CHAPTER 35 — The Memory Trial (Part One)
(~400 words)
The petals did not fall anymore.
They rose.
Spiraling upward like a reversed snowfall, circling Zheng Wen Te's body as if the valley itself had decided to claim him.
Lian stepped forward immediately.
"Stop this!"
Her sword flashed, cutting through the air—
but the petals were not physical.
They scattered like mist, then returned, untouched.
The girl watched quietly.
Her expression was calm.
Almost patient.
As if she had waited so long that a few more seconds meant nothing.
Zheng Wen Te's voice came out rough.
"What are you doing?"
The girl tilted her head.
"Giving you what you asked for."
"I didn't ask for this!"
Her gaze sharpened, just slightly.
"You asked to understand."
Zheng Wen Te froze.
Had he?
In another life?
In another world?
Lian's tone turned cold.
"This is a soul technique."
The girl nodded.
"Yes."
Lian's eyes widened.
"You're forcing him into a heart realm?"
"I am opening a door," the girl corrected softly.
"If he refuses…"
"…he may walk away."
Zheng Wen Te stared at her.
"You would let me leave?"
For the first time, something flickered across her face.
Pain.
So fast it was almost invisible.
"I have already learned what it means…"
"…to be left."
Silence.
Then she raised her hand.
Not threatening.
Not violent.
Almost gentle.
A single petal drifted onto Zheng Wen Te's forehead.
It was warm.
His body stiffened instantly.
His vision blurred.
The valley disappeared.
The mist vanished.
The petals became light—
and the world turned upside down.
Lian's voice sounded distant.
"Zheng Wen Te!"
But he could not answer.
Because he was falling.
Not through space.
Through time.
Through memory.
Then—
darkness.
And a sound.
Rain.
Cold rain striking stone.
Zheng Wen Te opened his eyes.
He was standing somewhere else.
Not Falling Petal Valley.
Not the outer sect.
A different world entirely.
Ancient towers rose into the sky, carved with celestial beasts.
Immortal cultivators flew overhead on swords of light.
The air was thick with spiritual pressure.
And his body—
His body was not his own.
He looked down.
His hands were younger.
Stronger.
Clothed in white robes embroidered with gold.
A disciple of Heaven.
Then he heard it.
A voice behind him.
Soft.
Familiar.
"Little immortal…"
"…do you still believe the heavens are righteous?"
Zheng Wen Te turned slowly.
And there she was.
Not the girl in the valley.
Not yet.
This was her before heartbreak.
Before waiting.
Her eyes were bright.
Human.
Alive.
She stood barefoot in the rain, holding a lotus umbrella, smiling like the world had never hurt her.
Zheng Wen Te's breath caught.
His soul recognized her before his mind did.
And somewhere deep inside, an old promise began to crack open.