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Chapter 223 - 222: A Bustling... Nightmare

Chen Xuan only mentioned the Shadow Demon in casual conversation with Liu Shuyue and didn’t know the specifics of how to enter the dream, so he still needed to consult professionals.

He asked Lin Qing to return to Hot Pepper Village to inquire about the demon-slaying plan from Liu Shuyue, while he stayed in the luxurious suite to do the preparatory work.

First, he needed Su Xingwan to fall asleep.

This was even easier than he anticipated because Su Xingwan carried tranquilizers and sleeping pills prescribed by Beitian Academy, which were stronger than what could be bought on the market. According to Su Xingwan, she had been suffering from severe anxiety and insomnia for the past few months, and without medication, she found it difficult to sleep even when exhausted.

Next was the sleeping location.

The room’s underfloor heating created a cozy environment despite the howling winds outside—Chen Xuan remembered Liu Shuyue saying it’s best to align heads when entering a dream, making spiritual Qi exchange easier, so the most suitable place to sleep was on the living room carpet. By moving the sofas, a large open space could be cleared.

Lin Qing quickly returned, but Liu Shuyue was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she held a beautifully carved peach wood square tower in her arms.

Chen Xuan recognized it instantly.

"Smoke Soul Pillar?"

It was the very one from the Liu Family’s ancestral hall that Liu Shuyue had brought to Hot Pepper Village and, after some adjustments, used to probe the abandoned buildings of the Wanshan Wilderness.

"Yes, she said it’s temporarily lent to you." Lin Qing set down the column, patting the dust off her hands, "Considering you don’t know how to operate it, she prepared a guiding talisman for you. Just stick it on your forehead, and the Smoke Soul Pillar will treat you as a target for message transmission."

So that’s how it is, Chen Xuan understood immediately; it seemed that the medium for entering dreams was Soul Smoke.

It could transmit messages remotely and facilitate mental communication, so it made sense for people’s consciousness to connect.

Gu Zhaoning watched Chen Xuan’s every move with concern.

Although she had faith in Dr. Chen, seeing him place a wooden carved tower in the center of the room and light incense solemnly, she couldn’t help but worry.

After all, the whole operation seemed very much like a street performer’s theatrics.

However, she would never question him openly at this moment.

Su Xingwan decided to accept Dr. Chen’s treatment on her recommendation, so regretting her decision now would be betraying a friend.

She didn’t want to betray her friend, nor did she want to shirk any responsibility if the treatment failed.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhaoning spoke slowly, "Dr. Chen, please take me with you when entering the dream."

"No." Chen Xuan refused without hesitation, "Your friend can be resurrected after being killed because she is the dream’s master. If others are harmed or killed inside, I can’t guarantee the consequences."

"It’s not a big deal, really. You’ll just wake up suddenly," Lin Qing whispered, "If there were any real danger, Shuyue would personally come. She said the Shadow Demon is rare but not a particularly troublesome Demon Fiend."

"Uh... is that so?"

Gu Zhaoning didn’t hear their whispers, but her tone remained firm, "I am willing to take all the risks. Although I’m not very capable and can’t fight, I want to provide enough support when she needs someone the most! Dr. Chen, I promise I won’t hold you back!"

Chen Xuan scratched his head. Although her words were true, should she really encounter danger, he couldn’t possibly stand by idly?

"Alright, I’ll go in too." Lin Qing giggled, "I’ll look after one person each, so your pressure will be halved."

"Huh? Miss Lin’s going too?" Gu Zhaoning exclaimed, "Aren’t you afraid of the monsters in the nightmare?"

"She’s much stronger than the way she looks." Chen Xuan sighed, "Are you sure dream support works for multiple people?"

"Miss Liu said it’s possible for up to eight people."

"Why eight people?"

"Because over eight heads won’t fit."

"..." Chen Xuan was speechless; a reasonable explanation indeed. "Alright then, if you’re all determined to go, lie down quickly."

At this moment, Su Xingwan suddenly showed a painful expression, her hands trembling slightly, and her breathing became rapid.

"Looks like she’s already having a nightmare." Chen Xuan observed, "I’ll place the talisman on you... and you fall asleep as soon as you can."

"Dr. Chen, please wait!" Gu Zhaoning suddenly stopped him.

"What’s wrong?"

"I... I’m really nervous right now," she said rather embarrassed, "Is there a quick way to fall asleep?"

Right, it’s not as if everyone can fall asleep whenever they want. Su Xingwan’s severe lack of sleep made tranquilizers highly effective, but for someone not anxious or insomniac, sleeping pills wouldn’t work well.

"Simple, just look into my eyes." Chen Xuan signaled to Lin Qing with a glance.

The latter nodded, silently circling behind Gu Zhaoning and delivered a karate chop to her neck.

Gu Zhaoning fell down with a thud, without uttering a sound.

Luckily, her bodyguards were stationed outside; otherwise, they’d undoubtedly rush in and fight upon witnessing this scene.

"And you?" Lin Qing asked with a smile, "Would you like me to help you too?"

"No need, thank you. I have an Extraordinary Sleeping Ability." Chen Xuan activated his corresponding ability and immediately lay down. As soon as he closed his eyes, a strong drowsiness overcame him.

Here it comes, this is the feeling.

Smelling the white mist continuously emitted by the Smoke Soul Pillar, he felt as if he was back in the days of working overtime in the big factory.

...

Su Xingwan hugged her knees, curled up in a corner of the dim room.

No matter what nightmare she was in, the sky outside was always bleak, as if a downpour could fall at any moment.

There was a clock on the mottled wall, its hands ticking like reality. But she knew this was far from reality; no matter how many times the hands turned, for others, it was just a night’s sleep.

Now, she had waited for an hour, the surroundings still eerily silent.

Yes... how could dreams come just because one wished? No matter how skilled the other person was, they couldn’t possibly know what’s on someone’s mind...

This nightmare was destined to be experienced by her alone.

Su Xingwan suddenly felt like crying.

In the past, she would curse, shout, try all methods to fight the monsters, but this time she found herself particularly fragile, as if the strong exterior she forced had all melted away.

Why?

Was it because a glimmer of hope ignited only to be extinguished by despair?

Perhaps... it’s time to give up.

Su Xingwan’s vision began to blur.

When this nightmare ends, she would end everything...

Though it pained her to leave her family and friends, she couldn’t hold on any longer.

Click.

A strange noise suddenly came from outside the door.

Was it a monster?

Su Xingwan instinctively wanted to reach for a weapon, but knowing all resistance was in vain, she slowly retracted her hand.

"Uh... why does my neck hurt so much?"

Then a familiar voice startled Su Xingwan, making her eyes widen!

"Don’t mind it; it’s a side effect of the quick sleep method." Another person said.

"Alright then..." The girl’s voice was somewhat aggrieved, "Are we in the dream now?"

"Look outside; it’s pitch black. Does it look like reality? Anyway... let’s find your friend first. Let me search with my Divine Sense."

"Dr. Chen, could it be you are truly... an Immortal?"

"Sort of. Hmm? The response is close."

As soon as he spoke, the door opened, and Chen Xuan really appeared before her. What made Su Xingwan even more incredulous was that not only Chen Xuan, but his assistant Lin Qing and her good friend have all shown up in the dream!

"Am I... dreaming?" Su Xingwan muttered.

"Yes, you are indeed dreaming." Chen Xuan frowned, "Why are you crying? Did we arrive too late?"

"Sorry for making you wait!" Gu Zhaoning rushed over and hugged her tightly, "Have you encountered a monster already?"

"No, and I’m not crying!" Su Xingwan choked out a rebuttal, "I just... just yawned, that’s all!"

"Stop staring and go outside for a bit." Lin Qing nudged Chen Xuan.

"Is this really the time to be bashful?"

"People need to adjust a bit, you know."

"It’s alright; if you want to cry, just cry. Letting it out will make you feel better," Gu Zhaoning earnestly comforted her, "I have tissues with me."

"I said—I’m not crying!"

They really... were so noisy.

The once eerily quiet world suddenly became so loud.

As Su Xingwan lamented internally, the fear inside her disappeared unknowingly. This was the first lively dream she experienced since she started having nightmares... and the first nightmare that made her feel reassured.