Chapter 29: Seven Years in the Blink of an Eye

“Junior Brother, don’t be rude!”

Jie Nian’s head spun. How could anyone ask to learn such incredible martial arts so bluntly? Shouldn’t there be vows, negotiations, and exchanges first? Acting so directly might anger Zuo Meng and ruin any chance of learning this “internal energy” later.

“Fine.”

Jie Nian decided everyone here except him was strange. Their conversation defied all logic. He’d brought a scholarly monk to help mediate, but now…

“Internal energy has existed since ancient times. I learned everything from this stone slab.”

Zuo Meng pulled a prepared stone slab from a cabinet. It was an authentic relic he’d found in the woods—a place steeped in the Ancient Era’s aura. Most dismissed such stones as ordinary, unaware they were remnants of that time.

“A stone slab?”

Jie Ming studied the slab on the table. The rock itself seemed plain, but its markings puzzled him.

“May I examine it?”

After failing to decipher it, he finally asked.

“Keep it.”

Zuo Meng pushed the slab toward him.

“My gratitude, sir.”

Jie Ming stood abruptly, bowing with solemnity.

“If that’s all, masters, please leave. My little shop closes now.” Zuo Meng’s bookstore operated on whim. He only cared about earning enough for meals, not wealth.

The dismissal left no room for argument, especially after witnessing Zuo Meng’s “internal energy.” The two monks departed promptly.

“Thank you, Benefactor Xue.” Jie Nian muttered, baffled by the entire exchange.

Jie Ming tucked the slab into his robe and bowed before exiting.

“Junior Brother, you were reckless! Mr. Xue is clearly a reclusive High Person. Your bluntness could’ve ruined everything!” Jie Nian scolded outside.

“And this ‘internal energy’—unheard of! Why give it away so freely? There must be trickery!”

Though Cold Mountain Temple had sent them to investigate Zuo Meng’s skills, the ease of success unsettled Jie Nian.

“Elder Brother, you misunderstand. Mr. Xue’s gaze holds pure sincerity.”

Pure sincerity?

What nonsense!

Jie Nian felt his intelligence mocked, but Jie Ming strode ahead before he could protest.

“Wait for me!”

Jie Nian scurried after him.

“Now, spread it.”

Zuo Meng observed Jie Ming’s shifting fate. Once a side character, the monk now radiated a protagonist’s destiny. Zuo Meng himself existed beyond such mortal designations—his mere gift elevated Jie Ming’s fortune.

After closing shop, Zuo Meng returned to Xue Chuan’s ancestral home. Here, the scholar had taken his life after his cousin married Wang Yuanwai.

After returning home, Zuo Meng didn’t enter his room to rest. He stood in the courtyard gazing at the starry sky. He recalled creating this celestial view with casual effort. During the Ancient Era, the stars appeared artificial. While slightly more authentic in the Totem Era, they remained unconvincing. After waking and returning to the real world, the Dream World had evolved independently. Countless eras had passed since then, refining the world’s laws until sun, moon and stars shed their primal simplicity, becoming indistinguishable from reality.

Standing in the yard’s center, Zuo Meng clearly perceived the connection between constellations and worldly affairs. “Reading the stars reveals fate’s design.” Through his elevated perspective, he glimpsed truths incomprehensible in the real world. Gradually, he recognized the foolish limitations of his former real-world ambitions.

Why chase trivialities when owning an entire world? Resources could be claimed directly from his domain, or replicated if necessary. The so-called Transcendent Three Great Lords meant nothing against a world’s crushing blow. No need to pursue real-world cultivation methods – nurturing the Dream World itself would radiate enough power for supremacy. Like the law chains from the first Ancient Era or the Eye of Fortune from the second epoch.

While others trained arduously, he simply needed to dream.

This realization shifted Zuo Meng’s mentality profoundly. “Seven years and eleven months remain.”

Tracking a comet’s tail streaking toward nameless constellations, Zuo Meng’s understanding of cosmic patterns deepened. Days flowed peacefully until seven years slipped by unnoticed.

Zuo Meng fully adapted to this world during these years, settling comfortably as proprietor of his little shop. Long residency acquainted him with neighbors: Zhou the blacksmith, Wu the butcher, rice merchant Boss Ma, and green-clad Zhi Hua who kept seeking masters at his shop. The sixteen-year-old girl had matured into womanhood, now assisting her family’s business instead of attending poetry gatherings. Only her unmarried status remained unchanged – perhaps her parents wanted a live-in son-in-law.

“Uncle Xue! After all these years, still so stubborn? Your shop will fail without proper management. Aunt Wu from Aunt Lu’s introduction was perfect for…”

Zhi Hua rolled her eyes exactly as she’d done seven years prior.

“Young lady, solve your own marriage before meddling in mine,” Zuo Meng sighed. “Stop haunting this rundown shop – help your family more.”

Seven years changed much, yet the girl’s original dream persisted.

She wanted to paint.

But after seven years, such pursuits meant nothing now. The world was changing.

“My ways won’t change. Profit comes if it comes.” Money’s value would soon vanish anyway.

😝😝😝Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😝😝😝

Zuo Meng’s vision pierced the roof, contemplating distant heavens. Seven years’ accumulated internal energy reached unimaginable depths, yet remained insufficient. For him, this marked the true beginning.