It seemed to be a peaceful Monday morning in Yunmeng's Lotus Pier. The sun was shining brightly illuminating the lakes and bringing out the beauty of the thousands of pink lotuses spread over the lakes.

''Shijie! Help me. Jiang Cheng is mad at me, again. I didn't even do anything.'', panted an exhausted Wei Wuxian, tired from running all around the house. '' He even scared off the poor children who came to pluck lotuses from the lake nearby with his angry Alpha pheromones.'' He hid behind his elder sister and giggled.

''Wei Wuxian! How dare you imply that my archery skills are nowhere your's? Just wait until I catch hold of you.'', came the angry voice of Jiang Wanyin, along with the sound of quick footsteps from the nearby room.

''Ah. You both never stop arguing over silly things.'', smiled Jiang Yanli, finding her brothers' tantrum funny. She knew how mischievous Wei Ying was and how annoyed Jiang Cheng could get over small things.

''Shijie, he told me to learn archery from an expert, implying himself, just because I missed my shot which was aimed at the pheasant.'', said Jiang Cheng who came into the room. He saw Wei Ying's smug face from behind his sister and almost pounced on her.

''Jiang Cheng, are you trying to hurt your sister?'', laughed Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng's face turned tomato red due to anger. The pheromones he let out swallowed the entire room with a feeling of fury.

''Calm down Jiang Cheng.'', said Jiang Yanli in a serene voice, letting out some calming Omega pheromones. The tension in the room seemed to visibly reduce as Jiang Cheng's wrath nearly disappeared.

Although Wei Wuxian was having the time of his life, he knew he had wounded his brother's ego. ''I'm sorry Jiang Cheng. It was too funny to watch you miss such an easy shot. I know you can hit it next time brother.'', consoled Wei Wuxian, patting him on the shoulder.

''Ow! You didn't have to do that.'', lamented Wei Ying, at getting hit on his shoulder hard by Jiang Cheng. Jiang Cheng looked satisfied with the reaction so he shifted the topic.

''Shijie, I finished packing my clothes and necessary stuff for the stay at Gusu's Cloud Recesses. I am actually very excited about the Cultivation Skill Competition held there. I will try my best to win the title of Top Cultivator and make Jiang Sect proud.'', proclaimed Jiang Cheng.

''Me too, Shijie. I am actually curious about whether I will have a worthy opponent. Also, I want to wipe that smirk off Wen Chao's stupid face by winning the title of Top Cultivator.'', said Wei Ying excitedly, rubbing his hands together.

''Although Lan Xichen, who won the title three years ago cannot participate this time as he is the host, you seem to have forgotten that Lan Wangji, the second Twin Jade of Gusu is participating. He is well known for his archery, sparring skills, and good looks. He is said to have been carved out of jade and is extremely beautiful but he is also known for his coldness.'', warned Jiang Cheng.

''I haven't met him yet but I am sure I can handle him.'', scoffed Wei Wuxian.

''Whatever. I tried to warn you Wei Ying.'', said Jiang Cheng, half rolling his eyes.

''Okay, let's abandon this talk. I know both of you will do really well at the competition and that's all that matters. Let us have some lotus root and pork rib soup. I won't be able to feed you both in the next three months.'', sighed Jiang Yanli, sad about being unable to see her brothers for such a long time.

''Shijie, you are the best!!'', smiled Wei Ying, sitting down in front of the small table in the room.

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Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian had been travelling for quite a lot of time since their departure from Lotus Pier. The only sign that showed that they were nearing Cloud Recesses was the greenery that was surrounding them and the chill in the air. Cloud Recesses was located on a mountain outside Gusu City. After what seemed like an eternity, they finally arrived at the protective barrier which prevented them from entering the Lan Sect area.

There was a large rock next to it on which around three thousand rules of the Lan sect were carved. Both the brothers felt their heads go dizzy from the number of rules the sect had.
''Jiang Cheng, I changed my mind, let's go back. How many pointless rules are these? Read the ones on the left corner; Alphas and Omegas are not allowed to be in close proximity with each other. They have separate housing areas. Liquor is not allowed. Curfew is at nine in the night. What have I gotten myself into?'', whined Wei Ying.

''Oof. I know right. It's going to be a hard time living here. But don't be stupid Wei Ying. We can't go back. We need to bear with this somehow.'', sighed Jiang Cheng.

The brothers used their magical invitations to enter the barrier. They walked a bit until they came to a big courtyard filled with white-robed disciples. Everything was so bright that Wei Ying had to shield his eyes a bit. His own black and red robes definitely stood out amongst this. In a bigger building on their right, they found members of the Nie Sect and Jin Sect; some having a discussion while the others sparred amongst themselves.

It wasn't long before the kind and amiable Lan Xichen, the First Twin Jade of Gusu and his uncle Lan Qiren, who seemed to be frowning at Wei Wuxian's messy appearance, greeted them.
''Excuse me, for not coming earlier. I was caught up with something.'', smiled Lan Xichen, bowing down. The cultivators bowed to each other. Lan Xichen was an incredibly handsome and strong Alpha who had an aura of calmness surrounding him. He had a good hold over his authority but wasn't domineering.

''It's alright. In fact, we have just arrived.'', said Jiang Cheng.

''That is good to hear. As a representative of the Lan Sect, I am pleased to welcome you both to Cloud Recesses, the home of the Lan Sect. Make yourselves comfortable. Your rooms and necessary arrangements have been made in the Alpha housing area. The classes start tomorrow morning at eight o'clock. As you know, the training for the competition lasts for two weeks. '', informed Lan Xichen.

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian thanked the senior cultivator before bowing and making their way towards their respective rooms. Wei Wuxian noticed that his room was close to the Library Pavillion. He groaned at the thought of reading books and writing which would start from the next day onwards. Wei Ying wanted to enjoy himself tonight so he decided to buy the famous Emperor's Smile. If there was one thing that could make Wei Ying happy, it was liquor.

Wei Ying slipped away before curfew and had a nice tour of the Gusu city. He discovered that it was a beautiful place with very polite, hospitable people. But the best part about Gusu was their Emperor's smile. He balanced two bottles of Emperor's smile in his hands and was stealthily making his way over the walls surrounding the housing area.

As he was climbing over the walls, he had a sudden thought of 'Oh, I haven't met Lan Wangji today. If Lan Xichen looks that handsome, then Lan Wangji has to be even more beautiful. I wonder when I will be able to meet him.'

Little did he know that he would be meeting Lan Wangji very soon.

''Stop right there. It is past curfew and alcohol is banned in Cloud Recesses.'', came the steady voice of someone.

Wei Ying internally groaned at being caught. There was a sword halting his movement further. Wei Ying turned sideways to see bright golden eyes narrowed at himself.