After Lanmu Huv Kunda departed, Lin Feng stayed behind to finish playing with the rest of the Aranara.
Only after nearly collapsing from exhaustion did he finally unlock the epic achievement known as "Playing with Every Aranara in the Forest."
Holding the several hundred flowers they'd gifted him, he couldn't help wondering how he was supposed to weave so many into a flower crown.
The gratitude and trust brimming from each bloom made him truly feel how desperately the Aranara longed for the Withering to disappear.
When he reached the center of Vanarana, the Song Collectors—already waiting—cheered the moment they spotted him.
"A radiant child whose strength and heart shine like the sun—that is Nara Lin Feng," the little brown mushroom praised.
"And beneath the sunlight's gold walks a gleaming pale light—called Little White."
For once, the Aranara hadn't forgotten the tiny creature at Lin Feng's heel.
"Nara Lin Feng! Little White!"
"You've arrived! This time's Festival Utsava is so happy because of you."
The green Aranara Lan Rumo and the brown village chief Lan Laka hopped over joyfully.
"Thank you, everyone. Little White and I really did have a lot of fun."
Lin Feng smiled, honestly admitting his affection for the little forest spirits.
"In the story, the most important part of Festival Utsava is when the Nara friend and the Aranara sing together. Song Collectors—are you ready?"
"Mm! We're ready! The dream has waited so long. The trees and the grass… everyone wants to hear our song together again!"
Little Langawei's leaf bobbed excitedly. It was obvious how eagerly they awaited this first joint song in five hundred years.
Invited with overwhelming enthusiasm, Lin Feng joined the final chorus.
He only hummed lightly along with the melody—but when he saw all those bright, expectant little eyes around him, he felt the weight of their trust settle on his shoulders.
When Festival Utsava concluded, he accepted the completed flower crown from Lan Rumo.
As he placed the brilliantly woven crown atop his head, he quietly made a personal vow.
"This crown is our blessing for the Nara we love most. The blessing of all Vanarana."
"Then please give my thanks to everyone," Lin Feng replied, a little moved.
"No, no—we should thank Nara Lin Feng! Because you accepted our flowers, we're happier than after a whole day in the sun, happier than drinking sweetwater, happier than dreaming good dreams!"
The green Aranara spun and danced midair.
After bidding farewell to the adorable residents of Vanarana, Lin Feng followed Lan Rumo—who carried the five Vasmrti fruits—as they headed toward their final destination.
Originally, Lin Feng had only intended to use Bija to power up.
But after Festival Utsava, he'd genuinely grown fond of these innocent little beings.
Before today, he had prepared two plans to deal with the Withering Avatar:
Plan A — the ideal path
If the Heart of the Aranara King (the "Aranara Nursery") was untainted, he would take the Bija, borrow its dream-power, enhance himself, and—with the Aranara's help—break the seals and defeat the Withering Avatar like in the game.
Thanks to his ability to adapt to dreams far better than Traveler's companion Rana, he could even analyze the dream-authority within Bija to achieve a goal he'd wanted since arriving in Teyvat:
Connecting to Little White's consciousness—helping it control and balance its overwhelming elemental power.
If Little White could learn even a bit of control, virtually nothing in Teyvat could threaten him again.
Plan B — if the tree was corrupted
He would follow the game's route:
Lan Rumo would absorb the memories of the Aranara King's Heart and of Huv Kunda, then assist him in defeating the Withering Avatar.
Afterward, they would harvest a new Bija from the newly-grown Heart.
But now…
Did he really still want to use an Aranara as a fuel source?
After spending so much time with them, Lin Feng genuinely saw these little creatures as his friends.
Innocent, sincere, and willing to give everything for others—how could he sacrifice a friend to advance his own goals?
Conflicted, Lin Feng finally reached the Heart Tree.
The faint Withering aura leaking from the trunk made him exhale slowly.
"Stop, Lan Rumo."
He called out to the Aranara, who was about to enter the dream of the Heart.
He could follow the game's flow and end everything easily.
But he was no longer a player following a script.
He wanted to choose a different answer.
So Lin Feng stepped into the Heart's dream alone, cleansing every trace of Withering by himself.
Only when everything was cleared did he call the confused Lan Rumo and begin the return trek.
"The Heart has been tainted," Lin Feng explained. "Until the Withering is truly gone, it can't bear a Bija. Give me some time—just one month. Before Festival Utsava's blessing fades, I'll come find you."
After calming the panicked Lan Rumo and assuring it he had a solution, Lin Feng left Vanarana with Little White at his side—ready for his final preparations.
"Lin Feng… are you sure about burying yourself?"
Tighnari stared at him as though he had eaten one of Fabreb's mushrooms.
"Yes. Near the Seven Statues of The Seven deep in the rainforest—the one no one visits. I'll dig a pit and lie down inside. If I don't wake up, come get me in three weeks."
Lin Feng spoke with complete sincerity.
"…Fine."
Tighnari sighed.
After all the outrageous things he'd seen Lin Feng do, he no longer had the energy to argue.
"If you're serious, I'll help."
"Thanks! I knew you were the most reliable person I could ask!"
Lin Feng sighed in relief.
"But… why do you look so exhausted? Did something happen?" he asked, noticing Tighnari's weary expression.
Tighnari shot him a very pointed look.
"And you dare ask?"
"Some former forest ranger decided to 'renovate' Gandharva Ville. The spectacle was so shocking people thought a god had manifested. Within days, rumors spread everywhere that staying in Gandharva Ville can earn you a Vision."
He glared hard at the culprit who had unintentionally quadrupled his workload.
Lin Feng: "…"
He had underestimated the consequences.
He only wanted to clean up the village—but it ended up like some divine miracle revelation.
After apologizing several times, Lin Feng fled toward the Statue of The Seven, ready to begin his battle preparations.
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