Tianmen City, one of the two border cities of the Celestial Realms, stood as a silent sentinel between worlds. Beyond the mighty Tianmen Gate lay the Tianwei Barrier, a monumental boundary separating Celestials from Humans. This barrier had been forged at an immeasurable cost—the life of Tian Yuan Zhizun, the Primordial Celestial Soverign, who had perished protecting the delicate balance of the three realms.
The realms now existed in a fragile equilibrium. Under the rule of Tian Xu Tianjun, son of Tian Yuan, the Celestial Realms flourished. Revered as a wise and benevolent emperor, Tian Xu had managed to restore peace within the Celestial Realm, overseeing its prosperity with steady hands.
The city itself bustled with activity. Many Celestials came to trade, their presence filling the air with energy and purpose. Stalls lined the streets, their merchants offering everything from rare celestial herbs to intricate trinkets, many of which had been brought back from the Human Realms by daring travelers.
Among the most adventurous were the merchant Celestials—those with the courage, and sometimes the permission, to cross the Tianwei Barrier into the Human Realm. They returned with oddities and delicacies from faraway lands, peddling them in Tianmen with pride. For Celestials who could not venture beyond the Barrier, the city served as a substitute for the forbidden. The trinkets and food from the Human Realm—earthy, fragrant, and exotic—were sought after with longing and wonder.
Xuan Tian stood in front of Tianque Inn, his gaze lingering on the grand building before him. The name, Tianque, meaning 'Heaven's Palace,' felt strangely out of place. Though impressive, the inn lacked the serene elegance of Yuxu Palace. It was nothing like the grandeur he was accustomed to. He had never imagined himself traveling this far on his own. The discomfort that settled in his chest felt foreign, as though the city itself was pushing him further from the life he knew. He rarely visited Tianmen City, and even less often did his duties bring him to this side of the border. Everything about it felt strange, and for the first time, he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he didn't belong here.
Resigned to fate, he entered the inn, only to hear a voice calling out. "Sir! Over here!" Xuan Tian turned to his left, his gaze landing on a male Celestial in a simple white robe. His hair was neatly arranged in the traditional celestial knot, and nothing about him stood out—except the excitement in his voice. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't shout, but I cannot help it," the man continued with a sheepish grin. "My name is Lei Wen, and this is my wife, Lin Qian," he said, gesturing to the female Celestial beside him.
"An honor, General," Lin Qian bowed deeply. Lei Wen, startled, quickly followed suit.
"Please," Xuan Tian said, raising his hands in a calming gesture, stopping them both. "There's no need for formalities. Though we're bound by duty, we are far from a formal setting. Just call me Xuan Tian."
"Thank you, Sir," Lei Wen replied shyly. "I'm surprised you've already arrived. I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow at the earliest." He quickly added, "Not that I don't appreciate your swiftness, of course."
Xuan Tian gave a small nod. "This mission is important. There's no need to delay it any longer." He glanced around and asked, "There should be four of you, correct? Where are the other two doctors?"
"Dr. Zhao Zhi and dr. Xu Yun are already here," Lei Wen explained. "They're double-checking our supplies and making sure our papers are in order for us to cross the barrier. We were about to join them when we received news that you'd be arriving shortly. So, we decided to wait here for you instead."
Xuan Tian's expression hardened slightly. "Thank you for waiting, but it wasn't necessary." His tone betrayed a flicker of irritation, and he found himself thinking, I'm not a child who needs to be watched over. He was surprised to find his mood shifting so quickly, the tension rising within him.
"They're here!" Lin Qian exclaimed, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Lei Wen and Xuan Tian both turned toward the inn's entrance, watching as the remaining two Celestials approached, their expressions warm with familiarity.
"General, welcome," the first one greeted with a respectful bow. "I am Zhao Zhi, and this is my junior sister, Xu Yun. We were surprised to learn that Yuxu Palace sent you."
Xu Yun mirrored the bow with a polite smile. Xuan Tian inclined his head. "Tianjun places great importance on this mission. A plague is never trivial, even in the Human Realm." He spoke the words without hesitation, though some part of him still found them strange. Humans lived and died by the whims of nature—why had Tian Xu sent Celestials to intervene in this matter?
"Nevertheless, it is still a surprise for us, General. We heard that Baishan City has been ravaged by this plague for nearly three months, and yet, there has been no improvement. As members of the Celestial Doctors Association, we feel obligated to help," Zhao Zhi explained, his voice carrying an unusual intensity for a Celestial. "Everyone agreed in principle, but no one wanted to go. Most believed the Human Immortals could handle it themselves. But three months have passed, and nothing has changed! Those Immortals always consider themselves gods, but when something like this happens, where are they?"
Xu Yun sighed, stepping in to temper his frustration. "Please excuse my Senior Brother, General. He has always believed that as doctors, we must help those in need, regardless of race." Then, she added with a wry smile, "But we all share the same astonishment about you, General. We only submitted a standard escort request to the Imperial Army. We never expected it to reach Tianjun, let alone that he would send you."
Lin Qian looked at Xuan Tian with evident worry. "Does this mean Tianjun believes the Human Realm is too dangerous for regular Imperial Soldiers?"
Xuan Tian noticed all four pairs of light brown eyes on him, their worry and fear unspoken yet clear. He raised a hand, his voice even. "Please, doctors. There is no need for this unfounded fear. Yes, the Human Realm is not safe, but has it ever been? They are always fighting among themselves."
Seeing their concern still lingered, he continued, "Tianjun's compassion extends beyond our borders. Sending me may seem excessive, but Tianjun does not think so. He merely considers your safety and comfort. Escorting four doctors would normally require at least four soldiers. Wouldn't that be uncomfortable for you?"
Lei Wen's eyes lit up with realization. "Ah! Tianjun is wise! Why didn't we think of that?"
The other doctors nodded furiously in agreement.
"Now that we are all gathered, when do you wish to depart?" Lei Wen asked, looking expectantly at Xuan Tian.
The others followed suit, waiting for his decision. There was no question that they had already appointed him their leader.
Xuan Tian accepted the responsibility without hesitation. "There is no reason to delay. How soon can you be ready?"
The four doctors exchanged a brief glance, a silent conversation passing between them.
"Fifteen minutes," Lei Wen answered.
Xuan Tian gave a sharp nod. "Then we leave in fifteen minutes."