Chapter 586: Banana Evil, Not the Way (14)

Ye Yi lazily sprawls on the sofa, a can of beer in hand: "Oh? Even you can't see through it?"

"Indeed, after all there are far too many unfathomable things in the firmament. I even doubt whether the one performing the technique on Botiuo is actually a human."

"You mean those monkeys?" Ye Yi's golden cat eyes narrowed to a line, "That's also possible, since when Xing was in the dream bubble, that group of hopping monkeys was trying to exert some influence on her. However, in Liúmèng Jiāo it seems a sleep banana little monkey hasn't appeared yet, right?"

"That's precisely the most unsettling part." Pu Yuan Xishu folds away his folding fan, his expression grave, "If it's not through a physical technique, but through some medium we cannot perceive."

"Medium…" Ye Yi repeats the word, then a thought strikes, "Pu Yuan, what if it's not a technique but a 'contamination'? Like dropping ink into clear water—it doesn't require the practitioner to maintain it, yet it keeps spreading. And that drop of ink is the sleep banana little monkey… it doesn't need a physical form, it could even be just a 'concept'; as long as people talk about it, it continuously exerts influence on those around."

The shop fell silent instantly; honestly, it was the first time either of them had encountered such a situation.

"Should we report this hypothesis to the Underworld?"

Pu Yuan Xishu slowly shakes his head: "Not yet. Though this influence is large, affecting both the mortal world and the Underworld, its intensity is low. We should first see how people in the firmament are handling it, and find a solution."

——

"Similar? Sounds like it's not the first time. What's the story with that precious banana?"

"Sorry, I haven't fully figured it out yet," Zhigengniao shakes his head, "Lately I've been coming here often to teach children to sing. Giving up beautiful dreams isn't easy; I hope music can help them. But gradually, I've noticed Liúmèng Jiāo has become somewhat different."

"Hmph, the sleep banana little monkey?"

"Indeed, you've noticed as well. The nearby memory essence changed after it began to spread. For some reason, that noise doesn't have a tangible effect, but whenever I use the power of 【Harmony】 to tune, I feel extremely fatigued. Besides that, I also visited a group called 【Sleep Banana Society】."

"Oh, I've been there too. Did they let you join?"

Zhigengniao lowers his gaze: "Unfortunately, not at all. Anyone who wants to join the Sleep Banana Society must pass a convoluted membership process. Moreover, even if I could slip in, my identity is far too… conspicuous. So I keep my energy focused on the noise issue."

"You didn't pass either… but I have to get in. Any way?"

"Providing some ways to inquire is easy, but why all of a sudden…" Zhigengniao also realizes something's off, "What happened to Pinokangni?"

"That's a long story; let me verify first. Anyway, I must pass this membership test. Inquiring isn't bad. To put it mildly, does that mean I can't like the sleep banana little monkey? Tough guys with soft hearts—it's trendy now."

——

Genshin.

Pff—

Fenningna just took a sip of black tea and almost lost composure, spitting it out. She quickly and gracefully wiped her mouth corner, her face showing an "incomprehensible" expression.

"No way? Are these people's heads filled with bananas? That's Zhigengniao, the biggest star in the entire galaxy! Doesn't the Sleep Banana Society want to expand their influence? If they let Miss Zhigengniao in, who knows how many fans would cry to learn about the sleep banana little monkey. That's the star effect; can't they grasp basic publicity tactics? Truly… beyond foolish!"

Being a star as well, she has no idea how many theater troupes and events have sent invitation letters to her mailbox; even if others ask, they might not get them. Yet the Sleep Banana Society gave a world‑renowned star like Zhigengniao the cold shoulder! Absolutely, absolutely…

Fenningna jabbed the mousse mini cake in front of her with a fork forcefully.

Navia, seated across her table, smiled faintly: "Fenningna, your idea is indeed good from a marketing standpoint, but have you considered that if the Sleep Banana Society is truly an evil organization, letting Zhigengniao in would expose them outright?"

"I know, I know! I understand, Lady Fenningna!"

In the pause, Aikefei carried two freshly baked thousand‑spirit mousse servings over, gently placing them on Fenningna's and Navia's plates.

"Lady Fenningna must have guessed long ago that on Pinokangni's family turf, the only way to stay completely hidden is 'darkness under the lamp'! Sometimes the more dangerous, the safer. Undoubtedly, Miss Zhigengniao is Pinokangni's brightest light."

After speaking, Aikefei winked at the girl beside her: "You agree, right? Lady Fenningna?"

"Ah—yes, yes, yes! Exactly! That's what I mean!" Fenningna, realizing late, immediately nodded vigorously.

"But speaking of that, Lady Fenningna, was the cake not to your liking?" Aikefei noticed the plate covered in crumbs from Fenningna's poking.

"Ah, no, no—how could that be? Aikefei, you're my dessert commander; every creation is wonderful."

"Really?" Aikefei leaned closer, her large blue eyes fixed on her.

"Of course it's true!"

Aikefei finally raised her head contentedly: "Then I'll bake two more for you, as a complimentary extra, Lady Fenningna; please don't refuse."

Since Aikefei arrived at Gray River, Fenningna has often dined here with Navia; after each meal Aikefei gives her a dessert. Fenningna pinched the flesh on her waist—seems she's been fed a bit more this month.

"Sigh… looks like I need to put dieting on the agenda."

——

The two decided to look nearby for any clues about the sleep banana little monkey, and after searching, they spotted a girl selling sleep banana little monkey plushies.

The person turned out to be from the Sleep Banana Society; upon seeing Botiuo and Zhigengniao, she cheerfully greeted, "Welcome, welcome—would you like a sleep banana little monkey plush? It's free, I sewed it myself!"

Botiuo scoffed: "Do you think I'm the type to place these monkeys on my bedside?"

"That's not… you look so cute."

Botiuo was stunned: "I… you… huh?"

She glanced sideways, then, surprised, covered her mouth: "Wait, wait, am I not fully awake? You… are you Miss Zhigengniao?"

Zhigengniao waved at her: "Hello there."

"Oh my, I was just listening to your album! How did you get to Liúmèng Jiāo?"

"Actually I've been here lately, just we hadn't met. But don't worry, days like this will continue for a while," Zhigengniao deliberately posed a difficult look, "—After all, the Sleep Banana Society's membership test doesn't seem that easy."

That girl was so excited she almost fainted: "Sleep, Sleep Banana Society? Are you joining? I must be half‑asleep! How could such a double‑joyous occasion happen to me?"