CH-9: Pseudo Divine Sense

I came back from the training grounds all spent. I didn't like that I couldn't progress, it felt like being in a pool but can't do a sprinkler with your hands. 'Do I have to open my Soul Sea no matter what? Then I better give the technique to the Second Elder like eldest brother said.'

'Well, I still have 5 weeks till the exams, I have time. In no way an accident would happen before the academy arc even starts. Though there should be multiple after it does, as it is a trope too.' I made my way into my room.

'The Clan somehow looks hectic, too much activity than normal. Did something happen? A heavenly treasure appeared maybe? No, many of them are formation masters, at least of 4th rank. What would need this many formation masters? Did the Thundering Cataclysm have a leakage? Not that, they are checking the defensive formations, was it time already? This must have something to do with yesterday's assembly, is a beast tide coming perhaps? Never mind, I have my hands full with this technique already. Let's just go.' As I got closer to my mansion, a sweet melody drifted in the air, it felt like a lullaby, I was tired anyway I could sleep anywhere. 'So that's her physique in effect.'

Before we parted ways yesterday, we sorted her storage problem and I gave the guqin to her. Then an official took her to the Grand Library, to choose an art. 'She is practising hard too. This is where the male god comes in and plays Xiao, isn't it? A xiao is an end-blown flute, often accompanying qin. Most novels with female leads often have this duo played together with the male lead at least once, it also has been used in court drama romances.'

"Whatever, I'm not good at xiao. Let's just listen for now.' Instead of going to my room, I went to her courtyard. 'Maybe her physique could help me get a feel of my soul, if I can feel it I can eventually utilize it.'

P.O.V CHANGE

I woke up early today to study the battle art I took yesterday. 'I can't just use the high ranks I have. Let's learn this for now, I will gradually use them in the Institute.' As I was practising, an unexpected person came in. 'Doesn't he have any decorum, coming uninvited and helping himself in...' I continued while watching him sit on a nearby stone slightly flatter than the others. 'Is he serious? Meditating while under a soul attack, is he looking for death?' One must know that I'm also practising a weapon art using guqin, enhancing the potency of my physique. Even without it, there are techniques and special weapons that can achieve the same results but with my physique it changes from additive to multiplicative, making me capable of crossing realms.' The song ended soon and we were left staring at each other.

"What a beautiful verse, did you write it yourself?" I nodded in answer.

"Ah. I'm sorry for coming uninvited, I thought it was a good chance to practice something so I just barged in, I apologize."

"What were you practising?" 'He surely didn't do what I think he did, right?'

"Well, since your music is a soul attack, I thought I could get a feel of my soul, increasing my chances of Foundation Establishment. I am hoping to become the top student just like my eldest brother. The earlier I achieve Foundation Establishment, the better chances of that happening."

 'This madman! Who tries to feel their soul while it is being damaged? Wait, now I think about it all he showed was slight discomfort, he can actually withstand it!'

"Then, are you up for another round?"

"Another time, unfortunately. I'm totally spent, I wish you good night Miss Iyana."

"Likewise."

P.O.V CHANGE

'Looks like proximity affects it too. Although I didn't feel much other than a migraine, I think I have got a lead, the only thing left is to grasp it.' For a month, I practised the Descending Starry Palm in the morning and then listened to her music and meditated at night. I didn't take advantage of her for free of course, I helped with her tutoring. It was obvious during the assembly that she didn't have much going on for etiquette.

In three days we would board a Flying boat and go to the Institute, where exams would be held. 'I don't have much time left.' So I just opted for free concerts. As the night approached, I focused on my head, trying to feel my soul as it depleted, and then I caught something. It felt like I was gulping in my brain, something goes down, spent. I held my breath and focused on that feeling, how it was going down, where it was going and where it came from. I reached that space with my blood qi, poking it. As I kept poking the feeling came clearer. Now I had sensed my soul, I only had to use it to force my will upon the world. Not complicated whatsoever... 'Well, I guess this is where I stop for now.' I got up to get to my house, only to sense someone approaching me from behind. I turned back, grabbed their arms and slammed them to the wall. Not a bad idea normally but...

"What do you think you are doing!"

"That... Ahem. It was just a reflex, sorry." Then I registered who was I talking to. "Wait a sec, you CAN talk. You were treated and still kept with this writing responses?"

"And how would I know if it would hurt you or not? My physique effect is stronger with my voice!"

"I hear you, you don't have to yell. You do know now at least."

"You did it right, that was definitely a pseudo-divine sense!

"How would you know?" 'She's a regressor alright.'

"That... I read in the Grand Library."

"Grand Library doesn't have that kind of information open to the public, it is privy to those in Birth Of Self. How. Would. You. Know? You are aware that I can turn you in as a spy right, then those Birth Of Self elders would search your memory." 'Let's see if I can get her to reveal it."

"Who told it was yours? I read it back at home!" 'She is flustered alright. Just needs a push.'

"And you expect me to believe it? A branch family outcast is able to get such information, I wouldn't see it happen even in my wildest dreams! I know it wasn't a Miraculous Doctor who treated you, if you don't come clean right now you can imagine the rest."

"And how can I believe you to not turn me in the moment you are done?"

"What about if I make a Heavenly Vow? Only if you take one to tell the truth of course."

"That works, I vow with the heavens as a witness, if I don't answer his questions today with truth, may the heavens strike me down."

"I vow with the heavens as a witness, if I turn her in or try to blackmail her with her answers may heavens strike me down." We vowed simultaneously. "Now first question, reincarnation or regression?"

"Huh? What do you mean? You mean me? It- it is regression..."

"Hah! I knew it. Alright to the next, which big threat caused your death, an evil cultivator, extraterrestrial demons invading, or a cultivator from another world?"

"It is the second one..."

"And lastly, who do you think I am?"

"You didn't exist in my previous life, so I thought you were someone from the upper realm, sensing the ripples in time chose to reincarnate here to figure out the reason." 'Does this make me her male god now?'

"It is a good guess for the most part, anyone who can guess the ripples in the time river should be strong enough to control 'to when' would they be reincarnated, but you are unlucky, I'm not some old monster. I'm genuinely the 7th Young Master of the Lin Clan. Now we broke the ice between us, do you have any plan on how to stop it?"

"No. I hoped to get strong enough to protect my mother and survive. Without being Divine Ascension Saint it is pointless to think about stopping the invasion. By the way, can you let go now?"

"Oh, right. Sorry." Now realising I still had her by the arms, I quickly let go.

"So, did you achieve it or not, pseudo-divine sense I mean."

"I think I did, unlike a true divine sense which enables one to sense everything around them in a certain radius I can only sense if there is a displacement in any way in 10 a meter radius. It should be stronger when I reach Qi Refining."

"So what are you going to do with it now?"

"This wasn't what I was going for but it is a nice boon, I will try to master the battle art we bought in the auction. "

"It should be a fragment of a 5th Rank battle art, are you sure you can master it now?"

"Not now. We don't have much time left before the exams. I will master it in the Institute. By the way, will you keep the notepad? You kinda have a nice voice."