Reborn Heiress: Seeking Revenge

Chapter 386: Pawn of Fate (2)_1

"What?" Shangguan You exclaimed in surprise. "It’s my problem if something happens to me; what does it have to do with anyone else? Why should we all be connected?""If you run into trouble in Hidden World Village, then the fates changed because of you will halt, and may even disappear from this world forever. So, you’re not alone but represent everyone," Old Man Qi spoke gravely. In truth, he hadn’t completely understood the meaning himself.

"Are you saying that my fate is tightly linked with the people around me, and if I die, they too will vanish from this world? They will share the same fate as me?" Shangguan You stood up, looking at Old Man Qi in disbelief.

She was just an ordinary person; how could she possibly influence so many people’s fates? It was impossible.

"That’s right, essentially so," Old Man Qi touched his beard and nodded.

"But I’m just one person, a very ordinary person. Even if I saved them, they have their own lives. I won’t revolve around them, nor will they revolve around me. Why would they disappear along with me if I died, and all traces of them be erased?"

"Because it was you who changed their original lives," Old Man Qi’s voice was heavy. "One could say you created their new lives for them. This might not be obvious under normal circumstances. However, if you are in Hidden World Village and suffer harm from a powerful enemy, or die as a result, they will permanently disappear from this world."

Suddenly, he choked and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Grandpa, what’s wrong with you?" Qi Zhuochen cried out anxiously, tears welling in his eyes. "Let him lie down! I’ll take care of this!"

A flash of gold, and the Golden Needle appeared in Shangguan You’s hand. Recalling what Old Man Qi had just said about the fates she had altered, she hesitated for a moment.

"Sister You, please save Grandpa!" Qi Zhuochen urged, noticing Shangguan You’s pause. "He knew he was revealing too many heavenly secrets; otherwise, he wouldn’t be like this. Besides, for the past six months, Grandpa has been observing the fate charts, including yours, Sister You. His fate became tied to yours when you saved me half a year ago."

"I know." Shangguan You nodded, her Golden Needle swiftly pricking Old Man Qi’s body as she channeled Spiritual Energy to slowly clear his internal blockages. A Medicinal Pill was quickly fed to him. After a short while, Old Man Qi’s originally pale complexion slowly turned rosy, and his body relaxed.

"I owe you another favor," Old Man Qi said with a wry smile. His intention had only been to inform her about the far-reaching consequences of her actions; he had never expected this to happen.

"Keep that in mind; there’ll be a chance to repay it," Shangguan You said calmly, withdrawing the Golden Needle. Her mind, however, remained in turmoil, unable to settle.

"I know how to get to Hidden World Village, and I have people from the Ye Family accompanying me. You and Zhuochen should stay here. I know my own capabilities, and Ye San Shao won’t allow me to be bullied," Shangguan You said indifferently. She didn’t know if this journey would be a blessing or a curse. But she didn’t want the Qi grandfather and grandson to accompany her. She had her own matters to attend to and many secrets to keep. Until she reached the pinnacle of power, she didn’t want too many people to know her secrets.

"People from the Ye Family are going with you? Ye Er Shao, Ye San Shao?" Old Man Qi muttered, his previously recovered ruddy complexion fading to pale again.

"Exactly. So if you want to repay the favor, I have another important matter for which I need your help. Rest assured, nothing will happen to me on my trip to Hidden World Village, and your grandson will not disappear because of me." Shangguan You nodded, intending to entrust Lin Mengjie to Old Man Qi’s care.

"What is it?"

"I want to know how to awaken the sleeping beauty inside the Crystal Coffin. Is there a way to put someone without illness or any other issues to sleep for over a decade, unable to wake up?" Shangguan You’s voice was faint, as if she were discussing something unrelated to her, yet upon closer listening, one could detect a trace of impatience.

"The Crystal Coffin? The legendary Crystal Coffin?" Old Man Qi responded with surprise.

"Correct. I want to know if there is something in this world that can put a person into a deep sleep for decades without waking, their heartbeat still present and their appearance unchanged."

Shangguan You slowly described Lin Mengjie’s condition in the Crystal Coffin.

Old Man Qi’s body shook violently, as if he was lost in memories. After a long pause, Old Man Qi finally spoke.

"In an ancient legend, it is said that this continent encompasses different levels of dimensions, which science refers to as other-dimensional spaces. The dimension we currently live in is just one of them.

"In some unknown places, there are mysterious gateways to these other dimensions, also known as transfer arrays. According to legend, powerful entities from those planes guard these gateways, preventing anyone not of the same dimension from entering.

"These dimensions each have seven Guardians, who are in eternal slumber within Crystal Coffins. If someone breaks through one of the gateways, hoping to reach another dimension, their first challenge is to defeat its Guardian. Doing so would cause the Guardian to fall back into slumber, allowing passage through the gateway to that dimension."

Old Man Qi murmured to himself, seemingly engulfed in memories.

Old Man Qi’s words once again made Shangguan You recall the subterranean chamber beneath Shen Mansion: that secret room, the strange objects behind the wall, the six Crystal Coffins deep underground. It seemed this tale of gateways to other dimensions wasn’t a secret among the Hidden World Families; otherwise, Shen Po wouldn’t have known.

No, that’s not right, Shangguan You shook her head. According to her Clairvoyance Spell, there were only six Crystal Coffins in the underground chamber, not seven. And that empty Crystal Coffin, the one now housing Lin Mengjie... where had it come from? The coffin that originally held Wanyou’s body now contained Lin Mengjie. What exactly was going on?

"Could the person in the Crystal Coffin suddenly awaken? According to your explanation, does our dimension also have an equivalent Guardian? And is it possible for our dimension’s Guardian to awaken?"