Chapter 105: This Sensation Is Quite Realistic

“That's right, I feel pain on my face.” Zhou Qi lifted the blanket and got out of bed, murmuring to himself, “Since this is an illusion, then I must take revenge.”

He walked over to Ren Shanshan and slapped her ample buttocks with a large hand, speaking as he did so, “You told me to go bungee jumping. I was fine, but now I’m dead. Do you know how terrifying it was over there? You have no idea. Women like you, who think you can trample others just because you’re rich, wouldn’t last past the second episode on TV.”

Ren Shanshan, stunned, felt the sharp sting from where he had hit her and was at a loss. Was this still the Zhou Qi who had always been deferential and timid? What was he doing? Of course—it was an assault.

“Ah…” Ren Shanshan let out a sharp scream as she finally realized and hurriedly stepped back.

Medical staff outside heard the scream and rushed in. They saw Zhou Qi standing beside the bed while Ren Shanshan cowered in the corner. Zhou Qi was staring at his palm, seemingly feeling the sensation genuinely, but paid no attention to the others entering.

“He… he’s really lost it… he actually tried to assault me,” Ren Shanshan said in terror, pointing at Zhou Qi with a mixture of shame and anger from the burning sensation.

“Zhou Qi, lie down immediately! Who told you to get out of bed?” the attending physician shouted.

“You’re all fake. Everything is fake. As long as I don’t believe it, this illusion will disappear soon.”

Seeing Zhou Qi muttering to himself, the physician signaled the medical staff to surround him and force him back onto the bed. Zhou Qi struggled violently, refusing to submit.

“Administer sedatives!” the physician ordered a nurse, who nodded and injected Zhou Qi.

At last, Zhou Qi ceased struggling and slowly fell asleep.

Opening his eyes, a worried yet beautiful face appeared before him—it was Ren Shanshan. Seeing Zhou Qi awake, she said, “Zhou Qi, I’m really sorry for what happened to you. Don’t worry, I’ll take responsibility. If you stay like this, I’ll take care of you for life.”

Why hasn’t the illusion ended yet? Zhou Qi was bewildered. Could everything in the Tianxuan Continent be fake? Just a dream? He doubted it. No, this couldn’t be a dream—he didn’t believe it. Yet, all his powers within this illusion had vanished. It felt like returning to the old days. He needed to think of a way.

“How many days has it been since my bungee jump?” Zhou Qi asked.

“This is the third day. Zhou Qi, are you okay? That’s wonderful!” Ren Shanshan exclaimed happily.

Only the third day? That was absurd. Zhou Qi had spent at least decades in the Tianxuan Continent. If it were a dream, three days would never be enough to finish it. The Zhengyi Sect, the Death Gate, the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Huangfu family, the Dao Sect, Heavenly Lord Tianxuan, Jiang Yiyi, Huangfu Xiu, Jiu’er, Dao Fan—so many people, so many matters, months or years wouldn’t suffice, Zhou Qi thought.

Knowing this was one thing; breaking the illusion was another. To avoid another injection, Zhou Qi decided to blend in first.

Since his journey began after bungee jumping, why not try it again?

“Shanshan, how about we go jump again?” Zhou Qi suggested.

“You used to call me President Ren, now you call me Shanshan. You hated bungee jumping the most. If I hadn’t forced you, you’d never jump. You really have problems,” Ren Shanshan said, reaching for the doctor again.

“Stop, I was wrong, I spoke without thinking. President Ren, I want to challenge my weakness once more.” Zhou Qi felt frustrated—people in this illusion were still too clever.

“No way. What if you pass out again?”

“It’s okay. At worst, I’ll stay in the hospital a few more days. Don’t you want to experience that feeling of total freedom again, President Ren?”

Ren Shanshan was tempted again. Seeking thrills, challenging oneself—she couldn’t say no.

“All right! But this time you have to promise not to go crazy again.”

“I promise!” Zhou Qi raised his hand and swore.

On the bungee platform, Zhou Qi looked down into the gorge over 500 meters deep and turned pale. His legs trembled, and his heart felt like it would burst. A strong gust of wind blew, forcing him to take two steps back.

“What’s the matter? Chicken now?” Ren Shanshan laughed beside him. She thought he had changed, but he was still a coward.

“No, I’m going back. I have to find Jiu’er, save Huangfu Xiu, avenge the Medicine Immortal, and restore Heavenly Lord Tianxuan’s body. I can’t back down here.” Zhou Qi shouted, closed his eyes, and jumped into the 500-meter-deep gorge.

Ren Shanshan was stunned. This illness was serious!

The wind whistled past Zhou Qi’s ears as his body plunged rapidly downward. He slightly opened his eyes; the mountains on both sides flew upward swiftly. Before fear could take hold, the cord rebounded him high into the air. The surroundings blurred. Zhou Qi felt all his blood rush to his brain as his body swung violently and spun nonstop. At last, he experienced the sensation of being chased, his soul pursued from behind.

Tianxuan Continent, I’m coming! Zhou Qi shouted inside his heart before fainting.

Opening his eyes, Zhou Qi looked around in confusion: white sheets, tubes all over his body, and the woman peeling an apple beside him. Back in the hospital again?

This time Zhou Qi didn’t cause a scene or assault Ren Shanshan. After some simple tests, he went through discharge procedures.

This thrill wasn’t enough, Zhou Qi thought. To break this illusion, he must face a life-or-death crisis. Following Ren Shanshan to the parking lot, he saw a speeding car and charged straight into it.

Ren Shanshan was terrified. Zhou Qi was thrown dozens of meters by the car and fell heavily to the ground, covered in blood, his life uncertain.

Zhou Qi was admitted to the hospital again, but this time in a different ward. He woke from intense pain to find his body plastered in casts, with Ren Shanshan and a shocked middle-aged man standing nearby.

“Brother, you heal well. I have insurance. Don’t die!” the man exclaimed joyfully upon seeing Zhou Qi awake.

“It’s none of your business. Sorry for dragging you into this. You should leave!” Zhou Qi was in a bad mood—he hadn’t expected to fail again.

The man hesitated, then left, worried Zhou Qi might call the police for a hit-and-run.

“You should go. I’m really fine.” Though it was an illusion, Zhou Qi felt uneasy about dragging others down even in death. One shouldn’t burden others.

“Zhou Qi, tell me what’s happening? It was just one bungee jump. Why has your personality changed so much? Why would you want to harm yourself?” Ren Shanshan’s face was serious.

Zhou Qi said nothing. Explaining wouldn’t help; this was merely an illusion. No need for too much entanglement.