Xu Wanci felt her nascent consciousness sea gradually taking shape as she tightened her grip on the jade vial in her hand.
Having spent considerable time in the cultivation world, she was well aware of certain truths:
Aside from those rare prodigies born with an innate consciousness sea, every other cultivator had to endure grueling trials to forge one.
The lower one’s innate talent, the more excruciating and arduous the process became.
She could sense that this body’s aptitude was poor—perhaps the highest realm she’d ever reach in this lifetime was Foundation Establishment.
Yet moments ago, under the actions of the person before her, she hadn’t felt the slightest discomfort. Instead, it was as if she’d been bathed in the nourishing warmth of heavenly treasures.
Her gaze followed the retreating hand that had been pressed against her brow, her fingertips twitching unconsciously before she finally regained her composure.
Now, she was certain: this was her dream.
A dream that mirrored her innermost desires—one that could even fulfill her unspoken wishes.
And yet…
She lifted her head, her eyes tracing upward until they met a pair of eyes that outshone countless moons.
Instinctively, she softened her breath.
Though she couldn’t control the dream’s unfolding scenes, it seemed she could bask in this person’s undivided favor here.
She might even… control him.
Just like the lies she’d spun.
Perhaps it was her current low cultivation level, or the dream’s nature dulling her usual vigilance—or maybe she was simply too distracted by the breathtaking beauty before her.
For someone who could always perceive others’ emotions, she failed to notice the tension hidden deep in Xiao Yuyan’s gaze, nor the chaotic pounding of his heart the moment their eyes met.
Realizing she’d lost herself again, Xu Wanci concealed all traces of emotion and took a careful step back, putting distance between them.
She needed to stay composed—even in a dream.
At her movement, Xiao Yuyan’s erratic heartbeat suddenly stilled.
His hand lifted slightly, as if to stop her, but he restrained himself and let it fall.
Newly awakened, he hadn’t yet learned how to interact with others, much less how to make someone stay.
All he could do was repeat his earlier question, his voice tender with unmistakable devotion:
"You… is there anything else you desire?"
Xu Wanci blinked, momentarily taken aback, then felt a wry thought surface:
Even in dreams, she treated herself so well.
She didn’t refuse.
After all, this was just a dream. Even if she obtained the cultivation world’s greatest treasures, they’d vanish upon waking—mere illusions.
Why not indulge a little while she could?
With that, she looked up, her eyes bright with unconscious ease and amusement.
She met his gaze with trust and anticipation:
"Immortal Venerable Qingyan, I’ve heard sixth-grade Rainmoon Ephemerals are the most beautiful shade of blue."
"Could I…?"
In her fabricated tales, Rainmoon Ephemerals had appeared often—yet she’d never seen the real flower fields of Falling Jade Peak, nor the Immortal Venerable who dwelled among them.
If this was a wish-granting dream, then let her see them—even just one blossom would suffice.
Before she could finish, a soft blue glow enveloped them.
Under the moonlight, wherever the spiritual light touched, Rainmoon Ephemerals sprouted, grew, and bloomed—transforming the landscape into an endless sea of blue.
The flowers, known to wither in moments, now lingered, preserved by spiritual energy beneath the moon’s glow.
Xu Wanci gazed at the distant expanse of blue, her voice barely above a whisper:
"They’re beautiful."
Hearing her answer, Xiao Yuyan watched her intently, as if afraid she might disappear.
"Then… is there anything else you want?"
This was his clumsy way of asking her to stay.
Xu Wanci pushed aside her wandering thoughts and gave him an exasperated look.
Even in dreams, this person was… absurdly indulgent.
Had he no limits to his doting?
For the first time, the unfamiliarity she felt toward the legendary Immortal Venerable Qingyan faded slightly.
Resting her chin on one hand, she adopted a playful tone despite her serious expression:
"I’ve heard Jade Frost Pastries are delicious, but I’ve never tasted them."
Xiao Yuyan’s gaze softened until nothing else existed but her.
With a wave of his hand, countless spirit-infused pastries materialized beside her.
Xu Wanci took one and nibbled a corner.
Her eyes sparkled instantly.
The melt-in-your-mouth treat wasn’t just delectable—it immediately boosted her cultivation.
Far superior to the Jade Frost Pastries she’d once eaten on Clear Bamboo Peak.
As he watched her cheeks puff slightly while eating, Xiao Yuyan’s heartbeat echoed loudly in his ears:
This was Xu Wanci—delighted by a flower, overjoyed by a pastry.
This was Xu Wanci—untouched by centuries of suffering, vibrant and alive.
He lowered his lashes, hiding the ache in his eyes.
The sprouting seed in his heart unfurled its first tender leaf, nourished by something nameless.
Gently, his spiritual energy brushed away a crumb at her lips as he murmured:
"What else would you like?"
If she kept asking, he’d keep giving.
If only this moment could last forever.
For a heartbeat, Xu Wanci’s thoughts aligned with his.
If only this could continue…
Then reality reasserted itself.
Suppressing the longing, she met his eyes solemnly:
"I wish…"
Seeing boundless indulgence in Xiao Yuyan’s gaze, she allowed herself one reckless request:
"To see Immortal Venerable Qingyan smile."
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Her earnest expression made his fingers tense until the knuckles whitened.
"I…"
His smiles… weren’t pleasing.
Taking his hesitation as refusal, Xu Wanci wasn’t upset. If anything, she felt relieved:
Even dreams should have elements beyond her control.
That made it all the more convincing.
Her lips curved into a genuine, radiant smile as she teased:
"If the Immortal Venerable won’t smile, then let me smile for you."
In that instant, Xiao Yuyan felt something within him shatter irreversibly.
That single seed sprouted another tender shoot, swaying gently in the wind.
He looked at Xu Wanci, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile. The icy detachment in his eyes melted away, transforming into a tranquil blue sea—silent yet tender.
In that fleeting moment, as his smile appeared, the world seemed to lose all its color.
Xu Wanci stared at him, dazed, as if nothing else existed in her sight.
Her hands clenched tightly, each thud of her heartbeat whispering the truth of her… infatuation.
Xiao Yuyan, sensing the slight intensity of her gaze, turned his head away almost uncomfortably. His voice remained soft as he continued,
"Is this all you desire?"
"You could…"
Be greedier.
Cultivation, treasures, status—he could give her everything.
"Thank you, Venerable One," Xu Wanci lowered her head. When she raised it again, only reverence remained in her eyes. "But this disciple still has tasks to complete."
"I shall not disturb your secluded cultivation any longer."
To her, the real world was what mattered most. She would never lose herself in illusions, no matter how enticing they might be.
Even if the real world left her battered and bleeding, she would never regret her choice.
At her words, the faint curve of Xiao Yuyan’s lips gradually flattened. A trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes.
He didn’t understand why she chose to leave.
Was it… because his smile wasn’t pleasing enough?
Not a hint of amusement remained on his lips.
No one saw the threads of heavenly power lingering around Xu Wanci, wrapping possessively around her. With just a little more force, he could have kept her by his side.
The heavenly energy tightened imperceptibly around her waist—but when he saw the resolve in her eyes, Xiao Yuyan seemed to regain his senses. The energy slowly withdrew, though at the last moment, it unconsciously tangled around her fingers.
His reluctance would never truly hinder her steps.
He could only watch helplessly as she walked away.
Xu Wanci remained unaware of his thoughts. Without looking up, she bowed and retreated in silence.
From beginning to end, she never glanced back.
Xiao Yuyan stood alone amidst the blue fields of Huayu Ephemerals, his figure steeped in solitude.
He watched her retreating figure quietly, noting the faded hue of her robes. The wisp of heavenly energy that had coiled around her fingers now draped gently over her shoulders.
Bound by the rules of the past, there was little he could do.
At most, he could ensure her days in the outer sect passed smoothly.
The moment Xu Wanci vanished from his sight, Xiao Yuyan’s complexion grew faintly translucent.
The consequences of altering the past manifested slowly upon him.
A drop of blood fell from his fingertips onto a Huayu Ephemeral.
His form grew increasingly transparent until he disappeared entirely.
The moment he vanished, the sea of flowers around him dissolved as well. Only the single Huayu Ephemeral stained by his blood remained, standing resilient against the wind.
Perhaps soon, a true field of Huayu Ephemerals would bloom here.
Xu Wanci opened her eyes to familiar surroundings and exhaled slowly.
After confirming her safety, she closed her eyes again, veiling the emotions within.
She finally understood why some warned against remembering dreams—let alone controlling them.
She prided herself on her rationality, yet upon waking, she had felt the fleeting urge to lose herself in that illusion.
Within her dantian, whether she slept or woke, the radiant orb infused with immortal essence ceaselessly nourished her meridians.
Even without active cultivation, her strength grew steadily.
Now, she stood just one step away from the Mahayana stage—within arm’s reach.
Footsteps approached from outside.
Xu Wanci opened her eyes and turned toward the door.
Xie Tingbai, clad in green robes, visibly relaxed upon seeing her awake.
"Wanci, you’re awake."
Xu Wanci sat up. "Elder Xie."
Remembering the events before her unconsciousness, she frowned. "Are the sect leader and the other elders alright? Were they injured?"
At the time, she had glimpsed their disheveled states.
Had Yan Shuo tampered with something outside the tribulation grounds as well?
Xie Tingbai approached the bed and handed her a medicinal pill.
"The sect leader suffered the gravest injuries, but he’s recovered eighty percent now. A few more days of rest will suffice."
"The others have also healed."
He sighed. "Only you remained unconscious for so long."
Relieved to hear the others were unharmed, Xu Wanci nodded.
Yet…
Her thoughts drifted to the dream she had while unconscious.
She couldn’t be certain whether the events in that dream had affected her physical body.
She looked up, her gaze tinged with confusion.
"But I don’t feel any discomfort."
"Did something happen while I was asleep?"
Xie Tingbai shook his head lightly. "Your body is unharmed."
"It’s just that the spiritual energy within you was too abundant to absorb immediately, hence the prolonged slumber."
"After all, the energy there was too dense—too overwhelming."
Had she not been connected to the Immortal Venerable Qingyan, her body might have ruptured from the excess.
His voice trailed off.
By the time they arrived, the tribulation grounds had already collapsed.
Xu Wanci must have sensed it before losing consciousness.
Recalling her determination to keep her promise despite the danger, his eyes darkened with concern.
Xu Wanci glanced at him before turning her gaze to the scenery visible through the half-open door.
Her voice softened.
"There was no trace of his soul there."
Xie Tingbai stiffened.
Though skilled in offering comfort, he found himself at a loss for words.
Perhaps because of the dream, Xu Wanci no longer wore the hollow grief of before. Instead, her expression carried a quiet gentleness—
The kind that remained unbroken despite weathering countless storms.
She watched the world outside, her voice slightly hoarse.
"It’s alright."
"If I never find his soul, it’s still alright."
"His essence has merged with all things. Every breeze, every fallen leaf, every blooming flower—they are all him."
Her tone firmed.
"Besides, I’m still alive, aren’t I?"
"I have plenty of time to keep searching."
She smiled wryly. "Life is too long. One must find something to occupy it."
Just then, a leaf from a Phantom Beauty Tree drifted in on the breeze, landing lightly on the back of her hand.
