"A spell related to dreaming?" Lu Yang rarely came into contact with such arts. Dream-entering spells were rather niche, and as far as he knew, only a handful of people in the Dao Seeking Sect had studied them, with the Grand Elder being the most proficient.
Suddenly, Lu Yang's expression turned odd. He vaguely recalled that back when he had first begun cultivating, he had met a mysterious figure in a dream. That mysterious figure had called herself the Tofu Heavenly Venerable and claimed that one would grow stronger just by eating tofu...
Back then, he had been young and ignorant, thinking it was merely a nightmare.
Looking back now, could it have been Eldest Senior Sister's doing?
"If you have no understanding of dream-entering spells, it's very easy to fall victim to them. But with this immortal around, I guarantee you won't fall under the control of any dream spell!" The Immortal Fairy spent her days in the spiritual space either watching the drama unfold or sleeping soundly, which showed just how deeply she had researched the subject.
"Dream-entering can control people?"
"Naturally it can. You should have some personal experience with this—when you sleep and dream, your memory of the dream fades after you wake up, eventually leaving only a vague impression, right?"
Lu Yang nodded. That was indeed how it went.
"Then what if someone used a spell to dictate the contents of your dreams, and did so over an extended period? Wouldn't you be subtly influenced and changed over time?"
Realization dawned upon Lu Yang, and he remembered something.
A long time ago, a chamber of commerce had cast a large-scale dream-entering spell to advertise their business and sell merchandise, which led to their products selling exceptionally well.
Later, when the truth came to light, Great Xia fined the chamber of commerce almost to bankruptcy and enacted advertising laws to put an end to such practices.
"Fairy, are you saying that Miss Zhong's situation is just like that?"
"Correct."
Having received guidance from the immortal, Lu Yang immediately shifted his consciousness back outside.
At this moment, Shi Chan and Meng Jingzhou were still discussing what kind of spell was affecting Zhong Qinger when they saw Lu Yang confidently deliver the answer he had just received, earning great praise from Shi Chan.
"As expected of Senior Brother Lu! Benefactor Zhong Qinger must have been struck by this very spell!"
Meng Jingzhou eyed Lu Yang suspiciously from the corner of his eye. As if he didn't know Lu Yang's true capabilities—an answer this professional had clearly come from the immortal clearing his doubts.
Shi Chan turned to ask Zhong Qinger, who was still sipping porridge and eating pickled vegetables.
"Female Benefactor, did you truly fall in love with Kang Wei the very first time you met him? Did you never see him anywhere else, such as in a dream?"
The three of them had not hidden their discussion, so Zhong Qinger had heard everything while having her porridge. Asked this by Shi Chan, she furrowed her brows slightly, sounding somewhat uncertain: "I don't remember clearly. I really did feel as if I'd seen him somewhere, but thinking carefully, I certainly hadn't.
"A week ago, the moment I saw Brother Kang on the street, I felt as if we had known each other for a long time, that we were fated lovers."
Zhong Qinger had not fallen blindly in love with Kang Wei; if he truly was pulling strings behind the scenes, she would definitely demand an explanation.
Shi Chan held up two fingers. "There are two possibilities.
"Either the Nine Nether Cult is right, and reincarnation truly exists in this world, meaning you and Benefactor Kang share affinity from a past life.
"Or you were struck by a dream-entering spell."
Lu Yang thought to himself that reincarnation did indeed exist, but only for Li Haoran alone.
"The second possibility is the most likely."
Listening from the side the entire time, Zhong Ming flew into a rage, slapping his thigh forcefully. "I knew that Kang kid wasn't right!"
With that, he moved to grab an iron shovel, ready to charge out and seize Kang Wei.
Shi Chan stopped him. "Calm yourself, Benefactor. Kang Wei's actions have already violated the law, but in all matters, one must possess solid evidence to proceed safely.
"How about this: the three of us will also enter the dream tonight. Finding evidence within the dreamscape is the most secure method."
Hearing Shi Chan say this, Zhong Ming calmed down.
Indeed, this was the best course of action.
Hearing Shi Chan's suggestion, Lu Yang asked, "You know dream-entering techniques?"
"I have studied them a little.
"In the past, when this humble monk traveled to subdue demons and monsters, a female demon fancied my good looks and sought to control me in my dreams. Fortunately, in the dream, this humble monk happened to be reciting scriptures in the Mahavira Hall, and the Buddha statue in the hall manifested its spiritual power, subduing the female demon.
"Worried that something similar might occur again, this humble monk learned dream-entering spells.
"If Benefactor Kang casts the Dream Illusion Technique again tonight, this humble monk will pull both Senior Brothers into the dream alongside me."
"Sounds good."
"Benefactor Zhong Ming, please bring three sets of bedding so that the three of us brothers may sleep."
Zhong Ming immediately summoned the servants to sweep the boudoir floor clean and fetch three sets of fine bedding from the wing room.
"It is quite shameful to admit. Legend has it that the founder of Buddhism could fall asleep anytime and anywhere, truly reaching the realm of 'Heaven, Earth, and I coexist.' This humble monk has yet to attain such a level; if I wish to sleep, I must lie on a bed."
Lu Yang secretly glanced at the Immortal Fairy, who was fast asleep on the lotus platform in an exceedingly ungraceful posture.
Back in the Demon Domain, the Fairy had often slept in trees; she truly could sleep anytime and anywhere.
Entering the dream had to be done at night. Otherwise, if only the three of them went in while Kang Wei had yet to enter, it would all be in vain.
Waiting around was rather dull, so the three of them began chatting with Zhong Qinger.
Seeing that Shi Chan was dignified and handsome, with an exceptionally fine appearance befitting a beautiful youth despite being a monk, Zhong Qinger found him far more handsome than Brother Kang.
Noticing her gaze, Shi Chan advised, "Female Benefactor, this humble monk has renounced the secular world. If you harbor any peculiar thoughts toward me, please sever them, lest you develop a knot in your heart."
Meng Jingzhou found Shi Chan irritating no matter how he looked at him, and right now he wanted nothing more than to force-feed him twenty drops of his aphrodisiac blood.
As night fell, Zhong Qinger grew drowsy as they talked, and before long, she drifted off to sleep.
"Has the other party cast the spell yet?" Meng Jingzhou asked, eager to try. He had never actively entered a dream before.
"Wait a little longer."
After about a quarter of an hour, Shi Chan suddenly said, "Here it comes!
"Senior Brothers, prepare to enter the dream!"
Meng Jingzhou immediately lay down, slipped under the comfortable blanket, and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, his expression changed. "Oh no!"
"What's wrong?"
"I'm too excited—I can't sleep!"
"..."
Fortunately, Lu Yang was quick on his feet. Crawling out from under his blanket, he stretched his limbs. "No problem. One punch from me and you'll be out cold. Relax, or it won't work as well."
"Holy crap, wait a second! Are you fucking serious—"
A massive fist expanded in Meng Jingzhou's pupils, followed by a thud, and he lost consciousness.
Quite pleased with his handiwork, Lu Yang settled down and peacefully drifted to sleep.
Shi Chan fell asleep as well.
Forming hand seals in his dream, he executed the dream-entering spell, drawing himself along with the two sleeping men beside him into Zhong Qinger's dream.
"This is the dreamscape? What a novel feeling." It was Meng Jingzhou's first time entering a dream with his awareness intact, and everything felt hazy and ethereal.
Lu Yang also found it quite fascinating. They were standing in a peach blossom grove, the petals swirling down like pink snow.
"There is the female benefactor," Shi Chan said, pointing toward a small pavilion not far away. The pavilion was the best vantage point in the entire peach grove, offering a view of the blossoms without the annoyance of getting petals all over one's head.
"Don't make a sound. Let's sneak over and take a look first."
The three tiptoed closer to the pavilion.
Inside, Zhong Qinger was dressed boldly, looking far more alluring than she had in her boudoir.
She was holding the hand of an illusionary Shi Chan conjured from her dream, gazing at him with deep affection.
This imaginary Shi Chan possessed a full head of hair, making him look even more handsome.
"Shi Chan, shall we be together?"
"Yes."
Not far away, a man came stumbling over, staring at the scene in disbelief.
"Qing'er, who... who is he?"
Zhong Qinger looked at the man and said flatly, "Kang Wei, let's break up."
Meng Jingzhou: "..."
He turned his head to stare at the real Shi Chan.
*Does this kid have a Succubus Immortal Physique or something?*
Chapter 659