Chapter 66: [nightmare World Yellow Millet Town]
“Boss, give me a bottle of pure purple beverage, and add a bottle of light sugar green tea, thank you.”
Despite verbally complaining it was expensive, Yuan Zhu still bought that very expensive bottle of [Yellow Millet Echo] under the strong insistence of Little Spicy Stick. Then he casually pulled out money to pay 3.01 yuan, took the two bottles of beverage, and left without looking back.
“What kind of beverage is this? The name is so weird. Tell me, why did you make me buy it?”
Yuan Zhu tucked the most expensive bottle into his pocket, then used his teeth to open the green tea and drank it in big gulps. The tea, sweet with a hint of bitterness, jolted his spirit, and his groggy mind felt much better.
After rubbing a bit of the tea-drinking flavor, the Game Sprite disdainfully said: “This isn’t tasty at all, it’s bitter on the tongue. The bottle of [Yellow Millet Echo] you just bought has the aura of [Bubble Layer] inside, very weak, extremely faint!”
“What, [Bubble Layer]? Are you sure?” Yuan Zhu was somewhat surprised and looked again at that bottle of beverage with its dreamy color.
Little Spicy Stick: “Yes, very sure. It’s because you just returned from the [Bubble Layer] that I realized the similarity between the two. However, the aura sealed in this bottle of beverage isn’t from ‘Little Xihong Realm’, but from another unfamiliar Bubble World. That’s why I found it interesting and advised you to buy one.”
Yuan Zhu: “Then what’s it for? It’s sold so openly in the shop, so either there’s a big conspiracy, or it’s like [Mao Mao King], not afraid of investigation at all, or even already whitewashed.”
He even felt that the gods and demons in the [Bubble World] had nothing shameful about them. The Captain had said that if [Mao Mao King] came to the Present World to open a shop, it would also legally pay taxes, not fearing Security Bureau investigations at all.
Moreover, those monks, stewards, and Qi Refiners were all openly active in Reality, even made into food and drinks. A mere bottle of beverage, what’s there to make a fuss about?
Little Spicy Stick: “I’m not clear on its uses either, I just found it interesting, so I had you buy one. But I do have some ideas. Do you remember that guy who was shouting he was a transmigrator when you were taken to the Security Bureau?”
“Yeah, I remember. I overheard Old Wang talking with his colleague, saying it was a scam set up by a worthless evil god of [Pink Water Grass]. It had its believers peddle hallucinogenic beverages laced with additives in the Human World, causing mental pollution, then brainwashing through dreams, implanting commands like ‘I am a transmigrator’, guiding them to pool money for sacrifice rituals and wire money remotely. Hmm? You mean this beverage is similar to ‘Pink Water Grass’s illegal laced drink?”
During his stay eating and resting at an inn in Na Ye Buddhist Kingdom, he had briefly chatted idly with Zhou Chu and Meng Xiyue, indirectly gleaning quite a bit of information about the supernatural world.
The two girls held nothing back. Since they had entered the [Space of Gods], their future clearly wouldn’t be ordinary, no need for further concealment. So Zhou Chu gave him a detailed rundown on the common pollution degeneration scams currently on the market.
Among them, the most common one was various delicious Mushroom traps.
What is the status of [Mushroom] on Du Ling Star? To put it bluntly, it’s even more popular than fungi in Yunnan, doubled. People everywhere in the world are enthusiastic about mushrooms, and [Mushroom] ranks third among the Twelve Mandates, showing its status.
People everywhere in the world are eating mushrooms. And the varieties of mushrooms cultivated on the market are numerous and flavorful, countless. In a year-round humid city like Running, they abound to excess, everything available. As cheap as Mandate Frog.
Among them, there are not only extremely delicious ones, but also those that cause hallucinations when eaten. Though not addictive, the euphoric floating sensation is unforgettable once tasted. That’s why there are so many food poisoning cases in Yunnan. And in Running, aphrodisiac spore smokes and life extension Mushroom beverages are rampant.
[Mushroom] this thing is abundant not only on Du Ling, but even more in [Bubble World]. The third Mandate is the [Mushroom God], so this stuff naturally overflows. Those fungi grown in the [Bubble Layer] naturally possess supernatural (pollution) properties, carrying the traits (information) of the Bubble World, serving as pollution materials, and also defined by traditional medicine as ‘Magic Potion’. Nowadays, they are even added to beverages for long-term preservation.
Even mushrooms from different Bubble Layers have different properties and effects, with specialized [Mushroom Pharmacopoeia] and [Fungi Magic Potion Tomes].
The hallucinogenic scam of [Pink Water Grass] involves adding mushrooms from its own [Bubble World] as medicinal herbs into private beverages, making drinkers addicted, communing with spirits in dreams, entering its [Bubble World] for mental distortion + brainwashing.
Now, prompted by Little Spicy Stick, Yuan Zhu vigilantly looked at the bottle of [Yellow Millet Echo] in his hand. Sure enough, was it the same routine?
Little Spicy Stick: “Yes, that’s what I’m thinking. Of course, this beverage definitely doesn’t pack that much punch. After all, it’s legally sold, so it must be safe, no hidden dangers. But this beverage dares to call itself [Yellow Millet], it must be inseparable from dreams. Remember that the full name of [Bubble Layer] is [Nightmare Bubble Layer]?”
Yuan Zhu nodded: “I know.”
The reason it’s called [Nightmare Bubble Layer] is because this chaotic twisted layer truly has complex connections with [Dream].
Ordinary people on Du Ling Star, if they accidentally get tainted by certain pollution flowing out from the [Bubble Layer] during the day, have a chance during nighttime sleep to heed the call of the [Nightmare Layer], connecting their spirit to demon gods hidden in the Bubble World, experiencing a dreamlike wondrous journey.
In the old era before the Security Bureau rose to prominence, Du Ling had numerous secret societies that distributed mushrooms produced from different ‘Bubble Worlds’, conducting remote teaching in ‘dreams’.
Demon gods from different worlds personally appeared, connecting with seekers in dreams for one-on-one premium instruction, imparting supernatural knowledge, guiding them onto the Supernatural Path, getting stronger with sparks and lightning, Hundred Day Ascension.
That’s right, not Hundred Day Foundation Establishment, but Hundred Day Ascension!
All-inclusive teaching, ascending to [Spirit Layer] in three months. Fighting gangs, robbing resources, claiming territory for themselves. That was a golden age for ability users!
Therefore, various Nightmare Mushrooms remain key targets for Security Bureau crackdowns today. And the ‘Bubble aura’ in this beverage comes from the same source.
“Since it’s safe, then what’s the point of buying it?” Yuan Zhu actively maxed out the warning on the [Immortal Scripture], pressed the beverage to his face, but still no alert triggered. He didn’t even smell the ‘Bubble Layer’ scent.
“Aren’t you interested in the [Nightmare Bubble Layer]? What we need most right now is to try various things diligently, collecting all supernatural information about Du Ling. Since we’ve already been to a ‘Bubble World’ once, chug it before bed and try reconnecting to the ‘Nightmare World’ in a dream.” Little Spicy Stick said excitedly.
She was like a newborn, curious about everything on Du Ling Star. Alright, after her reminder, Yuan Zhu also developed strong interest, quite impatient.
“Won’t there be danger?”
Little Spicy Stick guaranteed confidently: “This is sold in a shop, legitimate channel, must have passed safety verification. No danger.”
“Yeah, since it’s safety-approved, how could I possibly log into the Nightmare World via dream? Are you dumb!”
He also realized that if this was truly a legitimate product, then the ‘polluted aura’ in the beverage—no, the ‘supernatural flavor ingredient’ in the beverage—definitely couldn’t support him connecting to the [Nightmare Layer].
In ancient times, eating mushrooms was the highest cost-performance ‘dangerous cultivation method’. Spend a little money casually, buy a bunch of unfamiliar but very dangerous ‘Polluted Mushrooms’. Risk life eating them randomly, and have a chance to randomly connect to a [Nightmare World] in a dream.
Good luck and a ‘master’ enters the dream, imparting knowledge in the dream that may or may not be laced, wake up rapidly getting stronger, defying fate.
Bad luck and that very night get brainwashed, bewitched, or speed-degenerate and fall, or die directly in the dream with the body seized.
Nowadays, the difficulty of connecting to the [Nightmare Layer] far exceeds the old era. At the same time, mushroom controls have greatly intensified, and legal channel intake concentrations have sharply decreased.
All this is thanks to the [Spirit Layer] as a garbage heap and isolation belt; and the ubiquitous bindings of the [Pale Great Law]. Times are developing, Nightmare Pollution Incidents are decreasing. Ordinary people have more hope in life.
In the old era, oppressed and anger rising, grit teeth and eat mushrooms randomly, get stronger and counter-kill to ascend, immensely satisfying; now oppressed and bullied, get angry for a moment, then drink a bottle of [Yellow Millet Echo] and sleep deeply.
Little Spicy Stick encouraged: “Others can’t, but you can! You’re not a Mortal, your Pollution Index is abnormally low, like blank paper. As long as you drink this beverage, you can keenly capture the ‘polluted aura’. Plus, your soul has [Immortal Scripture] assistance to tune frequency and actively receive external pollution signals. The chance of logging into ‘Nightmare World’ is extremely high! I’ve seen [Nightmare School] in the Exchange List, just like [Knowledge School], it’s a university required course. See, not that hard, not even a major. Any college student can do it, so can you!”
“Alright, then let’s go back and try.” Yuan Zhu picked up the [Yellow Millet], quickened his steps, smoothly all the way, no more ‘space docking’ encounters. By the time he got home, it was nearly 11 o’clock.
At this time, his younger brother was long asleep. He also returned to his bedroom, wrapped his thumbnail in shadow, easily popped the cap, and chugged it down in big gulps.
Don’t say, the taste completely crushes that green tea, no wonder the 200 times price difference.
The Game Sprite praised: “Tsk! This taste is really great, over 200 times better than green tea! Boss, do you feel anything?”
Yuan Zhu carefully savored it, then closed his eyes to perceive changes in himself, and replied: “There is a bit of feeling, as if a pair of hands penetrated the scalp and skull, gently massaging the brain and soul, very relaxing and comfortable. Additionally, there’s a feeling that my consciousness is telling me I’m very sleepy and should sleep. But actually I’m not sleepy at all, quite alert. This ‘call’ or ‘suggestion’ is like an option. If I refuse, I continue enjoying this soul-level massage; if I choose to sleep…”
“You’ll fall asleep?” Little Spicy Stick followed up.
“Not just falling asleep, but even more comfortable than soul massage, that’s deep sleep and deep relaxation.” Yuan Zhu strangely conveyed the revelation the beverage gave him.
This [Yellow Millet Echo] was worth two hundred bottles of green tea, actually sealing such a segment of information in the beverage. Those who drink most of it, if perceptive and sensitive enough, can capture this information and make a choice. Even dull people, if sleepy, will get deep relaxation.
Game Sprite: “Then hurry and sleep to try it, let’s embark on another dream adventure!”
Yuan Zhu didn’t think he could encounter any danger. Compared to his human body, his soul was the truly fully armed one. Not only installed with [Standard Edition.Immortal Scripture], but also loaded with [Boss Template], and the [Great Desolation Old Man] behind the template. Layered protections, solid as hell!
With some curiosity and anticipation, he decisively pulled over the quilt and closed his eyes.
In no more than 30 seconds, his consciousness began sinking, breathing became steady. In his mind, the [Immortal Scripture] played a faint alarm clock music (alert, adjusted by Snake Snake), which he manually turned off, then there was a feeling of consciousness being migrated and pulled by an invisible force.
‘Whoosh!’ his consciousness was projected out at light speed, no time to react, then suddenly lightened, falling into a prosperous ancient Eastern world.
Yuan Zhu opened his eyes and found himself falling from the sky like a meteor, a dreamy rainbow light trail behind him, the whole person descending toward the bustling city below.
Below was a vast area of neon lights, wine, and bustling crowds in an all-night city, with ancient Eastern architectural style, no ‘modern’ elements like neon lights, steel cars, cement buildings, etc.
However, simple wooden attics and towers rose dozens of stories high, like alternative Skyscrapers. The exteriors of every attic, high tower, and other buildings were hung with lanterns emitting red, yellow, purple… lights, extremely bright, no less than Present World’s neon lights, even more flavorful.
“Young lord, come here quick!”
“Little lord, come to sister here! I’ll sing for you to listen.”
One after another beautiful Miss in revealing feathered robes lazily leaned on the attic windows, holding small round fans boredly fanning. Upon suddenly seeing a streak of light descending from the sky toward their direction, they immediately happily straightened up, waving and beckoning toward the sky.
Then, they flung out ribbons one by one, white, red, pink… silk ribbons and scarves floating ethereally toward the sky, rushing toward the falling Yuan Zhu from both sides.
Clearly falling very fast, as if crashing into the ground in a blink, ending in high-altitude death. However, when his gaze swept over patches of Immortal Realm Pavilions, seeing one by one Miss with varied expressions—surprised, happy, or too lazy to care…
His time suddenly slowed down, like bullet time, calmly and clearly scanning every face. Even from far away, every face was as clear as if zoomed in by mouse wheel.
And when he shifted attention to another area, the descending rainbow light would follow the line of sight, heading in the direction his gaze selected.
“What in the world is… going on? So many enthusiastic and pretty Miss, each so good-looking, can’t make a choice at all!”
Ultimately, his line of sight collided with the nearest one, then the descending rainbow light was captured by that red ribbon, pulling him over.
Two thousand years later.
Yuan Zhu abruptly woke from the dream, opened his eyes, and looked at the brightly lit window outside. Though no sun visible, strong sunlight still penetrated the clouds, illuminating the sky brightly.
“What time is it? Feeling refreshed, slept so comfortably!”
“Damn it, scammers, garbage! Ghostly Nightmare World, this is blatant fraud! Last night’s alcoholic beverage consumption actually billed to our soul account? [Sea of Consciousness Transaction System] even wants us to pay fees on the Moon?! They’re clearly illusory themselves, how dare they charge for drinks? It was just a dream, shouldn’t it be gone upon waking?!” The Game Sprite said angrily. Most importantly, all last night’s consumption was personally experienced by the Boss, she as the follower didn’t get any rub-off.
Last night’s dream experience was pure mental enjoyment targeting the soul. What she could currently share was only Yuan Zhu’s bodily senses. So last night she had no body, just watched the Boss chat all evening with that one called ‘Xin Niang’, drinking and holding little hands.
Singing, dancing, playing music, chess… not a bit of spice, and time passed so quickly, scam, absolute dream scam! The Investigator said: Vigilance against Mushroom beverage scams! Vigilance against Nightmare fairy jump!
With her looks, how could she compare to me? I can do it too! Why spend wasted money. Damn [Yellow Millet Dreamland], all emotional value suppliers robbing my business, my database isn’t rich enough!
“Boss, I can learn to sing, learn to dance too, as long as you input the relevant data for me!”
Still somewhat unable to distinguish dream from reality, Yuan Zhu retorted: “The drinks were really tasty, her voice super pleasant, beautiful person sweet voice captivating tunes, dances also wondrous and moving… If you want data input, then I’ll have to go more times.”
“Money, money, money! Do you know what ‘Jade Dust Essence’ is, owing 30 money. Also, how to get to the Moon? Do you know how to build rockets?” The Game Sprite asked.
Gradually sobering Yuan Zhu slapped his forehead: “Oh, forgot to ask. Don’t panic first, Yellow Millet Town’s charges absolutely won’t be exorbitant, otherwise this ‘Nightmare World’ would’ve been shut down by officials long ago. [Dream Chasing Tower] are all legitimate compliant Miss, proper business, pits if any won’t be too big. Plus supports credit, meaning they have enough confidence in consumers. I just go again tonight, ask clearly how to get to the Moon, won’t you probe new intel again? Last night’s ‘Yellow Millet Town’ was totally worth it, we really logged into Nightmare World, and those fine wines indeed help purify the soul, my spirit is even better! Sleep fully recharged, feeling great!”
“I’m just afraid you’ll get addicted to beauty, sinking into consumerism traps from then on.”
Yuan Zhu waved his hand: “How possible, you’re way prettier than them. I’m not that silly, I was just feigning with Xin Niang to probe intel on [Yellow Millet Town]. And from what they said, Present World consumers are plenty too, even many ordinary people consume in [Yellow Millet Town], account issues should be easy to resolve. I’m carrying ‘heavy gold’, surely better than ordinary people?”
With that, Yuan Zhu felt under his pillow and pulled out a Golden Finger.
“Today first exchange this, then take a trip to Rain Courtyard. If no better choice, reinforce the [Holy Light]. Next time to Yellow Millet Town, eat king’s meal directly!”
