Chapter 675: That Cat Likes to Rely on Itself

The Goddess of Mirror Island Lake had a slender, graceful figure, her face veiled in white gauze so her features could not be seen, yet divinity carries an aura beyond the mortal realm. Her bearing was unlike that of any woman in the human world. At this moment, she stood upon the water as though walking on solid ground.

“I am merely an old friend come to seek the counsel of the Lake Goddess. For the goddess to be so distant and polite leaves me somewhat ill at ease.”

“Daoist Master, please, let us converse in the midst of the lake.” The Goddess of Mirror Island Lake smiled faintly, altering her form of address. She glanced at him, then at the young girl in the boat, and made a gesture of invitation.

“It would be discourteous to refuse.” The Daoist once again raised his hand in salute.

The young girl also raised her hand, tilting her head and scratching behind her ear.

“

Whoosh...

”

The Goddess of Mirror Island Lake exhaled a breath of white mist.

The breath fell upon the young girl and upon Song You as well. At once, mist rose before their eyes, rippling out in concentric circles.

When they came back to their senses, they were already standing before an elegant pavilion.

No one knew how many years old the building was. It was made entirely of wood, and it carried the charm of ancient times. Overhead, a transparent barrier separated them from the immense weight of the lake’s waters, creating a world apart.

It was nighttime. No matter how bright the stars shone, their light could not reach this place beneath the lake. From the small path leading up to the pavilion, jade lamp posts lined the way, each one inlaid with pearls that glowed with a soft white light. Inside the pavilion, it was even brighter, lit as if by daylight. Graceful female attendants moved back and forth within, fluttering like butterflies.

“Mmm...”

It seemed that Lady Calico had forgotten much of what happened over a decade ago. Seeing this sight again, she was deeply surprised. She clung to the Daoist’s sleeve, showing a trace of nervousness, her eyes wide as she glanced all around at the luminous pearls within the lamps. She couldn’t help reaching out to poke and touch them, revealing a bit of her lively, restless nature.

“Daoist Master, this way please.”

The Goddess of Mirror Island Lake led the way forward. They walked straight into the pavilion ahead.

Inside, the lights shone bright as day, but with a gentler warmth than sunlight. The decor was refined yet exquisite, imbued with a divine elegance, but lacking the gaudy splendor of an ordinary temple. Even in the Celestial Palace, such architecture would be considered tasteful.

Within the pavilion were two tables, one for host and one for guest.

The Daoist tilted his head, taking in the surroundings, just as he had back then.

In those days, he had only recently descended the mountain and had rarely been invited into the residence of a deity, much less in such a half-dream, half-real, wondrous manner. Naturally, it had been a marvel. Now, with his horizons broadened and cultivation deepened, he could perceive more of the mysteries, yet the wonder was no less than before.

“This time, as before, I have set only one table for the Daoist Master and the child,” the Goddess of Mirror Island Lake said, her voice breaking his reverie.

The Daoist came back to himself. Before him stood the goddess; at his side, his young disciple looked up at him curiously.

“Thank you.”

He offered his thanks, then took a seat.

The young girl sat down beside him.

Upon the table were many fruits native to the lakeshore. Early summer was the season when fruits began to ripen, so the variety was abundant. There were also many kinds of shrimp, crabs, fish, and mussels, just as plentiful.

“What are you looking at? Do you find anything amiss in my pavilion’s arrangement?”

“There is nothing amiss; on the contrary, it is elegant and refined,” the Daoist answered truthfully. “It is only that both times I have come here, I have found your methods most wondrous, and thus cannot help but look more closely.”

“It’s just a trifling art, unworthy of display before you, Daoist Master.”

The Lake Goddess waved a hand, and at once two maidservants came forward. Kneeling before the Daoist and Lady Calico, they brought out an elaborate set of tools and began peeling shrimp and cracking crab for them.

“It has been many years since we met, yet even here in Mirror Island Lake I have often heard tales of you. These years have only made you seem more familiar, not less.” She lifted her wine cup as she spoke, then glanced at the young girl beside him. “If I remember correctly, you are called Lady Calico, are you not?”

“That’s right!”

“Do you still remember me?”

“I remember you. You’re the goddess in the lake. You once invited me and the Daoist priest to eat crabs.”

“To make one’s acquaintance is no easy matter, and to meet again is rarer still. Since you have both come from afar, I must first offer a toast to the Daoist Master and to Lady Calico.”

The Lake Goddess removed her white veil, revealing a beautiful face. Using her sleeve to shield herself, she drank a cup.

The Daoist followed suit; it was a very light wine. Ms. Cat imitated them, but in her cup there was only clear water.

After setting down her cup, the Lake Goddess asked, “You’re in the midst of great affairs, yet you have traveled far to visit my humble Mirror Lake. Is there something in which I may be of assistance?”

“I have indeed come to seek the Goddess’s help.”

“Oh?”

The Lake Goddess, having guessed as much, lowered her hands from the table to rest on her knees, sitting upright with a solemn expression. “Your powers are vast, your cultivation profound, you can even subdue and slay ancient gods. I am but a humble lake goddess of Mirror Island. What worth or ability have I to be of help to you?”

“So news of the Ancient God of the Heavenly Bell has reached here?”

“At that time, the Daoist must have been wholly focused on your battle,” the Lake Goddess said calmly, her true face revealed. “But when the Ancient God of the Heavenly Bell rang once, who among the extraordinary beings of heaven and earth could fail to know?”

“I see.”

Song You paused. Seeing his young disciple also turn her gaze toward him, he rubbed her head, signaling her to go on eating crab, while considering how best to speak.

“Though I am somewhat gifted and skilled in the arts of combat, that is merely the area in which I excel. In this world, people have their strengths and weaknesses; thus, ‘when three walk together, one may be my teacher.’ In cultivation and the arts of combat, the Goddess is indeed not my equal, but you possess an accomplishment that I could never hope to attain in this lifetime.”

The Daoist saluted sincerely and said frankly, “Many years ago, I witnessed the Goddess’s ability to weave dreams, dreams so half-real and half-illusory that they defied all reason. Later, I spoke with Mr. Yue Wang, who told me that the Goddess’s mastery in the realm of dreams was profound indeed. I have long admired this and found it fascinating, and so I have come especially to seek the Goddess’s instruction.”

"Is it that Divine Lord Yuewang of Yizhou? The Ghost Emperor now guarding the underworld?"

"Exactly."

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I see..."

The Mirror Island Lake Goddess thought to herself,

as expected

. It wasn’t about Divine Lord Yuewang. It was about the Dream Dao.

The Emperor of the Void... the Dream God...

The Mirror Island Lake God’s heart was as clear as still water.

She was only a minor lake deity of Mirror Island Lake. Though she had been a god for quite some years, she had always been confined to the human realm, to the bounds of a single lake. She was neither a high-ranking celestial official of the Heavenly Palace, nor possessed of great divine power. The only thing about her that could be worth this heir of Hidden Dragon Temple coming to “seek advice” was her mastery over dreams.

Years ago, Divine Lord Yuewang had personally come to visit her, humbly calling himself her student, also to seek instruction in the Dream Dao.

But this visit was by no means so simple.

It wasn’t that his nature was more calculating than Divine Lord Yuewang’s, quite the opposite. Both, being from Yizhou, shared an easygoing, pleasure-seeking streak, often doing things purely for enjoyment without much concern for gain. One could see it from how he roamed the mortal world, visiting famed mountains, scenic waters, fine foods, and notable masters.

Yet the timing now was far too unusual.

Had he visited some years earlier, she might have believed he simply held an interest in dream arts, perhaps to broaden his learning or just for amusement, something both cultivators and immortal officials often did.

But now, with Hidden Dragon Temple’s current generation undertaking great matters, having only months ago battled the ancient Heavenly God, Heavenly Bell Emperor, and with Gold Spirit Official reportedly fallen... were it not for Duke of Thunder Zhou still holding the heavens, the long-hidden demon kings and wicked gods in the mountains might already be stirring. At such a critical moment, why would he come to her without reason to ask about the Dream Dao?

It could only be connected to the Dream God under the Emperor of the Void.

The Mirror Island Lake Goddess sat upright, serene as a deity untouched by mortal dust. Her silence was both composure and contemplation.

Only after a long while did she speak, but she did not ask why he sought dream teachings now. Instead, she said, "The Dream Dao may seem simple, but it is in truth far-reaching and intricate. There is a slow and thorough path of study, and there is also a simple shortcut. Which would you wish to obtain?"

"Mirror Goddess, you’re indeed unparalleled in this art."

"‘Unparalleled’ is too much, at least the Dream God of Heaven is no lesser than I in this field. But it is true that this is my proudest accomplishment, and I have often wished to exchange ideas with that Dream God... yet I am but a lowly lake deity in the mortal realm, how could I dare speak directly to the Dream God under an ancient emperor?"

She shook her head. "As for why I can so readily divide the art into a slow study and a shortcut, it is simply because many years ago, Divine Lord Yuewang and several other deities came here one after another, likewise to discuss the Dream Dao with me."

"Then you can be said to have disciples all over the world."

"That is not the same thing." The Mirror Island Lake Goddess shook her head. "Idle gods are often like this, when interested in a particular technique, they exchange and learn from each other to pass the long years. At most, we are mutual teachers and friends. As for ‘disciples,’ that term would be far too much."

"I wonder, which did Divine Lord Yuewang choose to learn?"

"..."

The Mirror Island Lake Goddess smiled, and her smile was so dazzling it could awe the world. She softly replied, "The shortcut."

In the past, Song You might have burst out laughing, mocking that old man for seeking fun while shirking effort. But now, he merely smiled, then clasped his hands in salute.

"I too wish to seek instruction from you on the art of dream-making, along with certain principles and related matters in this field. I also ask for the shortcut, if possible."

"Over the years, the idle gods of Heaven, Divine Lord Yuewang among them. have all come to seek my instruction, and I have never refused. Daoist Master, you are an old friend, and you have even helped me drive away the evil god by the lakeshore, how could I possibly say no?"

The Mirror Island Lake God’s tone was calm.

The Daoist had more or less expected this.

This lake goddess was a very clever person; he had known that for more than a decade. A fool might also have talent in some particular art, but it would be hard for such a person to reach the pinnacle of the Dream Dao.

The moment he came here, she would surely see through his true purpose. If she had been unwilling, she would have asked him why he wanted to learn; had he answered truthfully, she could then have declined outright.

But she did not ask.

By not asking his purpose, she could claim not to know his purpose, thus, she was laying the groundwork to help him.

This Lake Goddess was also a deity of considerable integrity, a fact already told in the old legends. She even possessed a touch of heroism, something he had sensed years ago.

The Daoist also recalled what she had just said.

It had been phrased very tactfully, but on careful listening, there was a boldness in it. Put plainly, she had long wished to cross blades, in the way of dreams, with the Dream God of Heaven and determine who was superior, she simply had never had the chance.

The Daoist naturally cupped his hands in thanks.

"Many thanks, Mirror Goddess."

"At the table, let us not speak of other matters. Daoist Master, Lady Calico, please enjoy the lake’s fresh bounty and reminisce a little, that would be best of all," the Mirror Island Lake Goddess addressed them.

"Of course."

The Daoist nodded in agreement and began tasting the shrimp and crab.

Mirror Island Lake was infused with the lake god’s divine aura, and also with the immortal energy of Yunding Mountain. Its aquatic produce was of exceptional quality—shrimp, crab, fish, and mussels, all sweet and fresh beyond compare. And here, with the lake’s own deity as their host, the dishes she served were naturally the finest of the fine. No elaborate cooking was needed; they were the purest of earthly delicacies.

But halfway through the meal, Lady Calico set down her food and refused to eat any more. Instead, she sat still, tilting her head back to gaze around at the glittering pearls and gems in the pavilion.

The Daoist asked her why she wasn’t eating.

Ms. Cat answered solemnly that she had caught a lot of fish on the boat earlier that day, and would eat her own catch later.

She even said with great conviction that the fish she caught tasted better.