Chapter 47: Two Lives

Chapter 47: Two Lives

47

Two Lives

I

Hao Zhen let his gaze drift away from his teammates. The chill night air caressed his skin, and the surrounding grass gently swayed in the wind. Memoriesgood and badswirled in his head.

Eva was a geniusin pretty much every sense of the word, Hao Zhen finally said. In a way, she was much like you two. He absently nodded to his two teammates. The world seemed to revolve around her, and she excelled at everything she tried. Because she was so outstanding, she was invited to attend a really prestigious school there. At the time, she was twelve, and I was seven. She

A school? Lan Yue said, giving him a look of confusion.

Hao Zhen blinked. Oh, right. A school is an educational err organization, I guess, he said, before waving his hand. But thats not really important. We moved over there so Maeva could attend it, and, well I enrolled in a school there too. Not the same one, as I was much younger, and unlike her, not a genius. A couple of years later, Maeva eventually moved on to a He trailed off, realizing that they wouldnt know what a university was, either. Well, a higher school of sorts. Later, she became a scholar. After a pause, he added, Of sorts.

Seeing their confused looks, Hao Zhen sighed. She well, she was a special kind of scholar. Basically, she studied the world. Nature, in a way. I guess you can say she was a nature scholar? That was perhaps not the best way to describe a scientistlet alone a particle physicistbut Hao Zhen figured itd suffice, even though his teammates still seemed to be rather puzzled. Anyway, as for me, I was well, normal. I was sixteen when I reincarnated, and at the time, I was still attending school.

What Tian Jin started to say, but Lan Yue beat him to it.

What about the cultivation novels? Lan Yue said. You mentioned them before. You said they resembled our world.

Tian Jin glanced at Lan Yue with a slight frown, which went ignored, before he gave Hao Zhen a firm nod, indicating that he was curious about that too.

Right, Hao Zhen said. Earlier I said that my life pretty much revolved around Eva? This is an example of that. As a scholar, Eva got invited to participate in a project, of sorts. Other geniuses from all over the world were also involved, and one of them was a man her age named Yang Qiyun.

Yang Qiyun? Lan Yue perked up. Unsurprisingly, unlike when she tried to speak his old name, she had no trouble this time around. That name sounds

Remember what I said about my old world having a country with a language similar to the Common Tongue? Yang Qiyun was from there, Hao Zhen readily explained, having already been expecting that question. As I was saying, Qiyun and my sister became He paused, searching for a good word. Lovers, he finally said. They were very much like each other. Both geniuses. Both prodigies. Both brilliant. Qiyun would frequent our place quite often, and we got along pretty well. He was the one who introduced me to cultivation novels.

A lull in the conversation followed. Judging by the look of concentration on their faces, Tian Jin and Lan Yue were likely going through their thoughts to think of what they wanted to ask.

Hao Zhen? Tian Jin said, softly. Hao Zhen then felt something touch his arm.

Opening his eyes, Hao Zhen was startled to see that Tian Jin had reached forward, raising himself slightly off the ground, and currently had one of his hands gently grasping his forearm, a look of concern on his face. Glancing to the right, Hao Zhen saw that Lan Yue was looking at him with a mixture of confusion and worry, though she also looked rather hesitant?

Hao Zhen took another moment to calm himself, before giving them a strained smile. Im fine, he said.

Tian Jin gave him another one of his searching looks. Hao Zhen didnt know what the other boy was looking foror what he foundbut Tian Jin eventually retreated, though he still looked concerned.

Hao Zhen took in another deep breath, then sighed. Anyway, the only he started to say, but paused, noticing how strained his voice sounded. Then, a little more firmly, he continued, The only thing we really know is that I regained my memories and became an Unweavable that day. Besides that, I believe that what happened must be related to you, somehow, he said, addressing Tian Jin. Even if it wasnt because of your spiritual skill, I do believe you played a role in me regaining my memories and becoming Unweavable. Itd be too much of a coincidence otherwise.

Tian Jin slowly nodded. He still seemed a little concerned. I agree.

Lan Yue had also relaxed silently, though like Tian Jin, she still appeared rather tense.

Hao Zhen shifted his weight, uneasy. The way his two teammates were looking at him bothered him. He didnt needor wanttheir concern. He was fine. To begin with, they were the ones that needed comforting, what with the extermination of Tian Jins clan and the kidnapping of Lan Yues mother. Well, is there anything else you two want to know about my old world? he asked, hoping to move the conversation forward.

Tian Jin didnt have much of a reaction to that, but Lan Yues gaze softened. For a moment, an understanding look flashed crossed her face, before she mustered her usual haughtiness.

Of course, she said, scoffing, though there wasnt any heat behind it. Surely you dont think that the little youve told us so far is enough? I obviously wish to know about your old world.

Likewise, Tian Jin said after a moments hesitation, summoning a smile. I also wish to know about your previous lifewhat kind of life you led. Then, as if something had occurred to him, Tian Jin added, In fact, Im also quite curious about your current life, as well. I believe youve mentioned your father was a merchant?

Hao Zhen perked up. He was, yes, he said, glad for the shift in the topic of their conversation. As for my previous life Honestly, like I already said, I was pretty normal. It was really my sister who was special. She

Thats not what I asked, Tian Jin said, raising a hand in front of him. I dont want to know about your sister. I want to know about you. About my friend.

Oh. Hao Zhen stared at Tian Jin, then at Lan Yue, who nodded her head, indicating she agreed with the other boy. Hao Zhen swallowed, suddenly feeling rather overwhelmed. All right, he finally said, still a little uncertain. Well, lets see

Later that night, their conversation came to an end, and Tian Jin and Lan Yue started cultivating. They were still sitting on the ground beside him, their eyes closed. Hao Zhen looked at his two teammates. Then, shaking his head, he closed his eyes before he began cultivating too. There was a smile he couldnt quite suppress on his face.

The next morning, he realized his two teammates had broken through to the third level of the Red Spiritual Realm.