Chapter 301: Fear That Meeting Is Just a Dream

In the deep, gloomy Underworld Hall, the Fish King, with long white fur, crouched on the ground. It resembled a statue frozen in astonishment, its eyes, which glowed faintly in the dim light, surveying the surroundings.

The Fish King had cultivated wisdom for many years, but a recent series of events continuously challenged its established perceptions.

For instance, the bizarre scene unfolding before its eyes...

Ning Changjiu was in the process of "invading" the Underworld Lord, who resembled Ning Xiaoling, upon the throne. The Underworld Lord, feigning weakness, kept calling him "Senior Brother" and ceaselessly pleaded for mercy. At this very moment, Ning Xiaoling, the true person, the one who supplied the Fish King with dried fish, and Ning Changjiu's junior sister, had awakened without anyone noticing.

She opened her innocent eyes wide, watching the events unfold before her.

Her sluggish mind slowly began to process the scene. Her Senior Brother was assaulting a young girl on the throne, and the girl looked remarkably familiar; it seemed to be... herself?!

Ning Xiaoling's still-hazy consciousness struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before her.

She stared blankly for a while, listening to the pleas for mercy coming from her "other self," and wondered if she was having an out-of-body experience.

No, that couldn't be right. If her soul had left her body, why would her other self still be struggling and pleading?

Moreover, her Senior Brother would never do such a thing; he simply wasn't that kind of person!

It had to be a dream... Yes! A dream!

Only in a dream could she witness the entire scene, like an omniscient lord of a divine realm.

But why would I be having a dream like this?

Ning Xiaoling's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She watched her own twisting body on the throne, the hem of the white dress, and the ivory-pink, delicate feet swaying gently like oars. The voice was identical to her own... Yes, it was undeniably herself.

She just couldn't discern whether the sounds indicated pleasure or pain.

So this was the kind of dream she would have.

Ning Xiaoling watched what was happening on the throne, her body growing slightly warm. A faint yet vital sound, like seeds cracking, seemed to echo within her soul. She clenched her hands, held her already shallow breath, and watched for a while without blinking.

Soon, her "other self" on the throne began uttering all sorts of peculiar words.

Oh, would the depths of her consciousness truly speak like that?

If this weren't a dream, she would hardly believe she could behave in such a manner...

Ning Xiaoling felt her heart race... It was such a vivid dream. But fortunately, it wasn't real – how could her Senior Brother and she possibly be like that? Master might be lenient and forgive her, but if Sister Xiang'er ever found out, she'd likely chase them, her and her "naughty" Senior Brother, all the way from Southern State to the Northern Barrens.

Ning Xiaoling couldn't help but smile, envisioning the absurd scene of herself and her Senior Brother on the run, with the fierce Sister Xiang'er relentlessly pursuing them on a giant nine-feathered black sparrow.

It seemed rather appealing, actually...

Yes, as long as Senior Brother was there, everything would be alright.

If only this weren't just a dream.

Ning Xiaoling looked eagerly ahead.

Her Senior Brother, with his back to her, was diligently extracting something from her "other self" on the throne...

Her previous dreams had been the same; her Senior Brother always lacked a discernible face.

She truly longed to see him again, even if only in a dream.

She looked around the Underworld Hall, her heart aching. Was this the realm of the dead? Perhaps this was her final dream before she departed from the world.

"Senior... Brother?"

So, without much hope, she softly called out his name.

But Ning Xiaoling hadn't anticipated that both her Senior Brother and her "other self" would stop upon hearing her call.

Had she... interrupted them?

Ning Xiaoling felt a pang of guilt.

Yet, to her surprise, her Senior Brother actually turned his head slowly and looked at her. She was so overwhelmed with joy at seeing his familiar face that she failed to notice the complex and awkward expression on his countenance.

As expected of her final dream, it was truly thoughtful. Like a prisoner's last feast of braised pork before facing the guillotine.

Ning Xiaoling gazed at her Senior Brother's long-unseen face and smiled gently.

"Senior Brother!"

Her voice was clear and crisp.

Ning Changjiu gazed at her clear and captivating smile, and complex emotions surged within him.

He knew Ning Xiaoling would awaken, and he had anticipated their reunion with joy. But... not under these circumstances!

Ning Xiaoling didn't appear to have just woken up...

He hadn't even realized it.

Seeing his junior sister's sweet smile, he was overcome with mixed emotions, finding himself in a difficult predicament. He could only manage a strained smile, racking his brain for a plausible explanation to convince her of his innocence.

The Underworld Lord, who had previously been very tense and fully engaged in struggling and feigning distress, only at this moment abruptly realized that Ning Xiaoling had awakened.

She, too, felt a touch of... awkwardness.

She had assumed this appearance to prevent Ning Changjiu from taking further action. Now that the true person had stumbled upon them and was staring, her maidenly sense of shame was ignited, and for a moment, she ceased her role-play.

The air fell silent.

Ning Xiaoling felt a little awkward when she saw them stop moving.

What was happening? Had she broken the dream? Was the dream about to end?

She felt a surge of panic.

She wished she hadn't spoken up.

Being able to continue watching herself and her Senior Brother in this manner... seemed quite wonderful. Oh, Senior Brother was truly rough.

Ning Xiaoling's almond-shaped eyes sparkled with a certain light, a brilliance that shone like stars in the gloomy Underworld Hall.

In the pervasive silence, it was the Fish King who was the first to break the calm.

"Meow..."

The Fish King always felt that, as an observer, it ought to say something at such a moment.

So it let out a meow.

Ning Xiaoling's mind partially returned, and only then did she notice that her large pet white cat was still sprawled on the ground.

"Little Ditang..." Ning Xiaoling softly called its name.

The Fish King stared at her with lifeless, fish-like eyes, thinking, "At a time like this, instead of dealing with your beastly Senior Brother, you have time to bother with me?"

Ning Xiaoling recalled her battle with Mu Lingtong before she fell into the abyss. She crouched down, gently stroking Ditang's fur, and said, "I never realized the esteemed figure who had been helping me all this time was you. I was truly too foolish; anyone smarter would have figured it out ages ago."

"Meow!" The Fish King puffed out its chest and let out a proud meow.

Ning Xiaoling said, "Even though this is a dream, you're not allowed to watch what's happening over there. If you get aroused, I won't be able to conjure a female kitten for you in this dream."

"???" The Fish King was utterly dumbfounded.

Ning Xiaoling pressed down on its head and twisted it.

The Fish King was forced to turn its head, its gaze now diverted from the center of the "incident."

The Fish King thought, "Where did this foolish owner come from? To actually believe this is a dream... She's far too naive! Does she truly believe her Senior Brother only acts like a beast in dreams?"

A lady guarding the nation's gate with a sword, a wife fulfilling her maidenly dreams in the marital chamber... If one hadn't witnessed such things firsthand, it would be hard to believe how far morality had declined!

The Fish King wanted to speak and launch a vehement protest.

But Ning Xiaoling had already stood up and was walking toward the throne.

Ning Changjiu gazed at his junior sister, who after three years had blossomed into a stunning and captivating young woman, and his expression was one of daze. He felt he should gently embrace her and talk for a long time about everything that had happened over the years.

Ning Changjiu wanted to let go and stand up.

But the Underworld Lord likewise raised a delicate eyebrow, thinking, "You're in this state, and you still want to run? What image are you trying to maintain for your junior sister?"

Come back!

The Underworld Lord grabbed his wrist, pulling him back as he tried to flee the situation.

"Senior Brother, where are you going? Weren't you so formidable just a moment ago? Now... what's wrong?" The Underworld Lord asked sweetly, her voice soft and tender.

Ning Changjiu whispered, "Change back!"

The Underworld Lord feigned not hearing clearly: "Senior Brother, do you have a secret you want to tell me?"

"..." Ning Changjiu glared at her.

The Underworld Lord remained curled in her petite form, maintaining her flustered appearance, utterly unmoved.

Ning Xiaoling had already taken small, dainty steps, slightly lifting her skirt like a refined young lady, and approached them with considerable politeness.

She moved closer to Ning Changjiu.

This was the first time she had been so close to her Senior Brother.

"Senior Brother," Ning Xiaoling began softly, "I once read a poem that said, 'Heaven knows who I remember, and lets me see them in a dream.' Back then, I was doubtful, but now I realize the poem truly speaks the truth." Her voice was gentle, as if even in a dream, she wished to prove to her Senior Brother that she had studied diligently and become quite refined over the years, no longer the illiterate little girl who once needed a study companion.

Ning Changjiu looked at her silently.

So his junior sister believed this was a dream; no wonder she was so... calm.

In a sense, this place was also a spiritual realm, bearing a certain resemblance to a dream.

"Junior Sister," Ning Changjiu said softly, looking at her face.

The girl's watery eyes stared at him, as if tears were about to fall.

Ning Changjiu cast aside the complex emotions in his heart, looked at her gently, and said, "Junior Sister, I have missed you very much over these past years."

Ning Xiaoling listened to his words, thinking it was a wonderful dream, worth dying for.

Tears, like strings of pearls, rolled down her fair cheeks. The girl used her sleeve to wipe her face and said earnestly, "Senior Brother, I missed you so much too."

As she spoke, she looked at the girl beneath her Senior Brother, a girl who was identical to herself.

Hmm... Senior Brother must really miss me!

But... she had been watching from afar for so long, why was her "other self's" clothing still completely intact? Senior Brother... he couldn't possibly be ignorant about such matters, could he?

Ning Xiaoling thought, feeling a little shy.

The Underworld Lord half-reclined on the gloomy throne, observing the affectionate brother and sister.

Separated for three years, they had believed themselves parted by life and death, yet here they were, reunited again in the very depths that symbolized demise.

She, too, was somewhat moved.

However, her duty and rationality as the Underworld Lord prevented her from fully embracing this emotion.

Since this young girl believed it was a dream, then...

"Senior Brother, who are you talking to? Why can't I see anyone?" The Underworld Lord asked sweetly, her voice soft and tender.

"..." Ning Changjiu felt an urge to strangle her.

Ning Xiaoling spoke first, saying, "Senior Brother, please continue. I... I'll just watch from the side, silently."

Ning Changjiu wanted to release the Underworld Lord and offer an explanation, but the Underworld Lord held onto him tightly.

Ning Xiaoling watched this scene, also a little surprised, thinking, "Could my subconscious mind truly miss Senior Brother to this degree...?"

"Senior Brother... don't you like me anymore?" the Underworld Lord asked, sounding utterly pathetic.

Ning Xiaoling heard herself utter such words, and a similar sadness welled up within her. She, too, looked at Ning Changjiu.

This wasn't the first time he had witnessed such a spectacle; a month prior, the scene with Lu Jiajia and Siming had been far more intense... He knew he merely needed to explain himself clearly, yet looking into Ning Xiaoling's expectant eyes, he found himself momentarily bewildered and at a loss for words.

Ning Xiaoling also looked at her Senior Brother.

"Senior Brother... actually, you don't need to worry about these things. You and Master also..." Ning Xiaoling bit her soft lip, her voice much softer.

Ning Changjiu took a deep breath, determined to reveal the truth. He began, "Junior Sister, actually..."

The moment he began to speak, Ning Xiaoling suddenly stood on her tiptoes and lightly kissed his lips, like a dragonfly briefly touching the water.

This was something she had always wanted to do, and only in a dream did she dare to do it.

Anyway, once she woke up, she wouldn't remember a thing.

The ancients also said that a spring dream leaves no trace.

She was about to face death, so who cared if she was mad or lucid?

Ning Changjiu felt the fleeting sensation on his lips, and a jolt of electricity seemed to flash through his mind.

Ning Xiaoling, however, seemed to have cast off some burden. She reached out and firmly embraced him from behind.

The bony feathered serpent ceased its movements.

The ferocious-faced Asura bowed its head.

"Senior Brother, please don't leave... Stay with Xiaoling, okay?"

Ning Xiaoling's words were a little choked.

The Fish King watched this scene and involuntarily recalled a children's song: "Two Little Xiaolings."

One on top, one below, each with its own merits.

What a truly delightful scene.

The Underworld Lord also spoke slowly, her words charmingly clear: "Senior Brother, given this situation, let us be like a pair of lovebirds and soar away together."

The hall fell silent, and Ning Changjiu felt Ning Xiaoling's embrace.

"Xiaoling," Ning Changjiu suddenly said.

"Mm-hmm," Ning Xiaoling responded.

Her emotions had just begun to stabilize.

She realized how timid she truly was; even knowing it was a dream, she lacked the courage to do anything too outrageous. Yet, her "other self" seemed to possess a much bolder and higher level of awareness. Yes, to soar away together...

"Xiaoling," Ning Changjiu called out again. Although he was hesitant to shatter her comforting dream, he believed the joy of a dream coming true would be far more intense. As for the mischievous Underworld Lord beneath him, he'd settle accounts with her later.

"You're not dreaming," Ning Changjiu stated directly.

"Hmm?" Ning Xiaoling paused, slightly startled. "What do you mean?"

Ning Changjiu said gently, "Xiaoling, you are not dreaming right now. This is the depths of the Underworld. You fell into this place... Master Jiajia is still waiting for us above. Senior Brother is here; Senior Brother has come to take his junior sister home. We have all missed you very much."

Ning Xiaoling was momentarily stunned, thinking, "What nonsense is Senior Brother saying? If this isn't a dream, then what is that 'other me' on the throne?"

But it truly was a good dream...

Ning Changjiu, understanding her confusion, said, "This isn't complicated to explain. The one on the throne right now, she isn't you. She is..."

The Underworld Lord sensed trouble and immediately burst into tears and made a scene, interrupting him: "Senior Brother, are you really going to abandon Xiaoling...? When you placed me on the throne, you said I was your little princess, and that you loved only me."

"..." Ning Changjiu was speechless for a moment.

Ning Xiaoling, however, frowned. She stared at the young girl on the throne, who was identical to herself, and after a moment, she asked cautiously, "Who exactly are you?!"

The Underworld Lord was startled, wondering if she had said something wrong.

Ning Changjiu let out a sigh of relief. He seized the opportunity of the Underworld Lord's momentary surprise, broke free from her grasp, and then suppressed her using his Asura Golden Body.

The Underworld Lord was completely overpowered.

Ning Changjiu turned around, looking at Ning Xiaoling, who was both a little bewildered and resolute. He extended his index finger and gently touched her glabella.

He had touched her glabella in this same way when Ning Xiaoling lay bloodied and collapsed in the General's Hall.

And when the white fox had suppressed Ning Xiaoling's mind, he had also touched her glabella in this very manner.

This gesture had been repeated many times, and they were both intimately familiar with it.

Ning Changjiu touched gently, without using even a trace of spiritual energy.

Ning Xiaoling, however, felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

She stared blankly at Ning Changjiu, and only after a long moment did she speak, her voice trembling: "Senior Brother?"

"Yes," Ning Changjiu replied, embracing her.

Ning Xiaoling slowly extended her hand, touching his hair, clothes, arm, and cheek... Everything that should have been an illusion felt profoundly real.

Her "other self," pinned down by the golden giant, was also looking at them, a look of indignant resentment on her pretty face.

"Is it really Senior Brother?" Ning Xiaoling still found it hard to believe.

"Junior Sister," Ning Changjiu suddenly smiled. He gently asked, "From now on, would you prefer to live in Linhe City or Liantian Town?"

Ning Xiaoling believed him.

This was the very question she had once asked him.

Only the two of them knew the answer.

"Anywhere... is fine," Ning Xiaoling replied, and then burst into uncontrollable sobs.

The Fish King crouched on the ground, watching silently, its gaze gentle, and said in an antiquated tone, "A long separation is better than a new marriage; what a truly moving scene."

Ning Xiaoling cried for a while, and her already frail body seemed even more sickly.

She sat beside her Senior Brother, repeatedly scrutinizing him, still uncertain. "Is this really not a dream?"

Ning Changjiu said, "We are connected by a shared heart; I cannot lie to my junior sister."

"Shared heart..." Ning Xiaoling finally reacted. She cupped her hand over her chest and realized that the emptiness she had felt before was suddenly filled with subtle yet profound emotions.

In the cold, gloomy Underworld Hall, a warm breeze seemed to drift in.

Senior Brother... had truly returned to her side.

Ning Xiaoling looked up at Ning Changjiu and softly asked, "What... what exactly is happening?"

The Underworld Lord remained humiliatingly pinned to the throne by the Asura.

She and Ning Xiaoling met each other's gaze.

Ning Xiaoling felt as though she were looking into a mirror.

"If this isn't a dream, then who is she?" Ning Xiaoling asked.

Ning Changjiu asked curiously, "Didn't Xiaoling just see through her?"

"No," Ning Xiaoling replied. "I just simply thought Senior Brother wouldn't dare to say such things, especially since... Sister Xiang'er is so fierce. If she found out, Senior Brother would be in serious trouble."

"..." Ning Changjiu thought, "My junior sister truly knows me well." He had initially believed that if he won the three-year agreement, he would be able to assert dominance over Xiang'er. Yet, in the end, he could only tease naive girls like Jiajia.

"She is the Underworld Lord," Ning Changjiu said, collecting himself and beginning to explain her identity. "Of course, that title is likely self-proclaimed... In any case, she is the master of this place, and you fell into her hands. Your Senior Brother is here to rescue you."

"The Underworld Lord." Ning Xiaoling stared at her cautiously, then asked curiously, "Senior Brother... what exactly... were you doing just now?"

Ning Changjiu explained, "I don't know how to remove it, but she does. I was searching for a way out on her."

"Oh..." Ning Xiaoling suddenly understood.

She immediately recalled her earlier unrealistic thoughts, and her cheeks couldn't help but blush.

It was fortunate she hadn't voiced them...

Her instinctive modesty had saved her!

Ning Xiaoling said, a little shyly, "Back then, I swore that I would pull Senior Brother out even if I had to go down to the Yellow Springs. I never imagined... it would be Senior Brother coming to the Yellow Springs to rescue me."

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, "Jiajia and... another sister you know are waiting for you. I'll take you back in a moment. Over these past three years, Senior Brother has experienced many things, all very interesting stories. When we return, I'll tell you about them slowly."

"Mm-hmm! I also have so much to say... to Senior Brother." Ning Xiaoling looked up, a smile hard to suppress on her weak little face.

Something else occurred to her, and she turned her head, looking at Ditang, who was gazing at them. "Senior Brother, look, that's my new cat. Isn't it adorable?"

The Fish King thought, "I am not your pet; I merely want to freeload some fish from you."

Ning Changjiu looked at it, gritting his teeth, "It's... quite cute."

If the Fish King hadn't caused trouble back then, his wedding banquet with Xiang'er would have surely concluded smoothly.

The Fish King also looked at him and let out a meow, as if to say, "A stray cat returning is priceless! Your reunion is thanks to my immeasurable merit!"

"I... I also deserve credit!"

Before Ning Changjiu could pass judgment, the Underworld Lord had already spoken first.

Ning Changjiu looked at her, sighed, and asked, "Lord Underworld Lord, what credit do you claim?"

The Underworld Lord said, "When your junior sister fell into this place, if I hadn't rescued her, she would have been killed by the wild ghosts of the Underworld long ago! If you don't believe me, you can ask that cat!"

Ning Changjiu looked towards the Fish King.

The Fish King let out a meow, indicating that she was telling the truth.

Ning Changjiu considered this, nodded gently, and made a mental note of her contribution.

The Underworld Lord continued, "After saving your junior sister, I also insisted on nurturing her soul. Otherwise, how could she have awakened so early, or reunited with you and your junior sister so soon? My contribution is immense!"

Ning Changjiu nodded; he knew she had saved Xiaoling to extract the authority within his junior sister's body.

He suddenly recalled the scenes he had witnessed in the Underworld Lord's sea of consciousness. He hesitated before asking, "Did you... save Xiaoling for any other purpose?"

"I..." The Underworld Lord stammered, as if caught red-handed. "How did this hateful person find out about my dealings with Mu Lingtong...?" She forced an explanation, "Of course not... I merely cherish my people."

Ning Changjiu, thinking of the three hundred thousand rebel soldiers, found her explanation utterly unconvincing.

Oh well, regardless, she had indeed saved Xiaoling.

Ning Changjiu said, "Don't worry, I won't harm you. I simply want to take my junior sister out of here."

"I know..." The Underworld Lord's words carried an ineffable loneliness. "But this Underworld is nearing its end. If all of you leave, who will save me? There are only three hundred days left... After three hundred days, everything will be gone."

Ning Changjiu recalled the thousand years of solitude he had witnessed.

Since her birth, she had resided in this Underworld, sitting alone outside the Underworld Hall, gazing out, waiting for someone to cross the Sea of Darkness with her.

But in a world as vast as the Underworld, what could he possibly change?

Ning Xiaoling clutched her chest and suddenly said, "I feel it too."

"Feel what?" Ning Changjiu asked urgently.

"Death..." Ning Xiaoling said, her voice filled with worry.

Ning Changjiu immediately understood that the Underworld Lord's authority had been rooted within her body for many years, and the two were now intimately connected by blood.

The Underworld Lord looked at Ning Xiaoling and said, "I can let you go, but if the Underworld is destroyed, your junior sister will not fare well either."

"Can't we simply remove all of the Underworld Lord's authority?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"I don't know," the Underworld Lord sighed. "Fate is unpredictable. Do you dare to gamble with your junior sister's safety? You've only just reunited."

Ning Changjiu asked, "How do you wish me to help you?"

The Underworld Lord gently shook her head. "I don't know either."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Did the true Underworld Lord leave any clues?"

The Underworld Lord replied, "The Underworld Lord left behind many books... Many of the textual traditions within them dispersed outside along with the authority. I cannot read them, and I don't know if they contain any useful information."

Ning Changjiu sighed, feeling helpless. "If you, as the descendant of the Underworld Lord, cannot decipher them, then who in this world could?"

"Meow!"

In the great hall, the Fish King, with fur like snow, let out a meow and walked over proudly.