Chapter 47: Vanarana II

Climbing mountains when meeting mountains, crossing rivers when meeting rivers.

Considering the environmental impact, Lin Feng, who had sprinted all the way here, did not use his authority for traveling or perform fancy tricks like elemental propulsion.

Yet, relying solely on his physical fitness and occasional short-range teleportation, it still did not take him long to arrive at Vanarana.

Stepping into this world once again, what met Lin Feng's eyes was a beautiful dreamscape that appeared much quieter now that the Utsava Festival had passed.

The magnificent purple sky remained dreamlike, and the Viparyas blooming along the small path were as dazzling as when he first saw them.

Because of the previous Utsava Festival, Lin Feng had diligently accompanied hundreds of Aranara in countless rounds of hide-and-seek, making him intimately familiar with the terrain of Vanarana by now.

Due to his previous high-speed dash, Lin Feng was in no frantic rush to head toward Arama's small house.

Instead, he simply stood upon a massive leaf unique to the Vanarana region, relaxing his emotions, which had been somewhat overexcited from his rapid journey.

While taking in the scenery, Lin Feng did not forget to distribute the "juicy bugs" and "fresh fruits" he had collected along the way as gifts to any Aranara he encountered.

—This time, the gifts proved unexpectedly popular.

Although he knew from the storyline that the Aranara liked "juicy bugs," seeing these vegetable-like little fellows happily munching on bugs still brought a subtle sense of contrast to Lin Feng's heart.

After finishing distributing the gifts, Lin Feng headed straight to Arama's small house, intending to retrieve the Vasoma Fruit he had stored there earlier.

Unexpectedly, Lin Feng did not catch sight of the Lesser Lord Kusanali in Vanarana this time.

—Coming here probably isn't particularly easy for Nahida, after all.

Thinking of how Nahida, despite possessing the authority of dreams, generally only appeared in worlds constructed purely from mental energy.

Lin Feng guessed that although the dream created by the Aranara was extremely stable, perhaps precisely because it was too stable, entering this world hovering between illusion and reality must produce some additional consumption for Nahida.

—Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Lesser Lord Kusanali not to spend her days soaking in Vanarana's pile of cabbages.

Lin Feng felt a tinge of regret at not being able to bring the gift to Nahida immediately.

However, determined to make a swift victory and resolve the Withered Zones as soon as possible, he felt the still-bright sky outside and decided to first complete this long-delayed commission before seeking out Nahida to share the good news.

......

Walking slowly along the dirt path enclosed by a wooden fence.

Familiar with the path, Lin Feng arrived at the center of Vanarana and gazed at the only two-story building in the entire dreamscape, subtly radiating his own aura of dreams.

After signaling the owner of the house with a knocking method unique to Vanarana, Lin Feng entered the unique spherical structure.

Just as he crossed the threshold, he saw Arapas standing quietly before the table.

"Long time no see, Arapas."

"In accordance with my prior agreement with Aramana, I have come to retrieve the Vasoma Fruit to participate in the final subjugation of the Withered Zone's avatar."

Lin Feng stated the situation concisely and clearly.

......

Arapas, adorned with two mustaches, seemed to react a beat slower. After a moment of silence, it spoke in a withered voice:

"What happened before, the elder has already heard from Aramana."

"It said that because the Ashwattha Tree was eroded by the Withered Zone, you stopped it from entering the Ashwattha Tree."

"It thought its power was insufficient and intended to go train in stronger 'Varana,' but the elder knows... you just didn't want to let it 'sprout' so quickly."

Arapas paused, tilting its body slightly like an aging elder, lost in memories.

"Nara playing together with Aranara, walking together under the shade of trees. The elder no longer remembers such an era, but always remembers such stories."

"As a seed, Aramana has walked upon the earth for only a short time; the elder hopes it can witness that day."

"Therefore, the elder is very glad that Aramana could become friends with Nara Lin Feng."

......

Arapas fell silent once more.

Clearly an Aranara unaccustomed to speech, yet it managed to articulate such a long passage in one breath.

Lin Feng sensed the internal contradiction within Arapas.

Having lived for too long, while acquiring human knowledge, it had also unconsciously taken on human troubles.

—Clearly, sprouting and growing up is a seed's mission, and everything after perishing will reunite in the "Sand Dune."

Yet when facing the departure of a companion, it would still feel reluctant, still subconsciously trying to hold them back.

The conflict between personal desire and mission caused this elder-like Aranara, who cared deeply for the younger generation, immense pain.

"You do not need to blame yourself for your personal desires; accepting a mission and caring for the younger generation do not conflict with one another."

Lin Feng comforted it.

"Besides, since I have come here, it means everything will no longer unfold as it 'originally' did."

Lin Feng looked toward the other party, slightly releasing his authority as proof of his previous words.

!!!

Arapas's slightly stooped body seemed injected with vitality as it hopped in place twice in astonishment.

"This is... the power of the 'King of a Thousand Trees'!"

"In very distant memories, the elder once felt an aura like this."

"Though it has now become a 'story,' only the 'King of a Thousand Trees' once possessed the power to make the dead earth revive anew!"

The moment Arapas's withered yellow body felt this power, even the leaves on its head trembled with excitement.

It looked at Lin Feng before it, as if seeing that once-familiar figure, and spoke in an excited voice:

"No matter how stubborn the 'Marana' may be, it cannot contend against the power of the 'King of a Thousand Trees'."

"With such power, perhaps even the Ashwattha Tree can be healed!"

Arapas raised its head, pointing the two brown leaves above its mustache directly at Lin Feng.

Though its eyes were invisible, Lin Feng distinctly felt that Arapas was gazing at him.

"Nara Lin Feng, on behalf of the Aranara, the elder puts forth a request to you."

"In the upcoming actions, all residents of Vanarana will assist you with all their might."

"Therefore, please end the 'death' that has accumulated across this land for hundreds of years."

"Please save the 'mother' of all us Aranara, the Ashwattha Tree."

......

Arapas lowered its body and presented its request.

"The Aranara are all my friends, there is no need to be so formal."

"Subjugating the Withered Zone was my task to begin with, but I will additionally accept the request to heal the Ashwattha Tree."

Lin Feng readily accepted Arapas's request.

"However, I hope you can promise me one thing."

Lin Feng looked toward Arapas.

"The elder promises."

Arapas agreed directly without even hearing what the question was.

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse, it's nothing too excessive....???"

"Ahem... You agreed just like that?"

Arapas's unexpected readiness caught Lin Feng off guard.

Sorting out his thoughts slightly, he still spoke candidly:

"Please help me gather all the Aranara who are not averse to battle, or those interested in power and Varana."

"Together with them, I will save their mother and bestow upon them an unforgettable 'memory'."

"In exchange, I hope that on a certain day in the future, they can also join me to 'save' a certain stubborn little fellow."

Thinking of someone's stubborn personality, Lin Feng felt it best not to tell her about his plan to "cleanse" the Akademiya.