From a certain perspective, this illusion was quite successful.
It succeeded in making everyone unhappy. Whether it was Liu Buli and Lu Wuming, or You Siqi and Shen Muzhi, everyone harbored thoughts that caused them worry and distress, naturally making the atmosphere no longer as pleasant as before.
After a moment of silence, Liu Buli was the first to break the quiet, initiating a new topic. "By the way, Physician Shen, what did you see in the illusion just now? Logically speaking, you're not a novice anymore, and you're a physician yourself. Your resistance to heart demon illusions should be much stronger than ours. So, what happened just now?"
His question was too direct.
Shen Muzhi pursed his lips. He wasn't particularly inclined to answer this question.
But looking around and seeing You Siqi staring at him with a face full of confusion, waiting for an answer, Shen Muzhi's heart softened. He sighed and recounted the situation in the illusion to everyone.
The expressions on the faces of the others were complex after hearing his account.
Lu Wuming, without any pretense, delivered a harsh verdict: "You are an utter fool."
While the others didn't voice it so bluntly, their gazes clearly conveyed the same sentiment.
Shen Muzhi felt a pang of embarrassment. He coughed lightly and said, "I know my actions were foolish. But it was a rare opportunity, and I didn't want to miss it. So I..."
He trailed off, feeling awkward even as he spoke.
After all, the existence of heart demon illusions was precisely to trap you in an endless cycle by preying on your deepest desires or fears. This was common knowledge for all cultivators from the outset.
Yet, at his current level of cultivation, he had been ensnared by an illusion. If others hadn't intervened, he might have even perished within it. Such a situation...
It was utterly humiliating.
In his many years of life, Shen Muzhi experienced a profound sense of self-doubt for the first time. He wished he could find a crack in the ground to disappear into, too ashamed to face those around him any longer.
Liu Buli and Lu Wuming, ever eager for drama, offered only sighs and no comfort, showing him no mercy.
It was You Siqi, after a moment of silence, who gently stroked the head of the small cat in his arms and said, "Actually, I don't think you need to be so fixated on this."
Shen Muzhi's eyes widened, and he immediately grew anxious. "You don't need to be so fixated? What do you mean? You're not planning to take me back, are you?"
"Of course, that's not what I mean," You Siqi replied, shaking his head helplessly. "I do want to go home, but it's not something that can be achieved just because I wish it. It's entirely possible that I could search for a lifetime here and never find a way back. These are very real possibilities."
Shen Muzhi blinked.
You Siqi continued, "So, what I'm trying to tell you is that there's no need to let this become your heart demon. Or rather, if I can't find a way home, then I'll stay in this world forever. For the sake of my own survival, even if I can't learn to cultivate, I'll stay by your side. From a certain perspective, isn't that what you want more? So don't get stuck in a rut. Do your best, and let fate decide. Regardless of the outcome, neither option is bad for you, so why let it affect you?"
Perhaps it was concern that clouded his judgment, but You Siqi's reminder made Shen Muzhi suddenly realize that he had indeed been rather foolish.
After a moment of silence, he smiled again.
Looking into You Siqi's eyes, Shen Muzhi murmured, "Siqi, if you say that, aren't you afraid that if I can't find a way for you to cultivate in the future, I'll just give up and lock you in my room, ensuring you can never go home?"