Chapter Twelve: First Encounter (Part Two)-Awakening from the Great Dream(Hearty Beef Noodle Soup from Ximaxiang)

First Encounter 2

As Bai Qi immersed himself in the experience, gradually, within the illusory and void-like space, a golden figure appeared, life-sized. This figure radiated a brilliant golden light from head to toe, its face featureless, merely a mold, with both hands clasped behind its back. Though no words were spoken, the overwhelming and domineering aura emanating from it made clear the immense power of the creator of this technique in their era. It was as if this space represented the peak of one's journey in their own time.

The golden figure then extended its hand, using its index finger to trace something in the void. Immediately, words appeared in midair: “Death afar I do not resent, wandering the blue seas crowns my life.”

After writing, the figure seemed to shake its head, a gesture Bai Qi found puzzling. Was it expressing a deep helplessness or reminiscing about past events? Like the wind, it vanished into the flow of time.

A few breaths later, the golden figure suddenly turned towards Bai Qi, and with a wave of its right hand, a beam of golden light shot forth. Bai Qi felt his consciousness tense, yet he could not move his “body,” as if he had been restrained. He watched as the golden light approached, then, with a sharp sound, entered his “mind.” Bai Qi quickly examined himself, finding no abnormalities, but his mind retained some peculiar movements. He understood that this set of techniques must be the remnants of the incantation Kun had mentioned, left within the feather, now demonstrated through a lingering obsession.

He vaguely recalled that Kun had once said, during the ancient apocalypse, all things withered, yet with destruction came new life. The beginning of the Era of Calamity marked the rise of humanity’s progress. After Chaos, came the subsequent ancient era. In its early days, there were still primordial spirits—nine in total—from which myriad beings evolved, humans among them. Yet, at that time, humanity was in its “trough,” with few great powers, and those passed down were soon lost. The stories seemed hidden, only resurfacing when calamity struck, leading to humanity’s rise and the dawn of a prosperous era.

The feather’s remnant, then, belonged to the Era of Calamity, and its ability to persist for so long spoke of that epoch’s aura, still mingled with ancient traces. Bai Qi watched intently, for Kun had said this technique would only be demonstrated once; any attempt to revisit it would result in being expelled, barred from re-entering. Bai Qi understood this set of techniques must be the remnants of the incantation Kun had mentioned, left within the feather, now demonstrated through a lingering obsession.

The entire process seemed slowed several times over, but the force behind the moves and the profound principles accompanying them—though Bai Qi witnessed them, what was left by ancient great powers was not easily fathomed simply by sight.

As the demonstration progressed to its midpoint, a sudden flash of insight struck Bai Qi’s mind. He sensed this technique concealed the entryway to a broader practice, though what he saw was only a fragment—just the tip of the iceberg. A true cultivation method starts from within, simplifies the complex, and then returns to complexity, each aspect interwoven and inseparable.

What Bai Qi discovered was merely an indirect understanding of this technique; the demonstration allowed him to grasp an advanced version of the “Break” formula from the Guangling Zither incantation he had comprehended months prior, now tinged with a trace of the ultimate principle.

Though it seemed insignificant, if one could understand the rules of the ultimate principle contained within, the remnant in this unassuming feather would be considered a spiritual treasure—worth fighting over, even to the death, for anyone who knew its secret could not be allowed to live.

The revelation of this move, when used in combat, amounted to blatant domination, for the “Dao” contained within was of an entirely different order. The understanding of the principle in its era was so profound, akin to standing higher and seeing further. Just as one views the forest—some see only the catalpa trees within, while others, from the sky, comprehend the vastness, embracing much more.

As time passed, Bai Qi grew increasingly awestruck. This technique was a true killing weapon, impervious to enemy threats, its attack speed unpredictable. After unleashing a move, the practitioner already shifted to another cunning angle, striking again, each attack layered like overlapping shockwaves. Bai Qi could employ his “Destructive Palm” technique, focusing on the “control” aspect, abandoning other attacks to devote part of his mind to defense, while nearly ninety percent of his power went into a lethal blow.

Yet, despite its power, the technique had flaws; a single misstep could lead to irreversible disaster. But if it struck the enemy, it was a blade unsheathed—if it didn’t kill, it would leave them utterly devastated.

Gradually, the golden figure faded, and Bai Qi knew the demonstration had ended, and he might never enter this wondrous realm again. He gazed upon the golden world, feeling as though he had glimpsed eternity, the golden brilliance slowly pushing his consciousness out. Before long, Bai Qi withdrew, returning to his physical form.

He let out a long, gentle breath, then immersed himself in the technique he had just comprehended, replaying it in his mind over and over, fearful of losing it.

After a quarter of an hour, Bai Qi slowly opened his eyes, revealing a gaze as if he had seen beyond the forest to a world outside. That depth, as though he had experienced countless events, startled Kun; Bai Qi had managed to thoroughly digest the feather’s incantation fragment in so little time. Clearly, his gains were substantial, and Kun felt deeply satisfied. He no longer cared about Bai Qi’s origins, for some things could be discerned at a glance—he trusted his own judgment, and though he had adopted this “outsider” as his successor, the sense of belonging and kinship only deepened with age. Though not family, he was more than family.

Bai Qi steadied himself, turned to Kun, indicating what he had gained. His vital energy seemed refreshed, exuding a peculiar intimacy and mystery—the intimacy born of his insight into the Dao. Most cultivators’ techniques stem from their creators’ attainments, but true creation must fuse with the lingering traces of the ultimate principle, so the feeling was like meeting an elder. The mystery arose from the unknown; Bai Qi’s understanding of the Dao, his glimpse of the ultimate principle, was like gazing across thousands of miles, unable to see the boundary, only able to imagine it—a yearning for the unknown, tinged with awe.

At this moment, Kun spoke: “Hmm, child, not bad. To absorb the ancient incantation left in the feather shows your exceptional talent. More importantly, your control over this newfound power is precise—not greedy, not excessive, just right. I hope you maintain this restraint on your journey ahead, never letting desire cloud your mind. Beyond this, you must practice diligently. Even if you possess those so-called ‘amazing’ techniques and treasures, without strength, they are but illusions. Heaven rewards diligence; with your comprehension, the world will be yours one day!”

Listening to Kun’s earnest advice, Bai Qi paid close attention, understanding his true concern. Now, more than adapting to this world, he must become stronger—returning home was a necessity, and he must find the Black Man, or his heart would never be at peace.

Suddenly, Kun glanced nearby and whispered, “Someone’s coming. We must hide quickly!”

With that, he turned, and the two vanished from sight.

The newcomer was the elegant woman from the other side of the mountain. Her lavish attire and delicate features caught Bai Qi’s eye; such beauty, like a lotus just emerged from the water, left him stunned, unable to look away.

“Brat, I just praised you, and here you are, acting like this?” Kun’s disdainful gaze fell on Bai Qi, and he patted the back of Bai Qi’s head.

Bai Qi lowered his voice, saying, “No, Grandpa, it’s just… I’ve never seen such a beautiful girl before. She’s like a little fairy.”

“What ‘little fairy’? ‘Girl’? Here you go again with your world’s language—ridiculous.” Kun listened to Bai Qi’s earnest nonsense and pressed his temples, frowning.

The two observed the woman, guessing she was just passing by, with no other intentions. Kun signaled Bai Qi to go down and inquire about her origins while he stayed to watch.

Kun had only just gestured, not yet managed to caution Bai Qi, when he turned and found Bai Qi’s figure already gone. Kun’s beard bristled in irritation.