Chapter 31 - Chapter 19 – The Memory That Must Never Be Erased（1）

Chapter 19 – The Memory That Must Never Be Erased The guardians of Xuanwu County were not only exceptionally gifted, but their minds were as calm as the local climate. Their abilities were among the finest in the alliance—especially the Nangong clan, famed for their unmatched absolute defense. Their Ice Heart Technique perfectly countered the spell arts of the alliance leader's Changsun clan. Of course, it was a secret technique never shared beyond their bloodline. But there were exceptions… and A Jun was one of them, though he didn't yet know that a greater crisis awaited him. The sacred domain here was located even higher than the main city—atop the mountain peak. Originally, it had been a massive volcano, but thousands of years ago, its crater was covered by a mysterious water source, forming a vast lake now revered as Xuanwu Lake. The Saintess lived in the sanctuary at the center of Xuanwu Lake, facing the surrounding Nangong Academy. Yet there were no bridges or hidden paths connecting them. So—how does one reach it? Early the next morning, A Jun woke up—likely due to anxiety about the upcoming trial. Thankfully, he hadn't lost sleep the night before. He always grew tense and uneasy when facing the unknown, even if he didn't consciously think about it. His body would react with discomfort and inexplicable nervousness. According to the Sacred Healer Clan, this was tied to his unique constitution and innate talent. Nothing to worry about—just accept it as it comes. Strangely, the cat also woke early, running to A Jun's room to wait for breakfast, meowing as if to comfort him: "Relax, you've got this!" Xiao Xi, on the other hand, had gamed until midnight and was still snoring away—blanket missing, belly exposed. A Jun and the cat exchanged smiles, then covered him up. They joined the Saintess for breakfast. A Jun agreed with Xiao Xi—her cooking was on par with his brother's, and everything was suitable for him to eat. By the time they finished, Xiao Xi had woken up. His conscience reminded him to cheer on his brother—his mother's warnings echoed in his mind. He couldn't slack off, or he'd be scolded when they got home. At that moment, the Saintess hesitated. She seemed worried—unsure if A Jun could complete the trial. Even locals rarely dared to attempt it. But she didn't know how to voice her concern. After all, the Saintess had always been focused and detached, rarely concerned with others. She didn't need to think too much. This hesitation might have come from the sacred beast's guidance and her grandfather's request—or perhaps, now, from something else. After breakfast, the group followed the Saintess up to Nangong Academy—Xuanwu County's elite institution, comparable in status to the Craftsmen Island's Zhuge Academy. It specialized in cultivating unique talents. Compared to the alliance's top university, this was a regional specialty school. Its architecture matched the climate and terrain—crystalline and translucent, like ice sculptures. The students dressed in traditional styles, evoking the feel of an ancient scholarly institute. Upon reaching the center of the academy, A Jun was captivated by the ancient and mysterious sanctuary at the heart of the lake. Awe filled his heart once again. Xiao Xi and the cat stared wide-eyed, wondering how to cross. Originally, they weren't supposed to come—but the cat insisted, feigning illness. A Jun couldn't bear to leave her, and Xiao Xi pulled him to negotiate with the Saintess. So here they were. The Saintess laid down three rules: no entering the sanctuary, no loud noise, no running around. Simple enough—but for these two restless companions, it might be a challenge. The girl glanced back, nodded for them to follow, then gracefully stepped onto the lake's surface. Instantly, frost spread beneath her feet, and the water froze. With each step, a solid, icy path formed—chilling and firm. The others followed, uneasy. Walking on ice was nerve-wracking—they feared slipping. But each step reassured them. The surface froze just enough to grip their shoes, preventing slips, then released to allow smooth movement. Experienced skaters could even glide across it. This was the Saintess's thoughtful safety measure—though she still appeared cold on the outside. Soon, they reached the grand sanctuary gates. Xiao Jiuwuo and Xiao Xi had to stop there. A Jun reminded his brother to look after the cat. But she seemed unhappy—A Jun tried coaxing her to jump onto Xiao Xi's shoulder, but she didn't respond. She just sat on A Jun's shoulder, staring at the Saintess, unwilling to leave. A Jun sighed, tapped her head gently, and tried to lift her down. But she clung to his clothes, refusing to let go—until he accidentally touched her ticklish spot. Purring, she leapt down and landed steadily. A Jun crouched to check on her, glanced at Xiao Xi, then waved goodbye and followed the Saintess into the sanctuary. Xiao Jiuwuo and Xiao Xi called out softly, cheering him on. Inside the hall, the Saintess seemed deep in thought, her expression calm and aloof. She led A Jun through her familiar surroundings, always maintaining a respectful distance. A Jun admired the sanctuary's layout—simple, grand, and refined. Every detail carried mythic weight, inspiring reverence. At the center, symbols of the goddess and the sacred beast Xuan Serpent adorned the space. They stopped at a pool named Cold Jade Pond, where the Saintess often trained. Beside it stood a treasured mirror: Ruyi. Before the trial began, the Saintess waved her hand, forming a protective barrier. She asked A Jun once more if he wanted to reconsider—but to her surprise, he remained firm. After her repeated reminders, A Jun began his second trial. Following instructions, he stepped into the pond's center. The surface had already frozen. Facing the Ruyi Mirror, A Jun sat down to meditate. The Saintess sat opposite him, slowly raising her hand to align with his palm. Originally, they were meant to touch—but the method was changed. Now, the Saintess used her power to keep their palms close but not touching, connected by a layer of ice. She began guiding him through the first stage: the Heart Cultivation Technique. A Jun had always excelled at theory. He could recite school mantras and mental techniques fluently, and understood their application well—but could only watch others practice. Soon, after the Saintess taught the mantras and techniques, A Jun had memorized them and was ready to begin. He was eager to try. Earlier, the Saintess had explained that this trial was different from school—it wasn't bound by physical limitations. That meant A Jun could finally use his abilities. —Of course, he could try. But it wouldn't be easy. After completing the first stage of training, the Saintess immediately withdrew her power, stood up, and turned her back to A Jun, gazing at the treasured mirror. After a short pause, she slowly turned around and walked toward the boy—while explaining the next phase, she stood beside and slightly behind him, firmly guarding his side. One hand held the Tear of Xuanwu, hesitantly yet unconsciously resting on A Jun's shoulder, her eyes fixed on the mirror. Her other hand formed a casting gesture, silently reciting the Heart Technique, activating the Cold Jade Pond's Heart Refinement mode—this was the second layer of the trial: Heart Knot, the most difficult stage. A Jun began to cooperate, closing his eyes and entering meditation, following the Saintess's guidance. In a flash, he felt as if he had crossed over again. Hmm—this place felt oddly familiar, like a dream. More precisely, it was the Mind Realm. That's what the Saintess had called it, though it seemed different from before. At this moment, the Saintess was outside A Jun's Mind Realm, inside the sanctuary, watching his movements through the Ruyi Mirror. Using the artifact's connection, she maintained contact with A Jun via transmission technique, offering guidance. Meanwhile, Xiao Xi and the cat waited anxiously outside the sanctuary. They couldn't enter—not just due to the agreement, but also because the Saintess had added protective measures to prevent interference. Though they could see A Jun's movements through the barrier, they could only wait at the gate, catching glimpses of what was happening. "Eh… where's Uncle?" Inside the familiar space, A Jun felt somewhat relaxed. He looked around… the center was the same as before, with the gemstone still present. But this time, there was no protective layer, and the gem looked less alluring. Of course, A Jun was sensible—he wouldn't touch the gem now, no matter what. The environment felt similar to before: spacious, yet still empty. But Uncle was nowhere to be seen. Otherwise, they could've sat down and had tea together. —That was Uncle's habit. A Jun remembered it clearly. "Careful!" Suddenly, the Saintess's warning snapped A Jun back to attention. The gemstone before him began to glow, and the surroundings started to shift. One by one, images appeared like projections… A Jun recognized them—scenes from his childhood, unfolding like holograms or virtual reality in a game. But now, he was merely a visitor, witnessing his own growth. Yet none of the scenes were joyful. They were recurring or escalating conflicts—memories A Jun had ignored or suppressed. Many were ones he thought he'd rejected, yet now surprised him. He saw his younger self—seemingly strong, always facing and solving problems. But now, he noticed that child often bit his lip, clenched his fists, and had a strange look in his eyes—a sign of being overwhelmed. Each memory played with sound, appearing in chronological order like a movie. A Jun watched his past self as if looking into a mirror—reflecting his true inner world, revealing the painful memories etched in his Qi Huan. —Qi Huan, the sea of thought, is the guardian world's term for the brain—mysterious and profound. Soon, the images began to fade one by one. A Jun felt the space around him grow brighter, and his emotions began to release. "Watch out!" The Saintess's second warning made A Jun tense again—now, before him was a scene both familiar and strange. In this memory, several figures appeared—three stood out. A man and a woman were speaking to a baby. The image was extremely blurry, so A Jun couldn't see their faces clearly. But with his insight and the previous context, he quickly realized the smiling child was likely himself. After all, this was his memory—and A Jun's intuition was usually accurate. —Who were the man and woman? Could they be his older sister and brother-in-law? But their figures felt familiar in a different way, not quite matching his impression of family. The scene continued. The couple began to cry—especially the woman, who sobbed uncontrollably. That didn't resemble his sister at all… Then, they seemed to hear something, gradually calming down, staring blankly as the child murmured. It was a moment of despair and heartbreak. As a bystander, A Jun couldn't hear a single sound—but the scene clearly depicted a farewell. The couple's figures began to fade, right in front of the crying baby and confused A Jun. Like a broken TV signal, the image grew fuzzier, leaving only bitter smiles and unstoppable tears. The man and woman waved goodbye. The woman's lips kept moving—perhaps saying the child would soon be very lonely. Just as they were about to vanish, A Jun noticed a clue—a detail proving they weren't his sister and brother-in-law: the marks on their foreheads. All five counties' guardians had their own forehead seals—similar in appearance, but with exceptions. Even if the designs were alike, the origin of their powers gave each a unique color glow, allowing distinction. What A Jun saw now was a glow different from his sister's. Though he only saw the color and couldn't identify specifics, it was enough to prove they weren't his current family. —That was… Suddenly, the boy's mind blurred, and a strange yet familiar word surfaced in his heart… Could they be… my parents? "Wait!" But before he could process it, the Saintess—outside the Mind Realm—had already read the mirror's signals and calmly predicted his next move. She sternly warned him not to take risks. —She knew this was the hardest moment. And it was the final image. If he completed it, the second stage—the most difficult part—would be over. Everything afterward would be smoother. A Jun understood this too. But now, he had made up his mind—this memory was unique and irreplaceable. Its importance needed no explanation. "I can't! I'm sorry… I won't let it disappear!" In that moment, A Jun—who had remained motionless—found his eyes filled with tears, though he didn't know why. This boy had rarely cried since childhood. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but because he was mature. His family often comforted him, telling him not to suppress his emotions, that crying could relieve sorrow and didn't need to be held back. But A Jun believed that as a boy, tears should not be shed lightly. He didn't want his emotions to burden his family, so he carried everything alone. Over time, it became habit—even when he felt pain, he swallowed it. Tears almost never surfaced. But there are always exceptions. For example, A Jun had loved watching TV since he was little. Once, after watching a drama about a child and a mother, he cried uncontrollably for days before recovering. That film was one most kids his age couldn't even understand. Now, faced with this scene, the usually stoic A Jun was crying like the baby in the memory—tears streaming as he reached out toward the man and woman in the image. Both children were trying to recall, to keep the image intact and clear. But according to the current protocol, this final and only remaining memory was still being erased—because the trial process was mostly irreversible. Once all negative memories were removed, the second stage would be complete. Even from a human perspective, there were always moments too precious to let go, emotions too complex to resolve. But no matter what, participants had to persist. The Saintess knew this well, and she carried out the process firmly and rationally—for A Jun's sake. It seemed heartless, but was in fact helpless. Of course, the Saintess understood the importance of this memory. She had lived through similar experiences. But to help the boy complete his trial, she continued the erasure—until A Jun's resolve grew stronger and more determined. Then, everything began to shift. "Stop now—you'll be consumed!" As time passed, the Saintess's expression grew urgent. She knew the nature of the trial was changing. A Jun's stubbornness and resolve left her helpless. She didn't understand why he clung to this memory, knowing the danger—after all, it was just an illusion. Yet she empathized. The Saintess had been separated from her family at a young age, living alone in the sanctuary, training in solitude. Only her thoughts kept her company. Though she was now used to loneliness—perhaps due to the Nangong clan's unique gifts—she still understood the pain of separation and the longing for family. Now, watching the boy before her, she saw his last remaining hope about to be erased—a precious memory just recently uncovered. Who could bear that? Even if she understood his feelings and his insistence, this was Nanguo City's highest-level trial—not an ordinary test. Once initiated, participants could not carry emotions, nor defy the established rules and process. —Perhaps if Xiao Xi were in her place, he would've stood by his brother without hesitation. But the Saintess couldn't. Their personalities, positions, and principles were different. She had her own mission and code. Gradually, a new image appeared—linked to the residual memory, judged as positive. It made the Saintess hesitate again. The scene was clear: a young A Jun crying. She could see every detail. It wasn't intentional spying—just a memory fragment that surfaced automatically before her. A short film, two lines of tears, and a tangle of emotions—softening the heart of a girl once as cold as ice. The background music, the child's emotions—merged with the Saintess's own childhood memories, delivering a powerful emotional blow. Her hesitation turned into sympathy. "—The world is only good with a mother…" "—I won't give up! I absolutely won't… be erased!" Then came a sudden cry. A Jun, with unprecedented resolve and defiance, broke through the rules—struggling against the mode maintained by the Saintess. In the next instant, the memory he tried to preserve froze on its final frame—it was the Saintess who changed her mind at the last moment and chose to help him. Of course, this shift was also thanks to another person: Xiao Xi. His loose tongue had, over the past two days, accidentally told the Saintess a childhood secret about A Jun—a story about a drama called A Child with a Mother Is a Treasure, and his wish to help his brother. Though Xiao Xi's memory was fuzzy, his emotional sincerity left a deep impression. His words, the Saintess's accidental glimpse of the memory, and her lingering empathy all converged—guiding her, changing her. In the end, the once-rational and resolute girl made the first decision of her life that defied protocol. Finally, A Jun's memory began to reverse. The image was restored—baby and parents, smiling at each other. In the web of cause and effect, everyone must bear the consequences of their choices and defiance. Though the decision may not be wrong— Soon, the world before them would change drastically again. Just as A Jun was still rejoicing, at the very moment the memory was fully restored, the holographic image before him collapsed—condensing into a single point, then exploding into black smoke. The gemstone beside him also began to react. As the ancient saying goes: "Blessings lie where misfortune hides." This was the moment of reckoning. The most difficult phase of the trial had arrived. "—What should I do?" At this moment, outside the Mind Realm, A Jun's physical state had shifted from calm to unstable. He looked as if trapped in a nightmare, sweat streaming down his cheeks, and strange black energy began to seep from within his body. It resembled the state he'd entered as a child when pushed to the brink. Of course, the Saintess didn't know those details, but she could tell the situation had reached an irreversible stage—a fierce battle was inevitable. Just then, she saw through the Ruyi Mirror what was about to happen next… Though the boy had made a dangerous choice, the Saintess understood—it was human nature. If she were in his place, she might have made the same decision. After all, without her moment of emotional impulse, perhaps this crisis wouldn't have occurred. But now, the priority was helping the boy escape. After a brief hesitation, the girl followed the sacred beast's instructions. She shifted her hand positions—one hand gently placed on A Jun's shoulder. It was the first time she'd touched him so closely, but there was no time to dwell on it. Her other hand gripped the glowing Tear of Xuanwu. She closed her eyes and began the spell-switching mode. Meanwhile, inside the Mind Realm, the black mist before A Jun began to morph—finally forming the shape of a monstrous beast, radiating a terrifying pressure. The gemstone nearby, corroded by the mist, began to emit a tempting aura—an irresistible pull for the boy. The black mist creature stared at A Jun with glowing red eyes. Its grotesque form made it hard for A Jun to assess its nature. All he knew was that a powerful sense of danger pierced his heart. The creature didn't wait long. Soon, it launched an attack. A ball of energy shrouded in black mist surged toward A Jun—massive and fast. He didn't know where to dodge. Escape seemed his only option; he had no means to counter. Just as the energy ball was about to strike, a familiar figure appeared before him—the Saintess. She had entered?