Chapter Seven: Prince Siyou, Named Qingyang

“Meow…”

Suddenly, a low and urgent sound echoed from the shadowy woods behind, eerie and chilling like a messenger from the underworld. In a flash, a beast as robust as a wild dog darted to Bai Mu’s back, its sharp fangs dripping with saliva as it lunged madly for the artery at his nape.

Clang—

The Azure Dragon Sword flashed out like a startled rainbow, perfectly timed. Bai Mu swung his hand behind him with calm precision, the silver blade shimmering in the gloom of the dense forest, spreading like autumn water, stabbing at the attacking creature and nearly blinding it.

Taking advantage of the monster's brief hesitation, Bai Mu rolled forward on the ground, narrowly escaping its fatal strike.

Ling Yan, who had been poised for action nearby, quickly drew the Jasper Flute from her waist. She raised her hand from the side, and instantly, overlapping flute shadows accompanied by a chill swept around the monster, sealing it off completely.

The creature, having failed its attack, was about to flee, but before it could, it was trapped by the flute shadows conjured by the woman beside it. Even more terrifying, the shadows radiated a biting cold. Though the beast was covered in thick bristles, it shivered in place, its eyes full of fear—these two unexpected guests were far stronger than it had anticipated.

“Meow…”

The monster crouched, howling furiously at the sky, then fixed on a spot where the flute shadows seemed thinner, and shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, desperate for a way out.

Hiss, hiss.

Several soft sounds echoed within the circle of flute shadows. As the beast touched the overlapping shadows, they transformed into streams of force, slicing at the creature as it tried to escape, leaving it bloodied.

Luckily, its reactions were swift; in the chaos, it spun in midair, twisting its body just in time. Had it collided head-on with those streams of force, it would have been riddled with holes in a single round.

But now, escaping from the formation woven by the flute shadows was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

After all, it lacked the formidable power of Bi Fang, who could break through such a formation with innate flames.

But then again, if it was so weak, why attempt an ambush in the first place?

Now, to be killed by the force was only fitting—fools seldom live long.

“Hey, look at this thing—it’s quite strange, what kind of spirit beast is it?”

Ling Yan stood leisurely beneath an ancient tree, watching the creature flailing in the flute shadow formation, her face full of curiosity.

Bai Mu looked up and scrutinized it, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

A body as robust as a wild dog, but with an elephant’s long trunk, a rhinoceros’s sharp horn, and a tiger’s strong tail—this was unmistakably the dream-eating Mo Beast from the Wildlands!

Ling Yan saw his expression change and quickly stepped forward, asking with interest, “Bai Mu, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Bai Mu shook his head gently, pretending composure as he analyzed, “I’ve seen this creature in the spirit beast illustrations drawn by my master. It has a famous name: Dream Mo.”

“It’s the spirit beast that feeds on dreams—the Mo Beast?” Ling Yan craned her neck, as if discovering a new continent.

“That’s right, it’s exactly that!” Bai Mu nodded cautiously in confirmation.

He and Ling Yan then crouched down for a closer look.

The moment Bai Mu’s gaze met the Mo Beast’s in the flute shadow formation, the once ferocious light in its eyes softened, enveloping Bai Mu like a spring breeze.

The longer he stared, the heavier his eyelids became, until all before him faded away, replaced by a towering palace.

Green glazed tiles, crimson pillars, lotus blossoms stirring in the summer breeze, their intoxicating scent lulling him to sleep.

High in the palace tower stood a stately woman, cradling an infant less than a year old, murmuring in his ear, “Qingyang child, when you grow up, the throne of the Lord of Suyou will be yours, Xiahou Qingyang…”

For reasons unknown, Bai Mu felt the noble woman in the tower was somehow familiar to him.

Yet he had grown up on Mount Dongwang, his only companions his master and the fierce beasts, never having seen any mortal from the Wildlands.

As for the infant in her arms, though he couldn’t see its face clearly, even across the palace he sensed a strange familiarity—as if it was himself as a child...

“Bai Mu, wake up! Wake up!”

Ling Yan’s familiar, hollow voice suddenly sounded in his ear. The palace before him blurred, then vanished completely, replaced by the dense forest once more.

The trapped Dream Mo was already gone.

Bai Mu struggled to his feet, looked around in confusion, and asked, “Where’s the Dream Mo?”

“It escaped!”

Ling Yan shrugged her fragrant shoulders, her eyes tinged with helplessness.

“Wasn’t it trapped in your flute shadow formation? How did it escape in just a moment?”

“You dare ask!” Ling Yan’s delicate brows furrowed in anger as she rebuked him, “It’s all your fault!”

“Me?”

Bai Mu pointed to himself in surprise, a strange feeling rising within.

“Yes!”

“Of all times to faint, you chose to do it during a fight.”

“When I saw you suddenly collapse, I had to split my focus. In that instant, the Dream Mo seized its chance and slipped out of the formation!”

“Ah!”

Bai Mu slapped his head in frustration, then muttered regretfully, “I really was careless—knowing it was a dream-eating Mo, I still met its gaze and ended up pulled into its dream, sound asleep.”

“It dragged you into a dream?”

Ling Yan turned to him, curiosity in her eyes. “What did you dream about? Tell me honestly—did you see any celestial beauties?”

“I did.”

Bai Mu replied solemnly, “I dreamt of a dignified, noble woman…”

Humph!

Ling Yan snorted in annoyance, turning her graceful figure away, pouting and refusing to meet his eyes, clearly displeased.

Newly initiated Bai Mu had no understanding of a maiden’s heart. He stood there bewildered, mumbling, “In the dream, a woman was holding a child, calling him Xiahou Qingyang, and said he would one day be the Lord of Suyou...”