Fleeting Dream Across Three Lifetimes - Chapter 12

The panic in the dream, even knowing it was only a dream, could not be eased. Qin Mohan pressed her chest, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. If before she could still say it was just a novel, now that she was living in this world, with Su Zining standing right in front of her, how could she not care? Perhaps… perhaps all of this was what that Zhi Mo once experienced.

Recalling the man who saved Su Zining in the dream, Qin Mohan felt a trace of relief but also a vague unease. She sighed, rose, and went out.

She did not even know why she was doing this, running out in the middle of the night was foolish, yet she still found herself near Su Zining’s courtyard. Even if she could not see her, she clearly knew she was right there.

Her eyes were dim, starlight faintly reflected within them, adding a subtle glow. After a moment, she suddenly turned her head toward the back mountain. The stars there seemed a little off. She looked carefully but found nothing unusual. After a thought, she lifted her foot and walked in that direction.

Just as she stepped past the woods, her gaze sank. Someone had laid a formation. Clearly, she had been careless and triggered it, likely alarming whoever was there. After a moment’s thought, she continued walking a few steps. The formation remained, and at its center was an exceptionally pure spiritual energy, so potent that even Qin Mohan wanted to draw on it for herself.

It looked like someone was cultivating here. But why at such a place, in the dead of night? Could the shift in the stars earlier be related to this?

Uncertain of the other’s purpose and intent, Qin Mohan felt a trace of danger. To be cautious, she pretended nothing was amiss and turned to leave. Hidden in the shadows with the help of the Qiankun Fan, Su Zining had spiritual energy condensed into a sword strike, ready to be unleashed at any moment. When she saw it was Qin Mohan, her eyes narrowed slightly. Her fingers trembled, but after a moment she suddenly crushed the energy. Even so, her expression did not look good. Her trust in others had long been depleted. At this moment, seeing Qin Mohan appear here, her first reaction was suspicion of ill intent. Qin Mohan was aloof, in the Wuji Sect she rarely interacted with others besides her. Thus, she could find no reason for Qin Mohan to be at her courtyard in the middle of the night, unless she came with something to hide.

Once suspicion takes root, the mind drifts to the worst. Perhaps Qin Mohan not only knew she possessed a Celestial-grade artifact, but also that her cultivation was far from what it seemed, and had come probing for the truth. Somewhat worried that the earlier fluctuations of spiritual energy might have exposed her, Su Zining’s enchanting eyes flashed coldly. She grew more resentful that she had almost broken her principle for Qin Mohan again.

Su Zining, have you lived in ease so long that you’ve forgotten those lessons? She’s just like that person. Treating you well, only so she can exploit you more completely!

***

Though sleepless through the night, the next day seemed unchanged, even to the point that Qin Mohan felt Su Zining was more lively than ever. When she taught her cultivation methods, she learned diligently; when they sat chatting together, her beautiful, alluring eyes shone brightly. She was obedient, clever, and occasionally teasing. Though Qin Mohan sensed something off, whenever she brought her food, Su Zining’s happiness and satisfaction made her heart lighten, and so she overlooked it.

That afternoon, after watching her finish eating, Qin Mohan thought of something and casually asked, “Did you rest well last night?” She worried the person from last night had ill intent, since normally a disciple of such cultivation would not train near the grey-robed disciples’ quarters.

Su Zining’s gaze cooled. Is this a test? She quickly hid it with a smile. “Very well. Yesterday I ate well, and afterward I wasn’t as tired as usual. But I didn’t slack off, I sat in meditation practicing what you taught me. Only when I had mastered it did I rest.”

Qin Mohan nodded, then after a moment said, “In five months, the Wuji Sect will hold the sect competition. This year, even newly admitted disciples and grey-robed disciples with strong spiritual energy can participate. With good results, they may advance to white robes. Though I can teach you, it is far less than proper instruction. Would you like to try?”

Su Zining lowered her gaze, hesitating. “Can I? Most grey-robed disciples have five spiritual roots, but those with inferior four roots are stronger than me…”

“Zining.” Qin Mohan stood and looked at her earnestly. “You are not the same as them. I can feel it. Your talent is not like theirs. So what if you have five roots? You are perceptive and hardworking. What I told you— Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I explained clearly, but you comprehended it well. I believe you can do it.”

Her voice was steady, gentle yet full of encouragement and affirmation. Su Zining stared at her, though many thoughts stirred inside. Grey-robed disciples had no chance to join trials, nor access to resources. Though she could continue to use Qin Mohan, she could not rely on her entirely. Since this was her wish, she ought to agree.

Pressing her lips together nervously, she finally said firmly, “Alright.”

A faint smile appeared on Qin Mohan’s face. She worried that by shielding Su Zining from hardships, she had also stolen her opportunities, leaving her to guard a hidden artifact all her life. Though she wanted to protect her, even more she wanted her to rise above others, free of the world’s chains. In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, she wished for her to live without disguise, without forced smiles, freely and unrestrained.

Once she became a white-robed disciple, she could accompany her on adventures, seeking her own fortune, rather than relying solely on Qin Mohan’s gifts.

***

In the following months, Su Zining worked hard. Though Qin Mohan also had to prepare for the sect competition, she still devoted much energy to helping her. What troubled her most was Yan Xiao. Every time she went to Luori Peak, she encountered him. He was the senior brother, so Qin Mohan could not be too blunt, only avoiding him as best she could. Luckily, with the competition nearing, both sides became too busy, or it would have been difficult.

Luo Yuan’s requirements of her grew stricter, and she had read nearly all the texts in Ziyun Pavilion. The more she read, the stronger that strange feeling grew. Incantations said by senior sisters to be obscure and difficult seemed clear to her, as if she had always known them. Yet when she thought harder, she found no answer.

Lan Xuan too was busy. As a disciple of Ziyun Peak, he and the other disciples of the five peaks, apart from the new initiates, also had to compete. This competition, held once every three years, not only affected prestige but also determined the distribution of resources. The top three would be personally rewarded by the sect leader. This year’s prizes were a top-class Heaven-grade Xuangguang Sword, a fifth-rank Golden Core elixir, and a seventh-rank Vermilion Fruit. The rewards tempted Lan Xuan.

But there were twenty-three inner disciples in total, nine already in the Golden Core stage. Four of them—Le Fan, Yan Xiao, Ming Yao, and Fu Zhu—were stronger than him. The other five had entered the early Golden Core stage no later than he had. Considering this, Lan Xuan grew frustrated. He was already over 180 years old and had been in the Golden Core stage for more than forty years, yet still could not break through. His senior brother Chen Tian had been stuck in the early stage for nearly a hundred years, and so had secluded himself for over a decade.

He believed himself gifted, yet their master favored Le Fan excessively. Many techniques had never been passed to him, leaving his cultivation lagging behind hers.

***

The grand competition arrived as scheduled. The Wuji Sect’s largest training ground held eight arenas. The disciples were divided into four groups: Golden Core stage, Foundation Establishment stage, new inner disciples, and the grey-robed disciples’ challenge. Grey-robed disciples could challenge those ranked in the bottom ten percent of the peaks, and if victorious, take their place. At the same time, the top ten of the newly admitted inner disciples could challenge Foundation Establishment disciples, and the rewards were extremely generous.

On the day of the competition, the crowds around the arenas were distinctly divided. The Golden Core and Foundation Establishment arenas were packed with people, while the new disciples’ arena was nearly deserted. Apart from a few elders who had confidence in their own disciples, hardly anyone paid attention. After all, many of the participants were only at the Qi Refining stage, with very few having reached Foundation Establishment. It was little different from ordinary mortals dueling.

For the first three days there were no challenge matches. Su Zining and the others had to wait for the white-robed disciples’ rankings to be determined before their turn, so she spent her time watching Qin Mohan compete.

This year, the Wuji Sect had eighty new disciples, of which sixty-three were white-robed and seventeen were inner disciples. Each of the five peak masters had accepted one disciple, except the master of Qingyan Peak, who took two. The other eleven were disciples of elders and vice peak masters.

Luo Yuan placed high expectations on Qin Mohan, waiting eagerly for her to bring him honor. He never tired of watching, always present whenever she stepped into the arena. Seeing him constantly smiling at the eastern arena left Lan Xuan feeling sour inside.

From below, Su Zining watched Qin Mohan send white-robed disciples off the stage with almost a single move and shook her head. This person was indeed impressive. Qin Mohan hadn’t even known how to cultivate when she first arrived, completely ignorant of the path. Yet in half a year she had become thoroughly adept. Though she borrowed from Lin Qingchen’s Foundation Establishment roots, it was still remarkable.

The competition used a lottery-based system, dividing disciples into four groups for elimination matches. Winners advanced round by round, so aside from strength, luck also played a part.

After one day of matches, Qin Mohan had already advanced to the second round. Now only twenty new disciples remained. Three inner disciples had been unfortunate enough to face Qin Mohan or Du Xun, the disciple of Luori Peak’s vice peak master, and were eliminated. The remaining fourteen stayed in the running. This clearly showed that talent and resources were advantages that effort alone could not make up for.

The following matches were no longer so simple. Anyone accepted as an inner disciple surely possessed extraordinary qualities. Among the fourteen, many had successfully reached Foundation Establishment. Du Xun, in particular, had once gained a great opportunity, allowing him to reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at the age of twenty-three, making him the most valued of this group. Another, Mu Qitong, also from Luori Peak, had built her foundation at eighteen and was equally formidable. Unfortunately, Qin Mohan drew Mu Qitong in her very first match.

Both were prodigies beloved by heaven. Mu Qitong was especially favored by the sect leader Wu Chenzi. When the two stepped onto the arena, Luo Yuan and Wu Chenzi exchanged glances, each smiling with hidden meaning.

Restrictions were placed around the arena. Should any lethal technique appear, the barriers would forcibly neutralize it, ensuring no loss of life.

Su Zining could sense Mu Qitong’s strength. She had been cultivated by her family since childhood, with abundant resources from the main peak, and countless pills and treasures had been invested in her. Compared to Qin Mohan, who even had to share what little she received, Mu Qitong clearly had the advantage.

Both wore training uniforms of blue and white. Qin Mohan appeared calm and courteous, while Mu Qitong stood cold and proud. Both were striking beauties, their robes fluttering in the windless air, presenting a captivating sight upon the arena.

Disciples below whispered among themselves, quietly debating who would win. For a moment, the number of spectators swelled.

“Mu-shijie, please.” Qin Mohan, being younger and since Mu Qitong was a main peak disciple, addressed her respectfully as senior sister.

Mu Qitong nodded, showing no courtesy. She directly summoned a dark red longsword, spiritual energy pouring into it at once. The dim blade instantly flared, glowing crimson from end to end.