Chapter 18

They sent the wrong script! And if they’re adding scenes, the least they could do is provide a boxed lunch for the extra work!

Reciting the protagonist’s long-winded lines while earning an extra’s meager pay—this was nothing short of labor exploitation!

Driven by a personal whim, Shen Qingqiu mustered the strength to raise his hand and pat Luo Binghe’s head. The boy, whose gaze had been stubbornly defiant just moments before, froze as if a clear spring had doused the simmering anger within him.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Qingqiu spoke. “You know, there’s no need to push yourself so hard. If you can’t become stronger, I’ll stay by your side and protect you.”

Better for Luo Binghe to remain this delicate, pitiable little flower than to become that world-destroying, dark-hearted lunatic of the future. Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t mind taking care of him like this for the rest of his life.

His intentions were pure, but to another’s ears, they sounded anything but. Luo Binghe stood utterly stunned.

No one had ever made him such a direct, fervent promise before.

In all the world, how many could say, You don’t have to become stronger. As long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you?

And these weren’t empty words. When his master said he would do something, he followed through. Time and again, he had proven it—choosing to take grievous injuries himself rather than let Luo Binghe suffer even a scratch.

But the sheer indulgence in those words… it felt excessive. After the initial wave of warmth subsided, a scalding heat rushed to Luo Binghe’s cheeks.

Shen Qingqiu coughed for a moment, annoyed to find he couldn’t cough up blood even in a dream, and pinched the boy’s arm. “Alright now. Help me up.”

The spot on his wrist didn’t hurt, but a strange numbness lingered there. Luo Binghe immediately chastised himself for letting his thoughts wander at a time like this—such disrespect toward his master. He hastily collected himself and did as instructed.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the air. An aged voice let out a curious “Oh?” and remarked, “To think a mere boy could break through my barrier. Impressive.”

The voice echoed, seeming to come from all directions at once.

The boss of this level has finally appeared!

Luo Binghe remained crouched, supporting Shen Qingqiu, his eyes sharp with vigilance. For the Dream Demon to appear while his master was injured spelled serious trouble. He resolved that if the demon tried to kill them, he would fight with everything he had, however feeble his strength, to buy Shen Qingqiu a chance to survive.

That determination had barely formed when the voice spoke again. “Come closer. Let this old man see what kind of young hero possesses such skill.”

Luo Binghe looked to Shen Qingqiu. The latter, pleased that his cameo was nearly over and he could clock out soon, even found the mood to tease him. “The Senior is asking for you, young hero. Aren’t you going to answer?”

Flushing, Luo Binghe turned and replied clearly, “I dare not claim such credit. Breaking the barrier was entirely my master’s doing.”

The voice snorted, dripping with disdain.

Shen Qingqiu knew why. While he had taken a hit for Luo Binghe, this was still the boy’s dream. It was Luo Binghe reclaiming control of his consciousness that had truly shattered the nightmare. But Shen Qingqiu couldn’t be bothered to explain.

“I called for you, boy,” the voice said. “I’d prefer this ordinary cultivator from Cang Qiong Mountain not overhear our conversation. Let him sleep a while longer.”

Just as in the original plot—when Ning Yingying had been present—everyone except Luo Binghe would be expelled by the Dream Demon. A wave of heaviness washed over Shen Qingqiu, and he slumped into unconsciousness.

“Master!” Luo Binghe cried out in alarm, catching him. “Master!”

“No need to worry,” the Dream Demon said. “I merely sent him into a dream within a dream—a deeper sleep, that’s all. Now, come here!” This time, the voice clearly originated from a dark cave to the west.

Unable to rouse Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe gently laid him on the ground before turning toward the voice. “My master addressed you as Senior. As his disciple, I must show you even greater respect. I only ask that you do not make things difficult for him.”

The Dream Demon chuckled. “Boy, I’ve seen your memories. This master of yours hasn’t treated you well. Why not let me simply remove him? I’d be doing you a favor.”

He’d likely seen the memories of the original Shen Qingqiu’s interactions with Luo Binghe—which, admittedly, made up the majority.

Luo Binghe shook his head. “My master is not as you say. And regardless, he is still my master. However he treats me is his prerogative. As his disciple, I cannot show disrespect.”

“Stubborn fool!” the demon snorted. “You righteous cultivators are all the same—hypocrites to the core. Master or not, if someone bullies or harms you, you kill them! He knew your cultivation wasn’t enough to handle the Sky Hammer, yet he sent you into the arena anyway. What were his intentions? Can’t you see?”

“At that time,” Luo Binghe said firmly, “even I didn’t believe I could win. But my master believed in me. He not only gave me the chance but encouraged me during the match. And in the end, I did win.”

One more thought he kept to himself, speaking it silently within his heart:

Master took two blows for me to save my life. His care for me is genuine.

The Dream Demon had only glimpsed fragments and didn’t understand Shen Qingqiu’s character, nor did he wish to dwell on the matter. Still, he was quite satisfied with Luo Binghe’s attitude. “You’re a loyal one, boy. I’ll give you that.”

“I am not one ten-thousandth as loyal as my master is to me.”

If the Dream Demon had a mouth, it would have twitched. He decided to change the subject.

After a thoughtful pause, the demon spoke again. “I sense something within you, boy. Something suppressed, hidden deep. I cannot discern its nature, but I suspect it is… extraordinary.”

Luo Binghe was taken aback. “Something even you cannot see?”

“My kind has produced many talents,” the Dream Demon said with a low chuckle. “It’s not impossible that a demon more accomplished than I placed a seal upon you.”

The Dream Demon wouldn’t stoop to lying to a penniless teenager. Luo Binghe asked, disbelief coloring his voice, “Are you saying this thing within me… is related to demons?”

The demon sneered. “What? Displeased? Eager to distance yourself from demons?”

Luo Binghe’s shock didn’t last long. His mind worked quickly, and his reply was firm. “The demon realm commits countless evils and has injured my master many times. I naturally want nothing to do with them.”

“Boy,” the Dream Demon said, exasperated, “must you mention your master every three sentences? I’d wager your next question will be, ‘Senior, is there a way to remove it from me?’”

A bitter smile touched Luo Binghe’s lips. “Even if I asked, would you tell me?”

The Dream Demon laughed heartily. “It’s not that I won’t tell you. It’s that I truly cannot. If I cannot even see it clearly, how could I remove it? If I weren’t so intrigued by you, I would have killed you both already and spared myself this tedious conversation. Do you think I have nothing better to do?”

Luo Binghe remained silent.

You don’t even have a physical form, he thought. You’re just a shadow parasitizing others’ dreams. If you’re not idle, then who is?

Unaware of the internal jab, the Dream Demon continued. “Removal is beyond me, but suppression… that is another matter.”

Luo Binghe ventured cautiously, “Senior… would you be willing to tell me the method?”

“I can not only teach you how to suppress it,” the demon coaxed, “but I can teach you far more.”

The implication was blatant. Luo Binghe understood, and his heart sank. “You want me to cultivate the demonic path?”

Hearing the coldness in his voice, the Dream Demon grew irritated. “What’s wrong with the demonic path? If you cultivate it, that hidden power within you will greatly accelerate your progress! Soaring a thousand miles in a single day, standing above tens of thousands—it’s no empty boast. Given time, you could dominate all three realms, overturn heaven and earth, and be utterly invincible!”

The final words struck a chord within Luo Binghe.

Soaring a thousand miles in a single day. Standing above tens of thousands. Dominating all three realms. Utterly invincible.

In short… strength. Ultimate strength.

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Shen Qingqiu despised demons above all else. If he succumbed to the Dream Demon’s temptation and entered the demonic path, how could he ever face his master again? Whether Shen Qingqiu reacted with furious rage or heartbroken disappointment, Luo Binghe could not bear to see it.

“No,” he refused flatly.

The Dream Demon sneered. “If you refuse to learn from me, you will never suppress the demonic energy within you. It lies deep now, hidden, but I can feel the seal weakening. The day it breaks free, what do you think your noble master—who hates evil and dedicates himself to eradicating demons—will do to you?”

Struck where it hurt most, Luo Binghe gritted his teeth. “I am but a lowly mortal cultivator, struggling even to reach Foundation Establishment. Why must you insist I cultivate the demonic path?”

It was an excellent question. Aside from the author, no one could understand why all these extraordinary experts were always falling over themselves to make the protagonist their disciple, successor, or son-in-law.

Then again, perhaps even most authors didn’t know the answer to that age-old mystery.

“Do not be ungrateful, boy!” the Dream Demon snapped. “I see your unique condition and do not wish my life’s knowledge to vanish with my flesh. Countless others would beg for this opportunity!”

Luo Binghe’s expression remained blank. Seeing his lack of response, a sudden, ominous premonition washed over the Dream Demon.

A slow, guileless smile finally spread across Luo Binghe's face.

"Senior is so eager to teach me," he said, his tone measured. "Surely it's not just because you don't want your knowledge to die with you?"

The Dream Demon's nonexistent heart sank.