Heavenly Dipper

"Senior!" Qin Wentian's heart quivered as he cried out in shock. He rushed to Gongyang Hong's side, kneeling down to assess his injuries.

Gongyang Hong responded to Qin Wentian's presence with a weak wave of his hand, still fixated on the vacant space. In the depths of his eyes, emotions swirled—despair, anger, regret, and pain—invoking a sense of melancholy in anyone who glimpsed it.

"Senior, you need to take care of yourself," Qin Wentian said with a heavy sigh, empathizing with the turmoil in Gongyang Hong's eyes. Gongyang Hong had undoubtedly led an extraordinary life.

"We live and die together, we live and die together... for over 20 years, I wanted to fully immerse myself in comprehending the insights of Divine Imprints. So, I embarked on my research of Divine Inscriptions. Yet, right from the start, I was on the wrong path," Gongyang Hong lamented helplessly.

"If I had known her intention wasn't for me to comprehend the imprints within the paintings, but instead to decipher the innate techniques hidden within, I believe I would have succeeded in half a year at most. After all, I had seen and knew of these techniques. Maybe I could have even succeeded in 2 to 3 months... But I actually spent over 20 years."

Gongyang Hong muttered to himself, and Qin Wentian couldn't help but agree. If Gongyang Hong had understood from the beginning that the paintings contained innate techniques, he would have approached the problem from a completely different angle. With his knowledge and level of comprehension, he would have solved the riddle within half a year. After all, he was familiar with all four types of innate techniques and could execute them at a certain level. Unfortunately, Gongyang Hong had taken the wrong direction from the start.

"I always considered myself free-spirited, but in reality, I'm lacking, a coward, cold-blooded, and emotionless. I apologize for what I've done to you," Gongyang Hong said, and a tear welled up in his eye, trailing down his face. He lay there like a lifeless corpse, unmoving.

There's no greater sorrow than a heart that has withered away. At this moment, his heart was so cold that the chill seemed to penetrate his very bones.

In that instant, Qin Wentian's heart quivered as he saw Gongyang Hong's disheveled hair gradually turn white.

"Senior, the events of over 20 years ago are in the past. Why must you torment yourself like this?" Qin Wentian tried to console him. What level of despair and agony could turn a head of hair completely white? Yet, in that moment, Gongyang Hong's white hair transformed into silver, and he appeared to age more than a decade in the blink of an eye.

Gongyang Hong closed his eyes, and Qin Wentian sat beside him, at a loss for words.

The "her" in his words likely referred to a woman who had left behind the message "We live and die together" for him.

Qin Wentian couldn't help but wonder. If this woman was so emotional, why didn't she simply express her feelings directly to Gongyang Hong? Instead, she had chosen to leave behind a cryptic riddle in the paintings, resulting in over two decades of regret and misunderstanding.

Gongyang Hong had his eyes closed, showing no signs of life. Qin Wentian sighed softly but decided not to disturb him. He settled down nearby, determined not to leave in case Gongyang Hong needed help.

Another day passed swiftly, and night descended once more. The Astral Light bathed Qin Wentian's body as he meditated, absorbing the starlight's boundless energy. His face appeared serene and tranquil as he delved into deep meditation.

Gongyang Hong, on the other hand, opened his eyes, observing Qin Wentian bathed in the starry radiance, a sense of loss emanating from him.

"Everything that happened was because of my own mistakes," Gongyang Hong admitted to himself as he gazed at the starry skies above.

"That year, she possessed extraordinary talent and had countless suitors. Although you appeared confident and composed, wasn't it rooted in your sense of inferiority? If you hadn't deemed yourself inferior to her, why, after years of companionship, did you never dare to take the final step? Couldn't you sense the love she had for you?

"That year, she turned down 18 marriage proposals, all from demon-level talents belonging to prominent sects. Who among them was inferior to you? Why did she keep rejecting them? Why did she confide in you? Your self-doubt and cowardice ruined everything. In the end, you chose silence, too afraid to confess your feelings.

"That year, everyone envied you. But why were they envious? Wasn't it because you were the only one she was close to? And out of jealousy, they gravely injured you. She even implored her father for help because of you. But during the 19th proposal, you remained silent. Could you not see her love for you?

"Even the last time she visited you, you couldn't bring yourself to confess. Instead, you stayed silent, and all she left were the four Divine Inscription paintings, along with a year for you to decipher their riddle. Even if you failed to decode it within that time, as long as you confessed, no matter the consequences, she would have given up everything to be with you. All because of those words, 'We live and die together.'

"But you didn't. You watched her marry someone else with indifference. Did you not see the despair, the coldness, and ultimately the hopelessness in her eyes as she looked at you? Gongyang Hong, you deserve this torment."

Gongyang Hong reflected on the events of his past, which had unfolded over two decades ago. Even now, the pain still gnawed at him as he stared into the night sky, feeling utterly alone and miserable.

The early morning air was slightly damp, with dewdrops glistening on the bamboo leaves in the surrounding forest.

Qin Wentian called out, "Senior," as he slowly opened his eyes. Before him sat Gongyang Hong, his hair now silver, and his face marked by the passage of many years.

"You're awake," Gongyang Hong said, his smile returning as he regained his composure. Qin Wentian felt a wave of relief wash over him at the sight of Gongyang Hong's regained stability.

"Yes," Qin Wentian replied.

Gongyang Hong's curiosity got the better of him. "How did you discover the connection between Divine Imprints and innate techniques?" he asked. The woman from that year had been a prodigious genius in divine inscriptions, creating the four Divine Inscription paintings for Gongyang Hong over two decades ago. It was clear that she, like Qin Wentian, had recognized the link between Divine Imprints and innate techniques.

"I had a sudden revelation," Qin Wentian explained. "One of my cultivation techniques requires me to tap into the energy of Divine Imprints. As I gained a deeper understanding of Divine Imprints, the connection between them and innate techniques began to reveal itself to me."

Seeing the genuine smile on Qin Wentian's face, Gongyang Hong couldn't help but reminisce about the past. Unfortunately, all he had been left with after more than twenty years of emptiness was regret.

"If you ever encounter a girl who stirs your heart, don't hesitate. Seize the opportunity," Gongyang Hong abruptly changed the subject, surprising Qin Wentian.

Nodding, Qin Wentian replied, "I will keep that in mind."

In truth, he hadn't yet met a girl who truly moved his heart. But when it came to matters of the heart, a scene involuntarily flashed through his mind—a snowy landscape, snowflakes drifting around, and a young woman sitting beside him, quietly savoring the beauty of the snow. She had teasingly called him a "dumbo" before departing with a smile. It was a beautiful memory.

"What am I thinking?" Qin Wentian shook his head, attempting to dispel the thought.

"Remember, don't miss your chance. Regrets can haunt you for a lifetime," Gongyang Hong sighed deeply as he continued, "Since you've managed to connect Divine Imprints and innate techniques, why haven't you done the same with your Astral Soul and your offensive-type innate techniques?"

"Senior, don't innate techniques already contain a trace of Astral Soul energy within them? The type of Astral Soul one possesses determines their cultivation technique and innate techniques. As for a deeper connection, I haven't yet comprehended it," Qin Wentian replied.

While he responded in this manner, he had indeed contemplated linking his Astral Soul with his innate techniques. During his battles with Yanaro and Luo Qianqiu, he had already sought to infuse the power of his dream-type Astral Soul into his innate techniques.

"Do you know what the Heavenly Dipper Realm signifies, which lies beyond the Yuanfu Realm?" Gongyang Hong asked, fixing his gaze on Qin Wentian.

"I have no idea, Senior," Qin Wentian replied. He was currently only at the Arterial Circulation Realm. He hadn't had the opportunity to interact with a Heavenly Dipper Realm expert. Those in the Heavenly Dipper Realm were considered the peak cultivators in the entire Chu Country.

"The Heavenly Dipper Realm involves condensing stars known as Astral Novas from the Heavenly Dipper. At that point, your Astral Soul becomes your most direct method of combat. In some cases, Astral Novas can even surpass the use of Divine Weapons," Gongyang Hong explained. "Eventually, your Astral Soul itself will transform into an offensive-type innate technique. However, condensing Astral Novas requires an astronomical amount of cultivation resources to bridge the gap between Yuanfu and the Heavenly Dipper Realm."

Gongyang Hong imparted his wisdom to Qin Wentian, who listened attentively. This knowledge was precious, born of Gongyang Hong's own experiences.

"Look into my eyes," Gongyang Hong instructed. As Qin Wentian gazed into his eyes, he saw lifeless, dead eyes staring back at him. Instantly, a surge of death intent flooded his mind, only to dissipate moments later. But even that brief encounter caused Qin Wentian's heart to race uncontrollably.

A single glance was already this terrifying.

"That was a combination of my Astral Soul and my 'Eyes of the Dead' innate technique. Such a technique can only be cultivated with a corresponding Astral Soul," Gongyang Hong explained. "Remember to continuously utilize your Astral Souls. In the future, they will become your ultimate weapons, and your proficiency in their use is the key to entering the Heavenly Dipper Realm."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," Qin Wentian said, bowing respectfully.

"I'm merely sharing my experiences; it can hardly be considered guidance. If not for you, I doubt I would have deciphered the riddles in these paintings even now," Gongyang Hong sighed. "Qin Wentian, your understanding is on the right path. Astral Souls, Divine Imprints, Innate Techniques—all of these are part of cultivation. All streams flow to the ocean, all paths lead to the same destination. Keep cultivating diligently, and live a life with no regrets."

With a final word of advice, Gongyang Hong gestured for Qin Wentian to leave. He handed over the four paintings to Qin Wentian as a reward for deciphering their riddles.

"Take care of yourself, Senior. In the future, I will visit you often," Qin Wentian called out as he walked into the bamboo forest. Little Rascal scuttled along, following closely behind him.