Missing Thoughts Literature

Chapter 24

Yu Sui felt a resonance with the Five Elements Light Core that was so strong, her every breath was filled with abundant and dense Five Elements Qi, allowing her to truly feel its existence.

At her fingertips, on her cheeks, in her eyes, even on her sleeves, hair, and accessories, the Five Elements Qi enveloped her entire being, poised for action.

But Yu Sui quickly sensed something was wrong; the power was too fleeting, vanishing almost instantly.

Each Five Elements Light Core provided too little power.

From the Strange Fire, Yu Sui could birth a maximum of three hundred new Five Elements Light Cores per day. If these cores were stripped from the Strange Fire, they would only exist for twelve hours before dissipating on their own.

Yu Sui's Five Elements Light Cores were currently in their most primitive state, uncultivated, not even reaching the first realm—they were the lowest-grade Five Elements Light Cores.

Sage Chang Gen did not respond, but Yu Sui remembered him saying:

"Be devoted."

Yu Sui hardened her heart, delving into the depths of her consciousness. She looked at the gently swaying Strange Fire and said, "Return to One."

She knew.

The Strange Fire understood her.

At times, the Strange Fire was herself.

The tiny flame in the darkness suddenly transformed into a ferocious Fire Snake, instantly devouring the three hundred Five Elements Light Cores that had grown. It refined the accumulated power into a new Five Elements Light Core and returned it to Yu Sui.

This was the one she would primarily cultivate from now on.

Yu Sui smiled and pushed open the door, seeing Mei Chengyu, who had finally been allowed in by Sage Chang Gen.

Mei Chengyu walked from the main entrance to the bottom of the steps and looked up at Yu Sui, who was emerging. She seemed to be restraining her happiness; if there hadn't been an outsider, Yu Sui would have been bouncing down the steps.

She was so happy, it was likely the problem that had been troubling her cultivation had been resolved.

Mei Chengyu stopped at the foot of the steps and listened as Yu Sui called out to him, "Senior Martial Brother."

Listen, even the way she called him "Senior Martial Brother" sounded different when she was happy.

Mei Chengyu flicked his eyelids and looked at her.

Yu Sui took only a couple of steps up the stone steps before stopping. She smiled down at Mei Chengyu and said, "Senior Martial Brother, let's spar."

As if fearing Mei Chengyu wouldn't agree, she added, "Master also agreed."

"Don't use Master to pressure me," Mei Chengyu said casually. "I don't spar with just anyone. What will you give me in return?"

Yu Sui pondered for a moment, then lowered her eyes and asked curiously, "I have money, a lot of it. How much do you want, Senior Martial Brother?"

Mei Chengyu: "..."

So generous.

Mei Chengyu's lips curved slightly. "You'd better remember to pay the bill later."

As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from Yu Sui's sight. Using the Wind Riding Technique, he became a Fleeting Shadow and appeared behind Yu Sui. "If you can catch even a corner of my sleeve before dawn, I'll charge you a little less."

Yu Sui looked back, but Mei Chengyu was already several meters away.

"Although I have a lot of money, it's always good to spend it wisely." Yu Sui's feet flashed with blue light. The Five Elements Qi, combined with the Art of Wind Control, shot out like a Long Arrow, leaving only afterimages.

The stone lamps on the ground glowed brightly, illuminating the darkness slightly. When the two figures chasing each other flashed by occasionally, the flowing Five Elements Qi would make the candlelight tremble violently, bending over as if about to be extinguished.

During the chase, Yu Sui continuously familiarized herself with the triggering and application of the Five Elements Qi and the Nine Schools Techniques. It was like when she learned archery and swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy years ago; she remembered the techniques and key points very quickly, almost as if she understood them at a glance.

She was also like a candle flame burning, burning with all her might for the first time in her life. Mei Chengyu was already a Ninth Realm technician. Facing Yu Sui, who was only at the First Realm, he didn't hold back much despite compromising the gap. He easily widened the distance the moment Yu Sui almost caught up to him.

This feeling of being just a little bit short of touching something, only to miss it, could easily affect one's mindset. The feeling of failure was immense, and the desire to win would surge in response.

"You're going to lose a lot of money to me like this," Mei Chengyu said, standing on the very edge of the high platform, his wind control keeping him aloft. He looked at Yu Sui, who was already panting from exhaustion, and said unhurriedly, "Are you still chasing?"

Yu Sui wiped the sweat from her cheek and nodded, "Yes!"

She once again pursued Mei Chengyu.

It was a feeling she had never experienced before. Releasing the power of the Five Elements made Yu Sui feel so exhilarated, as if all the emotions she had suppressed over the years, the anger she had postponed, were silently released and dissipated in this wind-riding chase tonight.

Yu Sui let herself release this power, eventually becoming utterly exhausted, drenched in sweat, and too tired to even move a finger.

She lay down on a long bench in the main hall of the Saint Hall, too tired to speak clearly. Mei Chengyu listened for a while before understanding that she meant she needed to rest.

Mei Chengyu looked at her exhausted state. "I don't think you'll wake up after just a short rest."

On the first day of learning the Nine Schools Techniques, she went all out, burning all her strength. He wondered if she was too happy or too repressed.

Mei Chengyu leaned against the door for a while, his gaze shifting away from the sleeping Yu Sui. He frowned slightly and began to recall why he had come in the first place.

"Master," Mei Chengyu looked at the portrait of Sage Chang Gen. "I'm going to intercept someone at the Martial Path tomorrow. Afterward, quite a few teachers from the Courtyard will probably come to trouble you."

Sage Chang Gen: "Very well."

Mei Chengyu then looked at Yu Sui. "You're just going to let her sleep here? With so many Ancestors watching, what kind of decorum is this?"

Sage Chang Gen: "You can wake her up and have her return to the Dormitory."

Mei Chengyu said lazily, "I won't."

Yu Sui slept for a short while in the night.

She rarely slept well or deeply after nightfall. Any slight disturbance could wake her, and the presence of others nearby would cause the flickering Strange Fire to jolt her awake.

At this moment, she was falling from the deepest part of her consciousness, landing on a water surface with no visible boundaries. The dark, heavy water gave off scattered sparks, and a cluster of flames slowly rose from the depths of the water.

Yu Sui squatted down, looking at the rising flames.

As the black flames neared the water's surface, they suddenly dispersed, transforming into a human figure.

Yu Sui saw herself in the water.

She wasn't surprised, her expression calm, her fingers hovering above the water, about to touch it. The Yu Sui underwater had eyes of exquisite beauty. They were the same person, identical in appearance, yet easily distinguishable.

When the Yu Sui in the water looked up at the surface, it was as if she were passing judgment. Her upturned eyes were wild and wicked. She opened her mouth slightly, as if saying something.

What was the other me saying?

It was either telling her to go down or letting her come up.

The Yu Sui in the water was like a Sea Demon. Her long hair floated gently and lightly in the water, her luminous skin rippling with the water's movement. Her eyes appeared even more moist in the water, and occasionally, when she drew closer, she would flash a cunning, seductive gaze, extending an invitation.

But Yu Sui merely watched her coldly, unmoved.

Scattered sparks floated and dispersed in the water, like stars falling into the deep sea, yet unable to be extinguished.

She reached out to the Yu Sui on the surface. Her water-dampened fingers lightly touched her own back. Yu Sui did not dodge. The next moment, the figure emerging from the water transformed into black flames and engulfed Yu Sui.

Yu Sui heard her voice softly laugh:

"We are born of each other, living and dying together."

Yu Sui slowly opened her eyes.

She sat up from the cold long bench, rubbing her eyes. She couldn't quite recall what had happened in the dream. It felt important, yet she couldn't remember.

Yu Sui frowned, looking troubled. She didn't notice Mei Chengyu standing by the door.

Mei Chengyu, who was replying to a message on his Listening Wind Ruler, said without looking up, "If you're awake, hurry back to the dormitory and wash off this sweat."

Only then did Yu Sui look towards the entrance of the main hall in surprise.

A moment later, Mei Chengyu also looked up. Seeing her dazed expression, he raised an eyebrow and said, "First, pay for last night's sparring."

Yu Sui asked, "How much?"

Mei Chengyu didn't blink. "One hundred gold."

Yu Sui nodded and said, holding out her Listening Wind Ruler, "Senior Martial Brother, let's add each other on Listening Wind Ruler."

Mei Chengyu thought it was fine and walked over with his Listening Wind Ruler.

Yu Sui held out her Listening Wind Ruler and tapped it against his, then casually grabbed Mei Chengyu's clothes.

Mei Chengyu: ""

He lowered his gaze slightly, his eyelashes trembling.

"Senior Martial Brother," Yu Sui tilted her head towards the outside, "The sun is rising now, so it's finally dawn."

Mei Chengyu looked outside the main door. The dim night sky was pierced by the first light of dawn. The sun that had set yesterday was now slowly rising.

Yu Sui said, "Since I caught you before dawn, Senior Martial Brother, you should reduce the price a bit."

"Alright," Mei Chengyu looked back at Yu Sui with a half-smile, "Just a bit. I'll charge you ninety-nine gold."

Yu Sui: ""

She withdrew her hand, rubbed her face, and thought, It's okay, I have money.

Yu Sui and Mei Chengyu returned to the dormitory together.

On the way, Mei Chengyu watched Yu Sui run ahead a long distance using the Wind Riding Technique, then pretend to walk slowly for a couple of steps, only to suddenly fly far ahead again. She repeated this back and forth, clearly enjoying herself.

Finally, they reached the dormitory. Mei Chengyu looked back at Yu Sui, who was still walking slowly.

The morning mist had dispersed, and the peach blossoms on either side were still in full bloom, as if they would never wither.

Yu Sui walked leisurely.

Mei Chengyu ahead gestured for her to hurry up. Yu Sui said, "Normally, I'd run because I was afraid of being late. Now that I know the Wind Riding Technique, I know I'll make it on time, so I'm not in a hurry anymore. I'd rather walk slowly and look around."

She looked up at the falling flower petals and stated her simple reason: "Because the flowers on the road are beautiful."

The mountains of pink, stirred by the morning breeze, began to fall. Yu Sui, dressed in a similar pink dress, seemed to blend into the scenery, yet she stood out as unique.

Mei Chengyu watched in silence.

It was clear that his junior martial sister was in a genuinely good mood.

Yu Sui asked Mei Chengyu, "Senior Martial Brother, can I pick the flowers here?"

Mei Chengyu replied, "Pick as you please."

I'd like to see who dares to say these flowers can't be picked.

Yu Sui looked up at the flowering trees and used the Nine Schools Techniques' Wind Blade to cut several bunches of peach blossoms. After she had her fill, she walked towards the dormitory, holding the branches.

Mei Chengyu was replying to a message on his Listening Wind Ruler and wasn't watching where he was going. Yu Sui, clutching the flower branches, talked to him, not caring if he responded.

Yu Sui walked towards the Dragon Ladder.

Mei Chengyu was listening to the Listening Wind Ruler, so he followed Yu Sui by default. He only realized it after they walked over and asked her, "You know Wind Riding Technique now, so why are you still taking the Dragon Ladder?"

Yu Sui said, "I like Wind Riding Technique when I'm outside, but I like taking the Dragon Ladder when I'm in the dormitory."

Before Mei Chengyu could say anything, the Dragon Ladder descended to their level, stopped, and opened its doors.

Gu Gan and Xun Zhiya, standing inside the Dragon Ladder, looked out the door and ran into Mei Chengyu and Yu Sui, who were waiting at the entrance.

Gu Gan was the first to notice Yu Sui, but he was surprised by Mei Chengyu beside her. He straightened up from his position leaning against the wall, his brows furrowed.

Mei Chengyu merely glanced briefly at the two people inside the Dragon Ladder.

"Sui Sui." Gu Gan walked towards Yu Sui while appraising Mei Chengyu, "You didn't come back last night?"

"Just got back. Brother Gu, are you heading to the Legalism School this early?" Yu Sui asked cheerfully, her eyes smiling.

Gu Gan paused, "There's a Level Up Challenge today, and Xun Zhiya and I plan to try it."

Yu Sui seemed to understand vaguely and nodded, "Then you should go quickly. Good luck!"

"Where did you go? Why are you only back now?" Gu Gan frowned. Mei Chengyu, who had already entered the Dragon Ladder, said, "Let's go."

Yu Sui walked into the Dragon Ladder and waved to Gu Gan outside, "We'll talk later. You guys go ahead!"

The Dragon Ladder door closed.

Gu Gan watched the ascending Dragon Ladder, his expression slightly dazed.

"Shall we go?" Xun Zhiya asked indifferently.

Gu Gan retracted his gaze, "Let's go."

Inside the Dragon Ladder, Yu Sui received a message from Gu Gan. She read it for a moment and then asked Mei Chengyu, "Senior Martial Brother, is the Level Up Challenge the kind where you go from a Grade B Disciple to a Grade A Disciple?"

Mei Chengyu hummed and was typing a message.

Yu Sui mused, "Then what does it involve?"

"Every time the Level Up Challenge is opened, there are different requirements and trials. The requirements also vary by school," Mei Chengyu said casually, "Those who choose the Martial Path for this Level Up Challenge are unlucky, because they'll have to face me."

Yu Sui asked curiously, "When does it start? Can I watch?"

Mei Chengyu turned to look at her. Seeing that she genuinely looked curious, he chuckled lightly, "What are you going to watch?"

Yu Sui: "Can't I watch?"

Mei Chengyu said, "Your basic classes aren't over yet. You can't."