Forest of Elves

"This breath" is useful, and that's only natural.

Most people die in one of two ways.

One is death from the decay of flesh and blood, and the exhaustion of organs.

The other is death from the disintegration of the mind and spirit, and the dissipation of the soul.

Zhu Zhengwei sent over a breath of pure soul Qi from heaven and earth that permeated the four-dimensional world. It was equivalent to a spiritual Qi tonic, so naturally his mind and spirit were greatly replenished.

But this was only a temporary fix.

He could live a few more years, his soul could continue, but his body would still decay and eventually lead to death.

This was the direct cause of death for the vast majority of "Witch Zhu." No matter how strong their minds and spirits were, if their bodies aged and died, they would perish without a physical vessel.

At this moment, everyone around dismissed Zheng Weiwei's words, but Zeng Civen took them to heart, and they took on a different meaning for him.

"Sent me a breath?"

He suddenly recalled the unnatural exchange he had with Zheng Linshou just now.

Originally, the old man had been frank about his impending death and was ready to enjoy his twilight years. But this time, when he saw him, his eyes held fear when looking at him, a fear of death.

He suddenly put on a serious expression. "Granddaughter Zheng, I suddenly have something I need to discuss with you privately. Everyone else, please leave for now."

"Grandpa." Someone by the hospital bed spoke hesitantly. "You were just brought back from the brink of death. You need to rest."

"It's fine, all of you, go out."

Zeng Civen waved his hand dismissively.

Soon, only Zheng Weiwei and the old man remained in the ward.

Although Zeng Civen couldn't remember what had happened, he vaguely felt as if he had seen someone during his brush with death. Feeling that something was amiss, he asked kindly and amiably, "Granddaughter Zheng, what did you mean by that breath you mentioned just now?"

Zheng Weiwei thought for a moment and didn't answer directly.

In her eyes, the senior from before had said that he had met the old man when they were young, and now giving him a breath to extend his life was settling a karmic debt.

If the old man didn't remember the other person, then there was no need for her to say anything; it would only cause unnecessary trouble.

Her own grandfather, Zheng Linshou, was quite troubled after remembering. He was no longer as carefree as before, tending to his flowers and fish, enjoying his twilight years. Now, he was distracted every day.

If he didn't remember, then she wouldn't mention it.

So, she merely hinted, "Grandpa Zeng, do you remember a man with a tear mole?"

"Tear mole?"

These two words ignited some of his dormant memories. He couldn't help but frown and try to recall, but he couldn't think of anyone in his life he had interacted with. He replied, "I vaguely recognize it, I have an impression, but I don't remember where we met."

As expected!

Zheng Weiwei understood immediately.

This was normal.

After all, her own grandfather, Zheng Linshou, had his memory sealed. It was only by chance that he recalled his youth and a certain period of experience.

"You probably met him when you were young," Zheng Weiwei thought.

She naturally understood it that way.

After all, she could never have imagined that the two of them had absolutely no prior connection. They had only just met in a dream a moment ago because she had brought him in.

Yes, They had just met in a dream.

But Zheng Weiwei steered the conversation in a direction that seemed logical. "You remember the man with the tear mole, you might have met him when you were young. Perhaps in the nineties, or in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, or even earlier, during your childhood in the Republic of China era."

"That person?" Zeng Civen thought. Could it be someone older than him? But like him, they should be on their deathbed. He then recalled the shadow from just now, and a sense of disbelief welled up in his heart.

"It seems you remember, but not completely!"

After much hesitation, Zheng Weiwei couldn't make up her mind. "I should ask my grandfather and see if he's willing to explain it to you."

Zheng Weiwei called her grandfather. Not long after, Zheng Linshou arrived. He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to tell the old man the truth.

"The man with the tear mole is an Eternal. He gave you a breath to settle karmic debts with you."

Zheng Linshou then recounted everything that had happened to him, including the teacher he followed in his youth and the miraculous past of a poor mountain village called Zhujing Village.

Upon hearing this, the old man was greatly shocked, his pupils dilated. His first instinct was to rebuke her, "Don't believe in superstitions!"

But the next second, he remembered the strange experience he had just had and his current physical condition. He couldn't help but sigh, "Alas! No wonder my body has recovered. It's a pity that I still don't remember what happened back then. I wonder if I'll have the chance to meet such an immortal-like figure after settling this karmic debt?"

"I think so too. I wonder if we'll have the fate to meet again," Professor Zheng Linshou added.

The old man in the hospital bed simply thought he had met the person in his youth, similar to Zheng Linshou's experience. He didn't know that what was happening to him was just the beginning, and it would soon unfold in his dreams.

Although, even if he woke up, he basically wouldn't remember it.

But this development was exactly what Zhu Zhengwei wanted.

It wouldn't cause any ripples in reality. In fact, the person in reality wouldn't be too suspicious and would continue to live out his retirement and recuperate peacefully, completely unaware of what was about to happen in his dreams.

Zhu Zhengwei sat back down at the coffee shop, drinking his coffee with a calm expression.

He had just rested his head on the desk for a short nap, and that was enough to get things done.

From afar, within the hospital room, he had successfully met that top figure in the field of biological genetics.

"In ancient times, Wei Zheng played chess and beheaded the Dragon King of Jing River in his sleep. Today, I am having a drink at a coffee shop and, in my nap, guiding a fated person into my Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

Zhu Zhengwei scratched his head. "But saying it like that always gives off a strange vibe, like 'The donor is fated to meet Buddha, why not convert to Buddhism?'"

He stood up and went to the front to pay.

"I can go back now."

Zhu Zhengwei walked out onto the street, watching the bustling traffic, and waited for the bus to take him to the station.

He felt this was a new beginning in his life.

Perhaps, he could truly be an Eternal for humanity on Earth, an observer, silently watching the world change, and when needed, secretly guide some dying titans of the era into his Dream Net world.

In the evening, he returned to his dormitory, a faint smile curving his lips. "Alright, everything is ready. It's about time to open the second closed beta."

"Two thousand Immortal Grasses to build an Immortal Grass forest, as experimental material, for this master to use as he pleases, to harvest leeks at will. Let's see if the 'Gu Shaman Beast Taming' techniques pioneered by the Stone Light Emperor Zhizheng can perform biological modifications, research the deepest mysteries of life and flesh, and if anything interesting can emerge."

Crack.

Zhu Zhengwei opened his eyes and found himself on a beach.

He looked at the people who had signed up for the closed beta, and there were unexpectedly many, an unbelievable number.

"Did something happen these past few days? How did it become so popular, with so many people signing up?" Zhu Zhengwei felt something was off, but he was too lazy to bother with it now. He'd let them in first. After all, his second beta test was tonight, and they would enter the Server on time.

He reached out and let them in directly.

Rumble!

A large influx of Servers arrived.

An endless source of souls poured in, like a vast wave of energy, causing the territory to expand rapidly.

Zhu Zhengwei, in the sea at the boundary of a world, watched as the world's border territory was randomly generated and evolved. Finally, it stopped at a randomly elevated island, where lush green trees grew, presenting a scene of earthly paradise.

"I'll choose this place."

A large number of Immortal Grasses began to sprout here, arriving one after another.

In the center of the island was a lake, surrounded by blooming flowers. Nearby was a subterranean palace, containing countless ancient experimental instruments below, and several objects resembling ancient coffins were sealed within, covered in dust.

"Here, we will start a unique ecosystem that transcends reality, giving rise to unique four-dimensional soul-based creatures that live only in the brain!"

"This is an ancient prehistoric ruin. Plants and animals will mutate here. This ancient island forest will be called the Forest of Elves."