Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

Li Hua woke in her familiar quarters within the Beast Tamer Sect, consciousness returning gradually as dawn light filtered through the window. Her hand instinctively reached for the space beside her, finding only empty sheets where Mo Xing had lain. The physical absence created a corresponding hollow in her chest—surprising in its intensity after their short time of reunion.

She traced her fingers across the cool silk bedding, noting its temperature. He had left hours ago, likely well after she had fallen asleep. The thought brought both comfort and renewed ache—he had lingered, watching over her rest for as long as he could.

The past weeks had transformed her in ways she was still processing. Learning who she had been before her modern Earth life and the true nature of her connection to Mo Xing felt like recovering pieces of her soul she hadn't known were missing.

She couldn't help but marvel at how much she had endured across lifetimes—separation, rebirth, complete memory loss—yet still found her way back to the one being who recognized her essential self beneath all disguises. The miracle of their reunion seemed almost too precious to contemplate, as if examining it too closely might cause it to dissolve like a dream upon waking.

"Master, are you alright?" Little Firefly's concerned voice rippled through her consciousness as if sensing the complex emotions swirling through their connection.

Li Hua bit her lower lip, fighting back the stinging sensation that threatened to become tears. This wasn't a moment for weakness—it was the beginning of a new path, one that would eventually lead to permanent reunion rather than temporary separation. She inhaled deeply, calling upon both dignity and the emotional control.

"I'll be fine," she replied with quiet determination, fingers unconsciously seeking the residual spiritual trace Mo Xing had left within her consciousness—the fragment of himself that ensured they would never be truly separated again, regardless of physical distance. "We should check on the others and...I'd like to see my brother."

"He'll be happy to see you as well," Little Firefly added.

Li Hua smiled, but then paused, sudden concern tempering her anticipation. Would her eldest brother notice the changes in her? Her personality had subtly transformed after recovering fragments of her past lives—she felt lighter, more integrated, happier than the intense, sometimes overly serious sister she had been before.

Though she had always been warm and indulgent with her brothers, these deeper changes in her might be perceptible to those who knew her well. Such observations would invite questions she wasn't yet prepared to answer.

With this concern in mind, Li Hua walked to the polished bronze mirror in her bathing chamber. She studied her reflection carefully, searching for outward signs of her internal transformation. The face that looked back at her appeared unchanged—the same refined features, the same storm-gray eyes that had drawn curious glances since her childhood.

Yet, something in those eyes seemed different now—a new twinkle and depth that hadn't been there before—precisely what Lady Wei had said during her solo refinement. "The eyes mirror the soul." And standing before the mirror now, Li Hua understood the wisdom of those words with clarity.

She shook her head, fingers tracing over her features.

"Overall, I still look the same," she murmured reassuringly to herself, forcing her lips into the smile she typically showed her brothers. The expression appeared natural enough, though it now felt like a performance rather than a genuine reaction. She tried several more smiles before it fell to a more natural and comfortable one. A smile that was a perfect merge of her past self.

Next, she practiced her scowl—the stern expression that would silence a room. She cycled through various expressions, calibrating each to match what her brothers would expect, what wouldn't raise unwanted questions.

A soft chuckle escaped her as she realized the absurdity of the situation.

When she had been the Celestial Princess in her first life, she had been the youngest child—carefree, blunt with her words, often causing trouble with her unfiltered observations and impulsive decisions. That incarnation had never needed to feign expressions or calibrate responses; she had simply been whatever she felt in each moment, protected by both status and power from any consequences.

"Let's hope my brothers are less observant than I'm hoping," she whispered to her reflection before stepping away from the mirror.

After smoothing her robes and quickly arranging her hair in a simple style, she left her quarters. As she got closer to the dining hall, Li Hua activated the transmission technique.

Brother? she called through the connection.

The response was immediate. The familiar chime came back with such speed that she knew he must have been actively monitoring for her return.

Sister? You're back! I met Elder Fu last night when he returned with the other disciples, but you weren't with them. He said you would be back soon, but wouldn't tell me anything else. Is everything alright? Are you injured? Do you need—

His rapid succession of questions brought a genuine smile to her face. Here eldest brother, usually composed, now behaving like second brother due to his fluctuation of emotions.

I'm perfectly fine, Li Hua reassured him, infusing her mental voice with warmth. Where are you now?

At the dining hall, he replied back, sounding more relieved.

I'll be there soon, Li Hua responded.

When she walked into the dining hall, the familiar scents of rice porridge, steamed buns, fried dough sticks and soy milk enveloped her.

She immediately noticed her eldest brother sitting at the inner disciple's designated area with several scrolls spread before him despite the early hour. Typical Li Wei—even during meals, he continued his scholarly pursuits.

He looked up from a jade slip he'd been studying, his serious expression instantly transforming into one of unrestrained joy when he spotted her. Setting aside his materials with uncharacteristic haste, he raised a hand in greeting, the gesture somehow combining both dignified restraint and boyish enthusiasm.

The genuine delight in his eyes brought a laugh to her lips as she made her way through the hall. When she approached him, propriety was momentarily abandoned as he pulled her into a warm embrace.

"I missed you, little sister," he whispered, his voice carrying an edge of concern that hadn't been fully dispelled by seeing her unharmed.

Li Hua wrapped her arms around him, allowing herself to sink into the familiarity of family connection.

"I missed you too, brother," she whispered back, meaning it completely despite the world-altering experiences that had filled her time away.

As they separated, she studied his face with renewed appreciation—the elegant features that so closely resembled their mother's, the intelligent eyes that never missed details, the subtle worry lines that spoke of responsibility shouldered too young.

"You look healthy," Li Hua said, shifting the topic to avoid further scrutiny of her own transformation.

Li Wei's eyes crinkled at the corners as he gave a soft laugh. "Always so direct," he remarked, his fingers absently straightening the sleeve of his inner disciple robes, which she now noticed bore the subtle embroidery pattern of an officially acknowledged personal disciple rather than merely a clan member. "But yes, the sect's resources have been generous, and I've taken a Master."

"Already?" Li Hua's expression shifted to genuine surprise. Personal discipleship under an elder was a significant advancement.

"Yes," he confirmed, unable to completely suppress the pride in his voice despite his usual restraint. "Elder Bai has accepted me and the ceremony was conducted three days ago."

"That's fantastic!" Li Hua exclaimed, spontaneously grabbing him for another hug with an enthusiasm that would have been perfectly natural for her original princess incarnation but was somewhat uncharacteristic of her typically reserved and current persona. "Eldest brother is amazing as always!"

Li Wei laughed openly at her exuberance, the sound bright and unguarded. Then, almost as suddenly as he'd embraced her joy, he pulled back slightly, hands remaining on her shoulders as his eyes began to scrutinize her face with the perceptive intensity that had made him a formidable scholar.

"You've changed, little sister," he said, his voice dropping to ensure privacy despite the dining hall's morning bustle. It wasn't an accusation but a careful observation.

"What? What do you mean?" Li Hua asked, deliberately avoiding his eyes—a tactical error she realized too late.

"First, you never squirm under scrutiny," he noted with quiet precision, one finger gently tilting her chin up to force eye contact. "Second, you're happier—not just pleased to be home, but fundamentally lighter. Third," his eyes narrowed slightly, "you smell like night-blooming flowers."

Li Hua's mouth dropped open in genuine shock, and her cheeks flushed with telltale warmth. Night-blooming flowers was unmistakably Mo Xing's signature scent—a fragrance that had surrounded her for the past week, apparently lingering despite her bath before returning. The realization that she carried his essence so obviously sent a mixture of embarrassment and secret pleasure coursing through her.