“You’re proud of your discovery, so for the Peach Banquet, prepare a performance.”

When Luan Ling heard the Empress’s words, she was stunned. She hadn’t expected that the Empress would grant her a backdoor into the Peach Banquet just for the sake of her instruments. In the past, she had tried to defy the rules in secret, but the Empress never paid her the slightest attention. Now, she was willing to allow such unorthodox things into one of the most important events in the Heavenly Realm. Luan Ling couldn’t process it at first.

The Empress only made this statement and didn’t wait for any reaction from Luan Ling—it was an imperial decree, after all. Her gaze then shifted to the next person, Luan Yu.

Luan Yu hadn’t expected the Empress to seriously ask about his studies today. Nervous, he answered all her questions, even feeling a bit frustrated.

By talent, he wasn’t at all like the children of the Heavenly Emperor and Empress. The eldest brother couldn’t be compared, but even a mysterious, wild child could become a formidable god by nature. From a young age, Luan Yu had been, to put it kindly, free-spirited; to put it harshly, ignored. The Empress wouldn’t punish him like she did Luan Ling, but she also didn’t pay him any attention. He wasn’t a child of great expectations, and worse, he received no affection—an absent father, a stern mother, a cold older brother, and the awkward presence of Luan Ling.

Frustration at his father’s disloyalty and all this resentment had no outlet. He had tried to pick a fight with Luan Ling but couldn’t. He had overheard Luan Ling muttering that she didn’t want to be a family with them. At first, he scoffed—but the more he thought, the more unsettled he felt. Could simply having a normal status make one part of this so-called family? Could this Heavenly Palace truly be a home?

Luan Yu didn’t understand, but he dared not question anything. Even the normally cheerful father, whom he had known as a child, didn’t allow him to play freely in front of him. Only in front of Luan Ling did he dare to act as if he were somewhat close to the Emperor. No, actually, only the father—no one dared to act intimately toward the Empress.

Luan Yu clumsily reported the recent events to the Empress. Usually, he was a troublemaker, but at the family banquet, he knew the Empress wouldn’t punish him harshly, so he spoke with confidence. Yet today, with the recent tribulation incident he had caused, a sense of unease crept in. The more he spoke, the more guilty he felt, lowering his head even more than Luan Ling had earlier.

The Empress heard his report and did not scold or grow angry. Her tone remained calm, almost indifferent. After a brief pause, she said, “Troubles you have caused deserve punishment. Since you have already gone to the mortal realm prematurely, after the banquet, go to Immortal Lord Qiyan. Let him guide you to your assigned station in the mortal realm. You will stay there for ten years.”

He was being dispatched to the mortal world.

Luan Ling listened silently. She had never seen the Empress act directly, but when she did, it was severe. Luan Yu was not yet fully cultivated in the Heavenly Realm. Normally, sending him on temporary missions would be enough, but now he was being assigned to serve under Immortal Lord Qiyan in the mortal realm. Qiyan governed harsh, desolate lands—places safe for demons to hide, yet dangerous even for Earth Immortals. And now Luan Yu had to go there for ten years.

Panic rose in Luan Yu. He didn’t know the full scope of Immortal Lord Qiyan’s territory like Luan Ling did, but ten years in the mortal realm was obviously serious.

He tried to speak but froze upon seeing the Empress’s face. Nothing could be said.

Even the eldest brother could not change the Empress’s decision—let alone him.

Luan Yu felt helpless and anxious, unsure of what to do. Instinctively, he looked toward Luan Qingchen. His expression remained cold and unflinching, even more distant than the Empress herself. But in Luan Yu’s long memory, he vaguely recalled a time in his childhood when his eldest brother had shown a strong emotional reaction. That was the first and last time he had seen his brother not act like a cold machine. Soon after, he was taken away, and Luan Yu never knew what the Empress had told him. From then on, Luan Qingchen became the distant figure he was now.

Just one glance at Luan Qingchen confirmed Luan Yu’s fate: his dispatch to the mortal realm was inevitable. His eldest brother’s response, as always, was cold and unyielding, ready to carry out the Empress’s orders without question.

In truth, the eldest brother’s relationship with the Empress was not as feared as other immortals might think. Luan Yu knew that Luan Qingchen had no extra emotion—but he also retained his own will. Otherwise, how could he have truly broken free from constraints last time? Luan Yu later concluded that Luan Qingchen had intentionally allowed him to charge forward.

Moreover, although the eldest brother appeared to follow the Empress, most of the time he was simply doing what he believed was right. Often, these actions coincided with what the Empress wanted, giving the illusion of perfect cooperation. Luan Yu knew the Empress did not have that much control over him. Luan Qingchen only seemed obedient, but what he truly did was known only to himself.

Even at the family banquet, he reported only major events of the year. The rest, including Luan Yu’s mischief just before going to the mortal realm, were omitted.

To Luan Qingchen, they were trivial. He only voiced matters crucial to the interests of Heaven.

Luan Ling sometimes wondered: despite his unmatched talent and flawless cultivation, why did Luan Qingchen not have a formal divine position? Everyone believed he would inherit the Empress or Emperor’s mantle.

So who would he actually succeed—the Empress or the Emperor?

Luan Ling always felt the Empress and Emperor seemed like a courtly couple in name, but their roles were very different. The Empress ruled the entire Heavenly Realm, commanding all immortals. The Emperor, while the strongest current immortal, had secluded himself after wounding his foundation in a battle with the Demon Lord decades ago. The realm awaited the emergence of a greater power.

Seventeen years ago, a life-and-death battle erupted, and only after Luan Qingchen appeared did hostilities end. His presence revitalized the Heavenly Realm and eased concerns during the Emperor’s seclusion.

Luan Qingchen’s importance to Heaven was undeniable. The Empress should value him, yet Luan Ling felt she sometimes treated him too harshly. He was her son, unlike the awkward Luan Ling or the underperforming Luan Yu. Cold, strong, and capable, everyone saw a true immortal in him, yet the Empress rarely acknowledged him—except for official matters.

Luan Ling, as an immortal herself, believed understanding mortals’ needs was essential. Mere strength without consideration for the truly needy could not make one a good immortal. Observing the Empress and eldest brother, she wondered if true immortals must emulate such haughty gods.

“Seventeen years have passed since the Life-and-Death Battle.”

As soon as she thought of the battle, the Empress mentioned it.

“The Emperor has also been in seclusion for seventeen years.”

At the mention of the Emperor, Luan Ling’s shoulders instinctively shivered—seventeen years ago, he had brought her back. The Emperor only left the words: This is my bloodline, then vanished into seclusion, never to be seen again.

Luan Ling had lived under the Empress’s pressure ever since.

Feeling the Empress’s gaze on her, Luan Ling dared not play any tricks, lowering her eyes. This was not her choice, but she had become a thorn in the Empress’s eye, so she minimized her presence.

“The Demon Realm has grown active again.”

The Empress’s gaze swept over Luan Ling, then Luan Yu, finally resting on Luan Qingchen.

“Luan Qingchen, you must control all heavenly anomalies. That is your responsibility as an immortal.”

Her tone was calm, merely stating his role. Luan Qingchen responded quietly, and that was all that was needed. Their communication was complete.

The atmosphere between them was self-contained, yet suffocating to onlookers.

By the end of the family banquet, no one felt relaxed. Luan Ling had expected herself to bear the brunt of reproach. Instead, Luan Yu had skyrocketed to the top of the Heavenly Palace Most Likely to Be Punished chart.

“Congratulations,” Luan Ling said as they left the hall.

Luan Yu forced a smirk. “Congrats to you too, enjoying yourself at the Peach Banquet with that heap of scrap metal.”

Luan Ling perked up, playful. “Thanks. And congrats to you—you’re getting the ultimate mortal training. By the time you return, you’ll be ready to ascend as a Great Immortal.”

Luan Yu groaned at the thought, jealousy flaring as he imagined Luan Ling comfortably staying in Heaven.

“Yeah… don’t know what luck you got. Every Peach Banquet, the Empress goes easy on you.”

“Every time?” Luan Ling frowned. “When else?”

Luan Yu glanced at her. “Adding that lullaby during the concert—wasn’t that deliberately to soften the Empress? Remind her of the care she gave you after past Peach Banquets? Stop pretending—she favors you more than me. Sometimes, I really hate you.”

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