章 27: Chapter 25: The Divine Enters the Dream

"I Want to Be Immortal was so absorbed in listening to the story that when Xiao Jie suddenly fell silent, he hurriedly asked, "And then?"

"Next is the part where Hua Tuo is about to perform trepanation on Cao Cao. It has nothing to do with the Pear Tree God anymore. The Pear Tree God just made a brief appearance."

I Want to Be Immortal was somewhat displeased, thinking, 'How could Luo Guanzhong dig a pit and not fill it?'

He pondered, "So you mean this ginkgo tree is also related to the Tree God?"

"It's hard to say, but when I saw the ginkgo tree bleed, the first thing I thought of was this story. Plus, this village is called Ginkgo Village, and this valley is called Ginkgo Valley. There's probably a connection here, and it's very likely related to this tree. You're quite lucky, this adventure might unearth a big secret."

"So, what do we do next?"

Xiao Jie smiled slightly, "It's simple, we just follow the method described in the book. We go to sleep and see if any Divine being enters our dreams. If one does, we act accordingly; if not, then we'll chop down this tree."

"Ah! Go to sleep?"

I Want to Be Immortal struggled to keep up with Xiao Jie's wild thoughts but seeing him head down the mountain as if he meant business, he had no choice but to follow him down.

"Hold on, Feng, what if the Divine being who enters our dreams draws his sword and chops us up?"

"That's unlikely, we're not chopping his tree on purpose, and besides, these kind of adventures in the game usually give players a choice of dialogue. It can't just lead straight to a dead end. As long as you don't mess up during the dialogue, you should be fine.

If a Divine really does enter our dreams, he'll most likely assign us a task. Just speak respectfully, and accept whatever task he gives. As long as you handle it well, there shouldn't be any danger."

Xiao Jie, having been a professional player for ten years, had played tons of online and single-player games and almost knew their plot mechanics by heart.

Although it was just a guess, he had a feeling that this sleep might lead to something happening.

By the time they were talking, the two had reached the village and headed straight for the village's inn.

It was a small inn with only two rooms, front and back; the front for selling alcohol, and the back with doors opening to two guest rooms.

Xiao Jie spent ten coins to rent a room, and they entered the guest room, which contained two rudimentary beds.

Light rays from outside shone through a wooden latticework window, casting light on the earthen floor, giving the room an ancient and atmospheric feel.

I Want to Be Immortal, feeling a bit nervous, asked what to do next. Xiao Jie, seeing his clueless look, said, "How about this, I'll go into the dream first to see what it's all about. You keep watch, so you're prepared in case of danger.

If there's no danger, once I wake up, I'll tell you the process, and you can do the same."

I Want to Be Immortal immediately refused, saying, "No, how can I let Feng tackle this alone? I found this tree. If we sleep, we'll sleep together, sharing both good fortune and troubles!"

Xiao Jie thought to himself that the kid indeed had some responsibility, but actually, he didn't think there was any risk involved and replied, "Okay then, let's do it together. Remember, if a Divine really does enter our dreams, make sure to be polite."

"Don't worry, Big Brother Feng."

Each of them then picked a bed and lay down, using their characters' sleep function.

Soon, a string of ZZZZ symbols appeared above their heads.

"Hmm, no reaction," said I Want to Be Immortal.

Although both of their characters were asleep, they could still talk to each other, albeit in a dreamy mumble, making the voice sound somewhat muffled, as if through a barrier.

"Wait a bit longer, dreaming takes some time."

After Xiao Jie spoke, I Want to Be Immortal said something else, but this time his voice was completely unintelligible. Xiao Jie wanted to ask again when suddenly, he noticed the light around him dimming.

Xiao Jie immediately realized the scene was about to change.

It grew darker and darker, the surroundings turning pitch black, with only his character lying motionless in the darkness. Soon, even the bed underneath him disappeared, and he felt as if he was falling through the darkness.

Wow, am I actually dreaming?

Xiao Jie felt slightly nervous; after all, it was a game that involved risking one's life.

By then, I Want to Be Immortal's voice had completely faded away, and the headphones were silent.

Suddenly, a pleasant tune began to play, followed by a light appearing in the darkness. A fairy in flowing garments slowly descended from above, gradually taking shape amid the darkness. The fairy wore a golden dress that seemed to be made of layers of ginkgo leaves, appearing both natural and beautiful.

Beautiful features and a graceful countenance, she radiated an ethereal aura.

Wow, was there actually a Tree God? And a female one at that.

Xiao Jie was amazed; the lady was extremely beautiful and elegantly dressed, though a mournful expression covered her face.

Xiao Jie pressed the movement key, found that his character could move, stood up, and approached the fairy.

The fairy looked at Xiao Jie coldly and suddenly snapped, "You fool, I have no grievances with you, why did you try to chop me with a knife?"

Xiao Jie hastily played dumb, "Ah, may I ask who you are? I don't recognize you."

"I am the ginkgo tree you injured during the day."

"Ah, sorry, sorry, I didn't know it was you, I thought it was just an ordinary tree. But I stopped when the tree started bleeding; I hope I didn't hurt you too much? By the way, are you a demon or an immortal? How did you even get into my dream?"

He started off with the triple plea of innocence, turning defense into offense, since he was still just a newbie and couldn't afford to alienate such a mystical being, but he couldn't be too submissive either, as it would make it easy to be manipulated.

The beauty was a bit stunned by Xiao Jie's words, seemingly not used to such direct conversation.

But she quickly adjusted her demeanor, her beautiful face showing a grievous expression, "Brave sir, please listen to my detailed account. In truth, I am a fairy from the heavens. I secluded myself in this valley five hundred years ago to cultivate, but unexpectedly, I was trapped in a ginkgo tree by a demon using sorcery, who drained my spiritual power and tormented me all these years, for five hundred years now.

Today, I only hope someone can help me escape this misery. Observing that you possess both courage and wisdom, I wonder if you would be willing to help me escape my plight. In return for helping me gain my freedom, I can offer you much—immortal pills, hidden talismans, magical treasures, Immortal Artifacts; all are mere trifles."

"Then, can I become an immortal if I help you?"

The beauty replied without hesitation, "If the brave sir aspires to cultivate and seek the Dao, I would naturally assist you with all my might. If you help me escape, I can lead you on the path to becoming an immortal, which is not a difficult feat."

"How should I go about this? Do I need to chop down the ginkgo tree from earlier today?"

"No, no, no, over these five hundred years I've managed to extend my roots outside the village, growing a new tree, which is the one you injured today. This new tree was formed through my use of Immortal Law, intended as a means to seek help from the outside world. It should not be harmed.

The actual ginkgo tree in which I am trapped is next to the shrine in Ginkgo Village, inside that largest ginkgo tree. There lies my true form.

If the brave sir wishes to help me escape, you just need to wait until midnight when it is dark and there are no people around. You then must destroy all the talismans around that ginkgo tree, and I will naturally be able to escape. Would this be acceptable?"

System prompt: A chance encounter event "Assistance for the Ginkgo Fairy" has been triggered.

Task Description: In a dream, you encountered a mysterious woman who claims to be a fairy. She asks for your help to free her from the binding of talisman arrays and promises great rewards upon success.

Task Objective: Destroy the protective array around the ginkgo tree.

Task Reward: ?????

Xiao Jie thought to himself, it was indeed a scam.

His inquiry about becoming an immortal was intended to test her; had the fairy mentioned that becoming an immortal was too difficult and suggested another reward, there might have been some truth to her tale. However, her readiness to promise something as far-fetched as becoming an immortal made it blatantly clear it was a scam.

As per the game's opening CG, in this world, 'gods have fallen, and immortals have hidden themselves.'

Even if the game truly had chances for becoming an immortal, such opportunities would be part of the game's grand finale contents, certainly not something you'd find in Newbie Village.

Moreover, the task reward being a string of ????? signifies it's nothing but a lure.

However, he kept his composure, as he was still in the dream and didn't want to upset the beautiful woman—it wouldn't be good if she actually decided to strike him with a sword.

It was unclear whether there was any danger, so it seemed better to go along with her for now.

Therefore, he readily agreed, "Okay, leave it to me."

Hving said that, Xiao Jie promptly accepted the task.

The fairy, pleased with his eager answer, immediately bowed deeply, "Then I entrust this matter to you, brave sir. I shall take my leave now, and please ensure this task is accomplished. Upon success, there shall be a generous reward."

As the Ginkgo Fairy disappeared, the surrounding darkness gradually faded away.

His character still lay in bed, as if just waking from a dream.

Looking around the room in the inn, Xiao Jie couldn't help but marvel at the game's design—it was incredible to accept tasks within a dream!

At this moment, Sui Feng also woke up.

"My word, Brother Feng, you were right; there really was an immortal! She asked for my help to set her free, and in return, she would help resurrect my brother."

"Fake," Xiao Jie said irritably.

"Huh? Fake?"

"Exactly. She talked to me about becoming an immortal and to you about resurrecting your brother; she's clearly sizing us up. Besides, we're in Newbie Village, buddy. What kind of game would offer becoming an immortal as a reward in Newbie Village?"

Also, a normal task would definitely have a clear system prompt, which would tell you exactly what the reward is.

But this Ginkgo Fairy, although she triggered a task, has ????? as the task reward; she's just making empty promises, which is clearly a scam.

I reckon if we're lucky, we might get a few trivial rewards after finishing the task, but if we're unlucky, helping her might even bring us disaster."

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