Winter Blossom

Prologue (A Christmas Special)

The Peach Tree woods at dusk is one the most beautiful sights one could ever imagine.  Zhe Yans special magic could be seen in everything the eye fell upon, even the blades of grass which sprung up though the fallen blossoms that seemed to rain down in a perpetual shower of soft pinks and white intermingled with his even more gentler blue essence, felt the gentleness of his magic.  And with a sunset sky just beginning to break overhead, the colours that swept across the tree tops only added to the glorious spectacle as hues within hues bounced off the peach blossoms and threw the colours all over the Grove.

Even in winter, the Grove never lost its beauty.  It remained in a perpetual state of full bloom, every tree and branch erupted with blossoms as any Peach Tree would in spring and summer.  The seasons did not affect them at all, and though there was a slight chill to the air, it was not unpleasant.

It was also the time of day, when the birds and tree sprites alike, would come out to watch the display as if it were the very first time they had ever seen it.  The chirping and twittering carried to every corner of the grove as the man walked slowly along the well worn path that had seen countless Immortals follow over the long years that the Grove existed.

Mo Yuan rarely got to visit Zhe Yans Grove alone and even more rarely did he visit just for the peace.  Usually, he would come to talk over matters of importance or to drink wine with his old friend and reminisce on their youth.  In fact, Zhe Yan was nowhere in sight having taken himself to the Eastern Forest to scout for medicinal plants, or so he said, though Mo Yuan knew he was hoping for a reconciliation with Bai Zhen having fought their worst fight in centuries.

But he did not mind the lack of company, in fact he loved the silence.  Zhe Yan was one of his very closest of friends and he loved him dearly, but sometimes his insane laughter and penchant for mischief could be a bit overwhelming.  So a silent stroll in his Grove was a very pleasant interlude in his very busy life.

Now and then a bird would swoop down to quickly circle his head, as if to say hello, while the sprites who could be very naughty at times, dropped twigs onto his hair.  Only the light barrier he wore ensured their mischief bounced harmlessly to the side.  

The early evening breeze, was just starting to settle in for the night, but the sweet fragrance that the Grove was known for did not feel too heavy because the breeze ensured that it too remained at a pleasurable tone, it was just enough to feel a little giddy without losing ones senses altogether.

With his hands behind his back, Mo Yuan ambled along slowly with no real destination in mind, while stopping now and then to admire the waterfalls and rock pools along the way.  His mind was clear of all thoughts, in fact nothing passed though his mind at all, he was fully at peace when he suddenly felt himself being lifted into the air and thrown against a tree so hard, that his entire body immediately went into his fighting stance.

Winded and in full self defence mode, Mo Yuans body remained hunched low as his eyes scanned his surroundings for the enemy.  Only a very powerful essence would have the ability to pass through Zhe Yans barrier let alone knock him off his feet, but as his head turned slowly from the right to the left and back again, his sight suddenly narrowed in on a faint tinge of white and blue energy that seemed to be throbbing lightly among the trees.  Half hidden, he almost missed it, but in a flash, he was on his feet and running with his sword at the ready.

Only the moment he arrived, the sudden appearance of a woman laid out on a bed of petals soon had his steps slowing down.  Cautiously he approached her, his eyes scanning in all directions for movement while also fully focused on her.  Only the moment he arrived at her side, then he suddenly dropped to his knees.  She was injured, her entire body seemed to have gone through some kind of trauma, but it was her face he narrowed in on.

She was definitely very beautiful, but she was a woman he had never seen before and nor could he place her garments.  Normally the Realms people wore the garments they were known for, but her gown was a simple white one that flowed freely about her body.   She could belong to any Tribe and this worried him, because not only was she injured, but Zhe Yan was not there.  If anyone would know her identity, it would be him after all, it was his grove that she suddenly arrived in.

But the moment he opened his energy to scan her for internal injuries, he suddenly fell back.  The light throb of blue essence which he had seen, was not the Grove which he had thought it was, but  Ascension energy, and not just any Ascension, but a High Goddess Ascension.

"Who are you?" he whispered though more to himself.  As far as he was aware, there were no other High Goddesses in their world, and it also explained how he was knocked off his feet.  Only High Goddess Ascension energy could produce enough power to throw him like that.

Her eyes had yet to open and having just Ascended, she would be out for at least a week, maybe two and that thought had him very worried for her safety.  She needed urgent care and with no Medicine King around, Mo Yuan knew he had no choice but to pick her up and take her home with him.

So very gently, he manoeuvred her into his arms and stood firmly on his feet before conjuring a cloud.  She weighed nothing at all, she was so small and so light that he couldn't help but look down at the almost perfect face and figure that seemed to meld naturally into his arms..  Her delicate frame was almost fragile compared to his own much larger and well built form, so carrying her was no burden at all.

Then with a short spell woven and one last look down at the beautiful face that was deep in Ascension Sleep, Mo Yuan and the unknown Goddess left the Peach Tree Grove for Kunlun Mountain.