Book 3: Chapter 280: Waking From the Dream

One...

Two...

Three... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

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Twenty-four...

When she had collected twenty-four lunar phase crystals, Sylutia began to feel tired. This "fatigue" manifested concretely as a greatly reduced activity in her spiritual consciousness, a shortened range of perception, sluggish movements, and a slower pace of thought.

She had no idea how much time had passed in the real world. Sylutia wondered whether she should head back this time, then return again next time to continue picking.

There didn't seem to be a better option. If she continued in this poor state, something unexpected could happen. She stopped searching and instead wrapped up the collected "lunar phase crystals," then slowly flew out of this "Land of the Moon."

However, this time was completely different from when she had arrived.

If arriving had been like a barely visible firefly slipping into the night, then now she was like someone carrying a giant silver torch, walking through the wilderness.

Those "lunar phase crystals" she carried were far too conspicuous.

As her consciousness in the dream drifted through the Twilight Sea, some monsters wandering and slumbering within were startled awake, peering from the depths of the chaotic misty sea at this tiny drifting speck of light.

Suddenly, one of the figures swelled dramatically, pressing down like a great mountain, swallowing and engulfing that minuscule point of light.

Under the impact of this colossal monstrosity within the Twilight Sea, the tiny speck of light wrapped around the "lunar phase crystals" was instantly scattered. The lunar phase crystals within splashed in every direction, and Sylutia's consciousness and spirit body also dispersed at that moment. If she could not regather in a short time, her very soul might suffer damage beyond recovery.

Just at this critical moment, a dazzling radiance burst forth from that point of light, instantly dispelling the surrounding chaotic black mist. One by one, the scattered particles of light and lunar phase crystals shimmered within the glow, then rapidly converged back to that single point, recondensing.

Seizing the moment before the surrounding black mist and monsters could counterattack and surge back, this brilliant silver point of light suddenly accelerated, shooting out of the encirclement like a comet with a straight tail, flying toward the upper layers of the Twilight Sea, layer by layer breaking free, until finally returning to that continent above the cloudsea.

In the room, two silver candles had already burned out. The remaining one was extremely faint as well. The slumbering maiden on the bed suddenly woke, her eyes opening.

"Phew..." Sylutia gasped for breath, wiping the sweat seeping from her forehead and back, then looked around.

She had finally returned. Slowly sitting up, she blinked, and clock-face tick marks surfaced in her pupils, allowing her to perceive the time that had passed.

"Already sixteen days, huh..." she murmured softly, then walked out of the room to find several people waiting.

Among them were Amelie, Aitos, and another Sage. The latter was a rare elf woman, with silver hair tinged faintly purple, deep gray eyes like silver, wearing a white silk robe, and holding a special talisman in her hand.

"Finally awake, Hedra." Aitos stood up and approached, asking about the girl's condition.

"A bit tired, but everything is fine. No injuries." Sylutia replied, letting them know not to worry.

"That's good to hear..." Aitos let out a sigh of relief, then introduced the elf woman sitting to the side.

"This is a Sage from the 'White Violet Forest,' and also a member of the 'Origin Hourglass.' Her name is Leuce."

Hearing Aitos's introduction, she stood up, nodded slightly, and walked over.

"Sage Leuce is one of the few Sages in the Alliance who is proficient in dream-entry secret arts. She is also a Sage who has achieved mastery in all three Aspects of 'Luminous Moon, Verdant Nectar, Secret Word.'" Aitos introduced her background.

"Hello, Hedra." She greeted, her voice carrying a hint of stern goodwill.

Sylutia responded and bowed, then also got a clear look at the talisman in the Sage's hand. It was a talisman crafted from jade, and sealed within the jade were several silver leaves, precisely from the "silver wax trees" of the "Land of the Moon."

"Because you were in the dream for too long, many were worried, so they specially invited me to come take a look. Fortunately, you woke up on your own before I could be of any help." She briefly explained.

The beautiful elf Sage's voice was gentle, her pale gray-silver eyelashes slowly closing, giving her an aura like light gauze shrouding mist, as if she might dissolve into nothing at any moment.

Afterward, Amelie also stepped forward. She took Sylutia's hand and led her to sit down to the side, then carefully observed and questioned the girl. Only when she confirmed that Sylutia was truly fine did she set aside the worry in her heart.

Afterward, the four of them sat in the living room conversing. Sylutia spoke of her experience going to the Land of the Moon this time. The Sage named Leuce nodded slightly, occasionally offering pointers and supplementary insights, teaching Sylutia some practical techniques.

"Very impressive. You managed to accomplish so much on your first try." Seeing that the situation was resolved, she chatted a bit more, then took her leave.

It was only after she had gone that Aitos told Sylutia about the background of this elf Sage.

"Actually, Sage Leuce just arrived not long ago. She came over from the Second Continent. This time she'll probably stay here for about half a year, then leave with several elf disciples and return to the Second Continent."

"As an elf, she has a long lifespan. In her early years, while traveling through the Fourth Continent, she joined the 'Origin Hourglass.' Although she isn't fully part of the Mage Alliance, she counts as a very friendly external member. She often brings news from other continents. In any given decade, she spends about two years on the Fourth Continent, and the rest of the time she travels elsewhere." Sage Aitos explained.

"I see." Sylutia nodded, remembering Florerella whom she had met at the Hidden Grove. She too had come from the Second Continent.

It seemed that quite a few elves traveled abroad, and some even joined local organizations. The bard who had escorted her to the Mage Alliance, "Vengfis," also seemed to hail from the "White Violet Forest." She wondered if he knew this Sage Leuce.

After organizing all of this, Sylutia once again brought up her journey to the Land of the Moon.

"We originally thought you would wake up in a few hours, but when a long time passed and you still didn't come to, we started to worry."

"Sorry." Sylutia lowered her head. She had been too excited on her first dream-entry to the Land of the Moon, and had unconsciously lost track of time along the way.

"But with this experience under your belt, it should be much easier next time." Aitos offered a few simple words of comfort, then instructed her to rest well, and left with Amelie.

Before leaving, Amelie waved at Sylutia one more time, only then reluctantly departing.

Once again alone, Sylutia returned to the bedroom, tidied up and organized her things, changed into fresh sheets and pillowcases, then stripped off her clothes and went to the bathroom to shower.

Afterward, Sylutia, now in a fresh, light nightgown, returned to the bedroom and lay down on the bed. Though her mind was still somewhat weary, there was also a joyful sense of a bountiful return from an adventure.

She raised her wrist, and one by one, "lunar phase crystals" silently emerged, adorning the space above her head like tiny stars in the night, emitting a faint glow.

These ancient remnants of moonlight were slightly different from the moonlight of the present day.

If the current moonlight felt thin and bland, then the ancient moonlight remnant was far more delicate and richly layered. From the lunar radiance, one could taste a gentle yet powerful force, the lingering will of the "Silver Moon Dragon," an indomitable and mighty presence.

He was the master of dreams, the sovereign of the night, the dragon of law who governed heaven and earth, far beyond what the current "Luminous Moon, Hours" could compare to.