At this point, You Su finally dismissed many of the doubts in his heart.
"How did you know I encountered villains, Junior Sister?"
This is the reason why the Junior Sister knew that he had experienced the power of that piece of decaying flesh.
"It was Master who told me... including the previous stab Master gave you, it wasn't to kill you, but because she had long discovered another evil presence on your neck."
"Hmm, I figured as much." You Su nodded.
"Would you blame us, Senior Brother, for knowing you're in danger and not telling you or daring to help you?"
"I believe that you and Master have your reasons for doing so."
You Su always talked so gently to those close to him, looking at the monstrous Junior Sister, there wasn't a trace of strangeness in his eyes:
"Besides, one of you has helped me eliminate hidden dangers, and the other fed me a Spirit Pill. You've both helped me a great deal."
"Senior Brother, you are so kind." The Junior Sister's tone was gentle as if a young girl was bashfully nodding, "Actually, it's not that we don't want to help you, but we cannot."
"Cannot?"
"Master told me that consciousness cannot long exist elsewhere. It's like a wanderer that will spontaneously return to the main consciousness. The best way to delay their convergence is to prevent the split-off consciousness from intersecting with reality.
In other words, try to let the split-off consciousness also act as an independent entity, preferably differing from the reality self. Haven't you already sensed that Master and I are somewhat different from our real selves, Senior Brother?"
No wonder I always felt that the monstrous version of Junior Sister was less prideful and more candid compared to her real self. Though Master was always reticent, in dreams, she appeared even more aloof.
The Junior Sister and Master in the dreams were like incarnations of their real selves, inhabiting my dreams like an old man in a protagonist's ring.
After hearing this, You Su just felt that Master was indeed an extraordinary woman, able to counteract the evil power under such desperate circumstances and perform such an incredible act.
"But Junior Sister, won't explaining this to me now hasten your return?"
Return sounds like a warm word, but to the dream versions of Junior Sister and Master, it signified a cold disappearance, and to the real Junior Sister and Master, it was nothing short of a horrifying disaster.
"Since I've decided to be honest with you on this meeting, I won't regret it. Next, I might sleep for some time to seal my consciousness. Likewise, don't mention the evil power issue to the real us, since in their perspective, which is the main consciousness, you don't know they've been affected by evil. Realizing this would make them, and you, even more, distressed.
Letting the main consciousness sense its deficiency would accelerate our return. You must continue pretending to know nothing, as you have been doing. Only then can you delay the situation until you find a way to save us. But don't rush, focus on healing and getting stronger first."
Hearing this, You Su felt a heart-wrenching pain, knowing the suffering faced by the other, yet could only feign ignorance and watch coldly, while striving to find a way to save her, despite slim hope.
"I will." You Su's voice was heavy and firm.
The Junior Sister got up and said sadly: "Thinking about not seeing you for a while makes me very sad, Senior Brother. But I can't bear seeing you so confused, so I have no choice."
The candlelight flickered with the breeze, the shadow of the monster swayed, and atop this grotesque body, You Su couldn't see any evil or malice, only a warm, sensitive heart hidden beneath glistening flesh.
Can you cry in a dream?
You Su tasted the salty moisture on his lips and understood.
The Junior Sister, seeing You Su's eyes reddened, shuffled awkwardly in place. She wanted to reach out to wipe away his tears but dared not touch him with her current form, so she stayed frozen.
You Su wiped his arm and restored his resolute expression. He didn't fear her hand hovering mid-air and gently leaned into it.
The flesh arm, covered in tiny feelers, trembled slightly. Her hand was cold and sticky, yet You Su savored the moment without a hint of disgust.
He seized her hand without hesitation against the oozing sores and slippery fluids, and spoke in the most solemn tone:
"Junior Sister, believe me, I will save you all."
It was a vow the young man had made to himself many times before, and now he finally pledged it to her.
Before the candle and under the moon, he swore his eternal vow.
"I believe you."
The Junior Sister no longer resisted his touch, her spiral mouthparts twirled like a laughter mixed with tears.
Time seemed to pause at that moment, the candlelight leaned softly, and their shadows entwined closely together.
Eventually, the Junior Sister broke away first, taking a timid step back, then awkwardly raised her right hand, as she had forced herself to pick up the sword before, she was saying goodbye.
"Junior Sister..."
"Senior Brother, it's time for you to wake up."
Before he could protest, the colors in You Su's vision began to swirl until they blurred, and a strong sense of falling awakened him, returning him to the familiar chaos.
You Su pushed down the cover, sat up, and thought of going outside to breathe the cool air.
He suddenly noticed something amiss; before falling asleep, he was leaning on the bed, yet now he was lying down, the quilt nicely covered. Why?
Ji Lingruo's even breathing provided the answer.
She still couldn't stop worrying, secretly sneaking into You Su's room to watch over him through the night, but succumbed to exhaustion, falling asleep on the wooden table.
...
Leaves rustled in the forest, night fog embraced the bright moon, casting a serene, swaying glow.
A white-clad fairy stood on an ancient branch, her graceful silhouette long and elegant.
Her face seemed veiled by layers of fog-like gauze, making it hard to discern, reminiscent of distant solitary hills and vibrant autumn streams.
Her three-thousand strands of azure hair coiled into an elegant bun, adorned by a blue jade hairpin, unable to restrain its cascade over her shoulders. Her simple gown, akin to the purity of a lotus bloom, concealed jaw-dropping curves underneath.
She was not beautified by moonlight; it was the moonlight enhanced by her presence.
Elegance and nobility surrounded her, as if she were humanity's first snowfall, simply gazing at her felt incongruous, she belonged to a world shrouded in misty heavenly realms.
The fairy quietly gazed in one direction, holding a piece of jade glowing soft green, its warmth had faded, her delicate brows slightly knitted in thought.
The elegant and majestic sword at her waist began vibrating mysteriously, with increasing frequency.
She clasped it, inspecting it; the sword had no sheath.
All of a sudden, a thunderous roar erupted from the sword, shattering the tranquility:
"He Shutong, what the hell are you up to? Did you know my disciple almost died because of you?"