Hearing Yao Linger’s voice filled Long Chen with joy. He saw her transform into a beautiful maiden, standing atop the duplicate cauldron. Clad in an ancient bronze dress with matching bronze hair, she leaped into Long Chen’s arms.7

“Big brother Long Chen, I missed you!” she cried, her tears of joy streaming as she clung to him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.0

Long Chen smiled and embraced her warmly. “Big brother has always been by your side.”1

“But I was afraid I would never wake up,” sobbed Yao Linger. “I was worried you would think I was useless and leave me asleep.”2

Long Chen was overcome with guilt, realizing how long it had been since...20