Three days later…
"Sister Xiao Wu, do you really think that human can't play tricks on us?"
Er Ming scratched his head, his booming voice echoing through the trees. "He told us to come in three days, and we actually came like idiots. Can humans even be trusted?"
Xiao Wu groaned. "I told you not to come, but you insisted. And now you won't stop talking? If you're going to complain so much, then just go back!"
Her rabbit ears twitched in irritation. Over the entire journey, Er Ming had nagged without pause, nothing like the dignified 'King of the Forest' he was supposed to be.
Annoying!
"Go back? No way," Er Ming huffed, crossing his massive arms. "When Da Ming asked me to protect you, I agreed. Even if he hadn't, I'd never leave you alone. No matter what's waiting ahead, I won't leave your side."
"Fine," Xiao Wu relented with a sigh. "But stay here for now. I'll go by myself. If something happens, just come charging in."
She gave him a firm look. Though she didn't trust humans easily, she had no choice. The mysterious blonde woman who appeared three days ago told her to return today, saying she could provide something that might save Lu Yuan.
Daming and Er Ming had tried everything, but nothing helped to wake him. The woman's words echoed in Xiao Wu's mind. If there was even a slim chance, she couldn't ignore it.
Lu Yuan might have bullied her back at Shrek Academy, even stealing her first kiss… but he had also saved her life. This time, when his life was in danger, there was no way she would turn her back.
Not long after, a golden figure glided effortlessly through the dense forest, her blonde hair shining like sunlight amidst the shadows.
Xiao Wu's gaze immediately landed on the sack slung over Qian Renxue's shoulder. "This… is what you're giving me?" she asked skeptically.
Qian Renxue nodded, her expression calm. "Inside is Tang Yuehua, master of Yuexuan. She has a unique ability—her Realm talent. It's said to be effective for Lu Yuan's condition."
She quickly explained what she had learned. Tang Yuehua could influence spiritual and emotional states, and she had previously used it to help Lu Yuan before, at least indirectly. Perhaps it might work again.
Xiao Wu tightened her grip on the sack. "And Lu Yuan? Do you… know how he is now?"
Qian Renxue's heartbeat quickened, dread pressing against her chest. She didn't want to hear an answer, yet desperately needed one.
"He's stable for now," Xiao Wu reassured her. "But I need to hurry back. Thank you."
Without hesitation, Xiao Wu hoisted Tang Yuehua onto her back and bounded away into the thick jungle, disappearing quickly from sight.
Qian Renxue stood motionless for a long while, staring in the direction Xiao Wu vanished. A conflicted sigh escaped her lips.
"Lu Yuan… will I ever see you again?"
Her heart twisted at the thought. Part of her hoped for another meeting, yet she was terrified of what it would mean—to see him again, after everything, and not know what either of them would be to the other.
Star Dou Forest, Core Area
Daming and Er Ming stood frozen, staring at Xiao Wu's burden with disbelieving eyes.
Seriously? A human woman? This was their great hope?
Er Ming couldn't hold it in. "Big Brother, isn't this ridiculous? That boy is half-dead, he can't even mate. And they bring him… a woman?" He slapped his massive skull with an exasperated rumble. "Humans are so strange. I don't get their thinking at all."
"Shut up!" Daming roared back. "Not everything is about mating, imbecile. Maybe she has healing powers. Don't be so vulgar all the time."
Er Ming grumbled, but fell silent.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu carefully dripped water into Tang Yuehua's mouth. The woman stirred, the forest's natural fragrance calming her senses as she slowly opened her eyes. Towering trees loomed above, flowers swayed in the breeze… and then she saw them.
Two massive soul beasts glaring down at her.
Her face went pale. "Wh-where am I? Who are you people?"
"Don't be scared," Xiao Wu quickly soothed. She couldn't risk Tang Yuehua panicking. If the woman lost control, who would save Lu Yuan then?
Bit by bit, Xiao Wu explained the entire situation—the crisis Lu Yuan was facing, why she had been brought here, and what they hoped she could do.
Tang Yuehua rubbed her temples, still dazed. She remembered practicing in Yuexuan one moment, then being knocked unconscious the next. She'd been kidnapped, clearly.
But when she heard Lu Yuan's name, her caution faltered. They did share some connection, and though she didn't know the details of his current condition, if she could help, she wouldn't refuse.
"Take me to him," she said softly.
Xiao Wu's eyes brightened, her rabbit ears twitching in delight. "This way!"
Inside the Cave
The scene before them was grim.
Lu Yuan lay unconscious on a stone bed deep inside the cavern. Dark flames licked across his body, scorching the rock beneath him black. His clothing had long since been burned away.
Both Xiao Wu and Tang Yuehua flushed crimson at the sight, quickly averting their eyes.
Tang Yuehua's voice trembled. "I… I might not be able to help… My noble circle can calm hearts and purify negative emotions, but against this kind of condition…" She trailed off miserably.
From outside, Er Ming's voice rumbled, shaking the cave walls. "You saved him once. You can save him again. Just try!"
Xiao Wu nodded desperately. "Please. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't… but we can't know unless you try."
Tang Yuehua let out a slow breath. "Fine. But I need silence. No interruptions. Understand?"
She glanced warily at the two gigantic beasts, who thankfully lumbered out of the cave with Xiao Wu. Finally, the place quieted.
Closing her eyes, Tang Yuehua summoned her Realm. A soft halo spread from her, ripples of dignified calm washing over the cave. When the waves reached Lu Yuan, the sinister black flames weakened—slightly, but noticeably.
Hope flickered in her chest.
She stepped closer, kneeling by the stone bed. Carefully, she lifted Lu Yuan with her slender jade hands, then raised one finger to his forehead.
The softest touch.
And at that instant, Lu Yuan's body trembled.
Inside the Dream
He didn't know how long had passed.
"Clang… clang… clang…"
The sound of metal striking metal echoed faintly in his ears.
Lu Yuan opened his eyes slowly. This wasn't reality. It was the same dreamlike domain he'd found himself in once before… not a place of the living.
Back when a troublesome fellow from Heaven Dou City had messed with him, he had ended up here, in front of the enormous furnace surrounded by shadowy figures.
And just like before, the furnace loomed ahead, glowing with heat, as countless vague specters writhed in the dark.
But this time, something was different.
He could move.
Step by heavy step, Lu Yuan drew closer to the figure hammering steel at the furnace. It was a blacksmith, forging tirelessly. But when Lu Yuan focused on the man's face, he realized with a start—
He had no face.
The smith quenched a half-forged blade in liquid darkness, then lifted molten gold, pouring it over the weapon.
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes. "That… that looks just like the golden thread on my sword," he muttered under his breath.
He wanted to ask questions, but before he could speak, the strange faceless smith struck again, drowning out everything with the relentless rhythm of his hammer.
Clang… clang… clang…
And the dream deepened.
--
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