Heya folks,

JL, your resident translator, here with a bad case of food poisoning! Not gonna lie, I feel pretty awful right now. But that's a story for another day. Also, I'd like to apologize for not being as active in the Chapter Thoughts lately. Life got pretty hectic, and the 12-chapter mass release took a lot more out of me than I expected.

Anyway, I've had a bunch of you mention both in the comments and Discord that you really like my writing and I should write something myself. I'm honestly flattered, because I've never really thought of myself as one, nor has the thought ever crossed my mind. I think I prefer being a translator and reader, first and foremost. But as an avid reader of the Romance genre in Fantasy settings... if there's one thing I could change about Immortal of the Ages, it'd be expanding on the romance and fleshing out the characters a little more. And I've made no attempt at hiding that Chen Xi is my favorite character.

So, I decided to take a crack at it. This is what I've been working on my free time. It's also a window in the sort of head canon I work with while translating chapters for you guys. The side story I wrote takes place directly after Chapter 104. Honestly, it's a little embarassing to have you guys read it. I know my writing colors the entirety of the translation, but it's a little different when you're writing the story too. That said, I think it's worth putting myself out there, because I want to see some of you guys take a crack at it too! And if you like it, we can keep doing more.

Wiithout further ado, enjoy a little bit of fan fiction written by yours truly.

Chen Xi - Side Story 1

In the quiet aftermath of our first meeting, I find myself alone, the silence of my chambers only amplifying the flurry of thoughts in my mind.. 

It's amusing, in a way. Here I am, someone who's orchestrated her own banishment, a chess master in the grand game of Immortal politics. Yet, I find myself inexplicably drawn to thinking about a boy. 

He's not just any boy, of course. He possesses the Yang Void, the other half to the Yin Void of my Primordial Void Technique, a potentially crucial piece in defeating the Demon Continent. That's the only reason I'm interested. It has to be.

But as I sit here on my bed, reflecting, I can't help but recall the way he stood there, so calm and composed, amidst all the chaos he's created. He suddenly turned up one day and turned the whole Sea of Swords upside down. He's just slain Sword Heaven's heir, Lin Chen. He's made enemies with the Forbidden Tower, and word around is that he's sworn enemies with Ye Guying.

A part of me, the Divine Dawn Empress, tells me that this is not my business. I should remain aloof, let the Sword Realm handle its own turmoil. After all, I have an Immortal Empire to reclaim, and the whole Divine Content to purify. 

Yet, there's a whisper, a soft, unbidden voice in the back of my mind, that speaks of more than the bigger picture. It's telling me to learn more about him, talk to him… I've never felt this way before. Why am I so curious about him…?

So, I find myself considering the inconceivable—intervening. Intervening would be deviating from my path, a path I've carefully plotted since ascending the throne of the Divine Dawn Empress. 

But as I sit here in the solitude of my thoughts, I can't shake off the image of that boy, his almost ethereal and divine appearance, the way he looked at me, the way our conversation flowed. It was… different. Refreshing even.

How long has it been since I've felt this way? I miss my family. I wonder how my father is doing? I miss my cousin Chen JIn—and though I hate to admit it, even that annoying brat, Zhao Xiaotang.

Memories of home flood my mind. It's been a year since I've been banished from the Heavenly Realm, a year since I broke my engagement with Ye Xingchen. I don't regret it. 

The Ye Royal Family is a blight on the Heavenly Realm. Their corruption has already long set root. And he's no different. I'm glad I pounced on the chance to annul our engagement when I got the chance.

That manchild thinks he's won. I can only imagine his face when he realizes he was just a pebble in my grand plan. A mere afterthought. Compared to him, Yun Xiao is a million times better… At least, I've got a pretty face to look at!

Hmph! I've decided. If the situation calls for it, I'll save Yun Xiao. Not because of any sentimental reasons or anything. Nope! It's purely strategic, purely for the Yang Void. Yup. It's a decision befitting me, the Divine Dawn Empress!

I… do feel a little bad about stealing his cultivation though. And doing… that, with him. I-I…, I don't know. Pomelo tells me he can recover it back. But that's not the issue! ARGH! I don't want to think about it anymore! Ugh... maybe I should marry him...

The War of Immortals is in just a few more days. Dad, I'm coming home…