A Spark of Inspiration (Thanks to Reef Sand Environmental Protection)

Xu Feng stood where he was, neither moving nor smiling.

He acted as if he hadn't heard the proposal.

As if not a word had reached him.

It was too absurd.

Everything Xu Feng had done was meant to help the game develop and benefit both others and himself. True, the five tasks this time had come one after another, each seemingly harder than the last.

They really were difficult.

But difficult and impossible were two different things.

With Old Owl's help, he and his master would have a much easier time dealing with the Lost-Trace Forest. But he would never sacrifice his life to help Old Owl.

If he died, he would have nothing!

Xu Feng's silence was no surprise to Old Owl. He spoke calmly. "Don't be so quick to refuse.

You wouldn't necessarily die crossing the Yellow River at night on a Sheepskin Raft. If your fate is sturdy enough and you keep your wits about you, you can come back alive.

I'm not asking you to go there and die. If you agree, I'll have people from Fisherfolk Village waiting for you on the bank.

I'll share some of what I've spent all these years preparing, too. Those treasures will be yours.

Dragons have their paths, and snakes have theirs. In the trades of the Lower Nine Classes, there's no such thing as absolute safety.

This trip may be dangerous, but if it succeeds, it'll be a truly lucrative deal!"

Xu Feng still said nothing.

The silence grew awkward.

The mouse was still counting on the beam, while Xu Feng stared at the statue of Guanyin, lost in thought.

Old Owl remained seated. He reached down, picked something up, and tossed it to Xu Feng.

Xu Feng wasn't looking at him, yet he caught it cleanly.