A thousand curses raced through Xu Qi’an’s mind. If this dream were playing on a TV, he would have dived to block it, preventing anyone from watching.
Exposing his identity in the Floating Pagoda – what did that mean?
The Shaman Cult would stop at nothing to kill him, while the Buddhist sect would do anything to convert him.
At that point, forget about unsealing Shen Shu and reclaiming the dragon qi – he’d be lucky to save himself.
Seeing this scene, everyone present – whether the people from Lei Province, the Buddhist monks, or the Eastern sisters – had their attention drawn to the “dream.”
“What… what is this?”
“A Buddhist mountain, the uniform of a night watchman… it seems familiar somehow.”
Everyone was confused yet curious, not immediately realizing what they were seeing. Lei Province was too far from the capital, and most people present had never witnessed a Buddhist dharma battle or seen Xu Qi’an in person.
“It’s a Buddhist dharma battle, and that’s Xu Yinluo…”
Tang Yuanwu, the master of the Twin Swords Sect, declared loudly.
He had been in the capital during the Buddhist dharma battle, originally intending to witness the Heaven and Human Conflict. However, that event was delayed by over a month, and he ended up coincidentally witnessing the grand spectacle of the Buddhist dharma battle instead.
“Wow!”
The crowd erupted in excitement, with the heroes of Lei Province pointing and discussing incessantly.
“So that’s Xu Yinluo? He’s much more handsome than his portrait. One look at his face and you can tell he’s extraordinary.”
“I didn’t get to see the Buddhist dharma battle that day, but to think I’d get to witness it in this way, haha…”
The Eastern sisters also widened their beautiful eyes, staring unblinkingly at the young man in the night watchman’s uniform.
They had long heard of his name but never seen him in person. To have such an opportunity was quite good, after all, the capital was Great Feng’s stronghold, and they couldn’t go there.
The Night Watchmen had spies throughout the Nine Provinces, and their investigations of various factions were very thorough. Small matters like the East Sea Dragon Palace being an affiliated power of the Shaman Cult couldn’t escape the Night Watchmen’s notice.
Going to the capital would be suicide for them.
Therefore, they had essentially no hope of seeing the legendary Xu Yinluo.
“He is indeed handsome and extraordinary, but not as beautiful as my dear Li,” Eastern Wan Rong judged as she scrutinized Xu Yinluo.
“A mere formation makes him clutch his head and scream. The Xu Yinluo of that time hardly had the heroic aura of legend,” Eastern Wan Qing thought.
On the other side, the warrior monk Jingyuan looked at the meditation master Jingxin and asked in a low voice, “Is this the Buddhist disciple that the Arhats and Bodhisattvas are so eager to bring into the Buddhist fold?”
Jingxin grunted in affirmation, focusing intently on Xu Yinluo.
Jingyuan asked, “What do you think of the Mahayana Buddhist teachings?”
Jingxin was silent for a long time before slowly saying:
“It’s like a door full of madness and danger, yet incredibly alluring. Arhat Du’e wants to push it open, yet fears doing so. The Karola Tree doesn’t want to push it open, yet can’t resist wanting to see it open.
“The dispute between Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhist teachings has persisted to this day. Besides the Buddha’s slumber preventing a clear judgment, the hesitation of the Bodhisattvas and Arhats is also a crucial reason.”
Warrior monks didn’t practice meditation. Regarding Buddhist teachings, a general understanding was sufficient; they didn’t need to be experts. In the eyes of warrior monks, whether Mahayana or Hinayana, it didn’t matter much.
Of course, if forced to choose, warrior monks leaned more towards the self-liberation of Hinayana Buddhism. This was because the path of warrior monks was very similar to that of martial artists – both focused on self-cultivation.
Amidst the monks’ whispers, Xu Yinluo, trapped in the formation, suddenly went berserk. He gripped his sword hilt and delivered a brilliant slash that made even the Tier 4 experts present tremble with fear.
The Eight Sufferings Formation shattered instantly.
Then, Xu Yinluo broke through the Buddhist Vajra Divine Skill with one slash, debated with the old monk under the Bodhi tree, converted the old monk, ascended to the peak of Buddhism, and stood firm without kneeling under the pressure of a giant dharma body.
He summoned the Confucian sage’s carving knife and broke through the Buddhist realm.
“Too strong! So Xu Yinluo was already this powerful during the Buddhist dharma battle.”
“Indeed, during the dharma battle, he had just returned from Yun Province not long ago. This means that single-handedly holding off eight thousand rebel troops in Yun Province wasn’t just a rumor.”
“What eight thousand? Wasn’t it twenty thousand?”
“No wonder he could later subdue both Heaven and Man with his bare hands, and in the defense battle of Yuyang Pass, he single-handedly slew two hundred thousand enemy troops from the Shaman Cult with just one sword.”
“Yeah, Xu Yinluo has only been practicing martial arts for a little over ten years, yet he’s so much stronger than us who have been cultivating for decades and still haven’t reached Tier 4. He’s truly a heaven-sent talent.”
The people from Lei Province were incredibly excited. Lei Province was far from the capital, so the stories about Xu Yinluo that reached them were inevitably exaggerated and didn’t match reality.
But after seeing the strength Xu Yinluo displayed in the dharma battle today, the heroes of Lei Province fully believed the fact that he single-handedly held off eight thousand – no, twenty thousand – rebel troops in Yun Province.
They also believed in the miracle of his slaying two hundred thousand enemy troops single-handedly during the Battle of Yuyang Pass.
The Eastern sisters exchanged a glance, tacitly retracting their earlier words.
Compared to Xu Yinluo, their dear Li indeed paled in comparison.
As the dream slowly dissipated, everyone was still savoring it.
Suddenly, Hengyin, the abbot of San Hua Temple, loudly asked:
“Why did the scene of the Buddhist dharma battle appear here?”
This question either awakened everyone or made them realize the inconsistency.
Indeed, why did the Buddhist dharma battle appear here?
Everything they had seen was part of a dream, but whose dream was it?
…
“Huh, why are they all standing still?”
Mu Nanzhi narrowed her big Maybelline eyes, peering from afar at the pearl formed from the Mirror Beast’s tears in Vajra Du Nan’s hand. She noticed that the scene reflected in the pearl was static.
“Strange, it’s as if they’re under some kind of illusion,”
The Tier 4 guest cultivator of the Lei Province Chamber of Commerce said solemnly.
“What do you think, dear Li?”
Wenren Qianrou asked for her lover’s opinion.
Li Lingsu frowned deeply:
“No wonder… let me think for a moment.
“No wonder the Buddhist sect wanted to cooperate with the Shaman Cult. It turns out the second level of the Floating Pagoda has been corrupted by Nalan Tianlu’s power. As soon as they reached the second level, they were immediately drawn into Nalan Tianlu’s dream. That’s why they’re not moving.
“To successfully pass through the dream, they need Nalan Tianlu’s cooperation. Otherwise, these people can’t leave the second level at all and will remain in the dream until their physical bodies in the outside world lose all vitality.”
Wenren Qianrou slightly furrowed her brow, expressing some concern, “It seems that even Senior Xu couldn’t break free from the dream…”
Li Lingsu’s expression immediately became strange. He found himself increasingly unable to understand this old man. Despite having an extraordinary identity and cultivation, he always displayed a level of power as unremarkable as his appearance.
Was it deliberate, or was there some reason preventing him from exerting his full strength?
“Whatever his plans are, let’s set that aside for now. Breaking Nalan Tianlu’s dream isn’t that difficult. Regardless of the tier, a Dream Shaman’s magic must rely on dreams as a medium. That’s the rule.”
Li Lingsu explained confidently: “So there are two ways. One: Wake up Nalan Tianlu inside the pagoda, which will break the dream. Two: Find and communicate with Nalan Tianlu’s consciousness within the dream, and ask him to help them escape the dream.”
As the lover of Eastern Wan Rong, a Tier 4 Dream Shaman, and a Daoist expert specializing in divine spirit cultivation, Li Lingsu had a deep understanding of Dream Shaman techniques.
“Consciousness within the dream?”
Mu Nanzhi asked while the little white fox in her arms poked out its head, its big, bright eyes curiously looking at Li Lingsu.
Li Lingsu said, “Without consciousness, one can’t dream. Naturally, there must be someone’s consciousness existing in the dream.”
After a pause, he sighed: “For Eastern Wan Rong, as a peak Tier 4 Dream Shaman, finding that strand of Nalan Tianlu’s consciousness would be too simple. But why is she holding back, lingering in the dream world?”
Calling Sister Rong by her full name feels so good… the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect thought secretly.
Between the two sisters, one cold and one charming, at first glance, it seemed the younger sister Eastern Wan Qing was more domineering and proactive. But in reality, it wasn’t so. In bed, it was often the seemingly charming older sister who was more domineering and overbearing, like a queen.
Thinking about this, Li Lingsu couldn’t help but rub his waist again.
Ever since being held captive by the Eastern sisters for half a year, diligently working hard every night, he had become increasingly indifferent to female charms. He felt he was gradually grasping the true meaning of the Taoist concept of “forgetting emotions.”
He was certainly on the right path.
“Oh, junior sister, you came down the mountain with me. Now you’ve become the Flying Swallow Heroine, while I am gradually ‘forgetting emotions.’ When the three-year term is up, I’ll make you drool with envy from your eyes.
“Heh, to think the noble Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect has become a righteous female hero eager to serve the public. You’ve strayed onto the wrong path.”
Thinking of this, Li Lingsu felt triumphant and satisfied.
…
“What, no one’s answering?”
Monk Hengyin raised his voice and called out again. At the same time, his sharp gaze swept across the crowd.
Jingxin and Jingyuan seemed to have realized something, their expressions changing slightly as they too searched the crowd with piercing gazes, as if looking for something.
“Sister, can you use your Dream Shaman abilities to trace who the owner of this dream is?”
Eastern Wan Qing’s already cold face became even more serious and emotionless.
“I know what you mean…”
Eastern Wan Rong nodded slowly.
Seeing the Buddhist monks’ expressions, the people from Lei Province weren’t fools. They immediately understood something and began to back away while looking around, closely watching those near them.
Seeing this, Xu Qi’an’s heart sank.
“Sect Master Tang, I remember that your Twin Swords Sect went to the capital to witness the grand dharma battle, right?”
Someone asked loudly.
Instantly, all eyes fell on Tang Yuanwu.
Tang Yuanwu nodded slowly: “I was fortunate enough to witness Xu Yinluo’s defeat.”
Eastern Wan Rong said, “But to dream of the dharma battle scene so precisely, unless the memory is deeply ingrained, it’s impossible. It’s like how Sect Master Tang always remembers those two battles, after all, he experienced them personally.”
She emphasized the words “experienced personally.”
This is bad, they already suspect I’m hiding in the crowd. The Buddhist monks, East Sea Dragon Palace members, and local Lei Province people all have companions who can vouch for each other. Only I, as an outsider, can be easily singled out…
Xu Qi’an frowned, feeling anxious.
If his identity was exposed here, not only would all his plans fail, but he would also be in danger.
Indeed, life is full of unexpected turns. His plan hadn’t even begun, and Nalan Tianlu’s dream was forcing him to reveal his true identity.
Just then, Liu Yun from the Twin Swords Sect calmly said:
“This is my dream.”
Abbot Hengyin scrutinized her and questioned, “You?”
Tang Yuanwu was stunned at first, then realized something. He looked at his valued disciple with a complex expression and said:
“Yes, Yun’er was also in the capital at that time and witnessed the entire dharma battle.”
Ambiguous laughter and whispers arose from the crowd.
A woman who couldn’t forget the process of Xu Yinluo’s Buddhist dharma battle and often dreamed about it – what did that mean?
Four words explained it: a maiden in love.
A jianghu member laughed suggestively:
“That’s right, we overthought it. Xu Yinluo has countless achievements in his life. Whether it’s his resurrection in Yun Province or single-handedly facing rebel armies at Yuyang Pass, which one isn’t more dangerous than the Buddhist dharma battle?
“If Xu Yinluo were here, he definitely wouldn’t be dreaming about the Buddhist dharma battle.”
This reasoning made sense, and everyone present thought the same.
Eastern Wan Rong nodded silently. A young girl falling in love after watching a Buddhist dharma battle and admiring Xu Yinluo was too normal.
As a woman herself, she could empathize. If she wasn’t already in love with someone, she would also be attracted to a man like Xu Yinluo.
Abbot Hengyin looked at Jingxin, and seeing him nod, finally dismissed his doubts.
Xu Qi’an couldn’t help but glance at Liu Yun, the female hero from Lei Province, a few more times. He didn’t expect to encounter a female hero who admired him even here, but it wasn’t… surprising.
In today’s Great Feng, countless women admired Xu Yinluo.
At this moment, a new dream appeared: red candles burning high, curtains hanging low – someone’s wedding night.
The jianghu members started laughing and joking, some whistling, some teasing. The atmosphere became lively again.
Li Shaoyun was stunned at first, but then his expression changed slightly.
Have these bastards forgotten what they came into the Floating Pagoda for? Xu Qi’an inwardly criticized. He had been constantly watching the Buddhist monks and the Eastern sisters and finally saw Eastern Wan Rong slowly backing away, step by step, creating some distance before quickly turning to leave.
Eastern Wan Qing and the Buddhist monks swiftly followed.
Not good! As soon as they moved, several figures immediately pursued them, including Xu Qi’an, Tang Yuanwu, Li Shaoyun, and Yuan Yi.
“Stay close to them!”
Yuan Yi shouted.
The jianghu members were a beat slower, but they quickly realized what was happening. Ignoring the dream scenes, they hurriedly chased after.
Eastern Wan Rong halted her steps, turned back, and blew out a breath toward Xu Qi’an and the others.
In an instant, a thick fog appeared from nowhere, obscuring the sky and earth, as if they were in a foggy early morning.
“They’re gone!”
Li Shaoyun looked around, both shocked and angry.
Damn, they still managed to “escape”… Xu Qi’an let out a slightly frustrated and helpless sigh.
“Sect Master!”
Liu Yun ran out from the thick fog.
“That woman just now was a high-tier shaman. She can also manipulate dreams…”
Tang Yuanwu made this judgment with a grave expression, then nodded to Liu Yun.
Li Shaoyun became anxious: “So what do we do now? How do we get out of this dream?”
Yuan Yi slowly shook his head: “If it were an ordinary Dream Shaman’s dream, with our divine spirit strength, it wouldn’t be difficult to break free. But a Tier 2 Rain Master’s dream, even if not targeting us specifically, might be beyond our ability to escape.”
Tang Yuanwu said solemnly: “Moreover, that woman is a high-tier shaman. This is a dream, and if she wants to leave, we can’t stop her. From the beginning, we’ve been at a disadvantage.”
Hearing this, Xu Qi’an calmly said: “This is also why Vajra Du Nan agreed to let us enter. The Buddhist sect and the Shaman Cult believe they have the upper hand.”
The attention of the Tier 4 experts was immediately drawn to him. Yuan Yi nodded slightly.
Xu Qi’an continued:
“Even for a Dream Shaman, escaping from a Rain Master’s dream isn’t that simple. Otherwise, why would she waste so much time talking to us? She could have just left the dream and ascended to the third level. I guess she must still be in the dream right now.”
“But with this thick fog, how do we find her?”
Li Shaoyun frowned.
Uncouth martial artists, can’t they use their brains… Xu Qi’an said:
“Her actions just now revealed at least two things to us: First, she chose to blow out this thick fog to obscure our vision, rather than confronting us directly. This indicates that the dream power she can borrow is limited and she can’t handle so many Tier 4 experts simultaneously. Or, there might be precepts in the dream that prevent her from attacking people inside the pagoda.
“Second, this is Nalan Tianlu’s dream. For her to leave the dream, she probably needs Nalan Tianlu’s permission. The fact that she didn’t immediately leave the dream, but chose to watch it, is the best proof. It’s likely that during the process of watching the dream, she found a way to communicate with Nalan Tianlu.”
Commander-in-Chief Yuan Yi pondered: “So, is she going to find Nalan Tianlu now?”
Liu Yun said softly: “Why couldn’t she have already left the dream?”
Xu Qi’an shook his head: “If she had left the dream, she wouldn’t have used the fog to blind us just now, but would have simply disappeared. But you’re right about one thing – she could leave the dream at any moment now.”
Hearing this, the three Tier 4 martial artists furrowed their brows.
Xu Qi’an’s gaze swept across their faces, and he said:
“Don’t worry, we still have a chance. If she’s going to find Nalan Tianlu, where would she go?”
Yuan Yi’s eyes lit up: “Nalan Tianlu’s dream!”
Li Shaoyun asked puzzledly: “But isn’t this already the dream?”
“No!”
Xu Qi’an slowly shook his head: “This is a dream woven by all of us together, no longer just Nalan Tianlu’s dream.”
Li Shaoyun looked him up and down repeatedly, then grinned: “Brother, you see through things very clearly. Impressive.”
Let me introduce myself, I’m Xu Yinluo, Great Feng’s genius case-solver… Xu Qi’an smiled nonchalantly, maintaining his cool and aloof persona.
…
On the other side, Eastern Wan Rong led the Buddhist monks and disciples of the East Sea Dragon Palace through the mist. Her eyes seemed to penetrate the fog, her steps steady, without any confusion.
“Benefactor Eastern, where are we going now?”
Meditation Master Jingxin asked with his palms together, following closely.
Eastern Wan Rong didn’t look back: “Of course, we’re going to find my master’s consciousness.”
“Where is he?”
Abbot Hengyin asked.
“Where his obsession is deepest,” Eastern Wan Rong paused, then said softly: “That is, where Wei Yuan beheaded him.”
The monks suddenly understood. Warrior monk Jingyuan, however, asked confusedly: “Why didn’t you communicate with him earlier?”
Eastern Wan Rong laughed charmingly: “At that time, it was only my master’s dream, with everyone watching from the side. How could I communicate? I deliberately waited until everyone’s dreams became intertwined with my master’s dream.
“When everyone’s dreams intertwine, it’s like a maze, separating everyone. Now is the perfect time to see my master without anyone noticing.”
…
Xu Qi’an, Li Shaoyun, Yuan Yi, Tang Yuanwu, and Liu Yun moved through the mist. After walking for a while, a scene appeared before their eyes: red candles burning high, everything filled with the festive red color of a wedding.
It was the dream from earlier, now progressed to the wedding night stage.
Damn it, of all Nalan Tianlu’s dreams to encounter, we keep running into this nonsense… Xu Qi’an couldn’t help but frown deeply. He wanted to quickly pass by, but the conversation between the newlyweds on the bed made them slow their steps.