Dongfang Cangwu thought she was awake, and looking over, saw that Yan Jiaojiao's eyes were still tightly shut, her brows furrowed deeply, as if having a bad dream.
After being affected by a迷魂香 (mihunxiang - soul-confounding incense), even if one survived, there would be some sequelae, such as continuous nightmares for several days.
Dongfang Cangwu's mind flashed with everything in Yan Jiaojiao's dream; it was indeed a very oppressive dream.
Yan Jiaojiao seemed to have been greatly stimulated today, and her current dream must be even more disturbing.
Immediately, Dongfang Cangwu recalled someone Yan Jiaojiao had mentioned.
No, this seat should not concern itself with such an immodest woman.
Dongfang Cangwu subconsciously tried to pull back his sleeve, but accidentally disturbed Yan Jiaojiao. She even let out a painful dream murmur, clutching Dongfang Cangwu's sleeve corner even tighter.
Dongfang Cangwu immediately froze in place, a hint of struggle showing on his brow. Finally, he whispered to himself, "This seat... is just a little bored after sleeping for a thousand years."
He didn't know who he was explaining to. After all, entering a person's dream was a great drain on spiritual energy. It would take at least ten days to half a month to recover, and even Dongfang Cangwu would need three to four days of rest.
Was he truly just bored and wanting to enter Yan Jiaojiao's dream again to explore? Dongfang Cangwu didn't give himself time to ponder further.
The next moment, Dongfang Cangwu was already sitting beside Yan Jiaojiao, taking her hand. As their fingers intertwined, Dongfang Cangwu closed his eyes.
Yan Jiaojiao's dream tonight was indeed not good.
As soon as Dongfang Cangwu's spiritual consciousness entered Yan Jiaojiao's dream, he saw that Yan Jiaojiao was still in the same cave as before. However, this time the cave was a mess, blown apart by Yan Jiaojiao, with books and rubble scattered everywhere, more terrifying than if it had been ransacked.
"Why are you here again?"
Yan Jiaojiao turned to look at the suddenly appearing Dongfang Cangwu.
"It's a wonder you still remember this seat," Dongfang Cangwu couldn't help but sneer as he spoke.
Dongfang Cangwu was actually very bothered by Yan Jiaojiao's constant inability to remember his name.
He wondered if it was some sort of spell or if the woman truly had a poor memory.
"Of course I remember, you helped me before," Yan Jiaojiao said, her expression different from her usual self, appearing exceptionally aloof and proud.
It was as if Dongfang Cangwu saving her was a bestowed honor.
Helped? He had saved her life multiple times!
Dongfang Cangwu suddenly felt an urge to leave immediately, but he patiently asked, "Are you not going to die for some man again today?"
"What man?" Yan Jiaojiao's confusion seemed genuine.
Could it be that this dream wasn't a continuation of the last one?
Dongfang Cangwu pondered, thinking that it was natural for dreams not to connect, but seeing the same location, he had unconsciously assumed it was a continuation of the same dream.
"This Venerable one never needs a man," Yan Jiaojiao said dismissively, thinking Dongfang Cangwu didn't believe her.
"You said last time that he abandoned the world for you, and you would go with him," Dongfang Cangwu couldn't help but provoke her, not noticing a hint of sourness in his tone.
Yan Jiaojiao frowned and looked at Dongfang Cangwu with confusion for a while before suddenly showing a look of realization: "Are you talking about Dongfang Cangwu?"
Hmm?
If it were possible, Dongfang Cangwu would have been covered in question marks at this moment, even having a bad premonition.
As expected, Yan Jiaojiao continued proudly, "Dongfang Cangwu is merely this Venerable one's pet beast. How can a man enter this Venerable one's eyes?"
Dongfang Cangwu's heart skipped a beat. Thinking that Yan Jiaojiao, with her mediocre cultivation, could summon him, a strange thought suddenly occurred to him. He stared intently at Yan Jiaojiao's eyes, which resembled that person's, and asked, "This Venerable one? Just what kind of Venerable are you?"
Yan Jiaojiao turned to face Dongfang Cangwu directly. The expression in her eyes was increasingly like the one in Dongfang Cangwu's memory. She said, "This Venerable one is... Yan Jiaojiao."
The expression lasted only a fleeting moment, as if Dongfang Cangwu had seen things incorrectly. Looking closely again, Yan Jiaojiao's face clearly showed a sorrowful grief.
She was again a different person from the Yan Jiaojiao he had just seen.
"Mr. Dongfang, thank you for your repeated rescues. Jiaojiao is eternally grateful." Yan Jiaojiao suddenly bowed deeply to Dongfang Cangwu.
What was happening now?
Dongfang Cangwu chuckled to himself. It was he himself who was confused, trying to use normal logic to interpret the dream Yan Jiaojiao, and even having some strange thoughts. It was absurd of him.
Aren't dreams unpredictable? And are the people in dreams not illogical, acting one way one second and another the next?
However, this respectful address of "Mr. Dongfang" made Dongfang Cangwu feel utterly pleased.
This was the proper attitude of someone saved towards their benefactor.
Little did he know, this Yan Jiaojiao at this moment was the original her of this world!
It was as if the events of tonight were too shocking, and coupled with Dongfang Cangwu's forced entry into her dream, it had unexpectedly stimulated the last trace of the original Yan Jiaojiao's consciousness to awaken.
The original host had died after falling into the Abyss of Ten Thousand Beasts, but a trace of her consciousness had lingered. Ever since the three-thousand-year-old Yan Jiaojiao had thrown herself in, she had been dormant deep within the body.
Although this consciousness could not control or interfere with Yan Jiaojiao's actions, it could still perceive everything Yan Jiaojiao experienced, which was why she had offered such sincere thanks earlier.
The original host's consciousness also knew its power was weak and would dissipate completely upon awakening, so she did not waste any more time.
At this moment, Yan Jiaojiao looked sorrowfully at Dongfang Cangwu, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of crying: "Mr. Dongfang, today you have heard of my and Tong'er's experiences, and you must have guessed our tragic fates within the Yan family."
Dongfang Cangwu remained wary and observed coldly, silently remarking that this statement was clear and grounded in reality.
Yan Jiaojiao continued: "Although I met this child for the first time, I am touched by Tong'er's shared misfortune and strongly wish to save his life and free him from this sea of suffering."
Dongfang Cangwu nodded. Yan Jiaojiao had indeed done so.
"However, I am helpless and bound by circumstances. I implore Mr. Dongfang to take pity and grant me my final wish to save him from this tiger's den and wolf's lair." Yan Jiaojiao said, tears flowing down her face, unsure if they were for herself or for Tong'er.
Why was she crying? Dongfang Cangwu thought about it. If he hadn't intervened today, that child would have been discovered long ago. Hiding Tong'er in Yan Jiaojiao's courtyard was indeed not a long-term solution.
"How do you want this seat to help you?" Dongfang Cangwu asked. "This seat will not take him with me."
The original host also knew that she could no longer make any decisions. Fortunately, the current Yan Jiaojiao was also willing to save Tong'er. She said: "I only hope that Mr. Dongfang will assist me after you awaken and not refuse my plea for help. May I ask if this is possible?"
"Yes," Dongfang Cangwu agreed, and then added, "However, you must also answer me one question."