A Thought Through Eternity

Chapter 79 - Xiaochun, We Believe You

Bai Xiaochun widened his eyes, the three thousand Spirit Stones floating in his mind… He looked at Hou Xiaomei as his eyes brightened. Right now, he really wanted to go hug Hou Xiaomei and give her three thousand thumbs up…

And tell her she’s a really good girl!

The people at the auction were in an uproar at the outrageous price that came with Hou Xiaomei’s voice. They turned to Hou Xiaomei and stared blankly. In front of their eyes was a cute young lady with a hand on her waist and her chest puffed up. Her skin was fair and she was dainty and delicate. Her expression showed that she was obviously pleased with herself and was a young lady that seemed to be as lively as a small chilli.

She raised her chin and looked at Zhou Xinqi as if she wanted to say that since she originated from a cultivator clan, she had no need to fear comparing their wealths. This, however, did not draw the crowd’s dislike. Instead, they found Hou Xiaomei rather cute.

Many of the people watching had a smile on their face, and even quite a few were amazed.

“Three thousand Spirit Stones…” Zhou Xinqi muttered, calming herself down.

“The Little Turtle is important to me. As long as they are the Little Turtle’s medicine pills, I, Hou Xiaomei, am willing to forgo all costs to buy it. Humph, I am ready to offer four thousand Spirit Stones. I’m part of a cultivator clan, Spirit Stones are not something I lack!” As she emphasized the last bit, Hou Yunfei lowered his head in embarrassment and was worried for his younger sister. He had been unaware that she had worshiped the Little Turtle so fanatically in the past few years...

Some Zhou Xinqi admirers couldn’t stand it anymore and many criticised Hou Xiaomei for her wastefulness as she had actually opened such a price for a Grade Two spiritual medicine.

“It’s this lady’s own fortune, jealous?” Hearing what the admirers were saying soured her mood. She puffed up her chest with her hand on her hip as her clear voice rebuked them.

As Bai Xiaochun was watching this scene from the balcony, the more he felt that he had truly done a right thing when he had guided Hou Xiaomei back on the right track.

Zhou Xinqi frowned, she didn’t have that many Spirit Stones herself. After staying silent for a while, she sighted as she had no choice but to give up.

Seeing Zhou Xinqi not bid anymore, Hou Xiaomei was pleasantly surprised. She had put on the appearance of a rich young lady, but of course, she didn’t actually have that many Spirit Stones. She did so because a bid placed in front of so many people was not something her clan’s patriarch would refuse to pay.

In the end, Hou Xiaomei took home the pill which had underwent three spirit refinements.

Satisfied, Bai Xiaochun looked at Hou Xiaomei’s fading figure appreciatively. Clearing his throat, he felt that with how much Hou Xiaomei worshiped the Little Turtle, it would be very inappropriate to not reveal to her his true identity.

Making up his mind, Bai Xiaochun decided to announce who he really was in front of everyone when the first day’s auction ended.

In the backstage were a few of the cultivator clans’ patriarchs, placed there in charge of the auction’s protective measures. A middle-aged man cleared his throat, forcing a smile towards his companions.

“Um… My granddaughter is quite a ridiculous one, isn’t she.” He said as he paid the Spirit Stones bidded by her with a wry smile.

“So pure and innocent.” The others laughed.

The first day of the auction had been concluded. Although such auctions would usually last several days, Bai Xiaochun didn’t plan to come again as his pills had already been sold out. Excited, he hastily made his way out and came out to face the great crowd leaving the auction grounds.

These people were disciples, and all of them were excitedly discussing the purple pill.

It didn’t take long for Bai Xiaochun to spot Zhou Xinqi. He looked at her with an appreciative look, as if to tell her to cheer up. Just as he was about to approach, startled by his gaze, Zhou Xinqi flew off in a rainbow before he got near.

As Bai Xiaochun felt depressed, a happy voice sounded from behind him.

“Big brother Xiaochun!” Hou Xiaomei had a joyful look in her face as she hopped out of the crowd, twisting around as she made her way to him. From behind her, Hou Yunfei also noticed Bai Xiaochun and smiled.

Bai Xiaochun turned away from the fading Zhou Xinqi, and threw an appreciative gaze at Hou Xiaomei and patted her head, acting like a big brother.

“Lil’ sis, not bad back there! When bidding on something, one ought to be domineering!”

Hou Xiaomei’s face immediately flushed, then as if she remembered something, she happily took out the pill and presented it to him.

“Big brother Xiaochun, look! This is the pill refined by the Little Turtle! Oh, do you want it? I will give it to you, you did say you respect the Little Turtle the most, right? I bought this precisely for you!” The excitement was clear in her eyes as she presented it to him with an expectant look. It was as if her entire world only held Bai Xiaochun inside at this moment.

Seeing this scene, Hou Yunfei simply smiled warmly and remained silent.

Bai Xiaochun was stunned, he hadn’t expected that the reason Hou Xiaomei bought the pill would turn out to be himself. He was deeply moved. Seeing the many people around them, he took a deep breath and put on a solemn look.

“Xiaomei, let me tell you a great secret.” Bai Xiaochun’s eyes burned with determination as he spoke seriously, like some lonesome expert.

He had already mastered the skill of putting on the airs of one at any time, at any place.

Both Hou Xiaomei and Hou Yunfei were surprised by this sudden change in Bai Xiaochun.

“What great secret?” Hou Xiaomei asked, looking at him with curiously.

Clearing his throat loudly, Bai Xiaochun raised his chin and flourished his small sleeve to the side.

“I, Bai Xiaochun, am the one and only, earth-shaking, mysteriously and awe-inspiring… renown… great turtle!!” Bai Xiaochun announced, throwing his back and laughing, finally releasing the emotions hidden in his heart. He had held the secret for several years already, and now he was finally able to reveal it in front of his greatest fan and with many others around, too! This was the moment he had waited for!

Most importantly, he couldn’t let his greatest admirer continue being oblivious to the fact that their idol was standing right beside them! With his head arrogantly raised high at the skies, Bai Xiaochun perked his ears, awaiting the cheers.

He had even thought of what kind of words he should say amidst the cheers in a moment’s time.

He waited for a long time, but only silence remained. Surprised by the the silence, Bai Xiaochun couldn’t help but lower his gaze from the skies down to Hou Xiaomei and Hou Yunfei.

Hou Xiaomei stared at him blankly, Hou Yunfei stared at him blankly as well. They looked at him with weird expressions, and the surrounding crowd too looked at him weirdly.

“The Little Turtle is a distant and aloof character. Yet Senior Uncle Bai is claiming to be the Little Turtle? Heh… get out of here…”

Bai Xiaochun’s face distorted and prepared to start explaining.

“Xiaochun, are you okay?” Hou Yunfei was a bit worried as he put his hand on Bai Xiaochun’s forehead.

“I really am!” Bai Xiaochun said anxiously.

“Ah? Yes, yes, of course you are, of course you are…” Hou Yunfei nodded hurriedly, the weird look still on his face.

“Big bro Chun, you once told me that the Little Turtle was a person as high as the clouds, a person who is indifferent to fame… You rank as high up as the Little Turtle in my heart, you really don’t need to pretend…” Hou Xiaomei said softly as she looked gently at Bai Xiaochun.

“I really…” Bai Xiaochun started as Hou Yunfei grabbed his arm suddenly with a serious expression.

“Xiaochun, we believe you!”

“I really…” Bai Xiaochun started again, his eyes wide as Hou Yunfei turned even more serious.

“Xiaochun, really, we believe you!”

“I…” Bai Xiaochun was at a loss for words. His hopes had now all burned to ashes. There was no way he’d get them to believe him now. The difference between the ideal and reality was too vast. He was beside himself as he turned around and wobbled away. How was he going to show his face at the sect now?

Back at the courtyard, he stared blankly at the sky, sorrow plastered on in his face.

“But I really am the great turtle…” He felt wronged, his dream of announcing his identity in front of tens of thousands was completely shattered.

And he now knew where the problem lay. In the past years, the image of the Little Turtle had been glorified too highly… In everyone’s hearts the Little Turtle was too incredible and aloof.

To be more precise, through Hou Xiaomei’s unremitting efforts, the Little Turtle had practically been deified...

Unsatisfied, he refused to give up and and went to look for Xu Baocai. He looked Xu Baocai straight in the face and solemnly told him who he was. Xu Baocai stared at him blankly… and nodded, telling him that he believed him.

Bai Xiaochun ran back to the courtyard and sullenly stared at the wall again.

A few days later, Sun Chen came for a visit. This surprised Bai Xiaochun, and he grasped tightly onto a new hope as he knew that Sun Chen knew he was the one who sent him the pill.

But before he could speak, Sun Chen took out all the spirit stones he owed him. He cupped his fist in his hand and greeted him deeply, his face solemn and respectful.

“Brother Bai, I was unaware of the great value that pill held, and that it was made by such noble a Heaven’s Chosen. Even the higher-ups were shocked. And the only way of contacting that great man is, presumably, only through you now. Or you wouldn’t have had the pill otherwise.”

“Brother Bai, please inform that Heaven’s Chosen that the Sun Clan wishes to build a deep friendship with him. For any herbs he may need in the future, the Sun Clan will spare no effort to supply!”

“Brother Bai, please also inform him, that I am aware that person is unconcerned with fame and fortune and is unwilling to deal with the mundane and is as distant as the clouds. He will surely reach unimaginable heights in the Dao of Medicine. Our Sun Clan is willing to manage his less important affairs for him.” Sun Chen cupped his fist and bowed deeply. When he raised his head, he saw Bai Xiaochun looking at him blankly. He waited a moment for a response, but after receiving none, he hesitatingly cupped his fist again and left.

Bai Xiaochun was somewhat pleased, of course. He was thought to be in such a position inside the Spirit River Sect that even a lofty Heaven’s Chosen like the Little Turtle was in a good relationship with him.

But the thought that Bai Xiaochun might be the Little Turtle had never crossed his mind! They had nothing in common, their personalities were simply too different. Not only the Spirit River Sect’s disciples thought so, even the cultivator clans outside thought so, their investigations concluding in almost the same results as Zhou Xinqi’s.

Not until the moon hung high in the sky did Bai Xiaochun sober up. Sighing, he swayed and leaped up, standing on a bamboo in his courtyard. He placed his hands behind his back and gazed at the stars with a dejected expression on his face. He felt the mountain wind blow through his black hair and his robes.

“Never would I have thought that beneath the surface, I was actually such a lofty character, like a cloud soaring through the skies. Alas… it was my fault for concealing it so deeply. Sometimes great excellence leads to loneliness.” Bai Xiaochun flung his small sleeve to the side. Basking under the moonlight was the silhouette of a genuine lonesome expert.

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2nd guaranteed chapter of the week.

Translated by: Marcus

Edited by: Crimsonguard, Arch

Translated by XianXiaWorld