The game started shortly after, once people had divided into Moon and Shadow teams.
The rules were simple: the Moon team had to stay in lit areas while the Shadow team tried to tag them in dark spaces.
The village transformed into a playing field with torches marking safe zones.
It was chaos. Beautiful, ridiculous chaos.
Adults ran between light and shadow like children. Elders shouted strategy that no one followed.
Shen Chen and Shen Ling proved to be terrifyingly good at the Shadow team's sneaking tactics.
Even some of the guardian Azure Wind Wolf's cubs had joined in, treating it like a hunting exercise.
Shen Tianxu found himself actually enjoying it. Not the calculated "this serves a purpose" enjoyment.
Real, genuine fun.
The kind that came from doing something pointless with people you cared about.
He was dodging a Shadow team member when Shen Yue appeared beside him in a lit zone.
She'd changed into borrowed training clothes that actually fit her. Her hair was still damp from washing.
"Hey," she said, slightly breathless. "Your mother's terrifying."
"She made you bathe, didn't she?"
"And picked out clothes. And insisted on braiding my hair. And asked me twenty questions about my family." Shen Yue smiled despite the words.
"I don't actually mind though. It's nice. Having someone fuss over you."
"She's adopted you both already. Fair warning."
"I noticed." She paused, then added quietly, "Is that okay? That we're here?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"We're strangers from another tribe. We're bringing proposals for alliances that might not work. We're—"
"You're survivors who helped me escape," Shen Tianxu interrupted. "That makes you friends. Friends are always welcome."
Shen Yue's expression softened. She looked at him with those eyes that made something in his chest do strange things. "Friends. I like that."
"BEHIND YOU!" Feng Qingge's shout made them both spin.
Shen Ling was launching herself out of a shadow like a tiny assassin.
Shen Tianxu grabbed Shen Yue's hand and pulled her into the next lit zone just in time.
They ended up pressed close together in the small safe area. Shen Yue's face was inches from his. Her breath caught.
'Okay,' Shen Tianxu thought. 'Is this the Phoenix Fate System or just natural chemistry? Because this is...'
He decided it didn't matter. Either way, it felt good.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah." Her voice was softer. "Thanks for the save."
"Anytime."
They stood there a moment too long. Close enough that he could count her eyelashes if he wanted to.
Feng Qingge appeared beside them and physically pushed them apart. "Save the romance for after we win. Move!"
The game continued until people started dropping from exhaustion.
The Shadow team technically won, mostly because Shen Ling turned out to be a prodigy at stealth.
As the celebration wound down, people drifted toward their homes.
The energy shifted from chaotic to peaceful. Small groups remained around the central fire, talking quietly.
Shen Tianxu sat with his family and close friends. Lin Yue had the twins tucked under her arms like they were her own daughters.
Shen Ming was telling an embarrassing story about five-year-old Shen Tianxu getting stuck in a tree.
Feng Qingge was arguing with Shen Chen about proper Shadow team tactics.
It was warm. Real. The kind of moment that felt worth protecting.
Shen Xian caught his eye from across the fire. She smiled gently. Beside her, Shen Yue was trying very hard not to obviously stare at him and failing completely.
'Definitely not just the system,' Shen Tianxu concluded. 'Though it probably helped. But this... this feels real.'
Lin Yue finally stood, breaking the peaceful moment. "Alright everyone. Bed. Now."
"But Motherrrrr—" Shen Ling started.
"No buts. Your brother needs rest. The girls need rest. Everyone needs rest."
She wasn't wrong. Exhaustion was setting in.
The twins stood reluctantly. They'd clearly enjoyed the evening despite being strangers hours ago.
Shen Xian spoke first. "Thank you for tonight. We haven't felt safe in a long time."
Lin Yue pulled both girls into a hug. "You're safe here. Always. Both of you."
Shen Yue looked surprised but pleased by the motherly affection. "Thank you, Auntie Lin."
"Get some sleep, dears. Tomorrow's a big day."
As people dispersed, Feng Qingge walked with Shen Tianxu toward the guest houses.
"So," she said casually. "Those two."
"What about them?"
"They're gone for you. Completely."
Shen Tianxu didn't bother denying it. "I noticed."
"And?"
"And... I don't know yet. It's complicated."
"It's always complicated." She bumped his shoulder. "But they seem genuine. That's rare. Don't mess it up."
"Relationship advice from you?"
"I contain depths you cannot fathom."
"You contain violence and sarcasm."
"Those are depths." She grinned. "Now sleep. You look dead on your feet."
She wandered off, leaving Shen Tianxu alone in the quiet village.
He looked up at the stars through the forest canopy. Feng Yan was perched nearby, watching everything silently.
Two days ago he'd been in chains. Now he was home, surrounded by family and potential allies.
With a legendary beast companion and an immortal's test hanging over him.
And apparently, two girls who looked at him like he'd hung the moon.
'This is definitely more interesting than being an emotionless AI,' he thought. 'Way more complicated. But interesting.'
He headed toward his family home. Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
But tonight, for the first time in trillions of years, Shen Tianxu felt genuinely content.
'I guess it's true what they say.'
'There's no place like home...'
Shen Tianxu finally relaxed for real this time time. At this point he truly felt like he was made of flesh and blood.
As he recalled tonight's experience a desire flickered deep in his eyes.
'This warmth... I'll protect it.'
He had another reason to grow stronger now. A reason beyond his own selfish wish.
Not because he is forces too by anything.
But rather because he simply desires to.
Meanwhile...
Somewhere else in a dark room.
A figure sat on a chair with a cup filled with red wine in their hand as they muttered a few words.
"So they failed in such a simple task? Hmm...are the cultivators protecting them? Should I stop?"