Chapter 63: Two Become One

The energy rain pelted Bi Qiao’an’s skin as she and Shen Yanming approached their usual spot. 

As droplets trickled down her face, she felt the soreness in her muscles gradually dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of relief. Minutes ticked by, and a surge of vitality coursed through her veins, like a jolt of electricity.

Shen Yanming’s eyebrows raised as he took in the rosy glow on Bi Qiao’an’s cheeks. Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Quickening their pace, they hurried toward the secluded area behind Qingning Mountain, feet pounding against the damp earth.

Shen Yanming lugged the basins two to three thousand meters away, while Bi Qiao’an plopped down the two small stools. She sank onto one, closing her eyes and tilting her face skyward, letting the energy rain wash over her. The world fell away as she focused on the droplets caressing her skin.

After arranging the basins, Shen Yanming settled onto the stool beside her. He, too, let his eyes drift shut as he immersed himself. Unnoticed, the intangible energy surrounded them and seeped into their pores, filling them up like a sponge.

This had become their nightly ritual. Ever since they had fully merged their minds with the environment, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an discovered that the space expanded far beyond its usual boundaries. Each night, they strived to become one with the energy rain.

At first, it was like stumbling in the dark, grasping for something just out of reach. But gradually, they found their footing, the connection growing stronger with every passing night.

However, Shen Yanming noticed the collected rainwater’s potency waning when they merged with the energy rain. He experimented, placing the basins farther and farther away, until he found the sweet spot.

Two hours later, Shen Yanming gathered the brimming basins, tucking them securely into the space. Bi Qiao’an plucked the rain-nourished mushrooms, piling them high in a basin until it threatened to overflow. Only then did they gather their belongings and trek back home.

Inside, Shen Yanming stored the mushrooms while Bi Qiao’an swapped her shoes. He placed the basins on the balcony, the energy rainwater sloshing gently.

Bi Qiao’an padded into the bathroom, clean pajamas in hand. Shen Yanming slipped in behind her, a mischievous grin on his face. “To save water,” he said with a wink. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hold back a smile. After all they’d shared, modesty seemed pointless.

Bi Qiao’an peeled off her soaked pajamas, the damp fabric clinging to her skin. As she caught sight of her reflection, a gasp escaped her lips. The marks that had peppered her skin were gone, leaving behind a creamy, unblemished expanse.

“Wow, this energy rain is something else!” she breathed, fingers skimming over her collarbone, where hickeys had bloomed just hours before.

Shen Yanming’s eyes widened. “It could be a game-changer for treating injuries.”

“Good thing we stocked up,” Bi Qiao’an said, wheels turning in her head. “Think we should bring more basins next time?”

He shook his head. “We already gather a lot, we’re already far ahead compared to others. My rented bungalow isn’t suitable for living, and being outside makes entering the space inconvenient.”

His fingers brushed her hair, a comforting touch. “Don’t stress. As long as we keep collecting until the rainy season’s over, we should have enough for future use.”

As Bi Qiao’an considered his words, her head nodding in understanding, a sudden spark ignited in her eyes.  “Oh, did you feel that shift in the space? Let’s hurry and check it out!”

After a steamy shower and throwing on some clothes, Bi Qiao’an tugged Shen Yanming toward the planting space.

But “planting space” didn’t quite cut it anymore. It had fused with the storage space, creating a vast, seamless realm.

On one side, green jade stone slabs gleamed underfoot, while an azure sky stretched overhead. White mist curled around the neatly arranged supplies in the corner. On the other side, wooden boxes towered in a mini mountain, just as Shen Yanming had glimpsed through the haze.

The storage space seemed to go on forever. Even with the supplies and countless boxes stored within, which occupied a mere tenth of the total area, they barely made a dent in the sprawling expanse.

As for the planting area, it was a mirror image of what they’d seen through the mist. Grasslands rippled in the breeze, mountains loomed in the distance, and rivers snaked through the landscape. 

Grain fields, orchards, medicinal herb patches, flower beds, tea plantations, and ponds dotted the terrain. A waterfall thundered down the mountainside, like a celestial river, crashing into a frothy pool at the base. The crystalline stream meandered below, its depths visible through the transparent water.

A shimmering, translucent light screen stretched between the planting and storage areas, creating a subtle barrier that divided the two spaces. 

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an experimented, discovering they could pass through the barrier independently.

Grins spread across their faces. Hand in hand, they exited the space, then entered solo without a word. As expected, one emerged in the planting area, the other in the storage.

Shen Yanming crossed from storage to planting, silently willing himself to exit the space. But his feet remained rooted in place.

“It seems that without you leading, I can only enter and exit from the storage area, though I can pass into the planting area. I expect it’s the same for you,” he deduced.

Bi Qiao’an put it to the test. “You’re right. And get this— we can control everything in the space with just a thought now! Talk about convenient.”

Shen Yanming pulled her close, memories from his past life flickering in his mind’s eye. “With this space, I’m not afraid of losing you anymore.”

“Even if we’re apart, we can always find each other here,” she murmured, nestling into his embrace.

He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Ready to explore?”

“Of course!”

They set off across the grasslands, the blades tickling their ankles. Neat rows of grain gave way to orchards heavy with fruit.

“Look at all these fruit trees! Even more than we planned for. Longan, chestnuts, nuts…” Bi Qiao’an darted from tree to tree, eyes sparkling.

With an orchard this diverse, they wouldn’t need to look elsewhere for fruit trees.

The medicinal herb field bordered the orchard. Bi Qiao’an spotted the telltale leaves of ginseng and the glossy caps of lingzhi mushrooms. Shen Yanming pointed out the delicate blooms of dendrobium orchids. Similar plants huddled together, offering clues to the rest.

Beyond the herbs and flowers, a bamboo forest loomed. At its heart stood a small courtyard, complete with a well and a bamboo hut. Shen Yanming stepped inside, Bi Qiao’an close behind.

Dust seemed to shy away from the hut, as if time itself had forgotten it. A bamboo bed, a bookshelf bursting with ancient tomes, and a desk were the only furnishings.

A journal lay on the desk, its pages yellowed with age. Shen Yanming picked it up, eyes scanning the faded ink. It was his ancestor’s journal, penned by Shen Cunfeng himself.

The journal told of Shen Cunfeng’s youthful travels through Qingteng. A chance encounter, a pair of rings, and suddenly he was the owner of this incredible space.

Shen Cunfeng’s joy leaped off the pages, but so did his caution. A treasure like this was sure to attract trouble. So he kept it secret, stealing away to tend to the space when no one was looking.

In those days, the Shen family sat atop Qingteng’s merchant class. Their sprawling business and overflowing coffers bred envy, and soon they found themselves ensnared in a sinister scheme. A hefty sum bought their way out of trouble, but the danger was far from over.

Instead, it was like throwing oil on a fire, thrusting the Shen family into the heart of the storm.