Chapter 40: The True Dream and a Wasted Opportunity

“What game?!”

Bai Yu’s senses gradually sharpened as she gazed at the girl before her, who was slowly fading into transparency, a profound sense of powerlessness welling within her.

Could she truly contend with a god?

“Hehe, when I was creating this dream, some things from the inner world intruded. Hmm, according to human terms, those things should be called Shadow Beasts, right?”

“Shadow Beasts? What do they have to do with this?”

Bai Yu questioned, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“Of course they do. Since this dream world isn’t complete, life hasn’t yet been born within it. So, I simply decided to use those Shadow Beasts as demons.”

Bai Yu frowned deeply. If that were the case, Cecelia would be facing countless Shadow Beasts. How could a Tier 4 Arcanist possibly overcome such a horde?

“So, what do you want me to do?”

“Don’t be angry, Master. Although this world isn’t complete, it encompasses almost everything a real world would contain. After all, everything here once existed.”

“Master only needs to eliminate those Shadow Beasts, and this world will belong to Master. Consider it my welcoming gift.”

“This world?”

A jolt went through Bai Yu’s heart. What did Lili truly mean? Bai Yu had initially thought the dream world was merely an illusion, but Lili’s words implied something far greater.

Seeing Bai Yu’s stunned expression, Lili offered a faint smile.

“Is Master surprised? Yes, this world is, to a certain extent, absolutely real.”

“So, the protagonist must work hard, both for those trapped in the dream and for that little knight. Master seems to quite like her, don’t they?”

Lili’s tone clearly betrayed a hint of displeasure as she spoke.

“How am I supposed to get rid of those Shadow Beasts, those demons? With my current abilities, it’s simply impossible!”

Bai Yu rushed forward, pressing for answers, as Lili’s figure was on the verge of vanishing.

“That’s for Master to figure out. I already said, this world is my welcoming gift to you.”

Lili offered no clear answer to Bai Yu, merely chuckling to herself, seemingly in high spirits.

“Farewell, Master. If all goes as planned, we should meet again soon.”

“Next time, I will create the most perfect dream world, and we will be together forever, Master.”

Lili’s ethereal form completely dissipated, leaving Bai Yu utterly alone in the throne room.

Leaning against a nearby pillar, she felt an overwhelming weariness surge through her mind.

Although she now understood her predicament, a complex mix of emotions still swirled within her.

Despite the brevity of her interaction with Lili, the strange sense of familiarity and affection she felt was undeniable.

Even from her own perspective, or that of any ordinary person, Lili was a complete villain.

Yet, Bai Yu found herself unable to feel any animosity towards her.

It was absolutely not because she was a loli, absolutely not!

“Ugh, never mind. I should probably focus on what to do next.”

Bai Yu sighed. Her primary objective now was to fulfill Lili’s ‘game.’

Though she detested being led by the nose by Lili, her current circumstances left her with no other choice.

Not to mention, Cecelia was still in danger. Bai Yu had no idea where she was or if she had already begun battling those Shadow Beasts.

Bai Yu scanned her surroundings. The throne room remained as opulent and grand as ever, but she knew it was all merely an illusion crafted by Lili.

She had to find a way out.

Stumbling unsteadily, Bai Yu made her way towards the throne, her only desire at the moment being to find a place to rest.

What exactly had Lili done to her last night? Why was she so exhausted? Even if she fell, it should only hurt, not leave her so utterly drained.

Arriving before the throne, Bai Yu noted that despite it being merely Lili’s dream world, the seat before her still possessed an irresistible allure.

After all, what boy hadn’t dreamed of such a scene?

Even though she was no longer a boy, Bai Yu honestly admitted to having fantasized about similar scenarios.

She slowly sat down upon the throne.

The instant she settled into it, a torrent of complex information flooded her mind, causing her to lose herself in thought for a moment.

“This is…”

Bai Yu began to observe her body’s condition: spirituality, knowledge, and ritual.

Her [Constellation] spiritual core spun furiously, devouring the energy of this dream world.

Was this an Ascension Ritual?

Yet, despite this, Bai Yu’s [Constellation] spiritual core remained at Tier 2. Because she possessed two spiritual cores, both had to reach Tier 2 before she could advance further.

“Damn, didn’t I just waste an advancement opportunity? This is such a scam!”

Bai Yu couldn’t help but curse. Who would have known sitting on a chair could grant an upgrade? Had she known, she wouldn’t have done it.

Her heart ached terribly at that moment, a perfectly good opportunity lost just like that!

If her previous advancement could be explained by killing monsters in a dream, this felt far too absurd.

She hadn’t even been trying to advance!

[It’s alright. This Ascension Ritual will be preserved. Once your other spiritual core advances, [Constellation] will automatically advance.]

Moweila’s voice suddenly materialized in Bai Yu’s mind.

“Holy hell, when did you come out?!”

Startled, Bai Yu shot up from the throne, completely taken aback.

“No, wait, how *can* you come out?”

[When you sat on that chair, ownership of this dream world passed into your hands. As a part of your body, it’s only natural for me to appear.]

Moweila explained.

“So, what exactly has been going on from start to finish?”

Her true cheat, the omnipotent Witch of the End, Moweila, had finally returned!

[That individual, the little girl you saw, is the Outer God who descended. You already know this, don’t you?]

Bai Yu nodded.

[When she descended, everyone in Xian City instantly fell into the dream she created.]

[The difference is, everyone else’s dreams were false. Only yours was real.]

“Real?”

[Indeed. Her intention was likely to completely alter your memories, and then keep you with her in this dream world.]

“Why… why would she do that?”

Bai Yu frowned. Although she felt a strange familiarity with Lili, it was impossible for her to have any connection with an Outer God.

Even if Lili appeared as a little girl, a loli, the power of a god was undeniably real.

It was an existence that transcended even Tier 10 Arcanists; in fact, there was simply no comparison between the two.

[I don’t know. Perhaps she has some kind of connection with you. That much I am not privy to.]

“This…”

Bai Yu felt a headache brewing. It seemed there were many unknown secrets about herself in places she couldn’t perceive.