Chapter 632 Awakening
Bamboo Grove
A young lady dressed in white lay among the withered yellow gardenia leaves, her black hair scattered about. Her slender and graceful figure rose and fell slightly with each breath.
As a breeze passed by, a few leaves fluttered down from the sky, swirling slowly before gently landing on the young lady’s face. The dry, thin leaves brushed lightly against her face, causing a slight tickle.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly. After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the mostly obscured sky covered by bamboo.
The faint mist in the mountain area took on a purple hue like smoke as dusk fell. A few flowing clouds moved across the sky, and occasionally, the distant call of birds could be heard.
She slowly sat up, and some of the withered leaves slid off her body, creating ripples of quiet disturbance in the silent bamboo grove.
Where am I?
For a moment, she felt somewhat lost, unable to recall how she had come to be here.
Wait, who am I?
Another question quickly arose in her heart. Suddenly, many images flashed through her mind—some serene, some bustling, some awe-inspiring. But these images were fragmented; although they felt familiar, they still couldn’t provide any clear information.
Shaking her slightly dazed head, she slowly got up, reaching behind herself to brush off the scattered leaves and debris. After walking a few steps in the forest, she felt much clearer.
Only then did she feel a bit hungry.
Looking around, she saw nothing edible nearby, so she began to walk through the forest.
The uneven terrain, filled with loose stones, tree roots, and depressions, did not hinder her as she walked. Instead, it seemed natural, as if it were her instinct.
As she walked, she soon heard the faint sound of flowing water in the distance.
Following the sound of the water, she quickened her pace and approached it. Soon, a small stream in the mountain came into view.
Amidst the moss-covered rocks, clear water flowed, making a gentle sound. As she approached, she felt a refreshing mist on her skin.
Crouching beside the stream, she gazed at her reflection in the water, estimating that she was around 17 years old.
The reflection in the rippling water was not very clear. With the sun nearing sunset, it appeared somewhat dim.
It seems I need to find a place to sleep first, she thought, dipping her pale fingers into the water. The slightly cold sensation lingered on her fingertips.
She washed her face with the clear water, then tidied her hair and clothes before examining herself.
Her appearance seemed quite beautiful, though the water was not clear enough for her to know exactly what she looked like. However, her features were very well-proportioned and gentle.
This should be my appearance, she thought uncertainly, feeling something was off.
Although there were some fragmented memories in her mind, they lacked coherence, leaving her unsure. However, she felt more lucid than before.
As night fell, the mountain forest gradually grew colder. The young lady stood up, letting the evening breeze gently caress her body, causing her skirt to sway slightly.
Some of the stones in the stream emitted a faint light when night fell, resembling jade. This surprised her, as she knew from some unknown source that stones generally do not glow.
Reaching again into the icy water, she felt for a smooth stone and gently pried it out.
The stone was roughly the size of her fist, fitting perfectly in her palm, with a few droplets of water clinging to it.
Holding the stone up close, she examined it carefully. Its translucent texture emitted a faint, pale greenish-white light in the darkness. Upon closer inspection, she sensed a kind of energy within it.
Hmm, what was the name of that energy? She felt she should know, but she couldn’t recall it at the moment.
Just as she was feeling frustrated, a virtual semi-transparent frame appeared in her vision.
[Han Yan Jade] (Silver Grade, high-quality): Extraordinary material, suitable for crafting tools and jewelry. Wearing it can help calm the mind and enhance wisdom slightly.
The young lady blinked, looking at the virtual screen with a touch of disbelief. She tried to touch it but couldn’t, so she gave up. As she turned her attention elsewhere, the screen dissipated like smoke.
This seems helpful, she thought, feeling a slight liking towards the screen.
By now, the sky had completely darkened. The scattered, differently sized pieces of jade in the stream emitted faint glows, lighting up the entire stream.
It resembled a light ribbon extending through the mountain forest, stretching far and disappearing into the layers of leaves.
The faint light from the stream illuminated the young lady’s face and clothing, while the treetops on both sides of the stream took on a soft, moonlit hue.
Holding the Han Yan Jade, the young lady walked through the forest, gathering some dry branches and firewood. She returned to the streamside and found a large tree, where she piled the wood together. Then, holding the jade, she tilted her head, seemingly pondering how to ignite the pile. Her fingers circled in the air, and soon a tiny flame rose from the woodpile.
Is this really that easy? she wondered. Though she couldn’t remember much, this didn’t seem like something an ordinary person could do, yet she could accomplish it just by thinking about it.
Finally, the flames rose, casting a warm, red glow over her. Although the jade at the bottom of the stream could also provide light, it wasn’t as warm.
Sitting by the fire, she took out several pine nuts she had gathered in the forest, placing them on a stone near the fire to roast slightly. She then picked one up and began peeling it slowly.
Though the pine nuts weren’t large, their oil was delicious and not overly rich. The small pine nuts swirled in her mouth, releasing a delicate fragrance.
After settling down, the young lady began to think about her past and origins.
Strange, she seemed unable to recall her past, yet she retained some common sense. She shook her head slightly, her smooth hair brushing softly against her shoulders.
After eating the pine nuts, though not fully satisfied, she no longer felt very hungry. At this point, she hugged her knees and sat by the fire.
The crimson flames reflected in her eyes, flickering slightly in the wind. Occasionally, the comforting crackling sounds broke the silence, making the surroundings less monotonous. As the fire warmed the night, the cool breeze no longer felt cold but rather brought a gentle comfort, like the most tender lullaby, allowing the young lady to drift into a peaceful slumber amidst the forest.
A tranquil night, a moonless sky, stars dotted across the heavens, occasionally a tiny meteor streaking across the sky, falling into the unknown mountains.
(End of Chapter)
