Chapter 269: Enlightenment, d*ath, and Rebirth
The night was silent. Although the Fool Village Secret Realm appeared dreamlike and beautiful, the night was eerily quiet, shrouded in stillness.
However, that did not hinder the softness nestled in Bai Yu’s arms, which was leaning against her.
The playful antics before sleep concluded with a joke that made her seem as if she had embraced the person she desired, yet that person still did not belong to her.
At this moment, Bai Yu was reflecting on how long she could use her best friend’s affectionate behavior as an excuse, as her tangled thoughts continuously battled in her mind.
Her feelings told her that even if she did anything to Xiao Han, the other party wouldn’t mind, but her rational side warned her that it was too aggressive.
The path she was on urged her to go with the flow, like an ordinary path, an ordinary life, where one confesses their love upon meeting the right person.
Bai Yu kept recalling the past, every detail from when Xiao Han was still a boy… The first time they met as neighbors, she had been curious about his surprising maturity and silence that seemed out of place for his age.
Then came their interactions and understanding over time… Gradually, Bai Yu realized a problem: she didn’t seem to have the same feelings or thoughts for the little Han from back then as she did now. So, when did these thoughts actually form?
After pondering for a long time, Bai Yu came to a conclusion: it was when she first saw Xiao Han transform into a girl.
At that time, she held the Magic Source, apologizing yet showing no hesitation in her actions. Perhaps that was when the seed was already planted?
What truly changed her was witnessing how Xiao Han accepted her identity as a girl with such ease. The stone of burden lifted not just for Xiao Han but for Bai Yu herself.
Emotions that had been pent up for years transformed the moment that stone fell. But how long had it been since then?
Was she someone who was easily attracted to appearances?
No, before that, Bai Yu had still been a staunch heterosexual, until that moment… Yes, she should try to accept that.
There are always external forces that can prompt a person’s change, and she should face this reality.
Thinking this, Bai Yu instinctively hugged the soft figure closer to her chest. She didn’t push any further, not because she didn’t want to take advantage of the moment, but because she had greater ambitions. She wanted to truly possess that person and then take further steps openly.
For Bai Yu, staying awake all night wasn’t a problem. This was the first time she had held Xiao Han so closely. The last time they shared a bed was the night she moved into the dormitory. Unfortunately, she had lost her resolve and left early. Even now, reflecting back, Bai Yu felt great regret.
Just as she was lost in memories, strange noises from outside along with Fool Dream’s cries suddenly shattered the beauty of the night.
Bai Yu quickly got up, but the tent wasn’t spacious enough for her to move around freely; as she stirred, it jolted me awake.
“Hm… what’s wrong?”
I blinked sleepily, looking dazedly at Sister Bai. Weren’t we just cuddling? I had even promised to let her take advantage of me; why was there a commotion all of a sudden?
“Xiao Han, are you awake? We might be in trouble!” Bai Yu spoke in a low voice.
“Trouble… Hm… wait, what trouble?” I quickly reacted as I remembered we were in the Fool Village Secret Realm; what could have happened?
Upon realizing, I heard more about the situation outside and immediately pulled back the tent and climbed out.
It was still pitch dark outside as we moved towards the source of the earlier noise. Fool Village wasn’t that big, and we didn’t even need the flying broomstick to get around; after all, a quick dash might have us out of the village.
Even without magic, enhanced by alchemical items and our cat-human transformation spells, we were still moving at a decent speed.
“What happened?” I asked as I approached a gathering of Fool Dreams.
“It’s Xiao Han and Bai Yu; you two are here.”
“It’s a Nightmare; a Nightmare attacked the village and Fool Creek.”
“Nightmare? Fool Creek?”
After getting some information, I quickly recalled previous intel and guides that described Nightmares as “bad things” that began to attack the village head once outsiders entered. Also, Fool Dreams tainted by Nightmares would undergo drastic personality changes, with some even experiencing bodily mutations. They would madly destroy the peace and tranquility of Fool Village.
I might have heard Fool Creek’s name before, perhaps at the banquet, but I was not very familiar. Nevertheless, that did not stop me from going to check what was happening.
At that moment, the Fool Dream known as Fool Creek lay on the ground, enveloped in a thick, black, smoky substance that emanated from her body.
This was a typical response after being attacked by a Nightmare; she showed no external wounds, but it was safe to say she might have already been condemned.
Such situations were indeed noted in the intel, or rather, these instances were quite common, yet there had been no record of one being rescued.
This was equally puzzling.
If the arrival of outsiders meant a Fool Dream would perish, then why were there still so many Fool Dreams in the village?
Moreover, I had observed a phenomenon during the day: the number of small houses woven by Fool Dreams far exceeded the number seen.
At this moment, all the Fool Dreams remained quietly gathered, no one weeping for her; each was simply somber about Fool Creek’s condition.
“Everyone, disperse.”
Just then, a resounding voice broke through: it was Fool Lake, whom we had met earlier. Perhaps only her words could prompt so many Fool Dreams to listen.
“Guests, I apologize for exposing you to such a painful side of us. We will handle this situation, but there is something I wish to confirm once more.”
“Is it to ask for assistance? I’m on board.” I turned my gaze toward the now unconscious Fool Creek and said.
“Your resolute spirit impresses me. So, do you wish to take our blessing and embark on the trial known as the hunt for the Nightmare?” Fool Lake asked with a serious expression, imbued with a sense of solemnity.
Despite the atmosphere being somewhat at odds with the gravity of her words, I still extended my hand and nodded in agreement.
“I am willing.”
“Me too.” Sister Bai chimed in beside me, for it was clear she was also included in Fool Lake’s words.
“Then please accept our blessing.” As Fool Lake spoke, a glowing orb floated out from an ornate box she had prepared.
A Spellbook.
This was a spellbook; the intel mentioned it briefly, though it was similar to the Meditation Technique in that it couldn’t be taken out of the Fool Village Secret Realm. However, it was just a basic consumption spellbook for weapon summoning that few paid attention to.
Its main purpose was as a special weapon against Nightmares, akin to a “Village Sword” in a game.
I accepted the spellbook, which meant I accepted the trial.
The spellbook had one intriguing characteristic noted in the intel: it would change into different weapons based on the user’s condition, with each transformation being permanent and with weapon randomness being… untraceable.
They could be roughly classified into swords, staves, and extremely rare other weapons, with some individuals turning into shields or whips, for example.
I waved my hand, activating the spellbook, and a magic book appeared in my grasp.
The book felt weighty in my hands, and Bai Yu also summoned her weapon, a medium-short wand; a staff would suffice too.
As I flipped through the cover of this slightly ancient book, my fingers felt like they were touching a piece of old, cracked tree bark, while the thick paper inside was blank, having no records.
Just as I was curious about how to use this book against enemies, the once-surrounded Fool Creek suddenly crawled up in a strange manner, influenced by the dark energy.
Her originally adorable appearance cracked, as if her body was undergoing internal mutation, fleshy buds wriggling out from the fissures.
At that moment, the scene shifted dramatically; in an instant, she charged at us with incredible speed, even before the warnings from other Fool Dreams reached our ears.
“Be careful!” Bai Yu reacted swiftly, positioning her staff to withstand the strike.
Yet with that single blow, Bai Yu vanished from sight.
“Sister Bai! Wait!” I stared wide-eyed, struggling to believe what was happening. Sister Bai was gone?
In an instant, a wave of anger washed over my thoughts; the book in my hand transformed into the scariest weapon, and I swung it at this once Fool Dream that now resembled a monster.
At that moment, Fool Lake and the other Fool Dreams silently watched as the two vanished, while the once Fool Creek, now a monstrous being, seemed unable to bear the power any longer, falling lifelessly to the ground.
“Take her to the Ancestral Land.”
Fool Lake whispered repeatedly, her eyes vacant.
“This is the only thing we can do for our guests.”
The gathered Fool Dreams did not utter a word; they remained silent, seemingly exhibiting unexpected indifference in such peculiar circumstances.
The loss of a friend, Fool Creek’s mutation; it appeared no Fool Dream wept or vented their emotions. Just earlier during the banquet, Fool Creek had been happily enjoying food and juice with many friends.
Now, as I looked around, everything had changed. The place was still Fool Village, but the surrounding environment had turned grotesque; leaves swayed and stretched, the sky whirled, trees twisted like seaweed under the water, and the distant scenery appeared pixelated and indistinct.
In a flash, I realized this might be the “Dream World,” rather than any kind of illusionary capability.
Dream Worlds; as someone who often practiced the Witch Meditation Method, I was quite familiar with them.
And when Sister Bai and I truly arrived here, I finally grasped what was happening.
When we first entered the Fool Village Secret Realm, Spirit Vision made everything indistinct, yet everything was undeniably real. This place didn’t possess layered spaces; it was a blend of reality and dream!
This was an even more rudimentary and forceful amalgamation than the environment in Witch Academy’s meditation room, which merely connected to dreams; this was pure and straightforward overlay!
“Sister Bai, are you okay?” I hurried to her side, but the monstrous entity was nowhere in sight.
“I’m fine… We might be in big trouble. Based on the intel and strategies, we may have encountered the worst development where the Nightmare-tainted Fool Dream brought us into her domain.”
“Domain… this is a Dream World.” I corrected her.
“Dream World… alright, regardless, Xiao Han, you must be careful.” Sister Bai, gripping her staff, exhibited an unprecedented level of mental focus. She didn’t want to argue about whether it was a domain or a dream, but she was acutely aware that they were indeed in significant trouble.
I attempted to utilize the Witch Meditation Method, but it seemed ineffective for strengthening mental power. However, I noticed that the transformation from the spellbook into the Beginner Meditation Technique had some intriguing effects.
“Mm.”
As I nodded, a wailing sound reverberated throughout this area, and a shape-shifting monstrosity drew near.
Upon getting closer, I realized it wasn’t unclear; rather, it had no physical form.
“Ugly! Sad… I hate myself!”
“k*ll me! Destroy my consciousness!”
“I don’t want to bear this recognition anymore…”
The figure emitted increasingly indistinct sounds as it struggled, launching attacks at us.
At that point, Bai Yu and I could only rely on our weapons: a staff and a spellbook to counter the onslaught.
I understood what it was trying to express; it was venting its frustration, seemingly disgusted with its current state.
To be frank, if it hated itself that much, it could commit s*icide; that would resolve its 100% dilemma rather than attacking us here.
If this continued, there was little we could do, but our stamina was not limitless.
However, as we barely held our ground, the entity let out a desperate howl, a shrill explosive sound that seemed to echo both laughter and tears. It ceased to grapple with us and flowed toward a specific direction.
Exchanging a glance with Bai Yu, we understood what we needed to do: pursue!
Even if Sister Bai focused on security, I would choose to follow and check the situation. Something must have occurred for the entity to behave so strangely.
As we moved forward, we arrived at a part of Fool Village we had never visited before. The terrain was complex, and if one wasn’t careful, they could miss many underground cavities.
My first instinct was that this might be the “Ancestral Land” mentioned in earlier intel.
After passing through a narrow passage, the scene before us opened up dramatically.
It was a vast underground chamber, with what appeared to be natural apertures in the ceiling. An unknown halo illuminated the central spacious area.
In the center was a massive stone, exuding a ghostly blue transparency, yet it was now overrun with moss and vines, while a dense cluster of plants with numerous massive… buds grew below it.
“Those are Flower Elves… beings born from plant flowers, but… this doesn’t match my encyclopedic knowledge; it must be a rare subspecies.” Bai Yu remarked beside me.
And there, I finally spotted that invisible monster that attacked us earlier, coiling around the stone surrounded by flowers like stars around the moon.
At this moment, we made no moves, merely fixing our gaze on the unfolding events.
The dark, monstrous shape slowly merged into the crystalline stone, while the sinister substance seeped out.
This process continued for a long time until a pure “soul body,” resembling a newborn, gradually formed, its essence flowing into a mature bud.
“Is this how the Fool Dream clan is born? They, in essence, are that… what?”
“Flower Elf.”
Bai Yu and I stepped closer, everything unfolding felt too sacred, as if some consciousness was urging me not to disrupt the “birth of life ceremony.”
Yet now, that feeling dissipated.
Another sensation urged us to step forward and welcome the birth of life.
The bud was steadily “gestating,” evident to the n*ked eye, its rapid progress was almost unimaginable.
The bud slowly began to open, petal by petal… like a work of art blossoming before us, seemingly performing its new life for us.
In that moment, I thought of a possibility: could this be a kind of enlightenment?
But… what was it enlightening us about?
If this was indeed the birthplace of the Fool Dream clan, then it was certainly worthy of being called the “Ancestral Land.”
So, what next?
At this moment, guided by an inexplicable force, I reached out my hand, and as the bud completely unfurled, a remarkably delicate little one curled up, being born atop the flower’s pistil.
The petals wove a dress for her, and the leaves adorned her.
As if it were the last blessing from the dying bud, a blessing descended upon her at that moment of withering.
