Maybe My Soulmate! (GL)

Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing became legends almost overnight. Songs were composed about their battle with the Dark God, each version more elaborate than the last. Children played games pretending to be the Thunder Maiden and the Demon Lord, wielding sticks as lightning swords and tossing red ribbons to mimic demonic power.

Through it all, Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing seemed to have grown even closer in their hearts and Mo Yuxin almost never wants to leave Su Yubing's side unless its something important. Together, they processed their recovered memories while fulfilling their duties to both worlds. They visited villages affected by the dark followers, helping rebuild homes and heal wounds. They mediated disputes between humans and demons, guiding them toward understanding rather than suspicion.

One week after the battle, they finally returned to Cangran Mountain. The sect compound was decorated with lanterns and flowers, a celebration prepared in honor of their victory. As they walked through the main gates, disciples and elders lined the path, bowing deeply as they passed.

Wu Sanxing greeted them at the entrance to the main hall, his wounds from the battle healing well. "Welcome home, heroes of Cangran," he said with genuine warmth. "We've been waiting for you."

Inside the hall, Master Tan Qingxuan and Grandmaster Tong Rouxi sat at the head table, their hands clasped together on the tabletop without any attempt to hide their relationship. Around them sat the other senior disciples and elders, all rising to their feet as Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing entered.

"Our brave disciples return victorious," Grandmaster Tong announced, her voice carrying to every corner of the hall. "Today, we celebrate not only their triumph but the dawn of a new era of peace between humans and demons."

Master Tan stepped forward, her usual stern expression softened with pride. "Mo Yuxin, Su Yubing, come forward."

They approached and knelt before their masters, heads bowed in respect. Master Tan placed a hand on Mo Yuxin's shoulder, while Grandmaster Tong did the same for Su Yubing.

"You have exceeded all expectations," Master Tan said, her voice warm with affection. "Your courage and strength have brought honor to the Cangran Sect and salvation to both realms."

"Rise," Grandmaster Tong said. "Rise and join your family in celebration."

Even Lu Wuqi was standing beside Xu Xian with a softer yet a more complicated look in her eyes.

There seemed to be something in her eyes which seemed to see through everything but Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing didn't notice anything at the moment.

The celebration that followed was filled with warmth and happiness. The four main disciples—Xu Xian, Bai Xuzhen, Tianji Yuan, and Bai Lingshu—performed a sword dance in honor of the victory. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, their blades creating patterns of light in the air that told the story of the battle against darkness.

Later, as the evening wore on, Mo Yuxin found herself sitting with Xu Xian, the eldest senior sister. They watched as Su Yubing laughed with Bai Xuzhen and Tianji Yuan across the room.

"You two have changed," Xu Xian observed, her perceptive eyes missing nothing. "There's something different about you since the battle."

Mo Yuxin smiled, neither confirming nor denying. "Great battles change people."

"It's more than that," Xu Xian insisted. "It's as if... as if you've remembered something long forgotten." She paused, then added gently, "But whatever it is, know that you will always have a place here. Both of you."

Mo Yuxin reached out to squeeze her senior sister's hand, touched by the unconditional acceptance. "Thank you. That means more than you know."

The Grand Banquet

Three days later, a grand banquet was held at Cangran Mountain. Representatives from all the major human sects and demon clans gathered to honor the peace and those who had made it possible. The main courtyard had been transformed with tables arranged in concentric circles, allowing everyone to see and be seen.

Master Tan Qingxuan and Grandmaster Tong Rouxi presided over the gathering, their status as legendary cultivators commanding respect from humans and demons alike. Beside them sat Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing, with Lu Wuqi sitting beside them with an unusual quietness.

The four main disciples sat at the next table—Xu Xian with her lover Bai Xuzhen, their hands occasionally touching beneath the table; Tianji Yuan and Bai Lingshu, less subtle in their affection, feeding each other choice morsels with playful smiles.

Among the guests were many renowned warriors from human sects—stern-faced masters with long beards, young prodigies with eager eyes, healers and scholars and sword-saints from every corner of the realm. They mingled with great demons from Su Yubing's domain—elegant fox spirits in human form, ancient dragon descendants with scales shimmering beneath their skin, proud tiger demons with eyes that glowed in the lantern light.

Su Yubing's immediate subordinates were particularly noticeable—seven demon saints who had helped coordinate her forces during the conflict. They treated their Demon Lord with absolute respect but regarded Mo Yuxin with curious, evaluating stares until Su Yubing quietly informed them that anyone who showed disrespect to her beloved would answer directly to her.

The banquet featured dishes from both human and demon cuisines—some familiar to all, others exotic and strange. Wine flowed freely, tongues loosened, and old enemies found themselves laughing together over shared stories.

As the evening progressed, Wu Sanxing stood to offer a toast. "To peace," he declared, raising his cup high. "To the memory of Goddess Freya, who loved us all equally. To Master Tan and Grandmaster Tong, whose wisdom guided us through dark times." He turned to Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing. "And to our heroes, who showed us that together, we are stronger than any darkness."

"To the heroes!" the crowd echoed, drinking deeply.

Mo Yuxin felt Su Yubing's hand find hers beneath the table. Their eyes met in silent communication—joy at the peace they had helped create, sadness at the decision that still loomed before them.

Later, when many of the guests were pleasantly drunk and engaged in increasingly boisterous conversations, Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing slipped away. They needed fresh air and a moment alone amid the celebrations.

They walked to the northern peak of Shanglong Mountain, where the wind blew strong and clear. The view stretched out before them—forests and rivers, villages and cities, all peaceful under the starlit sky.

"It's beautiful," Su Yubing said, watching the distant lights of human settlements twinkle like earthbound stars.

"Yes," Mo Yuxin agreed. "Worth protecting."

They stood in comfortable silence, shoulders touching, simply enjoying each other's presence and the quiet after the noise of the banquet.

"I thought we might find you here," a familiar voice said from behind them.

They turned to see Master Tan Qingxuan and Grandmaster Tong Rouxi approaching, their robes billowing in the mountain wind. The two older women moved with the fluid grace that came from centuries of cultivation, their steps perfectly in harmony with each other.

"Master, Grandmaster," Mo Yuxin said respectfully, bowing slightly. "Did you need us for something?"

"No, child," Grandmaster Tong said with a gentle smile. "We simply wished to enjoy the view with you."

The four women stood side by side, looking out over the peaceful realm. There was no need for words for a long moment—just the shared appreciation of what they had fought to protect.

Finally, Master Tan broke the silence. "When will you be returning?" she asked, her voice casual but her eyes sharp as she glanced at Mo Yuxin.

Mo Yuxin stiffened in surprise. "What do you mean, Master?"

Master Tan's lips curved in a small smile. "To wherever you truly came from. Both of you."

Su Yubing and Mo Yuxin exchanged startled glances. They had suspected the elders might have sensed something, but such direct acknowledgment was unexpected.

"How long have you known?" Su Yubing asked quietly.

Grandmaster Tong chuckled. "My dear, I have lived for over three centuries. Did you think I wouldn't notice when two souls from another realm entered our world? I sensed it the moment you both arrived at Cangran Mountain."

"And I have known you since you were a child, Mo Yuxin," Master Tan added. "Or whatever your true name may be. I knew something changed within you after your first great trial. Your spirit was the same, but... deeper somehow. As if you carried more within you than any young disciple should."

Mo Yuxin felt tears prick at her eyes. "We didn't mean to deceive you."

"Of course not," Grandmaster Tong said kindly. "You were on a mission. We understood that much, even if we didn't know the details."

Su Yubing took a deep breath. "We'll be leaving soon. After we've settled everything here."

Master Tan nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. "You need not worry about the Cangran Sect or the peace you've helped create. We will ensure it endures."

"Yes," Grandmaster Tong agreed. "You have fulfilled your purpose here admirably. The Dark God—or Sha, as you know it—has been contained. Your debt to our world is paid in full."

Mo Yuxin looked at them in shock. "You know about Sha?"

"We are not without our own sources of ancient wisdom," Master Tan said with a mysterious smile. "We may not understand everything about this entity, but we know it threatened far more than just our realm."

Grandmaster Tong reached out to take both Mo Yuxin's and Su Yubing's hands in her weathered ones. "Thank you, dear children. For saving our world from such a dangerous existence."

"Will we... will we ever see you again?" Mo Yuxin asked, her voice small.

Master Tan exchanged a glance with her lover, then turned back to Mo Yuxin with unusual gentleness. "The paths between worlds are never truly closed to those who know how to walk them. Perhaps someday."

"Until then," Grandmaster Tong said, "know that you will always have a home here, in the hearts of those who love you."

The two older women turned to leave, their figures silhouetted against the moonlight. Before they disappeared down the path, Master Tan looked back one last time.

"Be happy, wherever you go," she said simply. "That is all we wish for you both. And as for leaving your child, Lu Wuqi here or taking her with you, it's something you two have to decide."

Then they were gone, leaving Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing alone with the night wind and the weight of their impending departure.

"They knew all along," Su Yubing whispered. "All these years..."

Mo Yuxin nodded, wiping away a tear. "And they loved us anyway."

They stood together a while longer, committing the view to memory—this world that had been their home for centuries, through multiple lifetimes. The world they had saved and would soon leave behind.

Mo Yuxin suddenly looked over to Su Yubing and asked with a low voice,

"Yubing... what should we do about that child? The truth would definitely hurt her."

"Come," Su Yubing said at last, taking Mo Yuxin's hand. "Let's go back to our rooms. It's been a long day."

Su Yubing didn't answer but Mo Yuxin knew that she had her own concerns.

Their quarters on Shanglong Peak were quiet and familiar, lit only by a single lamp that cast soft shadows across the wooden floors.

They stood in silence for a moment, processing the enormity of what they had just remembered. They weren't simply Mo Yuxin and Su Yubing of the Cangran Sect. They were travelers from another reality, sent here on a mission that had taken centuries to complete.

Mo Yuxin suddenly pulled Su Yubing into a tight embrace, burying her face against her lover's shoulder.

"I missed you..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Su Yubing laughed softly, the sound warm and pleasing. She gently stroked Mo Yuxin's hair, her touch filled with tenderness.

"Hmm.. Me too..." She said dotingly.

Mo Yuxin leaned back against Su Yubing, taking comfort in her warmth. "I'll miss this place."

"As will I," Su Yubing murmured against her hair. "But we'll carry it with us, in our hearts and memories."

They stood like that for a long moment, savoring the peace of their rooms, the familiar scents and sounds of Cangran Mountain at night. Outside, crickets chirped in the garden, and a gentle rain began to fall, pattering softly against the roof tiles.

Finally, Mo Yuxin turned Su Yubing in her arms, looking down at her with eyes that glowed faintly red in the dim light. "No more sadness tonight," she said softly. "Tonight is just for us."

Su Yubing smiled up at her, reaching to trace the curve of Mo Yuxin's jaw. "Just for us," she agreed.