Dark Moon Era

The indubitable fact was that Grandfather Han would be wherever Gu Gu was.

Inside this dreamy cabin was Gu Gu in its original form which was a half-purple, half-green mushroom. It was around 2 meters high, waving around and nuzzling Grandfather Han.

What about Grandfather Han? He was sitting on a crude-looking chair that roughly resembled a five-clawed dragon chair of ancient Huaxia. He did not move as he allowed Gu Gu to nuzzle against his body.

Unfortunately, while Gu Gu had still been in its true form throughout 20 years with Grandfather Han, the old man was no longer himself. Even if it appeared before him in its most familiar form, his grayish-white eyes stated that he had been transformed into a zombie, so he could no longer speak of love to the mushroom.

Gu Gu started to wave vehemently when Tang Ling appeared. Those large Green Fungus Mannequins that were chasing Tang Ling suddenly went into a frenzy and started to attack him even more violently.

At the same time, the cabin wall behind Grandfather Han and Gu Gu started to shake violently as the walls rose and revealed a pair of giant claws.

“Are you kidding me?” After Tang Ling greeted the mushroom, he dashed towards Grandfather Han and Gu Gu without pause. As the wind whistled in his ears, the spores danced in the air and a series of notifications appeared in Tang Ling’s mind.

‘Discovered intelligent life form of Planet XR: Green Fungus Mother. Completion rate of mission: 100%.

‘Warning, warning! Extremely dangerous area. The Green Fungus Mother’s cabin has a Level 2 galactic infectious transmissibility.

‘Completion rate of mission: 100%. Dream Seed 0233 has acquired the right to exit the Dream Domain. If your answer is “yes”, the Domain Door will appear right away. If not, the option to leave the dream will only appear when the mission rating reaches Grade B

‘Dream Seed 0233 has triggered a sub-mission—The Queen’s Wrath. Completion rate of mission: 0%’

‘Dream Seed 0233 will be pursued by Rank F Dangerous Being, Emperor Class Green Fungus Mannequin next in the Dream Domain.’

“No, no, no, no, no!” Tang Ling had fanaticism branded in his bones. It allowed him to realize he was a risky gambler and a big player. He was one step away from the end, so why would he give up now?!

Those frenzied large Green Fungus Mannequins were nothing! After his transformation, he was a lot faster than them. Even in their frenzied state, they could never catch him.

But what about the spores that he breathed into this body? The spores inside him grew frenziedly in his body, poking his large physique. Due to the massive amount, they were powerful enough to fight Tang Ling for the control of his body.

Again and again, a strange numbing feeling started to spread in his body while thought after thought popped up in his mind.

Relax, relax. Go to sleep, go to sleep soundly. You will be free of trouble. If you give up now, you will be granted eternal life in the peaceful kingdom.

“Scram!” Tang Ling bellowed madly because he knew it was the sign of severe infection.

He also knew that his transformed body might not be the strongest one in the room in a few seconds because a giant Green Fungus Mannequin, whose claw was already the size of a grown man, came out from the wall behind Grandfather Han.

So what? At least, I’m still the strongest now! I am invincible!

In less than two seconds, Tang Ling was already in front of Grandfather Han and Gu Gu. Even though Gu Gu in its mushroom form could not express emotions, Tang Ling strangely understood its anger.

Stop being angry, you piece of mushroom! Tang Ling stomped on Gu Gu mercilessly, not minding bullying a mushroom.

At the same time, he reached out to Grandfather Han in the chair with his long arms. “I’m sorry. I’ll be taking Guo Er with me.”

Right before his foot touched Gu Gu, the mushroom flew away and Tang Ling missed a step. All his foot felt was the rotten floor of the cabin.

In that instant, Gu Gu flew towards the giant Green Fungus Mannequin’s body and went into its ear.

Revenge, angry, anxiety and furor suffocated the entire cabin. As the absolute queen in this spaceship, Gu Gu could flip this place and everything within it upside down with its will but not Tang Ling who raced out of the cabin immediately while carrying Grandfather Han.

His mind was getting confused as the thoughts started to invade his consciousness like the drugs from the old civilization. Not only was his mind being invaded, but his body also started to feel numb and his running was less nimble.

If he wanted to hold on, all he could rely on was his unyielding will.

Tang Ling’s willpower was strong. After all, he had run countless simulations about this situation in his mind and it finally came true. He ought to use the helpless zombie Grandfather Han to wipe out everything to its core!

His plan seemed logical. Gu Gu cared the most about Grandfather Han. When it was still in the infant stage, it was as blank as a white paper and Grandfather Han was the one who had painted colors on it.

Therefore, its unique feelings for Grandfather Han surpassed its rationality or even its mission. It would rather waste a lot of time and be with Grandfather Han in his ideal image, living together happily in the human world.

It did not want to take on its ugly form, which was the Emperor Class Green Fungus Mannequin, just so it could protect Grandfather Han if it was not his very last moment. It thought that Grandfather Han would hate its appearance!

As a matter of fact, it also teetered on the line between life and death and Grandfather Han was its only hope!

What could go wrong with this logic?

Therefore, after Tang Ling simulated the final performance in his mind, he made it happen in the mountain crack.

He rammed his huge body out of the broken spaceship and shuttled across the blazing mushroom jungle swiftly.

Thousands of zombies, dead animals, as well as small and large Green Fungus Mannequins came out to go after Tang Ling.

The truly gigantic Emperor Class Green Fungus Mannequin climbed out of the broken spaceship and chased after Tang Ling madly.

The black liquid seemed to fuel the flames as all the Energy Converting Corpse Shrooms started to explode. The fire was getting out of control and nothing could stop it anymore.

Moreover, every being in the mountain crack focused their attention on Tang Ling, trying to take back the confused, struggling zombie from his hands.

Inside Tang Ling’s mind, the notifications was popping out madly too.

‘Mission: destroy the source. Completion rate: 30%, 40%, 50%...’

Tang Ling did not have the time to feel anything because his mind was counting down the final minute before he would enter a severely weakened state.

Nevertheless, he did not come unprepared. He used a trick from psychology, which was to repeatedly emphasize a certain concept, forcefully hint the train of thought, and allow himself to complete the rest of the mission with sheer willpower.

He was portraying the final sprint of madness in his last performance with every path he ran, every movement he made, and every step he took.

Tang Ling entered a strange state in his current condition. He felt no sorrow, happiness, fear or worries as he grabbed Grandfather Han single-handedly with the torch in his mouth and ran. He ran as fast as he could.

By the time the entire mountain crack turned into a sea of fire, he had run around the whole place and returned into the broken spaceship.

“There’s one last thing...” Tang Ling purposely ran like a blind bat in the spaceship as more and more enemies swarmed in just to chase him.

The queen’s will was Grandfather Han. Grandfather Han was above all, hence every zombie or mannequin that was being controlled by the mother could not escape the strong persistence of taking Grandfather Han back.

All of them swarmed into the spaceship. The cabin was filled with zombies and mannequins following Tang Ling wherever he went.

The queen was among them too with its unrivaled speed that was faster than Tang Ling’s transformed body, but whenever it got close to him, he would turn around with a vicious smile. His large hands were gripping Grandfather Han’s neck.

All he needed to do was snap his neck and destroy the cerebellum. Then, Grandfather Han could no longer come back to life if the queen dared let that happen.

This way, his Precise Instinct provided Tang Ling with a set of precise numbers that he had achieved. The numbers included every single being in this Myriad Mushroom Crack. Carrying Grandfather Han, he started to run towards that special energy cabin that he located without hesitation.

The mission rating had reached Grade B because Tang Ling had set the Myriad Mushroom Crack ablaze. He still had 45 seconds on his timer.

Tang Ling’s eyes started to look gray and white, but was his destination not within reach? It was just in front of him!

He arrived at the hole underneath the giant stem tube. With a mischievous smile, he turned around to face the zombies in pursuit. The queen came, its sharp and big claw just meters away from touching Tang Ling.

It was at that very moment that Tang Ling released the torch from his mouth.

The torch fell into the giant hole. When the fire touched the black crystallized liquid, the brightest and most beautiful fireworks would go on display.

“Why are you separating us!?” the queen bellowed angrily. It was able to speak the human language clearly in this form.

At the same time, Tang Ling chose ‘yes’ since the right to leave the Dream Domain appeared once more.

The claw was inches away from Tang Ling, but he tossed Grandfather Han up in the air. Immediately, the queen stopped and went for Grandfather Han instead.

The Domain Door appeared behind Tang Ling and he felt the special light, so he leaned his body backward.

Bang!

The door opened with a crash.

Boom!

A huge explosion went off before Tang Ling’s grayish-white eyes before a tremendous force sucked him through the door.

One last thought popped up in Tang Ling’s mind. “Burn into ashes and you guys will never be separated.’

******

Complete the sub-mission and destroy the source. Completion rate: 100%. Acquired 10 Dream Coins. Main mission rating increased by a grade.

Complete sub-mission: the Queen’s wrath. Completion rate: 100%. Acquired 10 Dream Coins. Main mission rating increased by a grade.

Complete the main mission: the mystery of Qingxi town. Completion rate: 100%. Acquired 1 Dream Coin and the right to enter the Mysterious Store.

Dream Seed 0233’s general rating in the Qingxi town mission is Grade A. Failed to reach Grade S, SS, or SSS. Unlocked 1 main mission, 4 sub-missions, and 3 story missions. Failed to trigger 1 important era mission.

Tang Ling blinked his grayish-white eyes, not even having the energy to rant. He was still in his transformed form, but his body had stiffened. He tapped the ground and said loudly, “Save me! Save me!”

Then, a lazy voice that sounded a little resentful entered Tang Ling’s ears, “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Who threw this mushroom with stewed meat into my store?”

Tang Ling had no energy to argue, but at the next second, a cooling liquid was poured into his body. In an instant, the green fungus in his body was all cleared, returning him to his pre-infected condition.

Tang Ling did not stand up as he continued to breathe heavily on the floor. After the crazy battle, all the injuries and the pain from recklessly eating the vicious beast meat caught up with his body.

He had not removed his transformation as he entered his weakened state, but he did not have the strength to stand up and face the owner of the Mysterious Store, Kun.

“You expected the Mysterious Store to save you, hence your crazy plan, didn’t you?” Kun seemed to enjoy looking at Tang Ling lying down on the floor like a dead animal. He sneered as he walked closer to Tang Ling.

The black glossy floor was like a perfect reflective jade without any seams, reflecting Kun’s figure off the polished surface. He was still wearing black. His long robe was made with a material more reflective than brocade.

Peony flowers of unrivaled beauty were sewn on his robe around a white bird. It screamed of elegance and looked even grander on Kun.

Although he came barefooted, his toes were beautiful.

He looked down on Tang Ling with an overbearing manner and said in disdain, “You got yourself into this much trouble and let the mushrooms grow in your body, yet you only achieved a Grade A rating? Do you feel ashamed? If you are, you can kill yourself. I won’t stop you.”

Tang Ling clenched his fists as he mustered all his strength and bellowed weakly, “Do you think you are that prestigious mocking me with your flowers and birds?”

Fuuu!

A strong gale enveloped Tang Ling. It lifted him up without his consent and made him face Kun. It was at that moment when his transformation interval was up and his body shrunk quickly.

Kun chuckled.

Tang Ling cursed in his heart. Can’t you play along, seed? This is so embarrassing, shrinking all of a sudden!

As if Kun thought his mockery of Tang Ling was not enough, he sized Tang Ling up from top to bottom. Tang Ling’s shirt and uniform were badly torn while his body was covered in injuries and dirt.

Kun said slowly, “I think I am that prestigious.”

Tang Ling felt like he was going to explode. Was there anyone in this world who deserved a beating more than Kun?

Tang Ling was also a rascal in some way. His argument would have been stronger if it was not for his weakened state. He felt grievance overcome his heart.

Kun tilted his head aside and he looked at Tang Ling, his starry eyes overflowing with sincerity. “You are injured. Do you need some help?”

“No, thanks.” Tang Ling was scared. His uniform was torn, exposing his arm. Before the healing, he had 23 beautiful Dream Coins lined up on his arm, and after Kun removed the infection, he had lost 5 Dream Coins.

Tang Ling could not afford to heal himself!

Was it not just a bacteria control potion? Even if it was in better quality and purer, was it worth 5 Dream Coins? He got all the Dream Coins by risking his life!

If he could use the 5 Dream Coins to buy vicious beast meat in this Mysterious Store that fed its tortoise with Level 3 vicious beast meat, he could have gotten at least half a year’s portion of meat.

The more Tang Ling thought about it, the more his heart bled.

“You have enough Dream Coins. Heal yourself.” Kun ignored Tang Ling’s consent and waved his hand. A tube of blue glistening liquid appeared in his hand.

“I’m sorry. Kun, you are the most prestigious person that I’ve met. No man or woman can compare to you, let alone an animal,” Tang Ling weakly screamed his plea. He wanted to sound more sentimental, but he was in such a vulnerable state. If it was not for the wind, he might not even have been able to move a finger. He said all those flattering words because he cherished the Dream Coins.

“Shut up.” Kun subtly glanced over at Tang Ling and went behind the counter.

As he moved away, the lights on both sides of the store started to illuminate. The glamorous bronze lamp looked even more intricate with the reflection from the black flooring.

After Kun sat down behind the counter, the innocent tortoise the size of a palm appeared and started crawling across the counter. It would look asquint at Tang Ling with its pea-like eyes from time to time as if it was wondering what mushroom stewed meat was? Was it delicious?

With a wave of his hand, an ancient Huaxia chair and a few tea tables appeared around Tang Ling.

“Sit.” Cupping his face single-handedly, Kun seemed rather talkative today.

Sit, your as*! It was strenuous for Tang Ling to even lie down.

Kun seemed to have thought of something. His fair long fingers tapped the counter and he took a crystal clear plate from underneath the counter. There were three yellow square pastries on the plate.

With a fling of his finger, the three pastries flew towards Tang Ling.

It was just the size of half a thumb, so even with three, given Tang Ling’s appetite, it could barely be considered a snack.

But Tang Ling tightened his lips. Motherf*cking sh*t, is the pastries from Kun edible?

Kun did not ask for Tang Ling’s opinion. He did something unexpected in the next second. The air pried Tang Ling’s mouth open and the three pieces of pastries flew into his mouth.

The pastries melted quickly into a sweet liquid with flowery fragrance as it flowed into his stomach. They were incredibly delicious and were better than the pastries and snacks that Tang Ling had in the Dream Domain.

The point was that after he ate these three pastries, he did not feel as empty as he did. Instead, he felt a warm and tenacious stream comforting his exhausted and weakened body. In stark comparison, swallowing the vicious beast meat was like swallowing blades.

Tang Ling recovered a little as he weakly sat on the chair and put his hands on the tea table beside him.

His heart was in pain. How many Dream Coins would these three pastries cost him? Even if he did not spend the Dream Coins, he could have recovered by himself.

“No Dream Coins this time. They are just some snacks.” Kun pointed at his little tortoise that stopped crawling. It tilted its head as if it was carried away by some thoughts. Kun’s voice sounded like the most melodious song in Tang Ling’s ears.

But... No, there are no buts! Didn’t I take the tortoise’s Level 3 vicious beast meat the last time?

Tang Ling was calm.

Kun’s hand was still supporting his cheek as he said lazily, “You are a little different from the last time.”

Different? Yes, I’m different now!

In their last meeting, Tang Ling had been quiet and cautious like an injured animal and had viewed the world with sorrow, anger, and hatred.

This time, Tang Ling was calmer as if the burden on his shoulders had been taken away and it seemed like he was living a decent life. It was not something Kun should care about, but he did.

Tang Ling did not know what to say, so he kept quiet.

Kun had no intention to continue this topic either, so he said, “Cover your wounds. Wounds aren’t meant for others to see. It’s good for you, all that changing and stuff, yet you remained the same. You can find your true self like this.”

Tang Ling remained quiet.

In fact, talking to Liu He was a lot more relaxing. Compared to the elegant, glamorous Kun who seemed to know everything and able to see through everything, Liu He was like a cute and honest uncle who was generous with kind smiles.

Tang Ling calmed down and said, “I still have 18 Dream Coins that I want to exchange for something.”

“Dream Coins?” Kun waved his arm. The little spots representing the Dream Coins on Tang Ling’s arm disappeared and reappeared above Kun’s hand like 18 starry spots.

“Are you taking a deposit?” Tang Ling was rather unhappy.

Kun did not answer as he looked deeply into Tang Ling’s eyes with his eyes that were as bright as the numerous stars. “Where do you think the problem is?”

“What problem?” Tang Ling was not on the same page as Kun.

“Why did you only achieve a Grade A rating?”

Isn’t this owner of the Mysterious Store a little too nosy? Tang Ling was surprised, but he was also thinking about the dilemma. He thought he had completed the mission perfectly, but he failed to reach the higher grades and left behind many untriggered missions.

According to the Dream Domain settings, the mission was set accordingly to the Dream Seed’s strength and provided a lot of care for a newbie.

As his first entry to the dream, he should have done better than this because he could predict that the dream would only get harder from here on.

No wonder Kun was full of scorn when he spoke.

Nevertheless, Tang Ling replied Kun seriously, “I think the problem started during that night when I pinned Grandfather Han down. I made a big mistake.”

“Oh? Do tell.” Kun was not surprised at Tang Ling’s answer at all.

However, Tang Ling felt a chill in his heart. Was he being watched the whole time? Was everything that he did in the Dream Domain under surveillance? Nonetheless, he would never ask such a question.

He answered, “I noticed how the Green Fungus Queen cared about Grandfather Han, yet I failed to utilize it to my advantage. If I didn’t underestimate Grandfather Han that night and was able to lock him down, what would’ve happened then?”

It had undoubtedly been the best option back then. He might even have saved himself a lot of battles and spilling unnecessary blood. The power of wisdom was always astonishing even though Tang Ling preferred a hot-blooded battle.

“You got one thing right, but you missed out on another important point.” Kun shook his head.

“What else?” Tang Ling asked seriously.

“Borrowing strength, get it?” Kun was brief with his answer.

Tang Ling pondered upon the word for a while and asked in uncertainty, “Are you saying that I should use everything that is available to me?”

“You can say that as well. You need to understand that a person can only bear so much, and if a person transforms the burden he bears to leading, the outcome and spoils will definitely be different.

“If you know how to borrow strength, you can trigger another main mission. You will change the bad to good and maybe change the whole era altogether. Do you think you’ve eliminated all the problems with the fire? No, you failed to. You did eliminate a lot, but you’ve forgotten about the burned land before the mountain crack,” Kun provided his analysis.

Tang Ling was shocked. He did forget about the burned land! He used all he had to destroy the mountain crack, yet he did not clean up the burned land, and as long as a single spore of the green fungus remained...

However, it also contradicted his plans.

The mission had started a countdown, so he only had 20 hours to finish it. Cleaning everything up within the given duration was impossible.

So, the answer would come back to what Kun said: borrowing strength.

“Understand?” Kun raised a brow.

“I understand.” Tang Ling suddenly felt that he was unworthy of the Grade A rating.

“If you are ashamed of yourself, you can kill yourself. I won’t stop you,” Kun casually said.

Tang Ling was truly speechless this time.

Then, Kun put up a serious look and said, “Learn how to borrow strength from others. If you can’t find any, create it yourself!”

“I-I will try,” Tang Ling also replied solemnly.

“Great. Now then, since you made so many mistakes in this Dream Domain, I have to punish you.” Kun returned to his lethargic expression.

“Is there such a rule?” Tang Ling felt he was being unreasonable. “Isn’t the principle of business about me paying and you selling? If I don’t perform well in earning money, the lesser amount of money that I’ve earned is still money, isn’t it?

As expected, Kun shook his head. “No, it isn’t.”

“Then, why are you punishing me?” Tang Ling was confused.

“Because I’m the owner of the Mysterious Store, and I can do whatever I want,” Kun said like he was righteous.

Tang Ling was rendered speechless.

F*ck.