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Lin Qi once again roused herself and performed a proper bow.

"I apologize for intruding upon your domain. I hope you will find it in your hearts to forgive me."

Those dream eaters were still standing in place, some squatting, others crawling, all looking at Lin Qi with different postures. They didn't seem to have any intention of attacking.

Lin Qi was pondering how to escape when a withered, purple dream-devouring beast with a cane hobbled out from behind.

Its voice was very gravelly, and you could tell at once that it belonged to an elderly man. There was a certain dignity about it as well.

You are not a resident of Yunmengze.

"No." Lin Qi's response was swift. "The residents of Yunmengze probably wouldn't dare to come to Mengjiao, would they?"

Lin Qi was also knowing for the first time that the Dream Devouring Beast could be seen by people.

If that's the case, then why doesn't anyone in Yundream Marsh know what a Dream Eater looks like?

"What brings you here?"

Two mischievous imps haunt my dreams day and night. Out of curiosity, I ventured to the corner of my dream and discovered they were indeed dream-eating beasts.

Lin Qi's eyes showed curiosity. "It is said that when cultivators are attacked by the Dream Devouring Beast, they are completely helpless and will fall into eternal slumber."

Why am I having the same dream for three consecutive days, yet unharmed?

The two culprits were busily trying to hide their heads behind another, larger Nightmare Beast.

Upon hearing Lin Qi's words, many of the Dream-Eating Beasts also showed curious eyes.

The dream-devouring beast at the head, lowering its eyes to scrutinize Lin Qi for a few moments, suddenly said: "When you came here, did you ever go to the Nightmare Sea?"

Lin Qi didn't hide it. "I did go through the Nightmare Sea and encountered a nightmare beast."

The nightmare beast's eyes gleamed slightly, as if with excitement, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by dim disappointment.

"The friendly aura of a Dream Eater beast on your friend suggests they have received a blessing from the Dream Eater tribe." Let me know if you'd like anything else translated!

"Our Dream Devouring race and Nightmare Beasts originated from the ancient Dream Realm. You carry the blessing of a Nightmare Beast, so our Dream Devouring race cannot harm you."

A nightmare beast's blessing?

Lin Qi only then remembered that she had indeed once received a blessing from the Nightmare Beast clan, forever protected from falling into nightmares.

But she didn't expect that this blessing would actually be able to protect her from the harm of the Dream Devourer clan.

"That's how it is…" Lin Qi paused, suddenly a little curious. "Nightmare beasts prefer peace and have gentle personalities. From what I've seen along the way, Dream Eaters seem to be the same, even more quiet and gentle. Why would they tolerate their young ones coming out to harm people every year?"

"Harmful?" The old Dream Eater's voice was calm. "Little friend, are you talking about those who were attacked and fell into eternal slumber?"

"Yes."

"How can you be sure we are harming people?"

Lin Qi's eyes opened slightly, "What's the difference between falling into eternal sleep and being dead?"

When the sun rose, it illuminated a region where everyone who had been attacked by nightmare beasts and fallen into slumber was buried.

"Aren't you harming people? Or are you helping them?" Lin Qi said, even she herself felt it was unbelievable.

The old Dream Devourer spoke in a calm voice, his expression kind. "What difference is there between living and dying for those who live in the Yunmengze?"

Lin Qi was stunned for a moment, suddenly a little speechless.

Just the other day, she had the same question herself.

However, the old man did not answer her last words.

After a moment, the old Dream Eater said: "It wasn't that we allowed the young ones from our clan to attack people secretly. We were only following the rules of Yunmengze."

"The rules of Yunmengze?"

Lin Qi listened, feeling very puzzled and also a hint of suspicion. "I wonder if you could tell me more? Besides what's written on the inscription of the entering grain plaque, are there any other rules or restrictions in Yunmengze?"

The old Dream Devourer refused to say more.

It shook its head, "Please, young friend, go back. This is not a place to linger."

Lin Qi doesn't want to go back, but this place is full of Dream Devouring Beasts. She still has to be smart about it.

Yu Guang glanced at the two little beasts, Lin Qi retracted his gaze and left calmly.

This trip seemed like a complete failure, yet it felt as if I had pushed open another gate within the Dreamy Clouds Marsh, revealing a different side to it.

After Lin Qi left, Yunmengze returned to its former tranquility.

Countless, big and small dream eaters stared with innocent eyes at the old dream eater.

The two little Dream Devouring Beasts that first provoked Lin Qi were a bit afraid, hiding and shrinking away.

When the gaze of the old devourer of dreams fell upon them, they instinctively stepped forward, their round shapes betraying a dejected air.

The Old Devourer of Dreams suddenly said, "Do you want to go play with her?"

Two little Nightmare Beasts raised their heads simultaneously and shook them wildly.

It was pulled away by its buddies to be cheered up, but unexpectedly that human followed them back to the tribe and reported them.

Another one nodded excitedly, but then saw the situation was wrong and immediately shook its head. It was smart but also had a bit of naivety.

The Old Nightmare Beast said: "If you want to go out, then go out."

A dream-devouring beast edged closer, seeming to want to say something.

The Old Dream Eater raised his hand to stop him, beckoning the young Dream Eater who nodded.

The little Dream Eater cautiously approached.

"Is it fun outside?"

The little Dream Eater nodded honestly and used both his hands and feet to describe to the old Dream Eater the interesting things he had seen outside.

The old Dream Eater smiled kindly, "Follow her, and you'll see more interesting things."

The little Dream Eater's eyes lit up.

"Go. Don't look back, follow her, just keep walking forward..."

Under the alluring voice of the old Dream Devourer, the little Dream Devourer left Mengjiao cautiously yet with a hint of excitement.

Other Dream Eaters stood by watching.

The little dream-eater's mother suddenly spoke, "Clan Chief, can Xiao Ai come back?"

The ancient Dream Devourer, leaning on a cane and gazing straight ahead, exuded an aura of decrepit age and decay.

"I hope it never looks back."

"A blessing bestowed by the Nightmare Beast clan... this little friend has found a path for the Nightmare Beasts, but what about our Dream Eater clan's path?" .z.

Its answer was the silence of countless dream devourers.

Lin Qi doesn't know what happened after she left.

She was absentminded all the way.

The rules of Yundream Marsh?

What other rules will there be in the Yunmengze?

Lin Qi suddenly thought, could it be that the North and South Heavenly Lords placed Yunmengze and E'ren Valley together as the second level because their existences hold the same significance?

Since the environments of the two places differed greatly, Lin Qi had never analyzed and targeted Yunmengze as meticulously as he had with the Evil Spirit Valley.

When I take the time to think things through, I often notice some clues.

The South Heavenly Venerable set up the Evildoers' Valley for two reasons: first, to prevent those within from committing evil deeds outside; second, to allow them to shed their sins and repent, starting anew.

Then, what was his purpose in setting up Yunmengze?

Where do the people of Yunmengze come from?

After returning, Lin Qi found the oldest resident of Yunmengze and asked him about her doubts.

The elder said, "Our clan was originally a hermit clan. Because of calamities, we almost went extinct. It just so happened that the celestial beings of the north and south passed by."