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It had already been two weeks since Lan's transmigration, and he was slowly starting to get used to life here. It would be a lie if he said that it wasn't thanks to Liwei —whether it was to accompany him when he wanted to go somewhere, or to give explanations when he was confused about something, she was always willing to help him.

Lan thought that it was his luck to have stumbled on someone like that upon arriving in this world. He used to think that she helped him because she was grateful that he saved her from the villager, but after realizing she was an Immortal, he switched his thought a bit: she realized he was one of her kind and since he was willing to lend a hand, she felt that she couldn't abandon him when he was so miserable, so she took him under her wing. He thought it made sense, and he couldn't think of something else, so it seemed like the only plausible reason.

He remembered thinking that he shouldn't have meddled in her trouble, but now he understood that good deeds indeed paid off. If he hadn't helped her, he would surely still be a snake right now. Though from what Liwei said, turning him back into a human was Wen Li's doing. He didn't know what he did for her to help him too, but he was glad.

During his time here, what he mostly learned about was this village he was in. Most people only referred to it as 'the village' for the unfortunate reason that it used to be so poor and meaningless that not many people bothered remembering its name. Later, when it evolved, it simply went as 'The Town Village', so that was its name.

He also followed Liwei around since he had nothing to do, and she didn't seem to mind ; and well, that earned him a job at the Sun and Moon Inn, along with her. They went there almost every day, simply helping out Madam Zheng. Lan didn't know why Liwei would do that —she took care of most things, and even paid for reparations when needed, or bought material to make it easier when Madam Zheng was on her own. He didn't know what kind of relationship they had, but Liwei seemed to appreciate her more than he initially thought. Watching the two of them was like watching a young lady and her grandmother.

And about his Immortal nature, there was nothing new.

He had tried to use his spiritual powers more than once. There was no way he didn't have them ! Was it really an error that occurred during the transmigration ? So he wouldn't have any power at all ? It would be very disappointing.

As of now, he was in Liwei's backyard. He still wanted to try ! Until someone directly told him that it was no use, he wouldn't stop. And even then, he still probably wouldn't. Like, how cool would it be if he had powers ? Of course, he couldn't give up on it so easily !

He focused deeply, trying to feel something in his body, and trying to gather it in the palm of his hand. Maybe it was because he was use to trying and failing, so he didn't expect this time to work. Even when he felt something different, like something warm flowing throughout his body, he didn't take the time to notice it. He was too immersed in his self-encouraging thoughts, that it was fine if he failed because he could always try again.

He opened his eyes and waved his hand at the same time. This time, he clearly felt it : something strong came out of his hand. And following almost instantly, a tree at the back of the yard collapsed. Lan's eyes widened. First of all, he didn't have an ounce of expectation, which led him to use too much strength in his move. And secondly, he felt embarrassed and didn't know how to tell Liwei that he destroyed her backyard.

But in the end, he didn't have to, as the back door opened, and Liwei rushed out. "What was this noise- oh."

Lan's back was facing her. He sighed and slowly turned around. Embarrassment was clear on his face.

"I- I'm sorry, I ... didn't think it would be so strong."

Liwei stood still and silent for a few seconds, which didn't help Lan's case at all. He was ready to apologize again, but she smiled and took a few steps toward him.

"Don't worry about the tree, it's whatever. Just tell me, since when were you able to use your powers exactly ?"

"Just now. I waved my hand and it unexpectedly happened."

Of course, he kept for himself the fact that he actually practiced. She shouldn't know that he was aware of anything other than his name. Or else, she'd have too many questions.

Liwei nodded, "I see. Then you've finally recovered completely."

"What do you mean ?"

"I'll be honest now, I didn't tell you everything last time. When we saved you that day, aside from putting you in a coma, we also temporarily sealed your powers for the same reasons : using them could have caused you internal injuries. Now that your body is one hundred percent healed and back to its usual strength, your spiritual powers naturally came back."

So it wasn't an error in transmigration after all ! Lan was starting to get really worried, but now he was relieved.

"Oh, I see. So now that I have my powers back, I still can't know what I am ?"

Lan couldn't directly assume he was an Immortal. Immortals weren't the only ones with spiritual powers, so he would sound too suspicious. Especially since Liwei and Wen Li hadn't told him yet that they were Immortals themselves.

"You see, I would tell you but Wen Li made it clear that you should stay ignorant at least for now. There's even something else she was resolute about : when you recover your spiritual powers, you should refrain from using them."

Lan felt very disappointed. "Why?"

"Because someone's presence can be felt through the remaining energy of their powers. If you use them carelessly and someone powerful happens to pass by, your existence will be revealed."

"I understand but ..." he sighed, as he trailed off.

Liwei sighed as well, "I know —it's frustrating. Things have been odd and nothing made sense, right ?"

"Yes ! I've experienced a few things already, but you keep refusing to tell me anything. I already don't remember much about myself, if not a name. It's really ... I really feel useless."

"It won't be long. The reason we're not telling you, and why Wen Li is especially against it, is because she's more at risk than me. The less you know, the less dangerous it is for all of us. "

Has Lan been insisting too much about this ? Now that he saw her frowning face, he started to feel bad. They told him (and he knew) there was an unknown danger, and they were currently helping him. Of course they had their reasons, but he was simply complaining about it.

And the worst was that he already knew the answer to what he wanted to know !

But the reason he wanted them to tell him —the reason he wanted them to know he knew— was because he wanted to be helpful too. He couldn't just lay back and let others go through danger for him on their own, could he ? Especially when he didn't know what relation they supposedly had with him. To him, they were still strangers.

"Okay okay, fine." he said. "I'm sorry, I won't insist anymore."

"You'll eventually know sooner or later."

Lan saw that she was still uncertain about his long-awaited acceptance of his ignorance, so he smiled sincerely.

"Yes, I'll wait until the time is right."

Seeing him smile, she relaxed and smiled back.

"All right."

"But I still have a request."

"What is it?"

"If there's something I can help with, please tell me. I wouldn't feel good if I were to sit back and see you and miss Wen do everything on your own."

She was about to answer but seeing as her expression stiffened slightly, he already guessed that she would answer something along the line of 'it's too dangerous. So he rushed to add something before she had the chance to.

"Please don't give me an answer that will make me look like the damsel in distress. I have no memories and don't even know if I can use my powers well anymore, but I shouldn't be completely useless. If you just put me aside, then how am I supposed to feel? "

Liwei sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry. I was ..." she shook her head. "I didn't think enough."

"No it's fine." He extended his hand with his pinky finger and thumb sticking out. "Then ... promise you'll let me know if something needs to be done ?"

Liwei glanced at his hand for a few seconds, before slowly raising her own. Her fingers were trembling slightly, but Lan didn't notice. She wrapped her pinky around his, then they stuck the tip of their thumbs together, sealing the pinky pact this way.

"Okay promised." Liwei answered.

She then withdrew her hand and linked it with her other one behind her back.

"But even then, don't forget that you can't use your spiritual powers for now." she reminded. "Uh, I don't think using your sword will be possible then."

"My sword ? I have a sword too ?" he exclaimed excitedly, before getting a hold of himself. He cleared his throat. "I mean, where's my sword ?"

No matter how much he wanted to hide his excitement, he couldn't conceal the gleam in his eyes and the smile threatening to expand on his face.

Liwei shook her head and smiled. "I kept it safely. I'll give it back to you, but don't tell Wen Li or else I won't have to wait to be killed, she'll do it herself."

"You'll really give it to me ?"

"Yes. But before that, I'll have to make sure your powers are stable."

"Right."

"You can try here, it's safe. There's an Existence Concealing barrier all around my house, front and back yards included. I cast it when you first woke up, in case something like this would happen. If you ever want to practice, you can do it safely here. "

"I guess the name is self-explanatory, but what exactly does this barrier do ?"

"This barrier and the Presence Concealing barrier act as a shield if you ever want to hide from anyone or anything. The difference is that the Existence Concealing barrier uses more energy and is stronger because it also conceals traces of spiritual power. With a Presence Concealing barrier, you'll be discovered as soon as you use power."

"All right, I got that. But how much energy does it cost ? Then isn't it tiring for you to have it all around your house ?"

"I'm not the one casting it. Not directly at least."

"You'll have to explain that as well."

"See this pendant ?" she mentioned to the crimson ruby she was wearing around her neck.

"Yes. So turned out you really lied that day in the market right ? It's indeed spiritual !"

"It's a lie to expose a truth, it's allowed. But yes, it's spiritual."

"So how is it useful for the barrier ?"

"When one wears it, every day it takes spiritual energy from them, about the amount needed to cast a simple spell —but you're free to transfer more energy into it if you want. Then instead of using your own energy, you can use the pendant's instead. The longer you wear it, the more powerful it is. "

"How long have you worn yours?"

"Twenty years."

"Twenty years ? And how old are you ? Oh wait, is it rude to ask this ?"

"I guess it offends some people ?" she shrugged. "I don't really care. Anyway, I'm twenty."

Twenty ? So she was only a year younger than him ? Her face was very youthful, and her behavior tended to be a bit childish, so Lan was convinced she hadn't reached her twenties yet.

"Really ?"

"What, do I look older ?"

"It's the contrary, actually."

Liwei sighed, "I don't understand why everyone thinks that."

Lan couldn't believe she didn't understand.

"Don't you think it's a compliment though ? I would be pleased if people thought I looked younger."

"Sure it's good, but at times it gets annoying. Some people even thought I was as young as fifteen ! They talk to me like they would to a kid, and think I can't be taken seriously."

"It does sound a bit annoying."

"You see !" she sighed again.

"But then how old is miss Wen ?"

"Wen Li... how old was she ?" she thought for a few seconds. "Ah, maybe twenty-three or twenty-four. I can't remember exactly."

At least he wasn't wrong about her looking older than Liwei. If they were the same age, or Wen Li was younger, he would have had to question Life itself.

Liwei didn't ask for his own age, and he didn't mention it. He wasn't even supposed to remember his name, so what would they think if he remembered it ?

"Okay so," he closed this tangent topic, "you wore it your whole life ?"

"Yes."

"And you transferred supplementary energy too ?"

"Yes."

Lan was impressed. This necklace looked normal, but it actually held so much power !

"That's really cool. I might find one for myself and start economizing spiritual energy too."

Liwei looked at her pendant, then back up at Lan. "Why not." She smiled, "For now, since you just recovered your powers, let's practice together, okay ?"

Lan's excitement resurfaced. "Okay !"

"First thing you should try, is to control the amount of energy you release."

Lan embarrassedly looked at the fallen tree, "I think so too."

"Try gathering a small amount in your palm right now."

"How do I do that ?"

Liwei opened her hand and raised it in front of her. Red sparks danced above her hand, then it condensed into a flame.

"This is a simple trick, it's just lighting up a fire. You need a tiny bit of spiritual power to do it. Uh, how do I explain it ? It's like... ah, yes ! You can think of it as pouring a cup of water ! You take into consideration the size of the cup, and tilt the bottle just enough and stop it at the right time for the cup to be filled accordingly. It's simple, but it requires focus. This is the same thing : focus on the energy inside of you, and try to gather a certain amount in your palm." Then after a second of pause, she added, "Wait, was that example actually good ? It made sense in my head, but I never taught anyone, so I don't know." she frowned.

Lan didn't think that pouring water and using spiritual energy was really the same, but in a way, her reasoning did make sense. Then again, it wasn't of much help to him. Maybe it would be, to someone who was used to magic though.

"I don't either, I can't remember any teaching about it." he shrugged. "I'll give it a try first."

"Go ahead."

He lifted his open hand and closed his eyes. He tried his best to focus on whatever energy there was inside of him, but he couldn't feel it anymore. He frowned and tried harder, but the harder he tried, the more distracted and anxious he became.

"Huang-ge." Liwei suddenly called.

Lan opened his eyes, a sad and embarrassed look on his face. "I can't feel anything."

"Because you're not doing it right. Try to relax first, you're too nervous, and it blocks you."

"I got nervous cause I couldn't feel anything though."

"You were nervous before you even started. Didn't you see your hand ?"

Lan looked down at his hand. It was shaking. He hadn't even noticed it ! He instinctively closed it in a fist and brought it back to his side.

"Anyway, I'll try again !"

"Of course."

He tried again. It actually took him four more tries to be able to feel something flowing inside of him. It was a warm sensation, like the first sip of a hot chocolate on a winter day, warming one's throat, chest, spreading all throughout the body. Lan intentionally let out a satisfied sigh.

He thought of Liwei's previous explanation and tried to gather this energy in the palm of his hand. He opened his eyes and looked at his hand with anticipation.

Nothing happened.

He sighed, but he wasn't discouraged. On the contrary, he felt pleased and proud. His eyes filled with determination, he looked at Liwei.

"I felt it !" he slowly smiled.

His smile was contagious, and she couldn't help but return it. "That's already a good start !"

Lan was really happy. Although he wasn't sure that someone could really lose all ability to use spiritual powers after losing their memory, Liwei didn't seem to question it, so he assumed it was normal.

Now he just needed to practice a lot !

~

A day late, but happy new year everyone ! I hope 2022 will be better than 2021 for all of you <3