Chapter Forty-Seven: The Past of the Xiao Family

Next, he opened his mathematics textbook and gazed at a complex geometric problem, his brows tightly knitted as if pondering the meaning of life.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He grabbed a ruler, drew a crooked line on the paper, and wrote "The answer is 42" beside it, as though this were the ultimate answer to the universe.

Lin Tian's "homework time" was filled with a fantastical flair.

He turned English vocabulary into heavenly scripts and transformed historical events into martial arts wuxia novels, entirely immersed in his own "creation" while completely disregarding the quality of his assignments.

Upon finishing his homework, he stretched with satisfaction and shoved the notebook into his schoolbag, as if he had just completed a grand engineering project.

No sooner had Lin Tian finished his homework than he collapsed onto his bed, utterly exhausted. The day's studies had drained him completely; closing his eyes, he slipped into a deep slumber shortly after.

Within a bizarre dreamscape, Lin Tian found himself standing upon a desolate wasteland. Absolute silence surrounded him, broken only by the howling of a biting, frigid wind whistling past his ears.

The sky possessed an eerie dark purple hue, with rolling storm clouds that seemed ready to press down at any moment.

He looked around, yet nothing familiar met his gaze—only endless barren fields and a few withered trees whose twisted branches seemed to whisper untold secrets.

"Where is this?" Lin Tian wondered, full of perplexity. He attempted to move forward, only to find his steps exceptionally heavy, every single stride feeling like a struggle against an invisible resistance.

He labored to drag his body along, searching for a way out, but the surrounding scenery remained completely unchanged, as though he had fallen into an endless loop.

At that exact moment, he caught a faint sound, like someone softly calling his name.

Lin Tian stopped in his tracks and listened intently. The voice seemed to originate from beneath the ground.

Curious, he walked over to a raised mound of earth, knelt down, and gently brushed away the soil on top.

As the dirt scattered, a tiny hole was revealed, pitch-black and utterly devoid of visibility.

"Is anyone there?" Lin Tian called out tentatively. His voice echoed within the opening, but no reply came.

Yet he could sense that the mysterious summons had grown even stronger.

An inexplicable impulse surged within Lin Tian's heart, and he decided to descend into the hole to investigate.

He fetched a tree branch, ignited one end, and, relying on the feeble glow of the flame, cautiously squeezed into the opening.

The passage inside was narrow and damp, the air thick with a musty odor. Lin Tian had to hunch over, shuffling forward step by step.

As he ventured deeper, the light within dwindled, and the branch gradually burned down to its end.

Complete and utter darkness enveloped him, so absolute he could not see his own hand before his face.

Just as Lin Tian was about to give up, he suddenly caught sight of a faint glimmer ahead.

A surge of joy washed over him, and he quickened his pace.

The light grew increasingly brighter, and gradually, a colossal subterranean space came into view.

Peculiar architecture filled this cavernous chamber, uniquely shaped as though pieced together from countless irregular geometric forms.

A faint blue luminescence flickered along the walls, imparting a mysterious and surreal atmosphere.

At the center of the space stood a massive crystal sphere, emitting a gentle radiance that illuminated the entire expanse.

Several figures stood around the crystal ball, their backs turned to Lin Tian as if absorbed in intense study. Moving with utmost caution, Lin Tian drew closer to see what they were doing.

"Who are you? What is this place?" Lin Tian mustered the courage to ask.

Hearing his voice, the figures slowly turned around. To Lin Tian's astonishment, their faces were identical to his own! Their gazes exuded a profound and ancient aura, as though they had weathered countless ages.

"Lin Tian, you have finally come," one of the "Lin Tians" said, his voice carrying a trace of relief.

"Why am I in a place like this? And who are you people?" Lin Tian asked, his mind swirling with doubt.

"This is the Realm of Dreams, the resting place of the souls of our Xiao family's ancestors throughout the generations. As for us, we are another self deep within your heart—memory fragments left behind by your forebears," that "Lin Tian" explained.

"The Realm of Dreams? Ancestral memory fragments?" Lin Tian grew even more perplexed.

"Indeed. Across the long river of the Xiao family's history, there are many unsolved mysteries, lost treasures, and ultimately, an inexplicable demise. These memory fragments serve as the keys to those secrets, and you, as a descendant of the Xiao family, bear the mission of unlocking them," another "Lin Tian" continued.

"But I'm just an ordinary student. How could I possibly have the ability to unravel these secrets?" Lin Tian was stunned at first, then felt a wave of discouragement.

"Do not underestimate yourself, Lin Tian. Tremendous potential lies within your heart; you simply have not discovered it yet. Here, you will undergo a series of trials. Only by passing these trials can you awaken the inner power and inherit your ancestors' legacy," a third "Lin Tian" encouraged.

"Trials? What kind of trials?" Lin Tian asked nervously.

"The first trial is to solve the riddle within this crystal sphere."

The first "Lin Tian" pointed toward the central crystal ball and said, "An ancient formation is sealed inside. Only by cracking this formation will you earn the qualification to enter the next trial."

Lin Tian walked up to the crystal ball and observed it closely. Strange runes rippled across its surface, constantly shifting in position and shape in a dazzling display.

He reached out to touch the crystal sphere, and a peculiar energy poured forth from it, flooding into his body.

Vague images suddenly flashed through his mind, as if his ancestors were teaching him how to untangle the formation.

Following the prompts in his mind, he began to gently touch the runes on the surface of the crystal ball.

The runes flickered with light beneath his fingertips, and gradually, they began to arrange themselves according to a specific pattern. As time passed, the brilliance of the crystal sphere intensified until those runes finally converged into a complete design.

With a crisp "crack!", the crystal ball suddenly split open, and a dazzling beam of light shot forth from the fissure, enveloping Lin Tian entirely.

He felt a powerful surge of energy coursing through his body, as though something had been awakened within him. When the radiance faded, Lin Tian found himself standing in a brand-new location.

This was an ancient palace; its architectural style was rustic yet solemn, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade.

The palace gates were tightly shut, bearing a massive scroll carved into their surface. The artwork depicted a mystical forest concealing a towering mountain peak whose summit was wreathed in clouds and mist, partially visible.

"This is the second trial. You must decipher the secret hidden within this scroll in order to enter the palace," a familiar voice rang in Lin Tian's ear—it was the voice of that same "Lin Tian."

Lin Tian studied the scroll meticulously, realizing that every single detail held a profound mystery.

He noticed several strange symbols embedded within the forest of the painting, which seemed to share a connection with the motifs on the palace gates.

He attempted to arrange these symbols in a specific sequence, and abruptly, the palace doors emitted a slight tremor while the designs upon them began to transform.

As the patterns shifted continuously, the gates slowly swung open. A formidable aura swept outward from the interior, causing Lin Tian to feel a sense of oppression. Taking a deep breath, he mustered his courage and stepped inside.

The palace interior proved even more magnificent and grand. Precious treasures of all kinds were displayed throughout the opulent halls, and exquisite scrolls hung along the walls, each narrating an ancient tale.

Lin Tian's gaze was drawn to the throne directly ahead, upon which rested an antique jade box emitting a soft glow.

"This is the third trial. You must open this jade box to obtain the ultimate treasure," the voice of that "Lin Tian" echoed once more.

Lin Tian stepped forward and reached out to take the jade box. However, the moment his fingers brushed against it, a potent force flung him backward. He crashed to the floor, wincing from a sharp wave of pain.

He tried again, yet proved entirely unable to draw near the box.

"This jade box is protected by a powerful seal. You can only open it after breaking the seal," said that "Lin Tian." "The power of the seal stems from your own heart. Only when you conquer your internal fears and confusion can you fracture the barrier."

Sitting upon the floor, Lin Tian closed his eyes and began to reflect upon his inner self, recalling the hardships and setbacks he had encountered in real life—those moments that had left him feeling helpless and lost.

He realized then that he had always been running away from his inner self, lacking the courage to face his own fears.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up anew and approached the jade box once more. This time, instead of eagerly trying to grasp it, he stood quietly in place, feeling the pressure of the seal.

He closed his eyes, immersing his consciousness into that energy stream and engaging in a silent dialogue with it.

Gradually, he sensed the seal's power growing gentle. It ceased to resist his touch, instead blending into his body like a warm current of water. Slowly reaching out, he gently brushed the jade box. The sealing light upon it dimmed before vanishing completely.

Lin Tian successfully opened the jade box to reveal an ancient book and a gleaming emblem resting inside. The cover of the book bore four grand characters reading "Xiao Family Genealogy," while the badge featured an intricate design centered around the Chinese character for "Xiao."

"Congratulations, Lin Tian. You have passed all the trials, awakened the power within your heart, and inherited your ancestors' legacy."

The voice of that "Lin Tian" sounded once more. "This book records the history and secrets of the Xiao family, while this emblem is the symbol of your status as the heir of the Lin family. It will grant you special abilities to help you unravel even more mysteries."

Picking up the book and the emblem, Lin Tian felt a surging power flow through his veins.

He knew he was no longer the ordinary Lin Tian of before, but one who shouldered a family mission. He would use this strength to explore unknown realms and uncover the secrets buried deep within history.

"Now, you may choose to return to the real world or continue your exploration within the Realm of Dreams," said that "Lin Tian."

After a moment of thought, Lin Tian replied, "I wish to explore more secrets in the Realm of Dreams first; perhaps this will aid me in the real world."

"Very well. I shall remain here to accompany you and guide your path," that "Lin Tian" nodded.

Clutching the book and the emblem, Lin Tian continued his journey forward through the dreamscape.

Yet, to his regret, despite searching for a long time as an outsider in this fantastical and unknown realm, he came up completely empty-handed.

"Never mind, I'll head back for now!"

With a single thought, Lin Tian roused himself from sleep.

When he opened his eyes, the sky outside the window was faintly glowing with the first light of dawn.

Glancing down beside him, a booklet genuinely lay right there.

"I once heard Xiao Zhengming mention that the Lin family used to possess a genealogy record that vanished abruptly a century ago. Could this be it?"

At this realization, his heart stirred.

After all, if acquiring the heavenly eyes might previously have allowed him to draw a clear line between himself and the Xiao family, it now seemed impossible to sever those ties completely.

"So be it, I shall flow with the current."

Lin Tian still had no clue how to track down the information mentioned by the ancestors of the Xiao family.

Rubbing his sleep-heavy eyes and stretching lazily, a brand-new day began.

He slipped into a slightly loose gray hoodie, stepped into his sneakers, pushed open the door, and set off toward the street breakfast stall against the chilly morning breeze.

He was already thoroughly familiar with this street. The plane trees on both sides were just sprouting tender green buds, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow.

Pedestrians on the road were sparse; early-rising sanitation workers swept with brooms, office workers hurried off to work, and diners like himself were out foraging for food.

Before long, Lin Tian spotted the breakfast shop with its lights already on.

The shop was small and its sign somewhat weathered, but through the glass windows, a bustling, steam-filled scene could be seen inside.

The proprietress was busy at the stove, holding a ladle and expertly stirring wontons in a pot. The water bubbled furiously, and the wontons bobbed up and down amidst the spray as if dancing joyfully.

Walking into the shop, Lin Tian found a seat by the window. Several patrons were already seated inside, mostly eating their breakfasts in silence with lowered heads, occasionally punctuated by the crisp sound of spoons tapping against bowl rims.

"Boss, one bowl of wontons!" Lin Tian called out toward the stove.

"Coming right up!" the proprietress replied, her movements speeding up.

She picked up a bamboo skimmer from the cutting board, plunged it into the pot, and skillfully scooped out the wontons—a neat and precise portion of exactly fifteen.

Next, she transferred the wontons into a white porcelain bowl, ladled a spoonful of piping-hot broth over them—flecked with chopped green scallions and golden egg shreds—and added a few drops of sesame oil. A steaming, fragrant bowl of wontons was thus served to the table.

Eagerly picking up his spoon, Lin Tian blew gently on the broth before scooping up a wonton and slipping it into his mouth. It was precisely the flavor he loved.