The forest seemed ominously quiet. He paused, now that even the sound of Shen Yuan's own footfalls was silent, all that could be heard was the fluttering of the leaves in the gusty wind. Looking up, they were transfixed by the myriad of fluttering leaves that danced in the high boughs, making a living roof above him. They were calming, almost hypnotizing, but the longer he stared the more the leaves looked like there are eyes staring back down at them and the vines hanging from the trees seemed to draw closer, blocking the sunlight as if they were forming a cage around him.

Shen Yuan sighed as he draw Xiu Ya out and slice through the head of the amorous snake vines that lunged at him from behind. The corpse of the monster immediately turned to black dust, the only proof of its remains was the pearl that Shen Yuan picked up. Although it's weak, people who aren't familiar with those creatures can easily fall prey to it. They really didn't hold back in this time's immortal alliance conference.

Well, who could blame them for raising the bar too high this year?

With the exception of Qian Cao Peak's Mu Qing Fang and An Ding Peak's Shang QingHua, almost all the inheriting disciple had participated in this immortal alliance conference. Since their Sect Leader thought that this was a good chance to develop the intersect relationship among disciples, they decided on five groups, six people each from different peaks. It goes without saying that his brother was very displeased with this arrangement but could only obey orders.

Shen Yuan was grouped together with Ku Xing Peak's head disciple, QingRuo. Unfortunately they had encountered the Avarice Bird of Paradise. It had posed no problem for them, but because of some small sect wanting to steal the glory, they failed to kill it in the most crucial moment before it went berserk and they could only retreat. With all the frenzy he ended up being separated from them.

There had been people from other sects that had wanted to tag along with him and some was even forceful towards him to join their group. It's fine if they were just curious about him, after all, there was a huge surprise when people saw two Shen Qingqiu's when the entourage of Cang Qiong Sect arrived.

Although people already heard of the Qing Jing Peak having two inheriting disciples, Shen Yuan's existence was more like a myth than a fact until today. He had rarely left the Territory of Tian Gong Mountains and when they were sent to some further location when they go down, it was always his brother who would speak to people as it was improper for an unmated omegas to converse with alphas outside their family or sect. Though, there are times he would even pose as his brother when he didn't want to talk to people, since no one would find out he was an omega with muted scent. It goes without saying that he had zero interaction with disciples from other sects.

And his existence was even more forgotten when he went into seclusion for five whole years while, on the other hand, Shen Qingqiu had more exposure outside when he was brought by their Shizun and Sect Leader outside of the mountains to teach him some diplomatic skills with Yue QingYuan as the future Sect Leader and Second in command.

So, yes. His first time appearance in this year's Immortal Alliance Conference had caused a huge – unnecessary – uproar. It was only in this day he realized how much the absurd rumor of him being Yue QingYuan's fiancé had protected him outside of the sect. It had deterred a lot of people from approaching him especially with the stunt that Yue QingYuan and Shen Qingqiu had pulled earlier. To actually intimidate groups of disciples who dared to even look and suppress them with their qi causing a fight to almost break out before the competition even begun. They were ruthless but necessary.

This entire time, since he was separated from his group, he had to decline and shake off a lot of people coming after him. It didn't pose a problem during the first two days since he was more often mistaken as his brother in a glance but as his brother's alpha scent on him had gradually faded making his scent as an omega noticeable, more and more trouble had come on his way. They were clearly aware that he doesn't find such advances pleasing and even more knowing that they had misunderstood his relationship with his shixiong, plus his muted scent should have been already a clear sign that he was already bonded with someone yet they still pursue him.

Their ulterior motives was clear as a day!

An YueXi had already warned him about this. People see him as some sort of trophy and endless source of benefit, he was an omega with a high cultivation. And those of his level are like a compressed source of spiritual energy or they were more like a lightning rod, they could easily pull in and focus spiritual energies, alphas who mate with omegas are more powerful because their spiritual energy feeds them. They don't necessarily have powerful spiritual energy themselves but we can make others powerful. It really wasn't fair.

The omega would have wanted to cut them down with his own Xiu Ya for such impertinence but it was against the rules to kill disciples from other sect. Since they were being forceful Shen Yuan was not polite and led them to where monsters are gathered. He doesn't care what sort of misfortune befell them. It was their fault for looking down on him, if they think that he was some kept omega who doesn't know how to fight, they can't be more wrong.

Shen Yuan had seriously wondered if they were here for the competition or not. And most of all the omega was creeped out by their covetous gazes. It reminds him of that person, making him tremble involuntarily from that memory.

He shook his head to chase off that horrid memory, it was all in the past. That man is dead and unlike before he had the power to defend himself and his brother. There was no need for him and his brother to remember that night.

Shen Yuan continued walking along the forest path until he ended up in a clearing with white flowers. 

"Thousand Leaf Cleansing Snow Lotus!" Shen Yuan gasped in astonishment. He had read about the miraculous flowers that grow within Jiu De gorge and had long wanted to acquire them. His main purpose for coming here was not the competition itself but for the numerous herbs that grows here. It's such a waste that they were left here when they could be used.

Shen Yuan immediately began digging up the flowers. He was extra careful not to damage the roots so that he could replant them in his herb garden in Qing Jing. This was a priceless treasure! He doesn't care if the elders monitoring outside saw him digging for them nor does he care if Shen Qingqiu scolds him for having his priorities wrong. Shen Yuan knows that Qian Cao peak will take his side for this. Just one of these flower alone is full of spiritual energy which could be useful for Qi-ge and Jiu-ge's cultivation. This can help cleanse demonic qi poisoning. And most of all, it is also a natural nemesis towards demonic types which can act as a small barrier that would keep monsters away, it was perfect present for that person!

Shen Yuan happily stored his harvest in his qiankun pouch. Halfway through digging, he heard the crunching leaves from behind. Turn around with his whole body tensed. For him to not notice that person approaching, that person had the skills.

In a swift move he pulled out Xiu Ya from its scabbard and pointed it at the person who approached from behind. It was a female alpha wearing the gold robes of Huan Hua Palace. This girl's appearance was comely and elegant.

Shen Qingqiu had gave him a short review of remarkable people from other sects and judging from this person's level and demeanor, there was only one person who matched. It was the next palace master of Huan Hua Sect, Su Xiyan.

"So, it's just Su Xiyan." Shen Yuan stated flatly, he was pretending like his brother.

"Shen-" She trailed off with a frown. "I never expect to meet you here. I am pleased to make the acquaintance of Qing Jing Peak's head disciple, Shen Yuan." He cupped her hand as a greeting.

Shen Yuan twitched. As expected there was no longer hiding his scent and pretending to be his brother, especially towards someone who had a higher cultivation level like Su Xiyan.

Since she had treated with him respect, Shen Yuan had returned the gesture.

Su Xiyan had observed, but not in a way that had made Shen Yuan uncomfortable so he let her stay. "Were you digging herbs?"

"Is there a problem?"

"None." She pursed her lips in an amused smile. "I just didn't expect that what Shen Qingqiu said was true. You really have your priorities wrong."

Shen Yuan face turned red in embarrassment. "Please don't take seriously whatever my brother had said."

Su Xiyan didn't leave and even sat down next to the flower field while Shen Yuan continue harvesting. Though there was an initial discomfort, Shen Yuan slowly relaxed in her presence, since she bore no ill intent towards him and he could tell that he she didn't look at him like those people from earlier.

Instead of looking at him, Su Xiyan was observing their surroundings, remaining vigilant in case some monsters came and attack them. With just a few minutes she had already came to a conclusion "Does it have something to do with those flowers why the monsters are avoiding this area?"

Shen Yuan nodded and explained. "This plant is a natural nemesis of those possessing demonic qi, the lower class demons they choose for this year's competition wouldn't be able to enter its natural barrier."

"Interesting." Su Xiyan hummed but made no move to take one for herself, such lack of reaction made Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow at her. A normal reaction of a cultivator when they see such treasure was to hoard it.

When Shen Yuan was done collecting few flowers, the two had decided to temporarily team up until they reunite with the groups that they belonged to. While not completely letting his guard down, Shen Yuan felt comfortable in her presence. Su Xiyan was like an older sister. She was headstrong and stubborn like Qi Qingqi but just a little less impulsive. Plus, she really lived up to her name as one of the strongest female cultivator. The two of them easily killed all monsters that came towards them, making their position in the ranking steadily rise.

They were walking towards the river when Shen Yuan when a shrill cry echoed in the skies of the west. It was that damned bird that Shen Yuan and his group failed to kill earlier.

He and Su Xiyan became excited when they heard its cry. For lower leveled disciples the Avarice Bird of Paradise is a threat but for them it was a huge bonus that would earn them tremendous amount of points.

They didn't need to move and simply stood there and get into their defensive battle stance. The demon would be attracted in their high spiritual energy. The Avarice bird of paradise suddenly let out a cry, as if in warning, before swirling down from above and with opened wings, shoot towards their mountain top.

It was considered the fastest of its species, however its size was enormous, thus even though it looked close, and it was actually still quite far away.

Although this bird didn't not span km in length, it was one of the biggest demonic bird that Shen Yuan has seen, tens of times even! It was as if the sky had been covered by a huge shadow, seen through the naked eye, it was astonishing!

If at this point they still couldn't tell that it was aiming towards them, then they might as well pluck eyeballs out.

Both Shen Yuan and Su Xiyan stepped on their swords the moment the demonic bird dove toward them and evade the blow. They could only deal with it through an aerial battle. Shen Yuan had immediately infused the scattered leaves around them with his spiritual energy to serve as his blade while Su Xiyan hands placed above her chest and started to form a sequence of complicated hand seals.

Even with just the two of them, they were able to suppress the demonic bird through their combined attacks.

With a desperate flutter of its wings, the bird was able to evade their constant attacks and flew up in the sky above them. There was a few seconds of stare down as they predict the next moves, the Avarice Bird of Paradise suddenly moved, flapping its wings, creating a tornado. The wind howled and even the giant trees in the ground were broken in half.

The two young cultivators immediately dug their sword on the ground and served as an anchor for them to not get swept away by the raging winds.

When the winds have subsided the bird of paradise was already miles away from them, trying to escape. Not like the two would allow it to flee and immediately gave it chase.

Knowing that it was already cornered the demonic bird had fought them like it had lost its mind, all it's random attacks were parried by the two without effort and they were just waiting for a chance to deal with the final blow.

Shen Yuan's eyes suddenly widened and looked at the opposite direction. "He's here!" he said in excitement.

Su Xiyan was confused as to what Shen Yuan meant. It was a crucial moment and they can't afford to be distracted yet, the omega turned his gaze away the raging demonic bird. As if it wasn't important.

It was that carelessness that gave the Avarice Bird of Paradise a chance to knock Shen Yuan out. Su Xiyan panicked when she saw Shen Yuan falling and rushed to grab him but she was frozen when she sense a heavy killing intent, then followed by a wave of sword qi that almost grazed her.

That slash had beheaded the demonic bird in a single strike.

The female alpha was so shocked that she completely forgot about Shen Yuan but there was no need to worry about him.

----

Liu Qingge was unable to calm down ever since he learned from Ling QingRuo that Shen Yuan was separated from their group – he was the only one who got separated at that!

Without any second thoughts, he left Wei Qingwei, who was in the same group as him, with Ling QingRou and move independently to search for Shen Yuan. He wanted to berate Shen Yuan's team for letting their Shixiong to get separated from them.

His face darken just at the thought of it. A lone omega walking in the entire mountain filled with demonic creatures that are attracted to an omega's yin energy!

Right now Shen Yuan is like a live free target not only by the demonic creatures and other cultivators. Honestly, if it's only the demonic creatures roaming the mountains targeting him then Liu Qingge wouldn't be this frantic to the point that he'll go insane in anxiety. At least, if it's only those monsters, he knows that Shen Yuan was more than capable of dealing with those fodders.

It's a different story for those cultivators.

Liu Qingge had already wanted to cut down those people who eyed him like he was some sort of treasure to be obtained. Had Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu not shown their killing intent at those people earlier as a warning, Liu Qingge was afraid that he might have hacked down someone.

When he heard a loud cry from the supposed Avarice Bird of Paradise that Ling QingRuo had told him about before, he immediately followed the sound knowing that monster would be attracted to Shen Yuan's yin energy.

He ended up in the steep part of the mountain, a dense forest and within this vast and extensive mountain range. Since the demonic bird was so huge it was easy enough to know the direction to he's supposed to head to and he could immediately tell that someone had engaged it in a battle.

Liu Qingge's heart skipped a beat when he saw the familiar robes of white and green of Qing Jing, he became even more exhilarated when he confirmed that familiar sweet scent of Shen Yuan. When he came close enough, their eyes had met, the Bai Zan disciple didn't know if it was just a his head playing tricks on him but Shen Yuan smiled excitedly.

He didn't have much time to think. Liu Qingge had to watch in horror when Shen Yuan was knocked unconscious by the damned creature.

The Bai Zan Peak disciple griped Cheng Luan tightly, focusing all his spiritual energy in the flawless white blade as he swing his sword upwards in the air, sending a dense wave of sword qi that beheaded the humongous bird in a single strike.

He didn't bother to give it a second glance. He was mesmerized and felt as if the time had slowed down with Shen Yuan was falling, closer and closer. Liu Qingge leaped forward to catch the omega, with one arm under his torso and one arm under his knees.

They descended like the leaves fluttering in the autumn's chill, swaying with the wind ever so gracefully and slowly.

Just a single touch had confirmed all of Liu Qingge's suspicion and cleared all the doubts that had been plaguing him for years.

"Shen Yuan." He murmured and that name tasted so sweet as the words rolled out of his mouth.

This omega was his mate!

As if reacting to his call, Shen Yuan opened his eyes. Deep green eyes staring back at grey ones. "Liu Qingge" Shen Yuan murmured back, a fond gentle smile in his lips, the very first time that Shen Yuan smiled at him without hiding behind his fan. The smile that he had longed to see.

The omega cupped his face, his long slender fingers caressing his cheek. Shen Yuan slowly lifted himself up, leaning head forward. At the same time Liu Qingge leaned down his head and to meet his lips for the kiss. But before their lips even grazed at each other one of the many protective seals in Shen Yuan's body activated.

In a flash, Shen Yuan disappeared from Liu Qingge's arms leaving fluttering leaves of bamboos around him.

It was sudden that made him feel as if everything was just an illusion.

Liu Qingge had taken few seconds before he snapped out of his daze. "Shen Yuan." He called out as he looked for him frantically.

He kept searching and calling for him like a crazed person, only when he was calm enough that he realized that as an omega from their sect, the Sect leader and Qing Jing Peak Lord had done a lot to made sure he stayed safe, there are a lot of protective spells that was placed not only on his clothes and every item he had but on Shen Yuan's body itself. The one earlier must be a teleportation array from Shu Zu Peak.

Knowing that Shen Yuan is safe, and he assumes that he was already with the Qing Jing Peak Lord, made Liu Qingge felt relieve.

Su Xiyan was left dumfounded at the scene that had just happened before her. The body of the Avarice bird of paradise had long turned into ashes and left beads that was white as pearls. It was known to everyone that Shen Yuan and Yue Qingyuan had a relationship. She never thought that those rumors could be wrong. Never did she imagine either, that Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan was the one in a relationship.

She could only chuckle as she look at Liu Qingge who had an equally dumbstruck expression as he tries to calm down. Looking back at the sequence of events earlier, Su Xiyan strongly believes that Shen Yuan really had his priorities wrong.