Chapter 2, Must Not Die

Truly swallowed into the stomach

He is now able to bring the dragon-patterned jade into the dream world. As long as he does not die, he will have the opportunity to change the dream and thus escape this endless cycle of returning to the starting point

He immediately glanced at his phone ... ! ... it was still the early morning of November 7th, still the starting point

He was undoubtedly "caught again" by the scholar, who, holding a blueprint adorned with dragon patterns in jade, coldly commanded him: "Hand it over!"

Cannot escape! He has escaped too many times, each time in a different direction, but without exception, he has been caught and killed by the Sword Master!

Jiang Cen immediately took the spare change from home, along with his savings jar, and with the new phone his parents had bought for him, it should be enough to exchange for the dragon-patterned jade.

This is likely a treasure that will change his destiny

His parents are wage earners, and it is not easy for them to raise him in a big city. If he succeeds in breaking the cycle and escaping the starting point, perhaps his parents can improve their lives with this lottery.

As soon as I fall asleep, nightmares resurface

The shopkeeper shook his head, uncertain himself. He had just taken over the shop from the previous owner. While he had some knowledge of various hardwood furniture, he was at best a novice when it came to these ancient jades.

Unfortunately, he is unable to uncover any clues regarding this jade. Seeking help from others is also futile, as no one would believe his absurd and bizarre story

There is no escape! No matter where Jiang Cen hides, the scholar seems to possess a radar that can lock onto his location, effortlessly finding and killing him each time!

For Jiang Cen, returning to the starting point time and again is no different from death, and it is even more terrifying than death! Because death is an end, while the constant return to the starting point is an endless despair with no visible endpoint

It is important to preserve one's life! Jiang Cen thought to himself

Jiang Cen instinctively reached into his bosom and, to his surprise, he actually pulled out a jade pendant, which was none other than the dragon-patterned green jade

As long as I am killed in my dreams, or hit by a car in 'reality', I will return to the starting point

The secret of this treasure must not be revealed; you can only die! Only the dead can keep secrets! The scholar's eyes were filled with a chilling murderous intent

Jiang Cen did not know how to deal with the Dragon Pattern Green Jade, nor how to face the terrifying Sword-wielding Scholar. Therefore, he instinctively swallowed the Dragon Pattern Green Jade

I understand now! Jiang Cen suddenly realized!

After a round of haggling, Jiang Cen successfully purchased the dragon-patterned jade. He held the jade pendant in his hand, trembling slightly with excitement

Indeed, in your hands! The scholar snatched the dragon-patterned jade and could not help but laugh joyfully towards the sky, saying: "Haha, I have finally found this treasure!"

Alright, a special opening offer, you won't be able to buy this later! The shopkeeper's straightforwardness took Jiang Cen by surprise; it seems the shopkeeper also believes that this dragon-patterned jade is not very valuable

Try again! Jiang Cen took half a sleeping pill, as he did not want to waste any time

The true key is not the dragon-patterned jade, but death

I do not want to return to the starting point

The shopkeeper pondered for a moment and said: "A fixed price, three thousand!"

"What is the origin of this jade pendant?" Jiang Cen asked curiously, "Since the treasure has already been entrusted to you, please let me go!"

"What is the origin of this jade pendant?" Jiang Cen inquired

This treasure can indeed be taken by him into the world of dreams

The enemy in the dream, that scholar who can fly with a sword, is too formidable. He can use his flying sword to kill Jiang Cen from a distance. Jiang Cen has tried many times, but in the face of the scholar's pursuit, he cannot escape and is powerless to resist

Jiang Cen did not know how to save his life, as time passed little by little; with each passing second, his death drew closer.

Jiang Cen returned home with the dragon-patterned jade, deep in thought

Jiang Cen returned home with the dragon-patterned jade, carefully studying the jade pendant, being extremely cautious not to damage it

Return to the dream and strive to survive! Jiang Cen now has a clear goal, but he does not know how to achieve it

Before the onset of the drug's effects, he wrote a note to his parents, asking them to purchase a set of numbers for the Double Chromosphere lottery, which would be drawn on November 9. In the days prior, during a period of sleeplessness, he had visited the "future" and learned the winning numbers, which he later verified multiple times for accuracy. Unfortunately, he would not be able to claim his prize, as everything returned to square one after the nightmare.

Do not die! Jiang Cen tightly gripped the dragon-patterned jade, having experienced "death" too many times to be alarmed.

"Shut up!" A voice of alarm came from afar, filled with panic and deep concern for Jiang Cen swallowing the dragon-patterned jade.

Jiang Cen was extremely familiar with this murderous aura; he secretly thought it was bad news. Before he had the chance to evade, the opponent's sword had already swooped down to strike!

Ah and * picture * book! '' Jiang Cen exclaimed, waking up from the dream

In the past, every time Jiang Cen dreamed, he was unable to bring anything from reality into his dreams, including personal clothing and jewelry, but the dragon-patterned jade was an exception

After finishing the note, drowsiness gradually overcame him. With a complex state of mind, he slowly fell asleep

Jiang Cen reached into his bosom and felt around, retrieving the dragon-patterned jade, which brought him a sense of calm.

However, when he woke up, everything had returned to the starting point; it was still his own room, still early morning, still November 7th, and moreover, he was completely unhurt

Seeing the dragon-patterned jade was akin to seeing hope! Jiang Cen was overly excited and ran at full speed without paying attention to the traffic, and accidentally got knocked down, losing consciousness.

Jiang Cen immediately dressed himself and took money to the antique street to purchase the dragon-patterned jade. This time, he was not as excited and negotiated with greater composure.

Having learned his lesson, he no longer ran wildly, but instead took a taxi to the antique street

Jiang Cen looked up to the sky and shouted, as he saw the scholar flying closer and closer, unexpectedly swallowing the dragon-patterned jadeite!

Therefore, the only way to resolve this situation is to remain immortal; one must not die even in dreams

This scholar can actually fly with a sword, so no matter how Jiang Cen tries to escape, he cannot evade the grasp of the scholar

Or rather, it is not death, but a return to the starting point

In the dream, he is a youth of seventeen or eighteen years, dressed in white, being pursued by a ruthless middle-aged scholar.

However, he certainly could not figure it out. By the afternoon, he felt somewhat drowsy and took a nap

"Wait for me, I will go back to get the money and will definitely be back within two hours!" Jiang Cen said as he hurriedly ran away

This is akin to a first-time mother mouse, who, faced with a litter of newly born pups, often finds herself at a loss and may end up consuming some of the young. This behavior is not due to the mother mouse being deranged, nor is it a result of a lack of food, but rather a primal instinct driven by uncertainty about how to proceed.

"It's too expensive!" Jiang Cen said, "I only have 1,000 yuan."

The dragon-patterned jade can accompany him into the dream world, so it is not simple

Soon, Jiang Cen appeared in the "Dream World": this is a desolate valley, where he is a young man in white, powerless and defenseless, while a formidable enemy is approaching from behind, soaring through the mountains on a flying sword, and will arrive here in a moment to take his life

The shop is still there, the shopkeeper is still there, and the dragon-patterned jade is also still there. Naturally, the shopkeeper does not recognize Jiang Cen either

I do not want to die

He touched his body and found no dragon-patterned jade