Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

  Lin Mufeng said without hesitation, “Old Man Sun, I’m going with you to the secret border!”


  “You’re going to the secret border?” Old Man Sun was slightly taken aback.

  “You don’t understand. It’s an assignment from the expert.”


  Lin Mufeng looked serious and continued, “The secret border opening might be because of the expert. He mentioned an item that is most likely at the secret border. I have to retrieve it and present it to the expert!”


  “For real?”


  Old Man Sun frowned and said with disbelief, “The expert knows what’s inside?”


  Lin Mufeng smiled and said, “I promise you, this expert’s level is unmatched! How would a mere secret border be beyond his abilities? He just doesn’t want to retrieve the item himself!”


  He would never promise something so far-fetched, but after visiting Li Nianfan, he knew it was possible. He was seeing the world in a whole new light.

  Unmatched level?

  Old Man Sun stared at him shockingly and asked, “You……are you sure you aren’t joking?”


  “Ha, think about it. Do you think someone ordinary would drink that eagle soup? Do you have any idea how it was made?”


  Lin Mufeng smiled and said, “Let’s depart. I’ll tell you on the way.”


  “Sect Master, please, wait!” the Big Elder called out to Lin Mufeng.

  “Huh?” Lin Mufeng frowned and looked at the Big Elder.

  “Sect Master, maybe I should go instead!” the Big Elder said sincerely. “The secret border would be dangerous. You’re the only one who has visited the expert and you’re the most important person in the Lingyun Immortal Pavilion. We can’t let anything happen to you, so it’d be best if I go.”


  The Second Elder and the Third Elder nodded in agreement.

  Lin Mufeng shook his head and said, “You’re wrong. The expert’s hint was for me. Therefore, I need to be the one to complete it! Plus, it would only be sincere if I put myself in danger to retrieve the item! There’s no negotiation in this, I have to retrieve the item on my own!”


  The three elders sighed. “In that case, Sect Master, please be careful! Stay safe!”


  Lin Mufeng told Old Man Sun everything on their way to the secret border.

  Old Man Sun’s expression kept changing. He even stopped breathing at one point.

  Finally, he gasped at the end of the story.

  Yikes—


  The tea incident, the Fallen Demon Sword as an ax to split wood, the Spirit wood as firewood, the Thousand-Year Black Ice as seasoning, the mushrooms and spring onions with Insights!

  Horrifying, how horrifying!

  What type of Godly bigshot was that?

  If it were not for him knowing Lin Mufeng well and the fact that he tasted the amazing eagle soup, he would have thought Lin Mufeng was reciting fairytales.

  “Who would’ve thought a bigshot like that is living in our realm in secrecy?” said Old Man Sun.

  Lin Mufeng sighed deeply and said, “Yeah, it still feels like a dream to me. It’s unbelievable.”


  Old Man Sun went quiet. Then, he said in a serious tone, “You can’t be careless around a Godly expert like that. Are you sure you understood what he hinted?”


  Usually, an expert would bless those who cracked their code. However, if they misunderstood the message, there would be huge consequences!

  Lin Mufeng groaned softly. Then, he said, “I think so. I always carefully deduce the hints, and I won’t do anything irrational without reason.”


  Then, he told Old Man Sun his theory on why the item was in the secret border.

  “I see, truly The Chosen One!” Old Man Sun exclaimed. “It looks like he did open the secret border. Your theory should be right. We have to go to the border and finish the task as soon as possible.”


  Lin Mufeng looked at Old Man Sun and smiled. “You’re going to help me?”


  “Of course! I’m in. But don’t be mistaken, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this to get on the expert’s good side. This is better than anything else!” Old Man Sun replied without thinking.

  Lin Mufeng said, “Let’s hurry up and go. We’re still far away from the Izumo Mountains. The Lunar New Year is upon us, so we have to retrieve the item before the Lunar New Year ends!”
……

  The next day.

  Li Nianfan saw Daji brushing her teeth with toothpaste early in the morning. He smiled as he watched.

  He taught her how to brush her teeth for a few days but she was still clumsy.

  Daji was brushing her teeth very carefully now. Women truly loved beauty. It was in their nature. He felt like if he were to manufacture toothbrushes in this realm, he would be rich in no time.

  But of course, it was just a thought. Li Nianfan did not want to be a business owner. It was awesome living a simple life, right?

  Moreover, Li Nianfan could not manufacture a huge amount on his own. He was barely making enough toothpaste for his own use.

  The packaging of the toothpaste was as good as the past realm. However, the effect of the toothpaste was greater.

  It was easy to achieve fresh breath and clean, white teeth.

  Daji blushed when she saw Li Nianfan smiling. “You’re making fun of me again.”


  “No, I’m not. I went through professional training to not make fun of people.”


  Li Nianfan joked in a serious tone. Then, he said, “It’s been a while since we went to the Fallen Town. Maybe we should go check it out after breakfast.”


  Daji nodded. “Okay, sure.”


  Breakfast was ordinary as usual.

  Salted vegetables with white porridge and a piece of steamed bread.

  ‘Time to shop for groceries.’


  Li Nianfan thought to himself, ‘I feel like where I’m living isn’t okay. I only went hunting one time and the woods were already sent into an unpeaceful frenzy. I don’t think I’ll be able to hunt for a while.’


  The two of them ate breakfast and headed out to the Fallen Town.

  He saw the crowd of the Fallen Town from afar. It was bustling with chatter.

  So crowded?

  Li Nianfan could not help but fasten his pace.

  He then noticed the two red lanterns hanging on the side of the gates. Red ribbons were wrapped around the town gates, too.

  There were a lot more people than usual. Everyone was chatting with smiles on their faces.

  Li Nianfan was in a festive mood, too. Every citizen in the Fallen Town had their red decorations up for the Lunar New Year.

  Children were playing and chasing each other on the streets and you could hear their innocent laughter.

  “This lantern’s crooked. Move it to the right.”


  Auntie Zhang was being helpful. She yelled, “Yes, a bit more to the right.”


  She turned and saw Li Nianfan and instantly walked over with a big smile. “Mr. Li, it’s been a while since you came to the Fallen Town.”


  Li Nianfan nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I’ve been having quite a few guests recently, so I haven’t gone out much.”


  “I see, no wonder I don’t see you around anymore. I always take notice of these things.” Auntie Zhang looked at Daji and said, “This must be your wife. She looks so fine, much prettier than the pretty ladies I know!”


  The pretty ladies she meant were the cultivators.

  Li Nianfan smirked inside. He explained with a straight face, “Auntie Zhang, you’re mistaken. She’s my friend.”


  “I see, gotcha.”


  Auntie Zhang threw Li Nianfan an ‘understanding’ look. Then, she said, “Wait here for a while, I’ll go get Nanan.”


  She then quickly walked toward her house.

  “Mr. Li, you’re so popular,” said Daji. She looked at him adoringly.

  She felt like her master blended into the lives of the ordinary people. He lived as an ordinary man and was beloved by common folks. This might be the true cultivation, no one would be able to do it as effortlessly as he did.

  Li Nianfan smiled and said, “The folks here are honest people. You’ll be treated the same way if you’re kind and down-to-earth, too.”


  The other folks noticed Li Nianfan, too, and they all greeted him.

  “Mr. Li, long time no see.”


  “Mr. Li, do you have any more new stories? My kids are restless ever since you finished ‘Journey to the West’.”


  “True, my kid wanted to go on a cultivation journey, too.”


  A lot of people noticed Daji next to Li Nianfan and they teased, “Mr. Li, when’s the honeymoon?”


  Then, a bunch of kids ran toward him and tugged on his trousers while yelling, “Brother Nianfan!”


  A young boy asked in a baby voice, “Brother Nianfan, we want to hear your stories.”


  Li Nianfan patted his head and smiled. “I’ll tell you stories next time when I have the chance.”


  This was a white lie for the children.

  However, the innocent kids were cheering.

  “Mr. Li.”


  Auntie Zhang jogged over with Nanan and a basket of eggs.

  “Mr. Li, you cured Nanan. I always wanted to thank you but I don’t know where you live. Please, take this basket of eggs.”


  Auntie Zhang gave him the basket of eggs without waiting for his response.

  “Auntie Zhang, this……” Li Nianfan wanted to be courteous.

  “Brother Nianfan, please accept it,” said Nanan. She tugged on his shirt and looked at him with stars in her eyes.

  Li Nianfan smiled. “Alright, I’ll take it.”


  He held the basket and asked, “Auntie Zhang, why is it so crowded in the Fallen Town?”


  Auntie Zhang replied, “Mr. Li, it’s almost the Lunar New Year. Everyone’s getting ready for the festive holiday.”


  “Lunar New Year?”


  Li Nianfan was baffled. “This year’s Lunar New Year is so early?”


  Li Nianfan was here for five years. He was not unfamiliar with Lunar New Year.

  Lunar New Year was more or less the same in his past realm. It was the biggest annual festive season. Even cultivators would participate in celebrating.

  However, the celebration period was different in the past realm. Lunar New Year was held before Autumn, meant for praying to the Gods to bless them with good harvests during the coming Autumn season.

  Auntie Zhang said, “Mr. Li, you have to come by. This year’s Lunar New Year is going to be big. I heard that the Cultivating Sect will be here to take in recruits. Nanan’s going to try her luck!”