“It seems that besides us, many other living beings came to this small island in the past, but the result was entering a dream, unable to leave, and ultimately perishing here.”
Looking at the piles upon piles of white bones that had suddenly appeared on the island, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said in shock.
“It’s very likely we are inside a dream right now, so there’s no need to believe anything he says.”
Hun Lao reminded them.
“Young man, rest assured, you definitely are not in a dream right now. The reason I have manifested to see you is because you carry the aura of a certain old acquaintance of mine. I wonder if you have any connection to that old friend of mine?”
The blue-robed elder spoke again.
“Senior, may I inquire which one you are referring to?”
Seeing the blue-robed elder addressing him repeatedly, Ye Yunfei knew he couldn’t avoid answering. He steeled himself and replied.
“My old friend hails from the Sword Realm. He is one of its founders.”
The blue-clothed elder said.
As he spoke, he suddenly stretched out a hand and gave a light beckoning gesture towards Ye Yunfei.
Hong hong hong…
From within Ye Yunfei’s body, streaks of dazzling, radiant sword light abruptly surged forth. These sword rays instantly arrived before the blue-robed elder, twisting and turning incessantly.
“Indeed, it is my old friend’s legacy.”
The blue-robed elder nodded.
“Senior, the Sword Dao I cultivate was taught to me by an elder named Jian Shenzi. Elder Jian Shenzi indeed comes from the Sword Realm.”
Seeing this scene, Ye Yunfei immediately realized the old acquaintance the blue-robed elder spoke of might very well be Jian Shenzi. He spoke respectfully.
“How about it? Did you find any flaws in the dreamscape? I’ve been searching, but I find everything feels so real. The dream constructed by this fellow is too terrifying.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm sent a Sound Transmission at this moment.
“I haven’t found any either. Everything around us seems extremely authentic.”
Hu Miao transmitted her voice.
“Jian Shenzi? That name is unfamiliar to me. My old friend’s name is Jian Weng. His sword arts were exceptionally profound. Back in the day, we once sparred. He voluntarily entered a dream I conjured. I used all kinds of techniques and secret arts to fortify that dreamscape, yet with a single draw and slash of his sword, he reduced my dream to shattered fragments. A single sword stroke to slash through dreams—that level of power and style still leaves me in awe to this day.”
That blue-robed elder spoke slowly.
As he spoke, an expression of respect appeared on his face, as if he was reminiscing about times long past.
“It was from that time I learned that sword cultivators are one of the natural adversaries of our Dream Path. Because a sword cultivator’s will is incomparably resolute, holding the conviction that a single sword can break all techniques. And will and conviction are precisely the key factors for seeing through and breaking dreams.”
The blue-robed elder spoke again.
“Young man, show me the Sword Dao that you cultivate, the one passed down to you by Jian Shenzi. Let me see if it truly is Jian Weng’s legacy.”
The blue-robed elder’s gaze fell upon Ye Yunfei.
“Be careful. It’s possible we are inside a dream right now. Everything he says and does could be guiding us step by step deeper into the dream, ultimately trapping us within and making escape impossible. It’s best not to act according to his words.”
Hun Lao immediately warned.
“Senior, although I have received the legacy of Elder Jian Shenzi’s Sword Dao, regretfully, my aptitude is low, and I have not diligently cultivated. Consequently, my proficiency in Sword Dao is not high, so I would rather not shame myself before you.”
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before replying respectfully.
“Haha, young man, it seems your guard is very high. I can understand. However, rest assured, you are not currently in a dream. Young man, since you refuse to demonstrate, I will have to resort to some means.”
The blue-robed elder said with a smile.
The moment his words fell, Ye Yunfei sensed the space around him filling with a strange energy. This energy gave off an extremely hazy, indistinct sense of reality versus illusion.
As this energy appeared, Ye Yunfei found his consciousness starting to grow fuzzy, and he couldn’t suppress a yawn.
“Be careful! This is Dream Path Energy!”
Hun Lao quickly warned.
“Young man, as I said earlier, sword cultivators are potentially one of the natural counters to the Dream Path. If you want to deal with Dream Path Energy and Dream Laws right now, your best option is to employ the sword techniques you cultivate.”
The blue-robed elder spoke.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei felt that bizarre energy around him growing denser. The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hu Miao, and Huang Shang were also yawning repeatedly, feeling as if they could fall into a deep sleep any moment.
“This sensation is somewhat similar to the effect of the soul arts of the Samsara Ghost Clan,” Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
Next, Ye Yunfei discovered that numerous transparent chains of laws began appearing around his body. These chains danced gently, like willow branches by a riverbank—incredibly soft and light, giving an illusory, dreamlike feeling.
As these law chains performed their light dance, Ye Yunfei felt the space around him instantly become much lighter and also much more ethereal. His entire body felt light and floating, a confusing blend of reality and illusion, dreamlike and fantastic.
Suddenly, those law chains, like soft, pliant snakes, began winding towards Ye Yunfei’s body.
Before Ye Yunfei could react, his torso was densely wrapped by those seemingly powerless law chains.
Although these law chains gave Ye Yunfei a feeling of limp weakness, when he tried to exert his physical strength and divine power to break free, they only wound tighter.
It made Ye Yunfei feel as if his body was like a zongzi dumpling wrapped tight, nearly suffocating him.
Ye Yunfei then tried to break free using all sorts of techniques, secret arts, various energies, and laws, but to no effect. Instead, the chains tightened further, twisting his torso completely out of shape.
“These Dream Laws are too terrifying!” Ye Yunfei secretly thought, alarmed.
After trying all the cultivation methods and secret arts he had ever learned, Ye Yunfei found none of them effective. Finally, he couldn’t help but employ his sword arts.
Streaks of sword light surged brilliantly from within his body, striking towards those law chains.
Thick, large sword rays continuously rushed out from Ye Yunfei, so densely packed they made him look like a porcupine of light.
Then, to his delight, Ye Yunfei discovered that after using his sword arts, the law chains wrapped around his body began to be severed. He felt a great deal more at ease.
Ye Yunfei understood the elder was using the Dream Laws to force him to use his sword techniques.
But the sword arts were indeed effective, so Ye Yunfei had no choice but to continue performing the sword techniques he cultivated.
“Indeed, it is Jian Weng’s legacy. It seems the Jian Shenzi you mentioned may be Jian Weng’s successor. And you should be Jian Weng’s disciple-in-succession.”
After a short while, that blue-robed elder spoke.
Immediately after, Ye Yunfei felt all those intangible law chains on his body vanish, and he was once again free and relaxed.
“Too powerful!” Ye Yunfei let out a sigh of relief, recalling the experience moments before with lingering fear.
“Young man, don’t worry. Since you are a descendant of my old friend, I will not make things difficult for you. Otherwise, if my old friend comes looking for me, I won’t know how to answer.”
The blue-robed elder said with a smile.
“This fellow’s seniority must be terrifyingly ancient. He might actually be an old acquaintance of Jian Shenzi’s master. Jian Shenzi is already a tremendously powerful figure from the ancient past from our perspective. So, what about Jian Shenzi’s master? Even thinking about such a high seniority makes one’s scalp tingle.”
Hun Lao sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
“Indeed, his seniority is extremely high, and his strength is also terrifying. Just by using some Dream Laws moments ago, he rendered me utterly unable to resist. If he truly wanted to make things difficult for me, I would have had no means to retaliate.”
Ye Yunfei responded via Sound Transmission.
“I think we should leave this place as soon as possible. Facing that old fellow gives me an uneasy feeling, one that makes my heart race with fear.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said.
“Alright then, let’s prepare to leave.”
Ye Yunfei also didn’t wish to remain here facing that strange and terrifying blue-robed elder. That utterly helpless feeling he just experienced left him deeply wary of the elder.
“Senior, I am merely passing through by chance, having unintentionally intruded upon this place. It was not intentional disrespect. I shall take my leave now and not continue to disturb you.”
Ye Yunfei spoke respectfully, then prepared to turn and leave the small island, returning to the sea.
“Heh, no hurry, young man. Since you are here, rare as it is, have a cup of tea before you go.”
The blue-robed elder said with a laugh.
“Senior, I dare not disturb you further. I shall take my leave.”
How would Ye Yunfei dare to stay for tea? He took several steps back, about to return to the sea.
“Young man, if you leave just like that, Jian Weng might come later to hold me accountable. Have a cup of tea first. Let me fulfill my duties as host; it will not be late for you to leave after.”
The blue-robed elder said with a smile.
The moment his words fell, Ye Yunfei saw a multi-colored rainbow bridge rising into the air from the island’s center. It instantly extended beneath his feet, then, without giving him a chance to speak, lifted him and instantly transported him to the center of the island.
Then Ye Yunfei discovered the scenery at the island’s center had changed once more.
Lush green grass, blooming flowers, and flourishing trees. Amidst the shelter of trees stood a small pavilion. The elder was seated beside a stone table within the pavilion; on the table rested a teapot and teacups. Ye Yunfei found himself already seated opposite the elder.
The change in scenery at the island’s center occurred in an instant—too fast for Ye Yunfei to react.
“This isn’t another dream, is it? Could it be this old fellow dragged us into a dream again? This is simply too terrifying! In front of him, it seems we can only be manipulated at will, with no ability to resist whatsoever.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm exclaimed in shock.
“Everyone, be careful. We might have truly entered another dream.”
Ye Yunfei offered a bitter smile. He himself could not distinguish at all whether this was reality or a dream.