The announcement made Madam Su Wei rush toward the entrance, but she paused and turned to face Ling Yue one last time.
"Don't ruin things for your brother," she warned, then beckoned for her son to follow. They both left, whispering as they walked out together.
Ling Yue remained where he was, shifting the hairpin in his hair. He still hadn't gotten used to this kind of life, but one thing he was sure of—he wasn't going to stay in this story.
"Let's go," his father said, grabbing his hand and pulling him outside the Su mansion.
Three envoys stood waiting in golden robes, their faces serene but their eyes sharp as they looked from Ling Yue to Ling Chen.
They stepped forward, holding a scroll. All members of the Su family dropped to their knees except Ling Yue, who frowned in confusion until his father dragged him down and pushed him to his knees.
"Receive the divine announcement," the lead envoy began, unrolling the scroll. "Ling Yue, Ling Chen of the Su Clan," he intoned, "the Xianjiu Realm summons you to select the concubine for the Alpha Emperor." He finished reading and handed two scrolls to Ling Yue and Ling Chen.
"All hail the Alpha Emperor."
The Su family bowed low to the ground, their heads touching the tiles, and everyone except Ling Yue was busy staring at his scroll.
His father nudged his shoulder until he reluctantly lowered his head, then rolled his eyes the second he raised it again. He couldn't wait to find a plothole and escape.
"Enter the palanquin. Your journey to the Immortal Realm begins."
Ling Yue's jaw dropped, his eyes widening as he saw cranes descending from the sky.
Palanquin? Cranes? This is some high-budget heavenly flex, he thought.
But as the envoys gestured for him to move, his mind was already racing with escape plans.
Okay, Kai, think. Isekai escape 101: find a glitch, a portal, maybe a shady merchant selling forbidden artifacts in the Immortal Home.
Nobody knows this sequel's plot—not me, not these idiots—since it was just announced before that truck hit me.
But if it's anything like Volume 10's trainwreck, it's gonna be a hot mess. I'll ditch this omega nonsense and bounce before Xuan Han even looks at me.
Whatever it took, he would find a way out of the story.
When the cranes lowered to the ground and it was time to say goodbye, his family turned toward Ling Chen and hugged him tightly.
Madam Su Wei burst into tears, while Master Su gave him fatherly advice, ignoring Ling Yue's existence.
"Hey guys, I know you probably don't notice I'm here," Ling Yue said after a moment, spreading his arms wide. "Am I not getting that hug?"
Madam Su Wei scoffed. "You've truly lost your senses, Ling Yue. With your attitude, it won't be long before they send you back here to Cangyun," she snapped, pointing at him. "Don't ruin your brother's ambitions. Stay out of the way."
Ling Yue chuckled and raised his hands in defeat, but deep down, he wondered how the real Ling Yue must have felt being treated like this.
Still, this wasn't him, and the sooner he left this world, the better. He wouldn't have to sympathize with anyone.
"Time to go," one of the envoys announced, and they both headed toward the palanquin.
Ling Chen got in first, followed by Ling Yue.
Once seated, the cranes spread their wings, and Ling Yue screamed—not from fear but pure excitement.
"Holy fucking shit!" he shouted. "I'm flying!" His voice rose even higher. "Can you believe this?" He grabbed Ling Chen's hand in disbelief.
"Don't touch me," his brother snapped, yanking his hand away. "Stop embarrassing this family and acting like you've never ridden a flying crane."
But Ling Yue hadn't. He'd only read about them in novels, and now he was experiencing it firsthand. It was easily the best thing since he arrived in this ridiculous story.
Who would've thought what he'd once read about was happening to him now?
"Floating clouds," he chuckled, stretching his hand toward the mist. "I'm going to tell Min all about this once I get back to my world," he boasted, grinning at the thought of his friend's reaction.
Min would definitely call him mad and delusional.
Suddenly, as they ascended higher, a sweet lotus scent filled the palanquin. Warmth spread through Ling Yue's body, making his head spin.
His cheeks flushed as he groaned, clutching his temples. It was coming from him—he could tell.
Lotus scent. Great. That's my pheromone.
He must have released it out of excitement.
"Ugh, this is why I hate omegas. These stupid pheromones are turning me into a mess," he grumbled, rubbing his forehead.
"I'm supposed to be plotting an escape, not feeling like this." He glared at the clouds and groaned again. "Screw this body and its floral bullshit."
Ling Chen shifted beside him and shot him a withering look, covering his nose. "Control your scent, you fool. With this attitude, you'll disgrace us before we even reach the emperor."
"All right, sorry," Ling Yue muttered, leaning back with his eyes closed. "It's not my fault, I don't know how this omega shit works."
"Just shut up," Ling Chen hissed through gritted teeth.
That shut Ling Yue up for the rest of the journey. His pheromone release had left him weak, and the excitement faded into exhaustion.
The palanquin glided through layers of ethereal clouds and drifting mist until it passed through a final veil, and the Xianjiu Realm unfolded below it.
By the time they arrived, Ling Yue had fully recovered and couldn't help but stare in awe at the breathtaking realm.
This was his chance to witness the world-building he'd only ever read about, and he wouldn't miss a single detail.
"Wow," he exclaimed as the cranes flew past towering pavilions that floated over shimmering lakes.
Ancient jade peaks pierced the heavens, their slopes adorned with translucent crystal halls. Mountains surrounding the realm.
He caught glimpses of immortals—some cultivating, others strolling by, and he was utterly mesmerized.
"I can't believe this is real."
The sight took his breath away. He hadn't even seen the entire world yet, but he already knew it would be a shame to leave before he did.
The cranes descended smoothly in front of a sprawling complex of interconnected pavilions. Its curved roofs resembled flower petals in full bloom, edged with delicate gold filigree.
"We have arrived," the lead envoy announced.
"This is the Flower Serenity Hall," he added. "It will be your residence until you are summoned for the selection rituals. Rest, prepare, and await the emperor's call."
Ling Yue stepped down from the palanquin, raising his blue robe as he landed on the jade-tiled path leading to the hall. Ling Chen followed, his green robe glinting under the light.
"Remember not to do anything that will anger the emperor," one envoy warned before they all bowed and vanished into a swirl of golden light.
Ling Yue started toward the hall, but Ling Chen grabbed his arm. "What?" he demanded.
"Listen to me, you bastard." Ling Chen looked around, lowering his voice. "Don't screw this up for me, Ling Yue. One misstep from you, and the Su Clan will be in trouble. Stay out of my way and keep your mad tongue silent."
Ling Yue met his brother's glare with a blank stare. He didn't bother replying, but he was already plotting in his head.
He didn't care about his brother's ambitions—he just wanted to escape this story before meeting Xuan Han.
"Move," Ling Chen muttered, pushing past him as he walked toward the hall.
"Dramatic," Ling Yue said under his breath, twirling a strand of his hair before following.
The outer courtyard was filled with other candidates—at least ten or more omegas dressed in luxurious robes.
They were all stunning, just like the BL novels had always described them: porcelain skin, flowing hair in shades of ebony and auburn, and eyes shimmering with nervous anticipation.
If this were real life, he would've at least flirted with one of them. It wasn't every day he was surrounded by ethereal beauties that made his inner BL fanboy squeal.
"This is a feast for the eyes," he muttered. "If I weren't stuck in this trashy plot, I'd binge-watch the drama unfold."
He nodded to himself and moved through the crowd, winking at some, waving at others, though he didn't stop to talk.
But attraction aside, he was already scanning his surroundings. He noticed the guards—plenty on the right, barely any on the left.
That could only mean one thing: an escape route.
When the group began dispersing into the hall's inner chambers, Ling Yue seized his chance.
He slipped toward the shadows, his heart pounding hard. He hesitated but pushed on, sneaking behind pillars until he was transparent on the left side.
"Yes, run and find a way out of this hell," he thought.
But in his haste, he rounded a corner—and slammed straight into a solid figure.
The impact knocked the breath out of him, and he stumbled back just as the sound of approaching guards echoed down the hall.
Oh, hell no. Not now.
"Who's there?" one of the guards barked, their footsteps drawing closer.
Panic surged through Ling Yue. He grabbed the stranger, clapping a hand over their mouth to stifle any sound. "Shh," he whispered urgently, dragging them into a nearby alcove shrouded with glowing vines.
He pressed himself against the wall, holding his breath as the guards' footsteps grew louder and slowly faded away.
When he was sure they were gone, he opened his eyes.
And found himself staring into two beautiful silver ones.