AN: Hello! Sorry it took me a long time to make a new post. A lot of things happened over the past weeks and the stress demotivated me to write anything. I'm working my way back now after reading a few good stories lol.

Thank you to everyone for supporting this work. Happy reading! 🦊💜

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ELOD-Like Universe

It has been two days since Dong Hua discovered that the Xiao Bai who was with him for the past few days was not his wife. After using a lethargy spell on her, he decided to keep her in a healing cage. This was to make sure she recovers and gets enough rest from the after-effects of traveling through a different universe.

Dong Hua was unusually quiet since then as his mind wandered off to the different possibilities of who this woman is and where she came from.

He planned to talk to Zhe Yan, Mo Yuan, and Zu Ti about this uncanny situation. However, he remembered that Zu Ti was currently inaccessible since she just went into seclusion heaven knows where. Not even Lian Song had a slight idea on where she decided to cultivate. So Zu Ti is temporarily out of the picture until she gets back from wherever she's hiding.

Dong Hua's trance ended when he heard approaching footsteps. He turned towards the source of the noise and saw Zhonglin carrying what looked to be a missive.

His steward bowed in greeting. "Dijun, a messenger from Qing Qiu arrived, and he says it's from Bai Zhi Dijun." He then offered the scroll forward.

Dong Hua stared at it before taking it from Zhonglin's hands. "Did the messenger already leave?" He asked.

Zhonglin shook his head and answered. "He hasn't left yet, Dijun."

Dong Hua nodded slowly. He quietly read it and then conjured a paper and pen. He wrote a short reply before folding the paper and gave it to his steward. "That should be enough." He said before he dismissed Zhonglin.

When he was finally alone again, he continued to think about the bizarre situation going on. But he was once more interrupted when he felt the magic notifying him that the Xiao Bai in his room was now awake.

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Feng Jiu gently opened her eyes after what she felt like a long sleep. She noticed the familiar interiors of the room. This confirmed her suspicions that she was back inside Dong Hua's chamber.

She slowly sat up and scanned the room to discover that no one aside from her was inside. "Why do I feel like I slept for days?" She mumbled to herself as she stretched her arms.

Feng Jiu cast a spell that instantly fixed her hair and straightened her slightly crumpled dress. Once she was finished making sure she looked okay, she slowly walked towards the door. However, before she could push it open, someone opened it from the other side. The unexpected thing surprised her that she unconsciously took a step back.

Dong Hua stared at the other version of Xiao Bai in front of him. He realized his sudden intrusion must have startled her since she didn't say anything and continued to look at him with wide eyes.

"I can see you're finally awake, Xiao Bai. How was your sleep?" He asked when he noticed the silence that blanketed them.

Feng Jiu finally came to her senses after hearing the former emperor's question. She cleared her throat, "It was okay, Djun, but I think I slept too much because I can feel a slight backache."

Dong Hua's eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he later on nodded. "I'll ask Zhonglin to get you the medicine to ease the pain you're feeling. But you should eat breakfast first before you drink it."

The woman in front of him looked at him skeptically but decided to join him for breakfast since she felt hungry at the mention of the word breakfast.

Dong Hua led her to the same place where they had dinner. Feng Jiu was so mesmerized at the beauty of the view in front of her. She instantly felt slightly refreshed as the cool morning breeze touched her face. There was already food prepared on the table, and two seats were on each opposite side of the table.

They sat opposite each other. Feng Jiu looked at the different dishes in front of her and noticed that they were mostly to her preferred taste.

"Do you like the food?" Dong Hua asked.

Feng Jiu suddenly remembered to keep her manners, so she gave Dong Hua a nod. "Yes, Dijun. Thank you for preparing this meal." She then let out a small smile to show her gratitude.

Dong Hua nodded lightly. "Let's eat now." He said, and Feng Jiu then started devouring the delicious food in front of her. And while her attention was focused on her food, Dong Hua took the opportunity to observe the woman in front of him.

He noticed the similar mannerisms of the Xiao Bai in front of him to his wife. He watched how she unconsciously tapped her left index finger at the side of the cup she was holding right after taking a drink. He also saw how she gnawed on her lower lips as she considered what side dish to eat next. This puzzled his mind since there was not much of a difference from his wife's behavior.

He thought to himself on whether the reason why he wasn't able to detect any sandalwood scent she acquired from drinking his golden blood was because the ascension to high immortal completely changed a part of her. Especially now that she's stronger since she's only one phase away from being a high goddess.

But Dong Hua was still uncertain if this was a good possibility since he did not experience the different tribulations to becoming a high god. He made up his mind that he would talk with Mo Yuan and Zhe Yan today about this to confirm if his assumption was accurate.

Dong Hua was so absorbed with his thoughts that he did not notice that Feng Jiu stopped eating when she saw that intense stare from the man in front of her. She felt slightly embarrassed since she was so consumed with her food that she forgot her manners again.

The other man's thoughts were interrupted when she made a loud clearing of voice and quickly averted her eyes back to her food when he came to his senses. "Dijun, you should also start eating your food now while they're still hot." She commented as an attempt to shatter the blanket of awkwardness that was about to cover them.

Dong Hua slightly smiled while nodding his head. "You're correct." He replied briefly and then began eating his meal as well.

Feng Jiu was already full after eating enough portions of all the side dishes prepared. When she was done, she turned her head towards the beautiful view of the bright sky. The refreshing feeling after another cool breeze passed lifted her mood.

She no longer felt tired, which was a complete contrast to how she first felt right after she woke up from her sleep. She then tried to recall the things that conspired right before she fell into the dreamland since she remembered attempting to leave Tai Chen Palace. However, Dong Hua Dijun managed to stop her, but the question as to how she fell asleep is still a puzzle to her. She felt like she slept for far too long, and it was impossible this was due to the medicine Zhe Yan gave her since the effect usually doesn't last that long.

Well, the god in front of her could be the key to her unanswered questions since he was the last one she saw right before she fell unconscious. "Dijun, I want to discuss with you the event that happened the other night."

Dong Hua, who was sipping from his cup, stopped in his tracks. He then put down the cup on the table. "It's actually been two days since your attempt to flee from this place."

Feng Jiu's eyes widened at what she heard. "I've been asleep that long? Is there something wrong with my health that I needed to sleep for that amount of time?" She asked him since he was the only one nearest who could answer her questions.

Dong Hua lifted his eyes and stared back at those familiar eyes. "Your body was overworked after you attempted to leave before dawn. You fainted, and I had to put cast a combination of lethargy and healing spells on you so you could recuperate for enough amount time." He knew that there was a slight lie to that statement. The reason why he cast a spell on her was so he could determine what was wrong with the woman in front of him.

Feng Jiu wanted to scold herself for the failed attempt of escaping Tai Chen palace without Dong Hua's permission. "Thank you, Dijun. I also would like to apologize for causing you trouble and for trying to leave without bidding you goodbye first."

Dong Hua sighed softly. "You don't have to stress yourself about that, Xiao Bai." He replied.

Feng Jiu gave him a small smile. She remembered that she was supposed to go home nights ago before she fainted for the second time to know what happened in Qing Qiu. But it was as if luck wasn't on her side since every attempt she made to go home was ruined by her fainting.

This bugged her mind since she remembered feeling okay when she attended the court meeting in the Grand Hall. What could be the cause of her sudden fatigue?

She realized that it was now ideal for her to bid Dong Hua goodbye since she didn't see any point in prolonging her stay in Taichen Palace. "Dijun, I am very grateful for the times you helped me for the past few days and for letting me stay here to recuperate. But I think it's high time for me to leave now since I'm feeling better this time, and I remember that I have a few scheduled meetings to attend to."

Her words caused Dong Hua to slightly frown. "Scheduled meeting?" He asked. How could she have a scheduled meeting after all the uneventful things that happened to their family the past days?

Feng Jiu nodded. "Yes, Dijun. I was actually supposed to have a meeting with a few elders two days ago but I think my family informed them of my current situation. The appointment had to be rescheduled as soon as I got back in Qing Qiu." She answered.

This added another confusion to Dong Hua. "I really need to see Zhe Yan and Mo Yuan because it seems like there is also something wrong with her memory." He thought to himself.

"I think I can't allow you to leave yet Xiao Bai because Zhe Yan instructed me to stop you from leaving. He's still making the medicine you need to make sure that you fully recover from the fatigue. Travelling could cause you more strain which is why he advised that you stay here for now until he comes back." Dong Hua said. Zhe Yan actually didn't tell him that, but it was the only thing he could think of now to make sure she wouldn't leave Taichen Palace. Not until he finally has a better grasp on what's happening.

Feng Jiu was silent for a while after that. Deep inside her, she was happy to be able to stay for another day inside this palace. But she knew that the moment Zhe Yan came back with the medicine, she wouldn't have any other reason to stay with Dong Hua. And that obviously meant that she had to start reminding herself once more that nothing more was going to happen. That she has to return to the life she has been living for the past four years.

She was torn. But for the sake of not prolonging her stay in Taichen Palace furthermore, she needed to recover quickly. "I understand, Dijun. I would like to thank you again for your help. " She said and slightly bowed her head to show her thanks and sincerity.

Dong Hua waved his hand and gave her a smile that the Feng Jiu in front of him rarely saw. "Why don't you stay for a while here and enjoy the view. Staying in the gardens is also helpful. But I'll have to leave for a while to attend to some matter, and I want you to promise that you won't do anything strenuous while I'm away."

Feng Jiu nodded. "Okay, Dijun. I promise not to do anything taxing while you're away."

After a few more talks, Dong Hua finally left. When Feng Jiu was alone in the pavilion, she couldn't help let out a sigh since she was bothered by how Dong Hua was treating her. It really confused her since he has always been cold and indifferent to her, except for the time in the Roushi Riverbank a few years ago.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she caught sight of a beautiful butterfly that appeared in front of her view.

-----

Dong Hua sent a quick message to Zhe Yan that he was heading to Kunlun Mountain to discuss the bizarre situation going on. The moment he arrived at the said destination, Mo Yuan welcomed him and immediately brought him to the study room.

A few minutes later, Zhe Yan arrived. The phoenix took the vacant seat reserved for him. "Dong Hua, how is Xiao Jiu?" He asked.

Mo Yuan, who wasn't aware of the situation, gave Dong Hua a questioning look. "Xiao Jiu is with you? And she's also awake?"

Dong Hua sighed and nodded at Mo Yuan. "Yes, she is. I actually came here to discuss this bizarre situation with you." He then turned to Zhe Yan. "She's awake. We had breakfast together before I left for this gathering."

The usually reserved Mo Yuan still hasn't recovered from the unexpected revelation. "How long has she been awake? How is that even possible?"

"That's why I'm here today. I have a few things to confirm with you two." Dong Hua briefly answered and looked at the gods with him.

Zhe Yan nodded. "How can we help?"

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It has been almost two hours since Dong Hua left. Feng Jiu found herself roaming around the garden after following the butterfly that caught her attention earlier. She decided to stay to observe the different beautiful faunas that surrounded the whole area.

"Little butterfly, are the flowers in this garden not sweet enough? Why are you alone by yourself? Don't you typically have a pair to collect sweet nectars with?" Feng Jiu talked to the butterfly who was busy gathering food in a nearby vibrant yellow flower.

She let out a small laugh when the butterfly flew around and looked for a new flower.

"Oh, to be a butterfly and only worry about collecting food." She remarked to herself. She let out a sigh and decided to return to the pavilion to relax. But on her way back, her keen eyes caught the flash of silver hair.

"Dijun is probably back." She said. She then decided to go see Dong Hua since she planned to send a message to Qing Qiu because she realized she hasn't sent any updates to her family about her situation.

She walked fast to catch Dong Hua since he might leave again for another errand she's not aware of.

When she was only a few distance away from him, she called out his name. "Dijun."

The man with silver mane turned around. However, she was shocked to find out that it wasn't Dong Hua Dijun. "What's going on here?" She couldn't help but ask since the immortal in front of her looked like a carbon copy of Dong Hua but was not Dong Hua. He also appeared younger, probably a few thousand years younger than her.

On the other hand, the eyes of the immortal, who resembled Dong Hua, widened in disbelief at the sight of the woman in front of him. He wasn't the emotional type, but the woman a few meters from him wasn't just anyone in his life.

He took hurried steps towards her, his eyes full of longing.

Feng Jiu was puzzled at the immortal's sudden change of expression. What shocked her greatly was when he pulled her into a tight hug. But the words that came out from the person hugging her at the moment stunned her even more.

"Niang Qin, you're back."