Chapter 7

The moment Helan Xi stepped into the tomb, a dazzling, blinding light suddenly shone down from above. He instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes and squinted, peering through the gaps between his fingers. To his surprise, he saw a vast blue sky.

Had they emerged from underground?

It couldn’t be. They had just entered the tomb of Immortal Lord Fuxu, so how could they suddenly appear in such a paradise?

But no matter how he sensed it—whether it was the feeling underfoot, the earthy smell in the air, or the occasional melodic birdcalls from afar—everything felt so real.

For a moment, Helan Xi had the strange sensation that he and Song Xuanji had never been to the desert, and that everything that had happened in the past few days had merely been a figment of his imagination. This place, however, felt like the true reality.

Fortunately, Song Xuanji’s voice pulled him back from his daze in time: “The technique of life as a dream.”

Here is the revised translation with “Zhu Rushuang” changed to “Zhu Ruo Shuang”:

The “Floating Life Like a Dream” technique, recorded in the Taihua Sect’s “Techniques · Fifteen [Final],” is a technique that comes very close to [Creation]. The illusion created by this technique can almost be considered another real existing world. Every flower, tree, grass, and wood sways between reality and illusion, with truth and falsehood intertwined, creating a blend of the real and the unreal.

Helan Xi had just finished learning “Techniques · Three,” and with his current ability, escaping from the “Floating Life Like a Dream” technique set by Immortal Floating Sequence would be as difficult as Changsun Ce taking the top spot in the entire sect. Yet, he was not worried at all.

As Song Xuanji had said, Zhu Ruo Shuang had once been here and successfully left, which proved that this illusion was not unbreakable. To be frank, his end-of-year assessment scores were higher than Zhu Ruo Shuang’s.

Helan Xi looked at the dirt steps and wooden house in front of him and suggested, “I’ll go in to check, and you search around for clues to break the illusion?”

Song Xuanji responded, “Mm.”

The wooden house was kept very tidy, but there was dust everywhere, and the water bucket by the well had cracked due to the drought. Weeds grew in the corners, clearly indicating that it had been a long time since anyone had lived here.

Inside, all the daily necessities were present. There were two sets of utensils in the kitchen, and common farming tools stood near the rough walls.

Moving deeper, the only bedroom contained two small beds. Helan Xi opened the simple wardrobe and found two distinct styles of clothing: the larger ones were almost entirely white, while the smaller ones were mostly dark, with a slight red tint to the black.

Helan Xi remembered that Zhu Ruo Shuang was slightly taller than Lin Dan, so the people who had lived here before were likely the two of them.

For some reason, seeing the traces left by Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan living together made Helan Xi feel inexplicably sad.

He noticed an exceptionally striking bright red at the bottom of the clothes and was about to investigate further when he heard Song Xuanji’s voice transmission: “Come here.”

Helan Xi exited the wooden house and followed the sound.

Not far from the house was a bamboo forest, green and towering, with bamboo leaves rustling. Sunlight streamed down, casting mottled shadows on Song Xuanji’s white clothes. The boy’s calm beauty seemed to flow under the moonlight at this moment.

Song Xuanji stood in front of a bamboo stalk, slightly raising his head to look upward. Helan Xi joined him and followed his gaze, where he unexpectedly saw something he had just disdainfully thought of—a symbol of the Unfeeling Dao Academy, a “閇” character carved in seal script.

The symbol of Tai Shan Dao Academy was designed by Immortal Floating Sequence, and their symbol had naturally been designed by the first headmaster of the Unfeeling Dao Academy.

It was rumored that when Taihua Sect was first founded, each headmaster had to establish a Dao code and a symbol for their academy. Soon, the other headmasters completed their tasks, but the headmaster of the Unfeeling Dao Academy was slow to give an answer.

To maintain harmony within Taihua Sect, the headmasters urged the Unfeeling Dao Academy’s headmaster to hurry up and finalize their Dao code and symbol: though their academy rarely recruited disciples, it still had to follow the rules, otherwise, it would seem out of place compared to the rest of us.

After a series of persuasion, the headmaster of the Unfeeling Dao Academy was finally annoyed and casually picked up a sword, carving a character to satisfy his colleagues.

閇, meaning “close,” symbolizing the idea of “close your ears, close your eyes, close your heart,” in alignment with the Unfeeling Dao’s concept of severing the seven emotions and six desires. Of course, this “閇” also had a deeper meaning—”shut your mouths.”

The Unfeeling Dao Academy’s emblem on the bamboo once again confirmed that Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan had lived here before. But why did Zhu Ruo Shuang carve the emblem high up on the bamboo? It was so inconspicuous that if it weren’t for Song Xuanji’s sharp attention to detail, it might have gone unnoticed.

Did Zhu Ruo Shuang carve the emblem when the bamboo wasn’t this tall?

Helan Xi remembered that the growth process of this type of bamboo was particularly interesting. The first two years grew very slowly, just extending downward to spread the roots. From the third year onward, it grew rapidly, reaching incredible heights in just a few months, surpassing the combined height of all the people in the Unfeeling Dao Academy.

Song Xuanji calmly stated the facts: “Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan lived here together for three years.”

Helan Xi also thought of this point, but unlike Song Xuanji, who was calm, Helan Xi took a deep breath when Song Xuanji wasn’t looking, trying to suppress his shock.

Zhu Ruo Shuang actually spent three years breaking the illusion of Floating Life Like a Dream? Could it be that he had to stay alone with Song Xuanji for three years before he could leave?!

No, no. Don’t even mention three years—three months would drive him crazy. He might even threaten with his life, demanding that Song Xuanji talk to him at least three times a day. But Song Xuanji wouldn’t pay him any attention and might think he was going crazy and knock him out with a sword.

A huge wave of despair surged in his heart. Helan Xi, both wanting to cry and to throw a tantrum, carefully reflected on why Zhu Ruo Shuang had said things like “My Dao heart is destroyed.”

If it had only been a few days of interaction, Zhu Ruo Shuang might not have developed feelings for Lin Dan. But three years? Over a thousand days and nights, living together in an isolated, dreamlike world, it was understandable for feelings to grow.

It should be noted that Zhu Ruo Shuang had only been in the Unfeeling Dao Academy for a year. Thinking back, if Zhu Ruo Shuang was truly someone devoid of feelings, why would he risk his life to help his ailing relative?

Song Xuanji asked, “Have you noticed anything?”

Helan Xi, immersed in despair, answered with a painful “Mm”: “Follow me.”

The two returned to the wooden house. Helan Xi led Song Xuanji to the bedroom and went straight to the wardrobe that had not been closed earlier. He pulled out the red fabric at the bottom.

It was two identical red wedding dresses, differing only in size, with a red veil embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water.

Song Xuanji paused, waved his sleeve, and a dusty wooden box slid out from beneath the bed. The box opened automatically, revealing two half-burnt red candles, several neatly written “囍” characters, and a pair of uniquely shaped wedding cups.

Zhu Ruo Shuang had indeed married Lin Dan in the illusion. Their wedding in the real Lin family was just a formality; they had already been husband and wife.

Song Xuanji took one of the half-burnt red candles and, examining the solidified wax, deduced: “These candles were used not long ago. Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan must have left this place shortly after lighting them.”

Once the participants leave, time in the illusion freezes. In other words, once Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan marry, they will exit the illusion.

Could it be that marriage is the key to breaking the “Floating Life as a Dream” technique? But how could Fuxu Xianjun have gone to such lengths to set up an illusion just to see two men get married? Fuxu Xianjun isn’t the head of the Hehuan Dao Academy; he shouldn’t have such a strange sense of humor.

There must be something else going on here, something he can’t figure out yet. The only solution now is to recreate the scene and see what happens.

As this thought crossed his mind, Helan Xi couldn’t help but glance at Song Xuanji, suddenly having a strange thought.

Since the first time he met Song Xuanji last year, Song Xuanji had always appeared in white robes. Setting aside Song Xuanji’s cold and indifferent demeanor, he was, in fact, a stunning beauty, extraordinary in both talent and looks. Such a beautiful person wearing only one color throughout his life seemed a bit of a waste.

Helan Xi silently formulated his words, and after much thought, he simply asked, “Wear?”

Song Xuanji nodded, “Wear.”

Ah? Song Xuanji agreed so easily? Helan Xi hesitated a moment and then asked, “Do you know what I mean?”

Song Xuanji looked at him, “What do you think?”

Helan Xi calmly paused, then realized that as someone from the Wu Qing Dao, who was supposed to be indifferent to emotions, Song Xuanji wouldn’t be embarrassed. Since Song Xuanji wasn’t embarrassed, neither would he be. Coincidentally, he liked the color red, which is why he had once envied the disciples of the Hehuan Dao.

Song Xuanji approached the two wedding robes and naturally picked up the larger one, leaving the smaller one and the red veil for Helan Xi.

Perhaps it was because they had been traveling together for several days, but despite Song Xuanji not saying a word, Helan Xi instinctively understood what he meant, and immediately froze.

Helan Xi: “…Hmm?”

Song Xuanji: “I’m taller than you.”

Helan Xi looked at Song Xuanji’s matter-of-fact expression, refusing to accept the reasoning.

Song Xuanji thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll help you finish your Jiuzhou History homework.”

Helan Xi was tempted, but refused to yield, his expression still quite proud. “I’ll tutor you in Dan Medicine.”

“I don’t mind getting a second-class grade in Dan Medicine,” Song Xuanji replied casually, offering a reason that couldn’t be refuted. “But it seems you care about your grades.”

“…” Helan Xi never expected that Song Xuanji would be so unambitious in Dan Medicine.

Helan Xi and Song Xuanji were not the same. Though Helan Xi didn’t excel in Jiuzhou History, he hadn’t given up on trying. As long as he had the chance, he still hoped to improve in subjects he wasn’t good at.

It was like how he didn’t want to practice Wu Qing Dao, but since he had started, he might as well become a grand master, bearing the responsibility of protecting the people and gaining fame and wealth in the process.

If he wanted to succeed, first, his Jiuzhou History had to be sorted out.

So, with an expressionless face, Helan Xi picked up the smaller wedding robe.

Perhaps due to the limited conditions in the illusion, the two wedding robes weren’t made with much care. The fabric felt rough, the tailoring was crude, and there were no embroidered wedding patterns, just pure red, far less luxurious than the extravagant uniforms of Hehuan Dao disciples.

As Helan Xi changed into the robe, he guessed that maybe Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan had made these wedding robes themselves.

After putting on the clothes, Helan Xi took the red veil and walked out of the room. In the hall, Song Xuanji had already applied the character “喜” (happiness), lit the red candles, and, hearing Helan Xi’s footsteps, turned to look at him.

Helan Xi was caught off guard when he made eye contact with Song Xuanji, feeling as though a cold flame had entered his sight—brilliant yet without warmth, like a beautiful jade calmly resting in a blaze.

The golden hairpins unique to the Song family of Suzhou, which had not yet been removed, hung on Song Xuanji’s hair. The light golden tassels fluttered on either side of his face, flowing with the wind, complementing the bright red wedding robe he wore, an elegant and stunning combination.

The quality of the wedding robe didn’t matter; what mattered was the face of the person wearing it. With someone as handsome as Song Xuanji, even if he wore a burlap sack, it would still look good.

The two of them stood together, looking at each other for a moment, before neither spoke. Helan Xi thought for a moment that the silent competition to see who could speak less was about to begin, but Song Xuanji broke the silence by looking away and saying, “The veil, put it on yourself.”

The two young men in red stood together, the red candles burning high, their light flickering.

Helan Xi waited for a long time but didn’t see Song Xuanji move, unable to resist asking, “Do you know how to get married?”

Song Xuanji replied, “I do.”

Anyone who has attended weddings often knows that a wedding is just offering respects to Heaven and Earth, then to the elders, followed by the couple bowing to each other. Helan Xi had seen this many times, even if he hadn’t participated in one himself. He couldn’t see Song Xuanji’s actions under the veil, but he heard the soft clinking sound of the gold tassels.

Helan Xi quickly bent down, and together with Song Xuanji, they offered their respects to Heaven and Earth, then to the absent elders, and finally, they both turned, facing each other and bowed.

After the three bows, Helan Xi immediately lifted his veil, vigilantly looking around.

The sky had darkened, the sounds of insects and birds filled the air, and the wooden house remained unchanged—nothing unusual.

It seemed that marriage was not the necessary condition for breaking the illusion.

Helan Xi tried to set the veil aside, but the poor craftsmanship caused the thread to catch on his hairpin, and for a moment, it seemed impossible to remove without pulling hard, which was too foolish.

He had no choice but to give up on struggling with the red veil for now, leaving it on his head and calmly analyzing, “Before Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan left, did they have their wedding night?”

Could it be that Zhu Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan not only became married in name but also in deed in the illusion?!

Zhu Ruo Shuang, what… What are you playing at?

Song Xuanji replied, “I don’t know, but I won’t.”

Helan Xi, lost in thought, didn’t react right away, “Won’t?”

Song Xuanji replied, “The wedding night.”

Helan Xi: “…Mm.”

Helan Xi remained silent, turning his back, and with Song Xuanji out of sight, he curled the corners of his lips into a smile and chuckled quietly to himself.

Now, he could be certain of at least two things that the exceptionally talented Song Xuanji couldn’t do: one was Pharmacology of Elixirs, and the other was the art of bedding.