Yun Qingxue couldn’t figure it out no matter how hard she tried. She had merely stumbled while taking photos of peonies, and when she opened her eyes again, she had inexplicably turned into a motionless peony planted in a flowerpot.
Was she doomed to spend the rest of her life as a flower…?
*”I wonder what rare and precious flower the Daoist intends to gift me, keeping it so mysterious?”*
Just as Yun Qingxue was silently lamenting her fate, swaying helplessly in the breeze, a clear and melodious male voice sounded from a distance, followed by a slightly aged voice.
*”I’ve long heard that Your Highness is a lover of flowers. This humble Daoist was fortunate enough to obtain this precious bloom and dared not keep it for myself. As for its variety, Your Highness will know at a glance!”*
As the words fell, two figures approached Yun Qingxue. A handsome young man suddenly leaned down, examining the flower in the pot with a mix of astonishment and disbelief in his eyes.
Yun Qingxue, meanwhile, stared speechlessly at the man’s face, now uncomfortably close. Even if she were just a flower now, shouldn’t propriety between men and women be observed? Couldn’t he keep his face a little farther away?
As if hearing her thoughts, the man straightened up after a moment, though his expression only grew more bewildered. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke to the other man. *”Daoist, could this be—the legendary Blue Blood Peony? The rarest and most precious of all peonies?”*
The old Daoist chuckled, stroking his short beard. *”Indeed! Your Highness truly lives up to his reputation as a connoisseur of flowers!”*
*”But—”* The voice of the Prince of Ning turned grave. *”But the Blue Blood Peony is said to possess innate spirituality, being one of the three great noble lineages of the Spirit Immortals—the royal descendants of the Flora Clan, capable of taking human form from birth…”*
*”Hahaha…”* The Daoist laughed. *”Your Highness is correct, but this particular Blue Blood Peony is… special. Otherwise, how could this humble Daoist have subdued her to present to Your Highness?”*
The Prince of Ning hesitated. *”What do you mean by ‘special’?”*
*”The Blue Blood Peonies of the Flora Clan awaken their spiritual awareness and gain magical abilities upon birth, allowing them to shapeshift. However, this one, though capable of human form, is… simple-minded, with the intellect of a three-year-old child and no magical power.”*
*”When I found her, she was wandering the wilderness like a lost soul, likely abandoned by her kin due to her mental deficiency. With a simple spell, I returned her to her original form and brought her here as a gift for Your Highness…”*
Listening to their conversation, Yun Qingxue gained a rough understanding of her current predicament. Silently, she cursed the old Daoist in her heart. What kind of meddlesome person was he? She had been minding her own business—did her wandering really bother him? Even a “simpleton” wasn’t spared! Despicable!
Things couldn’t be as simple as the Daoist claimed. Otherwise, why would she, perfectly fine one moment, suddenly find her soul trapped in the body of an idiot peony spirit?
*”In that case, I thank the Daoist for his generosity.”* After a brief hesitation, the Prince of Ning accepted the precious Blue Blood Peony.
A glint of cunning flashed imperceptibly in the Daoist’s eyes as he stroked his beard and spoke with feigned humility. *”Your Highness need not thank me. In truth, this humble Daoist has a small request…”*
The Prince of Ning smiled warmly. *”Please, speak freely.”*
*”Your Highness is truly magnanimous!”* The Daoist immediately flattered him.
Yun Qingxue, still stuck in the flowerpot, rolled her eyes inwardly. This shameless old man was clearly buttering him up just to get what he wanted. The prince had merely asked him to speak—not agreed to anything yet!
*”Well…”* The Daoist hesitated, then chuckled awkwardly, stroking his beard again. Yun Qingxue rolled her eyes once more, certain that whatever he was about to propose was shady.
*”Ahem… This humble Daoist has encountered some obstacles in my cultivation and require external assistance.”*
The Prince of Ning frowned. *”But I am but an ordinary man, unversed in immortal arts. How could I possibly aid you? Unless—you wish for me to introduce you to the Imperial Preceptor?”*
*”No, no, no.”* The Daoist quickly shook his head. Then, as if steeling himself, he said, *”I’ve heard that Your Highness possesses a piece of Lantian Warm Jade, a treasure imbued with the essence of the sun and moon—a priceless artifact for cultivators. Might Your Highness be willing to lend it to me?”*
*”Ah!”* The Prince of Ning laughed in realization. *”Attendant!”*
A servant in green robes appeared as if from thin air, bowing deeply. *”Your Highness?”*
*”Have the steward retrieve the Lantian Warm Jade from the treasury.”*
*”At once.”* The servant bowed and withdrew.
*”Your Highness is truly generous! This humble Daoist is deeply grateful…”* The Daoist’s face lit up with barely concealed delight. He hadn’t expected the prince to agree so readily.
*”Haha, no need for formalities. As the saying goes, ‘A treasured sword should be gifted to a hero.’ In my hands, the jade is merely an ornament, but in yours, it becomes a divine artifact. A gentleman delights in aiding others—how could I let such a treasure go to waste?”* The Prince of Ning’s smile was warm and sincere.
*”Infinite Heavenly Virtue! This Daoist admires Your Highness’s magnanimity!”*
As they spoke, a figure hurried over from a distance, bowing respectfully. *”This old servant greets Your Highness.”*
*”Have you brought it?”* the prince asked.
*”Yes.”*
Yun Qingxue watched as the man reverently presented a piece of jade, its color as clear and deep as lake water. The Prince of Ning accepted it and handed it to the Daoist.
The Daoist’s face flushed with excitement as he hastily tucked the jade into his robe, as if afraid someone might snatch it away.
The steward who had delivered the jade glanced subtly at the Daoist, his brow furrowing slightly before he composed himself and lowered his head.
*”You may leave.”* The prince dismissed him with a wave.
*”Your Highness,”* the Daoist spoke up. *”I have imposed upon you long enough. I shall take my leave now. Once I overcome my cultivation obstacles with this jade, I shall return it intact!”*
*”No need. If the jade pleases you, consider it my gift in return for this flower.”* The prince spoke magnanimously.
The Daoist didn’t refuse. *”In that case, I thank Your Highness for your kindness! I bid you farewell!”*
*”Steward Fu, escort the Daoist out.”* The prince instructed the steward, who had yet to depart.
The steward bowed to the prince, then gestured respectfully to the Daoist. *”Daoist, this way.”*
After exchanging a few more polite words, the Daoist finally left with the steward. The Prince of Ning watched their retreating figures until they disappeared, standing still for a long while.
From her flowerpot, Yun Qingxue observed the prince, then glanced at the spot where the Daoist had vanished. *Tsk tsk,* she thought. *The way the prince is staring, it’s like he can’t bear to see the old man go. How sentimental~*
Just as she was lost in thought, the Prince of Ning suddenly turned and bent down to look at her.
His jade-white fingers gently brushed her delicate blue petals.
*”A peerless flower, the finest of peonies—truly extraordinary.”* The prince murmured, his voice soft as a whisper, his star-bright eyes filled with admiration and warmth.
Yun Qingxue thought that if she were in human form right now, her face would be burning red. This was the first time she had been so close to a man other than Ling Wei.
The thought of Ling Wei—the childhood sweetheart who had betrayed her without hesitation for wealth and status—sent a pang of sorrow through her. She had been so foolishly devoted, preserving her purity for their wedding night, only to learn that years of companionship meant nothing in the face of reality.
*”Perhaps it’s for the best…”* she mused silently. *Some people are better seen for who they truly are, sooner rather than later.*
*”Hmm? Why does this flower seem to be wilting?”* The Prince of Ning’s puzzled voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Yun Qingxue refocused to find the prince’s luminous gaze still fixed on her, filled with curiosity, doubt, and contemplation.
Then, suddenly, he smiled—a warm, melting smile like the sun in early spring, yet tinged with an inexplicable playfulness.
*”How much of what that Daoist said was true, I wonder? What risks am I inviting by keeping you here?”*
Yun Qingxue was baffled. What was he muttering about?
*”No matter. I’ll take it one step at a time. Let’s see what that old schemer is really up to.”* With that, the prince straightened and walked away, leaving Yun Qingxue deep in thought.
She watched his retreating figure, then smirked like a mischievous child who had stumbled upon a secret.
*So, the Prince of Ning’s earlier generosity was all an act? What a skilled performer!* Now she was genuinely curious—what kind of game was being played between this theatrical prince and the mysterious Daoist?
And so, whether she liked it or not, Yun Qingxue remained a peony in a pot—unable to move or speak. Every day, someone watered her, though thankfully, no one fertilized her. Otherwise, she might have died of sheer frustration.
Days passed in a blink. Aside from occasional visits from the handsome Prince of Ning, she never saw the Daoist again. From their earlier conversation and the gossip she overheard from maids and servants in the palace gardens, she gradually pieced together an understanding of her situation—and the world she now inhabited.
She, Yun Qingxue, had undoubtedly crossed over into another world.
This world was called the Xuanling Continent, vastly different from the 21st century. Here, humanity was not the only dominant race. Instead, five major races coexisted: Humans, Gods, Demons, Spirit Immortals, and Elves, along with several smaller, independent factions.
The Spirit Immortals were further divided into four great clans:
– The Flora Clan (plants, flowers, and trees),
– The Skyfeather Clan (feathered beings that flew, such as swans and ducks),
– The Beast Clan (wolves, tigers, leopards, etc.),
– The Aquatic Clan (fish, eels, and other water-dwellers).
Like human emperors, each of these four clans was ruled by a monarch of noble bloodline and extraordinary spiritual power.
The Skyfeather Clan revered the Phoenix as their king.
The Beast Clan bowed to the White Tiger.
The Aquatic Clan followed the Golden Dragon.
And the Flora Clan—they worshipped the Blue Blood Peony as their sovereign.
Among the five major races, all except the Elves possessed a supreme emblem held by their rulers—a symbol of allegiance and recognition.
The Human Emperor’s Command,
The Divine Sovereign’s Spirit,
The Demon King’s Decree,
And for the Spirit Immortals—four unique tokens:
The Feather King’s Command,
The Beast King’s Command,
The Water Ripple Command,
And the Flower King’s Command!
Legends spoke of a prophecy: *”When the Seven Commands unite, the continent shall be ruled as one. The Feather King shall lead, but the Flower King shall reign supreme.”*
However, from the idle chatter of servants, Yun Qingxue learned that this unification had never occurred in all of history.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage