The group exchanged puzzled glances. Xu yang looked down at the crystal flower resting carefully in his hands before raising his head again."What do you mean?" he asked. "What wasn't an accident?" White haired man smiled but did not answer immediately. He turned and walked toward the edge of the cliff behind the house.
Below them, mountains stretched into the horizon, hidden beneath layers of drifting clouds.The wind gently lifted his long white hair as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back."For thousands of years," he said quietly, "people have believed every meeting happens by chance." His eyes remained fixed on the distant mountains. "But mountains do not believe in chance." He slowly turned to face them again. "Neither do rivers." His gaze finally settled on xu yang. "When one fate begins to move... another fate is already waiting somewhere ahead."
Chen Yu frowned slightly. "Are you saying our meeting with Shou heng was destined?" The man shook his head. "No." His expression remained peaceful. "Destiny opens doors." He paused briefly. "Whether you choose to walk through them... is your own decision."
Lin chen folded his arms thoughtfully. "Then why us?" he asked. "Out of everyone in the world, why are we the ones standing here?"
The old man's eyes slowly moved across every member of the group. They lingered briefly on Hei long before shifting to Lin chen, then Yan Luo, Chen Yu, and finally Xu Yang. "Because," he answered softly, "every one of you carries something unfinished." His words caused everyone to stiffen. "Some carry regret." He looked toward Hei Long. "Some carry loneliness." His gaze shifted to Lin Chen. "Some carry guilt." Chen yu unconsciously lowered his head. "Some carry anger." Yan luo quietly looked away. Finally, white haired man looked directly into Xu yang's eyes. "And some carry hope."
Xu Yang remained silent.The man continued, "That is why the Heart Blossom responded to you." He pointed toward the crystal flower. "It does not choose the strongest person." His voice remained calm. "It chooses the one whose heart has not yet surrendered."Lin Chen scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "That sounds... important." Chen Yu glanced toward man again. "Then tell us honestly." His expression became serious. "Can this really save Shou Heng?"
The man closed his eyes for a brief moment before answering. "I cannot promise that."He opened them again. "The Heart Blossom opens a path." His gaze became distant. "Whether the person trapped inside chooses to walk that path... is beyond anyone's control."Yan Luo frowned. "And if Shou Heng refuses?" The old man's expression remained unchanged. "Then the flower will wither." His voice softened. "Just as hope does when it is rejected."
Hei Long suddenly looked down at the white flowers still resting in his hands. Their petals had begun losing a little of their brightness. "They're fading..." he whispered. Everyone turned toward him. White haired man noticed them and sighed quietly. "The flowers know." Hei long looked up. "Know what?" The old man answered gently, "They know time is running out." No one spoke.The wind carried several white petals into the valley below.
The man walked back toward the wooden table beside his house. From a small pouch hanging near the doorway, he removed a thin strip of pale blue silk. Carefully, he wrapped the crystal flower before handing it back to Xu Yang. "Do not let it touch hatred," he said quietly. "Do not let anger guide your hands while carrying it." His eyes narrowed slightly. "And whatever happens..." He paused. "…never force it upon Shou Heng."
Xu yang accepted the wrapped crystal flower and nodded. "We'll remember."The man smiled faintly. "I hope you will."Lin Chen hesitated before speaking. "Master..." The old man looked at him. "Will we see you again?" A gentle laugh escaped the old man. "If fate wishes it." He turned back toward his stone bowl of herbs."Now go." His voice was calm. "The one you seek has already begun moving."
Xu Yang frowned as the man's words echoed in his mind. He stopped halfway down the mountain path and turned back, his brows drawn together with unease. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly. White haired man did not answer.He simply resumed grinding the herbs with slow, steady movements, the stone bowl producing a soft scraping sound before he spoke. "The Threads..." he said calmly. "...are no longer waiting for you." He paused briefly before adding, "They are waiting...for someone else."
Xu Yang's expression gradually darkened as confusion mixed with suspicion. "Someone else..." he repeated softly before taking a small step forward. "Who are they waiting for?" The man continued grinding the herbs without looking up, his expression calm and unreadable. "If I answer that," he replied quietly, "you'll spend your journey fearing the future instead of preparing for it." Chen yu frowned and stepped forward. "We're already preparing." The man slowly shook his head. "No." He crushed another herb beneath the stone grinder before lifting his gaze. His calm eyes swept across the group. "You're preparing to fight." He glanced toward the Heart Blossom wrapped inside xu yang's hands. "But what awaits you..." His voice became quieter. "...cannot be defeated by strength alone."
Yan Luo folded his arms more tightly across his chest, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Then what does it take?" The man's gaze rested on the crystal flower for a long moment before he answered with a single word. "Choice." And he smiled."Every disaster begins with a choice," he said softly. "Every miracle..." He paused briefly. "...begins with one as well."
Zhao ming lowered his head thoughtfully before looking back up. "Then...Shou Heng still has a choice?" "He always did." The answer came without hesitation. Chen yu's eyes widened slightly. "Even after becoming the Threads?" The man gave a single nod. "The man is still there." His eyes became distant. "He has simply buried himself beneath grief." Lin chen swallowed nervously, a flicker of hope appearing in his eyes. "Then...if we can reach him..." "You may save him." The old man paused, and the warmth in his expression slowly faded. "...Or you may awaken something even worse."
Everyone's expressions changed instantly. Xu Yang instinctively tightened his grip around the wrapped Heart Blossom. "What do you mean?" White haired man quietly closed the wooden box and placed it back onto the shelf before speaking again. "Grief is strange." His calm voice drifted through the mountain wind. "If someone clings to it long enough..." He slowly raised his eyes toward Xu Yang. "...they eventually forget who they were before the pain." His gaze remained fixed on Xu Yang. "So when you stand before Shou Heng again..." His voice became firm. "...be careful which part of him answers."
At that moment, a powerful gust of wind swept across the cliff. The countless herbs hanging beneath the roof swayed.The jade wind chimes rang loudly through the air. Hei Long suddenly lowered his gaze. The white flowers resting in his hands had changed once more. Several delicate petals quietly drifted onto the floor. His pupils trembled. "...They're falling!" he whispered. Lin Chen immediately looked over. "Again?"
Hei Long nodded silently without looking away from the flowers. "They were blooming before..." His voice became softer. "...now they're fading." The man glanced toward the flowers only once before letting out a quiet sigh. "They're warning you." Chen Yu turned toward him. "Warning us about what?" The man did not answer instead,he slowly walked toward the edge of the cliff. Dark clouds had begun gathering beyond the distant mountains.They moved unnaturally fast.After a long silence, the man spoke. "The memories..." His eyes remained fixed on the dark horizon. "...are no longer staying inside the shrine."
Everyone's expressions changed instantly. Xu Yang stepped forward. "What?" The old man's voice remained calm. "The barrier separating memory from reality..." He slowly narrowed his eyes. "...is breaking." Zhao Ming's face immediately paled. "You mean..." The old man nodded once. "Soon..." He quietly watched the swirling clouds. "...the past will begin appearing in the present." Chen Yu instinctively tightened his grip around his staff. "Then Yue Ning...Shou Heng...the child..." The man slowly shook his head. "Not them." His gaze remained fixed on the distant sky. "Their regrets."
Lin chen rubbed his arms uneasily. "Somehow..." He glanced toward the dark clouds. "...that sounds even scarier." The old man gave a faint smile. "It should." He slowly turned back toward the group one final time. "Go now. The mountain has already given you what you came for. And every moment you remain here..." His eyes quietly softened. "...someone else is moving closer to despair." No one spoke. Xu Yang carefully secured the Heart Blossom inside his robe. Chen Yu adjusted the grip on his staff. Zhao Ming checked the talismans hanging from his waist. Yan Luo silently cast one last glance toward the darkening sky. Hei long gently picked up the fallen white petals from the floor and cradled them carefully in both hands before following the others down the mountain path.
None of them noticed that after their figures disappeared into the mist, the man slowly stopped grinding the herbs. The stone grinder became still. He quietly lifted his head and watched the empty mountain trail. A faint sigh escaped his lips. "I only hope..." he murmured softly, his eyes filled with an emotion none of them had seen. "...you arrive before he remembers everything."
Back to past Shirne laughter between Qing Li, Hei long, and Wang xio slowly faded.Qing Li's smile gradually disappeared as his gaze drifted toward the old shrine standing quietly beneath the ancient tree.The weathered stone steps, the faded wooden pillars, and the wind chimes gently swaying beneath the roof tugged at something buried deep inside him. His breathing gradually became uneven, and his fingers curled unconsciously at his sides as another forgotten memory stirred awake. Before anyone could notice the change in his expression, the world before his eyes blurred.
A bright afternoon unfolded before him.Warm sunlight spilled across the shrine courtyard while cheerful laughter echoed beneath the tree. Child Xu yang stood proudly with both hands planted on his hips, his chest puffed out and his chin raised as though he had just accomplished something extraordinary. "Obviously I'm the smartest one here!" he declared with absolute confidence. Child Qing Li stared at him for a second before bursting into loud laughter. He pointed at Xu yang so hard that his arm began shaking. "Smart? You got lost walking to the river yesterday!"
Xu Yang frowned and folded his arms. "I wasn't lost." Qing Li grinned mischievously. "Really? Then why did you spend half an hour walking in the opposite direction?" Xu yang answered without hesitation. "I was exploring." Qing Li laughed even harder. "Exploring? You were crying!" Xu Yang's ears instantly turned red. "I was not!" Qing Li took a dramatic step closer and lowered his voice. "Then explain why you asked a goat which way the river was." For a brief moment, Xu yang looked genuinely embarrassed before stubbornly lifting his chin again. "I thought it belonged to someone!"
Child Wang xio covered his forehead with one hand and sighed deeply."How are either of you still alive?" Xu yang spun around and pointed at him. "See? He's jealous." Wang xio looked at him with complete disbelief. "I'm concerned." Xu yang nodded confidently. "Concern is just another form of jealousy." Qing li doubled over with laughter,nearly collapsing onto the grass. "You're unbelievable!"
Not far away, Hei Long sat quietly beneath the old tree, carefully weaving small flowers together with patient fingers. His movements were slow and gentle, every flower placed with great care. After finishing the small flower crown, he looked up and silently held it toward Qing Li. "For you." Qing Li blinked in surprise before his face instantly lit up with excitement. He hurried over and accepted it with both hands. "Mine?" Hei Long gave a small nod. "Mm." Qing Li placed the flower crown on his own head before grinning proudly at everyone else. "How do I look?"
Xu Yang leaned over dramatically and stared at Hei long with exaggerated disappointment. "Where's mine?" Hei long calmly continued weaving another crown without looking up. "I haven't finished." Xu yang clutched his chest in fake heartbreak. "So I'm second?" Hei long nodded honestly. "You arrived second." Xu Yang looked toward the sky as though fate itself had betrayed him. "I've been betrayed." Hei Long finally glanced at him. "You say that every day." Xu yang sighed dramatically. "Because I'm betrayed every day." The children burst into laughter again,and even Wang xio couldn't stop the smile.
Nearby, Ling yuan sat beneath the shade of the ancient tree with a book resting on his lap. Hearing the laughter, he slowly lowered the book and looked toward the children. A warm, gentle smile gradually appeared on his face as he quietly watched them bicker over something so meaningless. Child Qing Li noticed him and pointed excitedly. "Ling Yuan! Tell him I'm smarter!" Ling Yuan looked at Qing Li first, then at Xu Yang. After a long moment of thoughtful silence, he answered in the most serious tone imaginable. "You're both equally troublesome."
Xu Yang looked utterly offended. "That wasn't one of the choices." Ling Yuan calmly closed his book. "It should have been." Even Wang Xio couldn't help laughing quietly. Qing Li folded his arms stubbornly. "Fine. We'll settle this fairly." Xu Yang narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "How?" Qing Li pointed toward Hei long. "We'll ask Hei Long." Everyone turned toward the quiet boy beneath the tree. Hei Long slowly raised his head from the unfinished flower crown in his hands. Qing Li leaned forward eagerly. "Who's smarter?"
Hei Long looked at Qing li then he looked at Xu yang. He remained silent for several long seconds before answering in complete seriousness. "Wang Xio." Qing li and Xu yang blinked. Even Wang Xio blinked in confusion. Qing Li threw both hands into the air. "That wasn't an option!" Hei long tilted his head slightly."It is now."Xu yang pointed accusingly at him. "You changed the rules!" Hei Long nodded once without the slightest guilt. "Yes."
Qing li stared at him for a few seconds before suddenly throwing his head back and laughing louder than ever. Xu yang quickly joined him, laughing so hard he nearly lost his balance, while Wang Xio tried very hard to remain serious.Ling Yuan quietly watched every one of them, and his gentle smile grew a little wider.
The memory flickered before another scene immediately replaced it. Xu yang was now sprinting around the shrine courtyard while Qing li raced ahead of him,holding a steamed bun triumphantly above his head."Give it back!" Xu yang shouted while desperately trying to catch him. Qing Li laughed over his shoulder. "You said I wasn't fast enough!" Xu Yang nearly stumbled as he chased after him. "I didn't mean steal my lunch!" Qing Li waved the bun teasingly. "If you lose it, it belongs to me!" Xu Yang glared at him. "That's not how it works!" Qing Li grinned shamelessly. "It does now!"
The two boys circled the shrine over and over until Ling yuan looked noticed. "Xu Yang." Xu yang stopped so suddenly that he almost fell forward.He turned around with the most innocent smile as he could manage,he answered, "Yes?" Ling Yuan calmly held out one hand. "Give it back." Xu yang lowered his head dramatically and sighed. "...You're taking his side." Ling Yuan's gentle smile deepened slightly. "I'm taking the bun's side." Once again, laughter filled the shrine courtyard.
One memory shattered into another until cheerful voices were replaced by uneasy whispers. Heavenly officials walked through the village once again, their white robes drifting quietly along the narrowstreets. Villagers lowered their heads and stepped aside, fear replacing the smiles that had once filled every corner. Soft whispers followed after the officials passed. "They came back again..." an elderly woman murmured anxiously. A younger man glanced toward the shrine before lowering his voice. "I heard they started coming after that child touched something inside the shrine." Another villager frowned nervously. "They're searching for something." The young man scratched his head before suddenly saying, "I don't know what... but all this worrying made me hungry." The elderly woman stared at him in disbelief. "You really only think about eating?" He laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Worrying on an empty stomach won't solve anything." Even in the middle of fear, a few villagers couldn't help smiling, but those smiles disappeared almost as quickly as they came.
Another memory surfaced. The once lively village had become unusually quiet.Children who once chased each other through the streets stayed inside their homes. As evening approached, doors closed one after another, and windows were tightly shut before darkness could fully fall. An invisible fear quietly settled over the entire village. Then the memory shifted again. Ling yuan stood alone beneath the shrine tree, his face noticeably paler than before. Suddenly, he raised his sleeve to cover his mouth as he coughed. When he slowly lowered his arm, dark blood stained the white fabric. His breathing became uneven, and pain briefly crossed his face before disappearing beneath the same gentle smile he always wore. He quietly wiped away every trace of blood as though nothing had happened.
Night fell over the village. Ling yuan appeared instantly. Without a moment's hesitation, he knelt on the cold ground and pressed his palm firmly against the spreading cracks and spiritual light flowed from his hand into the earth.The cracks slowly retreated.His shoulders trembled and he coughed again. Blood stained his lips and he quietly wiped it away, stood back up, and continued as though the pain meant nothing.
Another memory followed where strange golden talismans had been secretly hidden throughout the village beneath rooftops, buried under loose stones, attached behind old trees, and concealed around the shrine itself. Ling Yuan silently walked through the darkness, removing every single one with his bare hands. Each talisman he peeled away left another black burn across his fingers, yet he never complained or stopped. He simply continued until the first light of dawn appeared over the distant mountains.
The memories crashed into Qing Li one after another without mercy. His breathing became ragged as countless forgotten scenes flooded back into his mind. He staggered backward, both hands clutching his head tightly as though trying to stop the overwhelming torrent of memories."No..." he whispered,his entire body trembling.
Tears quietly slipped down Qing li's face as another memory surfaced.Where lantern light illuminated a spacious courtyard beside an old house.Strings of colorful lanterns hung beneath the wooden eaves, swaying softly in the cool evening breeze.The sweet aroma of freshly steamed buns, roasted chestnuts, and grilled meat drifted through the air from the nearby village festival.
Laughter echoed from the streets beyond the courtyard walls, while children chased one another beneath the lanterns.Fireflies floated through the flower bushes, making the peaceful evening feel almost dreamlike.The six children had gathered together after finishing dinner,sitting on woven mats spread across the stone courtyard. Plates of fruit, pastries, and snacks were scattered between them as their cheerful voices filled the quiet night. None of them realized they were unknowingly sharing one of the last carefree evenings they would ever spend together.
Xu Yang sat cross-legged, pointing at Hei long with a half-eaten bun in his hand. "I'm telling you, that shortcut exists. I took it yesterday." Hei long looked at him calmly, blinking once. "You got lost for two hours." Xu yang immediately straightened. "That was not.I was traveling!" Hei Long tilted his head slightly. "You were crying." "That was humidity." "It was raining." Xu Yang pointed at him like it was evidence in a trial. "Exactly. Emotional weather enhances discovery."
Hei Long didn't react much, just quietly continued weaving something between his fingers. "You also said the river was a landmark." Xu Yang nodded proudly. "It is." "It's just water." "Everything is water if you think hard enough." Hei Long stared at him for a moment. "That doesn't make sense." Xu Yang grinned. "Neither do you, but I accept you." Hei Long paused, then answered seriously. "That is not comforting."
Xu Yang laughed loudly, leaning back on his hands. "See? This is why I'm smarter." Hei Long calmly replied, "You are louder." Xu Yang gasped. "That's discrimination." Hei Long added without hesitation, "It is observation." Xu Yang froze for a second, then pointed at him. "You've changed.You are talking like Qing li!" Hei Long blinked. "No." Qing li looked at him and said, "You're sarcastic now." "No.I'm not!" Then he smiled little and said,"Maybe little."
Xu Yang's eyes widened. "Oh no. It's spreading." Xu Yang stretched his arms above his head, still smiling as he leaned back on his palms again. "Next thing you know, you'll start arguing with yourself like Qing Li."Qing li sat up halfway, offended even in his sleepy state."I do not argue with myself." Xu yang pointed at him. "You just did." Qing li opened his mouth, then stopped, thought about it for a second, and lay back down. "Fine!" Hei long quietly added, "He wins most of those arguments." Qing Li didn't even deny it. "Unfortunately."
Xu Yang laughed again, shaking his head as he looked between them. "Honestly, I think I'm the only normal one here." Hei Long answered instantly, "No." Qing li, without opening his eyes, muttered, "Absolutely not." Xu yang blinked. "Rude."Then Xu yang suddenly noticed something. Hei Long didn't respond again.Xu yang frowned slightly and leaned forward a bit. "Hey… Hei Long?" No answer. He turned his head and he saw everyone fell asleep.
Qing li had already curled up earlier,breathing softly. Wang xio leaned against a pillar, eyes closed but still sitting upright like he refused to fully surrender. Even the distant laughter from the village had faded into silence.Only Xu yang and Ling yuan remained awake now.
"Wait… did everyone just abandon us?"Ling yuan glanced over. "They are sleeping." Ling Yuan, sitting slightly apart beneath the lantern glow, held a small cup in his hands. He had been silent for a long time, watching the others sleep with a distant expression.
Xu Yang stood up and walked over without hesitation. He dropped down beside Ling Yuan and casually placed an arm over his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. "What are you thinking alone?" he asked, tilting his head to try and catch Ling Yuan's eyes.After a moment,he looked toward xu yang and others and said,"Do you think we'll still remember tonight?" Xu Yang blinked at him, then immediately shrugged. "Of course." He said it so easily, so confidently, as if forgetting was impossible.
Ling Yuan didn't respond right away. Instead, he lowered his gaze slightly, and smiled. Xu Yang noticed the expression and frowned slightly. "Why are you looking at us like that?" Ling Yuan didn't answer immediately. The lantern light flickered across his face as he slowly exhaled.Then he said, "…If they discover the truth…" A pause. His fingers tightened slightly around the cup. "…Heaven will erase everyone connected to me."
Xu Yang's playful expression vanished instantly. "What are you talking about?" Ling yuan slowly turned his gaze toward the sleeping children."They'll erase your memories." His voice softened. "They'll erase your names." Another pause. "They'll erase your lives." The words landed heavily in the quiet night.Xu Yang stood up a little straighter now, his tone losing its usual carelessness. "That's not funny." Ling Yuan looked back at him, eyes calm but tired. "I'm not joking."
The lantern flame flickered.Ling yuan lowered his head slightly. "So when that happens…" His voice became almost a whisper. "leave me behind." Xu yang stared at him for a long moment, then immediately shook his head. "No." Ling Yuan closed his eyes briefly, as if expecting that answer, and sighed softly. "If you stay…" he said gently, "…they'll erase you too." Xu Yang's lips curled into a small smile, not of humor this time, but of certainty. "Then let them try." Ling Yuan's breath faltered. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something else, but nothing came out. His shoulders trembled slightly.
The lantern light flickered again. Ling Yuan lowered his gaze completely, lips parted as if trying to hold back something too heavy. "Xu Yang…" he whispered.Then his body suddenly shook and he coughed blood. Xu Yang's eyes widened. "Ling Yuan!" But before he could move closer, Ling Yuan's strength gave out completely.The cup slipped from his hand and rolled across the stone floor as his body tilted forward, collapsing into xu yang's arms.