Chapter 98: Illusory Dream
“What just happened?” Zhang Xiting was still confused.
Jiang Hong quickly briefed him, and Zhang Xiting suddenly realized, exclaiming, “Oh, him!”
“You know him?” Jiang Hong asked. “Hey! Old Sun! Why did you follow us in here? Be careful on the stairs!”
Old Sun was easy to overlook because of its short stature and quiet nature. It followed Jiang Hong everywhere, sometimes so stealthily that Jiang Hong didn’t even notice it, risking stepping on it.
Zhang Xiting picked it up and explained, “My dad knows him. He never hangs out with other S-class exorcists, but he is indeed quite powerful. So, what are we doing now?”
Jiang Hong no longer needed to explain, as they had already reached the bottom of the stairs, standing in water ankle-deep, and Zhang Xiting could now see the full view of the gigantic skeleton.
“I need to find a way to communicate with it,” Jiang Hong said. “It’s said to have been dead for a long time... but I guess its soul never entered the cycle of reincarnation… Xiting?”
To Jiang Hong’s surprise, Zhang Xiting was kneeling on one knee before the remains of Kun, paying his respects.
“It was once Zhuangzi’s mount,” Zhang Xiting explained. “Zhuangzi dreamed of it. Zhuangzi is the god of the Endless Dream, and Kun was like a divine beast under the seat of a deity.”
“Ah,” Jiang Hong replied, “now I understand. I also know it had a human name, ‘Yuan Kun’.”
Zhang Xiting added, “Yes, it died because over a thousand years ago, it incited a war between humans and demons, and was eventually slain by a joint effort of the great exorcist and the Demon King at that time.”
The aquatic tribe always seems so resentful, Jiang Hong thought. The last Kun, and now Xiang Liu, both harboring relentless desires to provoke the demons against humanity.
"But if Wangkun was protective of the demon race, will it help us if we seek its assistance?" Jiang Hong said, "It doesn’t respond to me at all."
Zhang Xiting replied, "You can only hope that over the long years, its obsession has mostly dissipated, or maybe it was removed during the exorcism a thousand years ago. It doesn’t respond because its power is very weak now, but I can connect through dreams, should I?"
Jiang Hong said, "Let's try, I need to find the Vajra Arrow quickly... I wonder what's happening outside now."
The last time he saw the battle, Keda had come to rescue Feng Li, and he guessed Keda might not be able to hold on for long.
Zhang Xiting then raised a hand, and rippling starlight spread out, reflecting a sky full of stars on the water’s surface in the cave. Jiang Hong felt an uncontrollable sensation of falling, as if plunging into a gentle dream.
As they fell, Zhang Xiting grabbed Jiang Hong's wrist. They floated among the stars, and the bones of the kun emitted a pure white light, manifesting a gigantic phantom—a beast with six wings, flanked by twenty-four eyes.
"Bearer of the Book of Everything," the voice of the kun, ethereal and grand, echoed in this galaxy, "Heir of the endless dreamscape, the world approaches its final end. Can rebirth arise from these ruins?"
Jiang Hong: "……"
Jiang Hong and Zhang Xiting exchanged glances. Jiang Hong was about to complain about everyone talking about the apocalypse, when everything was clearly fine!
Seeing Jiang Hong's expression, Zhang Xiting said, "What do you want to ask it? Kun God, frankly, we have a request..."
Jiang Hong said, "Um... can you change your form first? You have too many eyes, it's a bit..."
The gigantic phantom of the kun vanished, replaced by a figure floating in the air.
"Ah, that's much better," Jiang Hong sighed in relief, having been nearly scared out of his wits by the kun's rows of eyes.
"Do you still remember Yao Ji?" Jiang Hong asked. "She's asking for your help; she's locked in a corner of the sanctuary."
"The past bond has ended," the figure materialized, revealing a handsome young man in a black robe, his eyes swirling like stars. "Why dwell on it? Moreover, that is no longer Yao Ji, but merely a creation of Yinghuo. The last wish Yao Ji abandoned in her life is driving her actions. When the time comes, she will lose all vitality and dissipate into decay."
Jiang Hong found himself at a loss for words.
"But…" Jiang Hong suddenly felt pity for Yao Ji, yet he couldn't help but believe Yuan Kun's words, as he had no other choice but to trust him.
"But what?" Yuan Kun replied indifferently, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable, and persistent obsession breeds inner demons."
Unable to hold back, Jiang Hong asked, "Then why don’t you enter the cycle of reincarnation?"
Zhang Xiting whispered urgently, “Don’t argue with him! We’re here to ask for his help…”
“Ah, right,” Jiang Hong quickly responded, “Sorry, sorry, my mistake. But I need to find the Vajra Arrow, it’s crucial! The sacred land is about to be destroyed.”
“Ah,” Yuan Kun's voice conveyed understanding, “The Vajra Arrow, a tool for all conditioned phenomena, like lovers… It was indeed taken by Yao Ji once, but it returned to the heavens and earth after Xiang Cheng’s exorcism. You wish to summon it again?”
“Yes, yes!” Jiang Hong eagerly replied.
“Return this fragment of the dream to Yao Ji,” Yuan Kun extended his hand, “She will naturally remember some of the past, and perhaps she can help you retrieve the Vajra Arrow.”
“But...” Jiang Hong asked, “how do I carry this dream fragment?”
Zhang Xiting gestured that it was okay and told Jiang Hong to hold it, then a glowing orb emanated from Yuan Kun's hand and hovered over Jiang Hong’s.
“Thank you, I must go now,” Jiang Hong quickly said.
“I have a question,” Old Sun spoke up.
“No time!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “We’re in a hurry!”
As Jiang Hong was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked, “Wait? Old Sun? You can enter dreams?”
Zhang Xiting said, “Let it ask. Time flows differently in dreams than in reality.”
“Alright, alright, make it quick,” Jiang Hong was frantic.
Old Sun, floating in the air, approached Yuan Kun slightly and asked, “I was unearthed in the underground palace of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Do you know what I am?”
Yuan Kun: “…”
Yuan Kun slightly bowed his head to look at Old Sun, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Forgive me for saying so,” Yuan Kun responded, “but I believe robot vacuum cleaners weren’t invented in the Tang Dynasty, were they?”
Jiang Hong: “………………”
Old Sun said, “My original form is a lamp.”
Yuan Kun explained, “You only possess a soul, without a dream or past memories. You are a forsaken soul, who, through cultivation, has now gathered all three souls. You must wait for the right time to transform back into a human.”
“Let’s hurry up and go,” Jiang Hong urged.
Zhang Xiting withdrew the dream, and they, along with Old Sun, fell back into the water. Jiang Hong quickly caught Old Sun, preventing it from falling into the water and short-circuiting.
“The dream is gone!” Jiang Hong exclaimed.
“It will appear again once we see people!” Zhang Xiting pulled him quickly up the steps, back to the corridor. Just as they left the seal, another loud bang echoed in the distance.
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu’s voice, seemingly omnipresent, said, “Where are you? Come to the main hall.”
Jiang Hong slowed down upon hearing this voice. Suddenly, he felt no fear. It was the voice of Dark Lu Xiu, who had devoured the real Lu Xiu, calling out to him. Yet, for some reason, the voice was as calm as Lu Xiu's had always been, with a hint of anticipation hidden in that calmness.
“Jiang Hong.”
Lu Xiu's voice, amplified as if through a loudspeaker, echoed through every corner of the sacred land, resonating in the ears.
“I have something to tell you,” Lu Xiu spoke again, “the things I never said to you…”
Fang Yifeng, still waiting outside the seal, asked Jiang Hong, “Are you going to go?”
Jiang Hong hesitated at that moment, picturing Lu Xiu sitting alone on the throne, speaking into the air, “Jiang Hong.”
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu’s voice continued, “Are you angry? Look, I’m still fine. Come here, let me explain.”
Neither Fang Yifeng nor Zhang Xiting spoke, and no one reminded him that this voice wasn’t the real Lu Xiu.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Hong replied, “No, I won’t go. Old Sun, lead the way, let’s go to the mural.”
The trio quickly followed the vacuum robot, but the sacred land, after numerous battles, had many of its pathways to the mountainside blocked by fallen rocks, forcing Old Sun to lead them through detours.
“Jiang Hong,” Lu Xiu’s voice rang out again, “Others may not see you, but don’t forget, I can. Even if you try to become invisible, it’s futile…”
“Thanks for the reminder!” Jiang Hong said sarcastically, “I almost forgot that I can become invisible!”
Zhang Xiting asked, “You can become invisible?”
Jiang Hong replied, “But it's ineffective against Lu Xiu, so better not to complicate things. Besides, if I do, Old Sun won’t be able to see me and no one can lead the way…”
Lu Xiu said, “Do you know why I can see you? Come to the main hall, and I will tell you everything.”
Jiang Hong was seriously torn, torn between the task of saving Lu Xiu and the opportunity to satisfy his long-standing curiosity… he was incredibly curious!
“Jiang Hong,” Lu Chaoyang's voice called out, “Where are you? If you don’t show up soon, I can’t guarantee the safety of your classmates.”
"Shameless!" Jiang Hong roared angrily, "Absolutely shameless!"
“Don’t worry,” Fang Yifeng reassured, “With Xuan He Zhi there, he can’t take your classmates as hostages.”
“There are demons ahead!” Zhang Xiting immediately warned, “Be careful!”
A group of beastly demons rushed towards them, with the leader, a golden leopard, shouting, “Found them!”
Zhang Xiting and Fang Yifeng stepped forward. Zhang Xiting unleashed the Endless Dream, causing the charging beasts to visibly slow down in mid-air, while Fang Yifeng effortlessly drew a staff from thin air and swept it like a whirlwind, sending the enemies tumbling over the cliff’s edge.
Two more figures charged towards them, recognized as Jin and He Jian.
“Friendly!” Zhang Xiting quickly shouted to avoid friendly fire.
“Jiang Hong? Oh!” He Jian exclaimed, “Great! We finally found you!”
“Where are the others?” Jiang Hong asked.
Jin hugged Jiang Hong, saying, “They’ve all gone down. Teacher Xuan He Zhi is protecting them, but we can’t call for reinforcements from the Commission or the school now; the barrier is blocking all communication.”
Jiang Hong approached a nearby window and looked outside, only to see numerous demons attacking the lower area, trying to capture the students as hostages.
But soon, another group of cavalry, like a tidal wave, surged towards the lower area to protect them.
“Ghost King!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “That’s great!”
Jin asked, “What are you going to do now? Has Teacher Lu been consumed by his inner demon?”
“I need to go over there, to the mural,” Jiang Hong said.
“Are you sure about this?” He Jian inquired, “The whole sacred land is hunting for you. Teacher Keda has already been captured.”
“I don’t know,” Jiang Hong said, “But I have to try.”
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu's voice spoke again, “What are you doing now? Still not willing to come out? I promise you…”
Hearing Lu Xiu's voice, everyone stopped talking and began to move silently in unison. However, as He Jian had said, the sacred land was swarming with demons searching for Jiang Hong. He had barely passed the corridor when he encountered a fire-breathing monster, followed by a giant flying fish with sharp claws, charging at him.
“How much further?!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Old Sun!”
“Almost there!” Old Sun replied, “The mountain ahead has collapsed; we need to detour from below!”
“Go ahead without me!” Jin transformed into his original form and let out a lion's roar. The sonic wave blasted away the swarming flying fish.
Jiang Hong passed through another corridor and arrived at a platform, where a young man was standing.
“Brother?” He Jian slowed down.
“The new Demon King has been born,” He Rong declared, “According to the rules of the sacred land, we must submit to Lu Xiu.”
He Jian stood firm, and Jiang Hong glanced at him, then at He Rong.
“Has the Eagle King also betrayed us?” He Jian said, “I understand, brother. It’s not easy for you, even if you don’t want to, you must…”
“Don’t say anymore,” He Rong replied, “Come with me to see Lu Xiu.”
He Jian didn’t respond to his brother but instead said to Jiang Hong, “You guys go ahead, leave this to me.”
Jiang Hong: “!!!”
It was too dangerous! Jiang Hong couldn’t believe He Jian could stand a chance against his brother.
“Go!” Zhang Xiting grabbed Jiang Hong's collar and carried Old Sun, leaping from one platform to another over a deep abyss. Soon, Fang Yifeng also leaped over.
Jiang Hong looked back worriedly, seeing He Rong and He Jian, the two brothers, standing on the platform, each assuming the stance of Crane Boxing, their spiritual energy howling towards them.
In the sky, more flying creatures surged towards the trio.
“I've found you, Jiang Hong,” Lu Xiu’s voice echoed under the pale sky, “Where do you think you can hide? The path to the lower area has been blocked.”
As the sky filled with diving birds, Zhang Xiting shouted, “You go down first! Hold onto Old Sun! I’ll take care of this and then help He Jian!”
Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Great! You all must stay safe!”
Zhang Xiting tossed Old Sun to Jiang Hong, who caught it and slid down the broken wooden staircase. Zhang Xiting turned to face the sky, releasing the Endless Dream, causing the birds to falter and fall.
Fang Yifeng also slid down, with Old Sun instructing, “Just around the central courtyard and we’ll be there!”
The central courtyard was shaking, and Lu Xiu had already noticed them. Lu Chaoyang was rapidly approaching Jiang Hong.
But Fang Yifeng and Jiang Hong stopped in their tracks, facing an enemy Jiang Hong absolutely didn’t want to encounter – Liu Heng.
“Eagle King?” Fang Yifeng greeted, “Nice to meet you for the first time.”
“You're an exorcist, right?” Liu Heng, dressed in a suit like an elegant gentleman, said, “The Commission meddling in demon affairs isn't new, but now they don’t even bother with excuses and directly interfere?”
A sarcastic smile curved on Fang Yifeng's gentle lips, “Tearing faces? I'm just here to fix a friend’s vacuum cleaner.”
Meanwhile, a voice echoed in Jiang Hong’s mind: “Run.”
The next moment, Liu Heng didn’t transform but shot towards Fang Yifeng as a phantom. Fang Yifeng’s blindfold fluttered down, and he wielded his staff, but Liu Heng didn’t engage in a prolonged fight. He touched and retreated, circling in a wide arc in the air!
Fang Yifeng hadn’t opened his eyes yet, discerning Liu Heng's position from the wind. He swiftly turned, sweeping his staff towards the Eagle King’s throat. The moment he opened his eyes, Liu Heng soared higher, turning into a phantom and circling behind Fang Yifeng!
Jiang Hong immediately ran towards another exit of the central courtyard, with Old Sun saying, “There’s a tunnel there; you can slide down!”
Jiang Hong slid down the tunnel behind a tree, with Old Sun commenting, “Last time I was in the sacred land, I accidentally fell down here.”
“How much further?” Jiang Hong asked.
Old Sun replied, “Two hundred meters.”
Jiang Hong: “Now it’s just the two of us…”
But immediately, in the middle of the passage, Jiang Hong saw a black bear as massive as a mountain!
The black bear let out a furious roar towards Jiang Hong, the sound like a fierce wind piercing through the tunnel.
Jiang Hong despaired, “What do we do now?! It’s turned into a one-on-one fight!”
Old Sun bravely said, “I’ll distract it, you run for it!”
Jiang Hong: “No, no, no! It could squash you with one foot! Let me first check its health points... and see if there are any weaknesses…”
Jiang Hong pulled out the Omnibook, resembling a conductor's baton, from thin air. He also had a pot, which he might wear later to sneak up behind the bear for a surprise attack. But that would put Old Sun in danger…
Checking the health bar… 140,000 health points! This bear’s hide is too thick!
Old Sun heroically declared, “Jiang Hong! I’m going in!”
“Wow! No, don’t!” Jiang Hong shouted loudly.
However, at that instant, a vibration came from behind, as if the floor was transforming, catapulting both Jiang Hong and Old Sun into the air. Another giant creature appeared, also bear-sized but slightly less bulky, yet its presence was no less imposing.
It had striking black and white fur and now charged ferociously towards the giant bear, its roar like thunder from the skies.
“Idiot! I’ve been annoyed with you for so long—!!” The giant panda roared and rushed at the bear, slamming its rump against the wall with a fierce shove.
Jiang Hong: “…………”
The giant bear, terrified, crashed through three walls and flew out!
The panda, with bristling fur, panted heavily, then suddenly resumed its cute and soft demeanor.
“Your Highness!” Da Wan rushed towards Jiang Hong, “You must be startled!”
“Why did you only arrive now!” Jiang Hong exclaimed upon seeing the panda, “I was almost scared to death!”
Da Wan hurriedly said, “Apologies for the delay in coming to rescue you! We will now escort Your Highness to the final battle with the Demon King!”
Jiang Hong: “Uh, this doesn’t seem right... Lu Xiu is a dragon after all, and you’re indeed very powerful, but you still have to listen to Lu Xiu, right? I’m already very touched that you’re willing to come and save me!”
Then, more pandas emerged from both sides of the corridor, shouting, “We don’t follow the Demon King’s orders!”
Da Wan declared, “We are Her Highness’s personal guard, independently formed! The Demon King has no authority over us!”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Jiang Hong quickly said, “Take me somewhere, but be careful not to step on my vacuum cleaner! Let’s go! We’re almost there!”
In front of the mural, Jiang Hong was confronted with a seal and suddenly found himself at a loss.
“How do we get in?” Jiang Hong thought, panicking, as he didn’t know how to break the seal.
“Can you break the seal, Da Wan?” Jiang Hong asked. “It’s all over, all over. I planned everything but forgot about this seal!”
Da Wan suggested, “Just crash through it. Everyone, follow my command, one, two, three…”
Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Wait, wait! What are you doing?!!”
Following Da Wan's lead, a group of pandas rammed into the mural, which collapsed with a crash, revealing stairs inside.
Jiang Hong: “…………”
Da Wan, slightly dizzy and out of breath, sat down to rest. Jiang Hong quickly dismounted from its back, saying, “I can’t believe brute force worked, thank you so much! Rest here for a bit, I need to hurry and go in.”
Jiang Hong swiftly ran into the space behind the mural and ascended the stairs.
The world suddenly quieted down, and amidst the swirling mist, Yao Ji sat serenely on the platform, gently resting her hand on the edge, her body slightly turned, like a beautifully exquisite sculpture.
Jiang Hong was utterly exhausted, having drained all his energy on the way, but he couldn’t rest yet.
“Jiang Hong? You’re here?” Yao Ji spoke.
Lacking the strength even to talk, Jiang Hong simply waved his hand, revealing the dream orb given to him by Yuan Kun.
Yao Ji extended her hand, touching the orb in front of the young man, creating a scene reminiscent of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" from the Sistine Chapel, the difference being one was a mortal youth, and the other, a noble goddess.
The orb dissolved, turning into countless points of light, slowly merging into Yao Ji’s golden mask.
“Yao Ji?” Jiang Hong slumped at the base of the stairs, sitting despondently.
Lu Xiu’s voice couldn’t reach this place, but Jiang Hong felt even more endangered, uncertain of the scenes unfolding outside, in the main hall, or in the lower area.
Time trickled by, and after an indeterminate period, Yao Ji moved.
She sighed softly, murmuring, “So that’s how it was?”
“Yao Ji?” Jiang Hong, having regained some strength, hurriedly stood up, asking, “What do you remember?”
Chapter 98: Illusory Dream
“What just happened?” Zhang Xiting was still confused.
Jiang Hong quickly briefed him, and Zhang Xiting suddenly realized, exclaiming, “Oh, him!”
“You know him?” Jiang Hong asked. “Hey! Old Sun! Why did you follow us in here? Be careful on the stairs!”
Old Sun was easy to overlook because of its short stature and quiet nature. It followed Jiang Hong everywhere, sometimes so stealthily that Jiang Hong didn’t even notice it, risking stepping on it.
Zhang Xiting picked it up and explained, “My dad knows him. He never hangs out with other S-class exorcists, but he is indeed quite powerful. So, what are we doing now?”
Jiang Hong no longer needed to explain, as they had already reached the bottom of the stairs, standing in water ankle-deep, and Zhang Xiting could now see the full view of the gigantic skeleton.
“I need to find a way to communicate with it,” Jiang Hong said. “It’s said to have been dead for a long time... but I guess its soul never entered the cycle of reincarnation… Xiting?”
To Jiang Hong’s surprise, Zhang Xiting was kneeling on one knee before the remains of Kun, paying his respects.
“It was once Zhuangzi’s mount,” Zhang Xiting explained. “Zhuangzi dreamed of it. Zhuangzi is the god of the Endless Dream, and Kun was like a divine beast under the seat of a deity.”
“Ah,” Jiang Hong replied, “now I understand. I also know it had a human name, ‘Yuan Kun’.”
Zhang Xiting added, “Yes, it died because over a thousand years ago, it incited a war between humans and demons, and was eventually slain by a joint effort of the great exorcist and the Demon King at that time.”
The aquatic tribe always seems so resentful, Jiang Hong thought. The last Kun, and now Xiang Liu, both harboring relentless desires to provoke the demons against humanity.
"But if Wangkun was protective of the demon race, will it help us if we seek its assistance?" Jiang Hong said, "It doesn’t respond to me at all."
Zhang Xiting replied, "You can only hope that over the long years, its obsession has mostly dissipated, or maybe it was removed during the exorcism a thousand years ago. It doesn’t respond because its power is very weak now, but I can connect through dreams, should I?"
Jiang Hong said, "Let's try, I need to find the Vajra Arrow quickly... I wonder what's happening outside now."
The last time he saw the battle, Keda had come to rescue Feng Li, and he guessed Keda might not be able to hold on for long.
Zhang Xiting then raised a hand, and rippling starlight spread out, reflecting a sky full of stars on the water’s surface in the cave. Jiang Hong felt an uncontrollable sensation of falling, as if plunging into a gentle dream.
As they fell, Zhang Xiting grabbed Jiang Hong's wrist. They floated among the stars, and the bones of the kun emitted a pure white light, manifesting a gigantic phantom—a beast with six wings, flanked by twenty-four eyes.
"Bearer of the Book of Everything," the voice of the kun, ethereal and grand, echoed in this galaxy, "Heir of the endless dreamscape, the world approaches its final end. Can rebirth arise from these ruins?"
Jiang Hong: "……"
Jiang Hong and Zhang Xiting exchanged glances. Jiang Hong was about to complain about everyone talking about the apocalypse, when everything was clearly fine!
Seeing Jiang Hong's expression, Zhang Xiting said, "What do you want to ask it? Kun God, frankly, we have a request..."
Jiang Hong said, "Um... can you change your form first? You have too many eyes, it's a bit..."
The gigantic phantom of the kun vanished, replaced by a figure floating in the air.
"Ah, that's much better," Jiang Hong sighed in relief, having been nearly scared out of his wits by the kun's rows of eyes.
"Do you still remember Yao Ji?" Jiang Hong asked. "She's asking for your help; she's locked in a corner of the sanctuary."
"The past bond has ended," the figure materialized, revealing a handsome young man in a black robe, his eyes swirling like stars. "Why dwell on it? Moreover, that is no longer Yao Ji, but merely a creation of Yinghuo. The last wish Yao Ji abandoned in her life is driving her actions. When the time comes, she will lose all vitality and dissipate into decay."
Jiang Hong found himself at a loss for words.
"But…" Jiang Hong suddenly felt pity for Yao Ji, yet he couldn't help but believe Yuan Kun's words, as he had no other choice but to trust him.
"But what?" Yuan Kun replied indifferently, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death are inevitable, and persistent obsession breeds inner demons."
Unable to hold back, Jiang Hong asked, "Then why don’t you enter the cycle of reincarnation?"
Zhang Xiting whispered urgently, “Don’t argue with him! We’re here to ask for his help…”
“Ah, right,” Jiang Hong quickly responded, “Sorry, sorry, my mistake. But I need to find the Vajra Arrow, it’s crucial! The sacred land is about to be destroyed.”
“Ah,” Yuan Kun's voice conveyed understanding, “The Vajra Arrow, a tool for all conditioned phenomena, like lovers… It was indeed taken by Yao Ji once, but it returned to the heavens and earth after Xiang Cheng’s exorcism. You wish to summon it again?”
“Yes, yes!” Jiang Hong eagerly replied.
“Return this fragment of the dream to Yao Ji,” Yuan Kun extended his hand, “She will naturally remember some of the past, and perhaps she can help you retrieve the Vajra Arrow.”
“But...” Jiang Hong asked, “how do I carry this dream fragment?”
Zhang Xiting gestured that it was okay and told Jiang Hong to hold it, then a glowing orb emanated from Yuan Kun's hand and hovered over Jiang Hong’s.
“Thank you, I must go now,” Jiang Hong quickly said.
“I have a question,” Old Sun spoke up.
“No time!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “We’re in a hurry!”
As Jiang Hong was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and asked, “Wait? Old Sun? You can enter dreams?”
Zhang Xiting said, “Let it ask. Time flows differently in dreams than in reality.”
“Alright, alright, make it quick,” Jiang Hong was frantic.
Old Sun, floating in the air, approached Yuan Kun slightly and asked, “I was unearthed in the underground palace of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Do you know what I am?”
Yuan Kun: “…”
Yuan Kun slightly bowed his head to look at Old Sun, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Forgive me for saying so,” Yuan Kun responded, “but I believe robot vacuum cleaners weren’t invented in the Tang Dynasty, were they?”
Jiang Hong: “………………”
Old Sun said, “My original form is a lamp.”
Yuan Kun explained, “You only possess a soul, without a dream or past memories. You are a forsaken soul, who, through cultivation, has now gathered all three souls. You must wait for the right time to transform back into a human.”
“Let’s hurry up and go,” Jiang Hong urged.
Zhang Xiting withdrew the dream, and they, along with Old Sun, fell back into the water. Jiang Hong quickly caught Old Sun, preventing it from falling into the water and short-circuiting.
“The dream is gone!” Jiang Hong exclaimed.
“It will appear again once we see people!” Zhang Xiting pulled him quickly up the steps, back to the corridor. Just as they left the seal, another loud bang echoed in the distance.
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu’s voice, seemingly omnipresent, said, “Where are you? Come to the main hall.”
Jiang Hong slowed down upon hearing this voice. Suddenly, he felt no fear. It was the voice of Dark Lu Xiu, who had devoured the real Lu Xiu, calling out to him. Yet, for some reason, the voice was as calm as Lu Xiu's had always been, with a hint of anticipation hidden in that calmness.
“Jiang Hong.”
Lu Xiu's voice, amplified as if through a loudspeaker, echoed through every corner of the sacred land, resonating in the ears.
“I have something to tell you,” Lu Xiu spoke again, “the things I never said to you…”
Fang Yifeng, still waiting outside the seal, asked Jiang Hong, “Are you going to go?”
Jiang Hong hesitated at that moment, picturing Lu Xiu sitting alone on the throne, speaking into the air, “Jiang Hong.”
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu’s voice continued, “Are you angry? Look, I’m still fine. Come here, let me explain.”
Neither Fang Yifeng nor Zhang Xiting spoke, and no one reminded him that this voice wasn’t the real Lu Xiu.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Hong replied, “No, I won’t go. Old Sun, lead the way, let’s go to the mural.”
The trio quickly followed the vacuum robot, but the sacred land, after numerous battles, had many of its pathways to the mountainside blocked by fallen rocks, forcing Old Sun to lead them through detours.
“Jiang Hong,” Lu Xiu’s voice rang out again, “Others may not see you, but don’t forget, I can. Even if you try to become invisible, it’s futile…”
“Thanks for the reminder!” Jiang Hong said sarcastically, “I almost forgot that I can become invisible!”
Zhang Xiting asked, “You can become invisible?”
Jiang Hong replied, “But it's ineffective against Lu Xiu, so better not to complicate things. Besides, if I do, Old Sun won’t be able to see me and no one can lead the way…”
Lu Xiu said, “Do you know why I can see you? Come to the main hall, and I will tell you everything.”
Jiang Hong was seriously torn, torn between the task of saving Lu Xiu and the opportunity to satisfy his long-standing curiosity… he was incredibly curious!
“Jiang Hong,” Lu Chaoyang's voice called out, “Where are you? If you don’t show up soon, I can’t guarantee the safety of your classmates.”
"Shameless!" Jiang Hong roared angrily, "Absolutely shameless!"
“Don’t worry,” Fang Yifeng reassured, “With Xuan He Zhi there, he can’t take your classmates as hostages.”
“There are demons ahead!” Zhang Xiting immediately warned, “Be careful!”
A group of beastly demons rushed towards them, with the leader, a golden leopard, shouting, “Found them!”
Zhang Xiting and Fang Yifeng stepped forward. Zhang Xiting unleashed the Endless Dream, causing the charging beasts to visibly slow down in mid-air, while Fang Yifeng effortlessly drew a staff from thin air and swept it like a whirlwind, sending the enemies tumbling over the cliff’s edge.
Two more figures charged towards them, recognized as Jin and He Jian.
“Friendly!” Zhang Xiting quickly shouted to avoid friendly fire.
“Jiang Hong? Oh!” He Jian exclaimed, “Great! We finally found you!”
“Where are the others?” Jiang Hong asked.
Jin hugged Jiang Hong, saying, “They’ve all gone down. Teacher Xuan He Zhi is protecting them, but we can’t call for reinforcements from the Commission or the school now; the barrier is blocking all communication.”
Jiang Hong approached a nearby window and looked outside, only to see numerous demons attacking the lower area, trying to capture the students as hostages.
But soon, another group of cavalry, like a tidal wave, surged towards the lower area to protect them.
“Ghost King!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “That’s great!”
Jin asked, “What are you going to do now? Has Teacher Lu been consumed by his inner demon?”
“I need to go over there, to the mural,” Jiang Hong said.
“Are you sure about this?” He Jian inquired, “The whole sacred land is hunting for you. Teacher Keda has already been captured.”
“I don’t know,” Jiang Hong said, “But I have to try.”
“Jiang Hong?” Lu Xiu's voice spoke again, “What are you doing now? Still not willing to come out? I promise you…”
Hearing Lu Xiu's voice, everyone stopped talking and began to move silently in unison. However, as He Jian had said, the sacred land was swarming with demons searching for Jiang Hong. He had barely passed the corridor when he encountered a fire-breathing monster, followed by a giant flying fish with sharp claws, charging at him.
“How much further?!” Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Old Sun!”
“Almost there!” Old Sun replied, “The mountain ahead has collapsed; we need to detour from below!”
“Go ahead without me!” Jin transformed into his original form and let out a lion's roar. The sonic wave blasted away the swarming flying fish.
Jiang Hong passed through another corridor and arrived at a platform, where a young man was standing.
“Brother?” He Jian slowed down.
“The new Demon King has been born,” He Rong declared, “According to the rules of the sacred land, we must submit to Lu Xiu.”
He Jian stood firm, and Jiang Hong glanced at him, then at He Rong.
“Has the Eagle King also betrayed us?” He Jian said, “I understand, brother. It’s not easy for you, even if you don’t want to, you must…”
“Don’t say anymore,” He Rong replied, “Come with me to see Lu Xiu.”
He Jian didn’t respond to his brother but instead said to Jiang Hong, “You guys go ahead, leave this to me.”
Jiang Hong: “!!!”
It was too dangerous! Jiang Hong couldn’t believe He Jian could stand a chance against his brother.
“Go!” Zhang Xiting grabbed Jiang Hong's collar and carried Old Sun, leaping from one platform to another over a deep abyss. Soon, Fang Yifeng also leaped over.
Jiang Hong looked back worriedly, seeing He Rong and He Jian, the two brothers, standing on the platform, each assuming the stance of Crane Boxing, their spiritual energy howling towards them.
In the sky, more flying creatures surged towards the trio.
“I've found you, Jiang Hong,” Lu Xiu’s voice echoed under the pale sky, “Where do you think you can hide? The path to the lower area has been blocked.”
As the sky filled with diving birds, Zhang Xiting shouted, “You go down first! Hold onto Old Sun! I’ll take care of this and then help He Jian!”
Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Great! You all must stay safe!”
Zhang Xiting tossed Old Sun to Jiang Hong, who caught it and slid down the broken wooden staircase. Zhang Xiting turned to face the sky, releasing the Endless Dream, causing the birds to falter and fall.
Fang Yifeng also slid down, with Old Sun instructing, “Just around the central courtyard and we’ll be there!”
The central courtyard was shaking, and Lu Xiu had already noticed them. Lu Chaoyang was rapidly approaching Jiang Hong.
But Fang Yifeng and Jiang Hong stopped in their tracks, facing an enemy Jiang Hong absolutely didn’t want to encounter – Liu Heng.
“Eagle King?” Fang Yifeng greeted, “Nice to meet you for the first time.”
“You're an exorcist, right?” Liu Heng, dressed in a suit like an elegant gentleman, said, “The Commission meddling in demon affairs isn't new, but now they don’t even bother with excuses and directly interfere?”
A sarcastic smile curved on Fang Yifeng's gentle lips, “Tearing faces? I'm just here to fix a friend’s vacuum cleaner.”
Meanwhile, a voice echoed in Jiang Hong’s mind: “Run.”
The next moment, Liu Heng didn’t transform but shot towards Fang Yifeng as a phantom. Fang Yifeng’s blindfold fluttered down, and he wielded his staff, but Liu Heng didn’t engage in a prolonged fight. He touched and retreated, circling in a wide arc in the air!
Fang Yifeng hadn’t opened his eyes yet, discerning Liu Heng's position from the wind. He swiftly turned, sweeping his staff towards the Eagle King’s throat. The moment he opened his eyes, Liu Heng soared higher, turning into a phantom and circling behind Fang Yifeng!
Jiang Hong immediately ran towards another exit of the central courtyard, with Old Sun saying, “There’s a tunnel there; you can slide down!”
Jiang Hong slid down the tunnel behind a tree, with Old Sun commenting, “Last time I was in the sacred land, I accidentally fell down here.”
“How much further?” Jiang Hong asked.
Old Sun replied, “Two hundred meters.”
Jiang Hong: “Now it’s just the two of us…”
But immediately, in the middle of the passage, Jiang Hong saw a black bear as massive as a mountain!
The black bear let out a furious roar towards Jiang Hong, the sound like a fierce wind piercing through the tunnel.
Jiang Hong despaired, “What do we do now?! It’s turned into a one-on-one fight!”
Old Sun bravely said, “I’ll distract it, you run for it!”
Jiang Hong: “No, no, no! It could squash you with one foot! Let me first check its health points... and see if there are any weaknesses…”
Jiang Hong pulled out the Omnibook, resembling a conductor's baton, from thin air. He also had a pot, which he might wear later to sneak up behind the bear for a surprise attack. But that would put Old Sun in danger…
Checking the health bar… 140,000 health points! This bear’s hide is too thick!
Old Sun heroically declared, “Jiang Hong! I’m going in!”
“Wow! No, don’t!” Jiang Hong shouted loudly.
However, at that instant, a vibration came from behind, as if the floor was transforming, catapulting both Jiang Hong and Old Sun into the air. Another giant creature appeared, also bear-sized but slightly less bulky, yet its presence was no less imposing.
It had striking black and white fur and now charged ferociously towards the giant bear, its roar like thunder from the skies.
“Idiot! I’ve been annoyed with you for so long—!!” The giant panda roared and rushed at the bear, slamming its rump against the wall with a fierce shove.
Jiang Hong: “…………”
The giant bear, terrified, crashed through three walls and flew out!
The panda, with bristling fur, panted heavily, then suddenly resumed its cute and soft demeanor.
“Your Highness!” Da Wan rushed towards Jiang Hong, “You must be startled!”
“Why did you only arrive now!” Jiang Hong exclaimed upon seeing the panda, “I was almost scared to death!”
Da Wan hurriedly said, “Apologies for the delay in coming to rescue you! We will now escort Your Highness to the final battle with the Demon King!”
Jiang Hong: “Uh, this doesn’t seem right... Lu Xiu is a dragon after all, and you’re indeed very powerful, but you still have to listen to Lu Xiu, right? I’m already very touched that you’re willing to come and save me!”
Then, more pandas emerged from both sides of the corridor, shouting, “We don’t follow the Demon King’s orders!”
Da Wan declared, “We are Her Highness’s personal guard, independently formed! The Demon King has no authority over us!”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Jiang Hong quickly said, “Take me somewhere, but be careful not to step on my vacuum cleaner! Let’s go! We’re almost there!”
In front of the mural, Jiang Hong was confronted with a seal and suddenly found himself at a loss.
“How do we get in?” Jiang Hong thought, panicking, as he didn’t know how to break the seal.
“Can you break the seal, Da Wan?” Jiang Hong asked. “It’s all over, all over. I planned everything but forgot about this seal!”
Da Wan suggested, “Just crash through it. Everyone, follow my command, one, two, three…”
Jiang Hong exclaimed, “Wait, wait! What are you doing?!!”
Following Da Wan's lead, a group of pandas rammed into the mural, which collapsed with a crash, revealing stairs inside.
Jiang Hong: “…………”
Da Wan, slightly dizzy and out of breath, sat down to rest. Jiang Hong quickly dismounted from its back, saying, “I can’t believe brute force worked, thank you so much! Rest here for a bit, I need to hurry and go in.”
Jiang Hong swiftly ran into the space behind the mural and ascended the stairs.
The world suddenly quieted down, and amidst the swirling mist, Yao Ji sat serenely on the platform, gently resting her hand on the edge, her body slightly turned, like a beautifully exquisite sculpture.
Jiang Hong was utterly exhausted, having drained all his energy on the way, but he couldn’t rest yet.
“Jiang Hong? You’re here?” Yao Ji spoke.
Lacking the strength even to talk, Jiang Hong simply waved his hand, revealing the dream orb given to him by Yuan Kun.
Yao Ji extended her hand, touching the orb in front of the young man, creating a scene reminiscent of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam" from the Sistine Chapel, the difference being one was a mortal youth, and the other, a noble goddess.
The orb dissolved, turning into countless points of light, slowly merging into Yao Ji’s golden mask.
“Yao Ji?” Jiang Hong slumped at the base of the stairs, sitting despondently.
Lu Xiu’s voice couldn’t reach this place, but Jiang Hong felt even more endangered, uncertain of the scenes unfolding outside, in the main hall, or in the lower area.
Time trickled by, and after an indeterminate period, Yao Ji moved.
She sighed softly, murmuring, “So that’s how it was?”
“Yao Ji?” Jiang Hong, having regained some strength, hurriedly stood up, asking, “What do you remember?”
