Tree King: What? I've become the Abundant Pharmacist?

Chapter 381 The Exchange of the Black Swan

"A perfectly planned dream?" March 7th asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Miss Black Swan means that you're trying to cover it up, right?" Jing Yuan asked.

"And the realm of memories she fell into—that was the true nature of dreams, chaotic, dangerous, mysterious…a labyrinth inhabited by the beasts of memory, the memory realm memes…."

Black Swan continued.

"Oh right, I remember when I entered the dream, I seemed to see red cracks, and they seemed to be emitting a strange purple light..." Xing recalled her state when she entered the dream.

"Red cracks, eerie purple light," Eve murmured to herself.

These details seem to match the mutations in Mianmian's body.

After being captured by Eve, Mianmian is now lying in Eve's exclusive dream space, eating some of the dreams inside when she gets hungry.

Anyway, Eve has an absurdly large number of dreams, an astronomical number, more than she could ever eat.

For Mianmian, entering this place is like entering paradise.

“She’s right.” Himeko suddenly remembered something.

"Everyone, do you remember the scenery when you entered the dream?"

"The scenery when I entered the dream?" March 7th thought back.

"A clock...a school of fish...the deep sea..."

“And it feels like I’m drowning,” Xing said.

"Huh, so everyone saw the same thing? I remember... then there was a guest room, and then through the mirror I came to a long corridor..." March 7th realized.

Walter frowned slightly. "The 'Way of Thoughts'—that's what the hotel staff call it."

"Oh right, that's it. I remember that corridor was dark." March 7th recalled it completely.

“Eve, what about you? Are you the same?” March 7th asked.

"Ahem... this..." Eve coughed awkwardly.

I entered the dream directly with my physical body, without ever going through the path of entering the dream pool.

Himeko then stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Don't you think these landscapes are quite different from the Pinocchio in your dreams... yet very similar to the dream described by Miss Black Swan?"

"Chaos, danger, mystery."

Valte nodded: "Indeed... I didn't pay much attention to it at first, but looking back, the two have quite a lot in common."

“I understand now. It’s very likely that the world Miss Black Swan described is just outside the corridor.” Jing Yuan had already guessed it.

“That’s right. I also learned from some regular customers that the first stop after entering the dream was originally the ‘Hotel in the Dream,’ but due to some unforeseen circumstances… ‘the hotel is currently undergoing renovations,’” Himeko continued.

The black swan smiled, as if it had already anticipated the outcome.

"Under what circumstances does a building need repair? Considering his/her experience just now, the answer is clear."

Everyone fell silent.

"The answer is that Pinocchio's dream is *sinking*, returning to its original form...falling into the deep sea of ​​memories."

March 7th was shocked. "Sinking? You mean... the dream world is collapsing?"

Black Swan nodded. "The Dream Hotel incident was an omen."

“I believe Director Eve should know this, right?” Black Swan looked at Eve.

“Indeed, after I tore open the dream space, I found them at the very bottom.” Eve nodded.

"Furthermore, the dream space there is extremely unstable, like a crack at the edge of the world, which can mercilessly devour people."

Walter Young finally understood. "I see. That explains the incongruity in the family's words."

"If this news were to get out, regardless of the actual safety of the guests, the reputation of the Star of the Grand Event would inevitably be affected. With the Grand Festival of Music approaching, they have no choice but to keep this a secret."

"The safety of our guests may not be guaranteed either..." Black Swan added.

"Isn't the monster she encountered the best proof? Should I remind you again? It's a Memory Realm Meme..."

“It probably swallowed quite a few people before we were attacked, otherwise it wouldn’t have been so terrifying.” Black Swan looked at Eve.

"But if such a terrifying monster has appeared, why hasn't the family..." Walter Yang realized something before he could finish speaking.

"That's right, the family is still keeping the information from us."

"With the Star of the Grand Event and the Harmonious Music Ceremony just around the corner, the family must suppress this matter, even if it means gritting their teeth."

"After all, how could a meme alluding to death and murder appear in a dream where the family claims to be 'absolutely safe'... In Pinocchio, everyone can lie—perhaps even the family themselves?"

After hearing Black Swan's words, everyone fell silent.

After a while, Himeko spoke again: "Miss Black Swan, we now fully understand the current situation. Let's return to your initial proposal..."

"What were Liuguang Yiting's reasons for choosing to cooperate with the Starry Sky Train?"

“Um, please allow me to correct you... This is my personal request, and does not represent Yi Ting,” Black Swan reiterated.

"Since it doesn't represent Yiting, what do you want?" Himeko asked warily.

After all, cooperating with black swans is not a necessary option.

With Miss Eve around, everything is negotiable; it's just for the sake of ensuring the safety of the train.

“The answer is simple, Ms. Himeko. I just want to make an exchange… an exchange of ‘memories’,” the Black Swan said.

"Beyond my duties, I also have some...personal aesthetic pursuits. I am a reminiscer and a collector, and I also want to witness those sparkling, dazzling, and precious memories—this idea is easy to understand, isn't it?"

"And you, the nameless passengers of the Star Train, the practitioners of the 'Pioneering' path... I believe in your potential, and I believe you will shine with a unique brilliance on this stage."

"That's why I want to be friends with you all. The place where nightmares and dreams meet... it's the perfect cradle for 'memory'," the Black Swan said with rapture.

"In addition, if possible, I would also like some of Director Eve's memories."

Suddenly, a dangerous glint flashed in Eve's eyes.

"Of course, it's your choice to make those parts available. I won't pry into your privacy, nor will I use these memories for anything; they're just for the purpose of preservation."

Black Swan realized she had gone a bit too far and immediately tried to smooth things over.

Himeko was silent for a moment. "I understand. But we need to discuss this further before I can give you an answer."

Black Swan nodded. "Of course, please feel free to do as you please."

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