Chapter 35 - Stars of Memories(Rev.)

<p>After opening the cave and encountering the dragon, Xun Wei chose to wait for Huang Jin to wake up before attempting to explore the cave alone. <br/><br/>He sensed the sleeping dragon, but to his surprise, there was no response. <br/><br/>It seemed as if the dragon had expended a considerable amount of energy, perhaps due to trying to communicate those two words. <br/><br/>Xun Wei hesitated to speculate, but his instincts told him that his assumption might be accurate.<br/><br/>After Huang Jin woke up, he kissed Xun Wei and then eagerly pulled him towards the cave, driven by curiosity to discover what lay inside and why it required a barrier and access using their blood.<br/><br/>He considered Xun Wei's earlier statement, wondering if some of his memories had been blocked and needed to be gradually triggered to avoid overwhelming his brain. <br/><br/>Huang Jin had a burning desire to uncover the truth about what happened to him after his death inside the laboratory.<br/><br/>However, the thought of the missing memories and the enormous dragon residing within his dimensional space made him feel anxious and apprehensive about delving into the forgotten past. <br/><br/>The mixture of curiosity and fear about what he might uncover kept him on edge as they ventured further into the cave.<br/><br/>As they ventured further into the cave, walking side by side, Huang Jin's mind was preoccupied with the possibility that Xun Wei might have returned after his death. <br/><br/>The thought filled him with immense nervousness and anxiety, as he couldn't recall the events that transpired during that time.<br/><br/>He wondered if Xun Wei had endured significant suffering and if some unknown incident had triggered the dragon's appearance within his dimensional space.<br/><br/>The cave's entrance appeared narrow at first glance, creating an illusion of restricted access, but as they proceeded deeper into it, Huang Jin realized that it was designed to give the impression that freely entering the cave was not possible.<br/><br/>As they continued their exploration, Huang Jin's heart raced with anticipation and uncertainty, knowing that the answers to his past lay somewhere within this mysterious cave.<br/><br/>As they ventured further inside the cave, Huang Jin couldn't help but notice the rough texture of every wall surrounding them. Despite the roughness, he felt an unusual sense of comfort and tranquility as they continued their journey.<br/><br/>Xun Wei, on the other hand, had already seen the walls of the cave, and the surprises didn't end there. <br/><br/>As his gaze shifted to the rock formation itself, he couldn't help but have a slight twitch in his lips. <br/><br/>He addressed Huang Jin, "Ahjin, I believe this cave is a cultivation room. It's possible that my past self sealed it to ensure you would discover and utilize it upon your return after being reborn. <br/><br/>Though I can't be certain, I have a strong feeling that this cave might aid you in your cultivation. <br/><br/>However, I can't quite come to terms with the fact that I created this kind of 'art' inside the cave. It feels rather vulgar to me. It's quite possible that the dragon made this rock formation; you know, they are known to be treasure hoarders, so maybe this kind of 'treasure' appeals to him."<br/><br/>Despite the initial shock and humor at the unexpected discovery, Xun Wei's focus returned to the potential significance of the cave. <br/><br/>He couldn't help but wonder if it held secrets that could aid Huang Jin in his cultivation journey and uncover the truth about his past.<br/><br/>Huang Jin found himself torn between laughing and crying as he listened to Xun Wei's explanation. <br/><br/>He managed to hold back his laughter, but his lips curved into an amused arch. He gently patted Xun Wei's shoulder, trying to soothe him.<br/><br/>"I know, your taste is very unique and masculine," Huang Jin said with warmth in his eyes, a hint of laughter still lingering. Despite finding the rock formation a bit peculiar, he appreciated Xun Wei's distinctive sense of style and understood that it was a reflection of his past self.<br/><br/>As Xun Wei gazed at Huang Jin with fondness, he realized that it didn't matter whether his lover found the rock formation decorating style ugly or not. <br/><br/>All that truly mattered to him was seeing the smile on Huang Jin's lips, which brought him immense happiness.<br/><br/>In that moment, any concerns about aesthetics or taste faded away, replaced by the genuine love and affection they shared. <br/><br/>Xun Wei cherished the joy he could bring to Huang Jin, and that was enough to make everything else insignificant.<br/><br/>As Huang Jin and Xun Wei continued their journey inside the cave, the serene environment seemed to envelop them, causing them to lose track of time. Neither of them realize that they had been walking for almost an hour before finally arriving at their destination.<br/><br/>As they stepped into the cave, the sight that greeted them was beyond comprehension—a scene resembling the Milky Way. The shock was so intense that both Huang Jin and Xun Wei were left speechless, unable to react to the breathtaking scenery before them. The cave seemed to transport them outside of Earth, as if they were floating alongside the magnificent Milky Way itself.<br/><br/>The couple stood in awe, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the moving and changing colors of the Milky Way within the cave. The experience left them stunned, as if they were witnessing a rare and mesmerizing cosmic phenomenon. The moment was nothing short of magical, and they couldn't help but be captivated by the extraordinary sight that unfolded before their eyes.<br/><br/>As Huang Jin and Xun Wei continued to cherish the awe-inspiring experience, Huang Jin noticed a change in Xun Wei's grip on his hand. Concerned, he turned his attention to his lover and saw that something seemed off with his expression.<br/><br/>"Are you feeling uncomfortable?" Huang Jin asked anxiously.<br/><br/>Xun Wei hoarsely replied, "No, I'm fine."<br/><br/>Confused, Huang Jin pressed further, "Then what's wrong?"<br/><br/>Xun Wei explained, "There's nothing wrong, it's just that these stars in the Milky Way are our memories. Try to observe the stars that are not moving. Observe."<br/><br/>Curious, Huang Jin followed Xun Wei's guidance and focused his attention on the stars that appeared still. <br/><br/>Despite his heightened physical and mental abilities, courtesy of the spring water and the tattoo on his skin, Huang Jin squinted and gazed at the clusters of stars that appeared motionless. However, the effort of trying to observe the stars left him feeling dizzy and disoriented. Even with his enhanced capabilities, he found it challenging to fully discern the stars. Their brilliance seemed to blur in his eyes, even the most prominent star seemed to blur in his eyes, evading clear observation.<br/><br/>Huang Jin's instinct told him that the timing wasn't right. He attempted to observe the stars closely, but every time he tried, they appeared hazy and unclear. Even the largest star proved to be a challenging task, causing his eyes to feel itchy. He attempted to rub the itchiness away, but instead, it worsened, intensifying the discomfort.<br/><br/>Xun Wei quickly grabbed Huang Jin's hands, preventing him from rubbing his already red and swollen eyes. Concern etched on his face, he fetched a bottle of spring water and a towel. Wetting the cloth with the water, he gently applied it to Huang Jin's face.<br/><br/>"Don't push yourself too hard; it will only make things worse. I believe it's a warning sign that your cultivation is still insufficient," Xun Wei advised, his voice filled with care. "You don't need to worry; I managed to identify ten stars that I can see clearly. I'll try to focus on them and explore the memories they hold."<br/><br/>Xun Wei continued to pat Huang Jin's face with the damp towel, providing comfort and reassurance. His actions displayed the depth of his concern for Huang Jin's well-being.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry," Huang Jin said pitifully, his cheeks flushing red, and his eyes glistening with tears he tried to hold back. "I feel so useless; this is the second time now - first with the dragon, and now with the stars. It's like all my confidence in my abilities has disappeared.<br/><br/>As Huang Jin expressed his feelings of beung useless and helplessness, his voice carried a sense of sorrow and self-doubt. His cheeks were flushed red, and his eyes were filled with tears, which he tried valiantly to hold back, not wanting them to fall.<br/><br/>Xun Wei's heart ached for his beloved, and he tenderly embraced Huang Jin, offering him solace and reassurance. "You are not useless, Ahjin," Xun Wei whispered softly, his voice filled with love and understanding. "It's natural to face challenges and limitations on our cultivation journey. It doesn't change your worth or abilities in any way. We all have moments of uncertainty, and that's okay. What truly matters is that we face them together, supporting and encouraging each other along the way."<br/><br/>Gently wiping away a tear that escaped from Huang Jin's eye, Xun Wei continued, "You have shown incredible strength and growth since we met, and I have no doubt that you will continue to grow. We are a team, and I'm here to support you through every step of your journey. Your confidence may waver at times, but remember that I believe in you, and I love you just the way you are."<br/><br/>With his comforting words and loving embrace, Xun Wei sought to remind Huang Jin that their bond was stronger than any uncertainty or challenges they faced. <br/><br/>With Huang Jin now calmer, Xun Wei focused on the task at hand. He carefully inspected each of the ten stars he had managed to observe and began exerting his spiritual power to pull them towards him. As he felt a subtle tug from one of the stars, an invisible chain seemed to materialize, connecting the star to Xun Wei's hands. He pulled gently on the chain, and the distant star gradually shrank in size until it rested in his palms.<br/><br/>The palm-size star emitted a dazzling brightness, captivating to behold. However, despite its warm appearance, the star felt cold to the touch, creating a contrasting sensation that intrigued Xun Wei.<br/><br/>The palm-sized star on Xun Wei's palm began to spin, gradually assimilating with his body. Starting from his palm, a chilling sensation spread through his arms, coursing through his entire being, until it reached his head. The sudden discomfort caused him to close his eyes tightly. As the star merged with him, flashes of memories flooded his mind, appearing one after another, like vivid images flashing before his closed eyes.<br/><br/>These memories belonged to his other self from a year before the apocalypse struck, a time when his brain had accumulated three years' worth of experiences. As each memory surfaced, they depicted events leading up to the apocalypse and his military service.<br/><br/>As the memories played out before him, Xun Wei's forehead became dotted with cold sweat, the intensity of the recollections weighing heavily on him.<br/><br/>Eventually, the flashes of memories gradually faded away, and Xun Wei's eyes slowly opened. For a brief moment, his crimson-colored eyes sparkled brightly, reflecting the depth of the memories he had just experienced, before returning to their usual crimson hue.<br/><br/>Huang Jin stood there, closely observing every expression and emotion that played across Xun Wei's face. Nervousness consumed him as he anxiously wondered what memories his lover had acquired. His hands clenched into fists as he wrestled with the desire to reach out and touch Xun Wei, yet fearing it might disrupt the process of absorbing the memories.<br/><br/>Once he saw Xun Wei open his eyes, Huang Jin couldn't contain his concern and immediately questioned his lover, "Are you alright? Is there anything wrong with your body? Can you tell me what memories you've obtained?"<br/><br/>"I will share everything with you once I've absorbed the remaining nine stars," Xun Wei assured Huang Jin before closing his eyes again. He proceeded without hesitation, touching each of the remaining stars and pulling all the chains that linked to his memories. In one continuous motion, he absorbed all the memories associated with the stars.<br/><br/>The memories varied in length, with some spanning days and months, and the longest stretching over a year. As each memory flashed through his mind, Xun Wei realized their significance in shaping and changing his life, allowing him to avoid future tragedies.<br/><br/>Beads of sweat accumulated on his body, causing his clothes to absorb them like paper. Despite the discomfort, he focused on understanding every memory attempting to imprint itself in his brain.<br/><br/>Amidst the flow of memories, there was a sense of disappointment. None of the memories included "Ahjin," the person he cared for deeply. Xun Wei had hoped to witness their first meeting, just as Ahjin had described it to him. Nevertheless, he remained hopeful and patient, knowing that there were still many stars of memories within the cave waiting to be discovered. In time, he believed, he would find the missing pieces of their shared journey and their cherished memories together.</p>