That night.
Apartment 3201, 32 Price Street.
The master bedroom door was tightly closed, the curtains were drawn, and only the faint light from the bedside lamp remained. Gilan, wearing only his underwear and shirtless, sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, quietly practicing meditation.
After the phantom pain of the " Twelve Thorns " subsides.
He was covered in sweat and his face was deathly pale.
Whether it was because she gradually adapted to this pain that exceeded the limits of ordinary people, Gilan still retained some physical strength.
After resting for a while and waiting for the pain to subside, he stood up with difficulty, his body trembling. He picked up a clean, folded towel that had been prepared in advance on the bedside table and wiped the sweat off his body.
Gilan felt her Gnosis rising and turned to look at the clock on the wall.
"Is it almost nine o'clock?" he Whisperer. "I have an appointment with Dadeier tomorrow morning, I should go to bed early."
Gilan tidied herself up before lying down on the bed.
With a click, I pulled the cord for the bedside lamp, turned off the light, and closed my eyes.
As Spirit Mystic, he has mastered the control of his body and mind, and can fall asleep at any time.
When consciousness fades and one drifts into Dreamland.
Gilan controlled himself and had a lucid dream, arriving at that Mind Island under the night sky, his own Kingdom.
He walked forward in the silent darkness and soon arrived at the Cross-Sword Bonfire.
The campfire was still burning weakly.
The light dimmed, and the temperature dropped.
Mr. Stork and his two companions were lying in a circle around the campfire, fast asleep.
Miss Seagull was the first to be awakened by the sound of footsteps.
She opened her eyes and saw the person who had come; a look of joy immediately appeared on her pale face. She struggled to stand up, but her legs went weak and she almost fell.
Gilan reached out and caught her.
The Seagull then perched on his shoulder and pressed its head against his chest.
" Snowy Owl, the fire is getting smaller and smaller," she said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I'll figure something out."
Gilan comforted her and helped her to sit down by the campfire.
"I'm a little cold," the Seagull said, shivering slightly and biting her lip.
Her gaze reflected a faint orange-red light as she tilted her head to meet Gilan's eyes.
Gilan remained silent, then wrapped his arm around her, trying to warm her with his own body heat.
The Seagull nestled obediently against his chest, its tense little face relaxing, and it even shifted into a more comfortable position, snuggling closer.
"Thank you," she whispered.
After a long silence, the Seagull spoke again, its voice soft and distant:
"The three of us seemed to lose all sense of time. The time spent around the campfire felt like only a few minutes had passed, yet also like several months had gone by."
"At first, I was very happy to see you again, but later I became very worried. I was afraid that when the campfire went out, we would really disappear."
Gilan did not respond, but listened silently.
The Seagull seemed to have a lot to say, but hadn't had a chance to, so it took this opportunity to pour it all out to him:
"It's very dark here, pitch black except for the light from the campfire."
It was as if there was no daytime, only perpetual night.
"The island is small, surrounded by black, icy water. We can't leave, and we can't see any other person, or even a single creature."
"All was silent; all things were lifeless."
"Every time I wake up, all I can see is darkness."
"I feel scared and terrified, Snowy Owl."
The Seagull lowered its head and gripped his collar with both hands.
Gilan sighed.
Although the Seagull survived as spirits, they could only continue to live by relying on their own Mind Kingdom. From another perspective, isn't this a painful form of constraint?
They were confined in this deathly silent "prison," as vast as deep space.
Darkness reigned, and loneliness was unbearable.
The three of them couldn't leave on their own; only with his guidance could they venture out and glimpse the real world. Just like last time, he led them to Miss Sparrow.
But now the situation has changed.
The Cross-Sword Bonfire was dim, and they were trapped in place, unable to move even half a step, lest they dissipate.
"Once I've sorted out the campfire issue, I'll take you out more often."
Gilan lowered her eyes and offered words of comfort.
"Go outside and get some fresh air."
"Pfft." For some reason, the Seagull chuckled. She raised her head, her eyes filled with mockery. "We are spirits, we don't need to breathe."
Gilan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.
The Seagull seemed to have warmed up a bit from his body warmth and regained some strength, straightening up from his embrace. Then, she smoothed her hair, rested her elbow on his shoulder, leaned closer, and tilted her head, saying:
"Then, if you have time during this period, come here and keep me company more often... let's do it together."
Her lips twitched, and she added:
"There's nothing to do except sleep, it's so boring."
"Okay, sure." Gilan nodded.
Then he thought of something else and suggested:
"Once Mr. Stork and the others wake up, you can try practicing meditation here. Perhaps it will help your current state."
The practice of meditation can enhance Gnosis, thereby increasing spiritual capacity.
Although the three Seagull were only souls, their spirituality had not dissipated; otherwise, they would have long since lost their memories and consciousness.
This conclusion was derived by Gilan.
Since that's the case.
In theory, they are capable of practicing meditation.
Once their Gnosis reaches a certain level, they will naturally be able to absorb cosmic elements and integrate them into their spirituality, thereby stabilizing their own state.
Perhaps, in the future, the three of them will be able to walk freely in reality, just like Vivi.
Gilan shared these speculations and explanations with the Seagull.
"Huh?" She was taken aback at first. "So that's how it can be done."
His eyes immediately lit up, as if he had seen a glimmer of hope.
"Great! I'll tell the stork and the Oystercatcher!"
The Seagull's mood improved, and with a smile, it boldly pecked Gilan on the cheek.
After stepping back, a blush appeared on her originally pale face. She gave him a triumphant look, as if she had succeeded.
Gilan met his gaze, feeling the lingering coolness on her cheek.
Inwardly, however, he sighed inwardly.
'Unfortunately, having lost their physical bodies, they are unlikely to embark on the " Path of the Flaming Sword " and become a Spirit Mystic.'
Even a first-order " Kingdom " requires a physical body and a brain as its foundation, so that through lucid dreams, it can leave its own imprint deep in the soul.
But this very first step will become an insurmountable barrier, forever blocking their way.
Spirits cannot possess a " Kingdom ".
This is a truth from the realm of mystery.
" Seagull, I also have a meditation method here."
Gilan thought for a moment, then said to the black-haired woman.
"I'll teach you now. When Mr. Stork and the others wake up, you can teach them as well... Afterwards, you can compare the < Wooden Cangue Meditation Method > you have and see which one suits you better."
"Ah, so you were secretly hiding something good!"
The Seagull joked.
As she spoke, she naturally moved closer. Until she saw Gilan take out a red-covered notebook and begin explaining the contents of the so-called " Iron Thorn Meditation Method " to her.
Halfway through the conversation, the Seagull's smile gradually faded.
The look in her eyes when she looked at the man beside her turned into one of admiration and pity.
The practice of this meditation method requires enduring unparalleled pain...
So how much suffering did the Snowy Owl endure to gain their current strength and establish a protective Mind Kingdom for them?
To rekindle the campfire and save them.
After that, they will inevitably suffer even more pain.
The Seagull silently stretched out its arms and hugged his neck.
Gilan stopped explaining, seemingly confused.
In the dim light of the campfire, all was silent, leaving only two shadows swaying gently as they pressed together.