“The Red Sea, the Abyss, the Gray World, Emerald Capital, the Dreamrealm... which plane do you like best?”
Little Green didn’t answer; instead, she asked another question.
“...Do I have to pick one?”
Flowers of various colors wrapped around Lin Ye’s body. He really didn’t want to make a choice among these planes.
“It’s not that you absolutely have to pick one, but having a wandering heart isn’t a good thing. Unless you want to add a few more options?”
Little Green bumped Lin Ye with her shoulder, her tone somewhat teasing.
“Can I just not choose any?”
Although Lin Ye often crossed paths with these dangerous planes, his understanding of them was extremely shallow. He was like a small fish swimming in the shallows, knowing nothing of the silent deep sea.
So he didn’t want to have contact with these planes beyond a certain limit. Even gods could fall into the Abyss; he had no confidence in escaping.
“No, you will definitely make a choice. Because if you don’t choose, you’re handing the choice to someone else. If you were that kind of person, I wouldn’t have invited you here. I would have made the choice for you directly.”
The Lord of Emerald Capital gently leaned against Lin Ye. At that moment, the vitality of the entire world gathered around him.
Lin Ye could feel a will, so vast he couldn’t comprehend it, watching him from above. That will was the true master of this emerald world, and right now, he was inside its body.
“If I don’t choose Emerald Capital, what will you do?”
Lin Ye couldn’t understand what significance his choice held, so he decided to shelve the question for now.
“I would be very disappointed.”
The Lord of Emerald Capital whispered softly in Lin Ye’s ear.
“Can I answer that question later? I don’t really have the qualifications to answer it now, do I?”
Lin Ye didn’t like putting off problems he could solve, but some problems he truly couldn’t handle.
“Of course you can. I’m still very reasonable. Unlike those chaotic planes, Emerald Capital is a safe and stable plane. I believe you’ll make the right choice.”
Little Green lifted her head and said in a cheerful, light voice.
“Sounds good.”
Lin Ye had never been to Emerald Capital, nor had he encountered any missions related to it. At most, he’d had some friendly exchanges with the cultists of the Emerald God Cult. This suggested that, in the system’s judgment, Emerald Capital was even more dangerous than other perilous planes.
At least for him, it was.
“It’s not just that it sounds good. If you choose another plane, not only would you have to contend with the plane itself, you’d also have to fight various factions for the position of plane lord. Those planes aren’t as simple as they seem.
My place is different. Do you know what being the Lord of Emerald Capital means?”
Little Green was like a salesman peddling strange wares, her tone dripping with temptation.
“The master of Emerald Capital?”
Lin Ye cooperatively gave an answer.
“No. The master of all plants.
No matter which plane you’re in, no matter where you are, you can control any plant.
Even in a place that’s absolutely safe.”
Little Green plunged her hand into the flower beside her and pulled out a thick, black worm.
“Meow?”
Little Black was clearly still disoriented, but its body was already trembling, its soft epidermis writhing constantly.
But it quickly spotted Lin Ye. It scrambled to his feet, letting out a weak cry.
“That really is convenient.”
Lin Ye patted Little Black’s head. He had long suspected there was some connection between the system and these dangerous planes. This connection seemed even tighter than he had imagined.
“You’re probably the only one who keeps an Abyssal Worm as a pet. Why don’t you leave it here with me? It can help aerate the soil in my garden.”
Little Green stared at the trembling Little Black. Some plant roots crept onto its body, as if trying to drag it into the earth.
“Meow meow meow!”
Little Black coiled around Lin Ye’s calf. It didn’t want to be left in this terrifying place.
“Let’s forget it. I prefer taking care of my own pets.”
Lin Ye rejected Little Green’s suggestion.
“Then forget it. Let’s call it a day. If you stayed any longer, you might not be able to go back.”
Little Green smiled and opened a portal. Through it, Lin Ye could see the scene on the other side—it was his familiar bedroom.
“See you next time, then.”
Lin Ye stood up and walked toward the portal. Just before leaving, he turned back and asked one final question:
“You said you wanted me to help take care of this garden. Is there something you need to attend to?”
“Are you sure you want me to answer that?”
The Lord of Emerald Capital looked seriously into Lin Ye’s eyes.
“...Never mind.”
Lin Ye grabbed Little Black, who had gone limp on the floor, and stepped through the portal, returning to his bedroom.
............................
[Exploration Mission Complete]
[System Evaluation Improved]
[Obtained Exploration Chest x1]
This was the fastest Lin Ye had ever completed a mission.
It was also the most dangerous one.
In front of the Lord of Emerald Capital, he had no means of resistance. If she had harbored even a hint of malice, he wouldn’t have made it back alive.
No one could have saved him. Not Little Ye, not Little Red, not the junior, not even that young girl—and the system itself couldn’t have saved him.
Lin Ye nudged the still-trembling Little Black with his foot. Even Little Black could feel the terror of that place, and he was far more perceptive than Little Black.
Every word he spoke there required long, careful thought. Though she seemed very casual, that was just a facade. Beneath that mask was a deity far more terrifying than the Abyssal Evil God.
She was very friendly, which meant he was extremely important to her.
That was not a good thing.
Refusing a lady’s invitation wasn’t easy, let alone refusing a plant deity disguised as a woman.
‘Forget it. I’ll deal with it one step at a time.’
Lin Ye usually liked to be prepared, but this time, he really felt a headache coming on.
The conversation earlier wasn’t long, but through those simple exchanges, he could infer a lot of information. The information might not be accurate, but it was very troublesome.
Before, his only enemy was the Abyssal Evil God. Now, it was hard to say.
Lin Ye looked at the system interface that had appeared and sighed.
“Meow~”
Little Black crawled onto Lin Ye’s knees and rubbed against his chest.
“Thanks.”
Lin Ye patted Little Black’s head, then stood up and opened the exploration chest placed in the center of the Shelter.
Inside the chest lay an emerald green branch.
The branch looked full of vitality, as if it could jump up and run away at any moment. It was completely different from the one Lin Ye had taken before.
[Blessing of the Lord of Emerald Capital]
[This is a branch originating from Emerald Capital. Pierce it into your heart, and Emerald Capital will connect with you.]
[Note: What are you still hesitating about?]
