Chapter 207: Extra Seven – It Turns Out the Unstable Time-Space Was Me — Going Back to Take a Look

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong rode the giant wolf and ran around outside before climbing the mountain again to look.

Night had fallen. Moonlight bathed the land, making everything serene.

In the distance, the lights of the town sparkled, as if mirroring the stars in the sky.

Jian Mo hugged the small white wolf, now in its reduced form, and looked toward the town: “No electricity. The lights must be oil lamps.”

Wu Jiong held the small gray cat, stroking its back intermittently: “Not as developed as the world we went to before.”

Jian Mo nodded: “I think so too. But maybe the two civilizations aren’t of the same type, so it’s not fair to compare them.”

Wu Jiong: “Could be.”

They didn’t go down the mountain to explore; they just stayed on top and watched.

In the latter half of the night, dew settled. Wu Jiong asked the small white wolf to grow larger and carried Jian Mo onto its back to sleep.

Jian Mo hugged the small gray cat. Wu Jiong held Jian Mo. They slept on the back of the giant wolf, which curled up and rested its head on its chest, keeping watch over them.

The wolf’s furry ears were right in front of Jian Mo. He couldn’t resist stroking them: “Feels like a dream.”

Wu Jiong: “You mean sleeping on my spiritual form feels like a dream?”

Jian Mo shook his head: “No, I mean the whole experience feels dreamlike. We have a story back home called ‘The Yellow Millet Dream’. Sometimes I wonder… could my life be a dream?”

Wu Jiong: “What’s that story about?”

Jian Mo explained: “It’s about someone dreaming that they became very powerful and had a very powerful partner.”

He retold the story in a way Wu Jiong could understand.

Wu Jiong thought for a moment: “But didn’t you say people can’t dream about things they’ve never experienced?”

Jian Mo: “That’s the saying… hmm.” Wu Jiong lowered his head and kissed Jian Mo.

Their lips and tongues met, sending a tingling sensation through Jian Mo. He struggled to breathe and gripped Wu Jiong’s hand tightly.

After a moment, Wu Jiong whispered: “See, this isn’t something you could just dream of.”

Jian Mo took a deep breath: “Makes sense.”

Wu Jiong was his first love. He hadn’t been so close with anyone else. Such detailed experiences could never appear in a dream.

Jian Mo smiled, about to say more, when he noticed the small gray cat and the giant wolf watching them intently.

Noticing his gaze, the wolf twitched its ears, and the small gray cat scratched its ear with its hind leg.

The two spiritual forms continued observing them, seemingly very interested.

Under their intense attention, the couple’s ears warmed slightly.

Jian Mo couldn’t deal with the giant wolf, so he held the small gray cat in his arms, covering its face with his hand and gently rubbing it: “What are you staring at?”

The gray cat wasn’t a real cat. It didn’t scratch or bite. It softly mewed: “Meow?”

Jian Mo released it and patted its back. He also felt a comforting sensation in his own spine and marveled: “Amazing.”

It was like having your own back massaged.

Wu Jiong also reached out to stroke the gray cat: “I wish we could take them back to our world.”

Jian Mo: “That would be hard. Bringing them back might cause trouble.”

They continued chatting. Though the spiritual forms seemed unusual, they were manifestations of themselves; overcoming that oddness was possible.

When they woke at sunrise, Jian Mo found Wu Jiong already awake, leaning on the giant wolf and gazing into the distance. The wolf and gray cat were still sleeping soundly, curled up, their little bellies rising and falling.

Before Jian Mo could look closely, Wu Jiong turned to him and offered a hand: “Awake? There’s a stream nearby; shall we wash up?”

“Okay.” Jian Mo climbed down from the wolf. “Should we bring these two along?”

Wu Jiong: “We can leave them here.” Jian Mo: “Better not bother them.”

Jian Mo felt that the spiritual forms were like a massive, tangible subconscious, not entirely under his control. This kind of manifestation was rare; it might disappear when they returned home. Better to enjoy it a little longer.

The nearby stream ensured they wouldn’t wander far.

After washing up, since making a fire was inconvenient, they only gathered some wild fruits and edible vegetables to get by.

Jian Mo looked at the food: “I’m starting to miss home.”

Wu Jiong: “Later we’ll go to the lake. Once the channel appears, we’ll head back immediately.”

Jian Mo: “I wonder if we can actually return to our world this time.”

Wu Jiong held his hand: “We will. I have a good feeling.”

Returning with the food, the wolf and gray cat had woken.

Spiritual forms couldn’t eat normal food and weren’t interested in what they carried.

They shared a simple breakfast and then headed to the lake with the spiritual forms.

The lake had no patrols, so no one interfered.

They sat in the woods, chatting and petting the spiritual forms.

By evening, familiar shadows appeared in the water.

Jian Mo stood immediately, pulling Wu Jiong: “Let’s go. We have to return quickly.”

The small white wolf and gray cat also stood up.

Bending down, Jian Mo patted them one last time: “Goodbye.”

Gray cat: “Meow.”
White wolf: “Woof.”

Wu Jiong also petted them: “If we get the chance, we’ll come back to this world and let them out.”

Jian Mo: “Okay.”

The two spiritual forms turned into beams of light and merged back into their bodies.

Not daring to delay, they grabbed their belongings, put on clothes and shoes, and entered the lake.

This was to avoid accidentally appearing in another world naked.

Holding hands tightly, they swam to the shadows, submerged, and resurfaced.

Almost instantly, Jian Mo felt it—they had returned to the beastmen world.

Wu Jiong felt it too.

Jian Mo grabbed Wu Jiong’s hand: “Quick, let’s not stay here. Get to shore.”

Wu Jiong: “Okay.”

They swam to the shore, climbed out, and found their baskets, clothes, and even the food still intact. No one had disturbed them.

It seemed they hadn’t traveled through time; they had merely taken a swim in the lake.

Jian Mo checked and asked Wu Jiong: “Do you think we went back to the evening two days ago, when we swam in the lake?”

Wu Jiong: “Could be. Otherwise, Qing Kuo and the others would’ve noticed and come looking, and we’d have brought the things back.”

Jian Mo wiped his face, glanced around, and wistfully noted the spiritual forms were gone: “This scene… feels like The Yellow Millet Dream.”

Wu Jiong took the items off his back: “Not a dream. We brought back the food.”

Two mud-wrapped packages contained cloud scorpion breast meat, sealed and somewhat waterproof.

Jian Mo sighed: “Next time we’ll swim in another lake—this was too intense.”

Wu Jiong: “Alright. Wait for me.”

He shed his clothes and transformed into the giant wolf.

Jian Mo climbed onto his back with the supplies, holding the neck: “Go.”

The wolf ran steadily.

Back at the tribe, they first heard cubs laughing and playing, mixed with Zhu Zhu’s familiar cries.

Jian Mo looked: lion cubs, fox cubs, little fat Zhu, and a small panda were playing together, with Zhu Zhu guiding them.

Jian Mo shouted: “What game are you playing?”

Little fat Zhu said loudly: “Freeze tag, Jian Mo-gege!”

Jian Mo laughed: “How’s it going? Zhu Zhu is coming home with us.”

Zhu Zhu ran to the wolf, the cubs following, looking up at them.

Zhu Zhu stood on hind legs, paw on the wolf’s back, trying to reach Jian Mo.

Jian Mo grabbed its chubby face: “Zhu Zhu, what are you doing? Get down, Wu Jiong can’t carry you.”

Wolf: “I can.”

Zhu Zhu’s eyes sparkled, staring at Jian Mo: “Zhu Zhu.”

Little fat Zhu tilted his head: “Jian Mo-gege, your ears look different.”

Jian Mo shook his wolf ears: “Really?”

The panda cub observed carefully: “Jian Mo-gege, you look… different.”

The cubs’ senses were sharp. Jian Mo hadn’t expected them to notice immediately and laughed it off: “We’re just a little tired from being out. Let’s go wash up; we’ll play next time.”

At that moment, Mo A came down the mountain to fetch the cubs.

Little fat Zhu had been visiting Ji Xun’s house, so would return with the panda cub and attend class the next afternoon.

The cubs’ ages meant they were ready for lessons.

The panda cub was quiet and attentive; little fat Zhu was

more mischievous, often sleepy in class but energetic afterward.

Jian Mo guessed the panda might grow into a shaman or scholar, while little fat Zhu could become a merchant.

Wu Jiong returned to human form and chatted briefly with Mo A.

Mo A asked: “Where did you go? Another trip?”

Jian Mo: “No, we were in the tribe this morning.”

Mo A looked suspicious: “I feel like you went on a long trip.”

Jian Mo smiled: “Maybe just an illusion. We’re tired; we’ll talk tomorrow.”

Little fat Zhu waved goodbye: “Bye, Jian Mo-gege! Bye, Wu Jiong-gege!”

Jian Mo smiled: “Bye!”

They returned home and called Zhu Zhu along.

Ying Ao had returned with plenty of food, filling their bowls.

Seeing Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, Ying Ao tilted its head in curiosity: “Zhu?”

Jian Mo waved: “Come out! We brought something tasty. See if you like it.”

Ying Ao slowly emerged: “Zhu?”

Jian Mo cracked open a mud-wrapped package. The smell made Zhu Zhu jump with excitement: “Zhu Zhu!”

Jian Mo: “Cloud scorpion breast meat from elsewhere. One piece each, no fighting.”

Wu Jiong handed Zhu Zhu her portion, who eagerly grabbed it and ran to eat.

Wu Jiong handed the second piece to Ying Ao.

Ying Ao sniffed and pawed at Wu Jiong: “Zhu!” indicating him to eat.

Jian Mo: “These two pieces are for you. Eat.”

Ying Ao finally took the meat calmly.

Zhu Zhu finished hers and looked at Ying Ao’s.

Jian Mo intervened: “One piece each. Ying Ao, eat yours; Zhu Zhu can’t take it!”

Zhu Zhu sulked, watching.

After finishing, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong returned to rest.

The past few days in other worlds had been exhausting.

As soon as they left, Ying Ao had actually spit out a piece of meat and offered it to Zhu Zhu, who took it immediately.

Zhu Zhu then rubbed Ying Ao’s head affectionately.

After resting a few days, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went out to gather supplies.

Jian Mo avoided Bai Sha Islet: “Don’t want to go to other worlds for now—it’s too tiring.”

Wu Jiong: “We can swim in the Ambus Mountains pools. The water isn’t as big as the lake, but still fun.”

Jian Mo jumped onto Wu Jiong’s back: “Okay, let’s go there.”

Wu Jiong: “I’ll pack up; we’ll eat dinner there.”

Jian Mo: “I love picnics.”

They packed and left, sending Zhu Zhu home.

Jian Mo secretly brought a box of ointment—he expected to use it after being touched in the spiritual form.

After traveling, his cat ears had fully perked up—a new experience for them.

He packed neatly, bringing a spare set of clothes.

Wu Jiong kissed him.

They went out.

The Ambus Mountains pools were amazing—clear, deep water, bright stars, and perfect wind.

They swam, ate, swam again, and cleaned up. Only after the moon rose high did Jian Mo, exhausted but content, lie on the giant wolf: “Let’s go home.”

The wolf carried him steadily, running down the mountain, across plains and forests. Jian Mo dozed on its back.

Near the tribe, Jian Mo noticed something along a side path and froze.

The wolf sensed it: “What is it?”

Jian Mo: “I saw that path again.”

Wolf: “The one to home?”

Jian Mo rubbed the wolf: “Yes.”

He hesitated: “We might have misunderstood.”

Wolf: “What?”

Jian Mo: “It might not be Bai Sha Islet that’s unstable… maybe it’s me who’s unstable.”

Wolf: “Let’s go home first.”

Jian Mo held tighter: “Okay.”

Back home, their mood was less relaxed than before.

Wu Jiong asked: “Want to try going back?”

Jian Mo: “I’m conflicted.”

Wu Jiong touched his forehead: “Do you want to go back?”

Jian Mo did, but only if it wouldn’t affect their current life.

He sighed: “Before, when I wanted to go back, the channel never appeared. Now I don’t want to go, and the unstable channel appears… What if it happens suddenly if we ignore it?”

Wu Jiong speculated the channel might only take Jian Mo: “Next time we see it, we’ll try going back?”

Jian Mo: “I’ll think about it.”

The channel to Jian Mo’s world seemed stable, and the next day they saw it again. Several in the tribe saw it too.

Qing Kuo asked Wu Jiong: “A new path appeared. Should we send someone to check?”

Wu Jiong: “Let’s see. We might be gone a few days. If we don’t return, watch Zhu Zhu, Ying Ao, and the others.”

Qing Kuo sensed something off: “Is it dangerous? Then don’t go.”

Wu Jiong, with experience, said: “No danger. We’ll be back.”

Qing Kuo: “Alright, as long as you’re sure.”

Wu Jiong smiled: “Don’t worry. It’s the future, right? Records and legends exist; there’s no mention of us disappearing young. We’ll return soon.”

Jian Mo: “Makes sense.”

Wu Jiong patted his back: “So don’t fear. If we don’t go, you’ll remember it forever.”

Jian Mo quietly agreed: “Okay.”

Wu Jiong retrieved Jian Mo’s old belongings—umbrella, keys, dead phone—everything from when he first arrived. Old clothes and shoes were unusable.

They informed the tribe, said goodbye to Zhu Zhu and Ying Ao, then hand in hand walked to the new path.

The path was near the tribe. They soon arrived.

Stepping onto it, nothing special happened. The scenery blurred, the air felt different, then it was gone.

Neither felt uncomfortable.

Jian Mo observed Wu Jiong’s face carefully.

Wu Jiong: “What are you looking at?”

Jian Mo: “Do you feel your mind suddenly has things that aren’t your memories?”

Wu Jiong concentrated: “No.”

Jian Mo took a deep breath: “Let’s go.”

They followed the path to a stone staircase, then saw the city below—Jian Mo’s familiar city.

It was different from the city they had traveled to. Buildings, roads, vegetation, sky, and sunlight all differed.

Previously, Jian Mo hadn’t noticed—his city’s sky had been gray, sunlight orange-tinted, air dry.

Seeing him dazed, Wu Jiong asked: “Is this your original world?”

Jian Mo looked down, hearing car horns, and nodded: “It should be.”

Wu Jiong: “Then let’s go down.”

Jian Mo inhaled deeply, held Wu Jiong’s hand: “Let’s go.”

His cat ears had retracted. His clothing was a bit odd, but others dressed strangely too; no one would pay much attention.

He guessed Wu Jiong’s height and appearance made him stand out slightly, but he didn’t care.

Step by step, they descended the mountain.

On the way, they saw familiar faces buying groceries.

The acquaintances looked confused seeing Wu Jiong with Jian Mo.

Jian Mo nodded silently and continued home.

At the door, Jian Mo introduced: “This was my old home. Clinic downstairs, living spaces upstairs.”

Wu Jiong: “Much better than my old home.”

Jian Mo: “No, yours was beautiful too.”

He inhaled deeply: “Come in; I’ll show you around.”

Using the key, he opened the door and led Wu Jiong inside.

The floor was clean, the air fresh. Jian Mo plugged in his phone.

Moments later, it turned on. Time showed that despite all the traveling, only a day had passed. Messages in chat groups hadn’t updated much.

Everything seemed as before. But—

Jian Mo looked at his partner, eyes watering. Everything felt different now. He had a home.

Wu Jiong noticed, met his gaze, and kissed him: “What’s wrong?”

Jian Mo: “I just feel lucky to have met you.”

Wu Jiong held his hand tightly.

Jian Mo sniffled: “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you my room. Then we’ll go shopping and eat.”

Back in this world, he wanted to use the money he had painstakingly saved—it would be wasteful not to!

—End of Extra Chapter—