Chapter Seventeen: At Last, a Dreamweaver

Wen Ji, dressed in a black suit, had returned.

The moment he arrived, the young woman in the office skirt burst into tears, insisting she wanted to resign.

Wen Ji glanced at her with a trace of sympathy. Judging by the state of the Eightieth Floor, the dream calamity this time must have been fully activated.

A Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity required at least a mid-level Dreamwalker for permission to enter. Yet, Su Xiaoyu, the office worker in the skirt, was just a newly initiated lower-level Dreamwalker, unwittingly swept into a fully awakened Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity.

She had endured horrors that should never have touched someone of her rank!

“Su Xiaoyu, don’t be afraid,” Wen Ji consoled her. “Think about it—ordinary lower-level Dreamwalkers would never have the chance to experience a Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity. You should feel lucky, even blessed! After this, your perspective and strength will both be greatly enhanced!”

Su Xiaoyu leaned against the wall, utterly despairing.

Was that truly a Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity?

Was it?

No, it was not!

That little girl…

Su Xiaoyu recalled the terrifying final smile of the little girl demanding a five-star review, and the crushing pressure of dream spirits that came with it. The words caught in her throat.

She dared not speak.

“Forget resigning. Didn’t you tell your grandfather that becoming a Dreamwalker was your dream? That’s the only reason he let you go out to gain experience. Didn’t you say you wanted to charge to the very front lines of dream calamities? Are you going to shrink back now?”

“Dreams require perseverance. So, don’t quit. I’ll arrange for you to be transferred…” Wen Ji soothed her.

Nearby, Zhang Changlin, cigarette dangling from his lips, could barely keep from laughing.

Youngsters hadn’t experienced enough—too timid. How terrifying could a mere Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity be? And yet, she’d been scared out of her wits.

Chen Xi, on the other hand, looked at Su Xiaoyu with sympathy, understanding all too well what she’d been through.

Su Xiaoyu must have seen… her!

Du Fang, holding the innocent and cheerful Luoluo by the hand, looked utterly confused. He simply couldn’t relate to Su Xiaoyu’s terror.

Those aunts and young ladies—were they really that frightening?

They were so gentle it was as if water would seep from their kindness!

Wen Ji’s words gradually brought a glimmer of hope to Su Xiaoyu’s tearful eyes.

A transfer? That might not be so bad… it could be acceptable.

If she resigned, she’d go home only to be ridiculed by her family, then forced to take on the family business—her freedom and dreams gone forever.

“Senior Wen, after the transfer, what will my new job be?” Su Xiaoyu asked.

Wen Ji beamed but didn’t answer right away. Instead, he drew a small black leather booklet from his pocket and handed it to Du Fang.

“Congratulations on passing the Dreamwalker assessment. From today onward, you are a certified Dreamwalker. Although you haven’t awakened any special abilities, your mastery of a forbidden artifact qualifies you to quell dream calamities, hunt dream fiends, and contribute to the peace and well-being of the world as a professional Dreamwalker!”

Wen Ji’s gaze was solemn as he looked at Du Fang.

Du Fang was stunned. After a long moment, emotion and awe welled up on his face.

He had finally become a Dreamwalker!

It hadn’t been easy.

From now on, he could dedicate himself to the world’s peace and harmony, making his own mark on society.

More importantly—he could finally earn a high salary!

Soon, he’d be able to buy a house!

“Thank you!” Du Fang accepted the booklet with great formality and bowed.

From the moment he took it, responsibility settled upon his shoulders—supporting his family, earning a living,

and, as much as he could, protecting world peace.

Wen Ji maintained his cool, serious demeanor. He pointed at Su Xiaoyu, whose eyes now shimmered with hope.

“In addition, given that your dream spirit assessment returned as ‘Infinite Dream Spirit’ but you haven’t awakened any special abilities, the President has granted you a personal assistant. She’ll be responsible for monitoring your daily health and ruling out the possibility of you being parasitized by a high-level dream fiend.”

“Also, your potential as a Dreamwalker will be re-evaluated.”

“Of course, with an assistant, many tasks can be delegated. If you need to contact the Dreamwalker Association, you can do so through her. This is your privilege as someone with the Infinite Dream Spirit.”

Surveillance, but paired with sufficient privileges and benefits.

Zhang Changlin marveled silently beside them. No wonder the President was in charge—such masterful balance.

“Xiaoyu, from today, you’re transferred to be Du Fang’s assistant. Less work pressure, even a salary increase. Happy?” Wen Ji turned to Su Xiaoyu, smiling.

He thought she should be delighted.

But Su Xiaoyu was thunderstruck.

She stared at Wen Ji in disbelief, as if turned to a battered stone sculpture.

Damn it!

Happy? Happy about a pittance of a raise?

Wen Ji, have a heart! Is this a transfer? More like jumping from the frying pan into the fire!

“No! No! I won’t do it!” Strength surged from deep within Su Xiaoyu as she shook her head furiously.

Wen Ji’s cool brow furrowed. He clenched his fist and tapped her shoulder lightly. “Don’t make a scene.”

“As a member of the Wildfire Squad, Du Fang will definitely participate in dream calamity assaults. Isn’t that exactly what you always dreamed of—being at the forefront?”

“Besides, this is a special appointment personally designated by the President. Cherish the opportunity.”

“Working closely with a Dreamwalker who possesses the Infinite Dream Spirit—you might experience unimaginable growth and joy!”

Su Xiaoyu: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Idiot, you trash.

If you want that kind of joy, you go enjoy it yourself!

She, Su Xiaoyu… didn’t want this kind of happiness.

…

Wen Ji said that if Su Xiaoyu wanted to refuse, she’d have to go to the President herself.

Su Xiaoyu was terrified of meeting the President.

Even if the President approved the transfer, she’d have to work for three days first.

That effectively welded shut the door to escape.

In short, she’d have to do the job for now.

Fortunately, that terrifying little girl only existed within dream calamities—she wouldn’t appear in everyday life.

That was Su Xiaoyu’s only psychological comfort.

Wen Ji and Du Fang struck up a pleasant conversation.

Wen Ji believed that anyone who could conquer a Grade Four Eerie Dream Calamity and possessed an Infinite Dream Spirit was bound to be extraordinary. Du Fang’s future might well be brilliant.

The old man had asked him to look after Su Xiaoyu, and Wen Ji felt there was nothing wrong with placing her at the side of such a promising talent as Du Fang.

“Drop by the Dreamwalker Association whenever you have time. If you ever want to take the lower or mid-level Dreamwalker exams, you can always have your assistant Xiaoyu contact me,” Wen Ji said with a smile.

“Absolutely, thank you, Senior Wen!” Du Fang replied courteously, a gentle and bashful smile on his face.

Wen Ji nodded gravely, gave Su Xiaoyu a meaningful look to seize the opportunity, then slipped his hands into his pockets and left.

Only then did Zhang Changlin and Chen Xi approach.

Lin Liuli didn’t linger. She cast Du Fang a lingering glance, her eyes alight with barely contained excitement.

Wearing high heels that revealed her snow-white feet, she walked away with the elegance of a proud white swan about to dance.

Chen Xi quietly moved to Su Xiaoyu’s side.

She had to comfort this unlucky girl.

To be assigned as Du Fang’s assistant—was there anything more tragic?

That would require a truly formidable mental fortitude!

Su Xiaoyu must have met Luoluo in the dream calamity! Why else would she be so reluctant to become Du Fang’s assistant? After all… Du Fang wasn’t unattractive—even a bit handsome.

“Su Xiaoyu, don’t worry, I know what you saw,” Chen Xi said, patting her on the shoulder with the look of someone who’d been through it herself.

Su Xiaoyu’s long lashes fluttered as she looked at Chen Xi, moved and surprised.

So, she wasn’t alone.

Chen Xi leaned in, whispering seriously, “Really, did you see how Du Fang was holding hands? He was holding hers.”

“Don’t worry, she’s not just present in the dream calamities.”

“She exists in reality, too.”

“Doesn’t that make you feel better?”

“???”

Suddenly, all the emotion and relief froze on Su Xiaoyu’s face.

Su Xiaoyu: (ΩДΩ)!!!

Better? You mean at peace… or rest in peace!

Why did you have to say that out loud?!

…

Zhang Changlin, cigarette still unlit, approached Du Fang, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Du Fang, you’re a Dreamwalker now, even if only a probationary one. Since you come recommended by Chen Xi…”

He paused, growing serious.

He extended his hand to Du Fang.

“Zhang Changlin, captain of the Silver-ranked Wildfire Squad of Jiangling City, formally invites you to join my team.”

The air itself seemed to grow solemn.

Chen Xi and the dejected Su Xiaoyu both turned to look.

Du Fang, still holding Luoluo’s hand, straightened up, feeling the gravity of Zhang Changlin’s invitation.

Should he accept?

He didn’t hesitate for long.

After all, Chen Xi had recommended him—it was only right to reciprocate by joining her team.

Moreover, Chen Xi and Zhang Changlin had briefed him on the basics of Dreamwalker recruitment.

Joining a reliable Dreamwalker team was crucial!

With Wildfire being a Silver-ranked squad, his safety in future dream calamity missions would surely be assured.

Far better than joining some fly-by-night team.

He had a family to look after—as a young father, he always had to keep Luoluo’s safety in mind.

Dream calamities had to be conquered. He hadn’t forgotten his system’s mission: the more dream calamities he conquered, the better his chances of finding his missing family members.

Only then could the “happy and loving family” truly be reunited.

“All team members must participate in dream calamity assaults, even as a probationary Dreamwalker. But don’t worry—once you’re in, I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

“As long as I’m alive, I won’t let you die.”

“That’s my promise,” Zhang Changlin said, cigarette between his lips.

With the generous benefits of a Silver-ranked squad and Zhang Changlin’s guarantee of safety, how could Du Fang hesitate any longer?

He reached out and shook Zhang Changlin’s hand solemnly.

“I accept your invitation!”

On this day,

Du Fang of Wildfire

officially joined the ranks!