Hearing Chen Yi's question, Qian Renxue cast a complicated glance at Bibi Dong, who was sleeping soundly on the bed.
Suspended in mid-air, the Rakshasa Demon Scythe shivered faintly, emitting a purple-black light. The Rakshasa God's voice rang out, carrying a hint of relief.
"Actually, it's very simple. This girl only needs to follow my instructions: dive deep into Bibi Dong's sea of consciousness, find the part of her mind she is wallowing in, and directly awaken her from within."
Hearing this, Chen Yi raised his brows slightly. "Indeed… it sounds simple. However…"
He changed the topic and asked in a doubtful tone,
"Is it really… that easy to bring her back?"
It wasn't that Chen Yi didn't believe it; it was just that this woman's behavior had been far too deranged.
Her twisted obsession with Yu Xiaogang, and the overwhelming hatred toward the Spirit Hall and the Qian Clan that stemmed from it, had long since seeped into her very bones.
The Rakshasa God's voice was filled with certainty.
"That's right. Times have changed. Through the Trial of Heart-Seeking I devised using Yu Xiaogang's remnant soul, Bibi Dong's warped obsession with him has already been completely eradicated."
"The reason she's now in this deep slumber isn't due to obsession, but because her spirit has utterly collapsed. She has lost her goal, lost her support, and subconsciously chosen to flee from reality—sinking into the depths of her own consciousness and refusing to wake up."
"Moreover—" The Rakshasa God paused, then continued the analysis.
"In the depths of her heart, she has always harbored affection for her daughter, Qian Renxue. But that affection is buried beneath hatred, obsession, and twisted pride. She herself cannot face those feelings, nor does she know how to express them."
"If Qian Renxue personally enters her inner world, calls out to her as her daughter, and touches the softest, truest part of her heart… the chances of waking her are still very high."
Qian Renxue listened quietly to the Rakshasa God's analysis. When she heard the words "always harbored affection," her eyelashes trembled lightly.
She took a deep breath, then looked straight at the Rakshasa Demon Scythe without hesitation.
"Then… when can we begin?"
At this moment, the Rakshasa God was clearly in an excellent mood. The deal had been struck, and the future looked much brighter. Even its voice seemed lighter.
"Anytime. Of course, in order not to affect the threats you'll soon have to deal with from other dimensions and the rest of your plans… the sooner, the better."
Chen Yi had already agreed to the transaction, and as for Bibi Dong, if she could be saved, she would still be of some use.
At the very least, she could allow her to inherit the position of Rakshasa God smoothly, and thereby be freed from that burden herself, enjoying a period of peace and quiet.
Chen Yi looked at Qian Renxue, hesitation flashing across his face for a moment. In the end, he stepped forward, gently patted her shoulder, and whispered:
"Give it a try. If she really is beyond help, or if she stubbornly clings to her delusions, she might even try to hurt you…"
He gazed into Qian Renxue's eyes, his expression solemn.
"Don't forget, you still have the Grand Worship… and you have me."
"Don't push yourself too hard."
After so many years of fighting side by side and weathering storms together, Chen Yi's feelings for Qian Renxue had long since surpassed that of mere comrades or partners. There was no way he could believe he felt nothing more than friendship for her.
Watching her prepare to face this woman—her mother who had brought her endless pain—and not just that, a mother with whom she shared blood ties… how could he possibly not worry?
Hearing Chen Yi's words, Qian Renxue felt a warm current flow through her heart, and her smile deepened. She let out a soft chuckle.
"Don't worry. I know my limits. I know when to advance and when to retreat."
She tilted her head slightly, gave a quick glance at the deeply sleeping Bibi Dong on the bed, then turned her eyes back to Chen Yi. Her voice was gentle, yet firm.
"Besides… I'm no longer alone."
As she spoke, she followed the guidance of the Rakshasa Demon Scythe and slowly walked to the bedside. She gently lifted the edge of the silk quilt and lay down next to Bibi Dong.
In the soft light, the faces of the two women looked strikingly alike. However, Bibi Dong's features were more mature and carried an unapproachable air, while Qian Renxue's bore a heroic, valiant presence.
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, gazing at the familiar yet somehow unfamiliar profile so close to her.
As she stared at those brows, nose, and lips that resembled her own, her eyes were filled with a tangle of emotions—anger, estrangement, resentment—which gradually melted into a slow, faint sense of relief and an indescribable bitterness.
She reached out a hand, her fingertips trembling slightly. In the end, all she did was gently brush away a few strands of hair that had fallen over Bibi Dong's forehead.
"How many years has it been…" Qian Renxue's voice sounded dreamlike and blurry, so soft that only she herself could hear it.
"At last… I can lie beside you like a real daughter."
"Even if… it's only while you're unconscious."
Her gaze seemed to pierce through time, seeing her own innocent, ignorant self—yearning for her mother's embrace; the little girl who grew up alone in a cold palace, who dreamt over and over of her mother's figure in her sleep; the girl who played the crown prince, walking a perilous path, yet had no one to whom she could confess the loneliness and weakness in her heart.
"Mother…"
Yet the only response she received was the faint, steady sound of breathing from beside her.
She turned her head again, looking toward Chen Yi who stood a short distance away. He was smiling gently.
Their gazes met. She didn't say a word, merely nodded lightly, a faint smile touching her lips.
Then she slowly closed her eyes, calmed her heart, and stopped resisting the guiding power of the Rakshasa God. She allowed her consciousness to sink gradually into the illusion created by Bibi Dong's Heart Trial.
The phantom of the Rakshasa Demon Scythe flared brightly, and a soft, purple-black divine radiance enveloped the two women on the bed, temporarily isolating them from the outside world.
As the light of the Rakshasa Demon Scythe completely shrouded Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, the smile on Chen Yi's face slowly faded, replaced by a faint trace of worry.
He was not worried about Qian Renxue's safety. With the Rakshasa God personally guiding and protecting her, her consciousness would not truly suffer harm within the illusion.
What he was truly worried about… was Bibi Dong!
A woman whose spirit had been twisted, paranoid, and driven insane for half her life—what if, in the illusion, she once again said or did something extremely hurtful?
In that case, would Qian Renxue's mental state be affected? And would that in turn affect her future Angel Trials?
In the original story, the true relationship between mother and daughter, Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue, was only revealed at the final, life-and-death moment when Qian Renxue shielded Bibi Dong from a fatal blow. Only then, amid shock and immense regret, did Bibi Dong realize her feelings for her daughter.
But now, the situation was completely different. Without that kind of extreme external stimulus, it was very difficult to predict how Bibi Dong would react if Qian Renxue actively entered her illusionary world.
"Do not worry."
Sensing Chen Yi's anxiety, the Rakshasa God's voice once again echoed in his mind, bringing a measure of reassurance.
"I will monitor the situation closely. If there is the slightest sign of harm to Qian Renxue, or if her mental state shows signs of instability, I will immediately pull her out."
Hearing this, Chen Yi finally felt somewhat relieved. He nodded and said nothing more. He merely took a few steps back, moved to a corner of the room, pulled over a chair, and sat down to wait.
…