Episode 3: Dream and Reality

It hurts.

Am I going to die here?

But... I don't want to. Yes, I may not have a reason to live anymore, but that does not mean that I want to die. I want to live. I want to live for myself!

...****************...

"So, if I want to stay in the heaven realm, I will have to pass a few tests?"

Ming Ye explained. "Basically, yes. As it is impossible for mortals to stay in the heaven realm, because the spiritual energy here is too dense for a human body to withstand. If you stay here as is, you will, most certainly, die in a few days."

"Oh."

"Don't scare her. How can you bear it?" Feng Lan rebuked.

"But I'm stating facts."

"Hmph! After all, your specialty is killing people. Maybe, you cannot help but talk about death."

"It's not killing! It's--! Ugh, nevermind. It's useless to say it."

Ming Ye resigned himself. So Si Yuan took over the job of explaining things to Ning Ru Fei. But at the back, Ming Ye and Feng Lan were still arguing and laughing.

After all this, it had become clear enough that the seven origin gods had a good relationship with each other. They were close friends.

Ning Ru Fei had never had any friends, so she unconsciously drifted her mind to stare at them for a moment. She never before realized that she wanted friends.

Si Yuan continued. "There is a dwelling in the heaven realm where spiritual energy is generated. That place has the highest spiritual energy concentration in the entire heaven realm."

She paused for a moment. "That is also the most dangerous place in the heaven realm. There is only one way for a mortal to survive in the heaven realm, and that is to make your body accept spiritual energy."

"If you go there, one of the two possibilities will occur. Either you will succeed in getting the spiritual core needed for spiritual energy absorption, or you will perish by the overwhelming weight of the spiritual energy."

"So, where is this place exactly?"

Si Yuan raised her head, signaling her to look. Ning Ru Fei raised her eyes to the place Si Yuan was looking at. It was a mountain.

Strange.

What was strange wasn't the mountain itself, but the fact that such a large mountain exists here. It was probably visible from all of the heaven realm, but for some reason, Ning Ru Fei didn't notice this very obvious mountain at all.

"You did not notice it before, did you?"

"...No."

"This is the power of the world's creation. The heavenly mountain is so obvious here, but unless you take the effort to look up and gaze at it, one will never notice its existence."

"Strange, indeed." Ning Ru Fei mumbled, still staring at the sight.

Si Yuan continued, "That's the place where you have to go."

Ning Ru Fei looked at her. "There is a cave at the foot of the mountain. Its exit point is at the top of the mountain. As long as you make it there in one piece, you will be eligible to stay in the heaven realm."

"...I have a feeling it's not some simple mountain climbing." There was no way that she was simply expected to climb up a mountain.

"Naturally, it's not. I only told you the entry and exit points. But, what lies within is for you to find."

...****************...

At the foot of the Heavenly mountain.

"Be careful."

"Best of luck."

The origin gods gave her blessings, prayers and concerns. Ning Ru Fei accepted them with gratitude and made her way inside the cave.

After walking through an uneven path for a while, Ning Ru Fei gradually felt her body becoming heavier and heavier with each step.

She recalled Si Yuan's words. Either you will succeed in getting the spiritual core needed for spiritual energy absorption, or you will perish by the overwhelming weight of the spiritual energy.

This was what she meant. Ning Ru Fei felt like a few more steps would take her life. In her hazy state of mind, she tripped on an uneven rock and sprained her foot. She did emergency treatment, but it was to no avail.

Not long after that, her vision turned dark. The torch she had been using to enlighten the dark cave, suddenly blew off. With everything a dark and dangerous mess, Ning Ru Fei decided to take a break.

But the moment she moved around, she felt earth leaving her feet. It was not that she had miss stepped, but the land beneath her feet had disappeared.

She fell and fell until she felt herself being caught in something soft, her sprained foot no longer hurting either.

My foot doesn't hurt anymore? What happened? Didn't I just fall off a cliff? I think I smelled something sweet too, but there's nothing now. Did I imagine it?

Ning Ru Fei opened her eyes. She was no longer in some damp dark cave. This was clearly a hospital bed she was lying on. There was even a person at her bedside.

Ning Ru Fei turned her face to see and she stiffened. It was her adoptive mother. She was resting with her eyes closed. Ning Ru Fei, dumbfounded, looked at her.

The sleeping woman slowly opened her eyes. When the woman saw Ning Ru Fei awake and looking at her, the woman's eyes turned red and tears started falling.

Despite how shocked Ning Ru Fei was, she still had surrounding awareness. She swiftly inquired of her mother. "Mother, why are you crying? Please tell me. Has anybody hurt---!"

Ning Ru Fei didn't finish her words because Bi Ai Qing suddenly embraced her in a tight hug. Ning Ru Fei stupidly sat there, not understanding what was happening.

After Bi Ai Qing calmed down, she finally spoke. "I thought you would die. Dong'er, I have realised my mistakes. I shouldn't have treated you like that, dear. You're my daughter, no one's substitute."

Ning Ru Fei listened to her, dumbfounded. "I only realised it now when you almost died. I've been an awful mother. Dong'er, will you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

Ning Ru Fei finally snapped back, and hugged Bi Ai Qing back. "Yes, mother. It was not your fault. I'm happy as long as you're willing to recognise me."

Ning Ru Fei had yearned for her mother's recognition her entire life. Now, this sudden attention left her stunned, but she was happy.

Creak.

The door opened and a fairly tall and handsome young man entered. Ning Ru Fei was more than familiar with that face. Unable to get over the shock, she stammered badly.

"...B-Brother Ying?"

Hua Zi Ying was the most beautiful, yet the most regretful part of Ning Ru Fei's life. She had always regretted leaving him. Even if it was against her will, it was no excuse to break someone's heart.

"Ru Fei. how are you feeling now?"

What? Why is Brother Ying here? I left him already. More importantly, my mother is here. I don't understand...

"You look confused, dear. Let me explain. You had an accident a week ago, while you were saving a child. Do you remember?"

The accident? Yes, but...I survived. Then what was all that?

...All what? What was it? I feel like I'm forgetting something important... but what?

Ning Ru Fei held her head. It was throbbing painfully. Bi Ai Qing saw her reaction and became concerned. Hua Zi Ying also came to support her.

"Dong'er, does it still hurt?"

"Ru Fei..."

Ning Ru Fei had no idea what was going on. Her head throbbed badly and she passed out. The last she heard was worried voices of her loved ones.

...****************...

Ning Ru Fei slowly opened her eyes. The light of the dawning sun pierced her vision. She struggled to see for a while, but a reassuring voice soothed her.

"Ru Fei, don't push yourself."

"Brother Ying, where is this?"

"You're in your room. The doctor said you shouldn't push yourself for at least a month. Tell me if you need anything."

"But my mother..."

"Don't worry. I understand that you left to protect me. Thank you for that. Mrs. Bi will no longer pull us apart. She was really concerned for you. She came looking for me and told me everything."

"I see." So, it's all over. Yes, it's over. Everything is fine now.

A few days passed without any trouble. Ning Ru Fei lived with her mother and her lover. She was very happy, but deep down she always felt that something was wrong.

...****************...

A year passed.

"Dong'er, you look beautiful today. Still, it's not enough. I have bought the newest A-series collection Tiara and necklace for you. You should wear them."

"But mother, I'm already wearing so much expensive jewellery Anymore, and I might fall down with the weight."

"No, no. Today's your wedding. Of course, you should look the best. You don't get married every day."

After much insisting, Ning Ru Fei finally agreed. After a short while, Bi Ai Qing took her daughter, 'Bi Dong'er, to the wedding avenue.

Mother and daughter walked hand in hand on the aisle. Standing at the end of the red carpet was Hua Zi Ying, the man she loved.

Ning Ru Fei's life could only be said to be perfect right now. But, because it was perfect that it wasn't her life. She had lived here for a year now.

Ning Ru Fei had long known that she was simply dreaming, but she was dreaming that she wished for a day more. She wished these days would go on forever, but she knew it was impossible.

As she walked down the aisle with her mother, Ning Ru Fei knew that things were soon coming to an end. This beautiful dream and world she had always yearned for, will soon end.

Her steps became heavy and she slowed a bit. It was unclear whether it was due to the weight of her clothes, or the weight of this world.

The red carpet ended. Her groom was standing in front of her, his hand extended. Bi Ai Qing took her hand and placed it on the extended hand.

The warmth of that hand crawled up her hand, to her entire body. That warmth was stinging. She knew she didn't deserve it, not even in a dream.

Ning Ru Fei's palm was seized securely in the palm of the other. She lowered her head, her white dress flowing in the air. Hua Zi Ying helped her up the stage.

Ning Ru Fei glanced around. All the eyes on the banquet were on them. Not a single soul with foul tricks and deceiving motives.

It would really be so great if all these were true. But, my life will never be so perfectly happy.

"Brother Ying."

"Ru Fei, I'm so happy. We're finally getting married. You've always longed for this."

"...I have, yes. But, this happiness, I cannot accept. Brother Ying, I'm sorry. I have to leave you again. The real you probably hates me. But, it doesn't matter anymore."

Ning Ru Fei's eyes were wet with tears which were not visible through the veil. She did her best to hold it in, but she couldn't any longer.

"Ru Fei, what are you saying?"

"Brother Ying, I'll forever be grateful to you for the love and care you gave me. And also for the name you gave me. Only with you, I am myself and no one else. I'll forever be 'Ning Ru Fei'. Bi Dong'er is long dead."

Ning Ru Fei had a smile on her face, but the sadness in her eyes was apparent. She tip-toed and drew their faces close together.

Ning Ru Fei had never kissed Hua Zi Ying. They had known each other for a long time but they hadn't dated for long. She drew close, but just before their lips met, she stopped.

What am I doing? I don't deserve his love.

Instead, the words that left her lips were...

"I'm sorry."

Just as her words ended. The floor collapsed and she sunk into deep darkness. Nothing could be seen, but she could feel land beneath her body.

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