Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 34 | Echoes in the Snow | Novela.app

Chapter 34 - Echoes in the Snow The two of them had spent the previous night pouring their hearts out to one another, so when the morning light finally broke, they found themselves less inclined toward overt sentimentality. They exchanged a few final words and a lingering, familiar kiss before parting ways. Nie Shiyun stood at the edge of Fanhua City, his gaze fixed on Zhai Bairong’s retreating figure until it finally vanished into the horizon. Only then did he turn back toward his shop. The interior looked exactly as it always did, yet for the first time, Nie Shiyun felt a pang of genuine loneliness. He gave a self-deprecating laugh and shook his head. Rather than opening for business, he hung a sign announcing a temporary closure and retreated into his Chaos Space to meditate and steady his mind. Upon entering the pocket dimension, however, he was startled to find that the mysterious egg was no longer in its usual spot. His heart skipped a beat as he scanned the area, only to discover the egg slowly rolling across the ground with a rhythmic *thud-thud-thud*. Nie Shiyun hurried over and crouched down to observe. The egg paused for a few seconds before suddenly rolling straight toward him. He extended a finger to steady it. "Are you awake?" he asked softly. The egg wobbled twice in response. Nie Shiyun was genuinely surprised; it seemed the creature inside had already developed a degree of sentience, or at the very least, it could comprehend basic speech. This was a rare phenomenon among demonic beasts. Most offspring of the Yao race were born as little more than ordinary animals, only gradually developing intelligence over time based on their innate talent. However, legends whispered that the descendants of Divine Beasts possessed an ancestral inheritance, granting them vast knowledge and the history of their clan from the moment of their conception. "Do you remember? You crawled into this space yourself and refused to leave," Nie Shiyun mused. "Is staying here helping you hatch?" The egg stilled for a moment, gave a slight shimmy, and then rolled off to the side before settling into a quiet stillness once more. *Tired again?* Nie Shiyun wondered. He tried speaking to it further, but the egg remained unresponsive. It seemed it had returned to its slumber to continue absorbing the ambient spiritual energy. Nevertheless, the fact that it was beginning to have waking moments and could perceive the outside world suggested that the hatching was not far off. Nie Shiyun felt a surge of motivation; there was a strong possibility the bird would emerge before the Hantian Secret Realm opened. A passing cultivator stopped by the shop just as Nie Shiyun was stepping back out. Seeing the "Closed" sign, the man sighed, considering returning to his mountain and trying again next month. Just then, the door creaked open. "Boss Nie!" "What a coincidence. I’m just opening up. Come in," Nie Shiyun invited. "I thought you were taking a break?" Nie Shiyun let out a mock sigh and whispered, "Well, a man has to support his family..." The Yao cultivator looked at him with utter confusion. As far as he knew, Boss Nie had no wife or children, and his elders were all doing perfectly well back in the Central Plains. What "family" was there to support? Regardless of his personal feelings, Nie Shiyun knew he couldn't neglect his business. He glanced out at the vibrant springtime scenery of the city, realizing that summer would soon be upon them. It had been last summer when he and Zhai Bairong had their chance encounter in Fanhua City. In just one year, so much had changed. This was now Nie Shiyun’s third year in the City of Myriad Blooms. If his calculations were correct, Zhai Bairong wouldn't have another chance to return here. With the Great Cultivation Assembly scheduled for the year after next, Nie Shiyun decided it was time to settle his affairs and prepare for his own return to Yunqing Pavilion. With this plan in mind, he began to inform his regular customers—the Spirit Rabbit Tribe and various other residents—that he would be closing the shop and returning to the Central Plains in about six months. Many expressed deep regret at his impending departure, but none tried to force him to stay. In the vast world of cultivation, the coming and going of people and demons was a common, if bittersweet, reality. Two months after Zhai Bairong’s departure, Nie Shiyun received a message confirming his safe arrival, followed immediately by news that he was entering secluded cultivation. Even without direct messages, Nie Shiyun would have heard the news soon enough. Zhai Bairong’s return to the Yingyue Sect after a two-year disappearance had caused a massive stir. When word spread that he was attempting to form his Golden Core once more, every eye inside and outside the sect was fixed on him—some with high expectations, some waiting for a failure to mock, and others out of pure curiosity. Zhai Bairong ignored them all, quietly focusing on his path. Nie Shiyun smiled, knowing Zhai Bairong was no longer the man who could be swayed by such idle gossip. He stopped selling the pills Zhai Bairong had left behind, choosing instead to feed them to the egg and the Chaos Space. When accepting payment in the shop, he shifted his focus toward rare spiritual herbs and exotic materials rather than spirit stones. Spirit stones could be acquired easily enough back at Yunqing Pavilion, but the unique treasures of the demon realm were one-of-a-kind. After six months of aggressive resource gathering, the egg became increasingly active. Though it hadn't hatched, it no longer slept for a month after every meal. Instead, it spent its time energetically rolling around the Chaos Space. Nie Shiyun tried to place it in a standard spirit beast bag, but the egg stubbornly refused to enter. Since he hadn't yet established a blood contract, he could only let the "prodigal egg" stay in his Chaos Space, where it greedily sucked up every drop of spiritual energy he provided. As early winter arrived and the demon tribes prepared for hibernation or seclusion, Nie Shiyun packed his belongings. Many Yao cultivators came to bid him farewell. The group of demon children who frequented his shop were particularly loath to see him go, lingering in the doorway for hours. Nie Shiyun uncharacteristically coaxed them with toys and sweets. He wondered how many of them would remember him in a few decades, given the long lifespans of the Yao race. His lease had ended. Before leaving, Nie Shiyun took a final, long look at the courtyard that had been his home. As he passed the main road, he saw the rival artifact shop. The owner, who had once looked down on him, had been forced to pivot to selling general sundries after Nie Shiyun’s business dominated the market. Nie Shiyun felt no guilt; competition was the way of the world. He had arrived alone, and though he had amassed a fortune in materials, most had been consumed by his space and the egg. He left as he had come—with "nothing but the wind in his sleeves," yet with a heart full of memories and a mind focused on one person. Halfway back to human territory, the news he had been waiting for finally reached his ears in a bustling tavern. "Did you hear? Just yesterday, Zhai Bairong of the Yingyue Sect successfully reached the Golden Core stage!" "Oh? Wasn't it said he’d disappeared years ago?" "Indeed! Some thought he’d left the sect for good. Not only did he succeed, but his cultivation soared straight to the mid-stage Golden Core after the tribulation. He’s already back in seclusion to stabilize his foundation. Truly terrifying talent." "And here I thought he was finished. It seems he was just biding his time!" Nie Shiyun sat in the tavern, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Years ago, he had sat in a similar place, listening to strangers discuss Zhai Bairong’s failure. Back then, Zhai Bairong was merely a character in a plot. Now, the very mention of his name sent a different ripple through Nie Shiyun’s heart. By the time he reached the vicinity of Yunqing Pavilion, the first snow of winter had begun to fall. He flew on his sword toward the small town at the foot of the mountain, which was now draped in a thin layer of silver. In the cultivation world, time was a blurred concept, and this was just another winter day. Yet, as he walked through the town, many locals recognized him, calling out greetings and inviting him into their shops. He politely declined, citing his urgency to return to the sect. As he ascended the mountain, he saw the snow piling up on the Yunqing Pavilion plaque. Suddenly, he felt a vibration in his storage bracelet. It was a communication crystal. He crushed it without hesitation. After six months, Zhai Bairong’s voice reached him, sounding as if they had only just parted yesterday. "I have successfully reached the mid-stage Golden Core. See you at the Great Cultivation Assembly." It was a brief, hurried message. Nie Shiyun had expected as much; Zhai Bairong’s return would be fraught with complications, especially with Qu Zhanmeng watching. He didn't dare send a long reply that might be intercepted by a master's divine sense. "See you then," he sent back, a short and disciplined response. To his surprise, a second crystal vibrated shortly after. He crushed it, but no voice came through. He frowned, wondering if it was a mistake, but as he held his breath and listened intently, he heard the sound of steady, calm breathing. Zhai Bairong hadn't said a word, but the silence spoke volumes. Nie Shiyun looked up at the leaden sky, where snowflakes continued to dance through the air. He gazed in the direction of the Yingyue Sect, though it was far beyond the horizon. "...I miss you too," he whispered to the wintry landscape. With a small smile, he turned and strode firmly into the gates of Yunqing Pavilion.