Li Xi never imagined that one day she would witness what the "spirit world" was like.
This ethereal spiritual realm, shrouded in mist and clouds, is like a dream.
As she stepped into it, it was as if she had entered a flowing ink painting. All around were endless green mountains, with ancient trees reaching for the sky, and dappled sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, like scattered gold dust falling on earth.
The mountain stream murmurs and flows, its water crystal clear.
The occasional leap of a fish on the water adds a touch of liveliness to the tranquility, stirring up delicate ripples.
"Do you still remember this place?" Qingran's voice carried a hint of nostalgia. "You used to always like to bring me here to cultivate."
He hasn't come for a while now.
Since Lingxi went to the mortal realm, she has rarely set foot in this sacred land.
Now that she has returned here again, she is filled with overwhelming excitement.
It involuntarily revealed its true form—a red fox, its entire body fiery red and shimmering with light.
Upon seeing this scene, Li Xi's eyes lit up. She hadn't realized such wondrous creatures truly existed in the world! "My God, this is so beautiful!"
Amazed, I moved forward slowly, afraid that my movements might disturb this pristine beauty.
The blue dye in the form of a red fox shines even brighter in the sunlight.
It gently wagged its tail and tilted its head back. "Lingxi, do I look pretty?"
"It's beautiful, so beautiful, unparalleled. Qingran, come here and let me pet you." At this moment, she seemed like a lewd goldfish man coaxing a little girl.
She took a few steps forward cautiously, as if afraid that any of her actions would shatter this pristine beauty.
Under the sunlight, Qingran, in her red fox form, appeared exceptionally dazzling.
Its red fur shone like a burning flame, radiating a warm and captivating glow.
"Lingxi, do you think I'm pretty?"
Its eyes held a hint of expectation, as if it longed for Li Xi's praise and recognition.
"It's beautiful, so incredibly beautiful, absolutely unparalleled! Qingran, come here and let me touch it." Her eyes gleamed with greed, like a child eyeing a beloved toy.
Li Xi reached out and gently stroked Qingran's fur, feeling its soft and smooth texture.
At first she was a little resistant to the caresses, but soon she squinted her eyes and let out a satisfied snoring sound.
Sure enough, most people can't resist this hairy creature.
“Lingxi, you’ve changed. You used to dislike me jumping on you, always complaining that I was covered in your fur.” Qingran pouted as she recalled the past.
"Oh? What kind of person was I before?" she asked, somewhat curious.
I wonder how the story will unfold in this dream she created.
“You used to be indifferent to everything, always immersed in cultivation, and kept a certain distance from everything around you. Back then, you really didn’t like being disturbed, including me. You would always say, ‘Qingran, stop messing around, I have something very important to do right now.’”
Upon hearing this, Qingran's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Its fiery fur shimmered even more brightly in the sunlight. "But, Lingxi, do you know that even though you were serious back then, you always had a reassuring power about you? Although I sometimes felt neglected, seeing you so focused made me inexplicably proud."
"How long have I been gone?" Hearing her say this, Li Xi seemed somewhat moved.
Qingran, now back in human form, nestled beside Li Xi. "It's been almost a hundred years, Lingxi. In these hundred years, many changes have taken place in both the mortal realm and the demon realm, but I have always believed that no matter how long it takes, you will return."
Li Xi tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting Qing Ran's, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "A hundred years... so long?"
Even if she lived two lives, it wouldn't have been a hundred years. It seems this really was just a dream of hers.
But life here is quite pleasant, it's just that she still has unfinished business and can't stay here for long.
"Qingran, I have to leave." Li Xi's voice was gentle yet firm. She gently patted Qingran's shoulder. "I still have unfinished business in the mortal realm."
A hint of surprise flashed in Qingran's eyes. "So fast? But, Lingxi, are you sure you can find your way back?"
The way back? Or rather, how to escape from the dream. She tried slapping herself hard and pinching her thigh, but she still couldn't wake up from the dream.
"Where does one go out from Green Valley?" She had observed that it seemed different from here.
Qingran looked in the direction she pointed, her expression suddenly changed, and her tone became displeased: "That is Dragon Hidden Valley, the place where the dragons live."
Li Xi noticed something was off about her tone and frowned slightly: "What's wrong?"
Qingran bit her lip, and said hesitantly, "Actually, our demon race and the dragon race have always had conflicts. They look down on us because they think they are superior..."
So that's why Qingran reacted that way.
Li Xi nodded thoughtfully, as if she had made up her mind.
She asked, "Do they have a road that leads to the mortal world?"
Upon hearing this, Qingran's expression became very complicated, and she silently gazed into the distance.
The area was shrouded in mist, like a dream, and the outline of Dragon Hidden Valley could be vaguely seen.
Bathed in the morning light, Dragon Hidden Valley appeared even more mysterious and majestic, as if it concealed countless unknown secrets.
Qingran frowned slightly, her voice low and somber. "The dragon race is always secretive, and their territory is virtually inaccessible to outsiders. I know very little about the path to the mortal realm, but dragon magic is far more advanced than ours; perhaps they truly do know some hidden shortcuts. But…"
She hesitated, as if she had thought of something worrying.
Li Xi turned her head, staring intently at Qing Ran, and asked anxiously, "But what? Is there some danger?"
Qingran sighed deeply and slowly replied, "The dragons are not friendly to us elves. If they discover that we are trying to pass through their territory to the mortal realm, it will probably cause unnecessary trouble. Moreover, the situation within the dragon race is extremely complicated. If we rashly intrude, we may very well find ourselves in trouble."
Li Xi frowned, thought for a moment, and then said firmly, "No matter what, I have to try."
The leader of the Red Lotus Cult has not yet been found. With a troublemaker like him around, the world will inevitably descend into chaos sooner or later.
Qingran looked at Li Xi with concern, shook her head, and sighed softly, "But now you've become a mortal, losing your former power and abilities. How can you possibly contend with the mighty dragon race? It's like throwing an egg against a rock!"
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