Chapter 16: The Forgotten Stories and a Birthday Unseen

The recruitment had ended, and with a silver dragon token now tucked securely in his robe, Tian Jue walked the streets of Qingyuan Town with light steps and a hungry heart.

His eyes scanned every corner until he saw it—a familiar red canopy, steam rising from bamboo baskets, and the savory scent of roasted pork and soft dough. His favorite baozi stall.

Still here after all these years.

With the money he earned from selling spirit beast cores and herbs, Tian Jue ordered a full tray and after having few bites he walked to the street. As he bit into the first steaming bun, his gaze wandered and his thoughts drifted.

Why did I awaken my past life memories so early?

Most reincarnators—at least in his understanding—only began to awaken their former memories during late adolescence, when the spiritual and mental mind matured enough to handle the weight of another life.

Yet for him, the memories had come gradually. And more strangely, his preferences, mannerisms, even habits… were the same as his previous life.

It wasn't just memories awakening. It's like I was always Tian Jue… even before remembering I was.

But there was one constant across this lifetime: his mother's bedtime stories.

Every night before he could remember anything clearly, his mother would hum softly and tell tales—not of ordinary beasts or silly kingdoms, but of ancient dragons, celestial beasts, and chanting mantras that resonated deep in his soul.

Now that he tried to recall them, those stories felt... blurred.

Why can I remember battles from past lives in vivid detail, but not even half of those stories?

There were mantras, he was sure of it—chants hidden at the end of tales that lulled him to sleep but felt profound, too profound for a child.

That must be it… That's why my spiritual sea and mental maturity awakened faster than others.

Those chants... weren't just stories.

Lost in thought, Tian Jue didn't see the person in front of him until—

Bump.

He blinked and looked up into a familiar pair of mischievous, shining eyes.

"Tian Jue?!" a cheerful voice called.

It was Xian Feichang—dressed in elegant traveling robes, walking with a poised older woman and a younger boy around five or six.

"You again," Tian Jue smiled faintly.

She giggled, clearly delighted to see him. "What are the odds!"

Feichang pointed to the elegant woman beside her. "This is my mother, Xian Shan, and this little rascal here is my brother, Xian Yange."

Yange puffed his chest and gave a bright grin. "I like heroic people like Brother Tian Jue!"

Xian Shan's gaze softened the moment she saw him. "You saved my daughter's life. The Xian family does not forget kindness."

She pulled out a small silk pouch and pressed it into Tian Jue's hand.

"Just a few spirit stones as a sign of our gratitude. No strings attached."

Tian Jue accepted the gift without flinching or modest refusals. His face was calm, steady.

Yange laughed again. "Straightforward! I like that."

Feichang leaned in. "So… you're here for the recruitment too?"

Tian Jue nodded and offered a simplified version of events. "I passed. Got the silver token."

He made sure not to mention the glowing tablet or the obliterated puppet.

Yange reached into his robes and flashed his own token proudly.

It was silver—but etched with a tiger.

Tian Jue glanced at it, and a quiet thought crossed his mind.

So… the carvings represent tiers of entry?

He tucked the idea away, filing it under useful intelligence.

"Come eat dinner with us," Feichang offered brightly. "My treat."

Tian Jue shook his head gently. "I'd like to, but I need to prepare to enter the sect tomorrow."

It was only half true. The real reason sat in the form of a woman at the inn, likely waiting for him now.

He knew his mother disliked strangers and rarely spoke to outsiders.

Feichang nodded with understanding. "Next time, then."

They exchanged farewells, and Tian Jue made his way back through the lantern-lit streets.

When he stepped into the inn, the warmth of the hearth greeted him—but even more so, the gentle smile of his mother.

She sat at the table, and her eyes lit up the moment he entered.

"Welcome back, birthday boy."

Tian Jue blinked. "Birthday…?"

She chuckled and pointed to the simple cake-shaped steamed bun on the table.

"Today marks your seventh birthday. You've been so focused on cultivation, you forgot."

A lump formed in his throat. In his past life… he could barely remember anyone celebrating his birthday.

And then she stood, holding a small box.

"This… is your gift."

He opened it.

Inside, wrapped in pale blue silk, was a bracelet of five interwoven strands, each strand made of a different spiritual material. Cold jade, fire crystal, cloudsteel thread, stone bark, and water ink thread—matching the five elements.

It wasn't just a beautiful trinket—it was a spirit artifact.

He looked at her with wide eyes.

"It took years to craft it… I started when you were three. I always knew you'd be a cultivator."

As the fire crackled and the bun warmed in his hand, Tian Jue looked at the woman who had raised him with quiet, unwavering love. And for a moment, the burden of his past life faded into the background.

In this moment, he was just Tian Jue, a boy with a future, a mother, and a dream.

Tomorrow, I'll leave. But tonight… this is enough.

To be continued…