Chapter Sixty-Six: Hurry, Carry Me Away! Carry Me Away Now! [Fourth Update—Please Vote for Me!]

Du Fang awoke from a beautiful dream, his entire body refreshed, as if he had just enjoyed a sauna. Every cell within him seemed to revive at that moment, greedily absorbing the essence of the air. He was not the least bit surprised by this; he knew he was growing stronger, little by little.

Ever since he had obtained the "One Big Happy Family" panel, every time he experienced a dream calamity, even though he only went through simple, beautiful dreams, he would awaken to find his dream spirit intensity had increased to some degree. Perhaps this was simply his path to strength. While others endured nightmarish trials, struggling to survive and receiving the gift of the Dream Spirit Spring—then painstakingly refining it to slowly grow stronger—Du Fang, in contrast, received silent nourishment from pleasant dreams.

The process differed, but in essence and result, it was the same: both ways made one stronger.

Gradually, Du Fang had begun to accept it all. With a thought, the panel appeared before his eyes.

...

One Big Happy Family

Head of Household: Du Fang
Age: 20
Dream Spirit: 900
Items: Auntie's Playing Cards, Auntie's Tea Leaves
Members: Luoluo (Daughter), Yaya (Wife, Completeness 10%), (Missing), (Missing)...
Task: For family reunion and happiness, please reunite with missing family members.
Notice: [You have a new task waiting to be claimed]
...

Gazing at the panel reflected on his retina, Du Fang first focused on the Dream Spirit section. As he expected, his strength had increased again. Originally at 500 points, it had now reached 900—a gain of 400 points in a single dream calamity. A tremendous harvest!

The dream spirit intensity range for a lower-tier Dream Voyager was between 100 and 1,000 points. That meant Du Fang was now only 100 points away from becoming a middle-tier Dream Voyager. With just a bit more effort, he might soon achieve it. The thought filled him with joy and anticipation.

A middle-tier Dream Voyager—something he had never dared imagine before. After all, it had been a struggle just to become an ordinary Dream Voyager.

"I wonder what the basic salary and benefits for a middle-tier Dream Voyager are. I remember it's quite a lot, maybe thirty thousand a month?" he mused. "I'll have to ask Brother Su when I get back; I think he's a middle-tier Dream Voyager."

Du Fang was already daydreaming about his salary and benefits. But what truly caught his attention was the new notification bar on the panel: [You have a new task waiting to be claimed]. This was the first time a claimable task had appeared. It seemed he had unlocked a new function of the panel.

Du Fang extended a finger, as if playing a virtual game, and gently tapped the panel. Ripples spread like water, the task notification vanished, and a new prompt window appeared.

...

[Temporary Task: Please retrieve your wife's Red Embroidered Shoes; do not let them remain lost, wandering in the wind and rain.]
[Task Reward: Awakening of a Special Ability]
...

Look at that! What did he see? Awakening of a special ability!

Du Fang's breathing suddenly quickened.

His inability to awaken a special ability had always been a source of pain. Because of this, he could not become a true Dream Voyager and was forced to take the unconventional path, relying on forbidden artifacts to assume the role. But now, it seemed he had a choice. He had a chance to awaken his own special ability and become a true Dream Voyager!

Hope hung before him like a ripe fruit, waiting only for him to reach out and pluck it.

"Retrieve my wife's Red Embroidered Shoes..." Du Fang's lips curled into a slight smile. Whether to please his wife or for his own awakening, he had every reason to complete this task.

The panel before him gradually faded, retreating into the depths of his vision. But Du Fang noticed a cluster of red light floating before him. Within the glow hovered a pair of translucent Red Embroidered Shoes.

His wife's hand, always quietly resting on his shoulder, now slowly drifted forward, as if reaching for the shoes. Slender fingers lightly touched the cluster of light, which instantly merged into her hand. Du Fang vaguely felt that her previously pale, snow-like hand now had a touch more color, even a hint of warmth.

Though he had not received a forbidden artifact from the ladies after this dream, Du Fang guessed that this time, their gift was this cluster of red light—the Red Embroidered Shoes—which his wife's hand had absorbed. He did not mind at all; spending for his wife was only natural!

Moreover, Du Fang sensed that the bond between him and his wife had grown stronger.

...

Affection (Yaya): 85/100

...

A glance confirmed it—their affection had risen again. Perhaps retrieving the Red Embroidered Shoes for her hand had made his wife very happy.

Du Fang smiled, then looked at Luoluo, and at his wife's hand gently resting on his shoulder. He felt the weight of responsibility—the happiness and harmony of the whole family rested in his hands.

In the distance, Wen Ji approached, his expression cold. "Du Fang, congratulations on advancing to the second round. Please proceed to the lounge for registration." There was a complex look in Wen Ji's eyes. As a stern man with a sixth sense, he felt an inexplicable familiarity in the way this dream calamity had been conquered, reminiscent of the assessment dream disaster before. Both had one thing in common: Du Fang's involvement.

So, was this dream calamity conquered by Du Fang as well? Wen Ji's conflicted expression was tinged with pride. He had not misjudged Du Fang; assigning Su Xiaoyu to be his assistant was indeed the right decision!

"Huh, I advanced?" Du Fang was momentarily stunned.

"The dream calamity was conquered. Those who were eliminated are out, but those who survived advance." Wen Ji explained. Beneath his sunglasses, however, he scrutinized Du Fang deeply. He suspected Du Fang was feigning ignorance—certain that Du Fang had something to do with the conquest, but just how he had done it remained a mystery.

The two middle-tier Dream Voyagers who rescued Du Fang and Lan Xiang had reported that they couldn't figure out what happened. They said Lan Xiang wet himself just looking at Du Fang, and detected no unusual dream spirit fluctuations from Du Fang. Perhaps, then, the conquest had little to do with him.

Of course, the Dream Voyager Association was still investigating, but Wen Ji knew it would be difficult to discover the truth. The whole event was just too abrupt, as if someone had casually snuffed out the calamity. It was like a needle pricking an overinflated balloon, yet there was not a sound.

The only clue was the last image projected on the LCD screen, where Du Fang had offered a blessing to Lan Xiang, who was about to marry. Was that blessing the reason for the conquest? Impossible. Wen Ji didn't believe it, nor did anyone else. If conquering a dream calamity were that easy, the world would have long since returned to its lost peace and harmony.

While Du Fang and Wen Ji conversed, medical staff hurried over, carrying Lan Xiang on a stretcher. He was strapped down, eyes bloodshot, thrashing wildly.

"Let me go! How could I, Lan Xiang, be eliminated? Something's wrong with this dream calamity—it was beyond the norm! Why was I eliminated? Why were the monsters I faced so terrifying? You're setting me up! Don't touch me—I'm not crazy! Let me go!" Lan Xiang raged, reeking of a sharp, foul stench, unable to accept his elimination.

His injuries weren't severe and could be easily healed by a Dream Voyager with medical abilities. However, the medical Dream Voyager diagnosed him with psychological trauma—too young, unstable, unable to accept his defeat—requiring mental treatment.

"I want to appeal! I want to see the chairman! I object!" Lan Xiang shouted. Suddenly, as he passed Du Fang, he seemed to be choked. His angry and crazed voice abruptly stopped. He saw Du Fang, and the memory seemed to surge up from the depths of his soul. The air grew even more pungent.

The next moment, Lan Xiang looked at the medics, tears in his eyes, and cried out, "Carry me! Hurry up, carry me away!"

ps: Fourth update. The new book is on the shelves this month, and monthly votes are very important. Please support with your votes!