Guarding the River of Time

Chapter 454 - 444: When I Came Into Being, They Already Existed

"They are three people."

"I cannot deduce their true identities for now because they are more ’ancient’ than I am. To put it bluntly... they were already in existence when I came to be."

Lady Houtu said softly.

Because they existed when she became part of the Reincarnation, and they have transcended Reincarnation, not bound by the Reincarnation Law, she is unable to deduce their identities.

There are only two ways to know the identities of these three.

The first is to wait for them to reveal themselves, but by then, it might already be too late.....

The second is to actively seek them out.... but since her true form cannot leave the Reincarnation Realm now, this method is also unfeasible.

"Three people...." Su Mu frowned deeply.

It seems like the enemies he encountered so many times were merely the subordinates of these three.

...

"I can provide you with some clues you might try looking for."

Lady Houtu, with a flick of her mind, transmitted some traces she had deduced into Su Mu’s mind.

"Thank you." This trace information is very helpful to Su Mu, as he now knows some methods and information to prevent future encounters.

The unfortunate thing is that he cannot leave this river, which is the most fatal.

.....

Inside a small shop in the Reincarnation Ancient City.

The walls are adorned with a dazzling array of exquisite ornaments including bracelets, jade pendants, and hairpins.

"What do you like, Aunt will buy it for you."

Shen Yu held Nannan’s little hand and pointed to the various ornaments on the wall.

Nannan picked for a long time, then shook her head: "Aunt Yu, I already have many, it’s not necessary."

"Come over, sit in front of Aunt, and let Aunt comb your hair."

Shen Yu beckoned Nannan to her, and Nannan obediently sat in front of Shen Yu, sitting upright.

Shen Yu took out an ancient wooden comb from her sleeve. It’s an ordinary comb that even looks a bit worn, but she always kept it by her side.

Because... this comb was given to her by Shen Cha. She used to comb Shen Cha’s hair often, but as they grew older, Shen Cha became more dominant and they often quarreled over various matters, causing the relationship between the two sisters to be far from what it once was.

But nonetheless, whether it be Shen Cha or Shen Yu, they are soft at heart despite their harsh words. They quarreled, but when issues truly arose, they always stood up for each other.

Shen Yu gently combed Nannan’s hair with meticulous care, seemingly seeing Shen Cha’s shadow in Nannan in a trance.

For a moment, Shen Cha’s childhood silhouette gradually merged with Nannan’s, leaving her stupefied and unable to come back to her senses for a long time,

...

"Aunt Yu, use this hairpin."

Nannan handed the plum blossom hairpin she was clutching to Shen Yu, smiling.

Staring at the hairpin in her hand, Shen Yu asked with a smile, "Do you really like this hairpin?"

"Yes, Dad gave it to me, I love everything Dad gives me," Nannan said with a smile.

The plum blossom hairpin was the one Su Mu had bought from her shop, yet unexpectedly ended up on Nannan’s head. Sometimes, the threads of fate just seem so puzzling.

...

"Aunt Yu, I also prepared a gift for you."

Nannan said, as with a wave of her jade-like hand, a small, exquisite wooden carving appeared in her palm.

Shen Yu was dumbfounded as she gazed at the wooden carving.

Because the carving was crafted in her likeness, from appearance, attire, even expression, vividly lifelike as if about to come alive.

"Nannan, when did you carve this?" Shen Yu was stunned, as it was her first time meeting Nannan, and she had been with her the whole time as well, when was it carved?

Moreover, this wooden carving was not just any wooden carving; the material was extremely rare, known as "Wood of Time."

Carving "Wood of Time" itself requires immense power to support.

And to carve to such quality, it would take at least an hour or two.

Only after Nannan employed spiritual power did Shen Yu notice Nannan’s cultivation.

Human Immortal Perfection Realm?!

Human Immortal Perfection at the age of nine?!

Shen Yu was astonished, never having seen talent of such magnitude, even Shen Cha, with a talent unrivalled throughout the Reincarnation Realm, only reached the Mahayana Realm at nine years old.

Is this the depth of Elder Su, that his child’s talent surpasses all through the ages, throughout the Ten Thousand Realms!

She was a bit curious about who Nannan’s mother was exactly.

...

"Just when Aunt Yu was buying candied hawthorn for me, I carved it based on your appearance."

"I think I carved Aunt Yu ugly."

Nannan said softly.

"It’s beautiful, Aunt loves it very much."

Clutching the wooden carving in her hand, an unprecedented emotion began to grow in Shen Yu’s heart.....

It’s too similar.... too much like Shen Cha when she was young.

Young Shen Cha was also like this, very sensible, very adorable, skillful and adept.

But as time went by, her temper grew worse, doing things her own way, and she wouldn’t listen to me much.....

....

In just a few breaths, Nannan carved the Wood of Time into her semblance, which is not something mere cultivation power could achieve.

This indicates that Nannan’s state of mind, her Divine Sense, etc., have surpassed ordinary people.

.....

"Aunt really likes the gift from Nannan."

"Aunt also prepared a gift for you."

Speaking, Shen Yu took out a red string bracelet from her sleeve, with a bead resembling amber, crystal clear. Looking closely, ancient runic words could be seen faintly within the amber bead.

"Come, let Aunt put it on for you."

Shen Yu personally fastened the red string bracelet on Nannan’s wrist: "How is it, do you like it..."

"I like it!" Nannan hugged Shen Yu tightly, a child’s emotions are so genuine and simple.

Nannan is different from other little girls, she possesses the innocence and childhood naivety, yet in some moments, she has a maturity and composure beyond her years.

....

Not far away, Du Ziren, seeing Shen Yu gifting such a treasure, his eyes widened, involuntarily swallowing.

Seriously, can this really be casually gifted out??

Isn’t she afraid of being blamed by Lady Houtu??

This Shen Yu, he really couldn’t understand her....

Does she truly resent Elder Su or not?

He couldn’t comprehend, totally couldn’t comprehend!

He couldn’t comprehend the two sisters either, every action they took upended his understanding.

Nonetheless, Du Ziren felt a slight sense of crisis, this Shen Yu, she’s too formidable?!

I must also give a treasure to Nannan!

....

ps: I wish all dear readers a Happy New Year, wishing you health and happiness, prosperity in the Year of the Snake!