Chapter 175: Dreamling Flower

The next day at noon, the Centipede Woman, looking utterly dejected, emerged from the New Land. From yesterday at noon until dusk, and from nightfall until dawn, she had tried to kill Ma Wu several times. Yet, she found herself unable to do so—such was the unique gift Feng Daiku had bestowed upon Ma Wu.

Approaching the Boar, the Centipede Woman said with a trembling voice, "This happened because I fell for his technique. You absolutely cannot tell anyone about this."

The Boar snorted with a chuckle. "Go tell your mother whatever you want. I already told her."

The Centipede Woman's face turned ashen. "What did my mother say?"

"She said you've shamed her terribly, and she's going to kill you, you wretched hussy. Just wait for your death."

Fear filled the Centipede Woman's face. "Why did you tell my mother? Why are you such a blabbermouth!"

The Boar was too lazy to argue with her. "You've already left the area. Now it's my turn."

The Centipede Woman looked at the Boar in surprise. "You dare go in?"

"Why wouldn't I dare? I'm not a woman!" the Boar sneered, turning his gaze to Ma Wu. "He can barely stand. Killing him will be easier than crushing a grasshopper!"

Ma Wu was indeed somewhat weak, but his face showed no trace of fear. He simply watched the Boar.

Xiao Genzi, clutching a spoon and carrying a bucket, prepared for a desperate fight.

As the Boar was about to step into the area, a furious roar echoed from behind him: "I want to see which beast defiled my daughter!"

The roar reverberated across the wasteland for a long time, as another centipede emerged from the depths of the forest. The Boar quickly gave way; this was not someone he could afford to provoke.

While the Centipede Woman was over three meters long, this colossal centipede was over five meters in length. Its upper half was human, its lower half insect-like, and two rows of slender legs scuttled as it approached the edge of the plot. This was the Centipede Woman's mother.

Ma Wu observed the Centipede Mother's appearance. Her features were well-defined, her cheeks fair, and she was quite beautiful, looking no older than twenty-eight or twenty-nine.

The Centipede Woman flopped down beside her mother and cried, "Mother, listen to me. It's not what you think. It's like this…"

"I'll listen to your ass!" the Centipede Mother roared, terrifying her daughter into a state of limpness. "You've truly shamed me!" the Centipede Mother grated through clenched teeth. "Get home! After I kill this wretch, I'll break every one of your wretched bones!"

The Centipede Woman dared not utter another sound, spreading her two rows of legs and scurrying quickly into the depths of the jungle.

The Centipede Mother glared at Ma Wu. "Little scoundrel, are you ready to die?"

Ma Wu calmly nodded. "I am ready."

Li Banfeng was exploring the New Land, a departure from his usual routes between the Orange Grove and the Small Yellow Spring. He visited many new places and encountered numerous peculiar creatures.

He saw Green Serpent Vines, which resembled both snakes and vines. These creatures were not particularly intelligent; as long as one stayed outside their root range, they posed no threat.

There was also a tiny plant, barely an inch tall, called Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum. This plant was quite dangerous; if accidentally stepped on, it would pierce through the sole of one's shoe and emerge from the top. Li Banfeng had never seen such strange entities, but thankfully, the Wine Gourd was well-informed, able to name most of them and describe their characteristics.

"Little brother, if you encounter Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum, you must avoid it. Stepping on one is like stepping on a whole chain, and there are many more waiting to ambush you ahead."

Li Banfeng carefully noted the appearance of the Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum. In this wasteland, every step required vigilance.

After walking another three to five li, Li Banfeng suddenly heard a sound beneath his feet. He thought he had stepped on something he shouldn't have, but when he lifted his foot, the ground was barren, with not even a single weed. Yet, there was indeed a sound. It was singing.

"Cannot forget, cannot forget, cannot forget your faults, cannot forget your kindness, cannot forget walks in the rain, nor embraces in the wind…"

The song, "Unending Love," expressed deep infatuation, seemingly moving even the Wine Gourd, who was female.

"Little brother, you've encountered a Dream Singer Flower."

"Dream Singer Flower?"

"This flower is also called the Songstress Flower. Legend has it that when a songstress passes away, if anyone in the world still misses her singing, her soul will come to the New Land. She chooses a stage for herself, dons a beautiful evening gown, and continues to sing for passersby. Look, over there, that's the flower."

Without needing a special description, Li Banfeng knew which flower the Gourd was referring to. It was exceptionally striking, located in a very conspicuous spot. It grew in the wilderness about twenty meters from Li Banfeng, with no other vegetation around it—just this single three-foot-tall flower in the empty wasteland. Its color was even more eye-catching. The flower had not yet bloomed; its bud was as long as a forearm, its petals deep red, adorned with dew drops. The leaves were peculiar: a few upper leaves enveloped the bud, while a string of lower leaves cascaded to the ground like a skirt.

"Little brother, quickly listen to her song. Listen carefully. It's your good fortune to encounter a Songstress Flower in the New Land. Listen to how beautifully she sings; even heavenly immortals couldn't do better."

Heavenly immortals? The Wine Gourd was usually so carefree; why had she suddenly become so sentimental today?

After pausing to listen for a moment, Li Banfeng walked away. He didn't think "Unending Love" was sung particularly well, nor did he believe anyone in the world sang better than his wife.

Seeing Li Banfeng about to leave, the Wine Gourd quickly stopped him. "Little brother, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Listen more carefully!"

"There's nothing good to hear. It's far worse than my wife's singing!"

"Little brother, look! The flower is opening! The Songstress Flower is opening!"

Li Banfeng turned to look, and the petals of the Songstress Flower were unfolding one by one. In the center of the flower was a pistil about five inches long. The pistil had a head, shoulders, and a waist, though its legs were indistinct, as if a woman stood in the center of the flower, singing.

"Little brother, look how beautiful she is!"

The Wine Gourd's state was somewhat peculiar. Li Banfeng glanced at it and continued walking. "Nothing to see. The singing isn't very good either."

No matter how the Wine Gourd tried to persuade him, Li Banfeng refused to linger. The singing abruptly stopped, and the pistil leaped out from the center of the flower, blocking Li Banfeng's path.

"Sir, please stop. You said my singing isn't very good. What makes you say that?"

Anyone else would have been surprised that a pistil could leave the flower's center. Li Banfeng wasn't surprised. He looked down at the pistil and answered seriously, "If it's not good, it's not good. What more is there to say?"

"Isn't it a bit arbitrary to say it's not good after only two lines? You should listen for a while longer."

Suddenly, the surrounding scenery shifted. The desolate wilderness vanished, replaced by colorful lights and melodious music. There was a stage, a dance floor, and round tables. Li Banfeng found himself seated at a round table, a glass of wine in his hand. On the stage stood an exquisite woman in a green cheongsam, passionately singing "Unending Love." She was the songstress.

The surrounding guests watched the songstress intently, trying to control their breathing, afraid of missing a single note. This was a ballroom. No one was dancing on the dance floor because everyone's attention was drawn to the songstress.

Li Banfeng wasn't captivated. He was contemplating his current situation. How had he arrived in a ballroom? It must be an illusion. How could he break free from it? Li Banfeng had no prior experience with such things.

The songstress gazed at Li Banfeng, a hint of coldness in her eyes. Li Banfeng tried to draw his Tang Sabre, but instead pulled out a rose from his waist. The songstress smiled, walked off the stage, and approached Li Banfeng. She took the rose in her hand, pressed it against Li Banfeng's cheek, and asked softly, "Sir, do you still think my singing isn't good?"

Li Banfeng answered honestly, "It's truly not good."

The songstress's expression turned ferocious. She dragged the rose across Li Banfeng's cheek. Thorns broke the skin, and blood flowed, but Li Banfeng felt no pain. The songstress said softly, "I see you haven't listened enough. You should listen more here."

Li Banfeng then asked, "What if I said it was good?"

The songstress shook her head. "Then you wouldn't be sincere."

"What if I genuinely said it was good?"

"Then you would listen here for a lifetime."

"So, no reasoning, huh?" Li Banfeng tried to stand, but his legs felt like cotton, completely devoid of strength. The songstress patted Li Banfeng's face. "This is my domain. What I say is law."

No strength, no pain—this was a dream. Wake up! Quickly, wake up! Li Banfeng suddenly opened his eyes, breaking free from the dream. He was still standing in the wasteland, listening to the Wine Gourd describe the Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum.

"Little brother, when you encounter Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum, you must avoid it. Stepping on one is like stepping on a whole chain, and there are many more flowers waiting to ambush you ahead. For example, that Songstress Flower, little brother, look how beautiful she is…"

She was talking about Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum, so why did she switch to the Songstress Flower? Was he still dreaming? This Gourd was fake! Li Banfeng took off the Wine Gourd, threw it aside, and sprinted away, only to find himself back in the ballroom, a glass of wine in hand, seated at the round table. The songstress stood on the stage, watching Li Banfeng with a smile.

"Little brother, I was just telling you about Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum. Did you hear me? If you did, respond. There are many Shattered Chain Chrysanthemums around here; you need to be careful!"

The Wine Gourd was in the middle of describing the Shattered Chain Chrysanthemum to Li Banfeng when he suddenly stopped responding. "Little brother? Little brother…"

The Wine Gourd was somewhat displeased. Compared to other magical artifacts, the Wine Gourd was more like Li Banfeng's confidante, and there should be at least some mutual respect between them. She floated around Li Banfeng once, saw his vacant stare, and then heard his slightly heavy breathing. Only then did the Wine Gourd realize he was asleep.

Dreaming? There was a dream cultivator nearby! She had to wake him up quickly!

The Wine Gourd called out a few times, but Li Banfeng didn't respond. She floated herself into the air and directly crashed into Li Banfeng's head. Thud! Thud! Two dull thuds. Li Banfeng did not wake up. The Wine Gourd couldn't keep hitting his head, or Li Banfeng might pass out and become completely trapped in the dream.

"Tang Sabre, cut little brother, but not too deep!"

The Tang Sabre unsheathed, circled Li Banfeng twice, then returned to its sheath. The Wine Gourd asked, "What do you mean by that?"

The blade replied, "How can a loyal subject assassinate his master?"

"I'm not asking you to assassinate your master! Just cut him, enough to make him feel pain!"

The Tang Sabre refused. "I am loyal and upright; I will never commit such a rebellious act."

This truly wasn't the Tang Sabre's fault for being inflexible. The Tang Sabre was a high-level magical artifact, much more intelligent than ordinary ones, but it couldn't deviate from the rules of its self-definition. All magical artifacts had a self-definition and rules under that definition. The Gourd defined herself as a close confidante, so teasing Li Banfeng or lightly striking him was fine. But the Tang Sabre defined itself as a loyal and capable general. Before completing its three assigned cuts, the Tang Sabre had to maintain absolute loyalty to Li Banfeng. Unless it was after the three cuts and they were to duel, the Tang Sabre could never attack Li Banfeng under any circumstances.

"Pendulum sister, you try?"

The Pendulum responded coldly, "Try what? How dare I touch the master?" The Blood-Stained Pendulum inherently disliked the Gourd. Despite her docile demeanor in front of Li Banfeng, when speaking to the Gourd, she reverted to Luo Yuni's cold temperament. Moreover, she was also bound by the rules of her definition. Under the definition of the phonograph, the Pendulum firmly believed she was Li Banfeng's woman, and aside from occasionally applying makeup for him, she would never do anything to harm Li Banfeng.

The Pendulum was also trying her best to rescue Li Banfeng. Mind cultivation had a restraining effect on dream cultivation, so she attempted to control Li Banfeng's thoughts and forcibly pull him out of the dream. As expected, the Pendulum failed; Li Banfeng's thoughts were too numerous and disorganized, completely uncontrollable. But the Pendulum wasn't entirely without success.

"There's singing!" the Pendulum responded. "There's singing in the master's thoughts—it's a woman's…" The Pendulum's voice was somewhat muddled; upon hearing the singing in his thoughts, she too nearly fell into a dream, barely holding on thanks to her mind cultivation talent.

Singing? Hearing the Pendulum's words, the Wine Gourd also dared not touch Li Banfeng's thoughts. Where was this singing coming from? The Gourd remembered the Silk Earring: "Silk sister? Did you hear singing? Are you asleep? Wake up quickly!"

The Pendulum scraped the earring once; she wouldn't go easy on the earring. The earring woke up and, hearing the Wine Gourd's question, quickly replied, "There was indeed singing. I heard it just now. I only heard two lines before I fell asleep."

The Wine Gourd murmured, "Dream Singer Flower… there's a Dream Singer Flower underground."

The Tang Sabre unsheathed, hovered for a moment, and said, "I've seen Dream Singer Flowers. As long as this thing doesn't break through the ground, no one can hear its singing. I haven't seen any emerging from the ground nearby."

Indeed, if the Dream Singer Flower hadn't surfaced, where did the singing come from? The Gourd also couldn't understand the reason. The Pendulum, however, understood. "It's that wretched earring again! She's leeching off the master again!" The Silk Earring's drawback was hearing sounds that shouldn't be heard. The Dream Singer Flower was originally underground, and Li Banfeng shouldn't have heard its singing, but because of the Silk Earring, he did.

The Silk Earring tried to explain, "I didn't mean to. I didn't want to harm master, I was…" Halfway through her explanation, the Silk Earring fell asleep again.

The Pendulum said to the Gourd, "Quickly wake the master up, and let's leave this place immediately."

Waking Li Banfeng wasn't difficult; besides cutting him with a blade, the Gourd could think of other ways. The crucial point was that waking him up was useless. The earring had just woken up but fell asleep again in an instant. This was the Dream Singer Flower's trick: once her singing is heard, one could fall back into the dream at any time, and even be severely injured by the Dream Singer Flower due to repeated entry into the dream.

"We need to find a way to force the Dream Singer Flower out!"

The Tang Sabre shouted, "As soon as she comes out, I'll chop her to bits!"

The Pendulum retorted, "Stop with the useless chatter. If she were willing to come out, would you even need to chop her?"

As everyone struggled to find a way to make the Dream Singer Flower appear, they suddenly heard a weak voice slowly utter a single word: "Blood."

Who was speaking? It was the Judge's Pen, the lazily cultivated Judge's Pen. He only spoke this one word, too lazy to say more.

What blood? The Gourd didn't understand, nor did the Tang Sabre, but the Pendulum suddenly remembered. "The Drip Monster's blood! The Plant Cultivator's blood! I still have a mouthful left!" When they had killed the Drip Monster, the Pendulum had absorbed a large amount of its blood. After so much time, most of the blood had been digested, but she still had one last mouthful. Everyone had forgotten about it, but the Judge's Pen still remembered. In fact, the Judge's Pen remembered many things; he was just too lazy to bring them up.

The Pendulum leaped into the air and sprayed this mouthful of blood onto the barren land. On the wasteland, various plants began to grow wildly. Most of these plants were originally seeds in the soil, and under the stimulation of the plant cultivator's blood, they rapidly rooted and sprouted. The Dream Singer Flower, lurking deep in the soil, now tainted by the plant cultivator's blood, also began to grow uncontrollably.

*Rustling sounds*

A vibrant flower burst from the earth. Its petals were deep red, not yet fully open, a few leaves embracing the bud, and a string of leaves trailing to the ground like a skirt—as if a songstress were wearing an evening gown! It truly was the Dream Singer Flower!

The Pendulum roared, "Wretch, prepare to die!"

Flower roots shot out, kicking up dirt and blocking the Pendulum. The Dream Singer Flower tried to escape, but the Tang Sabre flashed, severing the flower's neck, and the flower bud fell to the ground.