Chapter 3: Memories of previous life

Her surroundings changed so fast that even she, a nascent soul cultivator, could not detect it before it already happened.

She was in a pitch-black void. The only source of light was a large white screen in front of her.

"What place is this?" She could not sense her surroundings at all; to do this so easily was not a feat even a mahamaya realm cultivator could do.

The white screen started to play a scene of a little girl running happily in front of her.

What she saw shocked her; this little girl on the screen was not just any girl; it was her when she was a child.

She was astonished by the visual clarity. It felt like it was a window rather than just an illusion.

She could feel every emotion that the girl on the screen felt as if they were one soul, two bodies.

All these human emotions were long forgotten by her in the pursuit of longevity. Unexpectedly, her mouth arched into a tiny smile.

What is this? Is she being affected by this memory? But her instincts are telling her everything is fine. Her instincts have saved her many times where one doesn't have time to think things through.

"It can't be; was this memory really sent by a god?" She said it with an uncertain tone.

Even if the world's most powerful beings were to target her and manipulate her memories, they could not control the natural instinct of a cultivator. This phenomenon could only be explained as something divine.

"But why? Why sent her these now?" All kinds of questions arose, but there was not anyone to answer them. She could only watch and piece them together herself.

The girl ran happily out of her village towards the road. There were many camps setup, and men were carrying swords and pikes; some were walking, some were riding on horses in and out of the camp.

It seems like some procession is going through there and decided to rest for the day near their village.

All the village girls were gathering around the fence of a farm, just out the tent of a beautiful young lady.

When they saw little Shugie coming, every girl made a face that asked, 'Why are you here?'.

Only one girl among them came from them to greet her, her best friend Nuna. Nuna is 18 this year; even though there is a 6-year gap between them, they became friends quickly.

"Let's go over there and look; the view is better there." Nuna said.

"Quite intelligent for her age." Shugie muttered, seeing the scene play out on the screen.

They went to the nearby tree and started looking at the brave knights and beautiful noble lords and ladies.

At the center of the noble ladies was a young woman with delicate white skin and cherry red lips.

While her maidservants were braiding her hair, she noticed that some local girls had gathered around.

One of her female bodyguards noticed where she was looking, then she barked, "Why are you brats gathering around here? Shoo, go away."

"It's fine, Mrs. Wan," said the noble lady. "Do you all live in this village?"

The group of girls replied in unison, "Yes, madam."

"Then why are you all so far away? Come, let's have a chat," said the kind noble lady with a light chuckle.

One of the young girls, 5 or 6 years old, came running to her and asked, "You are so pretty, sister; are you a princess?"

Hearing this, the other young noble ladies laughed lightly.

Even Adult Shugie smiled hearing this innocent question. "Maybe I should start teaching sect children again," she thought.

The common people rarely have any interaction from someone of higher status.

"No, sweetheart, I am of the house chu of wilderlands," said the noble lady.

"There isn't any such greater house in the wilderlands as long as my memory goes; what era is this?" Shugie muttered to herself.

In the screen, Miss Chu also noticed two girls standing under the Banyan tree and looking at them, so she called them as well, "You guys also come."

Little Shugie and her friend looked at each other and smiled, then rushed towards the group.

This was the first time they had seen a noble madam. Even though she says she is not a princess, for the village girls, it was still like a princess from the fairytales is paying them a visit.

When they reached near Miss Chu, all the other girls faces changed from initial excitement to slight hesitation as if they had something to say.

Finally, one of them spoke, "Madam, she is the daughter of a butcher."

Hearing this, Miss Chu, in shock, looked at Shugie and her friend. They hung their heads low in shame.

"I think it is better if both of you leave," said Miss Chu with a subtle disdain in her voice.

"As you command, madam," with each word little Shugie spoke, she could feel her throat dry up in shame and self-loathing.

Then, with a slight bow, little Shugie and her friend turned around and left. As they were leaving the perimeter, they could hear Miss Chu ordering Mrs. Wan to clean the area with a few sprinkles of holy water.

She had hoped that the princess from fairytales would be kinder than the people of her village. Little Shugie started to cry; what little hopes and dreams she had of making friends with the noble miss were shattered in an instance.

Seeing her friend cry, Nuna knew that if they couldn't return to the village, then Shugie's father would see her in this state. Though he would never shy away from taking care of Shugie, her father already had a lot on his plate.

Nuna knew the shugie's father has still not fully recovered from the loss of his wife. So she took her to the river bank, where they wash clothes in the morning.

"Is my blood really tainted?" Shugie sobbingly questioned her friend.

"You shouldn't think like that; they are just stupid. How can your blood be tainted? Your heart is so beautiful! Besides, only heavens can judge our worth; others are not worthy. They are just..."

While trying to console her friend, she saw someone laying down not far from them under the shade of a blue plum tree.

He looked like a young man in what could only be described as a soldier's attire, with light brown leather armor and a sword laid by his side.

Blood drained from Nuna's face; the only question on her mind was, "Did he hear us?"