Chapter 279: Dream-Linked Tower

Li Banfeng realized he had used the wrong method. More precisely, he had been misled by the white-clad figure.

However, this matter had nothing to do with the white-clad figure.

In his dream, there were only two types of people. The first type were those he had created within the dream.

The second type were those who had invaded the dream. That woman had explicitly stated that she was the only one, and to leave the dream, he had to find her.

The people created within the dream behaved according to Li Banfeng's cognitive logic. For instance, Qiaocui, whom he first met at the village entrance, was a dream creation, and her actions aligned with his understanding.

After entering the village, everyone else's behavior was largely logical, except for Bai Qiusheng.

Bai Qiusheng should not have appeared in Zhengjing Village. His presence was illogical, indicating he was the dream invader.

The dream invader could attach herself to a character within the dream. She didn't have enough knowledge about the dream characters. However, she could gather information within his dream. When she heard Qiaocui call him "Seventh Master," she also started calling him "Seventh Master."

Once Li Banfeng noticed the flaw, the invader immediately went into the outhouse, disappearing from Li Banfeng's sight. Soon after, she reappeared in front of Li Banfeng, attached to Ma Wu.

She didn't know enough about Ma Wu, and still called Li Banfeng "Seventh Master," revealing another flaw.

She vanished from Li Banfeng's sight again, then appeared as Zuo Wugang.

After Zuo Wugang revealed a flaw, she attached herself to A-Qin.

Realizing she had exposed herself once more, the invader no longer appeared casually; she began gathering more information.

As long as Li Banfeng's dream continued, the information she could gather would only increase.

Were all these people in the restaurant just dream creations?

Not necessarily.

Their behavior was indeed more rational than before, but it was also possible that Li Banfeng himself had revealed more details as the dream extended.

He couldn't let them speak freely now.

The more details revealed, the lower Li Banfeng's chances of finding the invader.

He had to verify immediately.

Of course, the verification process might also reveal a lot of information, but this was unavoidable.

Should he separate them and verify them one by one?

Useless.

The invader could see his dream; no matter where he went, he couldn't block her out.

Li Banfeng immediately looked at Ma Wu and asked, "Who is your father?"

Ma Wu paused, "Why are you asking that?"

"Just say it!"

"Ma Chunting!"

It was true.

Li Banfeng then turned to Zuo Wugang, "Who was your previous employer?"

"Don't even mention it..."

"Hurry up and tell me!"

"Master Lu of the Lu family, Lu Dongliang."

Li Banfeng then asked A-Qin, "Who is your local earth deity?"

"Qiu Luoye."

Li Banfeng asked Xiaochuanzi, "What kind of work did you do for the Ma family previously?"

"I operated a road roller!"

Li Banfeng then asked Xiaogenzi, "Which Daoist sect do you belong to?"

Xiaogenzi, holding a bucket and a spoon, replied, "Jin Xiu."

All true?

The invader isn't here?

This was his dream; what he could see existed. What he couldn't see should, logically, not exist. The invader might be invisible but should still be within his line of sight.

Li Banfeng looked at the restaurant owner and the other diners. Was the invader among them?

Li Banfeng wasn't familiar with the owner. The diners were all passing hunters, with whom Li Banfeng was even less familiar.

Was there any way to verify their identities?

Li Banfeng shouted loudly, "Tell me all together, what is this village called?"

If even one person hesitated to speak or couldn't answer, they would be a prime suspect.

Everyone looked at Li Banfeng and replied in unison, "Zhengjing Village!"

Everyone's answer was loud and clear.

This trick didn't work?

Couldn't verify?

Logically speaking, his method was sound!

Unless the invader remained invisible, preventing him from seeing her.

How could he possibly find her then?

If she did that, it would be pointless.

Should he probe them again?

If he kept probing, more information would only be revealed!

Where exactly was the problem?

What on earth...

Li Banfeng looked up and realized where the problem lay.

The problem was with the questions he had just asked.

Not every question could serve as a verification. This was because one person's information had already been revealed.

Li Banfeng had asked Genzi what his Daoist sect was, and Genzi had answered "Jin Xiu."

His attire and previous actions in the dream had already revealed his sect. The invader could have deduced that he was from Jin Xiu.

Could it be Genzi?

He couldn't guess wildly; if he guessed wrong, he'd be stuck here forever.

He shouldn't stare at Genzi. If Genzi noticed and left the restaurant before he made a judgment, finding him again would be difficult.

Li Banfeng took a sip of tea and chatted with the others for a few moments. Then he turned to Genzi and asked, "How did you join Jin Xiu back then?"

Ma Wu said, "You went with him for this; have you forgotten?"

Li Banfeng scratched his head, "I've forgotten a bit, yes."

Ma Wu started, "He just..."

"Have a drink!" Li Banfeng held up his wine glass, blocking Ma Wu's mouth, and looked at Xiaogenzi with a smile.

If he seized this chance to disappear from Li Banfeng's sight, it would prove he was the invader!

Xiaogenzi calmly replied, "Seventh Master, you've forgotten. I joined Jin Xiu through a peddler."

The answer was fine, but it was common knowledge.

"How much did you pay for the Jin Xiu medicinal powder?"

"A hundred yuan. The bucket and spoon were free."

Still no issues, but for higher-level cultivators, this might also be common knowledge.

"Why did you join the Jin Xiu sect?"

Xiaogenzi puffed out his chest and replied, "It is the strongest sect in the world."

Li Banfeng smiled, pointed at Genzi, and said, "I found you!"

Xiaogenzi froze for a moment.

In the dream, everyone froze.

Xiaogenzi suddenly smiled, and his coarse cloth jacket transformed into a white robe.

The tall, strong Xiaogenzi became a slender woman. Before Li Banfeng could clearly see her face, the woman quickly stood up and left the restaurant.

Trying to leave?

Found you, and still not admitting it?

Li Banfeng immediately gave chase. The woman was incredibly fast, making it difficult for Li Banfeng to keep up. He chased her from the village, out into the countryside, and all the way to the foot of a small mountain.

The woman swiftly ascended the mountain. Li Banfeng followed closely behind her. Halfway up the mountain, the woman suddenly turned and plunged into the woods. Li Banfeng continued the pursuit.

Upon entering the woods, faint halos appeared in his vision. The scenery before him became distorted and blurry. Li Banfeng struggled to open his eyes and finally woke up.

He had left the dream and was now lying on a bed.

It was pitch dark all around him. Li Banfeng sat up and struck a match.

It was a small room. If it weren't for the different size and furnishings, Li Banfeng would have nearly panicked.

He worried he was still dreaming and that he had dreamt of the Portable Abode.

If he had dreamt of the Portable Abode, it would mean that information about it had also been leaked.

Confirming that this was not the Portable Abode, Li Banfeng calmed down slightly.

He checked his belongings; they were all still there. Li Banfeng pushed open the door and left the room.

Outside the room was an endless corridor. On both sides of the corridor, there was a door every three meters.

What kind of place was this?

Li Banfeng patted his wine gourd, but it didn't respond, seemingly still asleep.

His other magical artifacts were also dormant. Relying on his good-fortune-seeking and ill-fortune-avoiding technique, Li Banfeng turned left and walked along the corridor, searching for an exit.

After walking a few dozen meters, he suddenly heard a creak as a door ahead opened.

A man exited the room and walked slowly forward in front of Li Banfeng.

"Friend, what is this place?"

Li Banfeng asked, but the man didn't respond and continued walking forward.

Li Banfeng occasionally struck a match. He followed the man for another few dozen meters. The two arrived at the end of the corridor, where the man turned right and entered a room.

Li Banfeng followed, discovering the room had no door, but a white curtain hung in its place. A familiar scent wafted from behind the curtain.

It was a toilet!

Had this man come to use the toilet?

Without even a candle, he was just feeling his way in the dark to the toilet?

It seemed to be a hotel or a dormitory.

Li Banfeng pushed aside the curtain and entered, seeing the man using a urinal.

A urinal?

Such things were uncommon in Puro Province.

Could he have returned to the outer provinces?

The man finished and walked towards Li Banfeng.

He wore a white shirt and black trousers, his complexion was fair. His hair was long and messy, and fine stubble encircled his mouth, as if he hadn't shaved in a long time.

He walked straight towards Li Banfeng, and they almost collided.

Was he not looking where he was going?

Indeed, he wasn't.

His eyes were closed.

Listening to his steady, deep breathing, the man was still asleep.

Was this sleepwalking?

Li Banfeng grabbed the man and called out twice, "Wake up, wake up!"

As he shook him, the man opened his eyes.

He stared at Li Banfeng for a moment. Then he took a small spectacle case from his pocket and put a pair of contact lenses into his eyes.

Contact lenses?

It really was the outer provinces!

The man looked at Li Banfeng and asked, "Who are you? Is there something I can help you with?"

Li Banfeng replied, "Nothing in particular, I just wanted to ask..."

"If it's nothing, why did you wake me?" the man asked angrily.

Li Banfeng took out a hundred-yuan Huanguo bill and slipped it into the man's hand. "I just want to ask, what is this place?"

"You're already here and you don't know where it is?" The man was annoyed, but he didn't take Li Banfeng's money. "I was just getting to a good part, and you woke me up."

Li Banfeng also grew a little annoyed. "What do you mean? Are you blaming me?"

"Who else should I blame?" The man stretched, yawned, and rubbed his stomach. "Never mind, I'm awake now. Let's get something to eat."

"Eat? Isn't this inappropriate?"

The man smiled. "Of course it's inappropriate here. Let's go to the cafeteria."

He led Li Banfeng out of the toilet and to the second door on the right, near the end of the corridor.

The door was unlocked. Pushing it open, Li Banfeng saw a flight of stairs.

The stairs were very steep; walking down them felt like descending a hillside.

After descending two floors, the man pushed open a door. The aroma of cooked food wafted in.

He seemed to have smelled this aroma before.

Pushing the door open, he saw a very spacious cafeteria inside. It had no windows, but the lighting was bright, and the tables and chairs were neatly arranged.

The man sat down at a table and called out, "Two stir-fried dishes, a pot of wine! Come on, come and eat with me."

He waved to Li Banfeng, his initial annoyance gone. This man was quite friendly.

Li Banfeng sat opposite the man and asked, "Are you from the outer provinces?"

The man nodded. "I'm from Chunshen City. Are you also from the outer provinces?"

Li Banfeng replied, "I've been to the outer provinces."

As they spoke, Li Banfeng looked around. There were over a dozen people eating in the cafeteria. One woman was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and another was wearing a long trench coat.

Besides these two, the rest wore either Zhongshan suits, mandarin jackets, long robes, or plaid suits—all typical Puro Province attire.

Among these people, three were eating with their eyes open. The rest all had their eyes closed, seemingly still asleep.

Eating while sleeping—this state was truly novel.

However, upon second thought, Li Banfeng himself had been eating in a dream just now.

Could it be that he had been here earlier?

The man asked Li Banfeng, "How did you get here?"

Li Banfeng replied, "I just ended up here without knowing how."

The man chuckled. "I really envy you people from Puro Province, just stumbling into such a good place. I spent nearly two million to get here!"

Li Banfeng frowned, "You paid to come here?"

The man said, "That's because I found the right connections. For someone else, even twenty million might not be enough to get in."

"What exactly is this place?"

"This is Mengqian Tower. There's no better place in the world."