Chapter 203: Risk Hedging
"What method?"
Lin Ye had a bad feeling. Generally, schemes described as absolute weren't exactly safe.
"The Red Sea and the Abyss are both extremely dangerous planes, but there are other planes that belong to the same tier as them. If you want to deal with the Red Sea and the Abyss, you have to borrow the power of other dangerous planes. As long as your body contains the power of multiple dangerous planes, the Red Sea and the Abyss won't be able to affect you so easily. That's the solution I'm recommending to you — risk hedging."
A trace of pride surfaced in the girl's voice.
"...Is there a backup plan? I'd rather not have the risks hedged onto me."
Lin Ye replayed his memories carefully but still couldn't figure out when he had offended the girl.
"Those are the Abyss and the Red Sea. You don't really think you can handle those problems with ordinary methods, do you?"
The girl poured herself a cup of black tea and took a small sip.
"The system won't work either? Isn't the system Shelter supposed to be absolutely safe?"
Lin Ye took a sip of tea too. The aroma seeped into his body and spirit, giving him a warmth that defied description. "The system only protects you when you're weak. That's one of the system's basic rules. You can't hide in the Shelter after becoming a god, can you? And hiding in the Shelter won't make you a true deity."
The girl refilled Lin Ye's teacup; the steam blurred his vision.
"All right, I accept risk hedging. What plane does this book relate to? What happens after I finish reading it?"
Lin Ye didn't refuse the girl's proposal. The problem existed and had to be solved sooner or later; he didn't want to regret waiting until it was too late.
"Many of these special books are linked to the Dreamrealm. As for the effect after you read it, that depends on how far you manage to go. If you can finish a complete story, your Seed of Spirit will grow significantly. If you can completely change the story's ending... then that would be interesting. I'd love to hear an interesting story."
The girl closed her eyes and leaned against a soft pillow. Horror stories were a small pleasure of hers; she hoped Lin Ye would like them too.
"All right. I hope this book isn't too terrifying."
Lin Ye drank his tea and opened Selected Collection of Millennium Empire Horror Stories.
…………………………
Lin Ye opened his eyes. He was lying on a soft single bed. Morning light filtered through the curtains into the narrow room, and the smell of breakfast drifted from outside the door.
"Brother, get up quickly. Aren't you taking students out of town to stay overnight today?"
A cute black-haired little girl pushed open the door and entered, lifting Lin Ye's comforter and folding it neatly.
"Right, I would've forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. It feels like I had a very long dream last night, but I can't remember its contents."
Lin Ye climbed out of bed and put on his formal clothes. This year marked the Empire's first millennium; to celebrate, the Imperial Academy organized many extracurricular activities.
Lin Ye was an academy teacher. Today he would take his students to visit some ancient ruins outside the city and spend the night there.
"If you can't remember it, don't force it. Dreams don't matter. It's time for breakfast."
His sister pulled Lin Ye out of the room; breakfast was already ready.
The breakfast was lavish and suited Lin Ye's tastes. He ate slowly and unhurriedly.
"Brother, are you coming back the afternoon after tomorrow?"
His sister, Lin Jing, asked.
"Hmm... you should come with me. I don't feel at ease leaving you home alone."
Lin Ye said suddenly.
He didn't know why he hadn't thought earlier of taking his sister along. In any case, the academy would reimburse travel expenses, and taking a young girl wouldn't cause much trouble.
"Really? Will the academy agree?"
Lin Jing wanted to join her brother on the outing, but she worried about causing him trouble.
"It's nothing. I'm an academy teacher after all. There are plenty of seats on the bus. What's the harm in bringing a family member?"
Lin Ye ate the delicious breakfast his sister had prepared. His suppressed mood brightened as if he'd made the right choice.
"Thank you, brother. I'll go get ready now."
Lin Jing finished breakfast quickly and started packing her suitcase for the trip.
"We'll be gone two and a half days. We'll be back the afternoon after tomorrow, so don't bring too much."
After finishing breakfast, Lin Ye helped his sister with her luggage.
After a while, a horn sounded outside — the school bus had arrived.
Lin Ye hurried out with his sister and the suitcase and boarded the bus.
"Teacher Lin, so you like this type, huh? No wonder you ignore those girls' love letters — they're still too old."
A female student deliberately shouted when she saw Lin Jing as Lin Ye just got on the bus.
"Don't be ridiculous. This is my sister, Lin Jing. There's no one at home, and I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone."
Lin Ye explained.
"Hello, everyone."
Lin Jing greeted the students on the bus politely.
"Aww, so cute. She looks like the teacher."
"Let me hug her. I have snacks."
"No wonder Teacher Lin Ye makes misuse of authority sound so reasonable."
...
"Stop the nonsense. There are empty seats on the bus anyway. What's the problem with me bringing a family member?"
Lin Ye sat Lin Jing in the front row by the window and took the passenger seat himself.
The driver’s surname was Wang; everyone called him Driver Wang.
Due to staff shortages, only Lin Ye and Driver Wang, two adults, were on this trip.
"Driver Wang, when will we arrive near the ruins?"
Lin Ye glanced at the bus's electronic clock and asked.
"We should arrive before noon. But I heard on the radio earlier there was a traffic accident on the main road outside the city. I don't know if it'll be affected."
Driver Wang answered.
"Is there another road to the ruins?"
Lin Ye didn't want to arrive late; they still had many preparations to make.
"There is a small road, but it's a bit of a detour. It'll add about half an hour to the drive."
Driver Wang knew the local roads well.
"Take the small road then. An extra half hour is better than being stuck in a jam."
Lin Ye made the decision decisively.
"Got it."
Driver Wang wanted to get to the destination quickly. He seemed a little uncomfortable — probably from getting up early.
The school bus soon left the city limits. Driver Wang turned onto a narrow forest path with no other cars in sight.
The students on the bus didn't care where the bus was going; they chatted and played happily. Lin Jing was pulled into a small circle of girls.
Lin Ye ignored the noisy students. He understood them — it was rare to go out. As long as they weren't too disruptive, he wouldn't interfere.
"Driver Wang, move slightly to the right. You're driving too close to the center. If a car comes from the opposite direction, it'll be dangerous."
Lin Ye warned Driver Wang.
"Huh? What's going on? I didn't mean to be driving in the middle..."
Driver Wang said in confusion.