Chapter 47: The Forest of Quests and an Unexpected Reunion

In many novels or games, protagonists are often compelled to undertake other tasks while completing their main quests.

Take the classic Dragon Quest as an example. To forge a sword capable of slaying dragons, the hero visited a blacksmith, only to be informed that fine iron was required for its creation.

This fine iron, however, had to be obtained from goblins. The hero sought them out, but the goblins claimed their sewers were clogged and would only provide the iron once their plumbing was fixed.

After clearing the sewers and finally acquiring the fine iron, the hero was dismayed to discover that this last piece had been tainted by demons.

To remove the contamination, an elder of the elf tribe was necessary. Upon finding the elf elder, the hero was then told that to break the curse, they would need to…

Such interwoven plotlines and quest chains, one leading to another, had once been something Xiao Xixi, as both a gamer and a reader, believed were merely narrative devices, unlikely to ever occur in reality.

Yet, today, within the ‘Forest of Fallen Realms,’ after her encounter with the cat-girl and Little Mi, and while searching for the ring, Xiao Xixi surprisingly found this bizarre chain of events unfolding around her.

First, the two little cats led her to a ‘Little Owl,’ expanding their group to four members.

Afterward, the Little Owl found the magpies, who adored collecting shiny objects, hoping they could provide clues. The group then grew to nine.

Later, the magpies led Xiao Xixi to a dog, and the dog, in turn, found…

In essence, as Xiao Xixi searched for the ring, her retinue of animal companions invisibly expanded, little by little.

Perhaps it was because these small creatures had never before communicated with ‘humans,’ or perhaps it was the inherent affinity of the ‘Soul-Devouring Orb’ combined with Xiao Xixi herself being a fox.

Whatever the reason, the small animals showed immense interest in Xiao Xixi, finding her utterly novel.

Eventually, with many small animals contributing clues and aiding the search, Xiao Xixi finally discovered a ring as dusk began to fall.

Given the ring’s thickness and her own slender fingers, she pondered for a moment.

Xiao Xixi could only place the ring on her thickest digit, her thumb.

Upon wearing the ring, Xiao Xixi was astonished to find that she could indeed perceive the space within it, just like a protagonist in a novel.

Seeing bottles of neatly arranged elixirs, a large pile of raw spirit stones, and the chilling ‘sword’ resting in a corner, Xiao Xixi’s heart swelled.

At this moment, Xiao Xixi was absolutely certain that this was the ‘Opportunity Ring’ mentioned in the original text. A feeling of ‘the serf turning over to sing’ spontaneously arose within her.

After all, the elixirs and the ‘sword’ were minor details. The most crucial part was that she now possessed a vast fortune in raw spirit stones.

Gazes fixed on the dazzling raw spirit stones, Xiao Xixi yearned to boldly stride into the ‘Green Feast Hall’ at that very instant.

‘Three meals a day!’

‘And, of course, to repay the two spirit stones I owe my beautiful master. Hmph, she even threatened me this morning!’

Recalling the morning’s events, Xiao Xixi could already envision her master’s astonished expression when she presented the spirit stones.

As Xiao Xixi mused to herself, the lingering glow of the sunset painted the distant evening clouds with a touch of crimson.

Observing the beautiful sky, and remembering that she and her master had returned to their tranquil courtyard around this time yesterday, Xiao Xixi suddenly realized, with a belated ’emmmmmm,’ that she should start heading back.

Her small animal friends, upon hearing Xiao Xixi say she was returning, expressed great reluctance.

After all, the experience of friendly interaction with another species had thrilled them all.

Thus, the reluctant small animals, while guiding Xiao Xixi out of the Forest of Fallen Realms, ceaselessly chirped and chattered, posing their questions.

Amidst a myriad of diverse inquiries, the small animals were clearly most interested in ‘fish.’

At this, Xiao Xixi recalled how Rongqiao had mentioned yesterday that the backyard of the ‘Cultivation Hall’ featured a large body of water, complete with a small pavilion for cultivation and even fishing equipment.

Thinking of that pond teeming with large carp, Xiao Xixi glanced at her small animal friends beside her, who looked longingly as if they had never tasted fish.

So, on the way back to the ‘Cultivation Hall,’ Xiao Xixi promised the little helpers that they, too, would get to taste fish.

As these words left her lips, the already boisterous little creatures around Xiao Xixi became even more clamorous.

Witnessing this lively scene, Xiao Xixi felt for the first time that this world within the book was quite interesting.

However, good times are always fleeting. One moment, Xiao Xixi was immersed in the harmonious company of her ‘little companions.’

The next, as she reached the entrance of the Forest of Fallen Realms and saw a slender figure casually leaning against a tree, she froze completely.

The owner of that figure was exceptionally beautiful. Her smiling eyes, in particular, were incredibly lively, and her fiery red long dress fluttered in the wind, outlining her stunning curves. Black silk straps wrapped around her long, elegant legs, paired with exquisite short boots, making her appear even more graceful.

In the embrace of the afterglow, the young woman’s profile seemed even more delicate, her beaming smile and long hair dancing freely in the sunset.

Watching this scene, Xiao Xixi’s mind involuntarily recalled an ancient poem she had seen somewhere:

‘Graceful as a delicate flower reflected in water,

Moving like a weak willow swaying in the breeze.

Amidst the crowd, a radiant glance,

All earthly beauty turns to dust.’

Yet, this maiden, a character of ethereal beauty, as she gently lifted her jade-like feet and slowly approached Xiao Xixi with a radiant smile, instilled a sense of inexplicable danger within Xiao Xixi.

Her mind incessantly screamed ‘danger!’

At this moment, the ‘little friends’ who had been clinging to her also instinctively sensed Su Mei’s danger, scattering in all directions.

For a moment, the entrance to the Forest of Fallen Realms had a distinct ‘chicken flying, dog jumping’ chaotic feel.

Watching her disloyal little friends flee one by one, Xiao Xixi, still dazed, saw her master already standing before her.

Immediately after, a pair of delicate, lotus-root-like arms, she knew not when, had pressed her back against a sturdy tree.

The scene perfectly replicated the ‘wall-slam’ trope so often seen on television.

Pinioned against the tree, Xiao Xixi felt like a primary school student caught skipping class, hesitant to meet the gaze of her master, who, though seemingly petite, was clearly very dangerous.

But often, avoidance serves no purpose.

As Xiao Xixi remained silent, the next second she felt a remarkably soft touch on her cheek. Following this, she heard her master, who was now perched above her head, speak with extreme gentleness.

“Xiao Xi, I hope you’ll give me a very good reason. Otherwise, someone who runs off on their very first day of cultivation will receive a punishment, you know!”