Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Nightmare: Mom Said…

There were still two bright moons in the sky. Under the pale moonlight, Song Yin realized her memory was disappearing.

The moons in the sky abruptly changed to three. Upon closer inspection, the moon in the center was moving forward.

But looking carefully, the one in the center wasn’t a moon at all; it was clearly the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion. The disciples of the Heaven’s Secret Pavilion were lying scattered on the ground, but Su Zhao was not among them.

The voice that once tempted Shen Yirong began to tempt Song Yin again. “This world is not kind to you or me. What are you still clinging to?”

“Your Master, she has never truly looked at you. Both the cultivation world and the demon territory regard you as a thorn in their side.”

“Is such a world worth it? Why not join me and embrace a better world?”

Lightning flickered around Song Yin. The loss of memory made her eyes empty and bewildered. The scarlet color in her pupils slowly faded, and she murmured, “A better world?”

“Yes, a better world. A world without separation from important people.”

Flashes of memories of time spent with her Master raced through Song Yin’s mind. This memory was so clear, so vivid, that she could smell the other person’s scent.

But in an instant, that warmth, which was so close, was washed away by the rain. She stood holding a blood-dripping sword, looking at her Master lying in the rain.

The Heart Demon frantically tried to seize control of the body. It anxiously shouted in Song Yin’s Sea of Consciousness, “Don’t fall for this ancient trick!”

But Song Yin’s expression was one of extreme pain. The lightning around her gradually weakened. She squatted on the ground, holding her head, continuously muttering, “Master, I’m sorry.”

Guilt and pain overwhelmed Song Yin like a tsunami. The lightning wrapped around her completely disappeared, and she was lost in confusion, unable to distinguish the sequence of these memories.

The current Song Yin no longer had her usual arrogant demeanor. She seemed to have returned to her past self, weak and helpless.

The chaotic memories wreaked havoc in her mind again. Song Yin saw Shen Yirong standing before her, the expression on that face so venomous and sinister, as if she wished to rush forward and devour Song Yin alive.

Song Yin hugged herself tightly. She no longer cared about the external chaos, not even worrying that she was about to be torn in half by the misaligned space.

Fortunately, the Heart Demon briefly controlled her body, quickly rolling aside to avoid the fate of being split in two.

Alas, the Heart Demon was driven back to the Sea of Consciousness. It could no longer control the body and could only shout in frustration, If you die because of this, where does that leave me, your Heart Demon, to save face?

No one heeded the Heart Demon’s wails. Instead, a hand suddenly reached out from the void.

This hand was pale and thin. Then came the voice, tempting Song Yin, “Come, my accomplice.”

Song Yin looked at the hand. The pale yellow sleeve was outlined with silver threads depicting the moon and stars. These patterns flowed like water, creating a scene of a waning moon chasing the stars.

Song Yin stared at the hand. She felt as if she had grasped a lifeline. “Where are we going?”

“To a wonderful world where you can decide your own destiny.”

Song Yin reached out her hand, but suddenly withdrew it just as she was about to grasp it. She shook her head repeatedly. “No, I must stay here and wait for Master.”

The voice chuckled lightly. “In that world, your Master can also find salvation.”

Hearing this, Song Yin’s hesitant hand slowly reached out again.

Amidst the Heart Demon’s screams, Song Yin gripped the cold hand.

The mastermind revealed a triumphant smile. “Yes, just like that. Together, we will write the ending we desire.”

The next second, her expression changed. She tried to pull her hand back, but Song Yin’s grip was tight. After struggling twice, she reluctantly said, “You lied to me.”

The confusion in Song Yin’s eyes faded. Golden threads whipped around behind her, then slowly gathered and circled Song Yin’s wrist.

“Memory filling complete.”

All of Song Yin’s lost memories returned. She praised Eleven with a light laugh. “Well done.”

Eleven did not reply.

Song Yin increased the strength in her grip. Her eyes were chilling. “Heh, you scheming rat, this is all you have, as expected.”

“Come out for this Venerable.”

Song Yin pulled back forcefully, and the person hiding behind the scenes was directly dragged out.

The activation of the All-Seeing Mirror was rushed. Shen Yirong didn’t pay attention to which period she had set it to, but it was still on the land of the Tai’an Sect.

Judging by the exquisite state of the Tai’an Sect gate before her, the sect seemed to be doing quite well in this timeline.

However, this space was very unique. To avoid trouble, Shen Yirong decided to take the Tai’an people away from the Tai’an Sect within the mirror, lest they encounter awkward situations like Mei Xin meeting Mei Xin.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Yirong looked up and found herself surrounded. Many new faces had appeared in the Tai’an Sect during the centuries she was away. They stood to the side, looking at her with curiosity, while the eyes of another group were already filled with tears.

A slightly older disciple waved at Shen Yirong, her voice choking. “Sword Venerable Master.”

After this one call, there were many more. Before Shen Yirong could regain her senses, she was embraced by these people. Everyone surrounded Shen Yirong, hugging each other in layers.

It was snowing in the mirror world, but the tightly wrapped Shen Yirong felt the warmth of winter.

Shen Yirong was enveloped by their enthusiasm, suddenly unsure what to say, but she recognized all these faces.

“Chen Jie, Ke Xulai, Fu Qingchi, An Ran?”

Seeing that Shen Yirong still remembered their names, the tears of several people flowed even more uncontrollably.

Chen Jie choked out, “Do you remember us?”

Shen Yirong had seen the lost memory segment. At that time, she wasn’t very willing to meet outsiders, likely afraid of exposing her identity as a time-traveler.

Looking at the aggrieved expressions of these people, Shen Yirong said apologetically, “I’m back.”

They were all cultivators over six hundred years old, yet they behaved like children who hadn’t grown up. They frantically wiped away their tears, trying to compose themselves, but after the embrace, they became reserved.

Chen Jie was bolder than the others. She said excitedly, “I didn’t think you would still remember our names.”

Shen Yirong had a good memory. She remembered saving the lives of these little ones and asking for their names casually back then out of boredom.

Shen Yirong smiled. “Of course, I remember. It’s been many years. You are all reliable cultivators now.”

A few of them blushed and continued to chat with Shen Yirong.

Mei Xin saw their good atmosphere and led the others to rest in front of the mountain gate.

They concealed their forms, trying not to attract attention from the mirror world.

Shen Yirong listened quietly to their chattering, her eyes growing gentler, but she was still concerned about the situation outside, so she took the initiative to call a stop and asked them to leave.

Looking around, Shen Yirong noticed Mei Xin sitting on a tree again.

Shen Yirong walked over. She stood under the tree, looking up at Mei Xin, teasing her as she always did. “Senior Sister, what are you trying to watch now?”

Mei Xin’s gaze lowered. “Watching the crane. This crane once chased you around.”

Let’s not bring up old embarrassing history.

Shen Yirong flew onto a branch on the other side and sat down. She looked at the falling snow, feeling a sudden itch in her fingers again.

Do I get chilblains even in this simulated world?

Shen Yirong couldn’t resist scratching.

Mei Xin: “Someone is coming.”

Shen Yirong quickly looked ahead. A small child dressed in star and moon robes was coming down the mountain through the heavy snow. The snow was already thick, and the little girl’s every step made a crunching sound.

When she reached the mountain gate, she raised her head, revealing a face flushed from the cold. Snowflakes rested on her eyelashes. She rubbed them away, then walked towards where Shen Yirong and Mei Xin were.

She looked up at the tree, suddenly reached out, used a wind-borrowing spell, and plopped onto Shen Yirong.

“Huh? Why is it warm?”

The child turned her head and saw a cyan-colored robe, then looked up at a smiling face. She immediately panicked, flailing and almost tumbling out of Shen Yirong’s arms.

Shen Yirong scooped her back, smiling as she gently pinched her cheek. “Little Star.”

The cheek-pinched Su Wanxing couldn’t speak clearly. She said pitifully, “Aunty Shen, weren’t you asleep?”

Shen Yirong rubbed Su Wanxing’s cheek, pretending to be fierce. “Your body isn’t well, yet you ran out in this heavy snow. Tell me, are you trying to make your mother break up with me? Heh, what a naughty little thing.”

Su Wanxing just made muffled sounds, unable to form words. Shen Yirong didn’t care, continuing to rub the soft little cheek.

Su Wanxing finally managed to escape Shen Yirong’s clutches. She quickly covered her face. “No more.”

Seeing the girl’s eyebrows furrowed, Shen Yirong, not wanting to be a bad adult, decided to let her go, but she still touched Su Wanxing’s small hat.

Many gourd patterns were embroidered on the satin of the red hat.

Su Wanxing gripped her hat with both hands. “No, don’t break it.”

Seeing how much the little one cherished the hat, Shen Yirong laughed. “It won’t break. If it breaks, I’ll buy you a better one.”

Su Wanxing pouted. “It’s not the same. My mother made this for me.”

Shen Yirong suddenly thought of her own mother. She lifted Su Wanxing higher, completely locking her in her embrace before smiling. “Tell me, what are you doing here?”

Seeing that Shen Yirong wasn’t angry, Su Wanxing pointed to the side. Shen Yirong looked over and saw a part of the tree bark was missing there.

“It’s sick. I’m here to help it.”

Su Wanxing placed her hand over the broken spot. After a flash of gentle green light, the tree bark slowly regenerated.

Shen Yirong wasn’t surprised. Su Wanxing was also a genius, the kind that made Bai Yuzan jealous.

But going out just for this was too dangerous. Shen Yirong wanted to gently scold her, but thinking that there was another Shen Yirong in this world, she decided to let that Shen Yirong do the talking.

Su Wanxing suddenly grabbed Shen Yirong’s wrist. A gentle spiritual energy enveloped her. Her hand stopped itching, and the minor internal injuries in various parts of her body healed considerably.

But that spiritual energy continued to move in her meridians, stubbornly trying to heal Shen Yirong’s remaining injuries.

However, Shen Yirong’s remaining injuries were not something the current Su Wanxing could cure. If she kept trying, the little doctor would collapse.

Shen Yirong gently pushed away Su Wanxing’s hand. She smiled. “I’m fine, but thank you.”

Su Wanxing’s eyes turned red. “You are so badly injured, and many are stubborn old wounds.”

“Silly girl, the title of Sword Venerable wasn’t given to me by someone else. It’s normal to have injuries.”

Su Wanxing just shook her head. “But your injuries weren’t this severe before.”

The little one’s CPU seemed to be burning out. She didn’t understand how Shen Yirong had acquired so many centuries-old wounds in just half an hour since they last met.

After much thought, she decided that her medical skills were poor and she had misdiagnosed. She lowered her head in frustration. “I’m so useless.”

Shen Yirong didn’t dare to dampen the girl’s enthusiasm; Su Zhao would kill her.

Just as she was thinking of how to comfort her, Su Wanxing clenched her fists and raised them above her head. “I must have been slacking off too much! I’ll use nap time to cultivate from now on!”

This child clearly didn’t need comforting. Was she already being so competitive at such a young age?

Shen Yirong held her fist. “That will be tiring.”

Su Wanxing shook her head. “I’m not afraid of being tired. I’m only afraid I can’t heal you or myself.”

Shen Yirong was silent. She released Su Wanxing’s hand. “With Aunty Bai around, nothing will happen.”

Su Wanxing swung her legs. She was a little afraid of the cold, so she burrowed deeper into Shen Yirong’s embrace. Watching the water vapor from her breath, she knew she was alive.

Perhaps due to the persistent illness and the precariousness of her life, Su Wanxing was more mature than many adults. She said very seriously, “You shouldn’t say that. Aunty Bai would be very sad.”

But Bai Yuzan herself said the same thing.

Shen Yirong used the wind to disperse the snow around them. She asked, “Why do you think so?”

Su Wanxing explained thoughtfully, “Aunty Bai says that to comfort me, and also to encourage herself, but that expectation weighs heavily on her. If the outcome isn’t good, she will blame herself.”

Shen Yirong: “…I wish you weren’t so sensible.”

Su Wanxing sniffled. She clenched her other hand into a fist and raised it above her head. “But before the predetermined fate arrives, I will struggle desperately. But if I truly can’t fight against it, I want to ask you for a favor.”

Shen Yirong felt an unnameable heaviness in her heart. “What favor?”

Su Wanxing smiled sweetly. “I want to ask you to look after my mother. To her, I am both her daughter and her heartache.”

Shen Yirong remembered that seemingly gentle but actually very stubborn person. She snorted. “Too much trouble. You take care of her yourself.”

Not wanting to continue this topic, Shen Yirong remembered the slingshot she had given the child and quickly asked, “Do you still have the slingshot I gave you?”

Su Wanxing nodded. She took the plain slingshot out of her spatial bag. The slingshot was still very new, clearly not used much.

Shen Yirong looked at the leisurely immortal cranes by the mountain gate. The petty person in her accurately spotted the one that pecked her from among a group of similar-looking cranes. The crane felt her gaze, turned its head, and gave Shen Yirong a scornful look.

Shen Yirong hadn’t been that angry before, but now she was amusedly provoked. She took the slingshot, tossed it in her hand, then pulled back the rubber band, aiming near the crane’s body, just to scare it.

But a pair of hands grabbed her wrist. Su Wanxing’s eyes showed panic and distress. “Could you please not hit it?”

Shen Yirong realized how absurd her gift was. How could someone with a personality like hers enjoy something like a slingshot?

Feeling like a fool, Shen Yirong returned the slingshot. She searched through her spatial ring but only found mountains of spirit stones.

Shen Yirong, not giving up, checked again, confirming there were only spirit stones. She hesitated for a moment, then grabbed Su Wanxing’s spatial bag and started stuffing it with spirit stones.

After filling the spatial bag, Shen Yirong closed her eyes and placed the bag in Su Wanxing’s arms. “Here, take this. You can buy many precious medicinal ingredients.”

Su Wanxing was so startled by this unexpected fortune that she nearly dropped the bag. “Aunty, did you steal Aunty Liu’s private stash?”

Shen Yirong immediately became displeased. “Do you think I have no integrity? I’m not like those people in the Tai’an Sect. These spirit stones were given to me by my Dao Companion.”

“Riding on her coattails?”

Shen Yirong couldn’t resist tweaking Su Wanxing’s ear. “Hey, you child!”

Su Wanxing rescued her ear from Shen Yirong’s grasp. She covered her ear to prevent another sneak attack, but the next second, her face was pinched.

Su Wanxing quickly begged for mercy. “I’m sorry.”

Unfortunately, Shen Yirong wasn’t angry; she just genuinely wanted to rub it. She only let go after she had enough.

Su Wanxing rubbed her tormented face. She didn’t want to talk to this person anymore.

However, her anger lasted only a second, because curiosity overcame her fury.

“Who is she? What’s her name? Where is she from? Is she a demon or a human?”

Shen Yirong’s mischievous side resurfaced. She pinched Su Wanxing’s nose. “Guess?”

Su Wanxing quickly shielded her nose. She thought for a moment, then started counting on her fingers, folding one down with each name she spoke.

“The white fox, the red fox, the sister you rescued from the fire, Aunty Bai, the Sword Spirit sister…”

After all of Su Wanxing’s fingers were bent, she straightened them and counted again.

Then her fingers bent again.

Bending and straightening, straightening and bending, seemingly without end.

Shen Yirong was also surprised listening. Did she attract so many people?

She had only saved these people, nothing more.

Listening on, Shen Yirong broke out in a cold sweat. She quickly called out, “Wait, stop talking.”

Su Wanxing obediently shut up, but Shen Yirong couldn’t face her innocent eyes anymore.

“Did I guess correctly?”

Shen Yirong took a deep breath. “It’s not them. It’s someone you don’t know yet.”

Su Wanxing became interested. “Who is it?”

Thinking of Song Yin, Shen Yirong’s eyes grew even softer. “Her name is Song Yin. She’s a very good person.”

Su Wanxing looked at Shen Yirong’s melting gaze, becoming curious.

What kind of woman could scoop up Shen Yirong’s vast ocean of affection in one go?

Su Wanxing was more excited than the person involved. She no longer cared about being pinched and pestered Shen Yirong for love stories. “How did you two meet? Did anything romantic happen?”

Shen Yirong was stumped.

Her memory had been taken, so she couldn’t say.

But the gossipy gaze was too intense, and Shen Yirong really couldn’t bear it. She thought long and hard, finally answering the first question. “She is my disciple.”

Su Wanxing’s eyes widened instantly. “Isn’t that against ethical norms?”

The snowflakes on the branches on the opposite side of the tree suddenly shook loose. Shen Yirong quickly covered Su Wanxing’s mouth. “What ethical norms? It’s fine for a Master to like her disciple.”

Seeing her lines stolen, Mei Xin honestly sat back and resumed being a wooden block.

But Shen Yirong felt countless gazes falling on her.

Uh, I forgot there are still many people here.

The entire sect, many, many people.

Taking advantage of Shen Yirong’s momentary distraction, Su Wanxing pushed the hand covering her mouth away. “My mother said that.”

Shen Yirong smiled bitterly. She couldn’t very well speak ill of the child’s mother.

Fortunately, Su Wanxing didn’t dwell on it for long, because she discovered another terrifying thing. “Disciple? Aunty took a disciple?”

Shen Yirong wished she could die. She immediately said, “It was a dream. I took a disciple in a dream.”

Su Wanxing. “Oh, I see. Then what kind of person is she?”

Shen Yirong thought of Song Yin. “She is gentle, kind, strong, powerful, intelligent, beautiful, and elegant.”

Su Wanxing thought: It really was a dream. Anything is possible in a dream.

However, talking about dreams, Su Wanxing fell silent again.

Seeing the child’s low spirits, Shen Yirong stopped her aggressive praise mode. She felt Su Wanxing’s forehead. Noticing it wasn’t hot, she was still worried. “Go back quickly. It’s cold outside. Someone will start worrying soon.”

Su Wanxing just shook her head, her eyes distant. “Aunty, do you believe dreams are real?”

Shen Yirong felt this depended on the situation. She tentatively asked, “Did you have a nightmare?”

Su Wanxing nodded softly. “Mhm, I had some very strange dreams.”

“Dreams don’t represent reality. Don’t worry.”

Su Wanxing still shook her head. She said to herself, “Many strange dreams. I dreamed I was tangled in many threads high up, and looking down, there were many dolls, looking at me with resentment.”

Shen Yirong held her tightly. “That’s just a dream.”

Shen Yirong’s embrace gave Su Wanxing courage. She whispered again, “I also dreamed my mother kept saying ‘I’m sorry.’ I wanted to comfort her, but I woke up.”

“I… I dreamed my mother was fighting someone.”

Shen Yirong suddenly lifted her up. Startled, Su Wanxing forgot about the terrifying dreams.

Su Wanxing was shocked by the sudden action. “What is it!”

Shen Yirong smiled as she drew the person back into her arms. “I remember when you were little, you loved it when I did this. Whenever I lifted you up, you would giggle.”

Shen Yirong carried Su Wanxing to the ground. After setting her down, she reached out and patted her back. “Go on, you should leave.”

Su Wanxing obediently took two steps forward, then suddenly turned back to look at Shen Yirong. “Aunty, aren’t you coming with me?”

Shen Yirong was uncharacteristically serious. She said gently, “No, I’ll just watch you from here.”

Su Wanxing looked back every few steps as she walked. She passed through the mountain gate, and just as she was about to disappear into the wind and snow, she suddenly turned back to look at Shen Yirong.

She said, “Don’t forget our promise, okay?”

Shen Yirong understood she was referring to looking after Su Zhao. She should have refused, but now she couldn’t lie to herself.

So she said softly, “Okay.”

Su Wanxing’s steps became lighter after getting a definitive answer. She waved at Shen Yirong, then turned around.

A sudden thought popped into Shen Yirong’s mind.

This time, she really disappeared.

She tried hard to find Su Wanxing’s shadow, but all she saw were snowflakes.

Mei Xin suddenly landed beside her. “Junior Sister, what should we do next?”

Shen Yirong’s own mind was in chaos. “Senior Sister has no idea?”

Mei Xin surprisingly showed a hint of frustration. “No. I am stupid.”

“Who said that?” Shen Yirong was indignant.

Mei Xin looked at her expression, then said flatly, “Disciple Song Yin.”

Shen Yirong immediately choked. She gave an awkward smile. “Ah? Oh, I see, I understand. I’ll go back and punish her severely.”

Shen Yirong spoke in placating words, but her thoughts were entirely on Song Yin.

Now that the world was so chaotic, was she alright? Had she encountered any danger?

Even though she knew Song Yin was very powerful, Shen Yirong was still worried.

The more she thought, the more uneasy she became, and the more uneasy she became, the more she thought. Shen Yirong was trapped in a vicious cycle.

She suddenly felt very flustered. She didn’t want to stay here. She wanted to go out.

Shen Yirong looked up at the sky—that was the exit she had set for the All-Seeing Mirror.