Upon hearing the strange dream that the Emperor of the Jin Kingdom had just mentioned, Lu Li instantly became fully alert and pressed him for details.
“Oh? A strange dream? What did you see in the dream?”
Zhou Ruolin took a deep breath and gave Lu Li a wry smile.
“Immortal Master Lu, to tell you the truth, I myself have never had that bizarre dream until now. So my following description is merely hearsay—if anything is inaccurate, I ask your pardon.”
With that, he shifted his tone and began his account.
“They say the dream is extremely eerie and oppressive. According to those who have experienced it, they saw an abnormally clear and massive moon in their dreams, which kept drawing nearer and nearer.”
“So close that they could even see the buildings and topography upon that giant Blood Moon.”
“Then the sky would grow dark and close in, and atop the enormous Blood Moon, blood-colored land and ruined palace segments would appear.”
“After that, those who had the strange dream would suddenly feel their bodies floating, then plunge headfirst into the giant Blood Moon.”
“Inside the Blood Moon, there was nothing else—only an endless, dim crimson sky. The dreamers would then see countless others who had the same dream, all standing upon a surface of water.”
“Then, countless monsters would surge forth around them, and numerous cultivators would stride through the air—some would be assimilated and transformed into those terrifying monsters, while others would battle the monsters in the sky and on the water’s surface.”
When Lu Li heard this, his expression grew instantly grave.
Because if Zhou Ruolin spoke the truth, then the dreams recently experienced by the Jin Kingdom’s people were prophetic dreams—a foretelling of the great collision between Kongxuan Realm and the Magic Realm, just before the clash between righteous and demonic paths!
This was an event that happened in the later stages of the game, in the Imperial Capital of the Wei Kingdom.
It was also the quest instance in the middle to late game, where players could quickly level up and earn money.
But would this event, which took place in the Wei Kingdom, truly happen here in the Jin Kingdom?
Moreover, the timing simply did not match!
At this moment, Lu Li’s mind was blank.
He unconsciously rubbed the rim of his teacup, his knuckles turning white.
But soon, Lu Li no longer dwelled on it, because ever since he transmigrated into this world, many things had not followed the original plotline of the game.
For instance, he distinctly remembered that there was never such a thing as Zhou Ruolin killing his brother and imprisoning his father to seize the throne and become the Emperor of the Jin Kingdom in the original game plot.
While Lu Li was deep in thought, Zhou Ruolin suddenly spoke to him:
“Lately, everyone in the Imperial Capital who has had this dream—regardless of gender, whether they are cultivators or ordinary folks—after waking up, they all feel restless, listless, as if a part of their spirit and essence has been drawn away.”
“Because of this bizarre dream, the Imperial Capital is filled with grievances, panic, and even rumors that this is the Nation’s Doom Omen!”
At this, Zhou Ruolin gave a bitter smile to the frowning Lu Li before him:
“Immortal Master Lu… you must know, I did not come by this throne in a legitimate way. I have always been under suspicion from the nobles and ministers.”
“And now, such an incident has suddenly occurred—right after I took the throne, no less. How can I possibly sit securely on it…”
“In the past half year, I have tried recruiting wandering experts to investigate this matter, even invited a few cultivators from the Right Path Major Sects, but all returned empty-handed. No one has been able to clarify the source of this dream in the city, let alone resolve it…”
He then looked at Lu Li, a trace of final hope in his eyes:
“Immortal Master Lu, you are a learned and powerful disciple of Xuling Sect. I heard you uncovered the Yin Corpse Sect’s plot in Yangzhou City and resolved the missing children case.”
“Perhaps you can discern something about this matter?”
“After all, your talents are extraordinary—just after settling the strange events in Yangzhou, you ascended to Jindan.”
“Immortal Master Lu, forgive me for asking: what on earth is causing this bizarre collective dream?”
“Is it some unknown evil art? Or… a dire and ominous omen?”
“Is the Yin Corpse Sect, which has been so rampant lately, related to this matter?”
“Now that the Secret Realm Trial is about to begin, all friendly cultivation factions will gather here for the Trial. If this nightmare is allowed to spread unchecked, or if there truly is some Mozong villain plotting in secret…”
“I’m afraid… the reputation of our Jin Kingdom will be utterly ruined…”
“So, I beg you, Immortal Master Lu, please help me get to the bottom of this.”
As Zhou Ruolin finished, Lu Li immediately pressed a hand to his chin, falling into deep thought.
The Imperial Study was plunged into silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of candle flames.
Lu Li’s expression was exceptionally grave.
The dream Zhou Ruolin described truly reeked of evil.
Was it a prophetic dream brought on by the premature collision of the Magic Realm?
Or a large-scale illusion conjured by the Mozong?
Or perhaps a curse targeting the soul and spirit?
For a moment, Lu Li could not determine the answer.
At almost the same moment, outside the Imperial Study, relying on Gu Qingying’s cognition-altering system, Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying—both concealed—heard every word exchanged by the Jin Emperor Zhou Ruolin.
The two women exchanged glances, seeing shock reflected in each other’s eyes.
As cultivators who had reincarnated, they had both followed Lu Li to the frontlines in their previous lives, fighting against the demonic cultivators during the great war with the Magic Realm.
After hearing Zhou Ruolin’s words, both were visibly stunned.
Gu Qingying clutched her sleeve, her eyes full of panic.
Blood Moon high in the sky, demonic shadows running rampant…
Hiss… this description clearly signals the initial outbreak of the great war between the righteous and demonic paths in their past lives—the sign of the “Blood Moon Illusion” that appeared when Kongxuan Realm and the Magic Realm collided! But that should have been several years later, and in the Wei Kingdom!
Why has the Magic Realm’s invasion come so many years early, and in the Jin Kingdom?
And the scale seems… even greater?
It’s affecting so many mortals?
Could it be… because we reincarnated, something unpredictable has shifted?
Or… is there another variable?
Like Fourth Senior Sister Mo Qingyou—until now, we still have no idea what she’s really after.
Her collusion with the Yin Corpse Sect scum—could it be to secretly push this matter along?
And if this dream continues to spread, could it really lead to the opening of a gate to the Magic Realm?
The consequences would be unimaginable! We must hurry and get to the bottom of this!
While Gu Qingying frowned, Gong Shangyu’s face was equally dark.
Hiss…
Why has the Magic Realm arrived so soon?
Could there be a reincarnator on their side too?
This is bad, really bad…
The time and place are all out of order!
Who’s messing around behind the scenes?
The Yin Corpse Sect?
If they had this kind of ability, they would’ve overturned the world by now!
It can’t be… something even more sinister has awakened early, could it?
Ahhh…
Master has just formed his Jindan, and now we’ve run into this kind of mess.
Seriously…
Those guys wouldn’t make such a big move unless their ambitions were huge!
The Imperial Capital of Jin Kingdom is now a powder keg ready to blow!
The royal secret realm is about to open, all sorts of forces will gather—if it explodes now…
Master will definitely get dragged in!
Damn!
No, we need to muddy the waters or directly find the source and see if we can snuff out their plot ahead of time!
Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying’s minds spun rapidly.
Though their motivations differed, they arrived at nearly the same conclusion.
This matter was extremely serious, by no means ordinary.
They had to investigate and protect Master!
They exchanged another look—though they still found each other disagreeable, at this moment, they read the same determination and vigilance in each other’s eyes.
Their temporary truce seemed to extend itself under this invisible threat.
Both reincarnators had already decided that they must intervene in this investigation.
And as for Lu Li, who was familiar with the plot, he had made the same choice.
He looked up, his gaze clear, and spoke to the hopeful Zhou Ruolin in a solemn voice:
“Your Majesty, this is indeed a strange and grave matter. Since I have heard of it, I must do my utmost to investigate its cause.”
Zhou Ruolin, hearing this, showed immense relief and hurriedly cupped his hands.
“Hehe~ Many thanks, Immortal Master Lu! Since you are willing to act, I am at ease!”
But he immediately lowered his voice, his expression solemn as he added:
“However, Immortal Master, this matter must be handled secretly, I beg you to keep it confidential. You must understand how it concerns the nation’s dignity and the royal family’s reputation.”
“Thus, officially, I have never acknowledged the existence of such supernatural phenomena. Outwardly, it is declared as the result of overwork or coincidence. Therefore, even to your two disciples… for now, please do not share the details, so as to avoid too many people talking, unnecessary panic, or letting those with ill intentions exploit the situation.”
Lu Li understood immediately.
This Jin Emperor wanted the problem solved, but also to preserve the royal family’s honor and the nation’s stability, avoiding giving others leverage.
Lu Li nodded:
“Rest assured, Your Majesty, I naturally understand the delicacy of the matter.”
“I will conduct my investigation in secret, acting with caution.”
“…Excellent, excellent!”
Zhou Ruolin nodded repeatedly, the burden in his heart finally easing.
“If Immortal Master requires any assistance, just ask, and I will fully support your investigation.”
“Your Majesty need only provide some basic convenience. As for the specific work, I have my own plans.”
Lu Li cut Zhou Ruolin off—he did not want to be too deeply entangled with the royal family, and acting covertly would actually make his investigation easier.
“Very well! I leave everything in your capable hands, Immortal Master!”
Zhou Ruolin once again gave Lu Li a solemn bow.
Seeing that the task had been accepted, Lu Li did not linger.
He quickly stood up and bid farewell to the Jin Emperor Zhou Ruolin.
Seeing Lu Li depart, Zhou Ruolin personally escorted him to the door, displaying the utmost respect—after all, this time he truly needed Lu Li…