Azure waves gently lapped at the soft golden beach. The rhythm of the tides was soothing and steady, like nature's most tranquil lullaby.
In the distance, an extravagantly luxurious seaside villa stood beside the ocean, its white walls glowing against the blue sea and sky like a pearl set into the coastline.
Amid this picturesque scenery, Dai Youheng and the Snow Empress strolled hand in hand, barefoot on the warm sand. The sea breeze lifted her long silver-white hair, occasionally twining it with his jet-black strands.
He stood tall and straight, a sunny smile brightening his handsome features; she possessed an otherworldly beauty, with skin like ice and bones like jade, a goddess who seemed to have stepped out of a realm of fantasy.
"Youheng." The Snow Empress tilted her head slightly, a trace of bewilderment and confusion in her eyes. "Weren't we supposed to be sleeping and cultivating in that little cabin? How did we suddenly end up here?"
Dai Youheng chuckled and tightened his grip on her hand. "Uh-would you believe me if I said we really were sleeping?"
He paused, his teasing tone tinged with disbelief. "I never expected that method to be so profound. Not only did I fall asleep and enter meditation, but it seems I accidentally slept with you, too."
"Oh, stop it." The tips of the Snow Empress's ears reddened as she lightly spat the words. "What do you mean, slept with me? Such nonsense!" Then realization struck, and her beautiful ice-blue eyes widened slightly. "Wait, are you saying your cultivation method affected my consciousness and put me to sleep as well? Then what exactly is this place?"
"A dream." Dai Youheng surveyed the boundless ocean and clear sky, his calm voice carrying a strange resonance. "I think our dreams have intertwined, resonating