Chapter 39: Awakening

Shen Xing's vision blurred, and anxious, concerned voices echoed in his ears.

He felt as if he had just awoken from a dream.

In the dream, Shen Xing saw himself speeding through the rain on an electric bike, the glow of his phone flickering in his hand.

He wanted to stop.

But his body would not obey.

Not until that terrible collision.

He tried to focus his gaze, but everything spun around him, leaving a wave of nausea in its wake.

He could feel his heart pounding wildly in his chest—each beat accompanied by pain.

“High Priest, you’re awake!” a young priest from the medical team exclaimed in delight.

The director of the Institute of Life quickly stepped forward to check Shen Xing’s vital signs.

“The High Priest’s vital signs are recovering, but he’s still very weak.”

“We need to continue monitoring him to ensure there are no complications.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

The room fell silent at Shen Xing’s hoarse words, and all eyes turned to the High Priest, tears streaming down his face.

Everyone froze.

They could not comprehend what could possibly move the High Priest to tears.

In everyone’s memory, the High Priest was always calm and rational, never given to strong emotional outbursts.

As the group stood stunned, Xie Huizhi hurried to Shen Xing’s side and grasped his hand.

“High Priest! How are you feeling?” Xie Huizhi’s voice trembled noticeably, his eyes brimming with worry and unease.

Looking at Xie Huizhi, Shen Xing parted his lips as if to speak, but at the sight of Xie Huizhi’s careworn face, he said nothing after all.

“I’m fine. I just had a dream.”

“I saw the Father of Stars.”

“The Father of Stars?” Xie Huizhi repeated, uncertainty and inquiry in his voice.

“High Priest, do you mean…you saw the Father of Stars in your dream?”

Shen Xing nodded gently, his eyes reflecting the faint light filtering in through the window, his expression inscrutable.

“Yes, I saw the Father of Stars.”

The atmosphere in the ward grew even more solemn. The medical team exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to respond to Shen Xing’s words.

The revelation from his dream seemed to carry a deeper meaning, one only the High Priest could comprehend and interpret.

Xie Huizhi’s grip on Shen Xing’s hand relaxed a little, his voice low yet full of conviction. “High Priest, the oracle of the Father of Stars…let us speak of it later. We will always remember your teachings.”

“But right now, your safety and health are what matter most to us.”

“Thank you all. I’m alright. This dream only made me reevaluate myself.”

Shen Xing offered a faint smile. Though tears still streaked his face, there was a touch of release in his expression.

The director of the Institute of Life asked softly, “High Priest, would you like to rest now? Or is there anything we can do for you?”

“I just want some quiet, to think for a while.”

“Please, all of you, leave me alone for a bit.”

The medical team and Xie Huizhi quietly withdrew from the ward, leaving Shen Xing in solitude.

Lying in bed, Shen Xing gazed out the window into the distant sky, lost in thoughts too deep to name.

…

“Move! I must see my teacher!”

“Attendants Yang and Qu, please wait! The High Priest has ordered not to receive visitors at this time!”

Yang Sa and Qu Shixin were blocked by a group of priests. They were deeply anxious, having rushed to the Central Temple as soon as they received Su Xiaoyi’s message.

Since the two were nearby, they had returned quickly.

Both were now Starshine Attendants, possessing physical abilities far beyond the ordinary. Conventional transportation could hardly match their speed.

“Yang Sa, Qu Shixin, calm down. The teacher is fine now.” A steady voice came from behind them.

Turning, they found Ye Wu had returned as well, though they hadn’t noticed his arrival.

“Ye Wu, how did you know?”

“Did you two just storm in here without even checking the messages?”

Yang Sa and Qu Shixin scratched their heads, pulled out their phones, and saw a message from Su Xiaoyi in the attendants’ group chat:

[Teacher is fine now]

“What is Old Su playing at? Called us back in such a hurry for nothing?” Qu Shixin shoved his phone into his pocket, crossed his arms, and grumbled.

“So long as the teacher is unharmed. Otherwise, I’d have barged in using divine arts,” Yang Sa said, exhaling in relief. His sharp eyes swept over the priests, making them break out in cold sweat.

Inwardly, the priests thanked the rules of the Celestial Faith and the High Priest himself. Fortunately, these attendants had reservations—otherwise, they would be powerless to stop those wielding divine arts.

“Divine arts are not to be used recklessly, Yang Sa. You’re being a bit too hasty.” Ye Lian entered the temple as well. Though her steps were slow, beads of sweat betrayed her impatience.

“Maybe wipe your sweat before you speak, Sister Ye?” Yang Sa chuckled. Only then did Ye Lian realize her face was dripping, and a flush crept up her cheeks, though she still gave a cold snort and stood quietly in the temple.

As the group traded banter, Lin Luan entered, supporting Su Xiaoyi. The others stared for a moment at Su Xiaoyi, covered in dried blood, before rushing to help him.

“All right, Lin, you can let go now.”

“Brother Su, are you sure you’re alright?” Lin Luan asked with concern.

Su Xiaoyi shook his head and replied, “I’m fine now. If not for these injuries, I wouldn’t have noticed the teacher’s condition in time.”

His words brought a solemn silence among the attendants.

Their eyes reflected worry and guilt—they clearly blamed themselves for Shen Xing’s ordeal.

“Brother Su, what happened to you?” Yang Sa asked, frowning with concern.

Su Xiaoyi waved a hand to reassure them. “It’s nothing serious, just some scrapes.”

“What matters is the teacher. How is he? I know he’s stabilized, but I don’t know the details.”

Ye Wu took up the conversation, his voice grave. “The teacher doesn’t want to be disturbed, so we’re waiting outside.”

“Isn’t the teacher always so strong? How could something like this happen?” Qu Shixin asked in confusion, scratching his head. At once, all the attendants’ faces changed.

“Qu Shixin! How can you speak of the teacher so casually? You need to change that attitude of yours, or you’ll bring trouble upon yourself!” Ye Lian scolded coldly, her words shrinking Qu Shixin’s bravado as he quickly fell silent.

“Even the teacher can have accidents. As attendants, it is precisely at such times that we must support and protect him.” Ye Lian sighed softly, worry flickering in her eyes. Lin Luan nodded in agreement.

“Ye is right. We should stay calm and wait for the teacher to summon us.”

At that moment, Xie Huizhi emerged, his face grave, prompting the attendants to compose themselves.

“The High Priest wishes to see you. You may enter.”