Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 32

 Chapter 32: In the Mirror, The False World

 

Song Yin covered the right side of her face, utterly still, seemingly stunned by the kiss.

 

Shen Yirong thought that this compensation was not enough. She leaned in, wanting to kiss Song Yin on the left cheek, but her mouth was covered by a palm.

 

Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s increasingly gloomy face, puzzled.

 

Wasn’t she supposed to kiss her? That means her action just now was quite awkward.

 

Song Yin’s face darkened, “Do you do this to anyone who gives you spirit stones? Shameless!”

 

Shen Yirong hadn’t expected her focus to be on this! Did she look that unprincipled? She didn’t kiss just anyone, alright!

 

Just as she was about to explain, another voice suddenly appeared.

 

“In broad daylight, you people! Shameless!”

 

The young Song Yin rushed out from nowhere. Her face was red as she loudly accused them, covering her eyes with a look of disdain.

 

Shen Yirong was numb. She truly didn’t know how to handle this situation. It was just a peck on the cheek! How did that become shameless?

 

If it’s shameless, it’s shameless, but shouldn’t this be avoided?

 

However, she also blamed herself, the Master, for being so useless. Back then, besides teaching a few mental cultivation methods and sword moves, she didn’t care about anything else.

 

Educational failure.

 

While lost in thought, her chin was pinched again, though Song Yin’s movements were gentle.

 

Shen Yirong was forced to look into Song Yin’s eyes, and heard Song Yin say, “Answer this Venerable One’s question.”

 

Shen Yirong answered swiftly, “Of course not. Because it’s the Venerable One, I would act like this.”

 

Whether it was genuine or not, Song Yin was certainly pleased. She happily released Shen Yirong’s chin, “Remember what you said.”

 

The young Song Yin was left aside, watching them being intimate. Unable to bear it any longer, she shouted, “Hey! Don’t ignore me!”

 

But with one glance back from Song Yin, the rest of her words got stuck in her throat. The anger on her face vanished, replaced by complete shock and terror.

 

In a daze, she thought she was dreaming. Otherwise, how could she see someone who looked exactly like her being intimate with someone who closely resembled Master?

 

The young girl exploded, “This is wrong.”

 

Unable to believe it, she turned her back and rubbed her eyes, then turned back around.

 

She wasn’t mistaken. It was still Master and her.

 

The young Song Yin couldn’t handle it. This must be a demonic cultivator’s illusion to disrupt her Dao heart.

 

So, in her fury, she drew her sword, and thunder roared with her agitated emotions, “You vile demon! Don’t you dare turn into me!”

 

As expected of the protagonist, the drawn sword and thunder were as swift as the wind. In the blink of an eye, the sword tip was right before them.

 

Unfortunately, the one she was challenging was also the protagonist, and the fully powered version at that.

 

Song Yin pinched the sword tip with two fingers. The sword body couldn’t advance any further. At the same time, the thunder above their heads became softer and softer, slowly sounding like an infant crying, and finally disappearing.

 

The young Song Yin’s eyes had shifted from anger to confusion. This child had never experienced any setbacks in her cultivation journey.

 

Whether it was the annual sect competitions, challenges from fellow disciples, or even spars with cultivators from other sects, she had never lost.

 

Even her “wicked Master” had never spoken of her poor aptitude, at most mentioning trivial matters like the medicine being bitter or hot.

 

Therefore, Song Yin was a child who grew up amidst others’ praises.

 

Shen Yirong felt deep pity. She tugged at Song Yin’s sleeve, “Venerable One, please stop.”

 

Song Yin narrowed her eyes, “You pity her.”

 

Shen Yirong’s body stiffened.

 

Are you crazy! Aren’t you both me in the end?

 

Shen Yirong suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, “But she is also you. If her Dao heart shatters, I fear it will affect you.”

 

Song Yin looked at her past self. The confusion in those eyes had been replaced by stubbornness. Although restrained, she was not afraid. The strength in the long sword in her hand didn’t lessen; she was still resisting.

 

With a soft laugh, Song Yin flicked her hand and broke the long sword into several segments.

 

Under the immense force, the young Song Yin was sent flying several meters, then fell to the ground. She looked at the remaining hilt in her hand, her eyes filled with disbelief.

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but want to rush over, but she held back since Song Yin was present. However, her eyes remained fixed on the other Song Yin.

 

Song Yin noticed the anxiety in Shen Yirong’s eyes. She laughed softly, “You are mistaken about one thing. If she were Song Yin, she wouldn’t collapse because of a setback like this.”

 

“Song Yin is not that fragile.”

 

Shen Yirong’s heart jolted. She turned to look at Song Yin’s tall, straight back. The white ribbon in her hair fluttered in the wind, lightly brushing Shen Yirong’s cheek.

 

A little further away, the young Song Yin slowly got up from the ground. Her gaze was resolute. Although her sword was broken, she raised her hilt towards her past self again.

 

Shen Yirong realized she had fallen into a misconception.

 

Because she knew Song Yin’s future fate, Song Yin always seemed a little fragile in her heart. She constantly felt pity for the other person, even bordering on indulgence.

 

The young Song Yin summoned lightning to form a sword body and attacked again.

 

Song Yin suppressed her cultivation to the Golden Core stage. She fought her former self bare-handed, her moves serious and merciless.

 

The young Song Yin summoned thunder again. Song Yin summoned thunder as well. The techniques of both were exactly the same. Only one had a determined gaze, while the other held a mocking smile.

 

Amidst the roaring thunder, their hair flew wildly, and Shen Yirong was the sole spectator.

 

Shen Yirong looked at that young face.

 

This kind of determined look was definitely not the first time she’d had it, but Shen Yirong had never watched Song Yin spar with anyone.

 

She should have noticed earlier, but she didn’t dare to look. A single glance would unleash uncontrollable guilt and a soft heart.

 

In the past life, she had always avoided it.

 

While she was dazed, the lightning from both sides struck.

 

“Pfft!” The young Song Yin spat out blood, but this time she didn’t collapse on the ground.

 

She was half-kneeling, but then she stood up, swaying slightly before regaining her balance. She wiped the fresh blood from her lips, then raised her hilt towards Song Yin again.

 

Perhaps the splash of red was too striking. Shen Yirong’s heart clenched. She grabbed Song Yin’s arm, her voice involuntarily trembling, “Venerable One, that’s enough.”

 

Song Yin also took a lightning strike, but although her cultivation was suppressed, her body’s strength was not. That small bolt of lightning barely ruffled her clothes.

 

Song Yin turned her head. The previous indifference in her eyes was replaced with danger, “This Venerable One was also struck by lightning. Why aren’t you concerned about me?”

 

Shen Yirong was speechless. The Song Yin in her heart was too powerful. That little bit of lightning was probably just a strong itch for her.

 

A person who is hundreds of years old is competing with a teenager.

 

Shen Yirong desperately wanted to complain, but she still timidly checked Song Yin over and feigned concern, “Venerable One, are you not injured?”

 

The smile was too fake, and Song Yin didn’t even bother to answer.

 

The young Song Yin stared at the lightning flickering over her wound, astonished. She anxiously shouted, “Who are you? Why are your sword moves and spells exactly the same as mine?”

 

But she quickly calmed down. She clearly knew that this person could kill her easily, yet for some reason, held back.

 

But the completely identical face, the same techniques, even the method of summoning thunder was the same.

 

This lightning-summoning technique was different from those in the library; she had created it herself.

 

A terrifying guess surfaced in the young Song Yin’s mind. She remembered that they had come from the future. Could this person be her future self?

 

She shook her head, her voice growing louder, “Impossible! How could I become a demonic cultivator!”

 

The young Song Yin’s eyes were filled with disbelief. She glanced at Song Yin again, then ran off, disappearing from the two people’s sight.

 

Shen Yirong watched her panicked back. The cultivator, already at the Golden Core stage, slipped several times on the snow, but picked herself up each time, looking utterly pitiful.

 

Song Yin asked, “Are you worried about her?”

 

Shen Yirong didn’t know how to answer. After much thought, she just nodded slightly, “Yes.”

 

She expected Song Yin to scold her again, but she didn’t. Shen Yirong felt her hand stroke her face, very gently, and her voice was equally soft, “She will figure it out.”

 

This was a promise from the person herself. Shen Yirong’s heart felt reassured.

 

Shen Yirong looked up at her. The same face was already weathered by experience. There was none of the youthful caution left in those eyes.

 

Song Yin had changed, yet Song Yin seemed unchanged.

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but ask her, “Venerable One, do you still remember these events?”

 

Song Yin only shook her head, “I don’t remember.”

 

After a moment, she added, “These things don’t exist.”

 

Shen Yirong was confused, “Don’t exist?”

 

Song Yin tucked a strand of Shen Yirong’s hair behind her ear, “Mmm, they don’t exist. You don’t need to develop any feelings for anything here.”

 

“Also, thinking that you can change the future by changing history is impossible. The future is set.”

 

Although she didn’t understand the rest, Shen Yirong could grasp the principle of a predetermined future. But she also didn’t want to do nothing.

 

Shen Yirong lowered her eyes, “Does the Venerable One also have something you wish to change?”

 

Song Yin’s hand paused near her face. She chuckled, “Of course.”

 

That face was suddenly tinged with sorrow. Shen Yirong didn’t dare to ask further. She raised her hand and held Song Yin’s hand resting by her face, calling softly, “Venerable One.”

 

Song Yin: “Yes?”

 

Shen Yirong looked into her eyes, “Why don’t you move forward?”

 

Song Yin’s eyes dimmed. She withdrew her hand, “Do you wish me to forget the past?”

 

Shen Yirong shook her head. At this moment, she was sincere, “No. I just don’t want the Venerable One to be trapped in the past.”

 

Snowflakes swirled. Shen Yirong’s cloak billowed in the wind. At this moment, the cloak seemed to be her wings. If given the chance, she would fly away without any hesitation.

 

Song Yin’s eyes turned cold, “Heh, then I’ll tell you, that is absolutely impossible.”

 

Shen Yirong sighed softly. She didn’t say anything more, only tentatively embraced her.

 

In the past life, there was a period when Song Yin was constantly plagued by nightmares. Shen Yirong, a light sleeper, would be startled awake by her.

 

Their rooms were side-by-side, separated only by a wall.

 

When Shen Yirong got up to check on her, Song Yin was always sleeping properly, yet she was covered in sweat and constantly muttering.

 

The system advised her to ignore it. Shen Yirong argued with it, finally silencing the system with the excuse that “Song Yin wouldn’t know.”

 

Shen Yirong held the person in her arms. Although Song Yin didn’t wake up, she stopped muttering and slept soundly.

 

She didn’t know if it would still work now, but judging by the sudden relaxation of Song Yin’s body, it seemed effective.

 

She whispered, “Venerable One, it’s so cold. Let’s go back.”

 

Song Yin was momentarily stunned by the embrace. She hugged back, “Alright.”

 

It didn’t take much time to return to the General’s Residence. Unexpectedly, someone was waiting at the door.

 

Ling Yingzhi was wearing a peach-pink outfit. She waved to them from a distance, but when she clearly saw Song Yin’s face, she suddenly froze. She looked into the General’s Residence in confusion.

 

While she was confused, Shen Yirong and Song Yin had already arrived in front of her.

 

Ling Yingzhi kept staring at Song Yin’s face. When Song Yin glanced at her, she shrunk her neck and dared not look again. Her usually loud voice turned into a mosquito-like whisper.

 

“Immortal Shen, didn’t Immortal Song return first? Why is there another one here? Where is Immortal Li?”

 

Shen Yirong gave an awkward laugh, “This is Immortal Li, but she is Immortal Song now.”

 

“I’m not blind!” Ling Yingzhi almost jumped up.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t know how to explain anymore. She tugged at Song Yin’s sleeve, “Venerable One.”

 

Song Yin originally didn’t want to bother, but hearing the hint of a coaxing tone in Shen Yirong’s voice, her heart softened slightly.

 

She closed her eyes. Her face shifted and became Li Xiu’s appearance, and the next second, she changed back to her own look.

 

Ling Yingzhi saw it clearly. She was somewhat excited but also quite afraid of the current Song Yin, so she grabbed Shen Yirong’s hand, wanting to find out the truth.

 

However, as soon as she grabbed the hand, she felt a chill spread through her body.

 

Shen Yirong helplessly withdrew her hand and took Song Yin’s hand instead.

 

She carefully phrased her explanation, “Actually, this is how the story goes.”

 

Shen Yirong spent a great deal of effort to explain the whole story from beginning to end. She felt like she urgently needed a glass of water.

 

“No wonder Zhai—hiss!—Immortal You also changed her appearance. So you’re not a two-timing heartbreaker?” Ling Yingzhi was astonished.

 

Shen Yirong was almost in tears. Her innocence could finally remain in the mortal world.

 

Ling Yingzhi was still amazed and even more drawn to the cultivation world. She never thought she would encounter her past self.

 

She shook her head and said with some trepidation, “Sister said I could leave with you. Can I join the Demonic Palace?”

 

Calculating the time, the Demonic Palace was still being led by that idiot Demonic Venerable.

 

Shen Yirong frowned at the thought, “No.”

 

Ling Yingzhi was confused, “Why? Aren’t you from the Demonic Palace?”

 

Shen Yirong explained, “The current Demonic Palace is no good. If you must choose one, you can choose the Great Peace Sect.”

 

Ling Yingzhi was still carrying her bow and arrows. She was hesitant, “I don’t like swords. Is that okay?”

 

“The Great Peace Sect doesn’t only have sword cultivators. It’s fine.”

 

Seeing Ling Yingzhi still hesitating, Shen Yirong added, “At worst, you can leave the sect and go to the Demonic Palace later. But are you the only one going?”

 

Ling Yingzhi was helpless, “I can’t help it. Central Yue can’t manage without my sister and the Grand Ruler. Someone like me doesn’t matter, right? I’ll leave here once the disaster is over.”

 

Shen Yirong shook her head, “What do you mean, ‘someone like you’?”

 

Ling Yingzhi shrugged, “Oh, right. Zhai—oh no, Immortal You seems to be awake. She’s loudly demanding to see you.”

 

Shen Yirong felt a headache coming on. She initially thought it was Song Yin’s old fling, but now it seemed not at all.

 

“Tell her to let go of her obsession and rest well,” Shen Yirong didn’t dare to get involved with these people.

 

Ling Yingzhi couldn’t help but grumble, “The love-hate relationship of Immortals is truly something.”

 

Seeing Shen Yirong look at her, she ran away, saying as she went, “Aiya, I’m not going to tell her. You go yourself.”

 

Shen Yirong was actually a little worried, but a spy had appeared in the Demonic Palace, and the spy had even become Song Yin’s [Dual Cultivation Furnace], which should be a serious, knife-to-the-throat matter.

 

But Song Yin didn’t seem to care.

 

Back in the room, the fox demon book was still on the table. Song Yin sat at the desk and told Shen Yirong, “Come here.”

 

Shen Yirong obediently sat down.

 

Frankly, this commission was quite a loss. She wouldn’t get the spirit stones for completing the request. Shen Yirong slumped over the desk in disappointment.

 

A few spatial cracks shouldn’t be too difficult for the current Song Yin, should they?

 

Shen Yirong looked up at Song Yin, only to see Song Yin smile at her.

 

Shen Yirong awkwardly looked away. Song Yin probably didn’t know she was the Sword Venerable, otherwise, she wouldn’t be so gentle. It was not conducive to cultivation here, and Shen Yirong wanted to return to the Demonic Palace.

 

“Does the Venerable One have a way to go back?”

 

“Yes, but no rush. There is one more thing.”

 

Shen Yirong looked up, “What is it?”

 

Song Yin kept her eyes on the book, “Don’t develop any unnecessary feelings for the people here.”

 

Shen Yirong rolled her eyes internally, “Understood.”

 

Tsk! So possessive.

 

But why wasn’t this person in a hurry? Shen Yirong was eager to go back.

 

She wanted to persuade her again, but a book was placed on her head, blocking all vision. She heard Song Yin laugh, “Patience.”

 

Shen Yirong inexplicably felt that the other person was the Master, and she was the mischievous and cunning disciple. She instantly became obedient.

 

However, after realizing it, she felt a little emotional.

 

Four hundred years of hardship were truly terrifying.

 

You Runing suddenly spat out a mouthful of foul, black blood. After spitting out this blood, the color of her lips slowly returned to normal.

 

She weakly lay back on the bed, looking apologetically at Mei Xin beside the bed, “I apologize for being a burden to you.”

 

“The Sect Master does not wish for anything to happen to you.”

 

Hearing this, tears began to pool in You Runing’s eyes again. As a spy planted in the Demonic Palace, her actions were too willful.

 

But there were some things she didn’t understand, “Why was it you?”

 

The original scope of this mission shouldn’t have warranted Mei Xin’s attention at all. Although it turned out to be a fortunate accident now—if it hadn’t been Mei Xin, her life might have been in danger.

 

Mei Xin, standing by the bed, looked calm, “The Sect Master calculated that the sleeping Corpse King here was waking up. You couldn’t handle it.”

 

Mei Xin added, “But I didn’t expect the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s All-Phenomena Mirror to also be here.”

 

You Runing was startled. She struggled to sit up, coughing twice, and anxiously said, “The All-Phenomena Mirror of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion? Then this is not the past? Are we trapped inside the All-Phenomena Mirror?”

 

Mei Xin nodded, “I tried. I can’t fly out. There are only Yuexi and Central Yue here.”

 

You Runing collapsed back onto the bed in despair.

 

The All-Phenomena Mirror was the greatest treasure of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. It could capture the time and space of the past, reproducing everything that happened in a certain place during a specific time period.

 

This magical artifact was originally used to observe the past, but later, one of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Masters discovered that the artifact could also trap people inside.

 

Mei Xin: “I tried to cleave this space open to escape, but I was just short of succeeding. However, the Demonic Venerable is also here.”

 

You Runing’s emotions became agitated, “I would rather die here.”

 

Mei Xin did not try to persuade her, only watching her quietly.

 

You Runing calmed down, “I apologize. I lost my composure.”

 

“Creak~”

 

The door was pushed open. Mei Xin was not surprised to see the person standing at the doorway.

 

You Runing’s attitude was hostile, “What are you doing here?”

 

The young Song Yin looked directly at Mei Xin, “So, everything here, including me, is a false illusion?”

 

Mei Xin nodded.

 

Song Yin clenched her fists. After a while, she calmed down. She took a long breath, “I want to ask some things.”

 

Mei Xin: “Ask away.”

 

What Song Yin wanted to ask was naturally related to the future, but these matters were somewhat unbearable for her.

 

She walked out of Mei Xin’s room in a daze. She still didn’t want to believe it, so she followed the route in her memory, intending to return to the Great Peace Sect. However, the situation was the same as when she tried to escape with Shen Yirong. After leaving the Yuexi border, she entered a pitch-black silence, and when the darkness ended, she was back where she started.

 

One time, two times, three times, until nightfall when she returned to the starting point again.

 

She knew she was strong, but right now, she missed Master a little.

 

Suddenly recalling the person who looked so much like Master, she unconsciously found herself at Shen Yirong’s window.

 

Candlelight flickered inside the room. That face, so similar to Master’s, was resting on the opened pages of a book. Her sleeping face was peaceful, making one instinctively soften their breathing, afraid to disturb her.

 

“Crying?”

 

The young Song Yin looked up. Her future self was sitting on the rooftop, looking down at her with a smug smile.

 

“Want to come up and look at the stars?”

 

The young Song Yin didn’t refuse the invitation. She flew up and sat next to her, but the feeling of talking to herself was indeed a bit strange. She awkwardly shuffled her butt to maintain some distance.

 

The stars in the sky were bright, but they were also fake. All her thoughts and emotions were meaningless.

 

Neither of them spoke, just sitting quietly.

 

After a long time, the young Song Yin finally broke the silence, “Will I kill Master later?”

 

Song Yin: “You won’t. You are just an illusion in the mirror.”

 

The young Song Yin’s brow furrowed, “I’ll take that as you comforting me. Did you find her?”

 

Song Yin looked at the candlelight seeping through the window. The shadow of a person soundly asleep was cast on the ground.

 

She shook her head, “Perhaps. I always feel like she’s back.”

 

The young Song Yin hugged her knees, her eyes still confused. Suddenly, she rested her forehead on her knees, hiding all her emotions, but her shoulders were gently shaking.

 

Song Yin heard suppressed sobs. She waited quietly until the moonlight grew brighter.

 

When she looked up again, the young girl had wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, “Mei Xin said you can get out. Why don’t you leave?”

 

Song Yin looked at the silent, deserted city of Central Yue, and the desolate Imperial Palace. A hint of nostalgia surfaced in her eyes, “Perhaps I wanted to see old friends.”

 

Lu Ci, Ling Minzhi, Ling Yingzhi.

 

Four hundred long years had passed. She had been continuously reclaiming and organizing the Southern Territory, constantly fighting her heart demon, and constantly waiting for one person to return.

 

Too many things had occupied her heart, causing her to forget these names, along with the weak and incompetent self from the past.

 

However, the old friends were secondary. The main reason was to snatch someone’s opportunity.

 

The young Song Yin didn’t understand how evil her future self was. She asked curiously, “Are you on good terms with them?”

 

“We only spent a year together. A year is too short compared to four hundred years.”

 

The young girl didn’t say anything more. Actually, her heart was still in turmoil. She had only cried and spoken to distract herself. Once quiet, she would fall into confusion again.

 

She said angrily, “This All-Phenomena Mirror is truly harmful. Why do the simulated things still possess such genuine emotions?”

 

“Among Heavenly-grade artifacts, the All-Phenomena Mirror belongs to the top tier. If it were controlled by a different user, creating another world might not be an issue.”

 

A hint of interest surfaced in Song Yin’s eyes. It had been a long time since she had stolen anything from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. This time, the item had delivered itself to her doorstep.

 

It should have stayed flying high in the heavens, but it dared to cause trouble in the Southern Territory.

 

Song Yin looked at her past self, “Helping me steal something, interested?”

 

The young Song Yin was confused, “Steal something?”

 

Suddenly, there was the sound of something dragging in the courtyard.

 

A stone statue slowly moved towards the window. It didn’t seem to notice the two people on the roof.

 

Song Yin stood up. She brushed the snow off her body, staring at the statue with disgust.

 

The statue seemed to sense something, but looking up was too difficult for it.

 

There was no demonic energy, no demonic qi, no spiritual energy, and no puppet strings visible.

 

The young Song Yin was confused, “What is that thing?”

 

Song Yin didn’t speak. She jumped off the rooftop and unhesitatingly severed the statue’s head.

 

A thin, golden thread slowly flowed out of the statue’s eyes.