Chapter Text
The sound of the waves as the boats floated towards Lotus Pier. Leaders from the major five cultivation clans and some of the smaller clans stood on those boats, heading towards the location of the cultivation conference that the clans held every few years. This time, it was the Yunmeng Jiang’s turn to host, so they put out the finest display that the clan could muster at this time.
Wei Wuxian stood on top of the highest point that he could, trying to see the delegates or flags of each of the clans. He’d been too young the last two conferences and the one before, his parents had been alive so he was traveling with them, so this would be the first time seeing the clans come together to discuss important things. At eighteen, and the best cultivator to work for the Jiang clan, he’d finally been permitted by Madam Yu to participate.
It’d been a long hard discussion. Despite being the best cultivating disciples and second in command to the clan heir, Wei Wuxian was born and Omega. Madam Yu’s beliefs were a bit old fashioned when it came to Omegas. Plus, she held a lot of disdain for Wei Wuxian. The fact that his accomplishments far out-shined her son’s, put him in her crossfire more often than not. Many discussions had been had about finding him a mate so that he could future the clan’s power and create new cultivators…passing on his talents by having children with another strong cultivating Alpha…but the Jiang clan leader shot down every attempt.
He didn’t need to worry about that for now. There were friendly competitions he planned on winning and creating a bit of fun with the other lead disciples from the other clans. He’d get away with what he could and face Madam Yu’s wrath at a later date if it came to it.
As the boats came closer he saw the clan symbols of the Lan, Nie, Jin, and Wen clans. This was the first year the Wen clan had been allowed to send representatives. When Wei Wuxian was young, the clan had tried to exert their power over the other clans and nearly caused a war. His own parents had been casualties of that conflict, but ultimately many of the Wen clan had lost their lives when the other clans fought against them and their power and influence waned. Since then, the clan was carefully watched over the Wen to try to prevent another tragedy, while keeping their own clans a bit isolated to rebuild their own might.
This was the one time, every few years that the clans gathered. The Wen wanted to earn favor with the other clans again which is why they were here. Wen Ruohan felt as thought he had some proposals, something his clan could offer the other clans. He had the support of the Jin clan who listened to the proposals first and agreed to back the Wen clan provided the other clans agreed. The Jiang, Lan, and Nie clans were a bit more apprehensive, but they allowed it all the same.
“A-Xian” a voice called out from below the tower where Wei Wuxian sat.
“Shijie!” He called back, grinning wide as his adopted sister came into his line of sight. She climbed up the ladder to where he hid.
“Everyone is looking for you. I told A-Cheng that I’d find you and bring you to the receiving hall.”
“Madam Yu is probably mad I’m not there already.”
“A-Xian, you know how important today is for the clan. I’m confident you can put on a good front. You’re the lead disciple besides my brother, I’ve no doubt that you can make this a success and make the clan proud.”
She brushed off and straightened his robes as she spoke. He wore his black robes with red trim. His under robe was a light grey. Hung from his belt was the Jiang clan’s clarity bell marking him as a disciple of the clan. His sword, Subian, sat on one side of his hip and his also had a dizi, a small bamboo flute and gift from his shijie on his other hip. He’d learned a bit about musical cultivation, though he didn’t practice it a ton. It was a specialty of the Lan clan, so having an instrument on his person could prove to be an interesting conversation.
They climbed down from the tower and helped his adopted sister down the last few steps. He escorted her to the main reception area of Lotus Pier where they would greet the guests from the other clans. When they entered, Jiang Fengmian was the only person who greeted them with a smile. Madam Yu had a scowl on her face and she looked like she was straining to keep her biting remarks to herself as the clans rowed closer. Instead she spun Zidian on her finger in a manner only Wei Wuxian recognized as a threat. It was her way of saying ‘stay in line’ without using words. Jiang Cheng had a matching frown, but didn’t look as harsh as his mother. Normally he’d stick up for Wei Wuxian, but today he doubted even his brother-in-arms would have anything that’d stop his mother today.
Shrugging sheepishly, he took his place behind the main family and ahead of the other disciples. Already the first of the boats had reached the pier and the first of the clans were stepping off. It was show time.
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Lan Wangji stepped off the boat and onto the pier taking a moment to let his gaze fall onto Lotus Pier. He was here to help protect his brother, but also as the current lead disciple of the Lan clan, he knew his presence would be expected regardless. He’d do his duty, but he’d ultimately would look forward to when the conference was done and the Lan clan was back in their home in Gusu.
“Wangji, is something on your mind?” His brother asked as he joined him on the pier.
“Just making sure that the area is secure.” He responded.
“I doubt the Jiang clan would be so careless as to allow delegates visiting their home to be harmed.”
“It is not the Jiang clan that I worry about.” Wangji admitted, glancing at another pier where Wen Ruohan and his two Alpha sons step off of their own boat. Jin Guangshan was greeting the Wen leader followed by his own son and heir and their entourage.
“While I agree we need to be wary of the Wen, I have it on good authority that Wen Ruohan’s proposals are sincere. We agreed to listen to what he has to say at the conference. It would be good to set an example for his young sons and other clan members. We cannot move forward and heal unless we all compromise.”
Lan Wangji took a deep breath and tried to think of the Lan principles. He couldn’t hold a grudge here no matter how the pain of his past lingered. The Wens had nearly destroyed the Cloud Recesses when he was a child. His own father had been critically wounded and while he held on for a while, ultimately he succumbed to his injuries. Coupled with the loss of their mother at a young age, the brothers had been raised by their Uncle.
Lan Qiren had been acting clan head until Lan Xichen came of age a few years back. This would be the first conference he attended as the head, though Lan Qiren made sure he came to them growing up to learn what he needed to as the next clan head. Right now their uncle was in seclusion working on his own cultivation, trusting the brothers to work together to have a good showing at the conference for the Lan clan.
They would ignore the Wens and the Jins for now. Now was the time to put their best face forward and greet their hosts. The Jiangs had come a long way in the cultivation world. Rumor had it that their lead disciple made amazing strides in training their other cultivators. Lans didn’t gossip as one of their stringent rules, however, word still spread and overheard. Rumors had picked up once the Jiangs offered to host the conference this year…the biggest scandal spoken in whispers among the people in town…their lead disciple was an Omega.
Omega cultivators weren’t unheard of, but they were rare. Usually they abandoned their cultivation when they were mated and started a family as most clans were traditional, but exceptional cultivators could still continue if they had a mind to. It left Lan Wangji to wonder what kind of Omega the Jiangs put their trust in to make a lead disciple.
The doors to Lotus Pier opened and the Jiang clan stepped out bathed in their purple robes. The flags showed the symbol of the nine petaled lotus, the symbol of the Jiang clan. Jiang Fengmian and his Wife Yu Ziyuan stepped out first, followed by their children. The Jiang clan heir had a stern look on her face, but his sister had a brilliant, welcoming smile on her face. Right behind them, another young man dressed in dark robes with red trim stepped out, seeming relaxed. He stood out among the sea or purple.
As he stepped out into the light where the clans could get a look at him, Lan Wangji froze as he couldn’t help staring that they young man. They appeared to be the same age and height. Long dark and wild hair was tamed a bit with a red ribbon in it. His smile was infectious, bright and without a care in the world. He opened his piercing silver eyes and they locked with Wangji’s golden ones and it was like a jolt went through him.
“Wangji, you’re staring,” Lan Xichen admonished lightly.
“Xiongzhang, do you know who that cultivator is? The one dressed in black?”
“I believe that’s Wei Wuxian. He’s the lead disciple of the Jiang clan.” Xichen responded. “What are you thinking Wangji?”
Lan Wangji didn’t answer, but didn’t stare at Wei Wuxian so openly as before. He could feel his brother’s gaze on him. As their hosts got closer the subtle scent of Lotus Blossoms and Jasmin wafted his way and his whole body went rigid. The scent was intoxicating and he felt things stirring in his body that he never felt before. He’d heard of the phenomenon before, but didn’t give much stock into what he’d been told. Especially with his parents and how their story turned out, he dare not say anything aloud to his brother while they were in the open and anyone could hear.
I think Wei Wuxian is my true mate.