People spent their mornings in the workshops, eagerly experimenting with new products. In the afternoons, they had meals, attended classes, and performed in simulated mini-theater productions. In the evenings, they gathered around bonfires for barbecues and singing.
Xiangbei prepared for the next day in the space every night. During the day, besides teaching and guiding workshop development and production, she spent most time discussed with uncle Shan, who often brought work related to the new dock to her on the mountain.
Sometimes, she would go to the valley alone late at night to bring some wild water buffalo into the space. Those brought out felt noticeably tamer regardless of their size. Meanwhile, the pregnant cows left inside the Jade space were nearing fifty in number without anyone realizing.
Apart from regular trips down the mountain to handle administrative matters, Chengmo spent most of his time in the village chatting with his brother Prince Rong, accompanied by General Huo. Suggested by Doctors Li and Tong, they tried igniting Rong's memories via meeting familiar old people face and topic about old friends.
The past two months flew by in such a busy and fulfilling manner until one day, Xiangbei announced the completion of the first phase of the new course in class. Three days later, they would descend the mountain for real-life practice. Everyone cheered with excitement.
Just at the moment, she suddenly felt a strong wave of spatial energy crashing like waves in her mind, causing a splitting headache. And just like that before, she collapsed dramatically in front of everyone again.
Although it wasn't the first time, Xiangbei's collapse after a calm period of two to three months still left Chengmo feeling helpless. Ignoring everyone from the Tong family, he lifted her up and rushed to the small building, placing her on her own bed and refusing to leave her side. Even when Dr. Li came to take her pulse, Chengmo only reluctantly made space for him to sit, his gaze fixed on Xiangbei's slightly furrowed brow.
"Lord Mo, may I have a word with you in private?" Dr. Li gestured for Chengmo and the Tong couple to join him in the outer hall. "Xiaobei's pulse is strong and steady, her complexion is healthy, and her blood circulation is smooth. There's no need to worry. It seems she's just exhausted. I'll prepare a calming and nourishing herbal tea for her to rest and recover. She should be fine after a good rest. Don't worry."
"Very well, I'll accompany you to get the medicine." Chengmo hurriedly pulled Dr. Li towards the western pharmacy, leaving the Mr. and Mrs.Tong couple bewildered in the room. They exchanged confused glances before turning to look at Xiangbei one last time, drawing the curtains around her bed, and then left together.
The moment the curtains were drawn, the person on the bed disappeared. Xiangbei felt a powerful force pulling her into the space, and she saw a figure standing under the swirling vortex in the Jade Snowflake Cave. Milk-like fluid continuously poured down from hanging dense fog on her, but when she approached, she couldn't see anyone else, only herself. The figure felt like herself spirit indeed. It's wired but reality she just knew it.
Standing at the edge of the central pit, she watched as the vortex spun wildly and expanded, covering a much larger area than the pit below, with the liquid inside almost overflowing.
She reached out and caught a handful of droplets falling down, placing them on her tongue. Besides a slight coolness, she didn't feel much.
The energy wave at the center of the vortex continued to escalate, and images of newborn calves and several pregnant cows appeared above. So that's how it was.every times new born animals would impact the energy of this Nebulae's space and stronger her spirit.The frail meridians of ordinary people couldn't bear such contradictory collisions, leading to immense physiological pain and fainting. The only thing she could do was to strive to widen her meridians to adapt to this inevitable change.
Xiangbei sat cross-legged in the mist, regulating her breath and gradually merging with the abundant energy in the cave. After completing a whole set of Tai Chi exercises with a relaxed mind, she returned to the bed and lay quietly, contemplating her thoughts.
When Chengmo entered with a bowl of medicine, he lifted the curtain and saw the girl lying on the bed with her eyes open, her rosy face full and healthy. He naturally bent down and lightly kissed her nose, bringing the absent-minded girl back to reality. Then, he put his arm around her shoulder and helped her sit up. "Xiaobei, here, drink your medicine."
"How come you're here?"
"You fainted again, and everyone was very worried. Dr. Li came to check on you and personally brewed this medicine. Come on, drink up."
"Oh, sorry. I'm fine now. I've been lying down for a while, and I'm already feeling better. I don't need to take medicine."
"Don't be stubborn. Come on, this medicine isn't bitter at all. It's a soup made with red dates, wolfberries, and Chinese yam, all the nourishing herbs you usually use, and I even secretly added honey. Be good."
"It's really sweet. Thank you, Mo."
That night, amidst a long embrace, anxiety quietly slipped away.
When Xiangbei woke up, there was no one in the room. Strangely, not only Mo was not in her room, but also there was no one in the village or on the stone square either. Even the guards, who usually started training early in the morning, were nowhere to be seen.