The place Shi Yao entered resembled an ancient Chinese palace, its grandeur untouched by time. Tall pillars adorned with golden carvings rose into the dim glow, and intricate patterns lined the walls—symbols that seemed oddly familiar, as though whispering secrets from another era. The palace bore the name Queen's Palace, yet something about it felt... fragmented.
Shi Yao furrowed his brows, disoriented but calm. This had happened before, yet the unsettling realization remained—what exactly was this box? It dragged him from space to space, shifting reality itself, but for what purpose?
Glancing around the vast hall, he noticed the others. Some stood in groups, discussing in hushed voices. Some were alone yet carried a quiet confidence, while others whispered anxiously, confusion etched onto their faces.
Suddenly, a loud voice broke the murmur.
A young man jumped in excitement, spinning in circles as he took in the palace's beauty.
"Wow, even my dreams are epic! What a palace! I didn't know I could even have dreams this detailed! Haha!"
Shi Yao turned to observe him. The man truly believed this was a dream.
"Hmm… wait, since I realized I'm dreaming, is this what they call lucid dreaming? Should I go outside and see if I can visit the Emperor's Palace… or maybe even become one?! Haha!"
Without hesitation, the man strode toward the courtyard, eager to explore.
Shi Yao's gaze flickered toward a timid girl in a nearby group—she hesitated, her fingers twitching as if to stop him, yet her teammates' sharp glare made her freeze in place.
Outside, an eerie white fog lingered beyond the palace threshold.
Shi Yao's instincts screamed—something was wrong.
Just as he prepared to intercept the reckless man, a figure swept forward with powerful ease.
A tall man with striking features shoved the dreamer back into the hall.
"Don't move around if you don't want to die."
The figure lifted his head, eyes glinting.
Li Yuan.
Shi Yao instinctively wanted to call out to him—but the warning glare from Li Yuan held him back. It wasn't just a look of irritation. It was a silent command: stay quiet.
Before Shi Yao could dwell on it further, movement stirred deep within the palace.
An elderly eunuch emerged, his posture firm despite his age. His robes were adorned with intricate embroidery, and his presence carried an air of authority that silenced the room. The moment he stepped forward, the room hushed, all attention shifting toward him.
Slowly, the scattered individuals gathered, drawn to his presence, as though he held answers they desperately sought.
Even Li Yuan moved, but not before signalling Shi Yao to focus on the eunuch as well.
Yet, something about the palace hall itself felt alive—its design, its patterns, its silence, all holding secrets. Shi Yao couldn't shake the feeling that this space was more than just a room.