Deep within the heart of the black market’s palace, gilded walls glimmered under the dim yellow light. Caesar half-reclined on the cold throne, his red hair falling freely over his shoulders. His fingers idly traced the contours of the Qingluan Flower ring, his golden-red eyes drifting in the shadows.
Today, thanks to Liyou monitoring the palace’s systems and reports from subordinates who had infiltrated the celebration, he knew every twist and turn of the elaborate feast.
“Liyou, that ancient palace where Landai went… that must be the Xian Palace, right?” His voice seemed casual, but beneath it lay an unmistakable edge of anxious inquiry.
“Whether by architectural layout or the levitation mechanisms that surpass contemporary technology, it matches the Xian Palace in the archives perfectly,” Liyou’s tone was flat. “Similarity is 90%. It’s almost certain—it is the long-lost Xian Palace.”
A vicious smirk curled Caesar’s lips. “So the powers that appeared during the Ares War really came from the Xian Palace… Did Landai see the Xian Zun? Or… was the Xian Zun no longer there, his soul sealed in the key?”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “If he’s still there, how could he allow anyone to enter? Unless… he saw someone pitiful and was moved to compassion, taking them in temporarily?”
Liyou remained silent for a moment, then said softly, “Young master, the one you truly rescued and kept close… from beginning to end… it has always been only you.”
Caesar’s movements faltered slightly. The cold touch of the ring pressed against his fingertips, unlocking long-buried memories—
Years ago, gravely injured and on the brink of death, he had been saved by Xuanxiao and first set foot in the palace that stood atop the clouds, dreamlike and surreal.
In the world of the insect race, queens were naturally fierce, survival strong, and larvae learned independence through struggle, never relying on others. He had always despised the fragile male insects—until he encountered that extraordinary male.
He had a face like polished jade, beautiful as an immortal, with black hair tied simply with a white jade pin, wide sleeves of snow-white robes flowing like the wind, exuding a serene, unapproachable elegance Caesar had never seen before.
At that moment, a wild thought surged in young Caesar’s mind—this male, he must knock him out, take him back to the lair, hide him as his own, and allow no one else to lay eyes on him.
Seizing the moment when the male turned to fetch medicine, he lunged without warning—only to see everything blur and find himself pinned coldly to the floor, unable to move. He couldn’t even discern the other’s actions, cursing his own carelessness, feeling the sting of complete defeat for the first time.
He reacted quickly, switching to a pitiful, pleading guise. “You hurt me! I just wanted to help you.”
Unexpectedly, the male loosened his grip, a hint of apology flickering in his eyes. “Sorry, I misunderstood.”
Caesar lowered his head to hide the cunning glint in his eyes—this male was deceptively adorable.
The second encounter, he tried to abduct him using his yet-undeveloped bone wings. He thought he could catch him off guard but ended up bound, suspended like prey from the beams, utterly humiliated.
“You’re so young, yet love to trick people—that’s not a good habit,” the male said calmly from below, a warm smile on his face.
“I’m not that young! Let me go, or you’ll regret it!” Caesar struggled fiercely, suspended in the air.
Leaning lazily against the wall, the male’s eyes danced with amusement. “Oh? And how exactly do you plan to make me regret it?”
Caesar gritted his teeth, struggling in vain. The male seemed fascinated by his bone wings, examining them for a long moment before slowly approaching. “If you promise not to ambush me again, I’ll let you go. How about that?”
Reluctantly, Caesar had to admit defeat. “Fine.”
At that instant, the ropes loosened automatically. He blinked in astonishment. “How… how did you do that?”
The male smiled faintly. “Just a little trick.”
“Hey, what’s your name? I’m Caesar Rehess.”
“My name is Xuanxiao… from now on, call me Xian Zun.”
Later, Xian Zun personally tended to his injuries. Those hands, untouched by worldly dust, day after day, carried the bitter scent of herbs because of him.
Males never entered the kitchen, yet Xian Zun personally cooked porridge. Its color was strange, even slightly scorched. Handing it to him, the male’s expression was uneasy, tinged with apology. “Sorry, there’s no other food in the Xian Palace. If you don’t like it… I can fetch something else.”
Caesar looked at the imperfect porridge, yet felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. It was the first time someone had made him a meal. Even with its strange taste, it surpassed all earthly delicacies.
To stay longer by his side, Caesar pretended to be fragile, claiming fear of the dark and reluctance to sleep alone.
Xian Zun merely glanced at him, unperturbed, placing several smooth beads by the bedside.
“These are Sharkman Pearls,” Xian Zun explained lightly, as if priceless treasures were mere trifles.
At night, the pearls glowed softly, scattering a gentle river of stars across the bed. And Xian Zun sat beside it, never leaving.
Caesar pretended to sleep but secretly watched—the side profile illuminated by the soft glow was breathtakingly perfect.
Noticing his gaze, Xian Zun mistook it for lingering fear, gently tucked the covers around him, and softly said, “Sleep. I’ll be here; you can feel safe.”
Caesar expected to be anxious all night, yet enveloped in that serene, refined aura, he felt unprecedented peace, drifting into sleep without realizing it.
When healed, it was also time for separation. Xian Zun instructed him to leave the palace.
Yet Caesar’s insatiable longing drove him to sneak out repeatedly, returning to the palace only he could see. Each time, Xian Zun awaited him in the reception room; that calm, gentle smile effortlessly melted all the anger in Caesar’s heart.
Until one day, Caesar arrived and found Xian Zun nowhere. Confused, he glanced past familiar corridors into the palace’s unfathomable depths, curiosity pulling him into the unknown.
Suddenly, a puppet burst from the shadows, moving faster than lightning. Caesar had never seen such a fierce opponent, forced into constant retreat, his heart racing.
In desperation, a snow-white figure flowed down like light. Xian Zun urgently caught him in his arms, a single hand casually dispatching the puppet, shattering it into dust with overwhelming force.
For the first time, Caesar felt a male’s embrace could be so solid, so fiery. Xian Zun’s arm wrapped around his waist, fingers pressing his side, bodies pressing together—his cheeks flushed red, both safe and embarrassed.
“You’re okay? Any injuries?” Xian Zun’s voice was anxious and tender, eyes reflecting only him.
Caesar’s heart raced, a possessive desire surging—he wanted this male to always be by his side, only his. Yet he feigned calm, shaking his head, hiding the burning emotion in his eyes.
Seeing this, Xian Zun relaxed, producing a yellow triangular paper from his pocket.
“If anything happens, call my name in your heart, and I will respond. Never enter the palace’s deep areas—they’re dangerous.”
Caesar nodded, clutching the transmitter, mentally whispering “Xian Zun.” Suddenly, the paper glowed faintly, followed by a gentle whisper echoing in his mind: “Can you hear me?”
“Wh-what is this? How can I hear your voice in my mind?” Caesar asked, astonished.
Xian Zun replied lightly, “Just a little trick.”
“What’s hidden in the palace? Why is it so dangerous? Aren’t you at risk?” Caesar pressed.
Xian Zun’s expression remained calm. “There are extremely important things inside. The palace is under my control; nothing there can harm me.”
He gestured lightly, and in an instant, they stood together at the palace’s towering doors.
Caesar marveled at Xian Zun’s unfathomable methods, awed by the strength of this male, and a wild admiration took root.
Turning to leave, he couldn’t help but glance back at the palace, shining gold in the sunset. He felt it was more than a palace of light—it was an abyss consuming hope, hiding darkness and secrets he had yet to touch.
Memories receded like tides. In the black market palace, cold moonlight scattered over gilded walls.
Caesar gripped the Qingluan Flower ring tightly, eyes deep as the ocean. Thoughts swirled between past and present, Landai’s image emerging repeatedly, and that S-ranked male insect who had stunned the empire at the celebration—Gu Qing.
What connection could there be between them? If Landai was just a mercenary from a distant star system, how did he extract treasures from the heavily guarded Xian Palace?
Was it a gift from Xian Zun? Or… did Landai take advantage of a moment of weakness to steal from the palace?
These questions stabbed at Caesar like blades. A cold, murderous glint flickered in his eyes.
“If Landai really stole from the palace…”
Caesar clenched his teeth, voice cold: “I will never let him go! Those are Xian Zun’s possessions—I will not allow anyone to defile them!”
He turned to Liyou, voice resolute and urgent: “Issue orders immediately. Mobilize all available black market resources, spare no cost—find Landai for me!”
Liyou obeyed at once. Caesar’s gaze seemed to pierce through endless darkness, prying out all secrets. He knew only by finding Landai quickly could he uncover the palace’s truth and protect Xian Zun’s treasures.
Author’s note: Suddenly I feel that young Caesar is quite the little schemer—their bond began with Caesar’s infatuation (maybe!?). Is anyone still following the updates? QAQ