The Ocean of Memories and a Life Reborn

How did it feel to sink into an ocean of dreams?

Had it been before, Feiluo would likely have stammered for ages, unable to articulate the sensation, for he had never truly experienced it.

Even now, having plunged into that descent, he found himself struggling to describe it adequately.

It was a peculiar sensation, as if his past life and memories, like an ocean, enveloped his consciousness, each scene and emotion replaying vividly within his mind.

At zero years old, you were born.

You were cradled in the arms of a gentle, loving woman who named you—Feiluo.

[“Hmm… the jade pendant says ‘Fei’… then I’ll name you Feiluo. ‘Luo’ as in the Luo River Goddess, though it seems the Luo River Goddess describes a girl. Never mind, who cares?”]

The woman, her face gentle and radiating maternal warmth, held an infant, examining the jade pendant as she bestowed his name upon him.

At one year old, you began to toddle, the woman kneeling before you, arms outstretched, encouraging you to walk towards her.

At two years old, you had already learned many characters, capable of fluently reading even dry and difficult scriptures.

At three years old, you entered the Sacred Land’s classroom, beginning your cultivation studies alongside a host of other children.

At six years old, you advanced to the perfected Qi Condensation stage, just one step away from becoming the youngest Foundation Establishment (TL Note: A stage in cultivation) cultivator in the Sacred Land’s history.

At seven years old, your mother brought home a girl, telling you she would be your future younger sister.

[“Xiao Luo, come say hello to your little sister.”]

Your mother beckoned to you. Behind her stood a girl of three or four years old. The girl hid behind your mother, clutching her thigh tightly, her face filled with wariness and unease, appearing much like a wary kitten always on guard.

The boy, unaffected by the girl’s ‘do not approach’ demeanor, extended his hand proactively. [“Hello, little sister. From now on, I am your older brother.”]

The girl flinched slightly. She wanted to grasp his hand but hesitated, extending it only to withdraw it again.

Observing the cautious girl, the boy firmly took her hand, flashing a radiant smile.

Faced with that sunny smile, the girl froze for a moment, then, in a tiny voice, uttered: [“Older brother.”]

At seventeen years old, you had already become a Core Formation (TL Note: A stage in cultivation) cultivator, having defeated numerous disciples to emerge as the foremost talent of your generation.

[On the sparring platform, crisscrossed with sword marks, the senior disciple, a young man, wore a bitter expression, while the junior disciple, a youth, exuded high spirits.]

The youth’s robes were neat, his breathing steady, showing no signs of having just endured a major battle. In contrast, the young man’s robes were disheveled, he was panting heavily, and his face and body bore traces of sword cuts.

[“Thank you for the match, Senior Brother,”] the youth said, bowing with cupped fists.

[“Th-thank you,”] the young man replied, his face filled with desolation, forcing a difficult smile. [“Congratulations, Junior Brother, on becoming the Sacred Land’s Head Disciple.”]

At twenty years old, due to your prolonged immersion in novels and comics, your younger sister drove you out to complete a mission.

It was during this very mission that you encountered the maiden who would change your life forever.

[“Damn it, it’s the Demonic Venerable! How can no one react when the Demonic Venerable enters righteous territory?! Are those border guards just sitting around doing nothing?!”]

[“Run! We, a mere handful of people, are no match for the Demonic Venerable!”]

[“Quickly, inform the Sect Master, have him bring people to rescue us… No, Demonic Venerable, please spare my li—”]

[“It’s over, the Demonic Venerable has caught up! How can her speed be so…”]

The elders, usually so formidable within the Sacred Land, were now like cornered animals, one after another frozen solid by the white-haired, red-eyed maiden. All the maiden did was spare them a fleeting glance.

Faced with such a terrifying adversary, the youth’s sword tip trembled slightly, his heart clearly filled with panic.

Finally, all the elders were frozen by the maiden, leaving behind several ice sculptures. The maiden then turned her gaze towards the youth, and their eyes met. The maiden’s expression was calm, while the youth’s face was etched with tension.

Suddenly, as if having made a firm decision, the youth’s expression sharpened, and he raised his sword, launching an attack at the maiden. The sword light was sharp, the moves fierce; one could say the youth had poured all his strength into the attack, hoping only to leave a single scratch on the maiden.

The youth was destined for disappointment.

Facing the youth’s attack, the maiden merely conjured a thin, ice-colored shield of spiritual energy with a casual flick of her hand. That slender shield absorbed all of the youth’s attacks. Indeed, as if fearing to harm the youth, the maiden didn’t even bother to retaliate.

Finally, the youth’s strength gave out, his sword tip resting weakly on the ground, his face a mask of despondency and helplessness.

Watching the youth in this state, the maiden’s brows furrowed slightly, and a flicker of subtle reluctance and hesitation passed through her eyes. Yet, the maiden ultimately made up her mind.

After a brief invitation, the maiden touched the youth’s forehead with a single finger. She caught the falling youth.

Under her gaze, the youth was gradually enveloped by an eggshell formed of spiritual energy, his body continuously shrinking. Ultimately, the youth transformed into an egg adorned with peculiar patterns.

The maiden, cradling the egg as if it were her most precious treasure, returned to her sect.

Upon returning to the sect, the peculiar sight of a maiden cradling a strange egg drew considerable attention. While the disciples lacked the courage to question their Sect Master, who had long commanded immense respect and awe, the elders, however, were entirely uninhibited. The elders, their faces alight with curiosity, approached to inquire about the egg.

Moxi merely smiled, casually deflecting their questions.

Moxi returned to her cave dwelling, placing the egg on her bed. She then pulled out a large quilt, covering both herself and the egg. Moxi gazed at the phoenix egg in her embrace, her eyes brimming with joy and anticipation.

Time flowed on, spring turning to autumn.

Though Feiluo’s consciousness within the egg was hazy and muddled, she could distinctly feel herself being meticulously cared for and nurtured.

A single thought took root and began to blossom within her heart—

She longed to emerge and see who had been tending to her all this time.

Day by day, as time passed, Feiluo’s consciousness gradually cleared. That nascent thought not only persisted but grew into a towering tree.

Then, one day, perhaps on a whim, or perhaps by fate’s design, Feiluo felt that the time had come for her to emerge.

And so, guided by the impulses of her subconscious, she pecked open the darkness before her.

A sliver of light penetrated the egg, filling her with immense joy. She diligently pecked, creating tiny holes in the eggshell. The small holes became cracks, which multiplied and widened.

At last, Feiluo’s head emerged from the egg. And finally, she beheld the person she had yearned to see for so long.

It was a person of unparalleled beauty; all the world’s most exquisite adjectives would fall short in describing her loveliness and grace. This left Feiluo momentarily stunned.

Seeing a little phoenix emerge from the egg and then simply stare at her blankly, Moxi couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, her smile truly captivating.

That smile jolted Feiluo’s dazed mind into action. She struggled to move her clumsy legs, but they utterly refused to obey her, as if they had never been used before.

Seeing the little phoenix attempting to walk towards her, Moxi scooped Feiluo directly into her arms. Stroking her feathers, Moxi said with a smile, [“Shifu is right here, you know~”]

Feiluo felt a wave of warmth and security, and she burrowed deeper into Moxi’s embrace, eliciting another soft laugh from Moxi.

Winter winds howled outside the window.

Moxi sat on the sofa, cradling Feiluo, who had transformed into a little girl, a book held in her hands. On the ceiling, a tiny, egg-sized sun continuously emitted light, simultaneously providing warmth to the two occupants of the room.

[“These two characters are pronounced ‘Shī Fù.'”] Moxi pointed to the characters ‘Shī Fù’ on the page, speaking to Feiluo.

[“Xí Fù (TL Note: A mispronunciation that sounds like ‘wife’),” replied little Feiluo, her pronunciation still a bit unclear.]

[“It’s ‘Shī Fù’,” Moxi repeated.]

[“Xí Fù,”] little Feiluo mispronounced again.

[“Shī Fù,”] Moxi insisted, yet she remained patient, continuing to instruct Feiluo. A smile graced her face; perhaps this was a truly easy and joyful task for her.

[“Shifu.”] After countless repetitions, Feiluo finally mastered the pronunciation.

She looked at Moxi and exclaimed, [“Shifu!”]

[“Yes!”] Moxi replied with a smile.

[“Shifu!”] Feiluo called again, her eyes sparkling.

[“Yes!”] Moxi responded once more.

[“Shifu!”]

[“Yes!”]

Feiluo continued to call “Shifu” repeatedly, and Moxi, never growing tired, answered each time.

Winter passed, and spring arrived.

In the garden, Feiluo and Moxi together witnessed the blooming of lilies. At this moment, she sat in Moxi’s embrace, dressed in a crimson ruqun (TL Note: A traditional Chinese dress, typically a top with a skirt). She watched the gradual blossoming of the flower buds with a face full of wonder and awe, a thousand words swirling in her mind, yet she knew not what to say.

Finally, her eyes twinkling like stars, she declared, [“Beautiful!”]

She turned her head, looking at her Shifu. [“Beautiful! Shifu is beautiful too!”]

[“Mm-hmm, my good disciple is also very beautiful.”] Moxi smiled, stroking Feiluo’s hair.

[“Shifu, will the flowers wither?”] After a moment of watching, Feiluo suddenly turned her head, asking with a worried expression.

[“Yes, they do. Why do you ask?”] Though puzzled by the sudden question, Moxi still answered Feiluo.

[“Does that mean the petals will separate from the pistil and stamens?”] Feiluo asked forlornly. [“Will Shifu and I also part ways, just like these flowers?”]

She clung tightly to Moxi, as if fearing she would vanish before her eyes the next second. [“I don’t want to be separated from Shifu!”]

[“Shifu is still right here,”] Moxi said, gently patting Feiluo’s back and soothing her. [“Shifu will never, ever be separated from my good disciple!”]

[“Really?”] Tears shimmered in the corners of Feiluo’s eyes.

[“Truly!”] Moxi squeezed Feiluo’s small hand. [“I promise, even if the world ends, we will not be separated!”]

Several months passed, and the day came for Feiluo to attend her foundational classes.

[“Here, take this. Be careful not to lose it, okay?”] Moxi handed a bracelet to Feiluo.

[“What is this, Shifu?”] Feiluo took it, examined it for a moment, then asked curiously.

[“This is a spatial bracelet; it can hold many things.”] Moxi explained, [“Right now, it contains the books you’ll need for class later.”]

[“Oh!”] Feiluo tried it out, pulling a book from the bracelet. [“How amazing, Shifu!”] Her tone was filled with surprise, and her hands didn’t stop moving, as she pulled out all sorts of books.

[“Alright, stop playing now,”] Moxi said, patting Feiluo’s little head and taking her small hand. [“It’s almost time for class, we should leave.”]

[“Mm!”] Feiluo nodded emphatically.

That evening.

[“Shifu, am I stupid?”] Feiluo hugged her books, her face full of dejection, her voice thick with sadness. [“I don’t understand anything the teacher said in class.”]

[“How could that be? My good disciple is the smartest,”] Moxi gently consoled her. [“It’s just because this is your first time learning these things, that’s why you don’t understand. It will get better later.”]

[“Wuu~”] Feiluo hugged Moxi.

That night, Feiluo fell asleep in Moxi’s embrace.

Autumn.

[“Shifu, look!”] Feiluo exclaimed joyfully, holding up her report card to Moxi and proudly declaring, [“I passed all my exams!”]

[“My good disciple is truly amazing,”] Moxi said, stroking her head.

Feiluo chuckled, rubbing her small head against Moxi’s hand.

[“Since my good disciple passed all her exams, Shifu will give you a good reward today!”] Moxi asked, [“How about we go to the market at the foot of the mountain today?”]

[“Go to the market? Yes, yes!”] Feiluo nodded excitedly. [“I’ve never been to the market before! I’ve long heard from friends that it’s a lot of fun; I definitely want to experience it!”]

[“Then let’s go!”] Moxi took Feiluo’s hand.

[“Oh!!!”] Feiluo cheered.

Another summer arrived.

[“Quickly, have a taste, Shifu!”] Feiluo, her face smudged with traces of smoke and fire, puffed out her little chest and proudly pushed over a plate of egg-fried rice. The egg-fried rice was slightly burnt, and the egg pieces were unevenly sized.

[“Mm,”] Moxi nodded, scooping a spoonful into her mouth. The moment it entered her mouth, an intense saltiness and spiciness spread across her taste buds. Yet, Moxi’s expression remained entirely unchanged as she continued to eat the egg-fried rice, spoonful after spoonful. Soon, she had finished the entire plate by herself.

[“How was it, Shifu?”] Feiluo asked, her small hands restlessly clasped in front of her chest, her face filled with nervousness and anticipation.

[“It was very delicious,”] Moxi said with a smile, rubbing her little head.

[“Phew~”] Hearing the answer she most longed for, Feiluo let out a long sigh of relief. She walked in and out of the kitchen, reappearing with another plate of egg-fried rice.

[“Then I’ll taste my own cooking,”] Feiluo said, scooping up a spoonful.

[“Hey! Don’t!”]

Winter, Spring Festival.

[“Look, Shifu!”] Feiluo exclaimed, holding up a dumpling shaped like a cat’s head. [“Kitty dumpling!”]

[“I see it,”] Moxi said, wiping away the flour stuck to Feiluo’s face. [“What a cute little kitty.”]

[“Hehe~”] Feiluo shyly scratched her cheek.

[“Boom! Boom! Boom…”]

[“Wow! Fireworks!”] Feiluo exclaimed in surprise, looking at the sky outside the window. Then she turned her head, looking at her Shifu expectantly. [“Shifu! Let’s go watch the fireworks!”]

[“Alright, but we have to finish making the dumplings first, okay?”] Moxi skillfully wrapped a dumpling and placed it on a plate.

[“Mm!”]

–

[“Boom! Crash…”]

Feiluo and Moxi sat on the rooftop, nestled together under a large quilt, admiring the splendor of the fireworks.

[“The fireworks are so beautiful,”] Feiluo murmured, her eyes reflecting the floral rain of lights.

[“Yes, so beautiful,”] Moxi sighed in contentment.

[“Shifu!”] Feiluo suddenly said.

[“What is it?”]

[“Next year, let’s come watch the fireworks again! Right here!”]

[“Alright.”]

[“Then Shifu, let’s pinky promise!”]

[“No need, Shifu wouldn’t break a promise.”]

[“Come on, come on.”]

[“You’re impossible. Alright, let’s do it.”]

[“Pinky swear, hang me if I lie, a hundred years, never change, a liar’s a puppy!”] / [“Pinky swear, hang me if I lie, a hundred years, never change, a liar’s a puppy!”]

Time in the dream flowed like fine sand through one’s fingers.

Feiluo felt as if a very long time had passed, yet also as if it had only been a single night.

She felt as though she had re-experienced her entire life, all those memories, both forgotten and cherished, resurfacing in her mind. Whether beautiful, joyful, sorrowful, or happy, all of them now appeared, one by one.

Those memories were like balloons, carrying her, gradually rising from the deep sea of consciousness, until she floated to the surface.