Laughter-of-Judas in the Clouds

Lin Xian first saw that "Lanmaoa asiatica" mushroom while dozing during her cultivation beneath the mountain. The immortals she'd known always said mushrooms were delicious, and by pure chance, this was the one she took a liking to.

But... once it takes human form, she can't eat it.

"What's your name?" Beneath a peach tree, Lin Xian frowned at him, looking troubled... She couldn't eat him anymore.

"Kan Qingxian."

"What a hassle. I'll just call you Xiao Qing." She looked at his delicious-looking patterns and still felt a little tempted to eat him, but everyone said Immortal Lords were merciful.

Now that he had taken human form, she really couldn't eat him.

She held on to the last of her principles.

The sun sank below the horizon, and the sky was filled with rosy light. Even in the immortal realm, she did not often see such a sight.

He thought to himself as his body shifted slightly, drawn toward it.

He didn't know how to put it into words.

Her robes were light and sheer, interwoven in white and blue and patterned with snowflakes. More importantly, her ribbons hung loose and casual. The breeze stirred them gently, and her sleeves, as delicate as cicada wings, drifted into his heart. This was his first time learning to be human, or perhaps he was simply a mushroom after all. He didn't understand this feeling.

So, almost unconsciously, he was drawn to her and moved closer, while she lay half-reclined on a branch, her hair loose and her beauty undiminished.

Even the bright moon paled by comparison.

Seeing him stammer, she couldn't help taking out her ruler.

The boy looked at the ruler and swallowed.

Lin Xian saw the burning look in his eyes and didn't understand. All she could do was say again, "Listen to your master."

His tears fell into her palm as she slapped him.

"My people, good and evil alike, have all died. Yet not one of you has reached immortality. Have you ever wondered why?"

"Renegade Immortal Lin Xian resigns from the Immortal Sect, taking her disciple with her."

Her voice rang out from afar.

On the day they left, she rode upon the clouds. Her pale blue ribbons floated alongside them, and the pure white clouds were stained a glaring red. The boy was weak, but showed no signs of dying.

(Content warnings: A wildly imaginative world, male-lead fans proceed with caution, and more shields to be added as I think of them)

Theme: Anticipating hidden risks