Volume 8: Super Mission 'Vitality vs. Death Intent' - Chapter 6: The Origin of the Dense Forest Plan

Li Bin struggled to lift his head, only to find a green skeleton sitting directly before him. Its appearance was eerie, yet its entire frame radiated a soft, gentle light. Behind it stood a massive relief carving depicting a vine entwined around a skull.

Before Li Bin could speak, the green skeleton asked, "You are not among the first to arrive, so who are you?"

"My name is Li Bin, and I have come in search of an answer. What of you? What manner of being stays here forever?" Faced with such a powerful entity, Li Bin felt compelled to lower his guard.

"I am merely a servant—a servant who has waited here far too long," the green skeleton replied calmly. After studying Li Bin for a long moment, it slowly stood up. "Lad, do something for me."

"What is it?" Li Bin felt a jolt in his heart; he knew he had touched upon the core of the quest.

"I am Krosa, servant of the Primordial Green Dragon, Chanas. I have been guarding Lord Chanas’s body here, awaiting the chance for my master's resurrection." Krosa did not answer Li Bin's question directly, but spoke calmly of his origins. "And there is only one way to resurrect Lord Chanas..."

"To let the forest cover the entire continent?" Li Bin felt a shock as a possibility crossed his mind.

"Indeed," Krosa nodded. "It seems you have some understanding of this quest. I wonder how much of the continent is covered by forest now, and whether those three sacred sites have been conquered."

"Please, wait a moment. I can understand the idea of covering the continent with a forest, but why must you specifically point out those three sacred sites?" Li Bin asked, looking perplexed.

Krosa took a serious look at Li Bin and replied, "You seem much brighter than the two who came before you. Let me ask you: how large do you think Lord Chanas’s body is?"

"Isn't it this sand dune?" Li Bin asked, startled.

"This sand dune?" Krosa let out a loud laugh. "Of course not. When Lord Chanas died, just like the other gods in mythology, his body transformed into a new continent. His head, mouth, and heart became the three sacred sites, while his soul became this desert. Only by first occupying these three sacred sites can Lord Chanas utilize his power to ensure the success of the 'Forest Overgrowth Plan'."

Hearing this, Li Bin’s expression turned strange. He knew that when the system designed a new continent, it always sought reasons for its emergence. But this reason was truly absurd. And what would become of the continent once the dragon was resurrected? Would it become part of the dragon's body and fly into the sky?

Li Bin was certain that the system must have a quest to sabotage this "Forest Overgrowth Plan," and the rewards for that would surely surpass those of the original plan.

Just as Li Bin’s mind began to wander, Krosa started shaking him incessantly. Startled back to reality, Li Bin looked at Krosa with confusion. "May I ask what happened to me?"

"I asked if you were willing to help me, and you actually started daydreaming. It is truly unforgivable," Krosa said, rolling his eyes. "But I will let it slide this time. I shall ask you again: are you willing to help me?"

At that moment, a system prompt sounded: "Do you accept the quest 'Forest Overgrowth Plan'? Upon completion, you will receive..."

Li Bin chose to decline without a second thought. Sensing something was wrong, Krosa stared at him fiercely. "Why do you not accept this quest? Is the reward I offer not good enough?"

"That is certainly not it. Please do not misunderstand, sir. It is just that I fear if I accept this quest, I might conflict with others already involved, which would be detrimental to the greater goal," Li Bin explained cautiously.

Li Bin’s explanation barely managed to dispel Krosa's suspicion, but the skeleton still said, "What you say makes sense. Then you should leave. If possible, try to persuade those developing on this continent to stop their resistance, for there is no profit in it."

Li Bin nodded and, not daring to say more, retreated from the area. Once he left, a young girl with long black hair appeared behind Krosa, dressed in garments made of green leaves. She asked cautiously, "Teacher, those people earlier..."

"I can see it now; they intend to sabotage the Forest Overgrowth Plan," Krosa said slowly.

"Should I..."

"No, let them be. Even if you kill them, the system will simply find others to sabotage this quest. If you wish to go out, go and assist Aska. I worry he cannot complete all the tasks alone," Krosa said slowly.

At the same time, Li Bin received a message from the system: "You have triggered the opposing main quest: 'Vitality vs. Death—Forest's End'. You must sabotage the 'Forest Overgrowth Plan'. Upon completion, you will receive..."

By then, Bai Lingyu and the others had arrived, only to find Li Bin lost in thought.

"What is wrong with you, lad? Did you see a beauty?" Almu asked, giving Li Bin a gentle nudge.

After a long pause, Li Bin let out a heavy sigh. "Brother Bai Lingyu, how large did you say this desert was?"

"We have collected about two hundred units of Mirage Sand along the way. If we count the unexplored parts, I estimate it covers at least four hundred kilometers in radius," Bai Lingyu said thoughtfully. "Why do you ask? Did you receive a quest to measure this desert?"

"No. This desert is the reward for a quest—a truly terrifying reward," Li Bin whispered.

Bai Lingyu and the others were stunned. They could not imagine what kind of quest would offer such a reward. After a long while, Bai Lingyu asked, "Li Bin, are you confident you can complete this quest?"

"It will be difficult," Li Bin said, gazing at the lush, green forest in the distance. "I fear I cannot even handle the current strength of the 'Green Leaves Everywhere Alliance,' let alone any other enemies that may arise."

"Actually, we could seek allies to complete this quest together. I believe there are many on this continent who do not wish to see their territories swallowed by the Green Leaves Everywhere Alliance," Bai Lingyu said calmly. These words brought a glimmer of hope to Li Bin.