leads to this day.
From the intelligence Fu Xi Palace had gathered over the years, the traces typically emerged amid the dissipation of vast spiritual energies. The most direct trigger was often a brutal, blood-soaked battle.
The soaring stench of blood and death seemed to corrode the invisible barriers of the Divine Miracles, prying open fleeting rifts for an instant.
Yet those rifts often vanished as quickly as they appeared.
More often than not, even arriving mere days or hours late meant the gaps had already sealed back into the void.
Thus, over the years, whether it was Zhao Lixuan himself, or Yu Rumu, Xia Yunjie, and Lu Ziyuan, they had all lingered countless times at sites where traces had appeared—yet never even glimpsed a proper entrance.
Even more perilous was the fact that, even if one miraculously found an entry, rumors held that another world lay within, fraught with unimaginable dangers.
If not for this, it wouldn’t explain why so many immortal and demonic powerhouses—even the Unstained Immortal Realm’s foremost war god, Shen Fengyan—had entered and vanished without a trace.
Worse still, tales whispered that each Divine Miracle’s boon was utterly unique, indescribable and unpredictable.
One might seek a single immortal herb their whole life, only to claim a bloodthirsty demonic weapon after untold hardships; another might yearn to reverse time and mend regrets, only to receive an ill-fated yet perfect match in matrimony.
Some endured ordeals to summon back the departed, gaining instead a flask of immortal spring water; others survived nine deaths and returned empty-handed.
In short, the Divine Miracles were no fairy-tale realms where “sincere wishes were always granted,” as in the tales.
They were more akin to bizarre domains where one gambled their life for undesired outcomes—and in recent years, several high ministers of the Immortal Court had fallen within, making them all the more daunting.
Ten years ago, Xia Yunjie had deliberately gathered Zhao Lixuan and Yu Rumu for a solemn discussion:
“The Divine Miracles are far too perilous; they’re no viable path. To gather Master’s soul shards and find Senior Brother, we’ll need another way—something planned long-term.”
“…”
Thus, in recent years, everyone in Fu Xi Palace had nearly abandoned this route.
They never imagined Jiang Chen would bring it up again now.
To claim Zhao Lixuan felt no stir upon hearing it would be a lie—
After all, twenty years had passed. Fu Xi Palace had mobilized every resource, with master and disciples scouring the upper and lower realms. Even the stewards of his Zhao clan trade caravans and his friend Di Chun had helped search while traveling far and wide.
Yet to this day, not even a tenth of his brother Zhao Lanze’s soul shards had been recovered.
Most fragments had been found in the early years; progress had stalled completely in recent times.
If only…
If there were some way to reassemble his brother’s shattered soul sooner. Even if a single Divine Miracle offered just a clue!
Zhao Lixuan tossed and turned all night.
Yes, he knew he shouldn’t entangle himself with Jiang Chen any further.
But this man was the only one he knew who had truly entered a Divine Miracle.
…One visit didn’t guarantee a second.
But at least he’d been once—when so many immortals couldn’t even find the entrance. Surely that gave him better odds than most?
No. He couldn’t owe him such a massive debt; it was impossible to repay.
But for Zhao Lanze’s sake, what was owing a favor? He’d sell himself for it without hesitation. His brother’s soul had splintered across the Three Realms for twenty years—how much longer must he wait?
Thus, the next morning, Zhao Lixuan sought out Jiang Chen, his heart a tangle of emotions. He drew a deep breath.
The autumn wind chilled, yet his cheeks burned; he even wished the earth would swallow him whole—
Yesterday, he’d declared with resounding finality: “Don’t appear before me again,” “You only annoy me,” “Disturb me no more.” Today, he had to swallow his pride and beg for help.
Alas. All he could do was console himself: Consider it a lesson learned. In the future, leave some leeway in words and deeds—never burn bridges completely.
Otherwise, he’d only invite ridicule.
Yet the Maple Vine Courtyard stood empty.
Zhao Lixuan: “…………”
He knew Jiang Chen; he wouldn’t have suddenly returned to the mortal realm.
Could he have… gone alone to some Divine Miracle?!
Zhao Lixuan felt numb.
In recent years, several traces had manifested in the Unstained Immortal Realm—some near Azure Cloud Pass, others south of the Immortal Court. Which one had Jiang Chen chosen?
Damn it.
He cursed himself for not planting some tracking mark or item on the man; otherwise, he could follow now.
He still had the White Jade Goose from years ago, a gift from Jiang Chen—but it was a twenty-year-old relic. Activating it yielded nothing.
What other way to find him?
Zhao Lixuan’s mind raced—
The Fate-Linking Stone?
Perhaps the one from Moon Hunt hadn’t been discarded? Worth a try, at least!
“Hey, hey, Jiang Immortal Lord.”
Before the words faded, an unprecedented vertigo slammed into him.
The sensation wasn’t entirely unfamiliar—much like teleporting via the Profound Earth Tower. Light and shadow warped and folded around him in a kaleidoscope blur, but it passed in moments.
When he recovered, he stood steadily before Jiang Chen.
“…” They were in a deep, dense forest, yet not the sinister, fog-shrouded nightmare he’d imagined.
Sunlight filtered through layered branches, casting dappled golden glows on the mossy ground. He stood atop a bluestone in the woods, shadows dancing warmly. Zhao Lixuan blinked in a daze.
This Fate-Linking Stone must be broken!!!!
Absolutely broken.
Hadn’t it been said that only deep bonds could connect them, profound affection alone allowing teleportation to one’s side?
In their current state with Jiang Chen, was that “deep bond”?!
He swore to the heavens: He harbored no lingering feelings for Jiang Immortal Lord—coming now was pure necessity.
So why had this damned stone…
Fortunately, Jiang Chen hadn’t suspected he’d arrived via the stone.
The Unstained Immortal Realm was Immortal Lord Li Xuan’s domain; he had his ways to track people.
That Fate-Linking Stone? He still wore it, kept close to his body as a treasure.
Not just this one—the whole pouch he’d given him before, carefully stored away. All because of its evocative name—
Fate-Linking Stone, also called Lover’s Stone or Fate Stone.
Twenty years later, his former love had gifted him a full pouch of “Lover’s Stones.”
No matter where he ended up or his soul drifted, recalling it would always bring a fond smile.
…
Before Zhao Lixuan appeared, Jiang Chen had grown weary from searching the woods. He’d found this bluestone, unpacked his waterskin and rations, and settled for a brief rest.
Now that Immortal Lord Li Xuan had arrived, he offered some sweet rice cakes.
Zhao Lixuan wasn’t hungry.
His sudden arrival had startled the forest birds, but a few bold ones circled back. One tiny sparrow, braver still, hopped right onto his head.
Zhao Lixuan gently cupped his hand, and the sparrow leaped trustingly into his palm, tail flicking as it pecked at the rice cake crumbs he’d broken off for it.
Adorably obedient.
He lowered his gaze, stroking its fluffy feathers, his expression softening entirely.
He didn’t notice Jiang Chen watching him the whole time.
And thinking intently: If there’s a next life… I won’t be a butterfly anymore.
I’ll be a plump little bird like this, cherished and tenderly cared for by him.
…
With his kindness received, my resolve softened; with his food in my belly, words failed me.
Having accepted his favor, I owed him that much.
Once Jiang Chen finished his rations, Zhao Lixuan finally hesitated and spoke: “The depths of this forest seem to be the Mirror Moon Lake Divine Miracle. I heard Senior Sister Lu explored here two years ago but found nothing. You… are you truly confident of finding the lake’s entrance?”
“I… will… try… my best.”
“Jiang Chen, what was that Divine Miracle like—the one you entered in the Yao Ming Realm?”
“It… was… an Abyss.”
The Beiming Abyss… Zhao Lixuan vaguely recalled it from ancient texts as the burial ground of the primordial demon god Shi Zhe.
Far more baleful and dangerous than this sacred lake where the Mirror Moon Goddess bathed.
“What did you seek… in that Abyss?”
Jiang Chen’s lashes lowered. Sunlight pierced the leaves, dappling his pale profile in fine, fragmented light—like a serene ink wash painting:
“I sought… something… immensely worthwhile… profoundly important… that I cherished… no regrets.”
Zhao Lixuan fell silent again for a moment.
“Jiang Immortal Lord.” He started to say: I know the Ancient Divine Traces are realms of nine deaths and one life. For Fu Xi Palace’s sake, you’re willing to brave them—this debt runs deep. If successful, Fu Xi Palace will repay you handsomely; whatever you ask will be granted.
That was what he should have said.
But what emerged instead was…
“Jiang Immortal Lord… forget it. The Divine Miracles are too dangerous—come back with me.”
He couldn’t.
He no longer loved him and found his clinging utterly vexing.
Even just keeping him nearby felt intolerable; friendship strained him. He only wished he’d vanish for good.
Yet even with their bond severed, if Jiang Chen met harm because of him, he couldn’t bear it.
It was unreasonable… knowing the man’s old affections drove him to such risks, to let selfish desires blind him and ignore this stubborn sacrifice.
Sunlight shifted through the trees, shadows swaying, stinging his eyes until they burned.
“Li Xuan.” Jiang Chen lowered his gaze and suddenly grasped his wrist. “This is… my choice.”
“Entirely… willing.”
“Life… or death… irrelevant.”
Zhao Lixuan: “I said no! If something happens to you in the Unstained Immortal Realm, how do I explain to Liao Yuan Court?”
![Bunny is Delicate, But He’s Everyone’s Crush! [Infinite]](https://i3.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bunn.jpg?resize=151,215 "Bunny is Delicate, But He’s Everyone’s Crush! [Infinite]")
