Chapter 104: Conversation

"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu," Zhao Meng's voice called out.

Qin Yu opened her eyes and looked at Zhao Meng's face, so close she could almost touch it. Her voice was hoarse as she asked, "What is it?"

"Xiaoyu, you have a fever. How are you feeling now? Xia Cheng treated you a bit—do you feel any better?" Zhao Meng asked, worry etched in her words.

A fever? How long had it been since she last had one? Why this time? And was that really just a dream she had earlier?

Right now, her whole body felt weak, limp and exhausted. She touched her burning forehead, then took some fever medicine from her space and swallowed it.

Zhao Meng watched her do this and breathed a sigh of relief. She had almost forgotten Xiaoyu still had medicine in her possession—now the fever should subside.

"Xiao Meng, what time is it now? Are the base gates about to open?" Qin Yu asked, her voice frail.

"Dawn should be soon, but the gates won't open until it's fully light—probably another two or three hours. Rest for now; I'll come get you later," Zhao Meng said.

"By the way, Xiao Meng, are you and Xia Cheng alright now?" Qin Yu asked as Zhao Meng was about to leave.

Zhao Meng paused in her steps, turned back, and replied, "We're fine—turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Our abilities feel much stronger!"

Qin Yu nodded, finally at ease. Hearing Zhao Meng's footsteps fade, Qin Yu reflected on the "dream" she'd just had.

Was it really only a dream? Yet that person, Zi, had felt so real—so real she thought she’d entered another space.

"Qin Yu, may I come in?" Nangong Yao’s voice sounded outside the tent.

Qin Yu was startled, then answered, "Come in."

Nangong Yao entered, looking at the weakened Qin Yu. He handed her a pill and said, "You’re not just feverish. Someone invaded your spiritual sea. Fortunately, they meant no harm; otherwise, you’d be brain dead by now. Here, take this—it’ll help."

Qin Yu took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation. As for why she was so decisive—well, Nangong Yao could kill her with a wave of his hand. How could he possibly resort to tricks? Besides, she trusted him.

Nangong Yao’s eyes flashed with satisfaction. Excellent—just as he’d hoped.

As soon as Qin Yu swallowed the pill, she felt a warm current surge from her stomach to her brain, washing over her mind again and again, erasing the exhaustion and weakness. Her cheeks soon flushed with health.

Nangong Yao, seeing her rosy complexion, laughed. "That guy’s stuff really works!"

Qin Yu, basking in the pleasant sensation, heard this and asked curiously, "That guy?"

"Ah? Yes, that guy," Nangong Yao said, his lips curving into a smile. But unlike his usual teasing or refined smirks, this smile was full of nostalgia and affection.

Looking at Nangong Yao, Qin Yu suddenly pictured Zi’s fierce face in her mind. Hesitantly, she asked, "Do you know someone named Zi?"

Nangong Yao shook his head. "You should rest. Being invaded in your spiritual sea is exhausting. I’ll check outside." With that, he stood up to leave.

Not know him? Qin Yu pondered. Wait, he’d said he couldn’t remember his own name, so—

"Wait!" Qin Yu called out.

"Hmm?" Nangong Yao turned, confusion on his face.

"Do you know someone with hair as long as yours, as tall as you, and—well, someone as handsome as you? Most importantly, someone with mesmerizing violet eyes?" Qin Yu rattled off her words.

Nangong Yao’s expression darkened at first, but when he heard "violet eyes," his gaze brightened instantly. He rushed to Qin Yu’s side, grabbing her hand tightly, urgent. "Where is he? Where did you see him? Is he alright? Is he hurt? He—"

Qin Yu stared in surprise at Nangong Yao’s moving lips, only responding after a while. She withdrew her hand from his grasp, which was starting to ache, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Calm down. How am I supposed to answer so many questions at once?"

Nangong Yao took a deep breath, then spoke, calmer now. "Sorry, I got carried away. Hearing news of him was overwhelming."

"Is he alright?" Nangong Yao finally asked.

"Yes, he’s quite capable. He seemed in good shape," Qin Yu replied.

"Good, good... Where did you see him?" Nangong Yao continued.

"By a small stream, the setting was lovely. He was bathing there," Qin Yu recalled.

"By a stream?" Nangong Yao seemed struck by something, delighted. "Was there a tree by the stream, with some words carved into it?"

"Uh, I didn’t really notice. There were lots of trees by the stream," Qin Yu answered, embarrassed. She’d thought it was a dream after all! Even if it was real, who goes around checking for carvings on trees?

"Oh, that’s alright. Knowing he’s well is enough. But it seems he invaded your spiritual sea," Nangong Yao said.

Qin Yu frowned. "What do you mean?"

"In simple terms, he entered your spiritual sea and took you to the place he wanted to go," Nangong Yao explained.

"Why me?" Qin Yu asked.

"I don’t know. We’ll have to ask him when we see him. Sigh," Nangong Yao sighed. He too wondered why Qin Yu’s spiritual sea was invaded—and why she was taken to what might be his and that person’s private world. The thought made Nangong Yao want to slap that guy—weren’t there supposed to be only two people who knew about it?

Of course, what Nangong Yao didn’t realize was that Zi had forgotten that place entirely; he was simply following his instincts to see Nangong Yao—but for some reason, Qin Yu got involved.

All of this would only be cleared up when the two finally met. For now, misunderstandings would persist.

As for Qin Yu, after hearing Nangong Yao’s explanation, she realized that Zi’s threat had been to take care of this person—Nangong Yao. But did Nangong Yao really need her care? His combat strength was several times her own!

"Qin Yu, you must keep this secret. I don’t want him to get into any trouble," Nangong Yao said seriously.

"Alright, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone," Qin Yu promised.

"Good. Rest, then. I’ll go outside to clear my head," Nangong Yao said, quickly leaving the tent.

Qin Yu was left alone, still digesting everything that had happened today.