Chapter 869: Side Story 4: 106

Xiao Jiu fell asleep, and the situation of being unconscious for several days and nights had occurred not a few times in recent years; Li Qingying was very experienced, she knew that Xiao Jiu was undergoing the dream trial.

But it had been a long time since Xiao Jiu's last dream trial.

Moreover, after the previous dream trial, Xiao Jiu had said she had already passed it.

How did she suddenly enter the dream trial's unconscious state again?

Fortunately, Bái Sōnglán returned this time without entering closed-door seclusion, so Li Qingying took the opportunity when she wasn't soaking in medicinal bath to invite her over to take Xiao Jiu's pulse.

Bái Sōnglán said Xiao Jiu's physical condition was fine, with no problems, so everyone need not worry.

Everyone wasn't particularly worried about this; from that day on, Li Qingying moved back to Yin Dang Hang to live, taking care of Xiao Jiu by day and standing night watch for her at Yin Dang Hang.

A few years ago, after Wufu Town Pawnshop was upgraded to Yin Dang Hang, there were staff working there; later, Yin Dang Hang suffered Heavy Damage several times, and night duty personnel were implicated, resulting in several deaths.

From then on, Xiao Jiu only allowed those staff to work during the day, while she herself kept night watch, and she never hired outside help again.

Li Qingying thought that after Xiao Jiu woke from this dream trial, she would still bring up the matter of hiring more people.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jiu still hadn't awakened, and Liu Junyan's side had to go out for work again.

As the Dìmài Lóngshén of the Nine Provinces, Liu Junyan oversees all major and minor matters occurring on the ley lines; routine affairs are handled by subordinates, but major matters he still has to personally inspect.

After all, a new official always brings three blazing fires upon taking office.

Before leaving, Liu Junyan specially came back to check on Xiao Jiu, and again urged Li Qingying to take good care of Xiao Jiu, saying he would return soon.

As a result, just as Liu Junyan had left, Feng Ran's side encountered another problem.

Feng Ran went together with Tang Tang to participate in an intangible cultural heritage festival in Fujian; they were fine when they went, but that night after returning to school she began running a high fever that wouldn't subside, and she became so feverish she started speaking deliriously.

Her roommate sent her to the school infirmary, but even after taking fever-reducing medicine it had no effect.

Later they contacted Tang Tang; upon seeing Feng Ran's condition, Tang Tang knew it was serious and directly sent her back to Yin Dang Hang.

On the way back they contacted Bái Sōnglán, and by the time they arrived home, Bái Sōnglán was already waiting.

Bái Sōnglán took Feng Ran's pulse, then lifted her eyelids to examine her pupils; afterward she formed a hand seal, made a sword finger and pressed it to Feng Ran's brow, chanting silently, and soon everyone saw a wisp of black qi rise from Feng Ran's brow, which dissipated as soon as it floated halfway up.

Bái Sōnglán lowered her hand, Feng Ran let out a soft cry, and she woke up.

Li Qingying gave Feng Ran water, and Tang Tang asked, "Ranran, is she being entangled by something unclean?"

"Just a wisp of tree spirit." Bái Sōnglán said, "It should have been picked up during your participation in the event; it's not a serious problem."

Tang Tang breathed a sigh of relief: "We visited a manor with several hundred years of history in Fujian, its carved beams and painted pillars were extremely exquisite; Ranran looked at it for a long time, possibly that's when she picked it up."

Bái Sōnglán fell into thought, after a while she reminded, "Tang Tang, after returning to school you should pay more attention to Ranran's condition; if you encounter anything strange, remember never to forcibly stop it, and contact me immediately."

Tang Tang exclaimed, "Shulan sister, do you think the tree spirit matter isn't over yet?"

Bái Sōnglán glanced at Feng Ran's brow, shook her head, and said, "I can't say for sure, but better safe than sorry."

Tang Tang had no choice but to reply, "I will keep an eye on Ranran."

Feng Ran, feeling somewhat anxious, said, "That old manor may have been vacant for many years, but it's been well maintained; everywhere is clean and tidy, and I didn't feel anything off about it."

Bái Sōnglán patted Feng Ran's shoulder and said earnestly, "Some things happen to different people and carry different meanings; Ranran, don't be overly tense, we don't fear trouble, stay at ease."

Feng Ran looked around and laughed.

Indeed, she has a strong backing, so there's nothing to fear.

Feng Ran rested at home for half a day, and thoughtfully helped Xiao Jiu wash up; after tidying up, she returned to school together with Tang Tang.

Two days later, Tang Tang called Bái Sōnglán: "Ranran has left school; it seems she wants to go to that old manor. Shulan sister, should I stop her or send someone to follow?"

"Just send someone to follow her." Bái Sōnglán said solemnly, "As long as it doesn't endanger Ranran's life, don't interfere; but if her life is at risk, immediately bring her back."

Tang Tang wondered, "Since we clearly know this trip of hers is abnormal, why not stop her beforehand to prevent trouble?"

Bái Sōnglán pondered and said, "Tang Tang, when Xiao Jiu found Ranran in the vast crowd back then, what was it for? You know, right?"

Tang Tang immediately replied, "I know, Ranran is Xiao Jiu's successor."

This isn't a secret either.

"Yes, she is the successor." Bái Sōnglán said, "Ranran has been able to grow up safe and sound to this age only to encounter a minor tree spirit; it's hard not to say that's because Xiao Jiu protected her too well, but… she ultimately still has to go through whatever she is meant to experience."

Bái Sōnglán didn't say it outright, because she wasn't entirely certain.

But Tang Tang, having accumulated deep experience over these years, instantly grasped the implied meaning of Bái Sōnglán's words.

Children with a fate like Feng Ran's have suffered hardships from childhood.

Some of these hardships end quickly, while others persist, grinding the person until they become abnormal, even insane.

Moreover, those around her—from close relatives to friends—anyone with a close relationship to her will be affected by her fate, and many will not meet a good end.

The worst case would be grinding Feng Ran into a lonely widow, driven mad, and once she reaches a certain point, she would be able to take the seat of judgment.

The one who can change Feng Ran's fate is Xiao Jiu.

After Xiao Jiu brought Feng Ran back to Yin Dang Hang, none of the people around her could be offended, so the years she was meant to endure could be passed peacefully.

Now, perhaps it's the age when she can no longer avoid her fate.

That's why Bái Sōnglán said to try not to stop her, and let her undergo what she is meant to undergo.

Thinking this, Tang Tang felt her voice tighten, and she asked, "Shulan sister, do you mean that Ranran is about to become the successor?"

Bái Sōnglán still did not answer.

But at this moment, silence speaks louder than words.

Tang Tang suddenly felt a pang of anxiety: "If fate is pushing Ranran to take over, then what about Xiao Jiu? What will become of Xiao Jiu?"

She suddenly felt that Xiao Jiu's current unconsciousness wasn't as simple as a dream trial.

Tang Tang began to worry even more about Xiao Jiu.

She then remarked how coincidental it was that Xiao Jiu and Feng Ran were encountering problems together—apparently the root of the issue lies here…