Chapter 3: Xiuhua Sect.
Chen Yuqi battled to open her eyelids and when she finally managed to open her eyes she almost jumped in shock at the sight of several heads hovering over her. What shocked her even more were the surroundings. Apart from the girls who were dressed in pink hanfu gowns with net-like designs, everything else was also strange. The room was a little dull decorated in an ancient Chinese style a total contrast to her beautiful modern pink themed bedroom. Her eyes scanned the foreign surroundings trying to come up with all the possible assumptions on how she ended up there. Maybe it was a dream.
"Yihan you're finally awake,"one of the girls spoke.
'Yihan?' she questioned herself furrowing her eyebrows in confusion.
"Where am I?"She questioned.
"In your room of course,"another girl replied.
"Who am I?"
"Liu Yihan. You don't remember your name?"
"What happened to me?"
On the previous day, Liu Yihan went to the market riding on her horse but she collided with a racing carriage and fell off the house. She had passed out and remained unconscious for the past thirteen hours.
"And what are your names?"
"I am Huyan Luo."
"I am Yanliang Yao,Ah-Yao don't you remember me?"
"I am..." Before the rest of the girls could introduce themselves,Chen Yuqi jumped off the bed and stormed out of the room barefoot. She ran at a terrifying speed, looking around in confusion like some lost soul while inspecting her surrounding.
The central courtyard of the foreign place was alive with vibrant chrysanthemums in full bloom, their gold and deep red hues mirroring the autumnal tones around them. A serene pond occupied the center, its surface scattered with fallen ginkgo leaves that floated like delicate golden boats.
There,was a large hall at the heart of the sect. This majestic wooden structure had a roof adorned with phoenix motifs, symbolizing the elegance and rebirth of its disciples. Open-air training platforms surrounded it, and the gentle autumn breezes carried the rhythmic sounds of training—blade arcs cutting through the air and the hum of synchronized movements.
A narrow pathway meandered through the sect's grounds. Since it was autumn, it was lined with cherry and plum blossom trees that bloomed out of season, their delicate pink and white petals forming a sharp yet beautiful contrast to the surrounding autumn colors. The path lead to quiet meditation pavilions where disciples practiced balance and inner peace.
Then there was a hot spring surrounded by autumnal willows. The steam rose gracefully, carrying the scent of the lotus flowers that bloomed year-round in defiance of the seasons.
Analyzing the architecture of the building and the main features of the place,Chen Yuqi could only think of one place- Xiuhua Sect. Even the season had changed. Back in the modern world it was still spring but there it was clearly autumn adding more evidence that she was no longer in her real world.
Chen Yuqi headed towards the entrance/exit, where a grand, arched gate intricately carved from sandalwood marked the entrance to the sect. Engraved upon it were blossoms and poetic inscriptions that talked about beauty, resilience, and strength. The path leading to the gate winded through a maple forest, ablaze with crimson and amber leaves. As the leaves fell, they created a rustling carpet that whispered beneath the tread of those who entered.
There at entrance, was a large nameplate with the words Xiuhua Sect engraved in large,clear characters. And her assumptions were proved right - she was indeed in Xiuhua Sect. But how did she end up there? Was this a dream or had she travelled to the novel. Having read novels of all kinds of genres she was familiar with time travelling but she believed it was all fiction. How could it happen in real life?She refused to believe it was real.