The scene was momentarily an eyesore. Even though Fang Xiu had encountered countless indescribable horrors, he still found it difficult to look directly at Zhao Hao in his current state.
However, Fang Xiu soon noticed something unusual. Through his spiritual perception, he discerned faint ripples of spirituality emanating from Zhao Hao!
Was Zhao Hao about to awaken his spiritual sense?
In the next instant, Zhao Hao abruptly sat up from the ground, his face flushed, panting heavily.
As his eyes took in the surroundings, he was momentarily stunned before a surge of exhilaration overtook him.
"Xiu-ge, did I… succeed…?"
Before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly stiffened, wariness flashing in his eyes as he scrutinized Fang Xiu.
"Are you really Xiu-ge?"
Fang Xiu observed Zhao Hao's reaction and felt that, at the very least, the man had learned to think—though not much.
To prove this wasn't a dream, Fang Xiu spoke of several secrets: "The plumber's revenge, the giant-breasted female patient, the abalone game, the stewardess's private service, Avatar..."
"Ah! Stop! That's enough! You really did snoop through my phone, Xiu-ge!" Zhao Hao's face flushed crimson with embarrassment as he scrambled to his feet, hastily trying to silence Fang Xiu.
"Alright, let's prepare to leave."
Zhao Hao nodded, but as his gaze fell upon the gruesome remains of his two colleagues, his pupils involuntarily contracted, and he let out a deep sigh.
This time, they stood before the real door.
Previously, every time they thought they had opened the door, they had actually fallen into a dream. The moment they reached the threshold, the dream had already begun.
Fang Xiu placed his hand on the door and suddenly felt something was amiss.
Why hadn't that entity appeared this time?
The first time he broke free from the dreamscape, he had been the only survivor, and the entity had manifested, asking why he did not feel fear.
Subsequent times, when he shattered the dream, the entity never reappeared. Fang Xiu had speculated that it was because Zhao Hao and the others were still alive, and so the entity remained trapped within the dream.
But now, for the final time, all the dreams had come to an end—yet the entity still did not show itself. Why?
A strange thought suddenly surfaced in Fang Xiu's mind. He recalled Zhao Hao's actions just before waking—kissing and grasping at the air. Could it be…?
A conjecture formed within him, but he did not voice it immediately. Instead, he pushed the door open.
Beyond the threshold lay an abyssal darkness, as deep as a black hole.
The two stepped forward, treading through the void. After walking for nearly ten minutes, they finally saw light.
The encroaching darkness receded like a tide under the glow, revealing the outside world.
They found themselves standing on a road.
This time, Fang Xiu was certain it was no longer a dream—because he could see those indescribable horrors lurking above the sky. Even in the nearby grove, scattered grotesque entities loomed.
Not far behind them stood the sales office of Bai Liu Academy, yet Qing Shan Psychiatric Hospital had vanished without a trace.
However, in Fang Xiu's perception, the psychiatric hospital had not disappeared—it had merely fused into the sales office.
This perplexed him. Why had the hospital been visible before, but not now?
Previously, the sales office had not obstructed the hospital from sight, but now, it had seemingly merged with it.
Had the psychiatric hospital integrated into reality? Was that why it was now concealed by the physical landscape, whereas before, in its illusory state, it had remained unobscured?
"Xiu-ge, we made it out!" Zhao Hao's face was alight with the euphoria of survival.
Fang Xiu did not respond to his excitement. Instead, he asked a question.
"Ritian, did you awaken your spiritual sense?"
"Spiritual sense?" Zhao Hao blinked in confusion. "Back in the illusion, I did feel something strange..."
Saying this, he closed his eyes and focused inward. Moments later, he opened them again, his face brimming with excitement.
"Xiu-ge, I feel like I've become a superhuman! Not just my five senses—my strength has also increased! If that long-legged horror appears before me again, I'll take it down with a single punch!"
Fang Xiu nodded, unsurprised.
After all, Zhao Hao had been in close contact with that entity multiple times, had touched its legs frequently, and had endured life-and-death trials within the dreamscape. Prolonged exposure to the being that controlled the dream met all the conditions necessary for spiritual awakening.
However, considering the rather "unusual" state Zhao Hao had been in before waking up, Fang Xiu couldn't help but wonder—just what kind of ability had he awakened?
"What's your ability?"
"My ability?" Zhao Hao concentrated for a moment before scratching his head in confusion. "I… don't seem to sense any ability."
"You can't sense it?" Fang Xiu frowned. He was taken aback, but since he himself was not well-versed in spirituality, he did not press the matter further.
"Could it be… I don't have an ability?" Zhao Hao's elation instantly faded, replaced by visible disappointment. "Didn't Wang Zitong say that everyone who awakens their spiritual sense gains an ability?"
"Xiu-ge, what's your ability?"
"Foreseeing the future."
"What!? Foreseeing the future!?" Zhao Hao's jaw dropped in utter shock.
Fang Xiu merely nodded calmly.
It wasn't that he was lying to Zhao Hao—rather, he was making strategic preparations for the future. With his ability to regress upon death, he would inevitably exhibit prophetic insights. Instead of raising suspicion, he might as well claim that his power was foresight.
Moreover, the ability to foresee the future was immensely valuable. If an organization of spirit-wielders truly existed, then such a power would undoubtedly grant him significant leverage.
The existence of horrors was undeniable, yet the world had not descended into chaos, and sightings of such entities remained scarce. This could only mean that a vast and structured organization was maintaining order from the shadows. They would undoubtedly possess knowledge of how to grow stronger, along with access to invaluable resources.
Fang Xiu's desire for power burned fiercely. He had to elevate his worth. As for keeping a low profile? Accumulating wealth in silence? Playing the fool?
Perhaps before experiencing death so many times at the hands of these horrors, he might have chosen to hide his strength. But now? He sought only to grow powerful—fast—and exact vengeance.
Just like the prodigies in cultivation novels, who received endless resources upon joining a sect, Fang Xiu intended to play the role of a genius.
As for why he didn't reveal his true ability?
It was simple—he didn't know if dual abilities were possible in this world. If it was like the anime One Piece, where a person could only consume a single Devil Fruit, then exposing his dual abilities would make him a prime candidate for dissection.
Sometimes, being ahead by half a step made one a genius—being ahead by a full step made one a lunatic.
"Xiu-ge! No wonder you always knew which path to take in the horror domain, and why you were aware of the entity near the emergency exit! So your ability is foresight!"
Zhao Hao suddenly realized the truth. Back in the horror domain, he had been too petrified to think critically—he had simply followed Fang Xiu's lead. But now that he reflected on it, every decision Fang Xiu made had been spot-on, down to the last detail.
If that wasn't foresight, then what was?
At first, he was thrilled for Fang Xiu, but that joy quickly turned to gloom as he recalled his own lack of an ability. His disappointment deepened.
The saying "You fear your brother will suffer, but you also fear he'll drive a luxury car" perfectly encapsulated Zhao Hao's feelings at this moment.