Chapter 100 - Grave Danger

That dream showed Ming his greatest fear, for Xinyi to lose herself in her power just to save people and die. 

His dying cry was the one that woke Xinyi in almost killing the chameleon. As if the dream resonated their hearts together.  

When Ming awoke, he was amid an endless darkness. 

"Xinyi? Where are you?" His voice echoed in the silence but no one replied. He stood and began groping in the dark but he couldn't touch anything.

At this moment, Xinyi summoned the spirit from the Cave of Truth, in high hopes that it may help them.

The spirit appeared carelessly in front of Xinyi and Nianshi. It floated, looking like a ten-year-old child with white transparent skin. It fingered comb it short purple hair as its orange eyes glinted at Xinyi. It flew around them with its half-n.a.k.e.d and short skirt fluttering in the wind. 

Xinyi was skeptical on the way the spirit revealed itself. "What's wrong with him? Why isn't he waking up?" Xinyi asked the spirit with diverse emotions.

"He hasn't finished his challenge yet." The latter grinned. 

This made Nianshi uncomfortable remembering what had happened to him just moments ago. 

Nianshi clenched his fist and growled lowly towards the spirit. "You almost killed me! Don't think I forgot about that, spirit!" His irritation grew with the thought the spirit took these things so lightly. Dying inside the challenge might cause someone to sleep for good. 

"Well, it would be no fun if you have such an easy challenge wouldn't it?" It snickered maliciously. 

This boiled Nianshi even more. But he knew these kinds of spirits were ill-mannered beings.

"Wake him up! You should let him go. He must be in grave danger!" Xinyi raised her voice, annoyed and felt helpless. 

"Well, he has to finish it. There is nothing I can do to help, if he doesn't overcome it though..." He laughed eerily. "Your dragon friend should be the one to tell you what  happens if he doesn't." 

Nianshi's face winced. He dropped his head low and sighed. He wasn't sure if Xinyi was ready for the answer. "If he doesn't succeed, he might never wake up again," Nianshi said. 

Xinyi's face grew pale. Hearing those words made her feel miserable and broken.  

"That's why only a few come here in this cave. The treasures here are great but the challenges are too dangerous for people who are not ready." 

Nianshi's shoulders drooped. He wanted to help the Governor, but knew the only way for that to happen was for Ming himself to overcome it. 

"But can't you help him?" Xinyi said with a heavy voice. "You're evil. You placed him in this state and you're talking as if you're innocent. Get him out now from the illusion or I swear I'll cut you." She wished to incinerate this being for good if not for Ming's predicament. 

The spirit touched his chest and sarcastically acted like they hurt him. "Didn't you know? I, the spirit of this cave can only give people challenges? But I can't stop it. Only you humans can." It pranced around the cave playfully.

"Why isn't he taking this seriously?" Xinyi's irritation was on the edge and might plunge in anger. 

"They are… like that by nature, My lady." He knew that getting vexed over this thing would only get them nowhere. 

Suddenly the spirit stopped what it was doing and looked at them seriously. It crossed its arms on his chest. "Well, there is something you can do." Its smile stretched so far that it could make your stomach churn. "Someone must deep dive into his dream to help him." 

Xinyi stood up ready to volunteer till the spirit interrupted her.

"But… love ones are not allowed. The effect might cause an emotional problem with the recipient." Then its eyes went to Nianshi.

Nianshi didn't like that look. It was as if he could feel what it would say next.

"You see, he may come back alive and awake. But he won't be the same person he was if you go in." It pointed at Xinyi. "So you? Are a no no. That is, if you want him to come back sane." 

It shrugged like worried. Though it wasn't really concerned. The only thing on the spirit's mind was on how ready was this dragon to risk his neck to save someone he barely even cared. After that sickening feeling of dying repeatedly it was sure that the dragon didn't like his challenge one bit.

Xinyi looked at Nianshi, concerned. Even though she cared for Ming, she knew that going back would be a difficult thing for her to ask Nianshi of. The cave was silent for a moment. 

The only one who seemed not bothered at all was the spirit. It was rather excited. This was not a deadly situation for this being, it was rather an entertaining play for it. 

"I'll do it." Nianshi sighed in defeat. He knew there was no other way. And he knew that Xinyi wanted Ming to get out safely.

"Are you sureeee?" The spirit prolonged. The way it said sent shivers to Nianshi's spine. It was true. His dream was rather sickening. Dying over and over was such a traumatic experience. He wanted that if he died, he would die for good, for dying was not a wonderful feeling.

"Yes" Nianshi lifted his head and acted brave. This was no time to be weak. He did it once, he knew he could do it again. This time he wouldn't be alone. 

"Are you really ready to do this Nianshi?" Xinyi said, anxious yet in a soft voice.

"Yes, my lady, for you I will. I know how important the governor is to you." 

Xinyi's mood lighted. Relief filled her chest to know he was willing to do it. There was no one else she could entrust this with aside from him. 

"Alright, spirit. How do we do this?" Nianshi asked.

This brought a big smile to the spirit's face. And so Nianshi was preparing himself for another dangerous task in this spirit's hand's.