One day later, Zhen Shi gradually opened his eyes. He let out a deep breath. After all, he had just lived another life. His memories of this other life weren't exactly complete and there were some gaps. But what he did see and what he did learn was immense. He truly felt like he had been reborn after dying for a second time.
This other Zhen Shi had been something of a genius in the Zheng Clan. His father was Zhen Long, an illustrious and powerful elder. His mother had been a mortal maid that his father had fallen in love with. She was a kind soul but had no talent in cultivation. Thus after his father suddenly died in a secret mission, she had had a hard time maintaining her and her family's place in the clan.
He also had an elder sister, Zheng Xixi, who had been blessed by the clan's guardian deity, Theia the titan of precious jewels. As such, she had the ability to turn items with sufficient spiritual energy to precious metals. Thus she had been coveted by the sect her entire life and she and his mother had had a very difficult time. Zheng Xixi had received multiple proposals in marriage, but she had refused them all. After all, they were 'marriage proposals' on the surface but basically slave contracts in reality.
Thus she and her mother along with the still very young, Zhen Shi, had retreated out of the clan grounds and lived in a small hut on the Zhen Mountains nearby. They dared not venture too far from the clan grounds for fear of demonic beasts. Still, it was only a matter of time before the clan resorted to underhanded methods to get what they wanted. But this situation completely turned around when little Zhen Shi showed great aptitude for cultivation. He was trash in mastering elemental energies. But he had been born with the primordial chaos base! He was also talented in archery. As a result, he could cultivate very fast and reached the foundation establishment stage at the tender age of 10.
This instantly put his family in a better position. Although better, the pressure only lessened. The desire for the clan to use Zhen Xixi always existed. After all, it wasn't only the Zhen Clan keeping tabs on her ability.
Nevertheless, with the support of the clan patriarch and his talent, he reached the core formation stage at 12 along with his great aptitude for archery. This was a great achievement! Still, this Zhen Shi had made an error in cultivation and gotten forever stuck at that stage. After all, the cultivation technique he used was not suited to the primordial chaos base. He spent 5 years making no progress as all those other 'geniuses' he had surpassed, caught up to him. Now that he had lost his status as a genius, the troubles regarding his sister came back. His mother passed away soon after, as she was only a mere mortal and had finally broken under the pressure.
The memories after that were blurry. Basically, he had spent a year trying to heal his cultivation but apparently, he had somehow died, as his body was now occupied by the new 'Zhen Shi'. These memories brought out a strange feeling of wanting to protect his only remaining family, his sister! Zhen Shi knew for a fact that nothing had happened to her during his final year. Since then a month had passed and on her own, her current situation couldn't be too good.
But Zhen Shi knew that he wasn't strong enough to jump in and completely save her from the clutches of the Zhen Clan. Besides
If he were to fully transform and be considered as some mutated beast-kin, the Zhen clan wouldn't be all he had to worry about. Moreover what he actually used to kill Xue Yuegui, the minor spatial tear sword, could only be used once more. The cultivators who were interested in Zhen Xixi's skill could possibly exceed the Soul Deification stage and might have the backing of powerful organizations.
As such he decided to spend some time at the Brishman mansion until the weapon could be crafted and also train to improve his power. Zhen Shi was planning to go back in around two months. He was confident that his sister would be fine until then. After all, he had only been missing for a month. Honestly, he should have been more worried about the wellbeing of his sister. But even though he had the memories he wasn't completely the 'old Zhen Shi'. Thus while he planned to help Zhen Xixi, he wasn't particularly thinking about her being worried after having lost her entire family.
He was still his usual self and the first thought that came to him was,
Hmm, this former Zhen Shi was considered a genius? Did it take him 12 years to reach core formation? But I did it in a couple of days, MWAHAHA!
System: "....."
More importantly, since I have lived around 18 years in both lives does that make me a middle-aged old man? How can I be that old when I don't even have a girlfriend yet? SHIET! Is this what it means to be more mentally mature than your peers? And he consoled himself as such.
Zhen Shi now began to ponder on what to do to become stronger, while he waiting to earn enough points to get the weapon. But, suddenly a loud voice was heard from outside his room. "Lady Isolde, the daughter of Count Vir Brishman has arrived," Zhen Shi immediately perked up and stood making himself look presentable. Simultaneously, a light sonorous voice was heard, "Jacque, you know you don't have to be so formal within our house. You can be more relaxed here than your former employment." But this Jacque spoke out, "My lady, it is only proper. How could my lowly self not show you proper respect." A light sigh, "Fine. Just remember to be more relaxed" and the door opened.
A vision of pure beauty arrived in Zhen Shi's room. She was followed by the guard, Jacques. Her blonde hair was cascading like waves of water onto her shoulders. Her face the picture of innocence was curved up in a slight smile of regality. Her wide eyes glowed almost as evidence for her kind nature. Zhen Shi remembered his mother of this life when he saw her eyes. She was wearing a light pink dress suitable for a noble lady in her class. He stared at her for a moment but instantly gained back his bearings. After all, he was now a fairly powerful cultivator. If he couldn't control himself in the face of beauty, what was the purpose?
He calmly bowed deeply in the way he knew ancient western nobles would and said, "Lady Isolde, it is finally a pleasure to meet you! I am thankful to you for saving my life!" This girl was obviously well brought up and believed in class. He wasn't going to be crass and rude like he normally was.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Oh, young master Zhen Shi, I'm surprised you are familiar with the customs of the kingdoms. I was led to believe you were from a sect or tribe based heritage," she spoke while slowly walking and sitting down gracefully on a chair in the room. She nodded at Jacques to leave and he did, but only after he gave Zhen Shi a long hard glare.
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"Well, Lady Isolde, let's just say I am well learned," he spoke out while sitting down himself, now with only the two of them in the room.
Her eyes glimmered with excitement, "So young master Zhen Shi care to explain how and why you suddenly appeared in my room?" Zhen Shi laughed, he had already prepared an excuse. "I must apologize. It was not my intention to intrude upon you. I was exploring a nearby forest when I was attacked by a very strong beast who created spatial tears as it attacked. So I jumped into one of those tears to at least gain a chance of living. And I suppose I must have ended up in your room later on. But as to how I could pass the protective formation of the Lyonesse kingdom, your guess is good as mine," Isolde nodded. He had been wounded by a claw attack after all and only spatial travel could explain his sudden appearance, but his bypassing of the formation was indeed a cause for worry. Still, she smiled and said, "That sounds pretty suicidal, I'm glad you were somehow able to survive the effects of spatial tears on your body. Well, I guess you are truly fortunate to have survived the spatial chaos". Zhen Shi just laughed.
Isolde then focused on his body. "I'm surprised that you healed so fast! As far as I can see you're completely fine. Since I haven't improved my healing abilities to the next level, it must be that young master used some special skill since you also passed out for a day?"
"Haha, yes I did. Let's just say its something I picked up in my travels," he said clearly hinting his preference not to discuss it. After all, experts tend to not reveal certain secrets.
Isolde remained silent while nodding as if in agreement. Then she silently stood up and walked towards the balcony. The sun was still out and shone on her, making her blonde hair shine amplifying her beauty. She started speaking out sorrowfully, "In reality, my guards were going to have you killed. No matter how kind we are, we wouldn't just save some random man who appeared in my room. I begged them and father to not harm you, because..... you reminded me of my younger brother." The wind blew her hair to a side as if to comfort her.
Zhen Shi also stood up and walked towards Isolde in the balcony. But he remained silent as Isolde continued, "He was a very playful boy, always spouting the most ridiculous tales, but the way he said it always made me believe in him. He was only 12 years old at the time. We were on a royal expedition to Cerullia. It was just some random political courtesy! The Brishman family was supposed to lead this expedition and as such my father had me attend first and handle matters. But, little Isaac was unwilling to leave my side and followed me. I didn't stop him either, I figured I would enjoy the company.
But on that day we were attacked by a demon beast. Probably of the nascent soul stage, just like the one which attacked you. Most of the guards were killed and we survived only since a Cerulean expert intervened, after having noticed the unstable space. But my brother was already gravely wounded. That wound was completely identical to yours. But... I wasn't able to save him at the time, I who was blessed by Eir, the greatest goddess of healing, wasn't able to save my own brother," a tear trickled down her face. "He wasn't as fortunate as you to meet a skilled healer mere moments after being attacked," she laughed in sorrow and continued, "Seeing you wounded just like him.....I realized that I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I let you die under the same circumstances!" Saying so, Isolde lightly brushed off the tears at the ends of her eyes.
But, suddenly realizing the place where she was in and what she had said, she hurriedly said, "I'm sorry young master Zhen Shi, I must have bored you with my nonsense. I'll be taking my leave now" and she started to walk away, really fast this time.
"She isn't the greatest you know..." said Zhen Shi. "What?" asked Isolde, stopping. She was surprised at the complete irrelevance of his statement to the current situation. Zhen Shi continued, "Eir, was a Norse god of healing, but she was only a handmaiden of Freya-the Queen of the Vanir gods. In my opinion,Apollo with Greek origins, the Eastern Emperor Yan Di, Danvantari an avatar of Vishnu, and Egyptian Imhotep were leagues above Eir. After all not only were they specialized in medicine, but they also were greater gods!!"
Isolde was intrigued by his words but she frowned, "Young master Zhen Shi, are you saying that my healing ability is inferior?" Zhen Shi shook his head and spoke calmly, "Lady Isolde, I merely said that Eir is inferior to those other gods, even compared to demi-gods like Asclepius. Your ability has nothing to do with those gods and their ability. After all, divine blessings only give you a better starting position. In the end, you are the one that decides whether you are useless or not!"
These words resonated in her head like a crash of thunder. She realized that she had been relying on the divine blessing too much and not on herself. In that instance of epiphany, she actually overcame the bottleneck she had in her cultivation and immediately reached the Core Formation Stage! She stared at Zhen Shi in amazement.
Zhen Shi was elated at her reaction. In reality, he was immensely thankful and had been greatly moved by Isolde's story. When she was leaving he had wanted to comfort her, but what had come out of his mouth was something else entirely, accidentally insulting her. After that, he had said everything on the spot. Fortunately, it was successful.
"Young master Zhen Shi, legends say that the gods disappeared immediately after creating life. In fact, if the Sovereigns and the divine organizations didn't exist, I doubt we would even know of their existence! Even then what is known of them besides their names and titles, is very little. I find it hard to believe you, when you speak so familiarly of them," Isolde said curiously.
Zhen Shi smiled, "Whether you believe it or not is up to you. Hmm, let me tell you a story about Asclepius. Did you know that he was so skilled in healing that he could make humans immortal? In fear of his capabilities, Zeus had him kill.....
And, Zhen Shi recounted tale after tale with stopping only to answer Isolde's occasional questions. As time passed on, her eyes brightened in amazement. She found it hard to not believe him. After all, his stories connected to each other perfectly like the pieces of a missing puzzle, giving a completely realistic and humane description of the gods!
🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙
The crescent moon was illuminating the balcony. The moonlight was falling upon the duo who were entranced in each other.
Isolde stared at Zhen Shi as he talked of these mystical and impossible, yet still strangely believable tales. He was speaking on in a suave voice with the moonlight falling on his handsome face. His eyes were glowing with a light fiery red, as a result of
Isolde couldn't help but think he looked very handsome as he talked like this and found herself wishing life could always stay like this; simple and beautiful.
Suddenly, Zhen Shi stopped and looked up at the moonlit sky and said,"Lady Isolde, it's getting late. You should rest. Don't you think it's improper for you to stay in this room with me?"
Isolde was surprised and looked up at the moon as well. She hadn't felt the time pass. She blushed as she realized his meaning. Still, she spoke, "I will, but only if you call me Isolde from now on."
Zhen Shi grinned moving closer to her, "Hmm, but what if I don't want you to leave?" Isolde immediately blushed even more but frowned at him in anger."Geez, fine fine, forgive me Isolde! But, only if you drop the young master!" Zhen Shi said with a laugh. Isolde immediately smiled brightly.
When she smiled like that with the slight red tinge still visible on her cheeks, under the moonlight, she looked like a goddess descended from the heavens. Like Chang'e reincarnated! This time Zhen Shi was truly stunned...
[Chang'e is the Chinese moon goddess]
He didn't even notice as Isolde came up to him and whispered, "Deal!", kissed him on the cheek, opened the door and ran out of the room.
Zhen Shi finally came to his senses. AIYA! I missed a great opportunity! But there was still a slight smile on his face as he looked on at the now-closed door.
Ding!
Congratulations to the user for gaining 25 OP!
WHAT? Could Isolde have fallen for me? Or did I just gain her trust and admiration?
Wait...combined with the 20 OP I've gained so far by maintaining
System: "....."
Zhen Shi continued. HAHA! Is this what it means when they say 'when it rains, it pours'? Wait that isn't right. Don't they use that statement for bad luck? SYSTEM, you made this scholarly and handsome self make a MISTAKE! I always did say you were a bad influence!