As the two ventured deeper, the purple mist in Dream Valley grew ever denser, as though it would dye heaven and earth an eerie violet. The floating motes were no longer scattered fireflies, but had gathered into flowing rivers of stars, streaming densely around them.
"Wulin, hold on tight."
Gu Yue reminded him softly, her voice unusually clear in the mist.
Tang Wulin obediently nodded on her back, wrapping both arms tightly around her neck and clinging to her like a koala. His eyes, once full of heroic spirit, now held a child's innocent bewilderment and curiosity. Every so often, he reached out a little hand, trying to catch the purple motes drifting before him.
"Got you!"
Tang Wulin cried excitedly, snapping his little hand shut, only to catch a handful of empty air. The mote slipped between his fingers and gathered again nearby, as though mocking his futile effort.
"Stop that."
Gu Yue shook her head helplessly and reached back to pat Tang Wulin's thigh. "You mustn't touch those motes. They'll give you nightmares."
"Nightmares?"
Tang Wulin tilted his head, seemingly pondering the word's meaning, but another passing mote soon caught his attention. "Gu Yue, look! That one's glowing!"
He pointed at an oddly shaped ball of light nearby. It grew and shrank, shifting through various colors like a mischievous sprite.
Gu Yue followed his finger, her brow furrowing slightly.
That ball of light... something's wrong.
It was not ordinary nightmare energy, but carried a trace of mental attack fluctuations. If Tang Wulin actually touched it, he would likely plunge into the deepest depths of terror at once.
"Don't touch that."
Gu Yue's tone grew stern. She quickened her steps, hoping to get past the ball of light as soon as possible.
But Tang Wulin was already utterly captivated