Chapter 454: Nightmare

Chapter 454: Nightmare

Night.

Lin Nuo returned to Master Zhao’s residence but found that the old man had not come back. After waiting for a while, he casually picked some celestial fruits from the garden, brewed a few pots of tea, and still had not seen Master Zhao return, so he decided to head back.

The Immortal Tiger was full along with him.

After returning, Lin Nuo took a bath, cleaned up, and read by lantern light for a bit. He began to feel drowsy, so he closed his book and extinguished the candle.

As an excellent villain, daily study was still very important.

In addition to studying, he also made plans and outlined a detailed strategy, which he disciplined himself to execute.

Of course, many times, those plans did not succeed.

The night was quiet, and he recalled the past. Back then, during the nights, Ruo’er would bring in a basin of hot water for him to soak his feet, curious as she asked him questions and told stories from her hometown.

He used to find her somewhat annoying; now, in Zifeng Valley, with her gone, the silence felt uncomfortable.

People are just that fickle.

After turning off the lights, Lin Nuo tucked himself into bed and closed his eyes, gradually drifting off to sleep.

……

Xi Lan and Xi Qing shared a room. They possessed celestial artifacts, and if Lin Nuo fell asleep, there would be a response.

“Alright, he’s asleep now,” Xi Lan said.

“Then I should also begin my dream journey; I mustn’t be disturbed during the ritual, so please keep watch for me, elder sister.”

“Mm, you do your thing. I’ll make sure to protect you,” Xi Qing nodded, and Xi Lan immediately closed her eyes, circulating her spirit power within her.

Soon, her consciousness gradually left the reality, entering Lin Nuo’s dream.

How a person’s inner feelings often reflected in dreams had been recorded throughout the history of Tianyuan Hall. Many cases of couples being brought together in dreams were proof that even the most skilled in love could discern what one truly cared about.

Xi Lan amplified her spirit technique, hoping to identify her target during this dream journey.

It started smoothly; she encountered no abnormalities and successfully entered the dream space.

What lay before her was the scenery of Xuanyun Sect, lush trees and greenery surrounded her, the spiritual energy permeating the air. Her gaze gradually shifted, locking onto a residential area.

That was the male cultivator’s residence, which was normal for Lin Nuo’s dream.

As a female immortal venturing into a male cultivator’s residence, it was indeed somewhat improper.

However, to complete her task, she needed to do so.

Now she landed in the courtyard, standing before a door that had a plaque reading “Lin”.

The spirit technique would guide her to her destination, and logically, she should be able to find clues here.

Currently, she moved through the dream as an invisible observer; others could not see her.

The door was slightly ajar, and it began to open slowly.

Suddenly, a bright white light burst forth, obscuring everything before her eyes.

Then, as the white light dissipated, everything around her grew dim.

The classically beautiful buildings and flowers of Xuanyun Sect had vanished, replaced by an entirely shocking scene.

Beneath a dark, gloomy sky stood towering stone peaks, and the ground was littered with countless bones that had yet to turn to ash.

“What is this?”

Xi Lan was astonished, unsure what she was witnessing. This should have been a dream filled with blossoming flowers and romance, yet she found herself in a barren land of stone, the dark sky weighing heavily on her.

Could there be clues about Lin Nuo’s romantic destiny here?

She doubted it, glancing around but finding no sign of Lin Nuo.

Gradually, she stepped forward, trying to locate him.

She walked for quite a while, finding nothing, surrounded by silence and devoid of life.

However, suddenly she sensed a powerful aura approaching, tightening her entire being.

“Who is it?”

She couldn’t help but feel alarmed, scanning her surroundings but seeing no one.

Yet, upon turning around, she saw a figure.

Clad in a black battle robe, he wielded a long black sword adorned with dragon motifs. His face was hidden behind a mask, rendering his features indistinguishable, but the blood-red eyes displayed through the mask sent shivers down her spine.

Those blood-red eyes seemed to ignite with a fierce flame, threatening to consume everything in the world.

The figure did not speak but quickly raised his black sword, bringing it crashing down towards Xi Lan.

She didn’t react in time, let alone dodge, not even realizing when he had appeared beside her.

She could only watch in horror as the blade descended, striking her.

In that moment, she felt herself teetering on the edge of an abyss, as if someone had pushed her down, plummeting endlessly into a deep void.

An overwhelming sense of fear of death surged within her, unshakeable.

……

“Ah!”

Xi Lan screamed, opening her eyes, her forehead drenched in sweat.

“It was just a dream.”

Gasping for breath, she had yet to return to her senses, feeling as if she had just experienced a nightmare despite being the one diving into her dream.

“What happened to you?”

Noticing Xi Lan’s poor state, Xi Qing approached with concern.

“Why do you look so pale? What did you see?”

“I, I saw…”

Xi Lan still trembling, struggled to speak.

“Someone tried to kill me.”

“Kill you? Who?”

“I-I don’t know… he wore a mask, I couldn’t see his face, but his eyes were blood-red, as if made of congealed blood from countless slaughters… so terrifying…”

“So, does that mean we can’t uncover any clues this time?”

“Mm…”

“Though I don’t know what you saw, it must have been an ominous sign. As long as you’re okay, rest well and try not to overthink it,” Xi Qing comforted her.

“Mm…”

Xi Lan worked hard to suppress thoughts of that scene, but the impression was too deep, etched in her mind.

Meanwhile, in Lin Nuo’s room.

Lin Nuo lay in bed, opening his eyes, slightly curling forward.

His fingers curled inward, mimicking the grip of a sword hilt, then he relaxed.

Turning his gaze toward the window, he noticed the round moon was obscured by dark clouds, casting the sky into shadow.

“Ha.”

A cold smile crept across his lips.

……

That night, Xi Lan remained tense, finding it difficult to sleep. The next day, feeling unwell, she decided to stay in and rest.

Xi Qing took care of her first, then planned to find Lin Nuo, as what happened to Xi Lan the night before was too strange, and that bizarre dream must have some connection to him.

This man had too many doubts; the celestial artifact did not reveal anything, Xi Lan’s dream had failed, and encountering the strange assassin was too eerie.

This was no longer just about fate; perhaps there were some mighty secrets hidden behind it all.

When she set out to find Lin Nuo, she discovered he had left.

Not exactly fleeing, but he had gone out.

After all, the holiday was ending, and it was time to return to Helong Hall.

This was truly salt on Xi Lan’s wounds; he had suddenly vanished, making it impossible for her to forge any romantic connection! Was he intentionally sabotaging her task?!

……

A few days prior, Mu Yiting’s organization, Helong Hall, had encountered some troubles…

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Four updates today; surely, that should boost the monthly votes a bit. If it doesn’t go up by the beginning of the month, I might as well kick back and relax.