Chapter Thirty-Two: Awakening from the Dream (Part One)

Her body was plummeting endlessly, the thorns along the cliff tearing into her skin with a pain so sharp it felt as though they were scraping her soul. Yin Yao herself could not quite explain why she had let go and spared Yin Su. All she knew was that she had seen in Yin Su’s eyes an overwhelming desire to live. She understood well that if she had refused to let go, they would both be doomed—either to mutual destruction or to death together.

But just as she had resigned herself to departing this world, a memory surfaced: a conversation with her mother from childhood—

“The cliff behind the mountain may look like a bottomless abyss, but it is not so. There lies a hidden paradise, untouched by the world—a secret sanctuary few know exists.”

She remembered asking her mother, in her childish voice, how she knew of such a place that no one else did. Her mother had only smiled and stroked her hair, offering no further explanation.

So, in this moment, let me seek that answer myself. Perhaps it was this thought that made her release her grip and let Yin Su go.

Yin Yao closed her eyes, her mind quiet as never before.

There was a heavy crash.

Yin Yao felt herself slam against something as hard as diamond, every bone wracked with pain as though her body had shattered.

“So this is the result of my choice?” she thought with a bitter smile.

The diamond-like surface vanished, and she continued to fall, her strength draining away as if she were a marionette with cut strings, drifting helplessly until her head lolled and darkness claimed her.

This was the second time she had lost consciousness so mysteriously—the first being that fateful full-moon night when she inexplicably crossed into this world.

Would this take her back to the 21st century? When she awoke, would she see those she longed for? What sort of place was the paradise her mother spoke of—what was it truly like...

As Yin Yao passed through the diamond barrier, the Cold Spirit Valley, which had already recognized her as its master, lost all trace of her aura and vanished with her disappearance. The life-protecting barrier shattered as well, scattering silver light into the flowing spring below.

Gu Xinyu and the other three sat cross-legged on marble, witnessing everything return to its original state, watching the barrier’s instant collapse, their hearts trembling in shock.

They stood, realizing at last what had happened—none of them had expected, nor dared imagine, that Yin Yao, miraculously awakened only moments before, would vanish again so soon.

The black-clad figures lurking in safety surged forward, determined to seize the opportunity for slaughter and annihilate them all.

A thunderous roar erupted—Gu Xinyu, furious, faced the oncoming attackers. Behind him, the Underworld Tiger struck with massive paws, catching the assailants off guard. Those who vied for credit at the front were pulverized instantly. The black-clad men, having never witnessed Gu Xinyu’s rage, tried to retreat but were trapped.

Dressed in crimson, Ai Shuo had appeared behind them at some unknown moment, his gaze as cold as death. Several plum-shaped blades flashed from his hands.

Caught in a deadly pincer, the assailants were slaughtered in an instant by the wrath of Gu Xinyu and Ai Shuo.

Exchanging a glance, Ai Shuo and Gu Xinyu decided to tend to their wounded companions before searching for Yin Yao. Gu Xinyu carried Ji Xuanyu on his back, Ai Shuo supported Mu Ye, and together they headed for Ji Xuanyu’s quarters.

Back at the villa, Ai Shuo first treated Mu Ye’s wounds. Mu Ye’s back was a mess of blood and flesh; Ai Shuo gently cleansed the gashes, tears falling uncontrollably. These wounds had been suffered for her sake.

From his pocket, Ai Shuo retrieved a milky-white bottle, dipped a cotton swab in the salve, and carefully applied it to Mu Ye’s injuries. Mu Ye had specially prepared this scar-removing medicine for her, just in case—its effects were remarkable.

Once Mu Ye was dressed in clean clothes, Ai Shuo helped her to Ji Xuanyu’s room to take his pulse. Gu Xinyu had already done basic first aid. As Mu Ye’s hand felt Ji Xuanyu’s pulse, her pale face grew even more ashen—Ji Xuanyu, too, was poisoned with Yin toxin. Had she and Ai Shuo not been immune to all poisons, their fates might have been the same. Thankfully, Xinyu had reacted swiftly and escaped harm—otherwise…

“Ai Shuo, bring the violet orchid. Xuanyu’s been poisoned as well,” Mu Ye said weakly.

“I know,” Ai Shuo replied, taking out the icebox and handing it over.

Mu Ye plucked a single white blossom from the orchid and forced Ji Xuanyu to swallow it.

“Ai Shuo, take the rest and brew a decoction for Ji Xuanyu. I’ll rest for a while. Xinyu, you should rest too.” With that, Mu Ye turned and went to the adjacent room.

Ai Shuo took the remaining amethyst-colored orchid and went to the kitchen to prepare the medicine.

Gu Xinyu, meanwhile, left the house. He felt compelled to search for Yin Yao’s body—and to confirm the fate of Yin Su.

He had witnessed the duel atop the valley, had seen the moment both fell from the cliff—yet he could hardly believe that two wielders of such power had simply plunged to their deaths.

Reaching the back mountain, Gu Xinyu used his lightness skill to follow the narrow herbalists’ path, where he found Yin Su unconscious. For some reason, a sliver of hope fluttered in his heart.

He knelt beside her and let her head rest on his arm, gently shaking her. “Wake up, Yin Su, wake up!”

Her bones felt like they were coming apart—her first thought was utter exhaustion. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes to see Gu Xinyu’s familiar face.

How many times had it been now? Whenever she was hurt, he was always the first to appear, tending her wounds, finishing the tasks she could not—only, this time, things might be different.

“Don’t send me spiritual energy—I can’t take it,” she said, casting him a look that seemed full of disdain. “If you have questions, ask quickly.”

Yin Su struggled to her feet, leaning against the mountainside, refusing Gu Xinyu’s help.

He realized he had instinctively begun to channel energy into her; he withdrew his hand, a little embarrassed.

“Where is Yin Yao?”

“I don’t know. She let go at the last moment and spared me. I used what little strength I had to fall here. She… she must have fallen into the abyss.”

Yin Su recounted everything she knew, neither hiding nor embellishing. As she spoke of Yin Yao’s fall, a nameless sadness welled up within her.

“I see,” Gu Xinyu said, gazing sorrowfully into the chasm. He believed her—she had no reason to lie.

“Goodbye, Yin Su. The next time we meet, we’ll be adversaries. I won’t show mercy again. This time, I’ll let it go.” His voice was tinged with endless melancholy as he turned to leave.

His words drifted into Yin Su’s ears. This time, it really was different—Gu Xinyu had left her after all.

All that had come before seemed like a dream now. It was time to awaken, Yin Su.

—End—