Vanarana

Lin Feng stepped into Vanarana. As he looked upon this beautiful place, like a fairy-tale wonderland, even he—who had seen countless breathtaking sights online in his previous life—could not help marveling at this dreamlike world.

Huge spherical plant roots spread everywhere, extending enormous lotus-leaf-like blades overhead. The densely layered leaves blocked out the violet sky, forming a jade-green dome. Warm orange light glowed through the windows of the round little houses scattered haphazardly across the ground.

Since he did not see the little cabbages at the entrance, Lin Feng looked awkwardly at the "gifts" he had prepared for them—several defeated Pyro Whopperflowers.

Knowing that these little fellows were extremely afraid of people, Lin Feng had easily caught several Pyro Whopperflowers on the way to Vanarana by using his powerful perception of the Dendro Element.

After killing them, these dangerous "Vanagni" became the "gifts" Lin Feng would use to win the Aranara's trust.

Slightly regretful, Lin Feng carried the Whopperflowers in his hands and planned to head to the center of Vanarana first to meet the Aranara's "village chief," Ranaraja—the brown Aranara from the story.

Lin Feng was disappointed, but Xiao Bai did not give him much time to dwell on it.

A few minutes later, staring at the huge bundle of trembling "cabbages" piled before him, Lin Feng felt a million thoughts stampeding through his mind.

"Let them go!" Lin Feng cried in alarm.

"Squeak?"

Xiao Bai, who had brought Lin Feng the people he wanted to meet, had no idea what was happening.

"W-woah, so many Vanagni!"

"We're going to be eaten! Vanarana is going to be destroyed!"

The little cabbages became even more terrified when they saw the Whopperflowers in Lin Feng's hands.

Lin Feng's face darkened.

Fortunately, just as Lin Feng had no idea how to explain the misunderstanding, the reliable Lesser Lord Kusanali appeared beside him.

As a pale green radiance flashed, the frightened Aranara gradually stopped trembling.

"Little ones, don't be afraid."

"These 'Vanagni' have already been defeated. They won't hurt you anymore."

Nahida gently soothed the Aranara before her.

"Mm, it's the little grass's god!"

"Wonderful, we're saved!"

The Aranara who had been shaking just moments ago miraculously regained their calm.

Though there had been a small mishap, the "gifts" Lin Feng brought still had the intended effect.

The Aranara found it unbelievable that Lin Feng had defeated so many Whopperflowers, and his title was officially changed to "Nara Vanagni." Though because of Lin Feng's fierce protest, the change ultimately did not stick.

"Why did you bring Whopperflowers here?"

"Would a Fluffy Anemo Slime be happy to see a Long-Bearded Tiger's corpse?"

Sitting beside Lin Feng, Nahida swung her little feet and gave him a speechless glance.

Lin Feng: "..."

That really did seem to be the case.

Not intending to be looked down on by Nahida again over such a foolish matter, Lin Feng decisively changed the subject.

"Even if this is a dream, Nahida, were you always able to appear in Vanarana?"

Lin Feng was curious.

"Of course. The Aranara are spirits of grass and trees. The dreams they create are far more stable than ordinary ones. After I was born, my first friends were the Aranara." The Lesser Lord Kusanali smiled faintly as she explained.

"Also, could you take your hand off my ears?"

Nahida sighed, helpless at how accustomed she had already become to it.

Lin Feng: "..."

He had let his guard down. He was so used to it that he had reached out without thinking.

"Ahem, enough about that. Most of the Aranara have already returned because you called them back, right, Nahida?"

After getting his fill, Lin Feng withdrew his hand and returned to business.

"That's right. The vast majority of the Aranara outside have already returned, but some Aranara still have duties to fulfill. They may need a little help."

Seeing that Lin Feng had behaved himself, Nahida nodded.

"At present, there are still Aranara in three places who have not returned. They all still have tasks to complete."

"I'll send Aranara to handle two of them, but the power of the Withering in Apam Woods has accumulated for far too long. I can only appear within dreams, and neither I nor the Aranara can deal with it. I'll have to trouble you with that."

Got it, Vimana Agama.

Because he had made alternate accounts in his previous life, Lin Feng was extremely familiar with the Aranyaka questline. But now, with the Lesser Lord Kusanali personally stepping in, he did not need to do anything except deal with one enhanced Withering zone to get through the Utsava Festival. To Lin Feng, this was practically heaven.

Since the timeline was much earlier than in the story, and Nahida was far more proactive than her counterpart in the main storyline due to Lin Feng's influence, rather than lying flat, Lin Feng got to experience the rare joy of skipping ahead.

"This is already incredible. I never thought it would be this easy. Nahida, you're amazing!" Excited, Lin Feng stretched out his arms and lifted the Lesser Lord Kusanali high from behind.

"Eh—"

Suddenly being picked up, Nahida froze for a moment before letting out a rather adorable cry.

Nahida left in a fluster.

Recalling his earlier act of "disrespecting a god," Lin Feng had no intention of reflecting on it at all—who would not want to lift the Lesser Lord Kusanali high in the air?

In an exceptionally cheerful mood, Lin Feng looked at the Lesser Lord Kusanali's favorability, already as high as 70, and smiled without a word.

I know I was wrong. I'll dare to do it again next time.

Shifting his attention away from the Lesser Lord Kusanali, Lin Feng recalled the process of Vimana Agama:

First, with the Aranara's help, gather three medicinal herbs: a Sumeru Rose, a Padisarah, and Viparyas.

Then, the three Aranara Aranajin, Ranjiru, and Ranaga would refine the herbs into medicine.

Finally, offer the medicine to the giant mushroom called "Yama," open the path to the "Apam Woods Spirit," and defeat the Withering within.

Still such a hassle. Having tasted the sweetness of skipping ahead, Lin Feng was becoming dissatisfied.

The medicinal herbs were gathered in order to offer them to "Yama," restore its condition, and open the passage to the final battleground.

Then wouldn't it work if I directly filled "Yama" with massive amounts of Elemental Power and dream energy? At worst, I could just dig open the path, then fill it back in afterward.

It's not like I'm that Traveler who can't even open a wooden door without a key.

The instant the thought occurred to him, Lin Feng felt as though a fog had lifted from his mind. He suddenly had the urge to return to the game and solve every puzzle all over again.

After all, the joy of cheating like this was simply addictive.

With that thought in mind, Lin Feng bade farewell to the Aranara around him, who were marveling at the Whopperflowers, and spoke with Ranaraja, the "village chief" here, for a while.

Then he called over Xiao Bai, who was playing hopscotch atop those enormous lotus leaves, and set off on a "proper" mission.

His destination was the mushroom forest northeast of Vanarana—Apam Woods.

Setting out once more with great anticipation, Lin Feng departed from the fairy-tale Vanarana to complete "Vimana Agama."

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