Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 37

What would an illusion formed from “longing” contain?

As Yue Tingxi chased after Qin Suoliu, she tried to ponder this question.

To avoid being affected by the Iris Whale, one must either completely avoid it or overcome the constraints of the illusion. So, she had no choice but to enter the illusion herself and struggle to escape as quickly as possible.

But beyond that, there was another problem.

How could she stop Qin Suoliu from recovering her memories through the illusion?

According to the Beast Guide, the tentacles of the Iris Whale usually can only pull one soul into one illusion; others cannot intervene.

…Or rather, ordinary power cannot intervene.

The white crane’s wings, bearing snake-like qualities, allowed them to move smoothly through the water, gradually closing the distance between them.

Sensing their approach, the Iris Whale extended two tentacles—one was about to reach Qin Suoliu!

At that moment, Qin Suoliu suddenly turned around.

“Don’t come.”

Her transmitted words reached Yue Tingxi’s ear, while Yue Tingxi simultaneously told the Gray Moth, “It’s up to you to connect our souls!”

In the next instant, silence and darkness enveloped them.

Yue Tingxi was gambling—she was betting that the Gray Moth’s power was enough to interfere with the Iris Whale’s soul restraint.

Feeling the deathlike silence, she couldn’t help but hold her breath.

She didn’t know how long had passed before she sensed a familiar dampness.

—Every rainy season, she always smelled this in her cave, though, as a water-elemental, she never found it unpleasant. From her birth until now, she had been accustomed to it.

Yue Tingxi opened her eyes. As expected, the surroundings were her familiar cave in Xishan, furnished exactly as she remembered.

The gamble of soul connection had failed.

Unsurprisingly, her illusion, born of longing, centered on Xishan.

During those five years of being a puppet, no matter the situation, she often imagined Xishan—returning one day to her homeland, accompanied by her familiar spirits, resuming a peaceful life day after day for a century.

Since the illusion had formed, she now needed to figure out how to leave.

Sighing, Yue Tingxi intended to explore outside the cave and perhaps seek out the Azure Jade Mountain Master; maybe together they could find a way out.

But as she pushed open the stone door, a bright purple figure ran toward her from a distance.

It was the young Qin Suoliu, during her temporary stay in the mountains, whom Yue Tingxi had nicknamed “Azi.”

This both surprised and amused Yue Tingxi—so, in her deepest longing, there was a place for Azi as well.

“Why did you still come?”

However, the words Azi spoke took her completely by surprise.

Qin Suoliu had never expected that upon opening her eyes, she would find herself lying in Xishan’s flower sea.

The area where she lay was indeed verdant and full of blooming flowers, peaceful and comfortable—the most unforgettable scenery in her memory.

Yet she knew she should not appear here.

She did very much long for the time spent temporarily residing in Xishan as a child. After the Qin family’s massacre, seeing Yue Tingxi again had become her obsession and motivation to survive and escape the demon realm. But more deeply engraved in her soul than Xishan itself were the cruel deaths of her mother and younger sister.

Recalling the moment just before the tentacle reached her, Yue Tingxi had rushed toward her, with two identical Gray Moths following each of them. She had a vague idea of the truth, but still needed to see the Yue Tingxi within the illusion to confirm it.

The tall and short, the human and the spirit, looked at each other for a few seconds before Yue Tingxi grasped the little girl’s hand and led her toward the cave.

With the Gray Moth’s “isolation” absent in the illusion, Qin Suoliu felt uncomfortable as soon as she entered the cave. Her fingers instinctively gathered fire-elemental power, but before scorching the damp air, she politely asked, “May I dry this dampness with fire?”

“As you wish, Miss Qin.” Yue Tingxi deliberately emphasized the formal address, walked to the table, and brought out tea utensils and tea leaves, boiling water.

While lightly releasing a layer of fire-elemental power, Qin Suoliu anxiously asked, “How did you know… when did you know it was me?”

She had long intended to confess to Yue Tingxi one day, but never imagined it would happen under such circumstances.

“I forgot, but after being together long enough, it wasn’t hard to guess.” Yue Tingxi pulled out a wooden chair and sat, resting her chin on her hand, “Although you weren’t the child I watched grow up, I’ve always remembered that time.”

Yet, her past life had been tumultuous, and some memories were blurred.

Qin Suoliu remained silent for a long moment before saying, “I shouldn’t have hidden it from you.”

She had many reasons not to reveal it but ultimately realized it was simply because she didn’t want Yue Tingxi to know, fearing she would remember who had used her and who had killed her.

Twenty years ago, Yue Tingxi had saved two children out of compassion. One of them, twenty years later, forcibly took her away, depriving her of freedom, while the other used her as a pawn against the human world… No one could easily forgive what those two children had done.

So she simply remained silent, starting over with Yue Tingxi as if there were no past, avoiding resentment and expectations alike.

“Then I haven’t acknowledged you either, right? Let’s call it even.” Yue Tingxi smiled, not wanting to delve into it now—whether Qin Suoliu needed to apologize or make amends, they first had to leave the Iris Whale’s illusion.

Once the tea boiled, Yue Tingxi handed the teapot to Qin Suoliu and curiously asked, “Why have you turned back into a child? Could it be the Gray Moth connecting our souls?”

“I don’t know. The Gray Moth didn’t follow,” Qin Suoliu shook her head. “But I used Miss Lan’s artifact to protect my soul, and I haven’t felt any discomfort regarding this yet.”

“Then perhaps it’s your subconscious wanting to return to this form.” Yue Tingxi seemed to understand, “You… miss that time. But I don’t remember doing anything crucial for you or with you.”

During that time, the greatest turbulence had occurred at the start.

Qin Suoliu, near death, was rescued by Yue Tingxi. They then spent a period living ordinary days together—nursing, picking fruits, training, cooking… Yue Tingxi’s usual routine. To her, Yue Tingxi was just a lively “little firecracker” at her side; nothing much had changed.

“Since the Iris Whale believes it, so be it.” Qin Suoliu poured herself half a cup of tea, softly, “I’ve reached this point; admitting it is not shameful.”

Yue Tingxi nodded. Once again, both fell silent.

They understood the urgency: they had to leave the illusion quickly—Lan Fengqing was still waiting alone outside with Yun Zhou.

Yet the illusion was still Xishan—a serene, idyllic place akin to a “Peach Blossom Land.” They did not wish to do anything that might endanger Xishan. How could they resolve this?

“I was just planning to visit the Azure Jade Mountain Master,” Yue Tingxi broke the silence first, “Even though it’s only my memory of her, discussing with another person might give us more ideas.”

She remembered reading a story where the heroine had “dissociation disorder” and could talk to multiple versions of herself; through arguments, she eventually resolved her conflicts.

She thought seeking the Mountain Master might work similarly.

Qin Suoliu was hesitant.

First, it might not help. Second… she was genuinely a bit afraid of the Mountain Master.

Since their souls were connected, her memories might also become part of the illusion. If the Mountain Master saw her soul as tainted, revealing her past experiences… how would Yue Tingxi react?

But since Yue Tingxi wanted to go, she would not refuse to accompany her.

After drinking tea and regaining composure, they left the cave to go to the Mountain Master’s residence.

Being in a child’s body, Qin Suoliu noticed her steps were slower; she had to take two steps for every one Yue Tingxi took.

After a short while, Yue Tingxi suddenly stopped.

“Same as always, I guess.”

She spoke as the lower half of her body transformed into a black snake; without waiting for Qin Suoliu to respond, she offered her tail for Qin Suoliu to sit on, swimming steadily forward.

“…Sorry, for the trouble.” Qin Suoliu placed her hands on the scales, feeling a little embarrassed.

At that time, her leg had been injured; walking was painful. Yue Tingxi had carried her like this, familiarizing her with Xishan’s surroundings.

The snake’s movements were steady; Qin Suoliu could even sleep on her back, being gently awakened upon arrival.

As the snake swayed, she couldn’t help but look at Yue Tingxi’s upright back.

Even after so many hardships, betrayals, and manipulations… Yue Tingxi still treated her gently.

She knew she didn’t deserve this, yet dared not let go, fearing Yue Tingxi would again face sudden misfortune unknowingly.

The Mountain Master’s wooden house remained, though no one was inside.

Yue Tingxi placed Qin Suoliu down: “I’ll check the place she likes. You wait here.”

Qin Suoliu shook her head, focusing her energy in her legs to keep pace: “I’ll go with you.”

This way, if the Mountain Master revealed her hidden past, she could immediately know what Yue Tingxi heard.

After searching for a while, they only met the Silver-ringed Snake, Chan Ying, who helped water the Mountain Master’s vegetables.

“Looking for the Mountain Master?” Ying Chan said, “She went down the mountain a few days ago.”

“Down the mountain?” Yue Tingxi was startled, “Where did she go?”

“As usual, to visit her human friend’s grave. Should return in two days. What brings you?”

“Some private matter, nothing urgent.” Yue Tingxi thanked her and prepared to return to the cave with Qin Suoliu.

“If you’re not busy, want to visit the newly arrived neighbor?” Ying Chan called, finishing watering.

“I haven’t heard of any neighbor moving here at this time.”

While watering, Yue Tingxi frowned, speaking to Qin Suoliu: “The Eight Great Demon Mountains rarely have outsiders; perhaps a human seeking seclusion?”

Many human cultivators hid in remote mountains to escape worldly chaos; Xishan also had such hermits.

“Since it conflicts with our memories, it might be a clue to leaving the illusion.” Qin Suoliu suggested.

Soon, Ying Chan led them along a mountain path, humming a song.

“小 Tingxi, this girl really clings to you!” she remarked. “I remember you saying a human friend was afraid of snakes.”

“Humans differ,” Yue Tingxi replied, “She not only isn’t afraid, she likes being coiled by a snake.”

Here, in a memory-based illusion, anything was permissible.

Ying Chan giggled, looking at Qin Suoliu on the snake, and added teasingly about certain human peculiarities.

Yue Tingxi, startled, turned and covered Qin Suoliu’s ears: “What are you saying in front of the child?!”

Qin Suoliu allowed Yue Tingxi to shield her ears, neither arguing nor insisting she wasn’t a child.

In such a memory illusion, what others said was either something they had heard or something they had thought themselves.

If the latter, perhaps Qin Suoliu’s enjoyment had been too obvious, causing Yue Tingxi’s speculation.

She shrank her neck shyly in Yue Tingxi’s arms, imagining Ying Chan’s described scenes in her mind.

The new hermit lived near the Mountain Master. Soon, Ying Chan led them to the courtyard.

The mother and daughter in the courtyard seemed familiar.

“Here’s a mother and daughter,” Ying Chan introduced. “Mother is Lan Kongming, daughter is Qin Yingguang, brought by the Mountain Master. They don’t speak of the past; you’d better not ask.”

“They wouldn’t live here, and the ages don’t match; twenty years ago your sister wasn’t born.” Yue Tingxi whispered.

“Yet if your longing is for them, they would appear in the safest place you think of,” Qin Suoliu remarked.

Compared to the human world, Xishan was safer, guarded by the Mountain Master and protective barriers, immune to undead armies.

Qin Suoliu stayed silent, studying the mother and daughter. She seemed to understand how the illusion formed.

Their souls were connected, so the places carrying longing merged—the Xishan courtyard now included the Qin estate within it, showing whose memory each part belonged to.

The atmosphere and contents mattered too.

According to surviving explorers, the Iris Whale’s illusions varied—some were idyllic, some repeated horrific memories. The purpose was always to trap humans or spirits, similar to the legendary “Heart Demon Tribulation.”

The idyllic scene belonged to Yue Tingxi’s memory, but where was her part?

The bloody, cruel part never appeared, instead softened into a “secluded hermitage,” giving a home to her mother and sister, shielding the trauma.

Perhaps the Iris Whale judged such a scene wouldn’t trap her? Or…

“Should we go greet them?” Yue Tingxi’s voice brought Qin Suoliu back. “Or go down to the Qin estate?”

“…Greet them,” Qin Suoliu replied reluctantly.

She could not go to the Qin estate—Xishan might be protecting her, keeping the violent memories away from Yue Tingxi.

With that in mind, Qin Suoliu entered the mother and daughter’s courtyard.

Lan Kongming put away her knife and softly called, “Awu? Where did you go?”

“Little sister is back?” Qin Yingguang got up from the sun, smiling—but the title was wrong.

Immediately, both Yue Tingxi and Qin Suoliu sensed something off.

“This isn’t right,” Qin Suoliu murmured, shaking her head. “The age difference with Yingguang is too great; she would naturally call me ‘sister,’ not the other way around. And I would never want her to be the older sister.”

In the immortal sects, the firstborn often bore the greatest hardship.

She only wished her little sister happiness, bearing misfortune herself if necessary.

Yue Tingxi could not understand why this wasn’t Qin Suoliu’s memory, nor could it belong to her, a naturally-born spirit.

Fortunately, the mother and daughter were friendly, taking Qin Suoliu’s hands and inviting her inside.

Yue Tingxi was also allowed in, walking through the courtyard and corridors identical to the Qin estate, entering Qin Suoliu’s bedchamber.

“Your mother said you’ve been neglecting cultivation, wanting to visit Yue Jie. I intended to ask her to accompany you, but Yue Jie came herself.” Qin Yingguang smiled. “If Yue Jie has nothing else, could she stay a few days?”

The tone wasn’t like the Qin second young lady Yue Tingxi knew, but more like Qin Yingguang imitating her sister.

Oddly enough.

Yue Tingxi did not immediately respond, exchanging glances with Qin Suoliu, then nodded: “Fine, we’ll stay these days.”

Qin Suoliu’s chamber, its decor and furnishings mirrored the Qin estate exactly, except for the absence of Yue Tingxi’s favorite white fox fur cushion, replaced by a stone bed opposite Qin Suoliu’s small bed.

They stayed in this most suspicious place in the illusion.

The Observation Pavilion remained, but all servants were gone; cooking, cleaning, and washing were now their responsibility.

Qin Suoliu wanted to use fasting pills to stave off hunger, but her storage bag had not entered the illusion. She searched the chamber and herbal hall, finding none.

Almost inexperienced in cooking, she had only learned outdoor methods while surviving in the demon world. At night, she had to eat what her mother and “sister” prepared.

…Not terrible, but certainly not delicious.

By the end, she even suspected her mother and little sister had never cooked before, lacking the talent.

Since they ate together, Yue Tingxi refrained from commenting on their skills, instead promising: “Starting tomorrow, I’ll make your meals.”

In her mountain solitude, she always prepared her own meals.

Qin Suoliu reminded her, “I remember your cave had fasting pills.”

After a few seconds’ thought, Yue Tingxi returned to check and came back disappointed: “Same as here, none.”

Perhaps the pills were meaningless, or perhaps meals were better at keeping one here.

After dinner, they meditated beside the Nine-mile Fragrant Flower Field until the lights in Lan Kongming and Qin Yingguang’s bedchambers went out, then returned.

Not resting, they took out paper and carefully prepared ink.

“Let’s organize the information we have.” Yue Tingxi sat resolutely at the table, dipping her brush, looking at Qin Suoliu. “You write faster, your mind processes quicker.”

Thus, they split tasks.

Qin Suoliu recited her prior analysis and guesses.

Yue Tingxi recorded everything, letting the ink dry, reviewing each point carefully.

“I think the biggest anomaly is this Qin estate and your family.” After reading, she said, “First, these are ‘impossible memories’—everything, including their moving into Xishan and Yingguang calling you ‘little sister.’”

“Even if our memories merged, I wouldn’t see you as a ‘little sister,’ only as a ‘little girl.’ Humans and spirits differ. I was born without parents, gathered spirit energy naturally, and wouldn’t treat anyone unrelated or non-sworn as a sister.”

“So… I think this illusion might have merged a ‘third party’s’ memory.” Despite lacking evidence, Yue Tingxi voiced the thought. “Could Miss Lan have come? After all, she has a Gray Moth and is often called a ‘little sister.’”

“That would require visiting the Azure Xu Sect, to see if she’s there.” Qin Suoliu said, though she was thinking of the Gray Moth itself. “Still, I feel the Azure Xu Sect might be unreachable—the illusion seems to intentionally avoid something.”

“Avoid what?” Yue Tingxi’s heart skipped a beat.

“I don’t know, just a guess,” Qin Suoliu.

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