The day passed, and Li Nianlong entered the training ground once again, Scenario 29·9.
"Find the Phoenix Egg and Kirin Horn, defeat the Water Demon Beast in the Soul Dream, protect the Witch Queen, and find the Water Spirit Pearl."
Standing in the Sacred Wood Forest, a memory flashed through Li Nianlong's mind.
After escaping the Demon Lock Tower, Zhao Linger, perhaps due to the emotional rollercoaster and some fright, suddenly felt pain in her abdomen. At this moment, the Sword Saint arrived just in time. Li Nianlong immediately asked the Sword Saint for help, and the Sword Saint took the three of them to the house of the Miao Saintess. After some treatment by the Saintess, Zhao Linger's condition improved, but for the sake of the mother and child, the Saintess asked Li Nianlong to find a Phoenix Egg and a Kirin Horn. Lin YueRu originally wanted to go too, but the Saintess insisted she stay to take care of Zhao Linger. With no other choice, Li Nianlong went to the Sacred Wood Forest alone.
Looking at the towering trees of the Sacred Wood Forest, Li Nianlong chuckled, "Fortunately, I learned how to fly; otherwise, who knows how long it would take to climb up."
Using his flight ability, Li Nianlong shot up like a rocket, soon reaching the top of the tallest tree. From this vantage point, he quickly spotted a giant bird's nest.
Flying over, Li Nianlong saw a huge egg in the nest. The egg was about the size of an ostrich egg, indicating that the mother bird was an enormous creature, no wonder the Miao people called it a Phoenix.
Just as Li Nianlong was about to take the egg, he heard a sharp bird cry, followed by the sound of something slicing through the air. A giant bird darted towards him, launching an attack.
Li Nianlong smiled faintly, grabbed the bird by the neck, and with sheer force, subdued it before kicking it away. Now, no one would disturb him.
Li Nianlong picked up the Phoenix Egg and found another pearl in the nest. Upon closer inspection, it was the Wind Spirit Pearl.
"Heh, another one," Li Nianlong put away the Wind Spirit Pearl. At this moment, a young girl with a delicate face appeared out of nowhere, holding a wooden staff, and asked angrily, "Who are you? Why are you stealing the Phoenix Egg of our Miao sacred bird?"
Li Nianlong's eyes lit up upon seeing the girl.
Dressed in a green Miao costume, she had a petite figure and a youthful face that was both cute and fierce, making one instantly feel a desire to protect her.
Li Nianlong smiled, "I'm not stealing. My wife is pregnant and needs the Phoenix Egg shell for medicine. If I have offended, I ask for your forgiveness."
Seeing that Li Nianlong didn't seem to be a bad person, the girl's expression softened, "But you don't have to take the egg. Can't you wait until the little Phoenix hatches and then take the shell?"
"Well... that could work. But I don't know when the Phoenix will hatch, and I'm afraid of delaying the treatment..."
"When does your wife need the medicine?" the girl asked.
"Well... at the latest, a month from now." Li Nianlong was sweating. The Saintess only mentioned needing the Phoenix Egg shell, but didn't specify when. Considering Li Xiaoyao in the game spent a month in the Soul Dream before returning, Li Nianlong guessed a month should be fine.
"Then no problem," the girl jumped over and extended her hand, "Give me the Phoenix Egg. I'll hatch it and give you the shell."
"Oh?" Li Nianlong handed the Phoenix Egg to the girl and asked, "Miss, when will it hatch?"
"Within a month for sure," the girl giggled, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Me? Sorry for my rudeness." Li Nianlong cupped his hands, "I am Li Nianlong. May I know your name?"
"Ha! So formal, it's nauseating. I'm Anu," Anu giggled, "Hey, are you from the Central Plains?"
"Yes," Li Nianlong smiled, realizing she was Anu, "Anu, I also need a Fire Kirin Horn. Do you know where the Fire Kirin Cave is?"
"Geez! Either a Phoenix Egg or a Kirin Horn, why are you looking for such rare items?" Anu looked at Li Nianlong's embarrassed expression and laughed, "Don't worry, I know where the Fire Kirin Cave is, but you need to help me with something."
"Of course," Li Nianlong said, "What do you need?"
"Don't call me 'Miss,' it's too formal. Call me Anu," Anu said.
"Alright, Anu," Li Nianlong said.
"Hehe, just follow me," Anu said, jumping down from the tree like a monkey, swinging on vines to the ground.
"..."
Li Nianlong jumped straight down from the tree, floating just before hitting the ground, landing lightly.
At that moment, Anu had just landed, looking up proudly, "Hehe, can't come down, can you?"
"Who are you talking about?"
The voice behind her startled Anu. She jumped up and spun 180 degrees in the air, seeing Li Nianlong smiling at her. She widened her eyes, "How did you come down?"
Li Nianlong smiled, "Of course, I jumped down."
"Jumped down? And you... didn't die?"
"You're kidding," Li Nianlong smiled, "If you can swing down on vines, why can't I jump down?"
Anu looked him up and down, chuckled, "Not bad! Looks like I found the right person to help. Follow me!"
Following Anu through a series of twists and turns, they arrived at a tree hole. Anu said, "We're here. Let's go in."
Li Nianlong asked, "What's in the tree hole?"
"Stop asking, just follow me," Anu said, turning and crawling in. Li Nianlong followed, bending down due to his height.
Entering the tree hole, it was indeed a different world with numerous winding passages. Li Nianlong couldn't help but complain. As good as the game was, the endless mazes were frustrating. He remembered getting lost in the General's Tomb for three days and nights in the game. It was a real-time three days and nights, a significant waste of time, no wonder some said playing games was a waste of time and life. The game 'Chinese Paladin' truly exemplified this.
Following Anu through the maze and dealing with some small monsters, they reached the end of a tree hole. Anu searched for a long time but found nothing.
"What are you looking for?" Li Nianlong asked.
Disappointed at not finding what she wanted, Anu didn't hide it, "I'm looking for the Water Spirit Pearl."
"The Water Spirit Pearl?" Li Nianlong took out three pearls, "I have the Earth Spirit Pearl, Thunder Spirit Pearl, and Wind Spirit Pearl. Will these work?"
"Are you joking? I need the Water Spirit Pearl to summon rain. These are useless."
"Uh..." Li Nianlong chuckled, put away the pearls, "Let's search elsewhere then."
"Alright," Anu nodded, "If we can't find it, I'll take you to the Fire Kirin Cave."
"Anu, thank you," Li Nianlong said gratefully.
"Hehe, don't mention it. You helped me too!" Anu laughed and led the way out.
They quickly left the tree hole and came to a place filled with miasma. Anu said, "This place seems strange."
Li Nianlong nodded thoughtfully. If he remembered correctly, ahead should be Peach Blossom Forest, where they would meet a wood sorcerer and obtain a Life Gourd. The Life Gourd was a useful item that restored HP and MP each turn during battles. However, in the real world, Li Nianlong wasn't sure what the Life Gourd would do.
"I have the Wind Spirit Pearl, let's use it to blow away the fog." Li Nianlong took out the Wind Spirit Pearl, and a strong wind blew away the peach blossom miasma, revealing a passage.
Anu laughed, "Nice! Didn't expect a passage here. Let's go in!"
Li Nianlong nodded, "Maybe we'll find something good."
"If we could find the Water Spirit Pearl, that'd be even better," Anu said, jogging inside. Li Nianlong followed. Soon, they reached a village covered with houses and encountered a few people who, upon seeing them, quickly hid inside their homes.
Li Nianlong thought: The wood sorcerer must have captured the village chief, and the Life Gourd was thrown into the well.
At this moment, Anu came over with a struggling chicken in her hand.
"Anu, why are you grabbing a chicken? We're not robbers. If you want to eat chicken, I'll catch some wild ones for you later," Li Nianlong said.
Anu rolled her eyes, "This is not a chicken but a legendary bird that catches gu bugs. It's the best bird for catching gu bugs. Hehe, didn't expect to find it here. Now I won't worry about lacking gu bugs."
"I see," Li Nianlong nodded, looking into the well and finding a peculiar-looking gourd.
"What's this?" Anu asked.
"The
Life Gourd," Li Nianlong smiled, "It restores stamina and energy. It's a great treasure."
"Oh?" Anu's eyes sparkled but she hesitated.
Li Nianlong looked at her, then at the Life Gourd, scratching his head, "If you like it, Anu, I'll give it to you."
"Really?" Anu said, feeling a bit guilty, "It's your find, I can't take it."
"Hehe, we found it together. Besides, it's not much use to me. If you like it, it's a gift from me as a big brother," Li Nianlong smiled.
Anu looked up at him, blushing at his handsome smile, grabbed the Life Gourd, "Thank you, big brother."