Chapter 838: Extra Chapter 4: 75

Xiao Jiu sat in meditation in the newly renovated east wing.

She was somewhat heavily backlashed by the blood talisman, but fortunately her cultivation was high and merit protected her; after a few days of quiet rest she also recovered.

She did not buy a new phone, living a rare tranquil life.

When hungry she went to town to eat; when sleepy she slept; otherwise she was always in meditation.

When idle, she went to stay by the waterside.

A month ago, Hui Moqiong discovered here that a small hilltop had emerged from the water; now, the height of that small hill above the water has increased considerably compared to before.

Especially these past few days, Xiao Jiu noticed the hill's height kept rising; when the third day passed, she discovered that the waterside part of the hill had acquired a sense of layering.

Like a tower.

Xiao Jiu suddenly recalled that back when she was in Zhe region, she had invited a Seven-Colored Exquisite Pagoda from Clear Spring Daoist Temple, which ultimately subdued that great serpent at the critical moment.

Later, that Seven-Colored Exquisite Pagoda was taken back to Zàng Qū by a high monk; the great serpent there received a Buddhist baptism, and the pagoda was eventually returned to Clear Spring Daoist Temple.

Now, a "hill tower" has appeared in this waterside area—could it be a coincidence?

Or merely my own speculation?

After another two days, the hill rose a bit further above the water.

When Xiao Jiu went to the familiar noodle shop in town to eat noodles, she heard the townsfolk discussing that small hill.

Many people were saying the hill was increasingly resembling a small hill tower.

As time passed, rumors began to spread.

Someone even invited a "high person" to have a look, fearing another water disaster.

Wave after wave of "high persons" came; their opinions were not unified, but without exception they each performed a ritual by the waterside.

Later, it is unknown who invited an old Daoist.

The old Daoist stroked his goat beard, walked along the water's edge, measuring with his steps for a long time, then contemplated the water surface for a while before concluding: "The yin qi beneath the water here is too heavy, easily breeding demons; water disasters should be frequent, but fortunately it seems an Immortal Clan guards beneath the water, suppressing this watery malignance; on the day this hill tower is fully formed, the people living by the water had best come to pay their respects."

Having said that, he left.

The person who invited him wanted to give him money, but he refused.

Asked to perform a ritual, he also said it was unnecessary.

Yet those in the know fully heeded his words.

From that day on, offering tables were set up by the waterside, with offerings, burning of paper money, etc., increasing more and more.

Even later, a wealthy person personally funded and built a temple by the waterside.

It is unknown which high person's inspiration led to this, but the Immortal Clan enshrined in that temple turned out to be the Dìmài Lóngshén!

Upon seeing this, Xiao Jiu was shocked beyond measure.

Nevertheless she followed the crowd, silently offering incense several times to the Dìmài Lóngshén.

Liu Junyan is the Dìmài Lóngshén.

The more flourishing the incense of the small temple, the better it is for him.

Xiao Jiu thought, this is probably what is meant by blessings.

Although few know what Liu Junyan has done these past years, and few know how many burdens he has borne in this waterside area.

But he ultimately received the offerings and respect due to him.

Xiao Jiu's internal injuries had basically healed after a week.

On the third day after the small temple was completed, Xiao Jiu was already calculating that she had been out for about ten days and it was nearly time to return to Wufu Town.

She thought of going to the town's phone shop the next day to buy a phone, booking tickets, and also buying some local specialties from Suedi to bring back.

Having planned everything well, Xiao Jiu went to sleep early.

This sleep was very restless; she kept dreaming.

The dream was bizarre and chaotic.

At times she dreamed of a battle on the water, that dragon head arrogant and domineering.

At times she dreamed of the small hill opposite the waterside, growing ever higher, layer upon layer, eventually reaching the clouds; merely raising her head to gaze, the oppressive feeling made it hard to breathe.

Then Xiao Jiu dreamed again of that small temple.

She saw herself kneeling before the small temple, devoutly offering incense.

The spirit tablet of the Dìmài Lóngshén enshrined in the small temple suddenly took on the likeness of Liu Junyan.

Xiao Jiu then saw Liu Junyan sitting cross-legged in the small temple, smiling narrowly at her, reaching out a hand…… Xiao Jiu abruptly awoke from her sleep.

At the dream's end, Liu Junyan's large hand tightly gripped hers; that sensation, that warmth, felt all too real.

Yet when Xiao Jiu startled awake, flung open her eyes, in the darkness the feeling of her right hand being enveloped by a large hand had not yet faded!

That… that was clearly real!

Indeed a large hand was truly wrapping around her right hand.

Not only her right hand, but her back was also pressed firmly against a broad chest, a distinctive sandalwood scent enveloping her whole body, a touch and smell Xiao Jiu knew all too well.

Xiao Jiu's heart began to thump rapidly.

She felt as if she were still dreaming.

She felt as if she had fallen into a dream within a dream.

She awoke within the dream, yet still had not escaped this layer of dreaming…

Xiao Jiu did not move, nor did she speak.

She simply remained still, leaning in the man's embrace, afraid to awaken this dream.

Over these past months, having endured so much, there was not a moment she did not yearn for this embrace.

She did not know how long had passed.

After a long time, Xiao Jiu gradually realized this was not a dream.

Because she heard the rooster crowing in the town, heard the dogs barking, and heard the bun shop owner getting up to knead dough for buns, and the voices of people at home talking.

The bustling human atmosphere made Xiao Jiu feel safest.

When the sky was just beginning to lighten, the man behind her immediately left.

Just as he had done for the past few months, he came in the middle of the night and left when the sky was just beginning to lighten.

But Xiao Jiu couldn't sleep.

She had no intention of returning to Wufu Town.

After breakfast, Xiao Jiu bought a new phone, got a new SIM card, called Li Qingying to inquire about the situation at Yin Dang Hang, and then told her she would stay a few more days in Suedi.

Li Qingying reassured her, saying that Yin Dang Hang had her and Hui Moqiong, and that Huang Fan had also come over recently to help, so nothing would go wrong.

Xiao Jiu bought another incense tower and lit it in front of the small temple.

Inside the small temple, the spirit tablet of the Earth Vein Dragon God remained standing as before, and had not turned into the likeness of Liu Junyan.

But the small pagoda on the hill opposite the waterbank had already revealed its third level above the water surface.

That night, Xiao Jiu went to bed early, turned off the light and lay in the dark, tossing and turning but unable to sleep.

At ten o'clock, Xiao Jiu felt that the room's aura was off.

Immediately afterward, a figure stood beside the bed.

Xiao Jiu was both surprised and puzzled.

Today he came nearly two hours earlier than before.

She reached out to turn on the light, and Liu Junyan's voice sounded: "Don't."

Saying that, he had already gotten onto the bed and embraced her from behind.

Xiao Jiu wondered, "Why are you holding me like this? Āyàn, let me see how you are."

Liu Junyan, however, refused: "Wait a little longer."

"Why do we have to wait? How much longer must we wait?"

Liu Junyan pondered for a long time, then said with difficulty: "I... I am still a bit ugly now; wait until I have fully recovered, no longer ugly, then I will turn on the light..."

Xiao Jiu: ……