All it took was a split second, that was all either of them needed. Xichen struck down ten men at once without even trying as he just walked over to where TaiFeng was.

TaiFeng herself had already punched three more Wens until her knuckles were bloody as she practically flung herself at Xichen. At that moment, time seemed to stop and no one seemed to dare interrupt them.

Although, that was just because there was no one else left standing.

"You mean it?" Xichen breathlessly whispered as he held TaiFeng in his arms by her waist. The blood and gore of the battleground around them was a stark contrast to the love-filled look in his eyes.

"I've never meant anything more in my life." TaiFeng smiled as she couldn't wait a second longer and leaned in to close the gap.

Xichen's lips were as light as a feather as they made contact with TaiFeng's. It felt like lightning in a snowstorm as the kiss deepened as TaiFeng wrapped her arms around Xichen's neck, desperate to get rid of any space between them. 

They probably could have stayed like that for an eternity, however, they were cut short by the sound of cheering coming from a short way away.

Hastily breaking the fierce embrace, the both of them looked up to see ChenHe, YiZhang and the Gao brothers clapping and whooping.

Quickly remembering his Lan dignity, Xichen just straightened himself up and looked at the ground in embarrassment.

TaiFeng stifled a laugh before turning to her unruly disciples.

"Honestly, did I teach you all to eavesdrop? Shameless!" She reprimanded them, as though she didn't just very shamelessly kiss someone in the middle of a war zone.

Giggling to themselves, they all just scurried away with hushed whispers and the occasional snort.

"I swear to god, they-" TaiFeng started but didn't get to finish as Xichen's lips collided with hers once more, this time hungrier, needier. 

TaiFeng let out a half-surprised, half-delighted sound as she gladly leaned into the kiss once more, feeling rather giddy and a bit light-headed.

"I, we... I think. Let's take this inside, shall we?" TaiFeng whispered, feeling almost tipsy. 

"Best idea you've ever had." Xichen kissed back before sweeping Taifeng into his arms effortlessly. 

"Ah! Lan Huan! Since when are you this shameless?!" TaiFeng squealed, but anyone could see that she was enjoying it. 

"Since just now." He proclaimed as he led her back into the sect doors.

"Ah, people are watching! And I have to tell A-Yao I'm back and, um, well..." She said, trying to come up with reasons but found that nothing came out. 

However, they were both startled by what could only be described as a cross between a golden eagle's mating call and a kazoo. 

Both of them turned around to see Guangyao standing in the middle of the hallway, unsure if this was one very weird hallucination. 

"A'Huan, I think you need to put me down now." TaiFeng whispered, while Xichen slowly lowered her down, looking even more embarrassed than when they were caught kissing. 

"Is this a really weird dream, or is this real?" A'Yao muttered to himself, looking deep in thought. 

 "No, this must be fake. Taifeng's so dense when it comes to love, she would never confess to Lan Xichen. Hm, I must be losing it; I need to get some sleep." 

To their great surprise, he simply turned around and began walking away from the pair, shaking his head ruefully as he went. 

"... Do we say anything, or?" TaiFeng whispered, truly shocked that he thought she was a hallucination. 

"I don't know, I honestly don't know," Xichen whispered back, just as shocked.

"... Hold on, TaiFeng's hair isn't that long..." He stopped at the end of the hallway. 

Whipping his head round, he stared, absolutely dumbstruck. She was alive!? More importantly, she confessed to Xichen?! GuangYao didn't know which one was more unbelievable, but he always figured if anyone could come back from the dead, it was her. But Lan Xichen?!

"You confessed?!" A'Yao screeched from his end of the hall. 

"What?! No, "Oh, my god, TaiFeng, you're alive?!". That's what you decide to say to me?" TaiFeng yelled back, while Xichen started chuckling. 

"Well, I mean, I, uh... I always thought you being killed by Wen Chao, of all people, was weird. It just didn't really make sense to me." A'Yao looked down at the ground, feeling a bit awkward from his actions. 

" I mean, he's a bit of a weakling, isn't he?"

"Yes, he most certainly was," TaiFeng answered with just a tinge of resentment in her tone as images of his neck being slashed by her ran through her mind. 

At that moment A'Yao cracked a very tired smile as his shoulders relaxed a bit.

"I'm really glad you're back." 

"So am I." She smiled back, very glad she was given a second chance, no matter how painful it was.

"Unfortunately, that means you are now officially Sect Leader again. Which means, I can have a nap." A'Yao stretched his arms, while his joint popped a bit. 

"Unless he finds me and starts complaining again." 

"Who do you mean?" Xichen finally asked, having got over his fit of giggles. 

"Ugh, I think it's better if I just show you both." A'Yao screwed up his face like he had just eaten a lemon. 

A'Yao rarely talked about anyone with malice, so they were both wondering just who it could be. And why were they here?

Their questions were about to be answered as they both heard a grating voice. 

"Honestly, can't you provide better blankets? And this food is blander than the Gusu Lan's!" Sect Leader Yao was berating one of the servants, who just took it on the chin with a neutral expression. 

"... Explain." TaiFeng looked over at A'Yao, who just sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. 

"The Yao Sect got attacked by the Wens. They managed to evacuate most of them in time, but DongHao went up in flames. So, we took them in as refugees. However, once word of your "death" got out, he's been nothing but unreasonable." A'Yao looked like he wanted to punch the man. 

"He insults me to my face, and once he thinks I'm dead, he mooches off my sect." 

The three watched as the servant apologised and went away, promising better blankets and food.

"A'Yao, A'Huan, play along." TaiFeng smiled getting an idea.

TaiFeng waited till the Sect Leader turned his back, and quickly crept up behind him. 

"I see my death is doing wonders for you, Sect Leader Yao." TaiFeng calmly stated while the man, jumped three feet in the air with a wail like a banshee. 

"Y-Yuzhao Long! No, you're dead. You're definitely dead." He sputtered from his place on the floor as he pointed a finger at her. His face went white and clammy as beads of sweat ran down his forehead.

"Someone!? Someone help?! Anyone? God, where is everyone?! Merciful God, save me."

A'Yao suddenly understood and emerged from around the corner.

"Sect Leader Yao, just what are you screaming about? Are you trying to wake the dead with your scream?" A'Yao crossed his arms with an irritated face, as he looked around the room, pretending not to see TaiFeng.

"Sect Leader Yao, I have come from beyond the grave. Did you really think you could escape my revenge?" TaiFeng maniacally cackled, wide-eyed, fully enjoying this. 

"Y-You, Jin GuangYao, stop playing games! She's right there!" Sect Leader Yao spat, pointing a trembling finger at her, while Xichen glided into the room. 

"A'Yao, what seems to be all the fuss? Oh, Sect Leader Yao, why are you on the floor? You look as if you've seen a ghost." Xichen said in his usual placid tone, calmly placing a hand behind his back.

"Sect Leader Yao, they cannot see me, for I am nothing but a wandering spirit, a resentful ghost." TaiFeng put on a theatrical, over-the-top voice as she swished about her long sleeve for dramatic effect. 

"Sect Leader Yao, you dare disrespect my sect members?" 

"N-No, I would never. Ah, Yuzhao Long, Sect Leader Qian, forgive me!" He desperately started to kowtow. 

"Gosh, Sect Leader Yao, just what are you pointing at? There's no one else here."
A'Yao added, looking truly satisfied with TaiFeng's antics. 

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say something had come to lay claim on your soul from the afterlife."

"Although he cannot see me, my dear friend in the living world makes a fine suggestion."She let her eyes flash golden, while she could have sworn she could smell pee coming from the man on the floor.

"Sect Leader Yao, your soul is mine for the taking!"

Sect Leader Yao let out a truly horrific-sounding cry as he scrambled across the floor and quickly ran away, screaming bloody murder. 

All three of them broke out into laughter as they watched the cowardly man scurry down the hallway and out of sight.

"Oh, god, that felt so good!" TaiFeng hugged Xichen around his waist, while Xichen let out a laugh. 

"I hope he doesn't sleep a wink. At least that's one problem out of the way." A'Yao replied, dusting off his hands.

"But not the only problem, am I right?" TaiFeng gave a weary sigh, ready to become Sect Leader Qian once more. 

"Unfortunately, no, we got a letter from Wen Qing. Looks like the final battle is approaching."

They shared knowing looks, bracing themselves for the tough battle ahead.

"Well, looks like Yuzhao Long is back." TaiFeng gave a long sigh as she rested her hands on her hips. 

This was it, the final hurdle, the last hill to climb. After that, it was it, and it was downright terrifying. Because after that, then what? 

However the way Xichen's hand gently rested on TaiFeng's waist made her think it would all be fine.