Chapter 46 Unpredictable Turbulence "Lin Feiran is like this."
The whistling wind of the sword calmed my mind.
The shame of Xing Meng had faded, leaving only confusion. Lin Feiran's daily schedule was too packed, leaving her little time to think, and she often fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, rarely having time to dream.
Once she calmed down, she noticed something was amiss.
Dreams are hard to control; they may be enchanting or unreal, but they are ultimately just dreams. She had never been to that fairyland, so it could be considered an illusion. But the people in the dream were so real, as if they were actually right in front of her.
Such a strange dream makes one ponder its meaning.
Lin Feiran has always been cautious. Although he doesn't speak when things happen, he can't help but analyze every detail and dissect every problem in his heart.
In this world, there are cultivators, and their dreams often have hidden meanings. Cultivators with high comprehension, such as Mu Chun'e, can receive divine inspiration in their dreams and learn about the opening of the Pilgrimage Valley.
What was the meaning of her dream? Was it a premonition or a metaphor?
Lin Feiran sheathed his sword, returned to the house, and searched through the bookshelf for a long time before finally finding a book titled "The Heavenly Emperor's Interpretation of Dreams".
So she began to study it carefully.
The book says that dreaming of a man means that the cultivator has overworked himself in his practice, resulting in a great depletion of his vital energy and a deficiency of yang and yin. He should rest and meditate, and not practice excessively, so as not to damage his spiritual veins and bones.
"..."
Lin Feiran suddenly realized: "As expected of the book passed down from our ancestors, it is insightful and penetrating."
With a sigh, the heavy moral shackles in her heart were finally lifted. It turned out that she did not have evil intentions, but was just too tired recently.
Putting down her book and glancing at the sky, she suddenly remembered something and took out a blue book from her bag, on which were written the four characters "Xian Zhenren Jing" (Scripture of the Immortal Master).
According to the original text, everyone only knew that the scripture contained many techniques created by the master, but Wei Chang did not read it much after obtaining it. Therefore, for readers, the Immortal True Man Scripture is of a very high standard, but it is only used to highlight the male protagonist and is not described in detail.
On the day the book was retrieved, the Daoist Master also said that it was just a collection of miscellaneous notes and nothing of great importance.
Lin Feiran stroked the cover and solemnly turned to the first page.
[After sitting in meditation for an unknown number of years, I was wandering in the Sword Realm when I suddenly heard a weeping sound coming from outside the towering wall. So I pressed myself against the wall to listen.]
Originally, it was a disciple from an unknown generation who came here to seek enlightenment. However, he was defeated in a competition and was abandoned, suffering heartbreak. In addition, he was unable to meditate and enter a state of spiritual fasting, and was also reprimanded by his teachers. Feeling distressed, he came here to express his feelings.
At the age of fifteen or sixteen, she cried like a monkey whose bananas had been stolen, a sight that saddened all who heard it.
Even a good bird chooses its tree carefully, so how much more should a person choose? Being abandoned is normal, so why blame fate or others?
After listening for an entire afternoon, the man was deeply moved. In a moment of sobbing, he created a technique that, while ultimately useless, was extremely showy. Upon unleashing this technique, a sudden gust of wind arose throughout the myriad paths, swirling fine sand to protect one person; he named it "All-Encompassing World."
"..."
Lin Feiran silently closed the book. No wonder Wei Changzai only skimmed through the original book and then stopped reading. This first chapter of the cultivation method seemed rather unserious.
She recalled that gentle and kind figure. So that's what her grandmaster was like!
After closing it for a moment, she opened it again and carefully examined the technique. For no particular reason, she just wanted to see how impressive it was.
The cultivation methods written in the "Immortal True Man Scripture" are extremely detailed, almost like breaking them down and explaining them in detail, for fear that future generations might not understand even the slightest part. Lin Feiran read through it quickly, put his hands together, and prepared to try out the effects.
She leaped into the courtyard, wielding her sword and spinning around. Her martial arts flowed smoothly, the sword flashing. In an instant, fine sand rose beneath her feet, and thick fog billowed out, surrounding her. It gave the impression of a mysterious master appearing. A moment later, a gentle breeze swept in, pressing down the sand and fog, which swirled around her, protecting her within.
A gentle breeze rises, sand and mist rise, ruffling her hair and the hem of her robe, lingering for a long time.
Lin Feiran stood there quietly, waiting for a long time, but still saw no follow-up. He was shocked. He thought that his master was just being modest when he said it was useless. It turned out that it really had no offensive power at all.
...
There was smoke, but no injury. As expected of the master, he had already grasped the essence of the word "pretend".
With a sigh, Lin Feiran opened the Immortal True Man Scripture again.
The sea of knowledge is vast and the journey is endless; she was starting to like this scripture.
*
With the moon high in the sky, the bustling city of Luoyang was brightly lit and teeming with tourists.
In a private room of an inconspicuous restaurant, three people were sitting facing each other, having a serious conversation.
"You mean, the Holy Spirit of the Grandmaster is no longer in the Sword Realm?" King Qingping spoke in a low voice, his voice carrying an air of authority.
Qiu Tong lowered her head, feeling a mix of emotions and melancholy. She was not in high spirits and simply replied, "Yes, the head monk said that the star lamps in the hall have been extinguished, and the Holy Spirit of the Ancestor has probably left the Sword Realm and gone to the Pilgrimage Valley."
Qingping Wang was filled with doubts and sneered, "How much of Zhang Chunhe's words can you believe? He's cunning; don't take him too seriously. Now that you've all entered the Sword Realm, have you found that 'Immortal True Man Scripture'?"
Qiu Tong shook her head: "No, the scene was chaotic at the time, and I was unable to climb the ladder. My master also used his own power to block out everyone's five senses. I didn't see or hear anything at that time."
When their senses returned, they saw... the man step out on his sword and vanish without a trace.
Prince Qingping frowned, stood up and paced back and forth for a long time, seemingly pondering something, before finally asking, "Who is that person?"
Qiu Tong paused for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I don't know. She was wearing a mask at first, and then she ran away quickly. I have never seen her face. There are many different opinions in Daohe Palace, and no conclusion has been reached."
She looked up again and asked, "Father, what exactly is the 'Immortal True Man Scripture'? You seem so interested in it; is it very important to the Fox Clan?"
King Qingping said, "I have never seen it. I only know that it is a precious book with a blue cover and gold decorations on the surface, containing profound secrets. It has nothing to do with the fox clan, but it is of great use to me."
"Qiu Tong, when you return to Daohe Palace, you must ascertain this person's identity. I will personally meet with him and ask him if he possesses any scriptures."
As he finished speaking, his tone gradually became somber, sending chills down one's spine.
Blue and gold cover, a world of secrets lies within...
Qiu Tong suddenly remembered that she had seen a sapphire blue book in Wei Changzai's hands, but the cover of the book was already mottled and the name was hard to see.
Wei Changzai once said that this book was passed down by an elder and contained profound secrets, something many people dream of. But at that time, for him, the cultivation techniques and fame were no longer important; what mattered most was to stay with her forever.
Later, he put that book in his bag and never took it out again.
How did Father know about this book? Why had he never mentioned it before?
Qiu Tong looked at him, suddenly feeling a dryness in her throat, and finally asked the question she had been pondering for a long time: "Father, when I stole your decree and opened the gate to the demon realm... was it really something I stole?"
The atmosphere suddenly froze. The mother's eyelashes trembled slightly. Prince Qingping turned to look at her. His face was reflected in the light and shadow, half handsome with fine lines, half dark and obscure.
"Qiu Tong, are you trying to bring up your father's painful memories? After you sneaked out of the palace, your father sent people to search for you for more than a month. He was so anxious that he developed blisters on his lips. Only after receiving your reply did he learn that you had gone to Daohe Palace, which caused him another heart-stopping moment."
Instead of reflecting on your own actions, you've begun to doubt your father; this is disheartening.
Qiu Tong pursed her lips and remained silent.
King Qingping strolled over: "Your older brothers and sisters have long been shouldering heavy responsibilities, traveling and negotiating with various tribes in the demon realm. Only you are left out, playing around and having fun without taking anything seriously. But you are still young, so we have not forced you to do anything."
Father used to think that children had their own destinies and there was no need to interfere, but now Father feels that he may have been wrong.
He stood before Qiu Tong, his enormous shadow looming over her, making it impossible for anyone to escape.
"Qiu Tong, as a fox princess, you must shoulder your responsibilities. This new communication jade token is entrusted to you; do not disappoint your father."
Qiu Tong bit her lip for a moment, then took the jade token under the silent gaze of Prince Qingping: "Who is the person opposite this jade token?"
King Qingping didn't say much, only saying, "From now on, if there are any matters concerning the spies who have infiltrated the Demon Capital, you will be responsible for relaying them. If the spies do anything unusual, just tell the 'Executor,' and they will handle it."
The jade token was lustrous and felt incredibly heavy in her hand. Qiu Tong couldn't understand why things seemed to have changed so much after Lin Feiran left the mountain. What good was being reborn? Things weren't going as she had imagined.
In the silence, a few soft coughs were heard. Qiu Tong immediately stood up and asked with concern, "Mother, is your cold flaring up again?"
Jiuxing shook his head, seemingly patted the back of her hand lightly, then grasped her hand tightly, glanced at her eyes and blinked slightly, his gaze seemingly drifting towards Prince Qingping, then coughed a few times to cover it up.
Qiu Tong suddenly remembered what her mother had said earlier, that she should return to the demon realm to tell her something. Now that she had arrived in the human realm, it was the best time to tell her.
She grasped her mother's hand and straightened up, saying, "Father, it's been so long. I've missed you both terribly, and I miss my mother even more. I want to have some private words with her now..."
Prince Qingping nodded, not suspecting anything. He thought it was just about love and romance.
Once he left, Jiuxing felt as if she had been rescued from drowning, her breath coming in a sigh of relief and all the pressure disappearing. Even though she knew that Prince Qingping had already left to do his work, and even though she knew that he wouldn't eavesdrop, she still formed hand seals and added layer after layer of protective shields.
Qiu Tong looked at her with great heartache: "Mother, what exactly happened? Is it... that there are signs of unrest in the fox clan?"
Jiuxing shook her head, took Qiutong's hand, and a hint of fragility and helplessness appeared in her beautiful eyes.
She said, "Qiu Tong, your older brothers and sisters and I suspect that this person is not your father!"
Qiu Tong looked astonished: "What!"
Jiuxing grasped Qiutong's hand to prevent her from becoming unsteady on her feet from the shock: "Time is short, so I can only get to the point. You probably already sense that his temperament has changed drastically, and he has even begun to force you to do things. If he were truly your father, he would never do such an evil thing."
Secondly, he is vague about the details of family relationships and past trivial matters, and whenever asked, he always gives vague answers. He is definitely not your father!
Qiu Tong suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Thinking about her recent contact with her father, there were indeed many strange things that made her feel unfamiliar. However, she had never faced such a strange event alone before. She was so nervous that her hands trembled slightly.
"Mother, why, why didn't you capture him and make him reveal Father's whereabouts!"
Nine Stars shook his head: "No, I have discussed it with your older brother and sister. This beast's cultivation level is unpredictable, and it is on par with your father. Moreover, we do not have solid evidence. The elders and clansmen will not believe us, and they will not offend a powerful Qingping King!"
Qiu Tong straightened up, anxiety rising in her eyes, her mind reeling: "What should we do then?"
“Your brothers and sisters have been searching for the spirit medium for a long time and have made some progress, but we can’t put all our hopes on him.” Jiuxing pressed her down and said in a low voice, “You must infiltrate the pilgrimage ceremony this time, seize the opportunity to meet the sage, divine about your father, and ask him where he is. Your mother and your father have a love lock, and since the lock is still intact, he must still be alive!”
At this point, tears welled up in Jiuxing's eyes: "But, my son, the pilgrimage ceremony is a grand event for the human race, while you are a demon. Entering like this may bring disaster..."
"No, Mother." Qiu Tong's eyes reddened. "Believe me, I will definitely get in, I will definitely participate in the ceremony!"
The mother and daughter held hands tightly, their eyes lowered and tears streaming down their faces. Elsewhere, Prince Qingping had already entered the most luxurious place in Luoyang City and met the handsome, elegant man with a smile on his face.
He smiled and said, "Prince Qingping, it's been a long time. You look so spirited and refreshed now."
Prince Qingping simply smiled and said, "Let's skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point. I'm curious what important matter could possibly warrant your personal summons to Luoyang to discuss it."
Upon hearing this, Prince Qingping frowned: "There is indeed such a person. However, I have taken time out of my busy schedule to come here. Please do not say that it is only for a trivial envoy."
“It doesn’t matter?” He plucked a peony and slowly placed it in the vase. “She is that person’s child. Now the world has changed drastically. Perhaps she will be seen soon.”
King Qingping remained unmoved: "It has nothing to do with me, but since you have such ideas, why not contact Princess Mingyue directly? If you are afraid that the Demon Lord will find out and break your contract, then follow the old rules and let my fox clan handle it first, and then inform you."
At this point, he thought to himself that he had already given the Jade Transmission Token to Qiu Tong, but she knew nothing about it, so he had to remind her to make a copy of all the letters from the human race and Mingyue.
The man picked up the vase and smiled at Prince Qingping, saying, "That's excellent. I summoned you here today not just for this, but it would be better to discuss the previous matters face to face. Please?"
Although Prince Qingping was displeased, it was an important matter after all, so he could only nod hastily and follow with his hands behind his back.
...
Layers of clouds piled up, the sky suddenly darkened, and a gust of wind suddenly rose throughout the building, causing the copper bells under the eaves to ring sharply, a sign that a storm was brewing.
Lin Feiran looked up at the sky, the pages of the book in his hand rustling in the wind. A sudden chill ran down his spine, making him shudder.
She got up and went back to her room, put the "Immortal True Man's Scripture" back into her mustard seed bag, and washed and dressed in front of the mirror in preparation for the evening's welcoming banquet.
But halfway through raising her hand, she still took out the Iron Khitan Book. The heavy stone book was worn and rotten, and the original text on the cover was reduced to just a few strokes. She casually flipped it open, and the pages below were also solidified and hard, without any text. On the gray stone surface, a figure dancing with a sword was drawn in ink.
This is the figure of the predecessor who entered the book with his body when he was in the Sword Realm. But what was originally engraved on this stone book?
She had read up to the seventh chapter of the "Immortal True Man Scripture," during which the Iron Khitan script was mentioned for the first time. Her master said that this was the beginning of everything, and also the end of everything.
She was puzzled and turned to the last page. There, she saw that the portrait of her master, who should have been sitting in meditation with his eyes closed, was lying down in peace. When he saw her turn the page, the eyes, which were drawn in fine brushstrokes, blinked slightly and turned over without pretending.
The Grandmaster's Holy Spirit has always been in the book. He once said that after entering the state of mind, one can enter the book to learn skills, and when the time is right, he will talk to her. But the word "time" is truly mysterious.
Lin Feiran sighed, closed the book, and stopped dwelling on the matter. The time would come when it was time, and curiosity was useless.
She got up and walked to the wardrobe. Looking at the uniform black outfits inside, she suddenly fell silent.
They spent their days either fighting or causing trouble, and wearing black clothes made things convenient. So, without realizing it, there was no room left for any other clothes in their wardrobe.
She rarely received invitations to banquets in the past, but this time, having been invited, she didn't want to go dressed casually.
Lin Feiran squatted in front of the cabinet and searched for a long time before finally finding a moon-white waist belt and two skirt-pressing pendants. She wrapped her hands with leather wristbands and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt much more upright now.
She leaned forward slightly and gave two smiles to the mirror, but it didn't seem natural at all. That's just her nature. After years of tempering, she rarely showed her emotions. But when facing friends, she still tried her best to be approachable.
After trying it for a while, it seemed to be quite effective. She nodded in satisfaction, opened her umbrella, and headed towards the Lake View Pavilion.
The wind and rain had arrived. Xuanzhen leaned close to the window to look out. His chestnut ponytail swirled in the wind, and the damp smell of dust rose up, making his nose itch. He sneezed and muttered, "It's become a veritable dust-washing feast."
As soon as he finished speaking, the rain outside the window intensified a bit.
Biqing leaned over and played with the rainwater for a while. Then she saw a figure walking through the rain in the alley and patted Xuanzhen on the shoulder: "Um, is that Lin Feiran?"
Xuanzhen looked up and her eyes lit up: "It's her!"
Just as Biqing was about to wave, she suddenly asked curiously, "Why is she sometimes baring her teeth and sometimes muttering to herself? What's wrong?"
Xun Feifei walked over upon hearing this, crossed her arms, looked at her for a moment, and then said, "She said, 'Wouldn't it be a little strange to laugh like that?' 'I can't hold my liquor, so I'll just have a small sip.' 'I'll talk more later.' 'Not at all, not at all...'"
The three of them fell silent, pursing their lips and swallowing their smiles. Ping An, sitting to the side, burst into laughter: "Is she always like this? She's really quite adorable!"
The three of them said in unison, "Lin Feiran is like that."
Although they didn't know what her past was like, when they first met her, they found that she lacked experience in maintaining good relationships with others. Most of the time she was silent, but what was very commendable was that she was a rare and sincere person.
Silence does not mean being speechless, and tranquility does not mean being indifferent; she was clearly the most thoughtful person present.
There was a knock on the door three times. The person outside pushed the door open, put the umbrella in the corner, and smiled, "I'm here."
Seeing her smile, which she hadn't practiced for long, the others coughed to hide their laughter. Bi Qing smiled and stepped forward to put her arm around her: "We've been waiting for you! Xun Feifei ordered a lot of food! Are you tired from practicing swordsmanship today? What time did you get up? Sometimes you should take a break!"
Lin Feiran sat down, and seeing everyone's expressions, his expression softened: "I got up a little late today, around 7 a.m.
Biqing casually asked, "So you finally realize the importance of sleeping?"
"Not really, I just stayed with the Lord all night and only went to sleep this morning, so I got up late and didn't get to practice my sword much."
Like a thunderclap out of nowhere, the private room fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Author's Note: Thank you for your contributions between 2024-08-16 13:00:05 and 2024-08-17 13:31.
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