"Are the people from before not truly human?"
"What is the meaning of having demon blood in their bodies?"
Chen Jiuyang frowned in thought, "It seems this dream world is not as simple as I imagined."
"The mortals in the dream world can provide me with life force. Doesn't this mean that even if these mortals are derived from a great dream, they have their own true lives?"
"Or, if offspring are born within this dream world, even if not derived, they are still truly existing lives."
The forbidden land of Yunxian Cliff holds too many secrets. Throughout history, very few people have managed to walk out successfully.
"It seems I need to proceed with caution."
"Before I seek opportunities, I must first gather information about this world."
With that, Chen Jiuyang's figure flickered and he left the place.
...
A month later.
The capital of the Dayi Kingdom, Yicheng.
A million mortals lived here.
In the vast city, pedestrians were numerous, all in a hurry, their expressions solemn.
News had finally spread over the past month.
A celestial calamity had descended, and dozens of evil gods were causing chaos in the Dayi Kingdom, leading to widespread suffering and the birth of many cults.
In a teahouse upon entering the city.
Many tea patrons were seated. Chen Jiuyang wore half a mask, covering the upper part of his face, and a black cloak.
Over the past month, he had gathered much intelligence.
The entire dream world comprised seven countries. One side of the continent faced an endless sea, while the other was shrouded in mist. Humans resided only on land and possessed no supernatural powers.
The local natives were at most at the Profound Realm or Foundation Establishment stage, unable to break through to higher cultivation levels.
He conducted a test: as long as he didn't reveal his true appearance, these mortals with demon blood in their bodies would not degenerate into monsters.
He also discovered traces of demons within this dream world.
Furthermore, there were terrifying ruins in all four directions. After personally investigating them, he found that these ruins were the Imperial Dao laws that the Yuanwu Demon Lord and the Binghuang Demon Lord sought.
Here, when cultivators died, their laws did not dissipate back into heaven and earth. Instead, they remained, transforming into a form of disaster.
For those in the Soul Transformation stage and the Venerable Realm, this place was a treasure trove, filled with many riches waiting to be unearthed.
However, the entire dream world, inside and out, was permeated with a strange aura.
Perhaps it was because he walked the path of the Human Emperor, his destiny allowing him to perceive it.
He did not wish to linger here for too long. He needed to complete the mission of Ancestor Qing Jue as soon as possible and leave this bizarre Yunxian Cliff.
"Hmm?"
Just as Chen Jiuyang was about to leave the teahouse and seek opportunities elsewhere, he noticed the wanted posters hanging on the city wall.
"This is... Qin Rouyu..."
"Evil God 'Qing Yu', informant will be rewarded with ten thousand gold and enfeoffed as a marquis by the King of Yi!"
A soldier held up a portrait and announced to the crowd.
Chen Jiuyang frowned, "Why has Rouyu come to such a dangerous place?"
"'Evil God' Qianyang, informant will be..."
Then, Chen Jiuyang saw his own portrait...
"This..."
"Even though I crossed the rules to descend into this dream world, the power of karma has not vanished."
Chen Jiuyang, protected by the Pure Lotus Sacred Fire, was not afraid. However, killing mortals in the dream world would lead to erosion by negative emotions and strange rules. If this continued for a long time, he would eventually degenerate into a mad demon.
On the other side.
In another city of the Dayi Kingdom.
Qin Rouyu had spent a year and successfully descended into the dream world. She was currently at the Golden Core stage. She had also hidden her presence and mingled within the dream world. Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang's portrait posted on the city wall, she couldn't help but be startled:
"Why is Jiuyang here..."
A few years ago, when the Kunlun Holy Land had an incident, she was outside on a mission with her senior sister and escaped unharmed.
Later, when news of Kunlun's massacre spread, she became even more afraid to reveal her past acquaintance with Chen Jiuyang.
Upon hearing news of Chen Jiuyang again, she discovered that his strength had reached the Venerable Realm, and he had become the Sect Master of the True Demon Sect.
"With his strength and intellect, if he could survive in this dream world for a year, then there should be no danger. He must have, like me, successfully descended into the dream world."
"I just don't know what Jiuyang's objective is."
"My senior sister is investigating the whereabouts of the seal. I must hurry to meet up with her."
...
The Dayi Imperial Palace.
A group of people emerged from the palace.
"Princess, you should be happy about moving to a new home."
"Fei Wu, I cannot be with the person I love, and my father has forcibly banished me to this haunted old mansion. How can you expect me to be happy?"
"Princess, hauntings are just legends. Don't take them seriously. Even if a ghost dares to offend you, I will split it with my axe!"
"...Then I'll have to rely on you."
Princess Shile closed her eyes to rest. Before long, they arrived in front of the old mansion.
Red lanterns hung from the eaves, a red carpet was laid out, and over a dozen servants stood at the main entrance, awaiting her.
Princess Shile alighted from her palanquin and found that although the mansion had red lanterns and a lively atmosphere, a chilling wind blew. The dozen servants knelt before her, shouting loudly, "Welcome, Princess!"
These servants all wore the same smile, their complexions somewhat pale and sallow. Their features appeared somewhat stiff to her, making their smiles seem eerie.
She felt an inexplicable sense of unease, but outwardly said, "Fei Wu, reward them!"
The servants shouted their thanks again and followed Princess Shile into the mansion. Princess Shile did not notice that the smiles on the servants' faces behind her grew increasingly wider.
"Creak—"
The main door closed.
Attended by the servants, she washed up and lay on the bed, falling asleep peacefully.
"Hiss hiss~"
In a dazed and hazy state, Princess Shile felt a chilling wind blow towards her, making her body cold.
She tightened her grip on the quilt, but the next moment, she realized something was wrong.
Her room had no windows open!
She suddenly opened her eyes, wanting to sit up—
Her body was pressed down as if by a large stone, rendering her completely immobile!
Only her eyeballs could move up and down.
What was happening?
Was she dreaming?
"Dazzz! Dazzz!"
"Drip—drip—"
The sound of wet footsteps echoed eerily from outside her room door.
"Fei Wu, is that you?"
Princess Shile called out softly.
"..."
There was no response.
At that moment, Princess Shile shivered and remembered something.
Fei Wu was her guard; he would never knock on the door like this!
She thought of the group of strange and eerie servants.
Princess Shile's scalp tingled, and her face turned pale.
"Thump! Thump—"
"Thump thump thump thump thump!!!!!!"
Suddenly, the sound of knocking erupted, like a death knell.
"Crack... Crack..."
The door shook violently, as if it would be pushed open at any moment.
Cold sweat beaded on Princess Shile's forehead. She felt as if she were suffocating. The thing outside the door wanted to come in!