Fleeting Dream Across Three Lifetimes - Chapter 11

Qin Mohan was also startled, but she lost control, unable to stop until she damaged the Spirit-Appraisal Platform and was finally thrown back. She looked at Luo Yuan’s expression, frowned, and bent down, saying, “Shizun, this… your disciple is guilty.”

Luo Yuan came back to his senses, quickly supported her, and burst into loud laughter. “What guilt is there? Everything’s well! Well!” 

Although such a sight was unprecedented, that golden radiance in the end was undoubtedly of the highest grade. Even if she had three spiritual roots, that was still a top-grade gold spiritual root with two complementary superior ones. In his hands, Luo Yuan’s, this would also be a peerless genius. Moreover, he discovered that his disciple’s spiritual root quality was even better than last time. This realization delighted him even more. Spiritual roots that could improve on their own were exceedingly rare in this world!

“Come with me.” Luo Yuan not only did not blame her, but even led her toward Ziyun Pavilion. Yet Qin Mohan was greatly surprised. In her memory, Lin Qingchen had definitely been a dual-root. That last fierce golden pattern, what exactly was that?

“For now, wait here,” Luo Yuan instructed her to stay on the first floor while he went up to the third. A moment later, he came back down. “Hold out your hand.”

Qin Mohan obeyed and stretched out her hand.

Only after returning to her own courtyard did Qin Mohan let out a quiet breath of relief. To be honest, she thought she would be exposed today. She always felt that the sudden golden spiritual power at the end had something to do with her. But unexpectedly, Luo Yuan had been delighted, even directly handing her the Heavenly Nine Arts, perfectly tailored for dual water-and-wood spiritual roots. In addition, he even bestowed her a personal magic weapon—one of Heaven-grade.

Previously she had thought Luo Yuan was trying to trip her up, but instead she was flattered and slightly moved. Yet she maintained her calm and composed demeanor, which pleased Luo Yuan all the more. He liked disciples who remained steady through honor or disgrace, who cultivated with a tranquil heart. And Lin Qingchen was only nineteen. Such firm character convinced him further that this girl was truly material worth shaping.

Qin Mohan did feel touched, but also heavy-hearted. After all, she was not Lin Qingchen. She was occupying Lin Qingchen’s body and taking chances that originally belonged to her… Even if Lin Qingchen would not have lived to enter Wuji Sect, Qin Mohan still felt guilty, as though she were stealing what was not hers. Frowning slightly, she sighed with a bitter smile. She was overthinking again. Compared to being able to stay with Su Zining, what did any of this matter? Su Zining… Qin Mohan suddenly froze. Right, she almost forgot, she had asked her to wait at the hour of Xu.

She hurriedly rose and went toward the kitchen. Many disciples of Ziyun Peak had not yet begun fasting, and Luo Yuan himself could not give up worldly tastes. Every day the disciples went down the mountain to purchase fresh foods, so Ziyun Peak’s kitchen was always well stocked. She went in and looked around. The ingredients were not quite the same as those of the twenty-first century she once knew, but as for seasonings… well, Ziyun Peak was quite down-to-earth: rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were all there.

Yet in truth, these were rarely used. Cultivators prized keeping the body pure; such mundane flavors, while delicious, were actually harmful to cultivation. Even when cooking, one had to add spiritual herbs to cleanse impurities.

Qin Mohan picked carefully, taking a phoenix-tail fish from the spiritual pool behind Ziyun Peak. This fish was infused with spiritual energy, its flesh tender and delicious; a rare and fine ingredient. She would have to replace it later. She also gathered some common vegetables and fruits. She cooked three dishes, packed them into a storage pouch, and as she left, she told the servant disciple who had helped manage the fire, “You may eat the rest. I’ll replenish the phoenix-tail fish.”

The disciple nodded repeatedly. He had watched the whole process. The colors and aromas of the dishes had made his mouth water. Though he had helped cook before, he could never make anything smell so good. After Qin Mohan left, he took a bite, froze, then broke into a grin, nearly licking the plates clean. Cultivators usually cared little for taste, using seasonings haphazardly. Adding vinegar if they liked sourness, sugar if they liked sweetness. To them, as long as the flavor was acceptable, it was good food. None could compare to Qin Mohan’s mastery of heat and proportion.

***

Meanwhile, when Su Zining returned, the attitude of her fellow disciples had completely changed. 

“Zhi Mo, you’re back? We’ve done the chores already, you can rest.” 

“Are you hungry? I still have a white flour bun.”

Su Zining brushed off their offers one by one, then returned to practice the technique Qin Mohan had given her. She adjusted her breathing and meditation, finding it indeed smoother than before. In her past life, she had been too carefree. After she obtained the Stellar Arts, she stopped studying basic methods, always muddling through.

When she finally noticed the time, it was already three quarters into the hour of You. Remembering Qin Mohan’s words, she frowned slightly, then tidied herself and headed to their meeting place.

Luori Peak truly lived up to its name. In the cultivation world, the sun seemed to set later, and now only half of its face was hidden behind the mountain. The golden light exerted its last effort, bathing the entire peak in dazzling brilliance, edging the distant clouds with gold.

On the wide grassy field, Qin Mohan stood quietly. From afar, her figure seemed slim and delicate. She stood straight, her hair and robes billowing in the evening wind. Against the light, she was cloaked in sunset’s tender radiance, graceful and serene. Yet to Su Zining’s eyes, the back turned toward the sunset seemed tinged with loneliness. Frowning, she looked at her from behind. For some reason, her chest felt tight. She took a breath, raised a smile, and ran forward quickly. 

Though she hadn’t used spiritual power, the sound of her steps was enough for Qin Mohan to notice early. Her moment of daze cleared away instantly. She still had someone with her. She didn’t turn around right away, letting the approaching girl stand behind her. 

Then with a warm smile, Su Zining patted her shoulder. “I’m here.”

Qin Mohan turned around with a soft smile, then as usual spread out a silk cloth and motioned for Su Zining to sit. With her, Su Zining felt the most relaxed. She teased lightly, “Suddenly telling me to wait at the hour of Xu. Don’t tell me you just wanted to sit with me.”

Qin Mohan nodded. “You don’t want to?” Su Zining hadn’t expected her to be so direct and was stunned. Qin Mohan lowered her head slightly, her expression unreadable, then took out the dishes she had cooked and laid them before Su Zining. She added softly, “Being with you feels very comfortable.”

Su Zining looked at the steaming dishes still protected by spiritual energy. Her mouth fell open, and after a long moment she said, “You… came to bring me food.”

“Mm, you’re still young, your body is growing. Eating those things isn’t good. Try it first, see if it suits your taste.” She had always been quiet. In those years with Zhi Mo in dreams, at first she had barely spoken to her. Later, as they grew closer, though Zhi Mo still spoke more, she would intentionally turn the conversation toward her, talking about many little things, food, for example. Zhi Mo had said she no longer needed to eat, but she loved it, and felt uncomfortable without it for even a day. Through that, she had learned some of Zhi Mo’s tastes, and knew she especially loved fish.

As expected, when Su Zining saw the phoenix-tail fish, her eyes couldn’t seem to move away. She picked up her chopsticks, tasted a bite, and her eyes lit up. She exclaimed with delight, “Did you make this?”

Qin Mohan nodded. “Is it good?”

“Delicious!” came the firm reply. Su Zining buried her head in the three dishes. As expected, she loved fish. In no time, the phoenix-tail fish was gone, leaving only the head and bones, the rest completely swept away. In her previous life she had once held great power, yet because she had starved so often as a child, her obsession with food never faded, even after she began fasting.

Qin Mohan sat quietly at her side, watching her eat. The Zhi Mo she had once known was mature and alluring, endlessly gentle with her. But she had always felt that behind that gentleness hid pain, suppressed and restrained. Now, though Su Zining might not truly be as innocent and carefree as she looked, at this moment Qin Mohan could tell she was genuinely content.

Perhaps because Qin Mohan’s gaze was too intent, Su Zining stopped her chopsticks and turned to her. Suddenly remembering something, she hesitated, “You… have you eaten yet?”

Qin Mohan almost laughed. She shook her head and answered seriously, “No.”

Su Zining glanced at the plates with only scraps left, and looked embarrassed. “Sorry, I…”

Before she could finish, she heard a soft chuckle. Qin Mohan had lowered her head, laughing lightly.

Su Zining: “…” This person, really…

“They were meant for you from the start, eat.”

“I’ve eaten enough.” Su Zining set down her chopsticks, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her lips, her stomach a bit too full, but she sighed in satisfaction.

Qin Mohan smiled as she packed up the dishes. Su Zining felt a little guilty. “Let me wash them and return them to you.”

“No need. I’ll bring more tomorrow. For now I have to return. Tonight, remember to practice well what I taught you today.” Qin Mohan stopped her, packing everything away. Seeing Su Zining’s somewhat complicated expression, she asked softly, “Does anyone still bully you now?”

Su Zining shook her head. By now everyone knew she was under Qin Mohan’s protection and dared not cause trouble. Qin Mohan felt reassured, brushed the grass from her clothes, and turned back to Ziyun Peak.

***

From then on, almost without fail, Qin Mohan accompanied her, helping with chores, explaining the cultivation techniques she had learned, even teaching her principles of the Dao. Afterwards, she always brought a few small dishes to nourish her. Su Zining began to feel dazed, as if such days were too perfect.

One day, watching Qin Mohan leave, her eyes followed her figure into the darkening sky. Su Zining felt herself lost in thought. After her rebirth, most of her time had been spent sorting memories and cultivating. Yet lately, she had been spending too much time with Qin Mohan, pondering her thoughts. At first she had been full of wariness, unmoved by her kindness. But now, she even began to look forward to the next day. Listening to her explain cultivation with such earnestness, watching her share whatever good things she obtained…

Qin Mohan would sit quietly at her side, or close her eyes in meditation. She was the second person who made Su Zining feel warmth. The second… At the thought of that memory which brought her heart such pain, Su Zining furrowed her brows tightly, forcing both Qin Mohan and that person out of her mind.

That night, the sky was filled with stars. Outside, starlight spilled over the tranquil world, gentle and beautiful. Opening her window, she spread her divine sense outward. Everyone around her was asleep. She leapt out lightly, using a light-footwork technique, and swept toward the back mountain.

She quickly set up a small formation, glanced at the sky, then slowly sat down. Her hands formed seven or eight intricate seals. At last, she stretched her hand forward and gently drew across the air. The sky seemed to ripple, then the starlight above descended like fireflies, circling and dancing around her in ordered patterns. The soft glow lit her face, breathtakingly beautiful. Yet all of this remained hidden in the dim forest, unseen by any.

***

Meanwhile, in a small courtyard on the eastern side of Ziyun Peak, Qin Mohan frowned deeply, troubled by the unending dreams each night. That novel she had never gone back to finish now played out like dreams, vividly before her every time she slept. The impact on her sight and hearing was far stronger than any words on a page.

She saw Su Zining crawling out of the Burial Grounds, barely clinging to life, yet fate still refused her mercy. Without a dantian, she could not join any sect to cultivate, forced instead to survive alone in perilous trial grounds to obtain resources.

Though by then Su Zining had grown quieter, she was still pure at heart, still holding goodwill toward those she knew. She had not hesitated to help others. With the Stellar Arts and the experience she had gained struggling through the Burial Grounds, her cultivation had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage. For someone with five roots to reach Foundation Establishment at twenty-six was a genius achievement. Many disciples of great sects befriended her, unaware her dantian was crippled.

During those ten years in the Burial Grounds, she lived in unending darkness, without a single living being for company. So she cherished her so-called friends all the more, granting almost every request. Yet when a fifth-rank spirit beast attacked, Su Zining was forced to reveal the diabolic aura in her body. After saving them, she was turned upon, accused of being a spy from the devils. That time, Su Zining nearly died in the Void Realm.

Qin Mohan watched helplessly as Su Zining was pushed back step by step, panicked and pleading that she was not of the devil race, begging her so-called “friends” for help. But not a single one stood up.

She had been right there, yet she could not protect her, could not save her. She could only watch as a Golden Core stage cultivator drove his sword toward the gravely injured Su Zining. At that instant, grief tore through Qin Mohan’s heart. In the final moment, a man in black robes pulled Su Zining aside, rescuing her. And then Qin Mohan gasped awake, drenched in sweat.