Fleeting Dream Across Three Lifetimes - Chapter 8

Just as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw a man in white robes who looked to be in his twenties. At that moment, he was holding a small box and placing a red object into it. Noticing someone approaching, he quickly closed the box. By the time he turned around, his brows were already furrowed, and in his eyes, Qin Mohan caught a flash of panic and irritation.

Shuori saw that the newcomer wore a water-blue outer robe over a white inner garment. Her features were refined, her expression a little distant, unfamiliar, yet it did not stop him from guessing her identity. Hastily tucking the small box into his sleeve, he respectfully said, “This disciple greets Shishu. Might you be Qingchen-shishu?”

Qin Mohan returned the bow and said softly, “Yes, and you must be Shuori.”

“Yes, Shishu. Did I fail to prepare something properly for Little Shishu?” Shuori was the disciple of Qin Mohan’s eldest senior brother, Xu Mu, and held a respectable position among the disciples in white.

Qin Mohan shook her head. “Everything was prepared well. I only came to ask you about someone.”

***

When she stepped out from Shuori’s place with her brows furrowed, her heart sank slightly. As expected, Su Zining still did not trust her. Where should she look for her?

Though worry weighed on her, Qin Mohan understood she must first secure her footing in this world before she could continue searching for Su Zining, and only then could she shield her from disasters in the early days. Distracted and uneasy, she did not notice that as she left, Shuori’s gaze was filled with panic and unease.

Surely the Little Shishu hadn’t seen it. She had only just arrived; she couldn’t possibly recognize the Red Blood Pill. Clutching the object tightly in his hand, Shuori let out a long breath.

***

In the days that followed, Qin Mohan devoted herself almost entirely to cultivation, living a simple routine between the main peak, the purple bamboo grove, and her courtyard. Le Fan held a good impression of this junior sister. Though she spoke little and seemed aloof, she was in fact humble and courteous. She could not understand why their shizun held such prejudice against her, refusing to teach her the sect’s foundational method and instead forcing her into physical training—prohibiting the use of spiritual power when fetching water, making her practice horse stances, and ordering her to chop the iron-hard purple bamboo. These tasks were usually assigned only to gray-robed disciples, those with poor spiritual roots and no foundation, meant to compensate for their weakness in spiritual power. Disciples like Lin Qingchen, who had been nurtured since childhood and already reached Foundation Establishment, were never required to do such things.

Qin Mohan noticed that only gray-robed disciples did these tasks, but she made no complaint. She realized they were not without purpose. Even if she could not use spiritual power while working, after such intense training, when she returned to meditate, it felt as if a flood poured into a once-blocked and parched riverbed; smooth, nourishing, and immensely comfortable. Her body’s exhaustion made it easier for her to settle into meditation, and since her emotions rarely fluctuated, the results were remarkable. Moreover, she no longer wished to think of anything beyond cultivation. After finishing her tasks for the day, she would quietly sit on her mat, reflect on the teachings she heard at the main peak, write down anything unclear, and ask the elders the next day. Then, using Lin Qingchen’s memories, she gradually studied the cultivation methods she had not yet mastered. Though she possessed the cultivation of Foundation Establishment, she lacked skill in using that level of spiritual power, so these days offered her an excellent opportunity.

This continued for more than half a month. Lan Xuan, who had once come frequently to make his presence felt and strengthen ties, visited less often. Of course, those so-called words of sympathy on her behalf still appeared from time to time.

“I don’t know what Shizun is thinking. Usually, new disciples are given a method suited to their spiritual roots and never required to go through such mundane training of the body. In just half a year, the new disciples’ competition will take place. If Shimei loses to the white-robed disciples, that would be…” Lan Xuan, watching Qin Mohan hacking at the purple bamboo, spoke indignantly.

Qin Mohan paused, then smiled. “I dare not presume to guess our shizun’s intentions, but it must surely be for my good. Third-shixiong, you need not worry on my account. Please return, I still have three more to cut.”

Seeing that she had barely managed a few inches after so long, Lan Xuan comforted her a little and then left. It seemed he had worried too much; this junior sister posed no threat to him. Although his shizun had declared that Lin Qingchen was his last disciple and that the final artifact would require four participants in its choosing, it was obvious this junior sister was neither likable nor talented, and Shizun would not favor her.

Unaware of all this, Qin Mohan could not understand why Lan Xuan troubled himself with her. Watching him leave, she finally swung her blade hard against the bamboo, splitting a crack open. In less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense, a bamboo as thick as an arm crashed to the ground.

***

After Le Fan finished reporting on Ziyun Peak, Luo Yuan casually asked, “Is that Lin family girl about to resent me to death?”

Le Fan was stunned, then laughed. When she noticed Luo Yuan’s puzzled look, she put away her smile and said seriously, “I can’t say whether she resents you, Shizun. This junior sister is too calm. I can’t read her emotions at all. Every day, right on time, almost without a minute’s difference, she hauls three full jars of water before heading to the main peak for lessons. Just as punctually, she returns to fill three more jars, then goes to the back mountain to cut bamboo, and afterward practices horse stance and standing postures. But there’s something I find curious.”

Luo Yuan’s eyes brightened, interest flashing in them. “What is it?”

“In this half month, Shimei has progressed very quickly. She’s halved the time needed to haul water and doubled the time she can maintain her stances, but the time she takes to cut the purple bamboo hasn’t changed at all.”

“Oh?” Luo Yuan frowned. Those first two improvements were nothing special. Anyone who worked hard could achieve them. But the purple bamboo of Ziyun Peak was different. Only through steady improvement in the control and perception of spiritual power could one find a flaw in the bamboo’s chaotic aura barrier and leave a mark. If that part had not improved, then her path of cultivation might not go far.

Seeing her shizun’s concern, Le Fan shook her head. “Shizun, you forget, she’s already at Foundation Establishment. How could she have no improvement at all in half a month?”

Luo Yuan’s eyes lit up, and stroking his beard, he laughed. “So the little girl is slacking off. I’ll have to take a look and punish her properly, hmph.”

Now Le Fan understood. Her shizun actually liked this junior sister very much but was venting his frustration because the Lin family had tricked him into losing a bet. Though he admired her greatly, he deliberately left her hanging.

***

Of course, Qin Mohan did not expect Luo Yuan to have such idle curiosity. After hearing the lecture, she simply prepared to return to Ziyun Peak.

The two female disciples from Luori Peak who had attended the lecture with her sneered when they saw her bow respectfully to the elder she had questioned and then leave. “Quite the act she puts on. Does she think this way the shishus will all think highly of her? Always wearing that aloof look, cold to everyone, yet somehow able to coax the shishus. A cultivator scheming like this will never achieve greatness.”

Qin Mohan was not deaf, and the two had not bothered to hide their words, so she heard everything clearly. But she paid them no mind, walking unhurriedly to the teleportation array. Flying swords were not permitted on the main peak, so only after reaching the main road did she mount her sword and depart.

Her swordsmanship was already honed to mastery, and the journey back had become her daily practice ground. As usual, she veered off her path, darting swiftly among the towering trees at low altitude. Any other disciple who saw her risking her life like this would surely break into a cold sweat, for such speed demanded absolute control of spiritual power. Just because one merged sword and spirit did not mean crashing into trees was impossible. Many disciples had broken their legs when first learning to ride the sword.

As she passed the forest west of Luori Peak’s sparring grounds, a frivolous male voice drifted over. “So, Zhi Mo, will you agree to be my Dao companion? I promise no one on Luori Peak will ever bully you again…”

At the faint sound of the name Zhi Mo, Qin Mohan’s heart jolted. Her sword wobbled beneath her feet, almost sending her tumbling. Forcing her mind steady, she wheeled around, just in time to see a young woman in plain gray robes slap away the wandering hands of a man before her. Though she only glimpsed her in profile, the familiarity of it struck her to the core. It was Su Zining!

The man’s expression twisted, and he gave a lewd laugh. “Not bad, you’ve got flavor. Born with a bewitching body, yet pretending all the while to be innocent and sweet, and now with a bit of spice added too! You make my heart race. Be with me, dual cultivate with me, not only will you gain pleasure, it will also aid your cultivation. You won’t have to suffer bullying anymore, so why not? Zhi Mo…” As he spoke, he reached for Su Zining’s sleeve.

Qin Mohan’s eyes turned to ice. Her brows knitted, and with a fierce stomp on her sword, she shot straight down, seeming almost to lose control, and slammed into the man. His mind was entirely on his mischief, never expecting someone to fall from the sky. He stumbled in panic, but still caught the sharp blow of her bent knee squarely under his jaw.

With a crunch, he bit his tongue. Blood filled his mouth, pain bringing tears and snot as he collapsed to the ground clutching his face, legs kicking helplessly.

The culprit feigned an unsteady fall from her sword, tumbling once across the ground before springing to her feet without even a leaf sticking to her.

Turning back to glance at Su Zining, her eyes warmed with a gentle smile. Then she faced forward again, adopting a look of self-reproach as she hurried to the man’s side. “Forgive me, I was practicing sword flight just now, but I heard voices and lost focus for a moment. Are you all right?”

Lin Xu had been seething with fury. If not for the pain sapping his strength, he would have lashed out already. Now, as Qin Mohan approached, he glared at her fiercely. But when his eyes caught the robes she wore, his anger deflated at once. Shaking his head quickly, ignoring the pain, he mumbled through blood, “I… I’m fine. May I ask… who are you?”

Qin Mohan saw him stand, then stepped back. “Lin Qingchen of Ziyun Peak, fourth disciple.”

“So it’s Lin-shishu. I am Lin Xu, an inner disciple of Luori Peak, from the same clan as you, Shishu.” Though rage still simmered in him, he dared not act rashly before a disciple of Ziyun Peak.

Qin Mohan gave a slight nod, cast a glance at Su Zining, then fixed her gaze back on him. Her tone was calm. “Just now, I seem to have heard you speak of Dao companionship, and something about ‘being with you’? Being with you in what way?”

Lin Xu’s face turned pale. He had already staunched the bleeding of his tongue with spiritual power, and quickly stammered, “No… This disciple, this disciple and Zhi Mo are deeply fond of each other. I was merely making a jest, some careless words that dirtied your ears. Please forgive me. Zhi Mo and I… W-we will leave a-at once.” He darted looks at Su Zining, stretching a hand to pull her along.

Qin Mohan shifted lightly, stepping between them to block him, shielding Su Zining behind her. Her voice was faint, but unyielding. “She is my friend. We came up the mountain only days apart. How is it I know nothing of this deep affection between you?”

Lin Xu’s face burned crimson, his eyes flashing furiously at Su Zining. She flinched back and whispered, “I am just an ordinary disciple, I don’t know him well.”

“Cultivation must not be tainted with ill intent. I hope today’s matter will not happen again. I am sometimes reasonable, but most of the time I am domineering, especially when it comes to protecting my own.” By now she had already advanced into Foundation Establishment, and after half a month of training, her presence had grown far stronger. To a disciple barely at the third stage of Qi Refining, the pressure was overwhelming.

Lin Xu had no idea that the beauty he coveted had such a protector. Grinding his teeth, he bowed. “Lin Xu was blind and foolish. Please forgive me, Lin-shishu. I offer my apology, and will never dare offend again.”

After he left, Qin Mohan turned back. Seeing Su Zining standing there in stunned silence, her eyes lit with joy as she locked onto hers. “So, you are here after all.”