Outside the dreamscape.
A star the size of a rice grain glowed on Lu Zhi's forehead, signifying his successful entry into the dream of memories.
Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian waited anxiously by his side, occasionally glancing at the beaming Horse God.
Qian Zhi, proud, lifted its horse head and declared, "The righteous path is one foot high, but the demonic path is ten feet high. Though I cannot bestow boons, I can help Ah Ye recall some past events. It is a pity my abilities are limited, and I can only help Ah Ye remember memories related to me."
Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian exchanged glances. Jiang Yue finally couldn't help but ask, "That... why do you call Lu Zhi Ah Ye?"
Wang Cao Tian scratched his head and cautiously said, "I understand the meaning of 'Ah Ye.' Why do you call Lu Zhi 'Daddy'?"
Then, Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian saw the divine Qian Zhi, revealing shy eyes, "Can't I... can't I call you that?"
The last three words were spoken fiercely, with a threatening gaze.
Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian almost shook their heads off. Wang Cao Tian, being very tactful, flattered, "You are a Horse God; you can call him whatever you wish."
Qian Zhi snorted proudly.
Suddenly, Qian Zhi turned its head to look at the sky behind it, its expression filled with terror, "Bad, bad! That mad dog has discovered my actions. When it goes mad, it's terrifying!"
Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian were completely bewildered. It seemed they were genuinely afraid of the 'mad dog' she mentioned, as even her self-appellation "Wu" had changed to "I."
However, who could this 'mad dog' be, capable of striking fear into the Horse God, whose power was so formidable now?
"Never mind, you have all passed the trials. The divine tower will not be open to you again. All of you, leave now!" The Horse God Qian Zhi stamped its front hoof, ripples appearing on the mirror-like water surface, raising a water wall that enveloped the three of them. With a flash of white light, the three were teleported out of the divine tower.
The sky was hazy, with a light, continuous rain falling. The soil on the island was wet, and the raindrops from the leaves hitting their faces, the cold sensation brought Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian back to reality.
"Did we really get out?" Jiang Yue still couldn't believe it and pinched Wang Cao Tian's arm hard.
"Ouch—" Wang Cao Tian winced in pain. "You've gone too far! Why didn't you pinch yourself?"
Jiang Yue chuckled, "Because pinching myself hurts."
Wang Cao Tian: ...
"Let's see when Lu Zhi wakes up... Wait, why is our junior Lu protected by a glow, unaffected by the rain?" Jiang Yue's attention shifted abruptly, and in the next second, she felt the strong malice of being treated differently.
Wang Cao Tian looked down at his wet, mud-covered clothes and sighed, "I wish I could be treated differently too."
Jiang Yue chuckled twice, "When you have a deity calling you Daddy, you'll have reached the pinnacle of life."
Wang Cao Tian realized that this unrealistic thought required no imagination; it was simply impossible.
Suddenly, the divine tower emitted a strong golden light. In the sky, a giant spear, as red as blood, with an invincible aura, swept through the fine rain and wind, piercing the divine tower with unstoppable force.
The tower burst with a blinding light, and the golden hooves transformed into a shield, blocking the spear's attack. A sound like metal clashing echoed, and a shockwave surged outwards in all directions, nearly blowing Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian away.
"What's going on?!!!" Jiang Yue's expression was one of great alarm, thinking that the apostles who hadn't left the island had launched a surprise attack, but their power was so immense it made her tremble with fear.
"I'm going, I'm going, I'm going—" Wang Cao Tian hugged a tree trunk, his hair blown into a bird's nest.
The next second, with two crisp cracking sounds, the hoof shield was pierced by the spear. With fierce momentum, it intended to destroy the divine tower in one go, but just as it was about to pierce the tower, it shattered into countless arrows, raining down an attack on the divine tower.
After rumbling explosions, the golden light on the divine tower's body had dimmed considerably, carrying a somewhat decadent aura.
His black and gold flowing robe shimmered with radiance, and Shen Qi's crimson-gold silver-ringed eyes overflowed with icy, bone-chilling anger. He stamped his bare foot forcefully, causing the sea outside the island to concave, creating a massive crater and a vortex, shattering large coral trees.
His cold voice lowered, "Next time, I will kill you."
The divine tower's light brightened for a moment, then quickly dimmed, inexplicably giving off a trembling visual sensation.
Jiang Yue and Wang Cao Tian froze on the spot, their bodies unable to move an inch due to fear. When Shen Qi's terrifying pressure disappeared, Lu Zhi, who was beside them, also vanished.
Jiang Yue suddenly gave a bitter smile and murmured, "Fortunately... Big shot Shen... is on our side."
Wang Cao Tian's goosebumps hadn't subsided. He said, "Are you sure... it's not because of Lu Zhi?"
Jiang Yue thought: You've hit the nail on the head.
—
The dream Lu Zhi had was long, yet short.
When he woke up, he found himself lying in a warm bed, with a light drizzle falling outside the window.
Suddenly, he lowered his gaze to the arm around his waist and turned his head to see Shen Qi's handsome and enchanting face. His silky long hair was spread across the pillow and bedding, his brow furrowed, as if he were dreaming of unpleasant things.
Lu Zhi had always felt that Shen Qi, in his divine form, possessed a more enchanting aura and appearance, exuding a dangerous aura that was both frightening and irresistible.
As for Shen Qi in his human form, he gave off a colder, more distant feeling, with an abstinent temperament. Every move he made exuded a sense of pressure.
Therefore... it combined all of Lu Zhi's preferences.
However, those past memories had plunged Lu Zhi into a very conflicted state. He even suspected himself... of being a pervert.
The Horse God had allowed him to 'see' his own memories, 'see' Shen Qi when he was a child, and even more so, 'see' how 'deeply affectionate' his relationship with Shen Qi was.
Shen Qi had said he used to love holding him while sleeping.
So, that sentence wasn't a lie. Shen Qi in childhood was so soft, cute, and obedient, like a little bun.
Look at him now; he had grown crooked.
All in all, he felt... he needed to have a talk with Shen Qi.
Suddenly, Shen Qi opened his crimson-gold silver-ringed eyes without warning, staring straight at Lu Zhi. The hand encircling Lu Zhi's waist suddenly pulled him fiercely into his embrace.
Lu Zhi's vision shifted, and he found himself kneeling on Shen Qi. He slowly met Shen Qi's eyes, which, no matter how he looked at them, seemed resplendent and dangerous. The fleeting tension and unease within them, for some reason, softened Lu Zhi's desire to question.
Lu Zhi hooked a strand of Shen Qi's long hair and twirled it, a smile curving his lips. He tilted his head, his dark eyes flashing with a mischievous glint, and said, "Good boy, call me Daddy."
Shen Qi's eyes darkened abruptly. He raised his hand, pressed down on Lu Zhi's head, and kissed him fiercely.