Chapter 38 - Spring Flowers, Autumn Cicadas
"This is also one of your settings?"
"How about it, very realistic, right?"
"Indeed."
This was another radiant morning.
The flowers and plants on Still Water Peak had all matured; the grapevines in the small courtyard were about to spill over to other places. Besides this, many small saplings had also been planted here.
When they grew up, they would become a small grove. At that time, a few unsightly ones could be cut down to make a pavilion; in the summer, one could go inside to sit.
This year, Luo Hongyu was twenty years old.
Luo He sat in a wooden wheelchair, talking with Huoxin.
"I originally thought that since it was a dreamscape, perhaps the effects would just be like acting in a play."
"But I didn't expect it would actually be so painful at that time, and it indeed also affected the me within this dream."
"Are all you Tribulation Passing Realm ghost cultivators this formidable?"
"Not entirely."
A year ago, everyone in the Sword Sect knew that the Young Master was seriously injured; Luo He by her side had severed a po-soul of his own to heal her.
Afterwards, not only did the Young Master's comprehension awaken and her talent rise, but she also, because of this, gained the Lu Lan Sword's acknowledgment in return. In just one short year, she broke through Foundation Establishment and directly rushed to the Crystallization Realm.
And as a price, Luo He not only completely lost his future in cultivation, but also because his spiritual soul's origin was damaged, he had now also become a cripple.
He was brought back to Still Water Peak by the Young Master, to live together with her.
In Luo He's view, this kind of life wasn't much different from before; it was just that moving around was a bit more troublesome.
And Huoxin had always been there; it was just that now, her voice had also begun to sound weak.
For twenty years, Huoxin and Luo He had long since given up on attacking and probing each other.
"An ordinary illusory realm naturally couldn't have such a realistic effect; I also borrowed the power of an external object."
"Immortal's Tear, a treasure in legends that can help people pursue their past lives and pry into history. I used its power as the foundation and created this dreamscape based on your memories."
"You can regard it as a small world in itself. It still has its own rules of operation; it's just not that perfect."
"But the basics—being killed means death, being injured means pain—still exist."
"And precisely because of this, I actually, at most, am only adding settings to this world."
"How the stories of you few people will develop, I also have no way of knowing."
"So that's how it is."
Luo He nodded his head.
It sounds very formidable.
"Speaking of which, can you guess why Luo Hongyu is such a mediocrity in this dreamscape?"
Huoxin's tone carried a hint of riddle-like amusement. Luo He smelled the flower in his hand and said slowly:
"In the real Luo Hongyu's nineteenth year, she once lost a sword match to me, because at that time, I had taken over the Autumn Maiden Sword, and the malevolent qi in my body had been somewhat curbed.”
“After that one time, she didn't practice swords with me for a whole year; she was in seclusion all along. After coming out, she sought me out once more.”
"She was a bit afraid of me, and had also lost to me once. So, in front of me, her heart would harbor a slight doubt about herself. Not hard to guess."
"Tsk... you really are like a maggot in her belly."
"I've told you, I understand her very well."
Luo He gently placed the flower on his lap.
"Then how did you guess that the correct option was for you to continue dedicating yourself to Luo Hongyu?"
"......"
"Your Senior Sister Gu, your little Hongyu, don't they both like you so much? Why do you think that in their subconscious, they both want you to sacrifice yourself?"
Luo He thought for a moment, then replied:
"If all of this were real, perhaps they indeed wouldn't think that way."
"But this premise just doesn't exist. Even if the 'them' in this dreamscape are very real, they are still those two people who, at this very moment, were collapsing two days before the Immortal Ascension Assembly."
"Their false memories are not invulnerable; I discovered this point from Senior Sister Gu long ago."
"Interesting. Anything else?"
Huoxin asked with considerable interest.
"Since the person is still that person, then some things won't change. In the end, the option I need to choose isn't the most reasonable, but the most real."
"And in their eyes, the most real Luo He is the flawed Luo He."
"Facts also prove that I chose correctly."
"Hmm... uninteresting."
Huoxin's attitude immediately changed again.
"I originally thought you would be a little heartbroken because of their subconscious choice to still want to sacrifice you; in the end, you didn't treat them as real people at all."
"I have no need to be heartbroken over false things."
"Hehe, that's true too."
Huoxin's voice sounded smaller and smaller.
"The morning dew and cold air are heavy; be careful not to catch a cold."
Suddenly, a thick, dark fur cloak was draped over Luo He's body; at the same time, a pair of hands pushed the wheelchair, slowly wheeling Luo He towards the inside of the cabin.
This was Luo Hongyu's voice.
She noticed the flower in Luo He's hand, leaned down, came close to his ear, and said softly:
"The Yulan magnolias planted last year actually bloomed now! I thought I'd have to wait until late spring to see them."
"Because last year's winter snow was thick, it fertilized this land."
Luo He casually tucked the flower into his clothes.
"How were the results of the Beizhai Continent Trial?"
"Not too bad."
Facing Luo He's inquiry, Luo Hongyu just answered vaguely.
She tried her best to avoid mentioning any matters related to cultivation in front of Luo He; it was unknown whether it was because he disliked hearing about it,
Or because she was unwilling to think about them.
"The town at the foot of the mountain seems to have had a festival; it looks very lively. After a few days, when things are settled, I'll take you to have a look."
Cultivators generally don't celebrate the New Year; for them, a year really didn't count as any passage of time worth commemorating.
Luo Hongyu also only discovered this when she returned.
She actually didn't find it very interesting herself; she just thought Luo He might like it, so she remembered and came back.
Luo He hummed softly in agreement.
"What is your current cultivation level?"
"...Late-stage Crystallization."
Being asked about one's realm, for geniuses, should have been a matter of pride.
But for Luo Hongyu, it was only difficult to speak of.
Especially since it was Luo He who asked.
"Is that so... then it will be soon."
The voice had just fallen when Luo He felt himself being hugged from behind by Luo Hongyu.
The young girl's body warmth also seemed exceptionally real in this dreamscape.
"We'll set off down the mountain tomorrow morning, alright?"
Luo Hongyu asked softly.
"Mm, go ahead."
"After breakfast later, I'll take you to Senior Sister Gu's place... She hasn't seen you for a long time."
"Mm, go ahead."
"......"
At twenty years old, Luo Hongyu was at late-stage Crystallization.
At twenty-two years old, Luo Hongyu ascended in realm to Golden Core.
At twenty-four years old, Luo Hongyu was at late-stage Golden Core, just one step away from Nascent Soul.
This was a silent autumn.
Luo He actually really liked the sound of cicadas; he felt the cicadas' song had a very nocturnal feel, and it was also a sound of life.
But not in autumn; in autumn, the cicadas died.
A gentle breeze caressed the fringe of hair on his forehead, which was mixed with a few strands of white; around his neck was a knitted scarf.
It was knitted for him by Gu Jing.
A rustling sound came from behind; it was Luo Hongyu walking over, treading on fallen leaves.
"Luo He, I'm going to the Immortal Ascension Assembly."
"Mm."
Luo He slowly turned around, looked at Luo Hongyu, and revealed a faint smile.
"Go on.”