The Tavern

The sensory distortion in the shuttle center where Zhang Xuezhou was located was different from the distorted spatial turbulence of the North Rehe; instead, it caused confusion and distortion of consciousness.

Only those who have a contract with the giant tree can enter this place, and the area created by the ancient tree is only for temporary stays.

Ren Anran's soul found it difficult to communicate after entering this place, which made Zhang Xuezhou extremely dissatisfied with the environment created by the ancient tree.

"My design is already perfect!"

"This pit isn't sealed off, and the rules still have an impact. There's room to step but nowhere to stand, which is very unfriendly to guests. My friend still can't function normally!"

"That's because she's too weak!"

Ancient trees have no concept of human aesthetics; their understanding is to grow towards the sun, and creating a pit to welcome guests is the greatest respect they can show.

Zhang Xuezhou had to communicate with the other party several times before he could barely figure out their thought process.

"We are the ones asking the guests for help now. We need to respect them and make them feel our utmost sincerity. What you're doing puts me in a difficult position. Just because she's weak doesn't mean that any of the friends I invite in the future are weak. If she can't solve the problem, I'll continue to find help!"

If we're looking for a solution that the ancient tree can accept while still providing shade, then a flower-bud-covered structure for passageways would be the most suitable.

After some discussion, the ancient tree finally agreed to the renovation.

A rather peculiar house began to take shape; it had no doors or windows in the conventional sense, but was completely enclosed.

One part is the guest area created by the ancient tree, and the other part is the rest area derived from the giant tree. If a table were placed on the dividing line between the two, Zhang Xuezhou felt it would look a bit like a small tavern.

After watching it, he expressed his opinion, and the ancient tree fulfilled his wish, actually transforming it into a table, guest chairs, and small tables.

"It's so ugly!"

The ancient tree was extremely dissatisfied with its shape when it was completed, while Zhang Xuezhou was extremely satisfied.

The pit that was once the entrance to the house has now become the entrance area. Ren Anran has gradually adapted to this area and has even come to her senses, but she currently lacks the ability to communicate effectively.

"This place is perfectly adequate for temporarily entertaining guests," Zhang Xuezhou said. "Except for the lack of any special perks for the guests, everything else is perfect!"

"Do we need to offer any benefits?"

Just as trees need nourishment, sunlight, and rain to grow, gifting guests as a gesture of courtesy will earn them friendship, and they will surely do their best to help!

"That makes sense, but I really have nothing to offer!"

In the mindset of the Great Tree's inheritance, bestowing benefits necessarily requires control, thus creating the constraint of contracts.

Like manipulated insects, this contract compels them to work continuously, even after the giant tree dies.

However, Zhang Xuezhou brought guests to help, but these were only temporary visitors.

These passersby would assess the situation and seek solutions; those with the ability would offer their help, while those without would simply leave.

Not only was the guest unsuitable for the rules of the contract, but the ancient tree also lacked the ability to pull the giant tree into the contract. It couldn't even provide any benefits when contracting Zhang Xuezhou and the mallard duck. Lacking energy, the ancient tree only wanted to fall into slumber.

"Your duty, and ours, is to protect everything about the giant tree. This isn't just about your life, it's about the giant tree too!"

Zhang Xuezhou proceeded with the communication slowly.

His understanding of the ancient tree was limited, and he was unaware of its trump card, but Zhang Xuezhou had sensed the scene of the other party completing the spirit wood staff.

The units of measurement for ancient trees are completely different from theirs. For ancient trees, 'nothing,' 'a moment,' and 'difficult' mean things that humans possess, things that are long and simple.

Even the slightest possibility of such a naturally formed behemoth could bring unexpected wonders.

Zhang Xuezhou didn't know what the ancient tree possessed, so he could only use the giant tree as a pretext while trying his best to provide some reminders.

"I only have a little bit of nourishing dew left for my body!"

The rules of the giant tree are irresistible.

If the mallard's talk of 'slumber' aligns with the ancient tree's behavioral consciousness, then Zhang Xuezhou's description of the 'giant tree' represents an irresistible demand.

As a subspecies of giant tree, the ancient tree exists to protect everything associated with the giant tree.

No different from Zhang Xuezhou and others who had made contracts, the ancient tree's contract was the deepest, and it could not escape the giant tree's constraints.

The tree trunk at its base split open, and a clear spring began to overflow.

When Zhang Xuezhou touched it with his soul, he felt a recovery sensation ten times greater than that of resting in the tree hole.

He asked for a container and poured a cup of spring water over Ren Anran.

"It hurts... it hurts so much!"

Traveling long distances through the void is not a comfortable experience. Even the mallard, protected by its greenhouse, was once tormented to the point of near death. How much more so for Ren Anran, who travels purely with his divine soul.

In Hongjun's judgment, those who could discuss the Dao with Zhu Jiuyin were either at a similar level or even stronger. Ren Anran, whose strength was far inferior to Zhu Jiuyin's, was not taken into consideration.

Time and the river of time have left their guiding traces, and have also caused Zhu Jiuyin to be constantly pulled apart.

Ren Anran couldn't withstand the pulling sensation, and it wasn't until the ancient tree helped her enter this place that she regained some clarity of mind amidst her dazed state.

"Another one, please!"

A cup of clear spring water restored Ren Anran's senses. After the second cup of clear spring water was poured, Ren Anran's soul began to emit a faint light. His entire soul was completely renewed and fully adapted to the environment of this distorted void.

"The third cup!"

When Zhang Xuezhou poured the third cup of clear spring water, the spring water merged into Ren Anran's soul, and then penetrated through the soul to the ground. Zhang Xuezhou immediately knew that Ren Anran's soul could no longer withstand it.

Have I arrived at my destination?

Having clearly perceived the scene before her, Ren Anran stopped the pain from continuing. She looked around in her perception and felt that the place was different from what Zhang Xuezhou had described.

"My friend came to help but was unable to do so; she was already severely weakened upon arriving here. What do you think is the safest way for her to return after she finishes her work?"

Zhang Xuezhou did not respond to Ren Anran, but instead stared intently at the ancient tree whose leaves were gradually shrinking.

If I'm not mistaken, the ancient tree will soon fall into a deep slumber.

Given the fact that the other party treats time as a mere 'moment,' it would take at least several years or even decades to awaken them once they have fallen into a deep sleep.

"The more you carry when walking through the void, the greater the constraint and the slower your speed. She's carrying too much; once she sheds everything, she can naturally flow back!"

The ancient tree yawned, and as its voice faded, its spirit and body became faintly blurred. Once the communication was complete, the ancient tree's figure disappeared into the tree hollow in the room.

He said you were wearing too many clothes!

Zhang Xuezhou and the others had exceeded their allotted time. As the ancient tree's control over the field disappeared, a pulling force came from their souls, and Zhang Xuezhou began to switch positions with the mallard duck.

The man and the bird shouted in unison, and the magical Law Power that Ren Anran had gathered in her soul quickly dissipated.

Xuanming's Xuan Qi Heavy Armor could not be dispelled, Ren Anran had no choice but to endure it.

She shook her spiritual body, the sound of waves crashing in her ears, and the house and Zhang Xuezhou she had just sensed suddenly vanished.

All around was a bottomless darkness, and beneath his feet stretched a celestial river like a ribbon.

In the far reaches of the world, the initial painful curses have turned into submissive ones, accompanied by words of encouragement and support.

Ren Anran looked at her palm and saw a giant red dragon within the dragon scale mark provided by Zhang Xuezhou, seemingly exerting all its strength to pull and tug.

She was pulled forward by this force, thus passing through patches of dark void.

Previously, she felt as if she had been dragged to the ground by a wild horse, tumbling and crawling, only managing to avoid being completely destroyed thanks to her Xuanqi Heavy Armor. Now, having relinquished her Law Power, Ren Anran felt as light as if she were riding a horse, no longer feeling as terrible and uncomfortable as before.

The power of Zhu Jiuyin continued to pull and tug, causing Ren Anran's soul to move forward at an incredible speed.

The Milky Way beneath their feet kept receding, the rushing water accompanied by the occasional crisp cracking sounds from the Xuanqi Heavy Armor.

This was undoubtedly a grueling and terrifying journey for Ren Anran.

Unable to determine how much longer, Ren Anran saw a white light appear before her eyes, followed by the reflection of mountains and rivers rushing towards her, and then she collided with a huge dragon-like creature.