The sun began to rise over Sifei City, its light greeting and dispelling the cold air from the night before.
The dawn's rays pierced through the window of Xin Yuan's room—the day of reckoning had arrived. Yuan got out of bed and quickly dressed neatly.
The residence was still quiet that day. Though the chill in the air had vanished, the tension remained. Xin Yuan stepped out of her room and saw that the garden, once a place where she played with her best friend, was now empty.
Usually, on mornings like this, Xin Meng would be sitting in the gazebo holding a stack of cultivation books she had bought for Xin Yuan. But now, the gazebo stood deserted, with only dried leaves inside.
Xin Yuan slipped on her shoes and walked down the silent corridors. The servants seemed to have disappeared—only Xin Yuan and the silence remained.
Before she knew it, she was standing before the closed doors of the main hall. She hesitated. Would Xin Meng be inside? Or would it be her parents, ready to send Xin Yuan away?
Her heart pounded, her hands trembling with fear. She swallowed hard and pushed open the main door.
"Ah-Yuan..."
A woman's voice called out softly as soon as she entered the hall—pleading, fragile. She had lost the bet. It was her mother.
"Ah-Yuan... We still haven't found Xin Meng..."
Those words felt colder than last night's air. Her legs froze, her heart seemed to stop, the world ceased turning. Xin Yuan was overwhelmed with fear and a deep sense of betrayal toward her best friend. Now, she truly had to replace Xin Meng to save her family.
"Change your clothes. They will arrive soon to take you," her father said.
"Father, can we wait until noon? I'm sure—"
"No, Yuan. They will be here in a few hours. There isn't enough time," Master Xin said firmly.
"But Father—!"
The servants began leading Xin Yuan away to her room. Still resisting, tears streaming, she struggled against their grip—but it was futile. She had to go.
In her room, an elegant white hanfu, feminine accessories, and even makeup awaited her. Xin Yuan surrendered. She was at the edge of a cliff with no way back.
She sat limply in front of the mirror, forced to stare at a face that would now be recognized as Xin Meng's. She had to pretend. She had to cover up Xin Meng's disappearance.
And worst of all—she had to pretend to be someone the Great God would love.
Seconds ticked by. The clock struck 9 AM. Xin Yuan was now fully dressed in the white hanfu, her hair adorned with delicate ornaments, her face naturally made up.
She left her room, walking once more through the corridors that had silently witnessed her childhood with Xin Meng. She knew that once she stepped beyond the pavilion garden of her home, she might never see it again.
"Xin Meng enters the courtyard!" shouted a Sky Guard.
Xin Meng? Xin Meng... or Xin Yuan?
"Parents, part ways!" came the second command.
Xin Yuan bowed respectfully to her parents.
"Farewell ceremony complete! The bride-to-be ascends the palanquin!"
With the third command, there was truly no turning back. Xin Yuan's world turned black and white. The moment she sat inside the palanquin, she had no escape.
Because she, Xin Yuan, was now walking a path that wasn't hers.
Xin Yuan turned her back on her parents, facing the palanquin—no, not a palanquin. It was a portal that would force her to live Xin Meng's fate.
Step by step, she was led toward it. Her heart resisted, but the situation left no choice. Chaos would follow if she followed her heart.
Finally, she sat inside. Her eyes caught one last glimpse of her parents before the palanquin's curtains closed.
The palanquin began moving, and Xin Yuan left the residence behind—along with all her memories.
Though the journey felt long, the breeze was gentle. Within hours, she arrived at the place she had always dreamed of—the Heavenly Realm.
"Miss Xin Meng, please step down," said one of the guards.
Xin Yuan descended, setting foot in the Heavenly Realm for the first time. She gazed around—clouds more magnificent than anything she had ever seen, a landscape beyond beauty.
"Miss Xin Meng, I am Zhen Hua, your personal attendant from now on."
Xin Yuan turned her attention to the servant before her.
"Please take care of me, Zhen Hua!"
The guards and other attendants seemed startled by Xin Yuan's cheerful demeanor. She was only mimicking Xin Meng's usual behavior—was something wrong?
"Is... something the matter?" Xin Yuan approached the attendant.
"Miss... In the Heavenly Realm, we must not be too lively or loud like that," the attendant whispered.
"Ah... Forgive me, I didn't know—"
"Oh? Is this the Great God's bride-to-be?"
A woman emerged from behind Zhen Hua, dressed in divine robes.
"Lady Qing Ming..." All the servants and guards bowed.
"If I'm not mistaken... your name is Xin Meng, correct?" she asked sharply.
"Yes."
"Nice to meet you. I am Qing Ming, daughter of one of the Heavenly Recorder Gods, and the Great God's childhood friend."
Qing Ming extended her hand.
"Ah! Nice to meet—"
Before Xin Yuan could take her hand, Qing Ming pulled back.
"Ah, apologies. I'm not accustomed to touching the dirty hands of humans."
She laughed lightly, as if mocking, then walked away.
"Miss Xin Meng, please don't take it to heart. Qing Ming has always been like this whenever a new bride arrives..." Zhen Hua reassured Xin Yuan, who was still frozen mid-handshake.
"Ah! Right, it's fine... I'm tired."
"Please follow me, Miss."
The two walked from the Heavenly Realm's gates, passing the residences of minor gods and several gardens. The beauty made Xin Yuan's eyes linger on the skies and landscapes.
"Miss Xin Meng, what good deeds did you perform for the Emperor to order you as the bride-to-be?"
The question snapped Xin Yuan out of her admiration.
"Me? My family—"
Her words caught. Xin Meng was never an adopted child nor a true descendant of the Xin family. Yet, it seemed the Heavenly Realm had mistaken Xin Meng as the true heir, with Xin Yuan being the younger sister.
"My family... are nobles of Sifei City. We've safeguarded the city's prosperity for generations. That's why the Emperor granted us this honor."
Xin Yuan smiled weakly. She wondered what Xin Meng would have said if she had heard the question.
"I see... Very well, Miss. We've arrived at your residence."
Xin Yuan turned to see a small, dusty, and worn-down house. It had a gazebo and a small garden in front, along with a murky pond.
This residence was called Cangwei House. Located near the servants' quarters of the gods, it had been abandoned for about 300 years. The last occupant was the head servant, but their residence had since been relocated.
"Miss, please don't be offended—"
"It's fine. I prefer tranquility. This place seems far from the Heavenly Realm's bustle, so I can cultivate in peace."
Xin Yuan stepped inside, followed by Zhen Hua. The place was clearly dusty and cobwebbed, but she tried to focus on the positives.
Again, she wondered—what would Xin Meng say or do if she saw this place?
Xin Yuan grabbed a broom and cleaning supplies, then got to work. Morning turned to noon, and before she knew it, night fell. The house was now clean—except for the pond.
"Zhen Hua, how do I change the pond's water?" Xin Yuan asked.
"From what I know, there's a simple method for beginner cultivators—Purification. It's usually used to cleanse plants or objects tainted by demonic aura."
"But this technique can also purify dirty water. In truth, it can purify almost anything," she added.
"Oh? Could you get me a book on that?"
"Of course! But the Heavenly Library is only open from morning to evening. I can fetch it for you tomorrow!"
"Alright, thank you."
Xin Yuan entered the small house. The Heavenly Realm at night was serene and quiet.
She lay on her bed, placed right beside a large north-facing window. Xin Yuan gazed at the starry sky, her heart at peace.
Yet, she questioned fate once more—if Xin Meng were lying here, what would she do? What would she think?
"Stop overthinking, Xin Yuan. Just sleep. What awaits you tomorrow may not be as easy as today," her mind urged.
Under the gentle night breeze, the dim glow of lanterns, and the soft light of the moon and stars, she closed her eyes. The path back was now sealed shut.
She had to walk a road that was never hers.