In her dream, she was ultimately controlled by the leader of the Red Lotus Cult using the sound of a flute, becoming a pawn without self-awareness.

Now, the familiar melody plays again, like a nightmare replaying itself, making her shiver.

She tried to concentrate, attempting to break free from this invisible constraint.

But the flute music seemed to have the power to penetrate people's hearts, each note striking the depths of her soul, making her feel an unprecedented sense of despair and powerlessness.

Could this be a conspiracy against her? A deliberate scheme to lure her here?

No wonder the emperor's men couldn't find any information about that scout; it turns out the Red Lotus Cult deliberately placed him there so she could find him.

I never imagined I was so naive, thinking that my superior martial arts skills would allow me to remain untainted by the undercurrents of the martial world and the imperial court.

She gritted her teeth, a surge of unprecedented anger and determination welling up inside her.

"How can I become your prisoner!" she roared, as if some dormant power within her was awakened by this anger and began to boil in her blood.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to find a glimmer of clarity amidst the chaos.

As she focused her mind, the world around her seemed to slow down and become clearer, and the originally suffocating flute music became distant and blurry.

"Break!" She suddenly opened her eyes, and a clear whistle pierced the sky, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. The power that had been restrained was completely released at this moment.

The flute music stopped abruptly, as if stunned by the sudden force.

Just when she thought she had succeeded, a sudden, sharp pain shot through her chest, and she fell straight forward, immediately losing consciousness.

The leader of the Red Lotus Sect then emerged from the shadows.

He wore a magnificent and elaborate red robe, embroidered with lifelike flame patterns. His eyes were deep and cold, and a meaningful smile played at the corners of his lips.

"I never expected you to have grown to such a level. I was quite sorry that you escaped back then, but I never thought that you would end up in my hands again after all this time."

He slowly walked up to her, looking down at Li Xi who was lying on the ground.

He muttered to himself, "If I hadn't drugged you beforehand, you probably would have escaped today."

Although he lost many of his carefully trained experts today, it was worth it. "Take her away!"

Li Xi's consciousness sank in the darkness, the pain and exhaustion in her body threatening to engulf her completely. She had no idea where she had been taken.

On the other side, the golden eagle carried Zhang Zhen back to Hongying's place.

She was puzzled when she didn't see Xiaoxi return with her, but seeing the injured man in front of her, she had to treat his injuries first.

Fortunately, although the person was seriously injured, his internal energy was still stable.

"Old man, come and lend a hand."

The two of them worked together to carry the man into the house.

After receiving treatment, the man's vital signs stabilized.

Hongying immediately asked the golden eagle about Xiaoxi's whereabouts.

"What?! You're saying Xiaoxi is being chased?!" Hongying exclaimed in shock. "Quick, take me there. Old man, you wait here and see if Xiaoxi comes back."

The golden eagle let out a low cry, then carried the red tassel and hurried into the forest.

When they arrived there, Li Xi was nowhere to be seen, but the scene showed signs of a fight, with bloodstains still faintly visible among the broken branches and leaves.

Hongying's heart leaped into her throat. She clenched her fists and anxiously searched her surroundings for any possible clues.

"Golden Eagle, can you smell Xiaoxi's scent?" Hongying asked anxiously, knowing that the golden eagle's keen sense of smell might be the key to finding Xiaoxi at this moment.

The golden eagle flapped its wings and soared into the air, circling a few times before returning to the ground, shaking its head dejectedly.

Hongying's face was as pale as paper, and she hurriedly sang to attract the nearby animals.

Li Xi, who was taken away, was lying on a soft bed.

The leader of the Red Lotus Cult was not afraid of her escaping at all, because she was currently in a coma.

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered, illuminating Li Xi's serene yet slightly pale face.

He stood by the bed, watching the old doctor take his pulse, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

The old physician frowned, sometimes stroking his beard, sometimes lowering his head in deep thought. "Master, it seems that the Baiwei herb you added to that pill last time has taken effect."

The cult leader said, "Is there any medicine that can make her forget the past? I want her to serve only me."

However, this woman is now a favorite of the emperor and a general who can freely enter and leave the palace. We still need to send her back; we'll take action when the time is right.

Although his flute playing could restrain her movements, the consequence was that she fainted.

Upon hearing this, the old doctor hesitated for a moment, but then regained his composure and said slowly, "What the sect leader seeks is extraordinary."

There are indeed drugs in the world that can affect people's minds, such as "forget-me-not" and "bewitching potion," but these drugs are all double-edged swords. If used carelessly, they may damage the root of the problem or even turn against their owner.

Moreover, this woman's identity is special. If we were to truly make her forget everything, it would likely cause unnecessary trouble and even endanger the safety of our sect.

The cult leader sneered, turned around, and said with piercing eyes, "Why should I care too much about what I do? As long as she can be used by me, she is the best pawn. Old Divine Physician, since you are a pillar of my cult, you should help me achieve my wish. I am willing to bear any cost."

The old doctor sighed, seemingly moved by the cult leader's determination.

After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke: "Since the leader insists on this, I have a method to try, but this method requires the leader's own power as a guide, combined with an extremely rare medicinal herb - 'Dream Return Grass'."

This herb grows in extremely cold regions, rarely seen even once in a century. It can induce dreams and allow one to forget the past. However, it must be harvested with utmost care; the slightest mistake will destroy it all.

Upon hearing this, the cult leader's eyes flashed with excitement: "Dream Return Grass? Good! You must prepare quickly. No matter where you are, I will find this grass. As for my power, you need not worry. For the sake of our great cause, what is a little consumption?"

The old doctor nodded, but inwardly he was worried.

He knew that the cult leader was stubborn and once he made a decision, it would be difficult to turn back. He could only do his best and hope to find a way to have the best of both worlds.

So the old doctor began to prepare everything in a flurry, searching for the whereabouts of the Dream Return Grass while preparing auxiliary medicines.

He gave Li Xi acupuncture every day, and Li Xi, who had been in a coma, began to fall into nightmares.

The events of her past and present lives flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern, making it impossible for her to distinguish between reality and dreams, leaving her no choice but to passively accept it all.

In the abyss of nightmares, Li Xi seemed to have traveled through a time tunnel, every scene clear and vivid.

She saw herself as a child, enjoying the shade under an apricot tree with her family. The sky was exceptionally blue then, and laughter echoed in the air, carefree and joyful.

In an instant, the scene shifts, and she stands on a bustling yet indifferent city street, surrounded by towering buildings and surging crowds, yet her heart is filled with loneliness.