His first journey to another world

The officer kept his eyes fixed on Lin Mo, as though trying to find some clue in his expression.

The preliminary laboratory results had indeed come back.

And they clearly did not align with conventional knowledge. Otherwise, someone of this rank would not have been sitting here in person.

The military district could have sent any company-level officer to handle an incident involving an unruly "psychiatric patient."

Having a field-grade officer conduct the interrogation meant that stone had already attracted considerable attention.

The officer fell silent for a few seconds.

Then he turned toward the female colleague beside him, who was carrying an equipment case.

Understanding his intent, she opened the case, took out a laptop, and turned its screen toward him.

The screen displayed a complex spectral analysis chart.

As far as Lin Mo's knowledge of chemistry went, red markings usually meant "abnormal" or "unidentifiable."

The officer stared at the screen for over ten seconds, his expression still tense.

The female officer whispered a few words into his ear.

Lin Mo strained to listen but could not make them out.

But he clearly saw the look in the officer's eyes change after hearing them.

The officer closed the laptop, took a deep breath, and looked at Lin Mo again.

"Let's set that topic aside for now. First, tell me in detail about this world you mentioned, including how it all happened."

Lin Mo felt a weight lift from his heart.

The fish had taken the bait.

"I've only been to that world twice so far. Both times, my consciousness was transported there after I fell asleep."

And so Lin Mo began recounting his travels to the other world in detail.

With the apocalypse looming, competition had only grown fiercer. Unable to find work that would keep him fed, and with no money left, he had returned to his rented room when the hunger became unbearable.

He had thought he might as well fall asleep and never wake up, and that he never wanted to come back in another life. But then...

In another world, inside an unfamiliar wooden house.

Lying on the bed, Lin Mo smacked his lips. His pillow felt fragrant and soft, with a faint coolness.

A lovely scent, as fresh as a forest after rain, drifted into his nose, making him instinctively nuzzle it with his cheek.

It felt comfortable and warm.

"Mmm..."

A soft murmur sounded beside his ear, airy and sweet.

Wait!

How could a pillow talk?

Lin Mo jolted, his eyes snapping open.

A beautiful face filled his vision.

Long, snowy-white hair cascaded down, with a pair of pointed ears peeking through the strands.

Her skin was fairer than snow, and she wore only a nightgown of what looked like exceptionally fine fabric, tracing her feminine curves.

Before Lin Mo's brain could process this inexplicable sight, he noticed her emerald eyes glaring straight at him.

Thirty percent shock, thirty percent embarrassment.

And forty percent murderous intent, as though she wanted to chop him up and feed him to the dogs!

Because right now, he was sleeping in her bed!

"You vile thief! How dare you sneak into my bedchamber!"

The elven girl's voice trembled, her chest heaving as she raised a hand to strike him.

Lin Mo: "!!!"

He tried to spring upright-

And failed!

He could only scramble and roll off the bed, throwing his hands up at lightning speed,

"Wait! Miss, let me explain! This is a colossal misunderstanding!"

He swiftly scanned his surroundings.

The room looked as though it had been hollowed out of a towering tree. Natural wood grain covered the walls, and strange glowing flowers dotted the ceiling.

An elf, a treehouse, magical lights...

"Lies! The Sleeping Garden is protected by a barrier Her Majesty the Queen set up herself!"

"No living being besides me can enter unnoticed!"

The elven girl snatched up an ornate staff beside the bed and pointed it at Lin Mo from across the room.

An ancient, inscrutable incantation rang out.

The emerald gem atop the staff began to glow, and moisture in the air rapidly condensed.

Fendona-do you all like her?

Lin Mo: "???"

He knew this casting windup and these flashy effects all too well!

She was obviously charging up an ultimate to wipe out a trash mob!

"Miss, calm down! Let me explain! Give me a chance to confess and get some leniency!"

"I was just sleeping! I honestly have no idea how I ended up here!"

Lin Mo pointed at his sweaty, yellowed T-shirt, which still bore a faded I♡U design,

"Look at me! With this vibe and these wrinkled clothes, do I look like some master thief who could break through an insanely powerful barrier?"

The elven girl stopped chanting and looked Lin Mo over again.

Messy hair, wrinkled clothes, and that air about him...

He really did not look like anyone formidable.

But that did not clear him of suspicion!

"Shut up! Whatever despicable means you used, you will pay for this desecration!"

"Water Binding!"

The girl gave a sharp cry and thrust her staff forward.

Whoosh!

Several ropes of water appeared out of thin air and coiled toward Lin Mo like snakes.

Lin Mo: "!!!"

Run!

Without a second thought, he turned and sprinted toward the huge terrace outside the room.

The instant he burst out of the room, his eyes widened and his breath caught.

Several kilometers away beneath the starry sky,

An indescribably vast tree rose from the earth, spanning heaven and earth!

Its canopy blotted out the sky, every leaf flowing with a dazzling radiance of life.

Life energy so dense it took physical form became visible green motes, drifting like billions of fireflies.

Just looking at it swept away all the heat and exhaustion in Lin Mo's body. It felt so good that even his soul trembled.

Was this... the world tree?!

The term flashed instinctively through Lin Mo's mind.

For no apparent reason, he remembered his reality, where he could not even afford a bowl of instant noodles.

If he could bring this tree back-even just a single seed-and sell it...

No, handing it over to the country would maximize his own benefits, guarantee his survival through the apocalypse, and solve the underground cities' ecological problems.

It ought to be as important as nuclear fusion technology. He would surely land a high-level government position with lifetime job security!

Just as Lin Mo reeled from the sight, a rope of water wound precisely around his ankle.

"Ah!"

Lin Mo immediately lost his balance and pitched forward.

His mouth made intimate contact with the terrace's gem-inlaid wooden railing.

Crack!

His teeth seemed to have bitten something off.

Then his forehead slammed hard into the floor.

Thud!

A dull impact rang out.

The scene before his eyes spun, and his consciousness ebbed away like the tide.

The elven girl's cool voice sounded, tinged with triumph,

"Caught you, you damned thief..."