Chapter 181: Moonlit Dreams, Awakening from Illusion
Satisfied that the trial was underway, the Valley Master nodded.
She turned to Lin Tianlu and the Ninth Elder, who were waiting below.
“The trial will take a few hours, perhaps even a few days. Why don’t I have Ninth Elder show you around the Lunar Valley’s sacred grounds?”
“Sacred grounds?”
“Don’t worry. It’s a place of peace and tranquility, with a beautiful environment and abundant spiritual energy. It’s a place of healing and rejuvenation.”
The Valley Master explained calmly, “And it’s filled with ancient artifacts, calligraphy, and paintings. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting, Master Lin. And with the power of the sacred grounds, you can even experience a dream journey, revisiting your past.”
She waved her hand, and the formations above them whirred to life, drawing upon the Yin energy of the entire estate.
“I need to adjust the Soul Moon formation now. I apologize for not being able to show you around myself.”
Lin Tianlu smiled. “I appreciate the offer, Valley Master.”
The Valley Master smiled back, then pointed towards a stone door at the far end of the hall. It swung open, revealing a swirling mist, its aura mysterious and alluring.
She chuckled softly. “Ninth Elder, take this opportunity to spend some time with your son-in-law. Let him experience our Moon Soul Sacred Sect’s dream journey technique. Perhaps he’ll gain some insights.”
“Understood.”
The Ninth Elder bowed slightly and walked towards the stone door.
Lin Tianlu followed her, his eyes filled with curiosity as he examined the surroundings.
They entered the mist, their figures disappearing, and the stone door slowly closed, silence returning to the hall.
“…”
The Valley Master smiled faintly.
“I hope you truly have good intentions towards the Lunar Valley, and that you won’t betray us.”
She looked up at the crescent moon, her eyes filled with a fervent light. “Just one… final step!”
…
Click, click, click
The sound of their footsteps echoed through the silent tunnel.
The Ninth Elder led the way, her expression calm.
But after walking for a while, she frowned slightly.
She had been to the Lunar Valley’s sacred grounds many times before and knew how long this tunnel was.
But they had been walking for much longer than she remembered…
And they still hadn’t reached the exit.
She stopped abruptly.
“Martial Aunt?”
Lin Tianlu looked at her, surprised. “Why did you stop? Is this the sacred ground?”
He glanced around, seeing only darkness. It didn’t look like a sacred ground at all.
“Something’s not right.” The Ninth Elder frowned. “This isn’t the sacred ground. It’s more like…”
Her voice trailed off as her expression froze.
The scenery around them suddenly shifted.
A beautiful moonlit scene, like an ink painting, gradually emerged. A pavilion by a lake, a bamboo house nestled amidst a serene forest, all appeared one by one, shrouded in a hazy mist, creating a mystical ambiance.
She stumbled, clutching her forehead, her face pale.
Lin Tianlu quickly steadied her. “Martial Aunt, are you alright?”
“I-I’m fine.”
The Ninth Elder waved her hand dismissively.
The dizziness had passed as quickly as it had come.
“Perhaps I’m just not used to the strong spiritual energy here.”
Seeing her recover, Lin Tianlu asked curiously, “Why did the scenery change so suddenly?”
“Perhaps I was just imagining things. This is the sacred ground.”
The Ninth Elder smiled faintly. “Tianlu, come and rest with me in the bamboo house. This place is peaceful and serene. It can cleanse the mind and body. I’ll make you some moon tea, which will help you relax and enter a dream state.”
“Thank you, Martial Aunt.”
“Y-you don’t have to call me Martial Aunt all the time.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and coughed lightly. “Just call me Jingyun.”
Lin Tianlu was startled.
He chuckled awkwardly. “Wouldn’t that be too…”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just a name. And it would be nice to be closer to you, Tianlu. We’re practically family now. We should support each other.”
Her words made sense.
But it still felt a bit strange.
Lin Tianlu hesitated.
“Ji-Jingyun?”
Hearing him say her name, the Ninth Elder smiled with satisfaction and gently took his hand, leading him towards the bamboo house.
…
As the door creaked open, a fragrant aroma filled the air, and they saw a cozy and elegant interior, decorated with books and scrolls.
“Have a seat.”
The Ninth Elder quickly prepared a pot of tea and poured them each a cup.
“Try this moon tea, Tianlu. It’s a specialty of our Lunar Valley. The tea leaves are cultivated with special techniques, and they have a calming and refreshing effect on the mind and body.”
Lin Tianlu looked around curiously, then took the teacup respectfully and took a sip. A sweet and refreshing flavor filled his mouth, a coolness spreading through his body. It was quite pleasant.
He could even detect a hint of… Madam Mao’s pastries in the taste.
Perhaps she had been inspired by this moon tea?
“Tianlu, how is it?”
“It’s delicious.”
The Ninth Elder smiled, pleased, and walked towards him, her embroidered sleeves swaying gracefully. She took his hand, her voice soft. “Now that you’ve had some tea, why don’t you lie down on the bed? I’ll help you enter a dream state. You might gain some insights.”
She led him to a silk-covered bed.
“Lie down.”
The Ninth Elder smiled and patted the pillow.
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned slightly awkward. “For this dream journey technique, do we really have to lie on the bed?”
“It’s more comfortable than lying on the cold floor, isn’t it?” The Ninth Elder chuckled. “Or are you shy, Tianlu?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and quickly lay down. “What about you, Martial Aunt…?”
“Just relax.”
She knelt behind him, her hands resting on his temples. She smiled gently and began massaging his head, her touch soft and skillful.
The cool and soothing sensation made Lin Tianlu relax completely.
“Haa—Your massage skills are as good as Ruoyu’s, Martial Aunt.”
Her fingers pressed on his acupuncture points, releasing tension and stimulating his energy flow, as if she could read his thoughts.
“Ruoyu learned a lot from me.”
The Ninth Elder chuckled. “But I’m still more experienced.”
She gathered a faint wisp of Yin energy at her fingertips and pressed on his acupuncture points, creating a gentle ripple of energy.
Lin Tianlu gasped softly.
…
After a while, the bamboo house was silent.
Lin Tianlu had drifted off to sleep, his breathing slow and even.
But a faint, sweet fragrance was spreading through the air, like a hazy veil, creating an intimate atmosphere.
The massage continued. The Ninth Elder’s hands were now coated in a fragrant oil, her touch smooth and slippery as she gently massaged his arms and shoulders, releasing tension from every muscle and tendon, her care and attention meticulous.
But her expression was strange.
She looked down at his sleeping face, her eyes filled with a distant look.
“…”
A strange feeling stirred within her, and her eyes flickered with a mysterious light. She couldn’t help but reach down and caress his chest and stomach.
She stared at him intently, her lips parted slightly, her breath warm on his skin. A wave of heat washed over her, and she leaned closer.
Then…
“Martial Aunt, this dream journey technique is truly remarkable.”
Lin Tianlu suddenly opened his eyes, his voice filled with wonder. “I just climbed a mountain with Ruoyu and the others. The scenery was breathtaking!”
“…Eh?”
The Ninth Elder froze.
Lin Tianlu quickly sat up and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her down.
“W-wait—”
The Ninth Elder was stunned. By the time she realized what was happening, she was lying on the bed.
Lin Tianlu smiled and placed his hands on her forehead.
“Hmm?!”
The Ninth Elder’s eyes widened, her cloudy vision clearing slightly.
Lin Tianlu leaned closer, a mysterious smile on his face, his voice a whisper in her ear.
“Martial Aunt, it’s time to wake up from this dream.”
“Wha—”
The Ninth Elder’s pupils constricted.
The bamboo house around them suddenly shattered.
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