readytorunbook Chapter 291 Are You Asking Questions?
Chapter 291 Are You Asking Questions?
The next morning, the animals disappeared from the busy city streets, replaced by dead branches and leaves scattered everywhere. The blood-stained scene was chilling. From that day on, the sun pierced through the dark clouds and sprinkled on this forest shrouded in the breath of death. The blood-stained dead trees looked like strange red lotuses in full bloom, like a picture of hell in the city.
After that, every night, the dead woods grow silently, and return to their original state during the day, so the fourth level is called "Red Lotus Purgatory". The alternation of day and night is still the same, but the vitality and green are gone, replaced by endless despair and desolation.
Ten thousand years passed, and one night, the lifeless creatures regained vitality, birds flapped their wings, trees grew green, wild animals ran, insects were busy, and even the dead trees full of thorns were covered with green again. Everything was as peaceful as it was ten thousand years ago, as if nothing had happened.
People once thought that the nightmare was over and were ecstatic, but the joy only lasted for ten days, and the shadow of death descended again. Just like the tragedy ten thousand years ago, the red lotus bloomed again the next day.
Gradually, the creatures in the forest discovered a pattern: every ten thousand years, life would revive briefly, but only for ten days. After ten days, the greenery disappeared, the dead trees regenerated, and the night spikes emerged again, taking lives. After the host died, the souls of all living creatures would be sucked into the huge pot of Broken Mountain. That area was called the Land of Guixu, and countless souls were trapped in it.
Today, this is the tenth "return of life". The gatekeepers are hiding near the Broken Mountain. Zhang Liang, including all the creatures in this forest, hope that he can go deep into the realm of Guixu, destroy the big pot, and release the trapped souls. "This is the request of our forest." The tree spirit looked at Zhang Liang, with hope in his eyes that had not appeared for 100,000 years.
Zhang Liang felt mixed emotions after hearing this. A short life of 100,000 years was followed by endless darkness and despair. He agreed without hesitation: "I will help you. So, how can we reach the realm of Guixu?"
"We don't know the exact location of Broken Mountain, but you are lucky to have caught up with this 'return of life' that occurs once every ten thousand years." The little tree spirit paused, "Ten days later, life will disappear again. At that time, you can follow the direction in which the soul flies, and you will find the realm of Guixu." The tree spirit said softly.
"I understand. What should I do in these ten days?" Zhang Liang asked humbly.
"We want to test your strength to see if you can help us regain our souls." The tree spirit was a little shy.
"So this is why you followed me. Okay, I will cooperate." Zhang Liang nodded.
"Since you agree, let's start the remaining ten days." The tree spirit said eagerly.
"In the next ten days, we will test your wisdom, endurance, concentration and endurance. On the first day, we will start with wisdom." The tree spirit began.
"The first question is, what is 1+1?" the tree spirit asked seriously.
"2. Can such questions really test one's wisdom?" Zhang Liang was somewhat skeptical.
"Haha, just a joke to lighten the atmosphere." The tree spirit scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"…It's even more embarrassing now." Zhang Liang looked at the tree spirit who thought he was humorous.
"Okay, that's not funny at all. No more jokes. Let's get started. Your performance will determine whether you can pass the test. Don't let us down." After saying that, the tree spirit disappeared, and Zhang Liang could only move forward.
Soon, Zhang Liang saw an owl wearing an old-fashioned scholar's hat and glasses, holding a book in its arms, looking very knowledgeable. The owl looked up at Zhang Liang, hoping that he would live up to everyone's expectations.
Zhang Liang calmly accepted the owl's scrutiny.
"Ahem, young man, let me test your wisdom first." The owl looked at Zhang Liang who was calm and composed.
"How to test?" Zhang Liang asked.
"This is the most respected wise man in the forest." The little tree spirit whispered in Zhang Liang's ear.
"Of course I'll give you some puzzles to solve, but I won't be the one setting them," Mr. Owl replied.
"If it's not you, then who is it?" Zhang Liang wondered.
"You'll know later," the gentleman replied patiently.
"Okay, let's start." Zhang Liang was eager to know the specific content of the test.
The gentleman let out a strange cry towards the sky, and after a moment, all kinds of creatures came and formed a circle. If Zhang Liang could pass the intelligence test, the other animals in the forest would see hope; if he couldn't even pass this level, then they would have to give up as soon as possible to avoid losing hope.
After all, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
The first thing that appeared in front of Zhang Liang was a raccoon. It was extremely cute, with black around its eyes and white cheeks, a sharp contrast between black and white. The raccoon's ears were round and white, and its black bean-like eyes were very cute. It was concentrating on chewing on a branch it had picked up from somewhere, and ignored Zhang Liang.
The gentleman looked at the raccoon that only cared about eating and shook his head helplessly. After so much time had passed, the raccoon still only cared about eating, which was really a headache.
"Ahem!" Mr. cleared his throat awkwardly and called the raccoon's name, trying to get its attention. However, the raccoon ignored him and Mr.'s attempt failed.
He looked at the raccoon with a little impatience, then looked at Zhang Liang, and finally decided to wake up this "stupid bear"...
"Hey!" The gentleman gently touched Yunfan who was close at hand.
"What's wrong?" Yunfan slowly raised his head.
"It's your turn to ask the first question." said the gentleman anxiously.
"Oh, okay, let me think about what the problem is." Yun Fan replied blankly.
He lowered his head and chewed on a branch, falling into deep thought.
Mr. Kuimu waited for a long time, and seeing that Yunfan didn't move, he had to poke him again.
Yunfan raised his head and looked at Mr. Kuimu in confusion. Mr. Kuimu also looked helpless, but he was not in a position to show it.
He quietly reminded: "Question, question, you are making questions!"
Zhang Liang looked at the silly Yun Fan and the anxious Mr. Kuimu and couldn't help but chuckle. This little guy is really funny, but will he give any questions? Zhang Liang felt that such a cute raccoon should not be too difficult for him.
After hearing what Mr. Owl said, Yun Fan remembered that he had to ask questions, so he looked at Zhang Liang seriously.
"Question, yes, ask a question. Then let me ask you, what is 2 plus 2?" Yun Fan looked straight at Zhang Liang, expecting his answer.
When Mr. Kuimu heard this question, he was almost so angry that he sent Yunfan back to the nest.
Zhang Liang looked at Yun Fan and asked the question as if it was a joke, but Yun Fan had no idea how simple the question was and was still looking at him seriously, waiting for his answer.
“4.” Zhang Liang held back his laughter and answered the raccoon’s question.
Yun Fan nodded with satisfaction: "Well, not bad, not bad."
Zhang Liang looked at Yun Fan who was serious and really didn't want to say anything. He was really silly and cute.
Kuimu looked at Yunfan, who was not helping but causing more trouble, and wanted to say something, but held back.
For Zhang Liang, even if he passed the first question, Yun Fan's question really didn't require any IQ. It didn't count, but this was indeed the first question he asked.
Mr. Kuimu thought about it and decided that this could only be Yunfan’s first question, and he would add some more questions later.
He glanced at Yun Fan, who was chewing on a branch, with disdain, "Go back quickly."
Although there was disdain in his words, Mr. Kuimu's eyes were full of kindness towards Yunfan.
Zhang Liang watched this scene. Even though this place would disappear every once in a while, the interaction between the animals here still made him feel warm.
This little episode further strengthened Zhang Liang's determination to help the animals here. At first he just wanted to pass the level and see the guardian, but now, everything has changed.
Now he was anxious to pass the test, just to help them faster.
After Yunfan left, the second question setter appeared - a red-crowned crane named Yuebai.
She has a slender neck and legs, her whole body is white, with a touch of red on her head, and her neck and feet are black. Except for her head, neck and feet, everything else is white.
Yuebai looked at Zhang Liang arrogantly because she was always unwilling to leave the fate of the forest to ordinary humans.
When Yuebai learned that Zhang Liang would be given a second question, he wanted to give him a warning and let others know that their choice was wrong.
"Hmph, kid, the only reason you can pass the first question is because my brother Yunfan is too stupid, otherwise, hehe." Yuebai still looked at Zhang Liang arrogantly.
Zhang Liang could see that Yue Bai didn't like him, and he didn't want to say much. He just wanted to slap her in the face with his strength.
Seeing that Zhang Liang ignored her, Yuebai thought he was scared, so she raised her head higher.
Mr. Kuimu knew that Yuebai had always been opposed to handing over the fate of the forest to Zhang Liang, but he had no choice but to give it a try.
If they don't try, they can only accept their fate and cannot change anything.
Mr. Kuimu withdrew his thoughts, coughed a few times, and prompted Yuebai to start asking questions.
After hearing Mr. Kuimu's reminder, Yuebai no longer delayed and prepared to make a quick decision.
"What kind of water has no fish? What kind of mountain has no stones? What kind of tree has no leaves? What kind of woman has no husband?" Yuebai said, expecting Zhang Liang to be unable to answer.
"The answer is: there are no fish in saliva, no stones on the rockery, no leaves on the dead tree, and no nun has a husband." Zhang Liang answered without hesitation.
Yuebai looked at Zhang Liang in surprise, obviously not expecting him to answer.
"Yes, your answers are all correct." Although Yuebai was reluctant to admit it, he had to admit that Zhang Liang was indeed wise.
Mr. Kuimu nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that he had chosen the right person.
Seeing the frustrated look on Yuebai's face, Mr. Kuimu felt a little reluctant, but Yuebai was so proud that it was easy for him to make mistakes. He was very satisfied with Zhang Liang's performance, which not only showed his ability but also suppressed Yuebai's arrogance.
Although Yuebai is proud, she can admit her mistakes when she makes them.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have treated you like that. I thought you couldn't change what we had experienced, so I treated you like that." Yuebai finally lowered his proud head.
Zhang Liang looked at Yuebai who was lowering his head. The proud Yuebai just now was no longer there.
"It's okay, I can understand your anxiety about the forest." Zhang Liang comforted Yuebai.
Upon hearing this, Yuebai lowered her head even lower. She never thought that Zhang Liang would understand her so well, yet she treated him like that.
"I hope you can do your best and pass the test as soon as possible. Our hopes are all on you." Yuebai put aside the pride he had when they first met.
Zhang Liang nodded and responded: "I will do my best to help you."
"Then I wish you success in advance." Yuebai said softly.
Mr. Kuimu felt relieved when he saw Yuebai's transformation. He nodded to Zhang Liang with satisfaction to express his gratitude.
"Zhang Liang, be prepared for the next question, Zexi." ...