fifth form

Chapter 3485 Tavern
The sensory distortion in the shuttle center where Zhang Xuezhou was located was different from the distorted spatial turbulence of the North Rehe River; instead, it caused confusion and distortion in 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!"

"The pit wasn't sealed off, and the rules still have an impact. There's room to step but no room to stand, which is very unfriendly to guests. My friend still has trouble coping!"

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

Ancient trees have no human aesthetic sense, and their understanding is to grow towards the sun; 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.

“Now we are asking the guests for help. We need to respect the guests and make them feel the utmost sincerity. What you are doing puts me in a difficult position. Just because she is weak does not mean that the friends I invite in the future are weak. If she is not enough to solve the problem, I will continue to find help!”

If we want to find a solution that the ancient tree can accept, and also needs to provide shade, then the only suitable option is a flower bud house for passage.

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

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

One part is the guest area created by the ancient tree, and the other part is the rest area created by the giant tree. If a table were placed on the dividing line between the two, Zhang Xuezhou felt that 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!"

When the ancient tree was completed, he was extremely dissatisfied with its shape, while Zhang Xuezhou was extremely satisfied.

The pit that was once the entrance to the house has become the entrance to the house. 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 fine for temporarily entertaining guests,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “Except for the lack of any special gifts for the guests, everything else is perfect!”

"Do we need to offer any benefits?"

"Just as trees need sunshine and rain to grow, so too do gifts to guests earn 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 inevitably requires control, thus creating the constraint of contracts.

Like manipulated insects, this contract compels the insects 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; if they were capable, they would contribute; if not, they would simply leave.

Not only is the guest unsuitable for the rules of the contract, but the ancient tree is also currently unable to pull the giant tree into the contract. It couldn't even provide any benefits when contracting Zhang Xuezhou and the mallard. Lacking energy, the ancient tree just wanted to fall into a deep sleep.

"Your duty, and ours, is to protect everything about the giant tree. This is not only about your life, but also about the giant tree!"

Zhang Xuezhou proceeded with the communication slowly.

He had limited knowledge of the ancient tree and was unaware of its secrets, 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 'possession,' 'long duration,' and 'simple duration,' while for humans they mean possession, long duration, and simple duration.

Even the slightest possibility of such a naturally formed behemoth can 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 remind people.

"I only have a little bit of nourishing rain 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 related to the giant tree.

Like Zhang Xuezhou and the others bound by the contract, the ancient tree's contract was the deepest, and it too could not escape the giant tree's restraints. The tree trunk at its base split open, and a pool of clear spring water 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's...it's...so uncomfortable!"

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 Zhujiuyin were either at a similar level or even stronger. Ren Anran, whose strength was far inferior to Zhujiuyin's, was not taken into consideration.

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

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

"Another one!"

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 when she arrived here. What do you think is the safest way for her to get back after she finishes helping?”

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 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 was carrying too much. Once she shed 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 hole 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.

The man and the bird shouted in unison, causing the magical power that Ren Anran had gathered in her soul to quickly dissipate.

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

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

All around was a bottomless darkness, and beneath his feet was a celestial river as thin as 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 in the dragon scale mark provided by Zhang Xuezhou, which seemed to be 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, rolling and crawling, only managing to avoid being completely destroyed thanks to her Xuanqi Heavy Armor. Now, having relinquished her magic 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 Zhujiuyin 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.