They won the Holy Grail War, but this turned out to be the Virtual Tree Universe.

Chapter 335 Gold Placers Chased to the Wilderness
After leaving the train crew, Dan Lei knew in his heart that from now on, his future with Pinocone and the train crew had diverged.

Dan Lei doesn't care whether Pinocchio's future is orderly or not.

For Danlei, what's important is that the philosophical embryo of order must be born, and that he must have the opportunity to devour it.

If you fail, whether you win through order or through exploration in the game makes no difference to you.

However, on the issue of Chadwick, Danley and the train crew still share the same goal.

So, after parting ways with the Starry Sky Train crew, Dan Lei prepared to meet up with Huang Quan and sent a message to Hei Ta, deliberately asking her to ask Screw Gum about Chadwick's mental health issues.

Given Chadwick's current behavior, it's not an exaggeration to say he has mental problems.

Dan Lei's goal was naturally the drug used to unlock Chadwick's memories.

Dan Lei had a hunch that Chadwick hadn't stopped his Heroic Spirit from firing the Imaginary Collapse Pulse at Pierpoint.

Anyone who has played the game knows how much Chadwick sacrificed to prevent the imaginary number collapse pulse from ever reappearing while he was alive.

Now he's using this weapon's evolved form as a weapon for revenge, which is a bit contrary to his character.

Therefore, Danlei suspects that the blocking agent he took back then is still working.

After all, since this thing can prevent the Interstellar Peace Corporation from exploring Chadwick's memories, it must be acting on the memory material.

In the game, Screw Gumu said that the company used advanced technology provided by Memory Court to extract the memory matter from his brain and sealed it in a memory bubble.

And the process was so swift that even Chadwick's dying self-awareness was preserved.

Therefore, the effect of the blocker is naturally preserved to some extent.

Only by combining the blocker with Chadwick's self-awareness could it be possible to stop the subsequent repeated research on this memory bubble by the company and the five major Pinocchio groups.

After all, Chadwick's original self was someone who had not undergone any spiritual cultivation.

As a scientist, he is a pillar of strength, but as a human being, with all his skills focused on intelligence, his combat power is probably not much stronger than that of an ordinary Fate Walker.

Therefore, in order to make Chadwick remember his original intentions, the antidote to the blockade is necessary.

Dan Lei didn't want to see this respectable old man consumed by hatred and meet a disgraceful end.

The Black Tower responded quickly to Chadwick's question. Pinoconi himself was also within the spatial teleportation range of the Fourth Mirror, so Dan Lei quickly obtained the antidote in the real-world Pinoconi.

After obtaining the antidote, the next step is to find Chadwick.

Silver Wolf's recordings clearly imply that Chadwick was in Pinocchio's deep dream, the same dream where Dream Reef is located.

Finding Dream Reef wouldn't be too difficult for Dan Lei; it's located directly above the Golden Hour Dream Clock Boy statue in the plaza.

The barriers between dreams are an insurmountable chasm for someone like Liu Ying who doesn't know how to manipulate memory matter, but for Dan Lei, it's like jumping from one soap bubble to another.

However, as soon as Danlei reunited with Huang Quan, she immediately said...

"Dan Lei, the dream here is collapsing. What is the point of you so aggressively organizing this Holy Grail War to gather the power of will at this time?"

"Also, you've had Xiao Huanlong following me around these past few days. Are you spying on me?"

Huang Quan spoke in his usual expressionless tone, but Dan Lei detected a questioning tone in his words.

In other words, Dan Lei had raised Huang Quan's favorability to a high level, and the two had a good foundation of trust. In addition, Huang Quan did not sense that Dan Lei had any intention of being wary of or harming her, so she patiently played with Xiao Huanlong and waited for Dan Lei to confess to her.

Therefore, upon realizing that Huang Quan was already dissatisfied, Dan Lei decisively raised his hands in surrender.

Although she is a self-destructor, her understanding of all things in the world is stronger than anyone else's. Coupled with her superhuman intuition, Danlei can hide many things from the train crew, from Gopher and Sunday, but not from her.

This gap is entirely due to different levels of perspective and different viewpoints. If it were Black Tower, he would have seen through part of Dan Lei's purpose when Dan Lei launched the Holy Grail War.

So, Dan Lei pulled Huang Quan into a small alley and, after confirming that no one was around, said...

"I had Xiao Huanlong follow you mainly because I was afraid you would get lost or get into trouble. I absolutely did not mean to spy on you."

As for my purpose, it is naturally to exploit the delusions of the current ruler of Pinocene to summon the Star God Embryo and then seize it for my own use.

Huang Quan relaxed somewhat when she saw Dan Lei state his purpose directly, because she could see that Dan Lei's gathering of willpower was not harmful. As long as Dan Lei did not resort to any evil means such as sacrificing other people's lives to achieve his own goals, then everything would be fine.

Although the Holy Grail War has now become the fuse for a larger war, in principle, the cause of this war is not Dan Lei's problem.

However, summoning the Star God Embryo still surprised Huang Quan, who asked...
"A Star God Embryo? Does this thing really exist? And can it be summoned?"

Here, Danlei explained the Oak family's plan to Huang Quan in detail, and also told her the truth about the Pinocone dream.

Huang Quan was surprised that Dan Lei had learned so much about Pinocchio in such a short time.

What surprised me even more was Dan Lei's audacity; he even dared to plot against the Star God Embryo.

Fortunately, after learning the truth of the matter, Huang Quan decided not to stop Dan Lei.

The reason is actually very simple.

Huang Quan's evaluation of Pinocchio is:

"Pinocone's collapse stemmed from a certain inevitability of human nature, which the family was unwilling to acknowledge, but which inadvertently became a catalyst."

When people allow their minds to indulge in dreams that are free from cost and pain, offering only comfort and pleasure, they become increasingly closer to necrosis.

No matter how blissful he thought he was living, death was an inevitable end.

Furthermore, this necrosis spreads and proliferates; the mutation of one puzzle piece can eventually cause the entire building to shake, break apart, and collapse.

This passage can be interpreted as Huang Quan believing that the decadent lifestyle at Pinocchio would eventually breed nothingness, and therefore needs to be changed.

Danlei's plan, while bringing forth the fetus of the philosophy of order, exacerbates Pinocchio's problems.

But Danlei's ultimate goal is to devour the philosophical embryo of order.

This would lead to a complete breakdown of Pinocchio's current rules, which, in effect, suits Huang Quan's wishes perfectly.

Moreover, as a friend, Huang Quan was still willing to trust Dan Lei, so she said...
"I understand. However, I will stay by your side from now on."

If your plans change, or if you yourself are controlled by the forces of order, I will stab you.

Upon hearing this, Dan Lei felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that Huang Quan's blade was not to be trifled with.

If I don't regain my senses after that one cut, I probably never will.

However, Huang Quan was originally Dan Lei's insurance policy, in case he couldn't withstand the dream of Taiyi and became immersed in it.

Unaffected by dreams, Huang Quan can cleave through dreams with a single strike to save himself.

Therefore, Danlei directly agreed.

"Alright, from now on, Huang Quan, you will follow my lead."

Also, no matter what happens next, will you continue to follow me?

Once you're certain I'm deeply trapped in the dream of order, remember to deliver a fatal blow to the dreamscape of the Asdna system.

Huang Quan felt little pressure in stabbing Pinocchio in his dream, so he naturally nodded in agreement.

However, just as Huang Quan nodded, Dan Lei suddenly sensed someone locking onto him and launching an attack. In Dan Lei's mental perception, an arrow was shooting straight at him.

However, it was only aimed at himself. In Dan Lei's eyes, the arrow was slow and weak. It would be fine to shoot ordinary people, but to shoot him was a bit of an insult.

Therefore, Dan Lei did not directly intercept the arrow, and Huang Quan and Xiao Huanlong did not intervene after sensing it.

The arrow was only caught by Dan Lei when it reached him, and he could clearly see a coordinate engraved on the arrow.

Then, in the next second, the arrow disappeared automatically, seemingly a product of projection magic.

Seeing this, Huang Quan asked directly.

"Is this... an invitation from someone?"

The projection magic trick, the use of a bow—such obvious hints made Dan Lei naturally know who was looking for him.

So Dan Lei laughed.
"It's probably some guy who was chased to the brink of death by a hound family and used a stowaway's dream-entry device to enter the dream world."

"Let's go, he's an old friend of mine, let's go see him."

After saying that, Danlei opened the door and entered the Daydream Hotel in his dream.

Soon, Danlei found Sand Gold and Archer in the empty VIP lounge.

At this moment, Sand Gold was dressed like a desert dweller from the Ajihazo region, which reminded Dan Lei of the days when he was searching for directions with Ashley in Ajihazo.

So Danlei smiled and teased Sand Gold.
"A new style of dressing! This outfit looks good, much better than your green open-chest dress."

"By the way, why are you the only one? I remember Professor Latio was your collaborator this time."

Faced with Dan Lei's teasing, Sha Jin directly removed the layers of his mask and said with a smile.
"This is not a new style of dressing. When I was a child in Tzinnia, on the barren loess soil, I dressed similarly when I went out."

There aren't many high-tech skincare products in that place, so if you don't want your cheeks to crack from the dry, strong winds, you'd better find something to cover them up.

As for that guy Ladio, after Dr. Chadwick's livestream, he righteously cut ties with me, this evil company employee, and is probably vacationing in Pinocchio right now.

Dan Lei believed half of what Sand Gold said. He had seen it when he was a child, and now he believed it. After all, the environment in Tsigania was not much better than the Ejihazo desert.

However, the separation between Dr. Truth and Sand Gold Justice was clearly only superficial.

It's worth noting that Interstellar Peace Corporation publicly announced shortly after the live broadcast that it was sending a fleet to Pinocchio.

At this point, the two sides had completely broken off relations. As an envoy of the Interstellar Peace Company, it was already a favor that Sand Gold wasn't used as a sacrifice.

Restricting freedom is a basic requirement, so he can only become a stowaway and eke out a living on the desolate planet of Pinocene.

Without Dr. Truth's help and cover for him, how could Sand Gold possibly have escaped from the Daydream Hotel in reality?

In this unfamiliar place, he couldn't obtain the equipment from the stowaways to re-enter the dream world.

It's important to know that the Heroic Spirits from this Holy Grail War cannot be brought into the real world.

However, Dan Lei wasn't interested in asking any more questions about Dr. Truth. Sand Gold had been tricked this time; the Interstellar Peace Corporation had completely disregarded his safety by sending a fleet, clearly abandoning him.

Fortunately, it was Oswaldo who instigated the board to send troops. Sand Gold probably realized he had been tricked when he saw that it was the fleet from the market development department coming.

Moreover, while others might abandon him, Emerald and Toppa will not.

The two's foundation is still in Sunday's hands. If they give up, the core trio of Emerald will be completely wiped out.

The clash between the Strategic Investment Department and the Market Development Department ended in a crushing defeat for the Strategic Investment Department.

Therefore, Goldman Sachs must return to resolve the Chadwick issue and regain control of the Pinocchio business from the Strategic Investment Department.

Otherwise, he would have really messed up this time.

So Danlei sat down directly opposite the gold dust and smiled.

"Alright, we've finally returned to the dream world, you're not here to chat with me, are you?"

"Tell me, what brings you here? I already returned your gold dust to you. In principle, you're not facing any survival crisis right now."

To Danlei's question, Shajin answered without hesitation.
"My purpose in returning is simple: to deal with the Heroic Spirit Chadwick."

As you know, as long as the imaginary collapse pulse is not fired at Pierpont, Oswald has no reason to forcefully send a fleet to Pinocchio.

Then both sides will have the opportunity to return to the negotiating table, and the war will not break out.

So, my friend, I need your help.

Upon hearing this, Dan Lei nodded, then smiled.

"Helping you is not difficult, but you should first deal with your Heroic Spirit, whose eyes are about to be on my Servant."

Dan Lei was naturally referring to Archer, who was quite shocked by the adult version of Artoria.

Theoretically, this version of Shirou Emiya should never have experienced a bench vise, and he shouldn't have any obsession with Artoria.

Of course, the shock is still there. Just like the anime fans who like A Certain Magical Index suddenly discovering that Tsukuyomi Komoe has a mature version, they will definitely be able to take a second look.

However, looking at it for too long is a bit too much; it's bordering on impolite.

Therefore, Sand Gold said helplessly to his heroic spirit.
"Alright, Archer, they've already protested, so stop staring at them."

"Aren't you the guardian of humanity? Why are you acting like a lecherous wolf who's never seen a woman before?"

Archer, seeing his Master helping others tease him, said helplessly.
"I wasn't looking at anyone with lust. This heroic spirit looks a lot like an old friend of mine, so I just glanced at him a few more times."

Artoria agreed with this answer and spoke up to help Archer.
"Dan Lei, there is indeed no lewdness in this heroic spirit's eyes."

However, I have no memory of him, and I certainly don't know him.

Archer was quite indifferent to this assessment.
"Thank you for speaking up for me, King Knight. It took me a long time to confirm that it was you."

All I can say is that you are not the Knight King I know, nothing more.

Seeing that the two were about to start discussing their hometown, Dan Lei decisively interrupted them.
"Alright, Sand Gold, I'm happy to help you, but don't expect to get something for nothing."

What can you promise me on behalf of jade?

Upon seeing this, the gold dust replied directly.

"Pinocone, whatever you fancy, we can give you."

Danlei wanted this answer, so he smiled.

"Very well, then come with me to the real dream world."

"Huang Quan, please cut this guy down with one blow, just kill him instantly."

　A bug in the previous chapter has been fixed.

　　As mentioned before, Himeko cannot exit the dream world right now, so the discussion cannot take place in the real-world Daydream Hotel.

　　It has now been changed to the Daydream Hotel in a dream.

　　Since black swan events can open the door, it's reasonable to discuss them there.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)