Chapter 658: Entering the Dream

"A spell concerning dreams?" Lu Yang had rarely encountered matters of this nature. Oneiromancy was a relatively obscure discipline; to his knowledge, only a few select individuals within the Daoist Sect, such as the Grand Elder, pursued research into it, with the Grand Elder being the most accomplished adept among them.

Suddenly, a peculiar expression crept over Lu Yang's countenance. He vaguely recalled that during the nascent days of his cultivation, he had encountered a mysterious figure within a dream—one who styled himself the Tofu Heavenly Venerable and claimed that consuming tofu was the sole path to supreme power...

In his youth and ignorance, he had dismissed it as a mere nightmare.

Reflecting upon it now, could that have been the handiwork of his Eldest Senior Sister?

"If one lacks understanding of dream-weaving magic, it is all too easy to fall prey to it. However, with this Immortal present, I guarantee you shall not be mastered by any dream spell!" The Immortal Pixie spent her days within his spiritual consciousness either spectating current events or slumbering deeply, which bore testament to the profound depth of her insights into the art of dreams.

"Can dream-weaving truly control a person?"

"Naturally it can. You must have experienced it yourself: one sleeps and dreams, and upon awakening, the substance of the dream gradually fades, leaving behind nothing but a vague impression, correct?"

Lu Yang nodded; such was indeed the process.

"Then, if someone were to use magic to dictate the contents of your dreams, and did so over a prolonged duration, would you not be subtly altered through imperceptible influence?"

A sudden realization dawned upon Lu Yang as he recalled a past event.

Long ago, a certain merchant guild had deployed large-scale oneiromancy to broadcast advertisements within people's dreams to promote their merchandise, which subsequently caused the featured product to sell exceptionally well.

Later, when the matter came to light, the Great Xia Greatly penalized the guild to the brink of bankruptcy and promulgated advertising laws to prevent similar occurrences.

"Pixie, are you suggesting that the young mistress of the Zhong family is in precisely such a predicament?"

Having received the guidance of the Immortal, Lu Yang immediately transferred his consciousness back to reality.

At this moment, Shi Chan and Meng Jingzhou were still debating the nature of the magic affecting Zhong Qinger when they beheld Lu Yang confidently delivering the answer he had just obtained, earning Great praise from Shi Chan.

"As expected of Senior Brother Lu Yang! Benefactress Zhong Qinger must indeed have fallen under such a spell!"

Zhong Ming, who had been listening intently beside them, flew into a towering rage and struck his thigh forcefully. "I knew that lad surnamed Kang was up to no good!"

No sooner had he spoken than he prepared to seize an iron shovel and rush outside to apprehend Kang Wei.

Shi Chan restrained Zhong Ming. "Benefactor, do not be rash. While Kang Wei's actions have already transgressed the law, all matters must be supported by evidence if we are to proceed on solid ground."

Upon hearing Shi Chan's counsel, Zhong Ming regained his composure.

Indeed, that was the most prudent course of action.

Lu Yang, listening to Shi Chan's discourse, inquired, "Do you know the art of dream-weaving?"

"I have studied it somewhat."

"In the past, when this poor monk journeyed abroad to subdue demons and eliminate evil, a female demon coveted my physical form and sought to control me within a dream. Fortunately, within that dream, I happened to be chanting scriptures inside the Mahavira Hall; the Buddhist statues therein manifested their divine power and suppressed the fiend."

"Fearing that similar incidents might recur, this poor monk subsequently applied himself to learning the spells of dream-weaving."

"Should Benefactor Kang cast his illusory dream magic again tonight, this poor monk shall draw both Senior Brothers into the dreamscape together."

"Very well."

"I must trouble Benefactor Zhong Ming to fetch three sets of bedding, so that we three brothers may take our rest."

Zhong Ming immediately summoned his servants to sweep clean the floor of the maiden's chamber and brought three sets of fine bedding from the guest quarters.

"To my shame, legend has it that the founder of Buddhism could fall asleep regardless of time or place, a state truly described as 'the universe and I coexisting.' This poor monk has yet to attain such a realm; to sleep, I must perforce lie upon a bed."

Lu Yang stole a glance at the Immortal Pixie, who was currently sleeping upon her lotus dais in an exceedingly ungraceful posture.

Back in the Demon Realm, the Pixie had frequently slumbered in trees, proving that she could indeed sleep anywhere at any time.

The intrusion into the dream had to occur at night; otherwise, if only the three of them entered the dreamscape while Kang Wei remained awake, their efforts would be entirely in vain.

As the period of waiting proved rather tedious, the three companions engaged in conversation with Zhong Qinger.

Zhong Qinger turned her head to question Zhong Qinger, who was still sipping porridge and eating pickled vegetables.

"Benefactress, did you truly fall in love with Kang Wei the very first time you beheld him? Had you never seen him elsewhere before—for instance, within a dream?"

The contents of the trio's conversation had not been concealed; Zhong Qinger had overheard everything while sipping her porridge. Upon being questioned by Shi Chan, she furrowed her brow slightly, appearing somewhat uncertain. "I cannot recall clearly. I did indeed feel as though I had met him somewhere before, yet upon closer reflection, I have certainly never seen him."

"A week ago, the moment I beheld my Lord Kang upon the street, I felt as though we had known each other for a long time, that we were a couple destined by fate."

Shi Chan extended two fingers. "There are two possibilities."

"Either the Nether Nine Sect speaks truly, and reincarnation indeed exists in this world, meaning you share a past-life affinity with Benefactor Kang."

"Or you have fallen victim to the art of dream-weaving."

"The second possibility is the most probable."

Zhong Qinger was by no means blindly infatuated with Kang Wei; if he were truly pulling strings from the shadows, she would certainly demand an accounting.

"How about this: the three of us shall also enter the dreamscape tonight. Securing evidence within the dream itself is the safest approach."

Meng Jingzhou looked askance at Lu Yang. He knew precisely how much ability the lad possessed; an answer so professional was clearly the enlightenment of the Immortal.

Lu Yang thought to himself that while reincarnation did exist, it was strictly limited to Li Haoran alone.

Zhong Qinger observed that Shi Chan possessed a dignified bearing; though a monastic, his features were exceptionally fine, earning him the title of a beautiful youth, far handsomer than her Lord Kang.

Shi Chan noticed this regard and advised, "Benefactress, this poor monk is a member of the clergy. Should you harbor any unusual thoughts toward me, I pray you sever them, lest they become a knot in your heart."

"Yes."

Meng Jingzhou found Shi Chan objectionable from every angle and felt a strong urge to force-feed him twenty drops of aphrodisiac blood right then and there.

As night descended, Zhong Qinger began to doze off amidst their conversation, falling asleep before long.

"Has the adversary deployed the spell?" Meng Jingzhou asked, eager to try; he had never actively entered a dream before.

"Wait a little longer."

After another quarter of an hour had elapsed, Shi Chan suddenly declared, "He comes!"

"Senior Brothers, prepare to enter the dream!"

Meng Jingzhou immediately lay down, slipped into the comfortable bedding, and closed his eyes.

Suddenly, Meng Jingzhou's expression altered. "Disaster!"

"What is amiss?"

"I am too excited; I cannot fall asleep!"

"..."

Fortunately, Lu Yang possessed great adaptability. Emerging from his bedding, he loosened his limbs. "No matter. A single punch from me will put you to sleep. Relax your body, otherwise the effect will be poor."

"Holy crap, wait a moment, you're actually serious—"

A large fist gradually magnified within Meng Jingzhou's pupils, followed by a dull thud, and he lost consciousness.

Highly satisfied with his handiwork, Lu Yang settled down to a peaceful slumber.

Shi Chan likewise entered his sleep.

Forming hand seals within his mind, he executed the dream-weaving technique, drawing himself along with the two sleeping figures beside him into Zhong Qinger's dreamscape.

"Is this the realm of dreams? What a novel sensation." It was Meng Jingzhou's first time entering a dream with his consciousness intact, giving him a somewhat hazy impression.

Lu Yang also found it quite fascinating. They stood within a grove of peach blossoms, where the petals fluttered down in profusion like pink snow.

"The Benefactress is yonder," Shi Chan said, pointing toward a small pavilion a short distance away. The pavilion offered the finest vantage point in the entire peach grove, allowing one to appreciate the blossoms without being smothered by falling petals.

"Keep silent. Let us steal closer to observe first."

The three of them crept stealthily toward the small pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Zhong Qinger was dressed audaciously, far more alluring than she ever appeared in her private chambers.

She was holding the hand of Shi Chan—a manifestation conjured from her own fantasies—gazing at him with eyes full of tender affection.

The illusory Shi Chan possessed a full head of hair, making him look all the more handsome.

"Shi Chan, can we be together?"

"Yes."

Not far away, a man came stumbling toward them, staring at the scene in utter disbelief.

"Qinger, who... who is he?"

Zhong Qinger looked at the man and said indifferently, "Kang Wei, let us break up."

Meng Jingzhou: "..."

He turned his head to look at the real Shi Chan.

Are you possessing the immortal body of a succubus or something, kid?