Even though Suisui managed to push her eldest maternal uncle back to his room, she could not avoid the loving care of her Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt.
She was still coaxed into finishing a bowl of medicine.
After drinking the medicine, she was made to take an afternoon nap.
Ice had been placed in her room. The old lady found it too cold and decided to sleep in her own room instead.
Watching the little girl fall asleep, her Eldest Aunt, Third Aunt, and Second Aunt went to the Embroidery Room to study new patterns.
"Master, you revealed something today."
A voice came from the pendant hanging around her neck.
"What?"
Suisui was puzzled. What had she revealed?
"Master, the last time you were on the brink of death, you fortuitously signed a contract with me. As a result, your physique was quietly transformed. You now possess extraordinary talent, an exceptional constitution, and immense strength. Earlier, when you casually lifted your eldest maternal uncle’s wheelchair up the stairs, your immense strength was revealed."
Surprised, Suisui took the small pendant in her hands, turning it over and over to examine it.
"Who are you? Why do you call me Master? What is this contract? Why don’t I understand a word you’re saying?"
"Master, first close your eyes and meditate. I will pull you into your Dream Realm. There, you will be able to see me, and we can communicate face to face."
Suisui did as instructed. A burst of fragrant Qi washed over her. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a vast expanse of white, surrounded by mist. Feeling a cool sensation on her body, she looked down and was astonished to find herself lying in a Lotus Pond.
The little girl was startled. She blinked her big eyes. "Where am I?"
"This is your Dream Realm. By the way, why are you lying in the pond?"
Hearing the voice from above, Suisui looked up. She saw a chubby little girl floating in the air. The chubby girl was plump and fair-skinned, holding a small bottle with a flower in it. The flower, a fiery red, looked very much like the one depicted on the Soul-Calling Bell.
"Are you the one who was talking to me? Little Fatty!"
Suisui jumped out of the pond, pointing excitedly at the chubby girl floating in the air.
"My name is Ah Ling, not Little Fatty!" Ah Ling gritted her teeth, her cheeks puffing out in anger. "It’s all your fault I look like this!"
"?" Suisui blinked, her big, grape-like black eyes filled with utter confusion.
Ah Ling sighed silently, placing a chubby hand on her forehead. "My name is Ah Ling, and I am the artifact spirit of the Soul-Calling Bell. I had been dormant for three thousand years. It was your bloodline that awakened me, and so I acknowledged you as my Master! As for my current form, it changes according to your thoughts, Master. Since childhood, you were bullied, never had enough to eat, and couldn’t keep warm. So, you always fantasized about being a chubby little girl who could eat her fill at every meal and wear warm clothes every day."
Suisui blinked. What is a bloodline? She vaguely recalled the day her Grandma had brutally beaten her; the blood from her battered wrist had inexplicably disappeared, seemingly absorbed by the pendant hanging around her neck.
"That’s right, it was your blood. Look at the small pendant in your hand. Doesn’t it look like a little bell?" Ah Ling, seeing through her thoughts, explained before Suisui could ask.
"Huh?"
Suisui took a closer look. It did indeed resemble a bell. Scrutinizing it carefully, she noticed many intricate, layered floral patterns on the small bell. Beneath these patterns were some runes she couldn’t understand.
"You are still young and haven’t begun to cultivate, so you can’t understand these ancient runes."
"Cultivating? What’s that?"
Another question she didn’t understand.
"It’s a type of cultivation method for those with certain talents. I can’t teach you right now. When your fated opportunity arrives, someone will naturally guide you to the path."
After saying this, Ah Ling yawned. "I’ve said too much at once. I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep."
Suisui: "..." But I still have so many questions to ask!