Chapter 5: Cultivators Don’t Need Sleep
“Then why is this… sister in your room, Brother?” Liu Mengli blinked her large, innocent eyes, her adorable face making the situation seem almost absurd to Mingyan. These didn’t feel like questions an eight-year-old should be asking.
“Little sister, you can go ask your father.” Huang Feiyan finally spoke. Explaining her presence here was difficult. Although Liu Mengli appeared to be just a cute little girl, children’s words carried weight. If she spread this around, it could cause trouble. “Mingyan, take your junior sister back.”
Mingyan knew he couldn’t let Mengli talk freely about this. He nodded. “Mengli, let me take you back. Master will explain everything.”
Liu Mengli quietly studied Huang Feiyan for a moment, then nodded and followed Mingyan out of the cottage.
“What’s your relationship with that sister, Brother?” As they walked hand-in-hand towards Liu Yunfeng’s residence in the Elders’ Courtyard, Liu Mengli persisted.
“She’s a guest of the Blessed Land, and my guest as well,” Mingyan said, looking at her. “Mengli, if you don’t want Brother and the Blessed Land to get into trouble, don’t tell anyone about that sister being in my room.”
Liu Mengli blinked. “…Okay.”
Mingyan smiled, stroking her head. “I know Mengli wouldn’t cause trouble for Brother.”
“So, is she my future sister-in-law?” Liu Mengli tilted her head.
“What sister-in-law…” Mingyan sighed. “Brother is just an ordinary person, and she… she and I are not from the same world. Do you understand, Mengli?”
“Yes, I understand. Brother and I are from the same world.” Liu Mengli nodded seriously.
Mingyan glanced at her earnest expression and chuckled. “That’s right, Brother and you are from the same world.”
Liu Mengli giggled. “Don’t worry, Brother. I won’t tell anyone about that sister being at your place. Mengli won’t cause trouble for you.”
“Good girl, Mengli.” Mingyan pinched her soft cheek.
Mingyan escorted Liu Mengli back to Liu Yunfeng’s residence. His master wasn’t home; otherwise, Mengli wouldn’t have been able to sneak out. After settling her in and telling her not to wander off, he returned to his own cottage.
By now, it was completely dark. He encountered few disciples on the way and was stopped by a patrol of enforcement disciples who reminded him of the curfew and advised him to retire early.
They were polite to him. Mingyan held a special position in Rain Terrace Blessed Land. While not the most powerful young disciple—some had already reached the Yin Tomb Realm—he was known to be highly regarded by the sect. Although some grumbled about this favoritism, it was undeniable, and few dared to openly challenge it.
Back at his residence, Mingyan found Huang Feiyan standing by the window, gazing at the moon.
Bathed in moonlight, her red dress and flowing black hair shimmered with a silvery glow. Her profile was flawless, and Mingyan was almost mesmerized. She truly seemed to belong to a different world, her cultivation, status, and beauty resembling a celestial fairy. She reminded him of her. However, his resolve was firm, and he quickly snapped out of it. He didn’t disturb her. While she stared at the sky, he closed his eyes and rested.
Cultivators didn’t necessarily need sleep. Although sleep was still the best way to restore physical energy, they were often reluctant to waste any time that could be spent cultivating. They rarely slept, preferring to meditate and circulate spiritual energy within their bodies, which provided a sense of rejuvenation.
Huang Feiyan had noticed Mingyan’s arrival. Despite her injuries and weakened state, she wasn’t oblivious to someone entering her room. Even ordinary people could hear the door opening, let alone a cultivator.
Turning around, she saw Mingyan meditating with his eyes closed and couldn’t help but chuckle. “If you want to sleep, you can use the bed. Don’t mind me.”
Mingyan opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. He shook his head. “How can I waste precious time sleeping? Cultivators shouldn’t sleep.”
“You’re truly diligent.” Huang Feiyan admired this. Mingyan’s dedication reminded her of herself. They both had goals to pursue and a desire to prove themselves, driving them to work harder. This would surely help Mingyan reach greater heights. “By the way, you mentioned you don’t know the name of the celestial being who saved you. Could you describe her appearance? I might know her.”
Huang Feiyan asked casually. Since Mingyan didn’t know the woman’s cultivation level, and he was a mortal at the time, she might have been a relatively low-level cultivator, someone Huang Feiyan wouldn’t know. However, if she was of similar cultivation, there might be a chance.
“She… she was very beautiful, with almond-shaped eyes that gave her a cool demeanor. I remember she had a unique mark on her forehead, like yours, Celestial Sister, but I was too far away to see it clearly.” Mingyan didn’t hesitate to share. “Does Celestial Sister have any idea?”
“That’s too vague.” Huang Feiyan pondered briefly, then shook her head. “Many female cultivators have forehead marks. Some are natural, some are from cultivation techniques, and some are simply drawn on. Almond-shaped eyes are even more common. Are there any other distinguishing features?”
Mingyan shook his head. “I’m not skilled in painting, otherwise I could draw her portrait… Alas.”
“Don’t be discouraged. Do you believe in cause and effect?” Huang Feiyan asked with a gentle smile.
Mingyan nodded. “I’ve read about it in books.”
“Every cause has an effect. I believe that since she planted the ’cause’ that day, there will surely be an ‘effect’ of you meeting again someday.” Whether these were words of comfort or genuine belief, Mingyan wanted to believe them. It would be a great regret to reach a level where he could repay her kindness but never see her again.
He nodded. “I believe that too. I will meet her again someday.”
After chatting for a while, Huang Feiyan sat cross-legged on the bed and began absorbing spiritual energy for healing. Mingyan pulled up his chair and also sat cross-legged.
They spent the night in silence. Dawn arrived.
The morning air held the purest and gentlest spiritual energy, the best time for cultivation. After circulating his energy for a while, consolidating and slightly expanding his springs, Mingyan opened his eyes. Huang Feiyan was still sitting on the bed, but blood stained her lips, and her face was pale. Mingyan sat up abruptly. “Celestial Sister, are you alright?”
Huang Feiyan opened her eyes, glanced at him, and shook her head weakly. “It’s nothing serious… Do you have more of that Dragon’s Blood Flower medicine from yesterday?”
“I’ll get it right away.” Mingyan rushed out, found Liu Yunfeng, and asked him for more medicine. However, upon returning to his cottage, he found Huang Feiyan unconscious on the bed. He set the medicine down and tried to help her up, but her body was burning hot.
He instinctively recoiled, his expression changing. This scorching heat wasn’t human; it felt like solid fire. It was too hot…
His movements seemed to rouse Huang Feiyan. She looked around groggily, saw Mingyan, and spoke weakly, “Did you bring the medicine?”
“Yes…” Mingyan handed her the bottle, his voice filled with concern. “If I had known your injuries were so severe, I would have asked Master for more medicine yesterday.”
“Your sect leader asked me yesterday. I thought I had my injuries under control. It’s not your fault.” After taking the medicine, Huang Feiyan shook her head slightly and closed her eyes. Mingyan once again felt the surrounding spiritual energy surge towards her…
He waited anxiously. Huang Feiyan’s face remained pale, her lips colorless. Soon, she began coughing violently, covering her mouth with her hand. Before she lowered it, Mingyan saw bright red blood seeping through her fingers. His expression changed. “Celestial Sister, I’ll go find the sect leader. He might be able to help…”
“No need…” Huang Feiyan lowered her hand, wiping the blood from her lips, and took a few deep breaths. Her eyes were dim. “I was poisoned by a Yin toxin yesterday. Only something of pure Yang energy can cure it. The Dragon’s Blood Flower could suppress it temporarily, but it’s no longer effective…”
“Pure Yang energy…?” Mingyan frowned, then said, “Celestial Sister, when that other celestial being saved me, I asked her if I could cultivate. She wrapped a silk thread around my wrist and remarked that my constitution was unique, filled with Yang energy…”
Huang Feiyan didn’t pay much attention. How could a human’s Yang energy surpass a dragon’s? The Dragon’s Blood Flowers contained actual dragon blood… albeit extremely diluted. Even billions of flowers wouldn’t yield a single drop of pure dragon blood, but it was still present.
Seeing her disbelief, Mingyan pricked his finger and offered it to her. “Celestial Sister, take a look. Perhaps it will help you.”
Huang Feiyan hesitated, then touched her finger to his wound. The moment their fingers made contact, her expression changed dramatically.
Her finger was still burning hot, making Mingyan’s wound sting, but he showed no reaction. He was simply puzzled. Why would a Yin toxin cause such intense heat? Shouldn’t it make her cold?
“Your blood…” Huang Feiyan stared at Mingyan with wide, astonished eyes.
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