Nanke Dream

As dusk darkened the horizon, a Nine-colored divine radiance suddenly rose, then enveloped the entire Star Dou Great Forest.

A clear, soaring bird cry nearly resounded through every corner of the sky.

A Phoenix appeared atop the eastern mountain, seeming to be draped in Nine-colored divine radiance. Every feather shimmered with nine-colored light, proud and unyielding.

The Phoenix, this legendary divine bird, had a slender, elegant body and full, magnificent wings. Each feather shone with a different light, as dazzling as a rainbow. Its head bore a splendid crest, while its long tail drifted in the wind, making it appear noble and graceful.

At that moment, its eyes were bright and profound, gleaming with wisdom and defiance.

It beat its wings, drawing together the nine elements between heaven and earth. Amid repeated phoenix cries, they became violently turbulent.

Ignoring the shackles of heaven and earth, the Phoenix brazenly launched an attack against the god above the Nine Heavens.

Nine-colored divine radiance and deep-blue power continuously collided in the sky, sending streaks of light scattering in every direction.

The lofty god fought the Divine Phoenix with disdain, while a young girl stood behind him, gazing desperately at the Divine Phoenix. Her bright eyes were filled with worry.

The world darkened from the clash between the two sides, as though space itself had been torn into countless gashes. Elemental power fell into complete chaos as all kinds of Divine Power and Soul Power collided.

But human strength would eventually run dry. This world placed far too many restrictions upon those who had not become gods. Even the Divine Phoenix, with its highest-grade bloodline, was no match for that god.

The girl behind the god desperately wanted to rush out, but she was stopped every time. Bound again and again, she could only watch helplessly as the Phoenix fell.

Meanwhile, an enormous silver dragon was also deeply trapped by streak after streak of Divine Power. Even its abyss-like strength could not be unleashed in the slightest.

The Phoenix gradually fell from the high sky. Its nine-colored rainbow light slowly faded until, at last, it sank behind the mountains with the setting sun. There was no more light in the world.

The Phoenix flew high, its wings beating grandly, soaring into the heavens!

Yet the morning sun would eventually rise. Light would still come, and the world had never lacked hope.

When it returned through nirvana, it would bathe in fire and become a poem mourning divine authority.

Lin Xiuran jolted awake, then gulped down fresh air as though that pain still lingered in his body.

"Was it a dream?"

After calming down, he realized it had merely been a Nanke Dream. Yet the dream had been far too real, so real that he could hardly believe it. Everything that had happened seemed as though he had experienced it himself.

He steadied himself and stopped thinking about it, preparing to get up. But just then, he heard knocking at the door again.

After getting dressed and opening the door, he discovered that it was Guyue again. Eastsea Academy was already on break today, and the students had been leaving one after another.

He had indeed discussed it with Guyue yesterday. They were going to the Spirit Pagoda today, and since he had promised to join, there was naturally no reason to make excuses.

Guyue's calm gaze swept over Lin Xiuran before she quietly said, "Let's go."

Lin Xiuran was no longer as wary of Guyue's true identity as he had been when he first met her. After all, a fully restored Gu Yuena lived within his Sea of Consciousness.

And he found her distinctly distant, cold aura perfectly normal. They had only taken a final exam together, but it was still clear that she remained deeply concerned about Tang Wulin. Judging by that, nothing should have gone wrong in that regard.

Joining the Spirit Pagoda was fairly simple. Although Guyue had brought him here to join, he was clearly just an ordinary member.

There was no difference from a normal Soul Master joining. The benefits and treatment were the same. After all, he was not Guyue. His talent was what it was, so it was impossible for him to receive much attention at present.

Still, the Spirit Pagoda truly deserved to be called the wealthiest organization on the continent. Its benefits and policies were genuinely excellent. At the very least, they were more than enough for Lin Xiuran at his current stage.

Guyue was fairly considerate as well, taking him through a series of basic lessons about the Spirit Pagoda's most ordinary matters.

As she watched Lin Xiuran busily learn the basics, Guyue's eyes blanked for a moment. She always felt that there was something special about him, something that made her feel close to him, yet she could not describe exactly what it was.

She did not want to dwell on it. She had wondered about this question many times already, but had never found an answer.

Her greater concern now should have been the wager. Tang Wulin was someone she was determined to obtain, and Na'er would inevitably be fused with her. Those were necessities.

A busy life was always fulfilling. Lin Xiuran basically traveled back and forth between the dormitory and the Donghai Spirit Transfer Pagoda.

One evening, Lin Xiuran left the Spirit Pagoda as usual and returned to the dormitory. Since it was already nighttime, there were no Soul Guidance buses left, so he had to walk back.

Though the journey was a bit long, he was in no hurry. It was a good chance to exercise, and with his current cultivation of over twenty levels, he would not become too tired.

But this time, when he returned to the academy, he saw Ouyang Zixin standing at the entrance again.

Lin Xiuran's expression remained indifferent as he said flatly, "What do you want?"

"Xiuran, I..." Hearing his no longer affectionate tone, Ouyang Zixin felt her chest tighten. The words she had prepared could no longer leave her mouth.

Lin Xiuran sighed softly, then said seriously, "Ouyang Zixin, I think it can be good when something ends. I'm grateful for the help you gave me before, but I won't think about anything else now. You go your way, and I'll go mine. I made myself very clear last time."

Ouyang Zixin suppressed the surging emotions in her heart and said in a trembling voice, "Don't misunderstand. I only came to deliver something from Xiao Yan."

With that, she took out a gift box and handed it to Lin Xiuran.

"This is the belated birthday gift Xiao Yan prepared for you."

After saying that, Ouyang Zixin quickly ran off toward the street.

Lin Xiuran was slightly stunned. Then he shook his head and looked at the gift box in his hand.

The gift box was exquisite. Inside was an even more finely crafted Soul Guidance Watch.

Naturally, Lin Xiuran recognized this watch. It had been Xu Xiaoyan's birthday gift to him last year, and it was also the only birthday gift he had ever received. In all these years with the Xu Family, it was the only time anyone had given him a birthday present.

When he had needed to obtain his twenty-level Soul Spirit this year, he had actually reached level twenty long ago. But he had always been short on money, so he had delayed obtaining it.

At the time, he had planned to temporarily pawn this Soul Guidance Watch. It was quite valuable and could be pawned for tens of thousands of Federal currency. He had intended to use it for an emergency, so he had gone to discuss it with Xu Xiaoyan, since it was a gift from her.

But in the end, she became angry. The girl had directly thrown the watch into the trash, believing that pawning the gift she had given him was deliberately wasting her heartfelt intentions.

This is a slow-burn story. As it progresses, all the foreshadowing will be revealed.