Chapter 345

When Xing opened her eyes again, before her stood the black swan lady who had reached out to save her in the dream.

"You're awake, little sleepy bug. Looks like you had a good dream." The Black Swan smiled slightly. "How was it? Did you dream of me?"

"Is this heaven…?"

"Welcome to reality——the Daydream Hotel——the place you know best and is also the safest. I'm glad your mental state is still normal, unaffected by that 'primordial dream'; your luck is good."

"Liuying… did she escape?"

"Hehe, you really care about that little girl. Indeed, even in the face of 【Death】, she did everything she could to protect your safety… I even felt a bit moved."

"I know you have many questions in your head, don't rush. Before that, first let those who worry about you know you're safe."

Xing followed the Black Swan to the first-floor lounge area; before she even went downstairs, she heard Sanyue Qi and Jizi discussing.

Sanyue Qi crossed her arms: "How suspicious… what a coincidence, that woman definitely has a problem."

Jizi shook her head: "But she indeed found Xing and saved her——for now we can only listen to her demands……"

The two returned to the train group's side; upon seeing Xing, Sanyue Qi rushed over with a worried face: "Xing, are you alright?! I couldn't find you in reality or in the dream, I was worried sick……"

After a brief explanation of the circumstances, Xing finally realized that Jizi and the Black Swan had known each other for a long time; they had met by chance during a dream investigation.

——

Psychic Power 100%.

"Wait…… what does it mean that we can't find her in either reality or the dream? Could Xing's physical body in reality have vanished after she went to Pinokangni?"

The little dimple broke into a cold sweat. To dream of one's flesh disappearing…… even for this 'spirit', it's shocking.

Pinokangni was initially advertised as the 'star' of the gala, a place that would bring people happiness and beautiful dreams, but as time passed, this 'beauty' became increasingly strange.

"Probably not." Linghuan shook his head, thinking seriously: "I don't think entering Pinokangni makes the body disappear; rather, after entering that 'primordial dream'…… that dream might have some mechanism that causes the bodies of those who enter to also sink into it."

"What if Xing were killed by that monster in the primordial dream……" the extra's teacup trembled slightly.

"Well, most likely it means permanent death."

The little dimple couldn't help clicking her tongue: "Tsk tsk tsk… this family's methods are truly clever—on the surface they're the benevolent 【Harmony】 faction, but they harbor ill intent, luring people to Pinokangni under the guise of 'beautiful dreams' and 'vacations' only to kill them……"

"No, this is merely the personal act of the Masked Fool; don't blame the whole family. The family doesn't yet have the guts to drag people into the primordial dream openly, and even if they wanted to…… they'd first have to drag the 【Destruction】, 【Preservation】 or 【Bliss】 factions in."

"【Destruction】……?" The little dimple tried to recall, "Linghuan, you haven't got it wrong, have you? The Duke of Netherfire doesn't seem to have come."

"……"

"Seems so, Master, the Duke of Netherfire doesn't seem to have attended this gathering either."

Linghuan also scratched his head, puzzled: "…Strange, didn't they receive the invitation?"

——

"Xing told the circumstances leading to her entry into the primordial dream to Jizi and the group."

"Wa'erte, pondering, said: "So, the one who attacked you is a woman in red clothing, skilled in illusion, capable of changing her appearance to resemble others……"

"Her name is 【Huohuo】, a Masked Fool who infiltrated Pinokangni……" The Black Swan seemed very familiar with this twin‑tailed miss, "…Rest assured, that girl won't be bothering you lot for the time being. She surely thinks she's succeeded, unaware where she's gloating."

"You seem to know her quite well."

The Black Swan smiled and nodded: "Of course, I know everyone here. In Pinokangni, anyone might lie… but 【Memory】 won't."

"So I need to clarify this fact for everyone: Miss Huohuo's tricks can cause hallucinations, but that strange dreamscape has nothing to do with her; it stems from Pinokangni itself."

"Pinokangni… itself?" Sanyue Qi didn't quite understand.

"You haven't realized it yet?" The Black Swan covered her mouth and smiled: "The so‑called 'Land of Dreams' is actually the result of the family painstakingly maintaining it through some unknown means—a beautifully designed dream."

"And the mnemonic realm she fell into——that is the dream's original form: chaotic, dangerous, mysterious… a labyrinth of endless change where memory's beasts dwell……"

——

Pirate King.

"The family really told an enormous lie……"

The night over Marijoa was deep as water; Fujitora leaned on his sword‑cane and stood on the balcony, the sky's light shining on his closed eyes. After seeing the Black Swan reveal the dream's true form, Fujitora let out a long sigh.

"And then what?"

Lvniu, leaning nearby, was unimpressed, a tender twig between his lips as he drawled: "A lie that can last a millennium without a leak—doesn't that prove the family's methods and control? I actually admire these guys, only now showing their flaws……"

"Admire?" Tenghu's face sank instantly, his sword‑cane pausing: "The family's act is utterly wicked; I truly don't see what's there to admire. Placing the 'beautiful dream' atop the 'primordial dream' is like making ordinary people dance on a blade's edge, with only a thin plank between the blade and the feet for decoration…… once the plank breaks, it's the doom of millions."

Lvniu shrugged: "So the family just needs to keep the plank intact. Perhaps a few people have fallen into the primordial dream and vanished completely…… but what of it? As long as that beautiful dream that brings happiness to millions doesn't show its flaws……"

"... How absurd."

"Don't be so serious, Tenghu." Lvniu scoffed: "In Pinokangni, truth might be deadlier than the false beautiful dream."

——

"Jizi asked the others what they saw upon entering the dream, finding that nearly everyone's vision was almost identical."

"Clocks, schools of fish, the deep sea…… even the way to Pinokangni is the same: passing through the painting or mirror in the room to reach the 【Thought Corridor】 transfer point, only then can one truly arrive at Pinokangni."

"I've heard from some regulars that the first stop after entering the dream is the dream hotel, but due to some mishaps… 'the hotel is currently under renovation.'"

The Black Swan smiled and asked: "When does a building need repairs? Combined with what she just experienced, the answer is obvious."

"Pinokangni's beautiful dream is sinking【into submersion】, returning to its original form… plunging into the deep sea (the mnemonic realm)."