630: Chapter 630 Liang Zhu's First Meeting, Wen Cai's Proposal

"After committing suicide, this method simply didn't work. Instead, I was brought into another dreamscape, and it wasn't until I had spent a hundred years in that dream that I finally crossed over!"

"However, the small beast has already disappeared, its whereabouts unknown!" Princess Zixun said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Hun Tiandi's mouth opened slightly, revealing a look of disbelief.

"Later, I found someone to enter the Sea of Heart Refinement with me. After entering the dreamscape, we encountered the small beast. We experienced the same dream, yet he didn't see it at all. Later, after a dispute, I killed him!"

Until the hundred years came to an end.

"Is it possible that in the dream, one simply cannot wake up?" Hun Tiandi asked curiously.

"No, after entering the dream nine times, waking up is not impossible. There are two possibilities," Princess Zixun said calmly.

"Two?" Hun Tiandi frowned slightly and immediately asked.

"First, you must realize you are dreaming while inside the dreamscape, just like I did last time. Second, the dreamscape rejects you; if you are killed, the dreamscape will cast you out, and then you will wake up!" Princess Zixun said calmly.

"You are the strangest person I have ever met. I believe you will definitely find a way!"

"Me? You have too much confidence in me!" A strange feeling arose in Hun Tiandi's heart. 'I'm not a Dou Di after all.'

"Yes, you. You could even destroy the Heavenly Mansion Alliance and construct the Lingxiao Heavenly Court. What else is impossible for you!"

Princess Zixun's eyes sparkled as she spoke excitedly.

Hun Tiandi was momentarily speechless. These two things are completely unrelated, alright!

"Let's go. Since we're already here, I'll accompany you to take a look," Hun Tiandi said calmly.

"Mhm!" Princess Zixun nodded.

Immediately, she grabbed Hun Tiandi's arm and pulled him, quickly sweeping toward the depths of the Sea of Heart Refinement.

As they went deeper, the illusions they saw became more profound and increasingly lifelike. Several times, even Hun Tiandi almost became immersed, but fortunately, Princess Zixun was pulling him along.

The moment they entered an illusion, a streak of seven-colored light swept toward them. Hun Tiandi instinctively blocked Princess Zixun, and the seven-colored light passed through both their bodies.

Instantly, the two of them fell into a groggy state and collapsed.

No, it should be said they had fallen asleep.

"Yi yi yi..."

Suddenly, a series of strange sounds rang out as a fist-sized seven-colored butterfly appeared. It vibrated its two pairs of seven-colored wings; beneath its compound eyes was a pair of crystal-clear antennae, its mouthparts were needle-like pointing downward, and it had three pairs of slender red legs.

Its entire body radiated a seven-colored halo, looking exceptionally magnificent.

The little butterfly danced toward Hun Tiandi and Princess Zixun, landing on Princess Zixun before flying onto Hun Tiandi. Seeing the two in a deep sleep, it cried out with immense joy.

Yi yi yi...

The sleep of the two was likewise because they had encountered the small beast mentioned by Princess Zixun and were pulled into a dreamscape.

But what exactly was this dreamscape?

The sky was gloomy and covered with dark clouds; the oppressive weather made one feel stifled.

Boom...

A thunderous roar shook the heavens, and a light rain began to fall, steadily growing heavier. Hun Tiandi was dressed as a scholar, wearing a scholar's hat and carrying a book box on his back.

He stood on a pier alongside a group of others dressed as scholars.

"It's raining, let's go quickly!" The people around him exclaimed, quickly leaving to find shelter. In the blink of an eye, only Hun Tiandi remained, staring blankly at the falling rain.

It felt as if he had forgotten something, but he couldn't recall it.

A small boat slowly drifted past the pier. Hun Tiandi stopped thinking and called out, "Boatman, give me a lift."

The small boat slowly rowed over.

"Thank you, boatman!" Hun Tiandi said happily. He had finally waited for a boat.

The boatman, wearing a straw raincoat, stood at the stern. After Hun Tiandi entered the cabin, he saw Princess Zixun dressed in white as pure as snow, like a celestial fairy descending to the mortal world. Her cold and noble temperament was like a white lotus in full bloom.

It felt like the first time he had ever seen a fairy; Hun Tiandi was instantly captivated and stared blankly for a long while.

"This young master!" Princess Zixun, her beautiful eyes like stars, looked at Hun Tiandi and called out.

"Oh, forgive me, Miss. This humble student has lost his composure!" Hun Tiandi immediately showed a bashful expression.

Princess Zixun gave a faint smile. "Young master, please take a seat. When away from home, there is no need for such formalities!"

"Mhm!" Hun Tiandi sat down somewhat constrainedly.

For a moment, Hun Tiandi didn't know what to say. Love at first sight? This feeling was very strange. Facing the fairy in white, he wanted to speak but didn't know what to say, fearing he might offend the beauty.

The atmosphere in the cabin was a bit awkward.

"The threads of rain weave together like a curtain for a secluded dream..." Princess Zixun murmured to herself.

Hun Tiandi felt as if he had found a conversation starter and immediately said, "Listening to the wind and rain while lying by the rippling waves..."

"May I ask, young master, where are you from?" Princess Zixun looked at Hun Tiandi and revealed a stunning smile.

"My surname is Liang, my given name is Shanbo, and my courtesy name is Churen," Hun Tiandi hurriedly introduced himself.

Hearing Hun Tiandi's introduction, Princess Zixun pursed her lips and smiled.

"What is the lady laughing at?" Hun Tiandi was a bit embarrassed, his handsome face turning red.

"Young Master Liang, I asked you where you are from?" Princess Zixun said with a smile.

Only then did Hun Tiandi realize he had answered incorrectly. He immediately said flusteredly, "My name is Liang Shanbo, from Shangliang Village in Kuaiji Commandery. I am a student from a humble family, heading to the Siming Academy to study. I didn't expect to encounter such a lady. May I know how to address you?"

Princess Zixun smiled gently. "My name is Zhu Yingtai, courtesy name Xinzhai, from Zhu Family Village. I am also heading to the Siming Academy to study."

Hun Tiandi immediately sighed with emotion at their shared goals, feeling very happy.

The two talked incessantly on the boat, having a very pleasant and compatible conversation. They swore brotherhood to each other, becoming very close.

The two arrived at the Siming Academy, paid their respects to a famous master, settled their accommodation, and were assigned as desk-mates, eating and living together.

The Hun Tiandi in the dream, namely Liang Shanbo, was honest and kind, but constrained in his actions, while Zhu Yingtai was cautious and did not reveal any flaws.

However, their classmate Ma Wencai grew suspicious.

Three years as classmates passed in the blink of an eye. Princess Zixun, as Zhu Yingtai, missed her parents, and at the same time, a letter from them arrived.

The bond between Liang and Zhu was as deep as the four seas, and they saw each other off for eighteen miles.

At this time, Princess Zixun's feelings of admiration became increasingly intense. Along the way, she used a single-log bridge as a metaphor for the Magpie Bridge, and they shared a long farewell at the pavilion.

"Shanbo, I have a ninth sister who is both talented and beautiful, with extraordinary wisdom. If you were to meet her, you would surely like her!" Princess Zixun hinted.

"Thank you, worthy brother. I come from a humble background and am not from a wealthy family. How could I possibly be looked upon favorably by your ninth sister?"

Hun Tiandi said, feeling inferior.

"Do not belittle yourself. With your character and talent, I believe my ninth sister will surely favor you!" Princess Zixun reminded him.

After their parting, several months passed before Hun Tiandi finally believed Princess Zixun's hint. He packed his bags and headed to Zhu Family Village.

Asking for directions along the way, he met an old Taoist who gave him guidance, allowing him to finally find Princess Zixun.

"Paying a visit, I finally saw Yingtai and learned she is a woman who only dressed as a man to seek education." Hun Tiandi and Princess Zixun conversed.

Princess Zixun said somewhat dejectedly, "Brother Liang, the ninth sister is Yingtai herself. Why didn't you come to propose marriage sooner?"

"I..." Hearing this, Hun Tiandi found it hard to speak.

"A few days ago, the father of our classmate Ma Wencai, Governor Ma, sent a matchmaker to propose marriage and delivered the betrothal gifts. Because my father visited Governor Ma of Kuaiji Commandery when he came to the Siming Academy to see me, he believes the Ma family is powerful and influential, making it a perfect match."

"He agreed to the Ma family's proposal to join our families in marriage. Brother Liang, our bond as classmates is deep, but it is too late!"

Princess Zixun spoke mournfully, her eyes filled with tears.

Hearing this, Hun Tiandi stepped back, his whole body trembling. He felt immense regret. During the farewell at the pavilion and the eighteen-mile send-off, every word from Princess Zixun had been filled with true emotion, yet he hadn't understood at all.

He could only painfully bid farewell to Princess Zixun.

Ma Wencai's marriage proposal to Zhu Yingtai (Princess Zixun) had completely severed the last thread of their romance.