Nightmares.

The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step...

please I'll like to let y'all know that this chapter contains a heartbreaker. Good luck!

"So... Are you both married?" Xiao Yuer couldn't think of any other question to start a conversation. He twirled his chopstick in his hand, then resumed eating but his attention was fixed on the two individuals before him, who seemed at a loss for words.

If those women he had insulted ever found out about this question, he would surely face their wrath. He couldn't deny that he was somewhat of a gossip like them, but he was just curious!

"Cheap hypocrite..." Long Haoyu hissed mockingly, taking a sip of his tea. "I wonder what sets you apart from those women you drove away. Besides, why does it bother you?"

That was all Long Haoyu said before Princess Fei Fei chimed in with a nod. "Yes, why do you ask?"

Both of them turned their gaze to Xiao Yuer, who suddenly burst into laughter. Confusion etched their faces as they wondered what was so amusing to the man sitting with them, laughing uncontrollably.

Though his laughter wasn't loud, it was still an insult to them!

"Mr. Long Haoyu, Princess Fei Fei, are you both really this dull?" Xiao Yuer began, causing both individuals to freeze. " I tried bringing up a conversation to talk about, but I think I'm just wasting my strength. I'm sitting together with two... boring... lovebirds. Really unfortunate. "

Princess Fei Fei who could see, wondered who this nobody was to speak to them in such a manner. And what gave him the audacity to publicly insult her and Long Haoyu. But she was too shocked to respond.

Long Haoyu took another sip of his tea, his nonchalant expression returning as he listened to Xiao Yuer's chatter. Strangely enough, Sheng Long Haoyu, who would coldly murder or mercilessly injure anyone who dared made fun of him, didn't feel a hint of annoyance in what he heard. Instead, he felt amused and bored at the same time. A mix of emotions that surprised him.

Xiao Yuer continued, "If I ever have a partner, I'll make sure we have a lot of fun throughout our lives. Not being dull and moody like you both. I think I should leave."

Abruptly standing up, Xiao Yuer called the waiter and asked for the bill for his meal, while Princess Fei Fei watched him with a sour expression.

Though the stranger's words were hurtful, she couldn't help but admit that he was right!

What was her so-called relationship with Long Haoyu after he had saved her from a blood-sucking demon months ago?

Was it just escorting him around, like a fly on dung? Or was it simply admiring how powerful and handsome he was? What really was it when there was no romance involved?

As Princess Fei Fei pondered these questions, she didn't realize when a question slipped from her lips.

"What kind of fun would you have with your lover... Mr...?"

Her words hung in the air, like a cloud of uncertainty, directed to no one in particular. But when her gaze settled on Xiao Yuer, the waiter who had come to collect payment, paused, patiently awaiting her customer's reply.

Long Haoyu, though focused on his tea, was attentive. His eyelashes fluttered as he blinked gently. A smirk forming on his lips as he anticipated an answer from someone he couldn't see.

Xiao Yuer snorted a smile and raised his chin, taking a moment to think before responding casually. "We would sing when the sun rises, and the tides fall. The autumn leaves dancing to our tune."

As soon as Xiao Yuer answered, Long Haoyu's eyes widened and he twitched. A glint of surprise flickered in his black pupils, and he unintentionally cracked his cup with his grip.

Could it be him?

No, it couldn't be him.

Those words... they were the exact ones his unforgotten friend told him years ago...

Was that why the stranger's voice felt familiar, yet quite vague?

No, it couldn't be him since I can't see.

Damn me for using one of my spiritual Siwang Blades. Now my sense of sight is unavailable!

A wave of emotions washed over Long Haoyu, leaving him unable to settle on one. He really hadn't felt this way for years, except eternal darkness, pain, sorrow and grief. All hunting his memories. His childhood happiness and bliss had all been devoured on his conquest to become powerful.

And Who was this strange unknown man who stirred all this to him?

"Ridiculous!" Princess Fei Fei laughed, rolling her eyes in disdain. "Is that romantic or childish?"

"Whatever you see it as... Princess. At least I'm not that boring," Xiao Yuer retorted, handing the waiter a sum of money before bidding farewell and leaving. At that particular moment he left, Long Haoyu had planned to ask Xiao Yuer about a few things, but was disappointed when he found out that the unknown individual had gone.

He finished his tea then dropped the cup which shattered into tiny pieces as it came in contact with the table. Long Haoyu sighed, not surprised by the outcome.

"...?"

Princess Fei Fei glanced at him. "Did you just break an expensive...Daobao Cup??"

=========================

Xiao Yuer continued his journey amidst the the town of Wuzhen. He paced anywhere his legs could take him to, despite how bustling and shuffling the town was. His silver eyes peeking around in search for something he wasn't sure about

"Beautiful come and buy my dazzling ornaments..."

"Mr. Silver, I have more graceful outfits in your color. Come and try them out..."

"Sir, the cultivation world needs orbs to improve your spiritual lantern. The source of every ability you could have. Why not try my Dai orb out..."

The vendors' voices beckoned to him, their words aiming to attract customers. But Xiao Yuer, lost in his own thoughts, ignored their calls.

As he walked, The brittleness of the sun had reduced as it was covered in clouds at the moment. A gentle breeze caressed his hair, as if whispering secrets in his ear.

With each step Xiao Yuer took, the market grew less crowded, not until Xiao Yuer found a commotion before him. People sighed wearily, others spoke in hushed tones, and some simply stared with a mix of pity and curiosity.

Intrigued, Xiao Yuer pushed his way through the crowd, disregarding the disapproving looks and shouts of protest on those he roughly passed.

Finally, as he reached the center of the commotion, his eyes fell upon the lifeless body of a young boy. The boy's skin was as pale as snow, his lips, open eyes and other features strangely pale. Like he was blood drained. Xiao Yuer's heart ached at the sight, and he couldn't help but approach, to decipher if the child was really dead.

"Don't touch him... He's cursed! The gods have finally decided to deal with this pickpocket!" shouted a man, trying to keep Xiao Yuer from approaching the boy.

Fueled by anger Xiao Yuer retorted, "Would you shut up, you coward, and go home!" He approached and knelt beside the pale boy. His hand reaching out to check for any sign of life.

Unfortunately... The boy was... Dead.

Xiao Yuer's eyes filled with tears, hot streams cascading down his cheeks. What evil being could've done this to this boy? He questioned, his lids which parted, now moist in tears.

Suddenly...

Something caught Xiao Yuer's attention.

The boy's temple was throbbing, a faint sign of life amidst the stillness of death.

Was he truly dead?

With trembling hands, Xiao Yuer leaned closer, a beautiful delicate smell wafted into his nostrils, sending him unconscious for minutes, that Xiao Yuer began to hear faint whispers.

Next, When Xiao Yuer opened his eyes, he found himself atop a towering pagoda. The ground far below was consumed by raging water bodies harbouring something that shocked Xiao Yuer.

Spiders... Xiao yuer's worst fear...

The raging high water bodies beneath him occupied lots and lots of large spiders. All looking up and awaiting another unfortunate individual to plummet in the water bodies, while they pitter-pattered around.

Crack!

The sound echoed nearby, drawing Xiao Yuer's gaze to his side, who realized that he wasn't the only one around standing on top a pagoda. Surrounding him were other towering pagodas, each occupied by a solitary figure. Some pagodas were taller, others shorter, but none were the same size.

Crack!

One pagoda, situated at a distance, housed a woman whose face potrayed a sense of hopelessness. Her pagoda was quite higher than that of Xiao yuer's but it was already to weak to withstand the raging madness of the water bodies that surrounded everywhere.

Crack!

Minutes ticked by, and Xiao Yuer watched helplessly as more cracks like spiderwebs appear on the woman's pagoda. Tears streamed down her face, while moisting her cheeks.

( ✷⁠‿⁠✷⁠)(⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)