Chapter 2: Meeting in a Dream

Long Hua stood frozen, unable to believe his eyes. The "librarian" they had encountered in the library was already waiting here, as if everything had unfolded according to his expectations.

"How... how are you here?" Long Hua asked tentatively, walking slowly toward the pavilion.

The elderly Zhou Dao wore a serene smile as he sat at a stone table in the center of the pavilion. A chessboard was laid out, with black and white pieces already arranged, seemingly waiting only for the game to begin.

"I have always been here," the old man's voice was steady and distant, "just as you have always been searching for this place." He looked up at Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi, his gaze sharp and profound. "It seems you have already begun 'seeing qi'—faster than expected."

Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi exchanged surprised glances. The old man not only knew Long Hua's name but was also intimately familiar with the special ability of "seeing qi."

"And you are..." Lin Ruoxi asked tentatively.

"Zhou Dao," the old man nodded slightly, "though that's merely a convenient name. As you've guessed, I'm neither a librarian nor an ordinary mountain hermit."

Long Hua took a deep breath, gathering the courage to ask directly: "Then who exactly are you? Why did you guide us here?"

The old man didn't answer immediately, but pointed to the stone bench opposite him. "Sit down first. Climbing the mountain has consumed much of your energy." He took out an ancient earthen pot and three small cups, pouring clear tea. "Try this—pine needle tea brewed with mountain spring water. It helps regulate newly awakened abilities."

Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi exchanged glances before cautiously sitting across from the old man. Long Hua accepted the teacup and took a small sip, immediately feeling a cooling sensation spread throughout his body. The mild discomfort caused by "seeing qi" quickly dissipated.

"Thank you," he said sincerely. "The tea is excellent."

Lin Ruoxi also tasted the tea, surprise flashing in her eyes. "This is... pine needle tea with green jade essence? It's said only cultivators know this recipe."

Zhou Dao smiled slightly. "Your knowledge is impressive, young observer." He turned his gaze to Long Hua. "As for your question, who I am is not important. What matters is who you are, or rather, who you will become."

Long Hua felt confused. "I don't understand."

"Of course you don't," Zhou Dao nodded. "That's normal. Imagine someone who has lived on flat land all his life suddenly being told about mountains and oceans—naturally, he would struggle to comprehend. You, Li Ming, are standing at the foot of a cognitive mountain, about to begin a journey of ascent."

The old man pointed to the chessboard. "This game was an arrangement left by your father. He hoped that when you eventually came here, you would play a match with me."

"My father?" Long Hua's heart raced. "You knew my father?"

"For many years," Zhou Dao's voice carried a hint of nostalgia. "He too was an excellent 'Clear-Eyed One,' though heaven did not grant him a long life." The old man sighed. "Before his passing, he asked me to guide you at the appropriate time, when you were ready."

"Ready for what?"

"Ready to accept your family inheritance, to understand those anomalies you've seen since childhood, ready to face a broader world." Zhou Dao answered calmly. "Now, you've begun 'seeing qi,' which means your abilities are naturally awakening. It's time."

Long Hua's thoughts were in turmoil. He looked at Lin Ruoxi and found her listening attentively, her eyes sparkling with the light of inquiry.

"Is Teacher Lin involved in this too?" Long Hua asked, growing suspicious of all these coincidences.

Zhou Dao glanced at Lin Ruoxi. "No, her appearance is a coincidence, but perhaps a meaningful one. There are few true accidents in the universe—mostly what we see as chance is necessity we don't yet understand."

Lin Ruoxi nodded. "I did learn about this city's special nature by chance, finding some clues through researching ancient texts. Meeting you was purely accidental, but now it seems this might be the arrangement of fate."

"Since my father knew you," Long Hua continued, "then the Star-Gazing Pavilion and those ancient runes and the compass are all connected to my family?"

"Precisely," Zhou Dao pointed to the top of the pavilion. "This pavilion was originally built by your ancestor Li Tianming, hundreds of years ago. It's not just a place for observing stars, but a special energy node that can converge specific energy flows from the universe."

Long Hua looked up and noticed that the pavilion's roof structure formed an intricate geometric pattern remarkably similar to the light spot he had seen in the laboratory.

"And this energy," Zhou Dao continued, "can only be fully perceived and utilized by 'Clear-Eyed Ones.' Your family has had this ability for generations, though with varying strength. Based on my observation, your potential may be the strongest in many generations."

"What does this ability... really mean?" Long Hua asked the most crucial question in his mind.

Zhou Dao pondered for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts. "Simply put, 'Clear-Eyed Ones' can perceive energy flows invisible to ordinary people. This energy exists in all matter, connecting every corner of the universe. As cultivation deepens, the ability further develops—not only seeing but also guiding and utilizing these energies, even..." the old man paused, "even transcending conventional limitations of time and space."

"Transcending time and space?" Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi exclaimed simultaneously.

"Don't think of it as too science-fictional," Zhou Dao smiled slightly. "This isn't time travel like in movies, but a deep understanding and limited application of time-space laws. The ancients called it 'reversing yin and yang,' while modern science might explain it through quantum entanglement or multi-dimensional space theory. Whatever the terminology, they're describing the same phenomenon—transcending the limitations of conventional perception."

Long Hua fell into contemplation. If all this were true, then what he faced was not merely the awakening of personal ability, but a reshaping of his entire worldview. It was both exciting and intimidating.

"Now," Zhou Dao patted the chessboard, "let's begin this game. This is not an ordinary match, but a special form of mental communication that will help you better understand and control your newly awakened abilities."

Long Hua looked at the chessboard, hesitating. "I'm not very skilled at chess..."

"It doesn't matter," Zhou Dao smiled. "This game isn't about technique, but about feeling. You need only follow your intuition."

Long Hua nodded and reached for a white piece. The moment his fingers touched the chess piece, a strange sensation spread from his fingertips. Everything around seemed to blur, with only the chessboard remaining extraordinarily clear. Every line, every intersection seemed to contain infinite possibilities.

"Focus on the game," Zhou Dao's voice became distant and ethereal. "Let your heart synchronize with the pulse of the universe..."

Long Hua placed the white piece on the board with a crisp sound. In that moment, he felt an unprecedented change—his vision suddenly expanded, allowing him to see not just the chessboard but also the energy flow between the pieces, the tension and balance they formed, like a dynamic cosmic landscape.

Zhou Dao placed a black piece, and the energy field on the board immediately shifted, forming new flow patterns. Long Hua instinctively understood this change, sensed the appropriate response, and placed his second piece.

And so it went, back and forth, with Long Hua completely immersed in this strange perceptual state. He no longer thought about conventional chess tactics and strategies but purely followed the guidance of energy. Each move felt so natural, so inevitable, as if the entire universe were guiding his finger.

The concept of time became blurred, and the surrounding environment gradually faded from his awareness. Long Hua felt his consciousness expanding, passing through the chessboard, through the pavilion, through the forest, until he could overlook the entire city and beyond.

In this transcendent perception, he saw the grand network of energy, saw countless points of light flowing within it, each representing a life, a story, a destiny. These points of light connected with each other, influencing one another, forming a magnificent cosmic picture.

Suddenly, Long Hua's attention was drawn to a particularly bright point of light. When he focused his perception there, he found an ancient mountain village, as if time had rewound several hundred years. The villagers wore ancient clothing, living lives vastly different from modern times.

More surprisingly, in a small hut at the edge of the village, a young man was studying star charts intently. His features somewhat resembled Long Hua's, and at his waist hung an object strikingly similar to the compass Long Hua's father had left behind.

"That is Li Tianming," Zhou Dao's voice echoed in Long Hua's consciousness, "your ancestor, the builder of the Star-Gazing Pavilion, and the founder of your family's 'Clear-Eyed One' legacy."

The scenes continued to shift. Long Hua saw Li Tianming building the pavilion on the mountaintop, observing the stars at night, recording astronomical phenomena, teaching descendants about "seeing qi" and energy utilization. The legacy was passed down generation after generation, with ups and downs, but the bloodline never broke.

Finally, the image focused on his father. A young Li Ming stood in the Star-Gazing Pavilion, playing chess with a figure whose appearance was blurred, just as Long Hua was doing now.

"Father..." Long Hua called softly in his consciousness, feeling a surge of emotion.

The scene shifted again, and Long Hua saw himself, but in different possible futures—some showed him focused on research in a laboratory, some teaching students in a classroom, some living as a hermit in the mountains, others traversing different times and spaces... These were all possible futures, depending on the choices he was about to make.

"The choice is in your hands," Zhou Dao's voice sounded again. "Each move on the board is a decision that will lead you down different paths."

Long Hua took a deep breath. Among these many possibilities, he saw an especially bright path—one full of challenges and unknowns, but also containing enormous potential, not just for himself but for the fate of many others.

Without hesitation, he placed the final piece, ending the game.

Instantly, Long Hua's consciousness returned to reality. He blinked and found himself still sitting in the Star-Gazing Pavilion, facing the smiling Zhou Dao, with the astonished Lin Ruoxi beside him. The sunlight was still bright, the breeze still caressed the pavilion, and the wind chime still made crisp sounds.

"How long has it been?" Long Hua asked, feeling as if he had experienced a lengthy journey.

"Less than half an hour," Lin Ruoxi answered, her eyes filled with wonder. "But your demeanor and aura have completely changed. I've never seen such a transformation."

Long Hua looked down at the chessboard, where black and white pieces intersected to form a peculiar pattern resembling a constellation in the night sky.

"That's... the arrangement of the Big Dipper," Lin Ruoxi said in amazement.

"Not just the Big Dipper," Zhou Dao nodded, "but also the cultivation path map for 'Clear-Eyed Ones.' You reproduced it unconsciously, indicating you've been accepted by the knowledge in your bloodline." The old man looked at Long Hua with satisfaction. "Few people can reach this state in their first 'mind chess' experience."

Long Hua felt something within him had changed, as if a long-sealed door had been gently pushed open, revealing endless possibilities behind it.

"I saw many things during the game," he said slowly, "the past, the future, and many possibilities..."

"That is the gift of a 'Clear-Eyed One'—the ability to sense different dimensions of time and space." Zhou Dao explained. "The chess game was merely a medium, helping your consciousness break through conventional limitations. The true power has always been within you, waiting to awaken."

"So what should I do next?" Long Hua asked, feeling both excited and apprehensive.

Zhou Dao took out an ancient thread-bound book from his robes. The cover bore three archaic characters: "Void Doctrine Classic."

"This book records the cultivation system of 'Clear-Eyed Ones,' from the basic 'seeing qi' to the profound 'void traversal'—an important heritage your father wished to pass on to you." Zhou Dao handed the book to Long Hua. "From today, you need to cultivate according to the methods in this book, gradually mastering and strengthening your abilities."

Long Hua accepted the "Void Doctrine Classic," feeling a strange weight—not just physical, but the weight of responsibility. This book was not merely a cultivation guide but a legacy, a mission.

"The path of cultivation will not be smooth," Zhou Dao continued. "Moreover, you are not the only one who knows of these powers. Some will see you as an ally, others as a threat. You must be cautious, especially with those who call themselves 'Guardians.'"

"Who are they? What do they want?" Long Hua asked nervously.

"They are an ancient organization, self-proclaimed maintainers of time-space order, but in reality, conservatives who rigidly adhere to traditional rules." Zhou Dao's tone grew serious. "They believe power should be controlled and limited, especially powers that might affect time-space laws. Once they discover someone with the abilities of a 'Clear-Eyed One,' they will closely monitor them and, if necessary, take action to prevent further development of these abilities."

"So that person in black who's been watching me..." Long Hua suddenly realized.

"Most likely one of them," Zhou Dao nodded. "The abnormal abilities you've frequently displayed recently have already attracted their attention. That's also why I chose to give you the 'Void Doctrine Classic' now—you need to quickly master basic self-protection skills."

Lin Ruoxi, who had been listening silently, now spoke: "Mr. Zhou, if the 'Guardians' are so powerful and vigilant, why can we safely sit here discussing these matters?"

Zhou Dao smiled slightly. "Good question. This pavilion is not just a place for stargazing but also a special energy node that can disrupt external perception. As long as we're inside, the 'Guardians'' surveillance cannot penetrate. But this protection is limited—once we leave, we'll be exposed to their perceptual range again."

Long Hua nodded thoughtfully, carefully storing the "Void Doctrine Classic" in his backpack. "Thank you for your guidance and warning. I'll proceed with caution."

"Don't be overly fearful," Zhou Dao reassured him. "The 'Guardians,' though powerful, are not unreasonable. They follow certain rules and won't attack without cause. As long as you don't do anything they consider threatening to time-space order, most of the time they'll merely observe without intervening."

"Any specific advice about cultivation?" Long Hua asked.

"First master the technique of 'stabilizing qi'—this is a foundational exercise in the 'Void Doctrine Classic' that will help you stabilize and strengthen your newly awakened abilities." Zhou Dao instructed. "Practice at least twice daily, especially at sunrise and sunset, when energy flows are most active."

"I understand."

"One more thing," Zhou Dao's gaze deepened. "The path of cultivation is lonely, but you need not walk it alone. Seek true companions; they will support and help you at critical moments."

Having said this, he glanced at Lin Ruoxi, then gave Long Hua a meaningful look.

Lin Ruoxi seemed to understand something and said solemnly: "I will help as much as I can. Although I'm not a 'Clear-Eyed One,' my research might provide references in some aspects."

"Thank you," Long Hua said sincerely, feeling a warmth rise in his heart. On this unknown path, having someone willing to walk alongside him was undoubtedly a great comfort.

Zhou Dao stood up, looking into the distance. "It's getting late; you should start your return journey. Remember, once you leave the pavilion, you'll be exposed to the 'Guardians'' surveillance again, so don't linger on the mountain too long, and don't examine the contents of the 'Void Doctrine Classic' on site."

Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi also stood, preparing to leave. Before departing, Long Hua had one last question: "Mr. Zhou, you said earlier that my father asked you to guide me 'at the appropriate time.' Why now? What has changed?"

Zhou Dao looked toward the distant sky, his eyes carrying a hint of concern. "The energy of the universe is undergoing subtle changes; some ancient balances have been disrupted. These changes particularly affect those with special perception, including the abnormal phenomena you've frequently experienced recently. Time is short—you need to grow quickly, not just for yourself, but for many others."

This vague yet meaningful answer gave Long Hua a sense of unease, but he knew now was not the time for further questions.

"I will do my best," he promised solemnly.

Zhou Dao nodded slightly. "I believe you will make the right choices. Now, go back and begin your cultivation. When you're ready for the next step, we will meet again."

Long Hua and Lin Ruoxi bid farewell to Zhou Dao and left the Star-Gazing Pavilion. When they looked back one last time, they were surprised to find the pavilion empty—Zhou Dao had vanished as mysteriously as he had appeared.

The two descended the mountain along the same small path they had taken up, each lost in their own thoughts. The forest remained lush, the sunlight still bright, but Long Hua knew his world had completely changed. An unknown path opened before him, full of challenges but also possibilities.

Whatever awaited him, Long Hua was now prepared to face it all.