Among the people present, only Long Yunqing had a smile on his face, appearing somewhat excited. He couldn't help but praise, "Miss Su is incredibly beautiful. Wearing this amethyst gown, she looks like a fairy descending to earth, breathtakingly beautiful."
The others present had also regained their senses and began whispering and occasionally glancing at Su Zimo.
"Master Miao has praised her."
Su Zimo sat in the chair next to Shuixing, took a sip of the prepared tea, and began speaking, "Since everyone is here, I'll be direct. Regarding what Lord Long said last night, I have considered it. I also obtained the Xuanqi Xue Lian by a fortunate coincidence. As for killing the Demon Nightmare Beasts, you can detect my cultivation level. It's impossible for me to kill them."
Su Zimo was not in the mood to eat right now! And looking at the table filled with dishes, no, more like huge pieces of meat resembling half a lamb, with each person having half of it in front of them, along with several plates of similar meat-like food, such as liver, she couldn't recognize any of the dishes. It was all meat, and she couldn't even name them. It made it impossible for her to take a bite.
The appetite of the Demon Beasts was naturally large, so she didn't find it strange.
But looking at the large pieces of meat in front of her, just as big as theirs, Su Zimo was dumbfounded. She couldn't finish all this meat even if she ate for ten days.
Long Fu raised his gaze and looked at Su Zimo, who was right in front of him.
He noticed that this woman was already calm, completely devoid of the restraint and fear of being in a strange place. A beautiful smile gently curved on her lips, and there was a touch of vitality in her eyes, radiating confidence mixed with a hint of boldness and unruliness.
Long Fu's mouth curled up into a brilliant smile as he said, "Miss, rest assured. As long as you have the Illusory Xuan Ice Lian in your hands, killing the Demon Nightmare Beasts won't endanger your life. Miss, please be at ease. After finishing breakfast, I will take you to the Holy Pool. Only by merging with the Holy Pool can you kill the Demon Nightmare Beasts. Moreover, entering the Holy Pool will be a rebirth and baptism for you, which will be a hundred benefits without any harm for you."
"As long as it doesn't endanger my life and can help the continent of Demon Beasts, I am happy to cooperate. Currently, I have lost contact with my family and I just want to finish the task and return quickly to avoid worrying them."
Su Zimo's intentions were clear; she didn't want to waste time in the Dan Pavilion.
Long Fu also understood Su Zimo's meaning.
"Miss, you should still eat something! Today's breakfast was specially prepared for you."
Long Fu smiled lightly, appearing calm.
Although Su Zimo's face showed no ripples, her heart had long been restless, yearning to return.
During the serious atmosphere of breakfast, Su Zimo hardly ate a few bites. The Demon Beasts were enjoying their meal and almost finished eating, while she felt nauseous. The meat was sticky and although it was tender, she couldn't get used to it. She put down her chopsticks after only a few bites and it looked as if she hadn't touched them at all.
"Is it not to your taste, Miss?"
Long Yunqing frowned and asked Su Zimo.
Su Zimo felt a bit embarrassed on her face and answered with a faint smile, "No, I'm already full."
"Your human appetites are so small. Your meal is only enough for us to take a bite, no wonder you look so weak and fragile."
Long Yunlan sarcastically remarked, but Su Zimo ignored her. She looked at Long Yunlan, who had oil smeared all over her mouth, lacking any elegance. Su Zimo couldn't help but sigh; this was the difference between humans and animals, even in human form, they were still like this.
When Su Zimo was getting impatient, Long Fu and his family finally put down their chopsticks.
"It seems that Miss can't wait any longer."
Long Fu looked at Su Zimo with an amused expression.
Su Zimo had a look on her face as if to say, "You're asking the obvious."
She had been impatient for a long time, watching them eat made her anxious.
"Then let's get ready to depart!"
Long Fu gave the order, and Su Zimo stood up abruptly. It was about time, according to her estimation of the time, it was already almost noon in the human world. Li'er and Qi'er must be very worried about her.
After leaving the cave, Su Zimo looked up and saw that the earth was clearer than last night, but still hazy, with only the general outlines visible.
In the dim world, the mountains here were black and imposing, and the wilderness was gloomy.
"There is no distinction between day and night here?"
"There used to be a distinction a hundred years ago," Long Fu answered with a heavy tone.
While Su Zimo was pondering, Long Fu and Long Yunqing beside her began to transform, and one by one, large black shadows suddenly appeared around Su Zimo.
Su Zimo swallowed a mouthful of saliva, the visual impact was too powerful. What kind of demonic beasts did they belong to?
"Miss Su, come on Yunqing's back! Yunqing will take Miss Su to the Holy Pool," Long Fu said.
Su Zimo didn't hesitate and swiftly climbed onto Yunqing's back.
Before long, a group of demonic beasts carried her to a peak. Here, the view was surprisingly clear, resembling daylight, but it was limited to this specific peak.
The peak gave a surreal feeling, with waterfalls of various sizes appearing both real and illusory. The short bushes resembled peculiar peaks, creating an enchanting and indescribably beautiful scene.
Most importantly, amidst the waterfalls, there was a pool with sky-blue water.
"Miss, this is the Holy Pool, a place where no evil energy can penetrate. That's why it has maintained its original appearance," explained Long Fu, his face showing a hint of gravity and anticipation when his gaze fell upon Su Zimo's face.
"What should I do?" Su Zimo asked, taking a deep breath. She had to face what needed to be faced and wouldn't allow herself to retreat.
Water Apricot stepped forward and explained, "Miss, for a hundred years, no humans have ventured into the demonic beast continent, and the Nightmare Demon Beast has relaxed its vigilance. The darkness here is a result of the Nightmare Demon Beast, which belongs to the dark cultivation category. During its slumber, it covered the entire demonic beast continent with its dark nightmares. So, to kill the Nightmare Demon Beast, one must enter its dream realm."
"Enter its dream realm? How?" Su Zimo couldn't believe it. How could she enter someone else's dream?
"Don't worry, Miss. The reason we brought you to the Holy Pool is because it allows you to enter the Nightmare Demon Beast's dream realm. However, you must remember that once you enter the nightmare realm, what you see will be a mixture of truth and illusion. There will also be things related to you. You must distinguish between the true nightmares and the illusions. The Xuan Bingxue Lian in your hand will help guide you and eliminate all evil things that try to harm you."
Su Zimo summoned the Xuan Bingxue Lian, which hovered by her side.
Long Yunlan's eyes turned sinister, with a hint of greed. How could these despicable humans possess such a noble and sacred treasure? Since they were going into the Nightmare Demon Beast's dream, if Su Zimo could permanently trap the Nightmare Demon Beast in its own dream, the Xuan Bingxue Lian would become hers.
After calmly listening to the explanations, Su Zimo had no other choice. Retreating meant death, and advancing also meant death. Going in gave her a glimmer of hope, so she had to give it a try.
"Then I'll go." Su Zimo glanced at each of them, feeling a strange sensation in her heart, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.
Su Zimo dived into the Holy Pool.
Long Fu and Water Apricot exchanged a knowing glance, their eyes filled with an eerie smile. However, Long Yunqing's eyes flashed with worry as he stared intently at the exit of the Holy Pool.
As the water threatened to submerge her body, Su Zimo suddenly felt her body sinking. Her purple crystal jade clothes suddenly retracted, emitting a faint purple light. Surprisingly, she could breathe freely in the deep blue water.
This puzzled Su Zimo. Could it be related to her clothes?
However, the pleasant moment didn't last long. Su Zimo felt waves of drowsiness overwhelming her. She tried to resist, but heavy eyelids defeated her, and the moment she closed her eyes...
She found herself in an exquisite, noble, and elegant cave. It wasn't as grand as Long Fu's, but it still had decorations of lush vines, exotic flowers, and dazzling crystals.
Su Zimo walked forward cautiously, her heart filled with unease. Step by step, she proceeded with utmost care.
Suddenly, she saw a woman in a purple dress sitting on a pink bed. The woman's face was not visible, only a delicate and alluring back. With slender fingers, she lightly traced the handsome features of a man lying on the bed.
The man was extraordinarily handsome, but he seemed intoxicated, completely unconscious. His face had a slightly flushed complexion, and his ink-like long hair appeared somewhat disheveled, yet there was no trace of untidiness. His perfect facial contours seemed like a masterpiece sculpted by a divine hand. A straight and noble nose outlined a three-dimensional and profound countenance, while his narrow eyes reflected shallow shadows in the orange candlelight. His thin lips exuded an enchanting charm, tempting one to lower their head and cover his lips with their own.
As Su Zimo entertained such thoughts, the woman on the bed did the same. To Su Zimo's eyes, such an action was daring for a woman in ancient times. The woman became even more infatuated with the kiss, showing no signs of stopping. Her face portrayed an expression of enjoyment and intoxication, causing Su Zimo's face to blush, and her heart to race.
Su Zimo felt a sense of embarrassment creeping through her limbs. Her cheeks turned red in an instant. Why should she feel embarrassed when other men and women were kissing?
The man lying on the bed seemed to react at that moment. The woman abruptly stopped and turned her face, which startled Su Zimo. She saw the woman's profile, and it looked strangely familiar.
Su Zimo's heart started beating faster. It was too unbelievable. Now she was curious to see the woman's face if only she didn't want to disturb them.
With shimmering eyes and a gentle blink, Su Zimo took a deep breath and held her breath carefully, afraid of interrupting them.
In an instant, the partially conscious man pulled the woman towards him, pressing his handsome face against her smooth cheek. He breathed in the faint breath between them and a satisfied smile curved his lips, even though his eyes remained closed. The air was filled with a hint of ambiguity.
Su Zimo thought that such a beautiful man must be skilled in love affairs. Even while asleep, he could stir up a woman's guilty conscience. The woman's hand suddenly touched the man's chest. He stirred slightly, grabbed her mischievous hand, and with a hoarse voice, said, "Momo, you're playing with fire!"
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo's face showed a trace of surprise. She quickly sat down on the ground. This woman was also called Momo?
The man's distinctively large hands caressed the woman's delicate figure, and the touch of her tender skin caused him to open his eyes. His eyes were filled with a seductive charm, carrying a hint of playfulness but unable to conceal his deep affection. The woman's short whimper momentarily caused the man to lose control. He forcefully pulled her closer, flipped over, and she ended up beneath him.
Nervously, Su Zimo didn't know where to look. The scene was too intense, with the gentle moonlight seeping through the window, casting fragmented beams of light. The flickering shadows followed the swaying curtains, much like Su Zimo's current state of mind, gradually wavering.
A loud bang resounded as the entrance to the cave was smashed open.
Startled, the two embracing figures turned their gaze towards the cave entrance simultaneously.
At that moment, Su Zimo finally got a clear look at the woman's face. It was an identical face to her own. Su Zimo smiled, her lips curling up with a radiant and exaggerated smile. How strange this was. Had she entered the nightmare realm of the Nightmare Demon Beast, or was it her own dream? Su Zimo couldn't determine it at all.
A group of people rushed in, all unfamiliar to Su Zimo. The leading man was also handsome, but his face was filled with a malicious expression as he coldly and jealously stared at the two on the bed.
Su Zimo stood up and moved aside, but strangely, these people completely ignored her, as if they couldn't see her at all.
Frowning, Su Zimo walked towards the bed, waving her hand in front of the woman's face. As she suspected, none of them could see her. The tension that had made her hold her breath just a moment ago disappeared.
"Dreamer, how dare you deceive my son's feelings with your nightmares," the leading man scolded loudly.
The man called Dreamer sneered coldly, seemingly indifferent to the man's words.
"Long Brother, you misunderstand Dreamer. We truly love each other."
Dreamer glanced at the man behind the woman with a provocative smile.
Upon hearing the woman's words and seeing Dreamer's expression, the man's face grew even darker. "Jian Mo, haven't I treated you well? Why would you fall in love with a dark demon beast?"
Jian Mo, Su Zimo furrowed her brow. She looked exactly like her, but they called her Jian Mo. What was going on?
"No, Long Brother, listen to what Momo says. Momo and Dreamer love each other sincerely. The depth of Long Brother's affection for Momo is something she can never repay in her lifetime. But, Long Brother, by barging in like this, are you...?"
"Jian Mo, I have had a betrothal with you since we were children. How could I let you be with another man?"
Long Brother sneered as he looked at Jian Mo.
Su Zimo furrowed her brows again. He called him Long Brother, so did Long Fu hide something from her?
Su Zimo carefully recalled Long Fu's words. They made sense logically and emotionally, but she felt that something was off in certain places. For example, why did this dark demon beast want to occupy the Demon Beast Continent? Was the man before her the incarnation of the Nightmare Demon Beast?
"Long Brother, you can't control matters of the heart."
Dreamer's beautiful face displayed a cold smile.
"Is that so? As the future king of the Demon Beast Continent, how could I allow my woman to be with a dark demon beast? If I hadn't found this place today, the two of you would have done something unimaginable."
Long Yu's eyes flickered with a hint of satisfaction as he took a few steps forward.
"Big Brother Long, how can you say such things about us?"
Jian Mo's face was stained with tears, and Dreamer, seeing this, felt a pang of heartache. He gently wiped away the tears on Jian Mo's face.
"Don't cry. I've always said I won't let you shed a tear."
Dreamer's gloomy expression vanished, replaced by a face full of deep affection.
"Hmph! Enjoy your time together! After tonight, you won't have this chance anymore."
Long Yu watched their actions, his eyes turning red with jealousy.
"Big Brother Long, what do you mean?"
Jian Mo turned around, her clear eyes filled with confusion as she looked at Long Yu, a faint trace of anger evident on her restrained face.
"I have known about the two of you for a long time. Did you think I would let you get away with it? Today, at the banquet, I had someone poison Dreamer's drink. Soon, Dreamer will lose his cultivation and revert to his original form. He will never be able to transform into a human again. Let's see how you two enjoy each other then."
Long Yu spoke with a smug expression, a triumphant smile on his face, his calculating gaze not hidden at all.
Su Zimo shook her head. It was truly despicable. If they couldn't compete with Dreamer, they resorted to poisoning him.
A trace of killing intent flashed in Dreamer's eyes as he tested his cultivation. Sure enough, he couldn't muster even a trace of power.
Jian Mo, with a hint of disbelief in her clear eyes, immediately understood that what Long Yu said was true.
"Big Brother Long, why would you do this? Dreamer has no grievances with you. If you have any grudges, direct them at me. It's despicable to poison someone from behind like this, acting like a hero."
Jian Mo's clear eyes turned cold as she looked at Long Yu, surprised by her own capability for such lowliness.
"Hmph! Jian Mo, if you had agreed to marry me earlier, I wouldn't have had to resort to this heartlessness."
Long Yu snorted coldly, not feeling any shame in his actions.
A sword appeared in Long Yu's hand, a touch of cruelty in his eyes.
Dreamer, with his slightly blue pupils seductive and captivating, lightly brushed Jian Mo's smooth cheek with his fingertips, tracing circles on that beautifully enticing face, his eyes filled with tenderness.
In a soft voice, he said, "In this lifetime, being able to meet you is enough for me."
"Dreamer, in this lifetime, being able to have your love is enough for me."
She lifted her gaze, looking at Long Yu, her deep eyes filled with sharpness and a chilling aura. "Long Yu, you can't kill me. If you kill me, you will regret it. The entire Demon Beast Continent will regret it. If you don't believe me, you can try."
"Killing you would make me happy, how could I regret it? Once you're dead, Jian Mo will be mine alone. I have nothing to regret." Long Yu didn't believe Dreamer's words at all.
Dreamer's face changed rapidly, displaying a myriad of colors. Finally, his expression turned calm as he looked back at the exquisitely beautiful Jian Mo, peeling away the layer of saintly and strong facade to reveal the kind-hearted woman underneath.
"Dreamer, rest assured, I won't let them harm you." At this moment, she had been completely devastated by Long Yu's words, on a spiritual level.
"Hmph! Do you have the ability to save him?"
With a wave of his hand, Long Yu used a surge of power to pull Jian Mo away.
"Dreamer..."
Dreamer anxiously watched as Jian Mo was pulled away. And when he tried to move his body, a dark energy directly entered his chest, causing Dreamer to spit out a mouthful of blood.
Long Yu sneered. As long as he killed Dreamer, no other man on the continent would pose any threat to him. A mocking smile appeared on Long Yu's lips, cold enough to send chills down one's spine.
The sword in his hand mercilessly stabbed toward the crumbling Dreamer.
Su Zimo widened her eyes, watching as the unforgiving sword passed by her side. She wanted to intervene, but she realized she couldn't gather her cultivation at all.
She didn't know where Jian Mo found the strength, but just as the sword was about to pierce Dreamer's body, it was blocked by Jian Mo.
The sword mercilessly stabbed into Jian Mo's body.
Suddenly, agony filled Dreamer's dark eyes.
"Jian Mo, why are you so foolish? How can you be so foolish? They can't kill me, why are you so foolish...?"
Dreamer's pained voice trembled slightly, tears on the verge of falling from the corners of his eyes.
The hand supporting Jian Mo's body felt cold and chilling, piercing her heart.
It was because her warm-hearted lover was slipping away from her.
"Jian Mo." Long Yu suddenly released the sword, his face filled with disbelief as he looked at the pained Jian Mo, shaking his head repeatedly, stumbling back a few steps.
"Jian Mo, you'd rather die than marry me, is that it? Is that it...?" Long Yu couldn't help but angrily question Jian Mo.