Chapter 390: The Dream of the Candle Dragon
In the luxurious boudoir, pearl curtains swayed gently as candlelight cast flickering red shadows.
Lin Wan stood before a gilded bronze mirror, looking at her reflection with mixed emotions—she wore a flowing crimson brocade gown with cloud patterns that trailed to the floor, a jade belt at her waist adorned with countless pearls, and phoenixes embroidered with golden threads on the wide sleeves seemed ready to take flight at any moment.
Whenever she used this female avatar, such absurd thoughts occasionally surfaced in her mind, but they were always ruthlessly extinguished by her own sense of shame.
"This really wasn't my idea to wear..." she muttered quietly, yet her fingers unconsciously traced the exquisite embroidery at the cuff.
The reflection in the mirror, with its captivating gaze, possessed a stunning beauty that was even more breathtaking than usual, leaving her momentarily transfixed.
"Xiao Wan? What's wrong?"
Ji Hongli's anxious voice came from beside her.
At that moment, she was dressed as a wealthy young master—a moon-white silk robe accentuated her tall figure, and her black hair, tied up in a jade crown, was adorned with a turquoise hairpin, making her look every bit like a dashing nobleman.
Lin Wan ignored her, simply pursing her lips in silence as she counted in her mind: three, two, one—
Sure enough, Ji Hongli's expression changed abruptly.
First, she frowned in confusion, then her pupils dilated slightly, and finally, her face lit up with dawning realization.
"Back to yourself?" Lin Wan asked with a smile.
Ji Hongli pressed her fingers to her temples, nodded, then looked at Lin Wan, her eyes suddenly filled with admiration.
She took two steps forward, used her folding fan to gently lift Lin Wan's chin, and said in a voice tinged with suppressed amusement: "My husband, in this attire... you're rather stunning."
Lin quickly distanced herself: "This wasn't my choice. I only woke up slightly before you, not even enough time to finish a cup of tea."
...
After a moment—
"So..." a clarity flashed in Ji Hongli's eyes: "We're trapped in a massive illusion."
"Correct," Lin Wan said. "According to the legends you mentioned, we might very well be inside the dream of the Candle Dragon."
"A dream?" Ji Hongli murmured to herself as she quickly recalled what had just happened.
The moment they entered, her own memories had been blocked, and then she'd been forcefully implanted with new ones. In these memories, Lin Wan was a courtesan who entertained but did not sell her body at a brothel.
And she, Ji Hongli, was a wealthy young man who loved and understood her.
Today, the two of them had been discussing her redemption.
However, Lin Wan had regained her self-awareness in an instant, while Ji Hongli had been slightly slower, which had led to the scene just now.
...
Interesting.
She roughly skimmed through the forcibly implanted memories.
Ji Hongli chuckled softly, then turned and pushed open the carved window.
A wave of clamor instantly rushed in—along both sides of the long street, ornate buildings stood in neat rows, and countless mortals jostled against each other in the crowds.
At the same time, her divine sense swept across the area, detecting mysterious auras hidden in many places, great concealments within the bustling city.
"They should be immortal cultivators hidden among mortals," Lin Wan judged. "But their breathing techniques are strange, very different from the cultivators of the Xuan Ying continent."
"Of course," Ji Hongli said matter-of-factly. "If this is truly the Candle Dragon's dream, then the place we're in now should be the legendary world where immortal cultivation was most prosperous—the Primordial Era."
...
Just then, the pleasant mechanical sound rang out as expected:
[Ding!]
[Detecting host exploring forbidden ground: Candle Dragon Secret Realm, achievement unlocked—Lower World Loafer]
[System notification: Epic achievement unlocked: Lower World Loafer]
Lower World Loafer: Explored all seven forbidden areas of the Lower World, completion [6/7]
[Completion of Lower World Loafer achievement rewards a random supreme immortal technique (complete version)]
Lin Wan's lips curved slightly, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes:
"Alright, business is taken care of." She turned to gaze out at the magnificent scenery of the primordial world, "How do we get out of here?"
"You came all this way just for a look?" Ji Hongli's fan snapped shut with a sharp pa sound, her face filled with astonishment.
"What else?" Lin blinked.
Ji Hongli stared at her innocent expression, momentarily speechless, then suddenly sighed with disinterest, explaining:
"There are ancient texts of the demon race that record two ways to leave."
She raised a finger, "Either violently destroy this dream, or satisfy certain specific conditions—such as the dream master's wishes or regrets."
"Regrets?" Lin was curious, "Even the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Demons has regrets?"
"Why be curious?" Ji Hongli said: "Unless it's an existence that has completely transcended... otherwise, everyone has regrets."
Ji Hongli's words only piqued Lin's interest further.
Her lips curved slightly as her crimson sleeves brushed against the windowsill: "Then let's have a look around? I haven't properly appreciated the scenery of the primordial era yet."
Before she could finish speaking, a sharp, piercing female voice suddenly came from outside the door:
"My dear daughter, the time has come—don't let Young Master Ji get the better of you—" The voice dragged out, making her identity unmistakable.
Lin Wan and Ji Hongli froze, then exchanged a knowing smile.
...
Meanwhile, not far from where the two of them were—
In the front hall of the brothel, the vermilion-painted doors creaked open.
Bai Li was roughly shoved through the threshold, stumbling and nearly falling.
Her white skirt was stained with mud, and the hairpin in her hair was askew, yet she still held her back straight.
The Qing Dai behind her was even more disheveled, her legs rubbed raw by iron chains, yet she fiercely clutched the bundle in her arms.
"Miss Bai—" The leading madam covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief as she chuckled, gold bracelets jingling on her wrist, "I know you were once a lady of a noble family."
Failed Transmigration: Becoming a Behind-the-Scenes Big Shot with My Daughter
She suddenly grabbed Bai Li's chin, her crimson-painted nails nearly digging into her skin, "But since you've come to the Dream Immortal Pavilion, you'll have to put that former attitude away."
Bai Li was forced to tilt her head back and saw the red gauze hanging from the second-floor railing—behind it, countless shadows moved, many of whom seemed to be watching her pitiful state through it.
"I heard your father's family was confiscated by the Emperor, and he was exiled three thousand li. I doubt he'll ever return." The madam's expression shifted as she helped straighten her collar, "So now that you're here, don't walk around with such a long face all day. Smile more, and life will be easier for you. Understand?"
Bai Li's lips twitched, managing a smile that was even uglier than a cry.
"Oh!" The madam clapped in admiration, "As expected of a girl from a scholarly family! That coy, unspoken expression!" She turned to the bouncers and announced loudly, "All of you watch closely! This one will surely become our new top attraction at the Dream Immortal Pavilion!"
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