Chapter 85: Life-Soul Parasite? Xuantian Sect's Eyes and Ears?

In the introductory chapter of *Great Dream of Spring and Autumn*, the "Dream Interpretation Section" mentioned a spell called 【Sleepy Bug】.

"Just as the physical body has its seven corporeal souls, there exist parasitic entities, subtle and hard to detect."

"Within the life-soul, there exist similar beings as well."

"The Sleepy Bug is one of them."

Zhao Xing read carefully.

Given the combat standards of this era, discovering parasites wasn't anything rare, but hearing that even the yin-soul had parasite-like beings was a first for him.

"Great Dream of Spring and Autumn also divides life-soul parasites into two types: benign and malevolent."

"Some parasites dwelling within the life-soul exist in benign symbiosis, even indispensable — equivalent to the probiotics in the physical body?" The more Zhao Xing read, the more interesting it became, and he couldn't help but be captivated.

"The Sleepy Bug belongs to the benign category."

"Without it, the life-soul cannot fall asleep."

"When the life-soul gets no rest, the energy of the seven corporeal souls weakens accordingly, leaving one listless and drained."

"If rest continues to be denied, the seven corporeal souls will weaken further, until death."

"The Sleepy Bug only fully disappears upon reaching the First Rank Realm."

"Because the three souls merge into one harmonious whole, the soul begins transforming toward the divine soul, approaching perfection, and will instead reject any foreign entity."

"This spell from the Dream Interpretation Section actually teaches one how to catch the Sleepy Bug?" Zhao Xing was somewhat astonished — he truly didn't know much about this supreme art.

This was the first time he'd heard of such a spell.

"Capture a person's Sleepy Bug, leaving them unable to sleep, their spirit in a state of continuous excitement."

"Used appropriately, it can sustain prolonged combat ability, but beyond a certain threshold, the seven corporeal souls will weaken — through this method, one can kill a person without anyone knowing."

"Hm? It can be used like that?"

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up.

At first he'd assumed the Dream Interpretation Section was all empty, fancy-sounding stuff.

He hadn't expected it to describe the essence of the three souls — a deconstruction of the soul and dreams — with the interpretation of dream content being secondary.

"The Dream Interpretation Section also mentions a spell beneficial to oneself."

"Namely, the Dream Storage Method."

"The Dream Storage Method can store memory contents, preventing the overlooking or forgetting of certain distant or crucial information."

"Great cultivators of the ancient era lived for thousands of years at a stretch, with so many memories that they sometimes couldn't distinguish past from present, making qi deviation easy."

"The Dream Storage Method solved this problem, allowing a portion of memories to be sealed away through dreams."

"Additionally, the Dream Storage Method applies to certain cultivation insights?"

Zhao Xing read the description of this method.

The Dream Interpretation Section noted that certain heaven-born marvels contain the mysteries of the Dao.

But the Dao's mysteries were too profound — sometimes the impact was too great, and if the one receiving the insight couldn't bear it, problems easily arose instead.

The Dream Storage Method could enhance a cultivator's endurance; put plainly, it possessed the ability of a memory palace and expanded mental capacity.

"The Dream Entry Section also has many wondrous aspects." Zhao Xing browsed the second stage. "Once you understand the essence of dreams, the second step is dream entry."

"Enter your own dream, enter another's dream, pull others into your own dream."

"However, the Dream Entry Section doesn't mention any offensive secret techniques — it's mostly used as a means of confidential information transmission." Zhao Xing mused.

For example, when acting as a spy in a foreign land, whether making contact, leaving secret signals, or passing tokens, none were safe.

But transmitting messages through dreams was far more covert.

This was the Dream Entrustment Method.

"No wonder they always speak of the yin-spirit entrusting dreams — the essence of dreams is the occasional convergence of the three souls."

Zhao Xing thought again of his 【Yin Wind】 method.

"Back then I used the Yin Wind method to blow on Old Chen, and Old Chen ended up having a nightmare."

"That counts as accidentally manipulating the other's dream."

"But that was a very shallow manipulation — the Yin Wind method is still primarily for attack and killing."

Zhao Xing felt this supreme art suited his tastes perfectly.

He immediately began cultivating the spells from the Dream Interpretation Section.

【You observed the Soul Armor and contemplated the Dream Interpretation Section of Great Dream of Spring and Autumn. You gained nothing.】

【You observed the Soul Armor and contemplated the Dream Interpretation Section of Great Dream of Spring and Autumn. You gained a preliminary understanding of the soul.】

【You observed the Soul Armor and contemplated the Dream Interpretation Section of Great Dream of Spring and Autumn. After a whole night, you finally entered the door and comprehended the spell 'Sleepy Bug'.】

【Sleepy Bug: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 0/9999】

【Effect: Remotely extract the Sleepy Bug from within the life-soul.】

【You observed the Soul Armor and contemplated the Dream Interpretation Section of Great Dream of Spring and Autumn. After a whole night, you finally entered the door and comprehended the spell 'Dream Storage'.】

【Dream Storage: Intermediate Spell】

【Progress: 0/9999】

【Effect: Construct dream-memory, enhance the life-soul's endurance】

Just the introductory chapter alone cost Zhao Xing an entire night of contemplation.

Great Dream of Spring and Autumn truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier supreme art — the Sleepy Bug and Dream Storage, called minor spells within it, were actually of intermediate grade.

"Both are very practical spells."

"It's just that the Dream Storage method is a bit too difficult — I tried once and couldn't succeed for the longest time, and it left my head spinning." Zhao Xing shook his head.

"Let me try the Sleepy Bug spell."

The Sleep Bug is indeed easy to practice.

Just use yourself as the target.

Zhao Xing focused his spirit and looked inward, observing his 'Life Soul' with his 'Heaven Soul.'

Combined with the foundation laid by his Bright Eyes spell, he very quickly located the Sleep Bug on his own body.

"Buzz~"

The Sleep Bug was gathered into his palm.

【You have cast the spell 'Sleep Bug,' progress 20】

"The Sleep Bug spell can be gathered and released—truly easy to practice." Zhao Xing gave a light pat, and the Sleep Bug entered his body once more.

【You have cast the spell 'Sleep Bug,' progress 20】

Two hours later.

Zhao Xing stopped.

During practice, he had also carefully savored the feeling of this spell acting upon his Life Soul.

"Just once, the difference is small—barely noticeable, even."

"But if used ten times or more, the feeling becomes very obvious."

Zhao Xing looked at the silver-white orb of light in his hand. Under the gaze of Bright Eyes, many Sleep Bugs had fused into one, becoming a single 'Bug King' with a stronger effect.

This was a technique mastered only after the Sleep Bug spell reached One Revolution—the true entry level.

That was: fusing Sleep Bugs with one another to make the effect fiercer and take hold faster.

"If I gather enough Sleep Bugs, could I make Old Chen fall asleep on the spot?"

"Using it mid-fight would be a trump card, too."

The more Zhao Xing thought about it, the more this spell suited his taste.

Fighting and fighting, and the enemy falls asleep—wouldn't they be at my mercy?

"Still, when the Life Soul encounters danger, the energy it erupts with is greater too. To reach the point of instant effect, I'll need to practice this spell much more."

Buzz~ The Sleep Bug was dispelled by the spell, and Zhao Xing stepped out the door, full of vigor.

He had already gotten a good measure of his control over this spell. Used on himself, the refreshing effect was quite decent.

"Today's not a rest day? Why are you up so early?" He had just stepped out when he saw Zhao Ruide standing in a stance beneath the locust tree.

"Used to waking early." Zhao Xing fetched a basin of water and washed his face. "Where's Zheng'er?"

"Still in bed." Zhao Ruide's voice carried a note of helplessness.

He truly had no way to deal with his youngest son—hitting him was out of the question, and scolding did no good.

At his age, he honestly had no resistance to his youngest son's acting cute.

Besides, Zhao Zheng was a likable-looking boy, and his coquettish ways came one after another.

Zhao Ruide truly couldn't harden his heart to force him to practice martial arts.

"How did it get like this again?" Zhao Xing, however, was somewhat displeased.

"The family wants for neither food nor clothing. As long as his character isn't bad, he doesn't necessarily have to practice martial arts to make his mark." Zhao Ruide said.

"But you already told him to practice martial arts, and now you're half managing, half not—that's teaching him to give up halfway, isn't it?" Zhao Xing said. "In the future, whatever he does, he won't put his heart into it. Any problem, no matter how big, and he just acts cute at you and it's solved."

Being lectured by his adopted son, Zhao Ruide's face couldn't quite hold up either.

"You're right—I should be tougher." He immediately snapped off a tree branch and strode toward the bedroom with great momentum.

At the doorway, he turned back to glance at Zhao Xing: "You won't stop me?"

Zhao Xing said, surprised: "Why would I stop you? A father disciplining his son is only right and proper."

Zhao Ruide hesitated: "Isn't this one a bit too thick?"

Zhao Xing said helplessly: "If you can't bring yourself to do it, then stop pretending. Throw away the stick and I'll go call him."

"Who said that? I'm not throwing it away—I just want to switch to a smaller one…" Zhao Ruide retreated awkwardly to the side. In the end, though, he didn't throw the branch away—only secretly swapped it for a smaller one, then stood outside with a stern face, waiting for Zhao Zheng to get up.

Zhao Xing didn't go in either. Standing outside the door, he began catching Zhao Zheng's Sleep Bugs.

He gauged the measure very well.

After three times, Zhao Zheng woke up on his own.

But this brat, even once he couldn't sleep, still rolled around in bed refusing to get up—making Zhao Xing so angry he laughed.

"Either way, you're still getting that beating."

Zhao Xing kicked the door open and charged in.

"Big bro, g-good morning!" Zhao Zheng, seeing his big brother kick the door open, immediately realized something was wrong—he must have overslept today.

So he raised his little face, put on an innocent smile, and tried to awaken his brother's love.

Unfortunately, big brother had no love—only cruelty.

"What did you promise Father before? Do you still remember what time you agreed to practice martial arts?"

"M-Mao hour on the dot."

"It's now Chen hour, first quarter. You're nine quarters late. Go out and find Father to get your stick yourself—two strikes per quarter."

"Huh?" Zhao Zheng's face immediately fell.

"Want me to do it instead?" Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow.

"N-no, no need to trouble Big Brother! I'll go take my punishment right now!" Zhao Zheng got out of bed at once.

"Be quicker. It's almost Chen hour, second quarter. Every quarter you delay is an extra stick."

"Got it!"

Zhao Zheng leapt out of bed and washed up as if he had wings on his feet.

"Buns! Fragrant, steaming buns~"

"Sesame flatbread! Fragrant, toasty flatbreads here!"

"Almond tea! One pot warms you all day! Good for the stomach and the liver~"

Zhao Xing stepped out the door; Pingkang Ward was already bustling along the streets.

He bought some breakfast on the way to Chen Shijie's residence, only to find outside Chen's gate a delicate-looking woman peering around furtively, a basket on her arm, behaving like a thief.

"Hm?" Zhao Xing, eyes everywhere, ears tuned to every sound, spotted something fishy at a glance.

He immediately circled soundlessly behind the woman.

"Whoosh~"

A gust of Yin Wind rose around the woman, and Zhao Xing demanded, "Who are you? Who sent you!"

"Ah!" The woman got a fright, turned around unprepared, and nearly fell to the ground.

Zhao Xing noticed her vital energy was faint, so he didn't strike immediately, just stared at her.

"Speak! Why are you sneaking around outside Chen's residence!"

"I-I…" the woman stammered, refusing to talk.

"If you won't talk, you're coming with me to see the magistrate." Zhao Xing threatened.

"Oh, don't! I'll leave, alright?" The woman wiped her tears, looking a little wronged.

Zhao Xing was briefly taken aback. His Bright Eyes had long since maxed out, and he had also cultivated Yin Wind and Great Dream Spring and Autumn, so now his perception of life-souls was extremely sharp.

Through a little trick from Great Dream Spring and Autumn, he could tell the woman wasn't lying.

Could she not be a follower of the Xuantian Sect?

True enough—those surveillance methods were far too crude.

"Whoosh!"

Just then, Chen Shijie rode the wind out of the residence and landed between the two of them.

With a casual wave, the Yin Wind swirling around the woman was dispersed.

Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow.

Old Chen really was no simple fellow.

This Yin Wind of his wasn't the entry-level version—it was Nine Revolutions!

Granted, he hadn't been controlling it, but to dispel Nine Revolutions Yin Wind with a single casual wave?

"What's going on? Why are you using Yin Wind on an ordinary person?" Chen Shijie supported the woman and frowned at Zhao Xing.

"I saw her sneaking around outside your gate and thought she was someone bewitched by the Xuantian Sect." Zhao Xing explained.

"She's not." Chen Shijie patted the woman's back. "Let's talk inside."

Chen Shijie waved his hand, and a sudden storm rose around them.

Between the alley and the residence gate, a corridor of storm formed.

Zhao Xing was a little puzzled; he couldn't tell if Old Chen was showing off or what.

He had a feeling Chen Shijie seemed a bit off today.

As if he were hiding something.

Could this be his lover?

Even if so, that wouldn't be a problem.

Having a lover was perfectly normal. The Great Zhou was an open society—even unmarried couples having relations was common; it was no big deal at all.

Could she be another man's wife?

Thinking that way, it actually made sense.

The way Zhao Xing looked at Chen Shijie immediately became a little strange.

Never expected Old Chen, with those bushy brows and big eyes of his, to play so fancy.

Now he's gotten himself into trouble!

"What are you thinking? It's not what you think." After bringing the woman into the residence and settling her in the main hall to rest, Chen Shijie ran to the side hall to chat with Zhao Xing. "Guiniang is unwed, I'm unwed—it's not what you're imagining."

"I didn't say a thing." Zhao Xing waved his hand. "In my heart, my lord is absolutely not that sort of person."

"I'm being transferred next year—to the army." Zhao Xing had no intention of pressing further, but Chen Shijie spoke up on his own.

"Transferred?" Zhao Xing was startled. He hadn't expected Old Chen to leave so soon, but then again, it made sense—a Military Agricultural Officer like Chen Shijie stuck in the rear in a clerical post was a real waste of talent.

As long as he hadn't made any major mistakes, he'd eventually be transferred back to the army.

He just didn't know if there was some hidden circumstance.

"I had some faction-alignment issues before that were never resolved," Chen Shijie said lightly. "That's why Guiniang and I never went public. Although it's resolved now, other matters have hit unexpected snags, so I agreed with her we'd stop seeing each other for a while. Didn't expect you to bump into us."

"You're not telling me all this just for me to listen, are you?" Zhao Xing vaguely guessed what was coming.

"Correct." Chen Shijie nodded. "I want you to come with me into the army. That was my plan from the start. You being anything other than a Military Agricultural Officer is a waste of your years—I can see you have great ambitions. I originally planned to wait another year or two for you, but looking at things now, you've progressed at lightning speed; your Yin Wind has already reached Nine Revolutions."

"Come join the army with me, Zhao Xing. A real man should campaign across the four corners—don't tell me you like staying in the rear as a clerk. Spending a few years in this comfortable place, and all your talent will go to waste!"

Chen Shijie no longer treated Zhao Xing as a mere superior or subordinate. Ever since Zhao Xing entered official rank, he had truly regarded him as a kindred spirit.

What he said now came straight from the heart.

Zhao Xing considered. "We can talk about that later. But can you first tell me why you've cut things off with Guiniang when you've still got half a year before your transfer? What exactly is this unexpected snag you ran into?"

Chen Shijie laughed. "See—this alertness and innate sharpness—exactly why I said you were born to be a Military Agricultural Officer. You should come with me to meet the Marquis!"

Zhao Xing stayed silent. Although he found Chen Shijie quite congenial, he couldn't just agree blindly. Chen Shijie had to lay his cards on the table first.

"It's the Xuantian Sect."

The Xuantian Sect? Zhao Xing was startled.

Chen Shijie sat in his chair and said slowly, "Starting half a year ago, my Warding Calamity Almanac gave repeated warnings. In roughly half a year, there were ten major-calamity warnings and thirty-five minor-calamity warnings."

"At first I didn't know why, because among fellow official Ninth Rank officials, no one else's Warding Calamity Almanac gave such warnings—only mine did. I also couldn't analyze the cause. It wasn't until recently, when officials and clerks in various parts of Nanyang Prefecture were abducted, and I learned more of the inside story, that I finally understood why."

Zhao Xing asked, "Didn't you speak with the officials before?"

Chen Shijie gave a mocking laugh. "Have you forgotten? We *are* the officials. A bad omen once or twice—surely we can't expect a seventh-rank official to be assigned to protect us, can we? I couldn't pin down the cause either; it was only after several incidents that I decided to look into it."

"After the third great ill omen, I asked some contacts in the military to look into the unusual occurrences in Haizhou over the past few years, and that was how I roughly identified the Xuantian Sect as the root of the trouble."

"After that I reported my suspicions to the commandery, but as I just said—could they really post someone to guard me around the clock?"

Zhao Xing asked, "Couldn't they just conduct a large-scale search and root out these evildoers?"

Chen Shijie shook his head. "You don't understand. The Xuantian Sect is no small, minor faction. The seventy-two Dao Academies that exist in Great Zhou today are all sects that submitted after the founding emperor set the policy of expelling religious orders. Even among those academies, the Xuantian Sect would rank among the very best."

"Its operations are extremely covert. Even the founding emperor failed to wipe it out completely—he could only drive it away. Tell me, how could that be simple? What the founding sovereign couldn't accomplish, his successors would find very hard to accomplish either."

"The Xuantian Sect has already endured for over two thousand years. A faction with that kind of depth—one that hasn't been destroyed in over two millennia and still periodically wreaks havoc on the world—do you really think Nanyang Commandery could root it out in a short time?"

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "Fair point. You can spend a thousand days as a thief, but you can't spend a thousand days guarding against a thief."

Chen Shijie said slowly, "After that incident, I knew the Xuantian Sect had likely set its sights on me. And on their list, I should be a fairly important target."

"That's why I stopped seeing Gui Niang—I planned to deal with this matter first."

Zhao Xing was somewhat taken aback. "You're not thinking of…"

Chen Shijie nodded. "Yes. I plan to put myself in harm's way, join forces with the military to set a trap, and lure the Xuantian Sect into making a move against me. If I don't eliminate the evildoers' den here in the Nanyang Commandery area, I won't feel at ease even after I leave. These lunatics are utterly mad—if they ever learned of my relationship with Gui Niang, the innocent would be dragged in too."

Zhao Xing was startled. "Isn't that far too risky?"

Chen Shijie smiled. "If it succeeds, once I'm gone I won't have to keep worrying about Gui Niang, Nanyang Commandery can continue in peace and happiness, and I'll have earned myself a merit to take up a post in the military. Three birds with one stone—that risk is worth taking!"