This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 268, Question 267: Have you been having nightmares lately?
Inanna turned around and saw Eric, the butler, who was dressed impeccably as always.

Despite his professional smile, Inanna sensed that the butler who had held her as a child was unusually nervous.

Is there some secret here?

A whole bunch of random guesses flashed through Inanna's little brain.

For example, Uncle Eric was secretly reselling things from the treasure vault, afraid that I would catch him?
Or is it that... these Dream Flowers are so precious that not a single one can be touched, for fear that I'll waste them?

But these thoughts burst as soon as they appeared, like soap bubbles.

Eric's loyalty to the St. Clair family is beyond question; otherwise, his father would not have trusted him so much.

To be honest, if any one of the three people in the Duke's mansion—the Duke, her, and Eric—were to betray him… although I'm embarrassed to admit it, Inanna feels that she might be more suspicious than Eric!
Putting aside these wild thoughts, Inanna came up with the excuse she had prepared beforehand: "Aidin said he wanted to try making a new prop with this flower, but he couldn't buy it anywhere. I remembered that I might have some at home, so I came to look for it... Uncle Eric, can't I use this flower?"

She blinked her big eyes and looked at Eric expectantly.

“It’s just a few materials, Miss, you are free to use them as you please.” Eric’s gaze swept over the two boxes of flowers, his tone sounding indifferent.

Inanna felt a sense of relief and almost exclaimed "Yay!"

at this time--

Eric suddenly stared into Inanna's eyes, his voice lowering slightly: "Miss, have you been having nightmares lately?"

"Huh? Nightmare?" Inanna was taken aback, her face full of doubt, and then she subconsciously began to recall the events described.

I've been sleeping so soundly in the mushroom farm lately!
The comfortable mushroom blanket and the soft, fluffy fabric make nightmares a thing of the past. My biggest challenge every day is staying in bed and not wanting to get up!

The only night I slept poorly was before setting off, but I just didn't sleep well, and I didn't have any nightmares.

Inanna shook her head: "No, I slept very well! Uncle Eric, are you worried I'll have nightmares? If I were going to have nightmares, I should have drunk a prepared potion, right? Why did you come directly to get the raw materials..."

Eric stared at Inanna for a while, until Inanna looked a little guilty, before he finally nodded.

"That's good. If you have nightmares, be sure to tell me immediately." Eric's voice was calm. "Having nightmares frequently will ruin your health."

"Okay! I understand!" Inanna nodded quickly.

Eric didn't stop there; he reached out and took another box of Dream Flowers from the shelf, handing it to Inanna.

"Also, Miss. If your friend Aidin needs any special materials next time... it would be best to ask him to come in person. Our St. Clair family is large and wealthy; he can go directly to the treasury to select what is suitable."

Inanna lowered her head instinctively, pursed her lips, and didn't dare to reply.

Although Eric's tone was gentler, Inanna could tell that he seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Edin.

But I've already got the flowers, so it shouldn't matter, right...?

……

On the other side, Aidin suddenly sneezed.

He rubbed his nose nonchalantly, his attention now completely drawn to the S-rank magic crystal that his boss had just rewarded him with.

Although it's only about half the size of a fingernail, it's an S-grade magic crystal! I never thought I'd have one.

He had already started imagining what he should do with this S-grade magic crystal.

It's definitely too small to make a wand; maybe I should craft an accessory or piece of equipment instead?

Or could it be made into a high-end, one-time-use illusion prop?
The idea was too extravagant, but he was eager to try it.

After all, judging from the current situation, as long as he continues to work hard under the boss, he might have a chance to create a legendary S-class magic wand!
Aiding is full of expectations for the future!
-
Shenmu Underground City.

The rumbling, thunderous sound gradually faded into the distance. Alavén, perched on a thick branch, watched as the massive figures of the last batch of migrating trees completely disappeared from sight.

They left, and the green barrier blocking the way out of the underground city finally disappeared.

Or rather, leaving the dungeon is now easier than before.

There's no need to go through the trouble of avoiding the territories inhabited by high-level monsters anymore; a brand-new, rough, and straight path has been forcibly "plowed" out of the forest by the migrating tree grove.

On this massive passageway, forged through violent means, the once intricate primeval forest has been completely torn apart and shattered. On either side are earthen cliffs several meters high, bearing the grotesque marks left by the dragging of massive roots.

Not to mention the monsters that roam this road, even the corpses of those unfortunate monsters have long been buried deep underground, leaving no trace.

Ella whistled a clear, long whistle to remind her two companions that it was time to set off.

A high-pitched bird call rang out in response, and a dazzling blue shadow swept across the forest branches like lightning, landing precisely on Aylawen's head with a soft "thud".

The parrot shook its feathers, and the first thing it did after standing firm was to gently peck at Elaine's hair with its curved beak, urging her to hurry up and leave.

After all, "that thing" is coming soon!
Unfortunately, Aylawen was clearly bewitched by the "evil forces." Instead of moving, she smiled and comforted it, saying, "Alright, Feifei, let's wait a little longer."

Puff—Puff—

Sure enough, a few seconds later, the bluish-white demon that Feifei loathed so much flapped its rather disproportionate little wings and clumsily flew down from the top of the tree.

As if he hadn't seen the parrot, the scout plopped down straight onto Ella's head.

Feifei instantly bristled, stubbornly raising its neck and lifting its not-so-sharp beak high, like a knight defending its territory, determined to fight the evil mushroom to the death!
We will never back down!
……

Amidst the mournful cries of the birds, Elawen sighed, skillfully reaching out and carefully rescuing the blue parrot, its feathers ruffled and its eyes filled with panic, from under Scout Puji's round bottom.

“Hey… Feifei,” Elawen said, smoothing its messy feathers as she advised, “Why do you have to fight with Chii for this spot on your head? It’s too big, it can only stay there! Look, it’s just fine on my shoulder.”

As she spoke, she gently placed the still sulking Feifei on her shoulder.

Feifei protested with two reluctant chirps, but ultimately didn't dare to peck at the nearby Puji fungus's tendrils again.

These past few days of battles have been a nightmare for it; every single time, it's been unlucky. Even its own Pokémon have "betrayed" it, always smiling and trying to smooth things over. It's unreliable!
Fortunately, it has other helpers. Once Puji goes back with it, it will team up with Maoqiu, Paopao, and Douding to teach this bad mushroom a lesson!
The thought of that wounded Puji kneeling at its feet made it whimper softly.

Lin Jun had no idea what this silly bird was thinking.

Scout Puji simply held the elf's head firmly in its grip. With someone as her mount, Lin Jun didn't even need to pay much attention to this, making it quite easy.

After successfully exiting the underground city and traveling through the forest for an entire day, Scout Puji finally spotted the legendary elven city in the distance!
(End of this chapter)