Aerial Rain
Translating Web Novel

THDP Ch 169 Part 5 – Entering the Array (V)

“When it comes to arrays…” Meng Qi took a few steps back to walk alongside Li Che. “Let’s talk as we walk.” They continued along the creek while Meng Qi elaborated, “Some arrays can amplify the effects of medicinal properties. So, although I don’t know the specifics of the Seven Emotions Array, it likely uses the array to amplify the effects of the Seven Emotions Flower.”

Li Che nodded, somewhat understanding. As he focused on Meng Qi’s explanation, the woman’s voice in his mind began to fade.

Meng Qi continued, “The Seven Emotions Flower combined with the Luoxin leaves can induce an illusion that amplifies emotions and desires.”

“The trials in this Seven Emotions Array likely exploit our inner demons.”1 Her voice remained calm, almost cold, “So don’t pay attention to what that person says. She’s trying to make you succumb to your inner fear and anxiety.”

“Hee hee,” Before Li Che could respond, a crisp giggle sounded in his mind. “This little girl is quite interesting.”

“Two greenhorns, one at Nascent Soul stage and one who just entered the Spirit Severing stage. If I wanted to scheme against you, it wouldn’t be so complicated.” The woman laughed joyfully, “I’m just giving you a friendly reminder. Whether you believe it or not is your choice.”

“Li Che.” Li Che felt a weight on his arm as Meng Qi grasped his elbow. “Don’t listen to her.”

“B-but… but…” He stuttered, convinced that what the voice said made sense.

“Don’t listen.” Meng Qi’s clear and determined eyes stared straight into Li Che’s, her voice firm, “Don’t be deceived.”

Li Che: “…”

“We can definitely do this,” Meng Qi said. “Think about earlier. In the beginning, it was also the two of us who healed so many people and found the entrance to the Seven Emotions Array.”

“But Qiao Ran was helping too…” Li Che murmured.

“When Qiao Ran and I found you, you were already saving people,” Meng Qi said firmly. “You can do this.”

“Meng Qi, I…” Li Che tried to speak, but the voice in his mind laughed again. “This little girl is so adorable. I like her! When you fail, I’ll have her stay with me. Having such an interesting little girl to chat with will make life much less boring.”

“Li Che,” Meng Qi tightened her grip on his arm and sent a wisp of aura through her fingertips. “Don’t listen to her.”

“Tranquility Spell, is it?” The woman giggled again. “How amusing. If the Tranquility Spell worked, there wouldn’t be so many failed cultivators. After all…” She elongated her words, “Even after thousands of years, how many have truly reached the Great Ascension stage? Let alone the Great Ascension, even progressing beyond the Spirit Severing stage is a huge step. Boy, just because you believe you can doesn’t mean you actually can.”

Li Che frowned slightly.

“Human effort has its limits,” the woman said with a playful tone. “So many Golden Core cultivators have failed and perished during their tribulations. All of them, without exception, believed that they could successfully pass the tribulation before challenging it.”

“With your talent, progressing beyond Spirit Severing… well, reaching Void Comprehending might be your limit. Even your skills in medical cultivation are limited too. Now, you’re close to breaking through to the fourth rank. Reaching the fifth grade is a possibility, but beyond that, it’s unlikely.” The woman continued cheerfully, “Remember, boy, don’t attempt a tribulation beyond your capacity, or you’ll end up truly perishing, both in body and soul.”

Li Che felt as if he had been struck by lightning!

Meng Qi’s words could no longer reach him. His master had previously mentioned that he was one of the sect’s most skilled disciples. However, medical cultivation was already in decline in the Southern Realm where Canglang Academy was located. Their sect managed to become one of the top ten sects in the Southern Realm mainly because the rules of the Three Thousand Worlds required each of the Four Realms’ top ten sects to include at least one medical sect. Thus, Canglang Academy made it into the top ten. If the sect were in the Eastern or Western Realm, or even the relatively weaker Northern Realm, it might not have made the top ten.

Li Che’s own master, the sect leader of Canglang Academy, was only a fifth-rank medical cultivator with a Void Comprehending cultivation base. He had lamented that Li Che would be hard-pressed to surpass him, perhaps would also be limited to a Void Comprehending fifth-rank medical cultivator. If Li Che could join a top-tier medical sect like the Feng Alliance, there might be a slight hope for further advancement. But with limited talent, even that hope was slim, and his last resort was to rely on precious, expensive resources to force his way up.

Every word from the woman hammered straight into Li Che’s heart.

He… he couldn’t do it…

The voice kept whispering in his ear. Despite Meng Qi’s comfort, Li Che knew he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t compare to Xue Chengxuan, Pei Mufeng, and the others. Even Meng Qi, who came from a small sect like him, had far superior talent.

He really couldn’t do it.

Li Che thought sadly, knowing he was destined to disappoint Meng Qi. He didn’t even know how he ended up entering this Seven Emotions Array with such prodigies like Yan Xuan and Pei Mufeng—it should have been Qiao Ran who came in!

Why was it him?!

He couldn’t do it!

“Li Che! Li Che!” Meng Qi’s voice grew louder as she gripped his arm, “Stop listening to her.”

“This little girl is truly interesting and kind, still trying to comfort you. But what good will it do? She’s deceiving herself as much as you. When she is forced to fight her way forward, she’ll immediately realize how useless her partner is.” The woman’s words pierced Li Che’s heart.

“She’ll find out that two medical cultivators can’t succeed. The little girl has a talent for arrays and has been trained by an expert, so she can still fight. But you… alas, what can be done?” The woman sighed heavily. Her voice was full of apparent compassion, yet every word cut into Li Che like the sharpest blade, unearthing his deeply buried fears and displaying them raw and bleeding.

“Your friends are all kind-hearted, so they won’t hold it against you. Rest assured, even if you can’t get past the first trial and they’re trapped here forever, no one will blame you.” The woman giggled again.

“Even if they’re trapped because of you, never to see the light of day again, they’ll still forgive you. This little girl, for instance, knows you’re a hindrance but still comforts you, fearing you’ll be upset. Alas…” The woman let out a sigh, “You’re a medical cultivator yourself, so you know that good medicines taste bitter. There are cases where even the most comforting words are useless; the necessary truth, no matter how harsh, is the one that is needed.”

Li Che couldn’t see the speaker, but he felt like a pair of beautiful, pitying eyes were staring at him. He stared ahead and met Meng Qi’s worried gaze. “Meng Qiqi.” He opened his mouth and called out hoarsely.

“Li Che.” Meng Qi looked into his eyes. “You…”

“What should I do?” He asked, looking at her. “What should I do?”

“I don’t want to drag everyone down.” His voice was filled with pain.

“Li Che,” Meng Qi said, “Don’t listen to her. She’s deliberately trying to disturb our minds. This is the Seven Emotions Array…”

“But she’s right,” Li Che murmured. “Pei Mufeng is the top young sword cultivator in the Eastern Realm and one of the best in all four realms. Qin Xiumo comes from Anyun Summit, is skilled in both sword and spell, highly talented. Chu Tianfeng is young, yet his natal weapon is already a seven-petal lotus; it will be nine petals in a few years, and by then, he probably would rival Yan Xuan at his peak. Yan Xuan himself was the top young spell cultivator prior to his injuries. Sikong Xing is a demon cultivator with unmatched defensive spells. And you, Meng Qiqi…”

He looked at Meng Qi, his voice hoarse, “Your medical talent is exceptional, recognized by Lin Yan herself. Your talent in arrays is even greater, and the head of the Ji family wants to take you as a disciple. But me…” Li Che’s expression was desolate. “I don’t even know how I ended up with you all. Now, I’m dragging you down.”

“Li Che,” Meng Qi’s voice rose, “That’s not true.”

“Hee hee hee,” the woman laughed joyfully in Li Che’s ear. “Such a kind child, still trying to comfort you.”

“What a pity. If you were replaced by that talented boy, Qiao Ran from Duankong Sect, they might have a chance to break through the Seven Emotions Array. But unfortunately, it’s you…”

“Argh!” Li Che suddenly yanked his hand away from Meng Qi. He jumped up and turned, running in the opposite direction.

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  1. Heart demon, inner demon, or internal demon has nothing to do with the race of demon or devil. They are the manifestation of cultivators’ negative emotions and other mental barriers that hinder their training/cultivation. In some cases, inner demons can even attack the cultivators from the inside, and failure to adequately resist them may result in Qi Deviation.

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