Khas-Sagale Palace

Lin Feng had not spent half a day talking with the Aranara in Vanarana without gaining anything.

To Lin Feng, the Aranara's homeland, which lay somewhere between reality and dreams, was utterly wondrous. It clearly did not exist in reality, yet real-world objects could be brought into it.

This quality of being both tangible and intangible fascinated Lin Feng. After asking Ranaraja, the "village chief" who maintained Vanarana—

Lin Feng discovered that constructing such a dream was inseparable from the Aranara's own nature. Though he could not create a dreamscape on such a grand scale, he had gained something he had always wanted—Storage Space.

After all, with Lin Feng's Dream Blessing already at level 7, coupled with the Aranara's innate ability to share their power by gifting their songs to others—

In exchange for helping clear all the surrounding Pyro Whopperflowers, Lin Feng obtained the village chief's song—the power used to construct dreams.

With not a scrap of luggage left on him, Lin Feng was like a husky that had suddenly slipped its chains, excitedly hopping through the woods with Xiao Bai. The sight was rather painful to behold.

After calming down a little, Lin Feng could barely hold himself together when he thought of how he had just acted. Good thing no one had recorded it with a Kamera, or it would definitely have become a dark chapter of his history.

It was not entirely his fault. Whenever he thought about how the Traveler in the game could run all over the place without carrying anything, then head into the teapot at night to flirt sweetly with his traveling companions—

Lin Feng, burdened with a pile of packs, was jealous to the point of emotional collapse. Carrying bags not only slowed him down, but also made him feel constrained in battle. The food inside would often get damp from rain too. Every part of it was uncomfortable.

Though he still could not stuff his harem into a dream like in the game, several dozen cubic meters of space were more than enough for storage. Now that he would never need to worry about losing things or running out of backpack space again, his excitement was understandable.

Freed from the burden of his packs, Lin Feng traveled like the wind. This route was relatively remote and had few pedestrians, but several Forest Rangers on routine patrol were still badly startled by the blurry black shadow flashing past their eyes.

And so, in just half a day, Lin Feng cut nearly half the journey short. Nor did he idle while traveling. He constantly kept his senses tuned to the Dendro Element around him, clearing away any Withering or immature Withering seeds he encountered.

After all, he had once worked as a Forest Ranger for a time, so he truly despised things like Withering.

Unfortunately, these Withering zones were not very strong. The power returned by the ley lines was hardly worth mentioning to the current level 71 Lin Feng. Still, if enough small gains accumulated, it might be enough to raise him another level by the time he reached Apam Woods.

After clearing the Withering and casually greeting the Forest Rangers who had come to inspect the area, Lin Feng continued onward.

Thus, Lin Feng continued traveling and farming experience without neglecting either. Yet at one point along the way, he suddenly stopped.

—Before Lin Feng stood an enormous palace. Or perhaps calling it a half-finished palace would have been more fitting. Though the structure near the cliff had yet to be completed, its magnificence and luxury were still awe-inspiring.

Numerous craftsmen bustled around the unfinished structure, working with great enthusiasm. From afar, Lin Feng spotted a golden-haired young man energetically directing everything.

Hmm. Between Apam Woods and Vanarana, a massive palace, directed by a blond young man...

Lin Feng remembered what this place was. Was this not Kaveh's ill-fated Khas-Sagale Palace?!

Looking at the still high-spirited blond youth, Lin Feng knew that the building had not yet been damaged by the Withering, and that Kaveh had not yet sold off his assets to cover its construction costs.

Sensing the Withering seed forming nearby, Lin Feng felt that it was Kaveh's good fortune that this idealist had run into him. Otherwise, at the rate the Withering was taking shape, this building would have to be rebuilt within a few months.

After casually clearing the Withering, Lin Feng had intended to leave immediately. However, perhaps because he had stared at Kaveh for too long, the young man noticed him and actually took the initiative to approach.

"Hey, the young man up ahead, wait a moment!"

Kaveh ran over to Lin Feng, panting. Once he arrived, he looked Lin Feng over and said uncertainly, "Black hair, young, a Dendro Vision, and a white pet... Could you be the legendary Withering Zone Destroyer?"

Lin Feng: "..."

Hearing that incredibly cringeworthy, chuuni title from Kaveh's mouth, Lin Feng was speechless.

Since he had been casually clearing Withering zones all along the road, he usually destroyed them directly by remotely delivering large amounts of Dendro Elemental Power. But when Forest Rangers happened to be nearby, Lin Feng did not bother hiding it and would personally step in to clear the Withering.

Over time, the Forest Rangers throughout Avidya Forest learned that a highly skilled Withering clearer had arrived nearby. Not only was he exceptionally capable, but he was also incredibly skilled at locating Withering. It was said that many immature Withering zones had been casually cleared by that young man.

And so, somehow, Lin Feng's title as the Withering Zone Destroyer spread.

"Let's not talk about that title. If you're looking for the person who has been clearing Withering zones along the way, then that is indeed me," Lin Feng admitted frankly.

"Wonderful!" Kaveh nearly jumped up in excitement.

"To be honest, I've recently had an ominous feeling. Construction on Khas-Sagale Palace has been progressing steadily, but I heard that Withering zones have become increasingly common throughout Avidya Forest. I've been rather worried."

"Could I ask you to inspect the Withering nearby? The compensation is negotiable!"

Kaveh explained why he had come.

"As for that, there isn't any now, so you needn't worry." Seeing Kaveh's utter sincerity, Lin Feng dismissed the idea of teasing him and answered honestly.

"Thank goodness!" Kaveh let out a long breath.

"Wait, what do you mean, there isn't any now?!" Kaveh suddenly realized something.

Lin Feng: "..." This kid did not seem very bright.

"It means there was originally a Withering zone nearby that was about to take shape. It would probably have spread here in around two months." Lin Feng helplessly explained to the dumbfounded Kaveh.

"Oh, King of Trees above, you are simply my savior!"

Realizing what would have happened if Lin Feng had not come, Kaveh broke out in a cold sweat.

He hurriedly pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Lin Feng. "It may have been no more than a casual act for you, but to me, it is no different from saving my life."

"Please accept this, my benefactor. If you ever have any needs related to architectural design, please be sure to find me in Sumeru City. I'll do it for free!"

Seeing Kaveh's heartfelt gratitude, Lin Feng thought for a moment before accepting his card.

After declining Kaveh's invitation to stay and chat, Lin Feng, in a rather good mood after meeting someone familiar from the game, continued his journey toward Apam Woods.