The passage of time in the Dreamlands continued to flow.
Luo Wei and Tilis lived quietly and comfortably in their old residence, transitioning from winter to summer, and then back to winter once again.
Time is a powerful force. Gradually, Usoma began to accept certain concepts of magical engineering, while Tilis, each day, would allocate some of her research time to life. It seemed she had discovered some enjoyment in it.
Luo Wei quietly looked towards the kitchen, where Tilis was patiently decorating a cake with cream. This was something that held no meaning for her in the past.
Yet now, she could calmly spend several hours on it without feeling like she was wasting time.
When Tilis finished decorating the last piece of cake, she couldn't help but smile joyfully. She gestured for Luo Wei to come over and taste it.
"Mmm...," Luo Wei took a small bite and nodded, "It's pretty good, but it's a bit too sweet."
"Then next time...I'll put a little less sugar?" Tilis pouted, "But really, I can't put any less; otherwise, the taste will suffer..."
Luo Wei didn't respond, as he wasn't particularly concerned about such details.
The air became quiet for a moment, and Tilis, feeling puzzled, lifted her head.
"Luo Wei, what's wrong with you today?"
Luo Wei hesitated before looking at her.
"Tilis..."
"What about me?"
Tilis tilted her head, "What about me?"
Luo Wei took a deep breath and finally asked, "Do you feel happy?"
Tilis nodded without hesitation, "Of course, I am happy!" She smiled sweetly. "Every day here is fulfilling and joyful~ Very happy, extremely happy! Tilis is enveloped in happiness~"
Seeing Tilis like this, Luo Wei was even more certain of his thoughts.
Before he knew it, Tilis had become immersed in the beautiful dream he had carefully crafted for her. She had grown to love it here.
Smiling along, he said, "That's good, that's good..."
If she's happy, then...
I can ruthlessly wake her up.
This would undoubtedly be cruel for Tilis, who is currently enjoying her life. After all, this place is like an ideal utopia.
There are no intrigues from the Sect, no futile research.
No "gate," no truth, no shattered Usoma, and no missing Luo Wei for four years...
However, Luo Wei knew she would eventually have to face reality.
The dream is just a dream and cannot replace the truth. Even if Tilis loves this place, Luo Wei has no right to keep her confined in the Dreamlands forever.
So, Luo Wei decided to reveal the truth to her.
On another snowy day, Luo Wei led her by the hand to a movie theater. In this era, movies exist, but Tilis had never seen such a lavish and ornate cinema, resembling a grand theater.
She curiously looked around.
"Luo Wei..."
"Why did we come here? What exactly do you want to tell me?"
She had never seen Luo Wei so serious before.
Tilis tightly held Luo Wei's hand, feeling a bit scared.
"Don't be nervous," Luo Wei led her to sit down, both of them gazing at the huge screen in front.
"There's something I should have told you long ago."
Luo Wei clenched her hand tightly, hoping to give her some sense of security.
"I hope that no matter what you see next, just remember..."
"You still have me. I'll always be by your side."
Tilis had an ominous feeling.
She had the sense that once she saw this, all her happiness would be taken away...
She regretted it.
"No... I don't want to watch, Luo Wei, take me home..."
"I don't want to watch, I don't want to watch..."
Despite her pleading, Luo Wei firmly grasped her wrist, his expression stoic, just like the last time.
He couldn't be soft-hearted.
The movie screen began to flicker rapidly.
With force, Luo Wei made her witness once again the scenes she dreaded.
A pristine laboratory, where she died due to the soul extraction technique. A red and barren death star.
And Luo Wei's hometown, a horrific battlefield that was akin to hell...
Finally, Usoma's words echoed:
"Disappointment..."
As the images kept changing, Tilis's emotions fluctuated intensely.
From disbelief to shock...
In the end, she fell into a long and deep silence.
Nobody would want to accept such a harsh reality, let alone for Tilis, who had just experienced such a drastic contrast...
She went from heaven to hell in mere seconds.
And she was told that the paradise was just an illusion, while the hell was her future life...
Luo Wei nervously watched her reactions, afraid she would self-destruct like last time, unable to cope.
Eventually, Tilis, pale-faced, lifted her head, threw herself into Luo Wei's arms, and cried her heart out.
Luo Wei let out a sigh of relief instead.
Those who have lost their will to live would not cry so bitterly.
"Luo Wei..."
"So it was a dream... It really was a dream..."
Her frail body trembled, and the world around them seemed to shake violently.
Lightly patting her back, Luo Wei tried to give her strength.
Tilis wailed, "I thought I had realized my dream... But it was all fake... I achieved nothing..."
After consoling her, Luo Wei smiled like he was coaxing a child.
"Who says dreams don’t count? Couldn’t we consider them a preview of the future?"
Tilis lifted her head, her sobs coming in hiccups.
"A preview... of the future?"
"How... could that be?"
"You big liar, how can such a beautiful dream ever come true..."
"I think it can," Luo Wei gazed at her with confidence, his tone determined.
"Except for the irrecoverable dead, everything is changeable."
Tilis's gaze flickered uncertainly.
Slowly, she lowered her head, "It's not that simple..."
Luo Wei laughed, understanding her stubborn nature, and didn't push the topic further.
Instead, he suddenly asked:
"When did you realize?"
To prevent Tilis from suspecting anything, Luo Wei had gradually refined his control over the Dreamlands, expanding its scope.
Now it seemed that Tilis had long been aware.
"I don't know..." Tilis shook her head in a daze, "Perhaps I had this thought a long time ago..."
"My mentor wouldn't change so easily, Luo Wei. You underestimate her."
Luo Wei understood—it was because of Usoma.
But there was nothing he could do about it. He hadn't had much contact with Usoma, and to simulate things to this extent was already quite difficult.
Interestingly...
Despite Tilis's suspicions, she still chose not to wake up.
Unlike himself, she was willing to remain in this illusory paradise.
Tilis gave a bitter smile.
"Luo Wei, is this your new ability? It's really impressive..."
"You've crafted such a dream, just like the perfect world in my imagination..."
"But why wake me up? Isn't it better to let me continue?"
Her voice was full of pleading.
"I really don't want to wake up from this beautiful dream..."