Volume One: The Path Begins Chapter 109: A Fool’s Dream

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Seeing Ye Junze’s expression as if he had finally come to a realization, Fang Lin smiled. After a moment, still seeming a bit uneasy, Fang Lin looked at Ye Junze and asked, “Do you have any other questions now?”

Ye Junze shook his head and replied, “No, thank you, Teacher Fang.”

“That’s good.” Fang Lin waved his hand and continued, “If you do have any questions, remember to tell your teacher. Don’t keep things bottled up inside.”

Ye Junze nodded, answering, “I know, Teacher Fang. Don’t worry. If I have any questions, I’ll definitely tell you.”

Fang Lin smiled and said no more.

At that moment, both their eyes flickered simultaneously as they sensed waves of spiritual energy rippling through the air.

They exchanged a glance. Fang Lin smiled and said, “Looks like someone else is waking up. I’ll go check it out. You make yourself comfortable.”

“All right, Teacher, you go ahead,” Ye Junze nodded.

Fang Lin rose and headed toward the source of the spiritual fluctuations.

Watching Fang Lin leave, Ye Junze withdrew his gaze and began contemplating his own matters.

Through this dream projection, Ye Junze personally experienced the scenes of breakthroughs at various cultivation stages, which would surely aid him in his future advances. Additionally, by spending extended time in the Nascent Soul stage within the dream, he gained deeper understanding and familiarity with its powers—almost like someone with actual Nascent Soul experience. His horizons had broadened greatly compared to ordinary people, allowing him to think and observe more profoundly. He believed that in the future he would master the skills of the Nascent Soul stage with greater proficiency.

Ye Junze then recalled the battles he fought in the dream and reflected on his shortcomings. Looking back, his control over the subtle aspects of spiritual energy was insufficient; he needed to pay closer attention and avoid wasting even the smallest amount. In the dream, because there was a significant gap between the opposing sides, Ye Junze hadn’t given it much thought. However, in future battles, especially against opponents of the same level, this would be crucial. After all, many battles are decided by just a sliver of spiritual energy.

Thinking this over, Ye Junze shook his head slightly and silently resolved, “There are still many flaws. I must be more meticulous and cautious from now on.”

For someone still at the Qi Refining stage, Ye Junze’s ability to analyze these details was no small feat. To continuously review and scrutinize the minute flaws of his dream battles was truly commendable. At least within the Daoist faction of Qi Refining cultivators, those who could reflect so thoroughly were exceedingly rare.

Ye Junze then methodically analyzed the subtle points from his dream. After some time, finding no more issues, he slowly stood up and stretched his arms behind his back, loosening the stiffness from sitting cross-legged for so long.

He thought to himself, “I’ll just keep this dream as a cherished memory.”

After fully stretching, Ye Junze exhaled deeply, his mind relaxing completely. A smile graced his face as he looked around.

His eyes wandered casually, and soon he noticed more and more people waking from their dreams.

Among those awakening, some wore expressions of sorrow, as if having endured hardships in the dream; others were filled with joy, seemingly having fulfilled long-held wishes; and some, like Ye Junze himself when he first woke, appeared confused and still immersed in the dream, struggling to fully emerge.

Each person’s expression was unique, revealing that everyone had their own one-of-a-kind dream memories.

Ye Junze’s gaze roamed the area until he spotted Li Ling, Yun Tianhan, Lu Renjia, and Fan Yan—all gradually waking.

Delighted, Ye Junze hurried toward them.

The four had just awakened and still looked dazed, their eyes clouded with confusion, so none of them noticed Ye Junze approaching.

“You’re awake! How do you feel?” Ye Junze asked with a smile.

But the few remained blank, as if they hadn’t heard him, offering no response.

Seeing this, Ye Junze was about to speak again.

However, Fan Yan, being more perceptive, quickly came to her senses and naturally heard Ye Junze’s voice, replying, “Oh? Ye Junze, you’re awake too?”

Ye Junze smiled and nodded.

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Fan Yan, upon hearing this, immediately asked with concern, “How are you? Are you all right?”

Ye Junze shook his head and answered, “I’m fine. How about you?”

Fan Yan smiled in return, “I’m fine as well. Feeling pretty good.”

At this moment, the other three seemed to have regained their senses, their confusion fading as they looked at Ye Junze and Fan Yan chatting.

Li Ling, watching the lively exchange, couldn’t help but ask, “What are you two talking about?”

“Oh, you’re finally awake!” Fan Yan turned to the others, delighted.

Ye Junze also smiled warmly at them. “Nothing much. It’s just good to see you all awake.”

They exchanged glances and then all smiled knowingly, as if recalling something amusing.

Lu Renjia suddenly burst out laughing, breaking the tension. The others quickly joined in, unable to hold back their laughter.

Their small circle echoed with laughter, drawing curious glances from those nearby.

They paid no mind to the onlookers. After a while, they stopped laughing.

“Well, judging by your looks, you must have had pretty good dreams to be smiling like that,” Li Ling said with a chuckle.

Yun Tianhan retorted without restraint, “You’re no different. You were the one laughing the hardest. Your life must have been pretty good too. Though I wonder how it compares to that of a rich young master like you.”

Li Ling smiled, unbothered, and thought for a moment before replying, “If you put it that way, I should compare them. I hadn’t thought of it before. Let me see…”

He appeared deep in thought, then nodded seriously. “After careful consideration, I’d say mine was just as good, if not better.”

“Pfft.” The others responded with a chorus of jeers, as if criticizing Li Ling’s boastfulness.

Li Ling waved his hand and laughed, “Just kidding, just kidding. Not that much better, but not bad either.”

Relieved, the others let it go.

Suddenly, Lu Renjia asked, “By the way, I’m curious—what kinds of dreams did you all have?”

At his question, smiles spread across their faces, including Ye Junze’s.

“Well, my dream is a long story,” Li Ling said immediately.

Fan Yan promptly retorted, “Then don’t bother. Mine was way more interesting. Let me tell you.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’re so sure your dream was interesting? I’m not convinced,” Yun Tianhan joined in the banter, challenging the two. Then, as if to gain support, he pulled Ye Junze into the fray. “What do you think, Ye Junze?”

Ye Junze was about to speak when he caught the sharp glances from Li Ling and Fan Yan, as if daring to say the wrong thing would get him devoured. His pupils contracted, and with a hint of annoyance, he glanced at Yun Tianhan, silently saying, “What does this have to do with me? Why drag me into this?”

Noticing Ye Junze’s gaze, Yun Tianhan shrugged, as if replying, “I’m willing,” with a teasingly defiant air.

Ye Junze could only shake his head helplessly and said, “I don’t know your dreams. Even if you ask me, I can’t answer.”

Fan Yan and Li Ling’s expressions returned to normal, nodding in satisfaction. “Now that’s better,” they thought.

But Yun Tianhan wasn’t so easily deterred. “Oh? Not knowing is fine. Just listen to me and you’ll find out.”

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Before Ye Junze could reply, a plaintive voice came from a corner: “Hey, did you guys forget something?”

They all looked toward Lu Renjia, who wore a mournful expression. Embarrassed, they coughed awkwardly to hide their discomfort.

In their hearts, they comforted themselves: well, Lu Renjia not only has a forgettable name, but now his very presence seems forgettable too. It’s not our fault! Yes, not our fault—it’s all because of his name!

Feeling somewhat better, their embarrassment lessened.

Lu Renjia looked at them helplessly but accepted the situation, consoling himself.

He waved a hand and said, “Forget it. I don’t blame you. But since we’ve all shared, Ye Junze, you haven’t told us about your dream yet.”

Hearing this, Li Ling and the others quickly chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, why just us? Ye Junze, you haven’t said a word. Come on, tell us—how was it?”

Ye Junze smiled again and spoke softly, “My dream… well, it was pretty good. I felt happy.”

Seeing his expression, the others knew he was sincere and grew curious.

Fan Yan didn’t hesitate to say, “You look like you really enjoyed it. I’m curious now; I want to know.”

“Yes, we’re all a bit curious. Tell us, tell us,” the others echoed.

Ye Junze laughed at their eagerness but didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he said, “It wouldn’t be fair for me to go first. How about this: since you all were fighting over whose dream was the most interesting, let’s play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever loses goes first. How does that sound?”

They pondered briefly, then all nodded in agreement.

Li Ling was the first to say, “That’s a good idea. I agree.”

“I have no objections. I agree too,” Yun Tianhan said.

Fan Yan smiled, “Sounds fun. I’m in.”

Lu Renjia nodded, “I agree as well.”

Seeing this, Ye Junze smiled and tentatively asked, “Since no one objects, shall we start?”

“Sure,” they replied in unison.

Together, they shouted, “Rock, paper, scissors!”

Ye Junze, Yun Tianhan, and Fan Yan chose paper, beating the other two who chose rock.

The three exchanged playful glances, amused by the outcome.

Next, Lu Renjia, who chose scissors, defeated Li Ling.

Li Ling laughed it off, “Looks like fate wants me to tell my dream. Just hope you don’t fall off your seats after hearing it.”

They all chuckled and urged him on, “Come on, start already. Stop dragging it out.”

Li Ling nodded and said, “Alright, here goes.”