Chapter 385 - 359: Searching for Hobbits

Da Fei and Tai Da entered this exquisitely charming village.

At first glance, the layout of the streets and houses struck one as harmoniously rounded as well as ancient and time-worn. Each house here had round doors, round windows, and round roofs, a perfect replica of the Habbit Village seen in movies.

Da Fei and Tai Da had to stoop to step into a cottage, and were immediately taken aback!

Not a single piece of furniture! Completely empty! Damn, had it been robbed? Or had they taken everything with them when they fled? Or did the system just not bother to set up the interior scenes? The last possibility was absolutely impossible!

The two entered another house, finding it just as bare.

Tai Da, stroking the door frame, said in a heavy voice, "You’re right, sir. The Habbits haven’t been wiped out, nor have they been attacked. They’ve clearly moved out systematically and calmly. This scrape on the door frame must have been left during the move, and the mark is about 200 years old, which means they moved 200 years ago."

Da Fei was stunned and wide-eyed! Holy crap, are you Detective Conan? You can even deduce the date; having you as my advisor suits a Bright Lord like me!

Da Fei hurriedly asked, "Where could they have possibly moved all their stuff?"

Tai Da frowned, "Perhaps to another World Tree Space. It shouldn’t be too far. Otherwise, it’s hard to imagine the Habbits making such a long-distance move with all their belongings given their limited stamina."

Da Fei’s brow twitched, "Are you saying there is definitely an exit to another space nearby?"

Tai Da nodded, "Indeed, your words make sense. There are often multiple entrances and exits to World Tree Spaces. Although there’s a high probability there’s an exit at Mercury Lake, it’s unlikely that such a small and weak creature as the Habbit would pass through there with large items. Maybe if we search outside the village for their moving tracks, we’ll be able to find the exit!"

This was the key to solving the puzzle!

"We must go search immediately!" exclaimed Da Fei.

Tai Da promptly said, "I saw some broken pottery fragments on the street earlier; they must have been left behind during their move. Let’s follow those pieces!"

"That makes sense! That makes sense!" replied Da Fei, eagerly.

Haha, having an advisor by your side really feels good. It’s like having a caring guide for the player! If it were up to me alone, how much wisdom would it take to solve the puzzles in the game?

Now, the two followed the trail of fragments and entered the forest outside the village, where there appeared to be a faintly discernible path!

Da Fei became excited! If he really found the legendarily "friendly" and "weak" Habbits, what could possibly happen? Damn, isn’t that obvious? I am their savior! With just a tremble, they’d all flock to join me!

After more than ten minutes of searching, Da Fei and Tai Da reached a wide clearing in the forest, where suddenly an undulating, twisted Space Gate appeared. Found it!

Da Fei laughed out loud, "So it’s here!"

Tai Da was even more moved, "It’s a natural teleportation channel that doesn’t need a space password to open, indicating that the connected space nearby is extremely large!"

Isn’t this just something like an instance entrance? Da Fei asked in surprise, "By the way, I always hear you talk about space passwords, what are those?"

Tai Da replied seriously, "Sir, the World Tree has many spaces, big and small. Under normal circumstances, these spaces are independent and unconnected. But we Druids have mastered some of the World Tree’s operating principles and can appear in various World Tree Spaces. This is the World Tree’s space password, which differs from the Demon’s space laws. That’s why Demons always find it difficult to break through the World Tree’s spaces. However, some World Tree Spaces are very stable and large, forming these kinds of stable, bidirectional channels. Currently, all known large space channels have fortresses heavily guarded by the Kingdom. As for this place, it seems to have never been discovered before."

— System Prompt: You have obtained information about the World Tree!

Da Fei suddenly had an epiphany, "I see!" My insights have grown again. If this keeps up, will you guys crown me as a Human Race Druid too?

Tai Da, with a serious expression, asked, "Shall we proceed, sir?"

Da Fei took a deep breath, "Let’s go."

As the scene changed, the surroundings suddenly became clear. Da Fei and Tai Da found themselves on a riverbank. On the bank was a dense, tall forest, while on the other side was a boundless swamp jungle, with a red nebula spreading magnificently across the sky.

Da Fei exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the next space?"

Tai Da shook his head, "My lord, this is the space passage, the junction of two spaces. What my lord sees is merely the mirrored projection of both spaces. Normally, our transport team would have to walk through many such passages to return. My lord, just follow the riverbed forward, and that will lead to the exit."

No wonder the scenery seemed so disjointed! Da Fei nodded and said, "So you mean to say, the connected space is a swamp?"

Tai Da nodded, "Exactly. It seems that the Forest Dwarves must have moved to live in the swamp. It’s hard to imagine how they, with their leisurely lifestyle, could tolerate living in a place filled with poisonous insects and miasmatic air."

Da Fei couldn’t help but laugh! It’s better if they can’t tolerate it – perfect for me to take them under my wing! But before I do, they have got to show some enthusiasm and loyalty. Not asking for much – just help me transport all of my timber, wahahaha!

As Da Fei was planning how to make use of these Hobbits, a barricade of logs appeared in front, and several red dots popped up on the radar!

What the hell, why are there red dots? Weren’t the Hobbits supposed to be friendly? Da Fei asked anxiously, "We’ve spotted the others, but they seem to be hostile?"

Tai Da furrowed his brows, "Living in such a harsh and enclosed environment, it’s quite normal to be cautious of outsiders. My lord, what should we do?"

Dammit! Now it’s my turn to be asked what to do! How would I know what to do? Damn it – it’s either conquer or leave! But even a noob in a game wouldn’t just leave. But with just the two of us? Or should we go back and call for reinforcements? Problem is, the reinforcements that can come are those crappy Woodcutters, while the strong Tree Spirits are blocked and can’t come over!

However, it seems to be just a few people on the other side. Sentinels on watch? Should we talk to them? Can we talk? Let’s give it a try! This is obviously a quest scenario; there’s no way they wouldn’t even give us a chance to talk!

Da Fei took a deep breath, "Alright, I’ll go forward and talk to them. Just in case, you stay behind, and if things go south—"

Tai Da interrupted with a shake of his head, "My lord, I am your advisor, your right-hand man, and will never shrink back in such situations. Moreover, such an action will appear weak and untrustworthy to the other side, which is not conducive to building trust."

That’s an advisor for you! Aside from gaming, where could I ever find such a person in my life? Brother, I’m touched!

Da Fei nodded solemnly, "Okay then, let’s go up!"

The two strode confidently towards the barricade, and the sentinels behind it immediately panicked, drawing their bows and hiding.

Da Fei called out from a distance, "Dear Hobbit friends, I am a hero of the Bright Alliance. The Demon army is coming to destroy all spaces of the World Tree, I’ve come to rescue you!" Since this is an Epic Quest scenario, best to get straight to the point.

And right then, a voice like that of a child’s cried out excitedly from behind the barricade, "Are you the hero foretold by the elder who would come to rescue us?"

Aha? You guys have a prophecy from an elder? Ha! Is it that easy to match up? Then why the hell are your names red, trying to scare me on purpose?

Da Fei hurriedly responded, "Yes, yes, yes, I’m here to rescue you!"

At that moment, another voice shouted, "Do not trust strangers so easily! Nobody knows we are here, or else someone would have come to rescue us by now—don’t come any closer, or we’ll attack!"

What the hell? Are you just looking to annoy the hell out of me?

Da Fei replied urgently, "Please believe me! I really am—without any ill intentions!"

"Don’t come any closer! We do not believe you!"

Damn it! I say I’m here to rescue you, you don’t believe me, and when I say I have no ill intentions, you don’t believe that either—alright then, even I wouldn’t believe it; does the system think it’s dealing with the intellect of a 3-year-old? Fine, then I’ll act like I’m 4!

Da Fei gritted his teeth, "I truly am the hero tasked with saving the World Tree space, but now I’ve entered the space where you once lived, and I’ve encountered great trouble, I need help! Dear Hobbit friends, will you help me?"

Bloody hell, I’m not here to rescue you; you’re supposed to be rescuing me, will that do it? If not, I’ll call over 300 terrible Axemen to tear down this shabby barricade, will that suffice?

Finally, the other side responded, "Wait, we’ll call the elder over!"

Finally, something sensible. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)