Beyond the Dust

While Li Luo read the Small Notebook, Old Ping stepped out of the dust-filled warehouse and came outside.

A cool breeze swept over him, instantly dispersing the Turbid Air in his chest. The suffocating sensation brought on by the dust vanished as well.

Martin leaned against the wall outside with his arms folded. When he saw Old Ping emerge, he turned slightly and asked, "Finished reading?"

"Finished. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Thank him." Martin pointed at the Cube floating in midair. The Dream Qilin atop it noticed Old Ping looking over and even raised its tiny foreleg in greeting.

Old Ping paused, then returned the Dream Qilin's greeting.

"May I ask, Mr. Martin, how did you find that journal? How did you know it was here? If this is inappropriate, just pretend I didn't ask." He questioned Martin cautiously.

"Did you see my brothers?" Martin asked in return.

"I did."

"They already searched the other layers of the Dream, so of course they knew the notebook was here." Martin explained casually, pointing at the other "Martins" in the distance.

Hearing Martin's explanation, Old Ping understood. This seemed to be some ability involving Dreams. Asking further would truly be intrusive, so he stopped in time and changed the subject.

"Now that the robot matter has been temporarily resolved, could I ask about... the Missing Persons Case? It's very important to me." After hesitating for a moment, Old Ping still asked Martin.

"Of course, but I'm not the one you should ask. I was only called here to help. Ask that Dream Qilin instead. He knows more than I do." Martin gestured toward it again.

Old Ping understood what Martin meant. After expressing his thanks, he walked toward the strange Cube...

At that moment, the Dream Qilin lay lazily atop the