Chapter 356: Blending in with the Locals

Han Daozi could naturally see that Gong Xingsi had only lasted this long because the Yinxiao Sect had exhausted its resources to keep him alive.

He only had fifteen years of life left.

If he didn’t find what he was looking for in those fifteen years...

Only one fate awaited Gong Xingsi.

After a long moment, he repeated what he had said earlier. "Either leave this place, have your memory wiped, and continue on your way, or stay here for fifty years."

"Senior, how could I possibly have fifty years..."

Before Gong Xingsi could finish, a thought suddenly struck him.

He had been clever since childhood, and even without his cultivation, he understood something now. He said softly, "Senior, I will not reveal any information about this place."

Han Daozi waved his hand dismissively. "You only have these two choices."

In other words, there was no room for negotiation.

Gong Xingsi’s pupils constricted slightly.

’What does Han Daozi mean by that?’

’If I stay, I have to remain here for fifty years.’

’But I only have fifteen years left to live!’

’Could it be...’

’Have I really found the right place?’

But so far, aside from this place being a bit strange, he hadn’t seen any hope of restoring his cultivation.

Han Daozi knew his identity yet showed no concern whatsoever. This could only mean that the Sect or power behind him had no fear of the Yinxiao Sect.

’And he’s an old acquaintance of my mother?’

Before the man revealed his true identity, Gong Xingsi couldn’t match him to any of the Great Power Cultivator seniors he knew.

’Heavenly Destiny...’

’That vague Heavenly Destiny.’

’My only chance to restore my cultivation.’

If he left this place and had his memory wiped, he would never be able to return.

Even though it seemed very ordinary at the moment.

Yet it possessed a completely different side.

After a long moment, Gong Xingsi clenched his fists and said in a low voice, "Senior, this junior is willing to stay here."

If he lost this gamble, he would have to spend his remaining fifteen years cooped up in this Sect.

He wouldn’t be able to go anywhere else, and if this wasn’t the place of his Heavenly Destiny, he could only wait for death.

Han Daozi narrowed his eyes.

He didn’t say anything more on the matter, only, "Since you’ve chosen to stay, those four can’t leave either. All four of them are at the Late-stage Golden Core. If I’m not mistaken, they’re probably looking for an opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, aren’t they?"

The Nascent Soul Stage isn’t so easy to enter.

Gong Xingsi had brought four Late-stage Golden Core cultivators with him, likely hoping they would find their own opportunities to reach the Nascent Soul Stage along the journey.

Gong Xingsi nodded and sighed. "Yes."

’Great Power Cultivators are this terrifying. They can see through everything with a single glance.’

’There’s no point in hiding anything.’

Han Daozi then said, "You cannot reveal any information about this place to anyone from the Yinxiao Sect. This old man will place a Forbidden Curse here. Aside from that, if you wish to search for something, this old man won’t stop you. It will all depend on your own destiny."

With that, he departed.

Han Daozi’s actions undoubtedly confirmed something for Gong Xingsi.

If this were truly just an ordinary place, Han Daozi wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to warn him.

’If it weren’t for my mother, he probably would have just erased all traces of us directly.’

’So what secret does this place hold?’

He had now made his position clear. There was no need for the other party to do anything more; if he were to break his oath, his fate would likely be a fate worse than death.

Gong Xingsi let out a breath, then called out softly, "Yin Da, come here."

When Han Daozi was here, his spiritual sense couldn’t be sent out. Now, a simple call was all it took for the four to come to him.

***

Mao Yuzhu was sitting in her pastry shop when, a moment later, she saw a rough-looking man with a pained expression approach.

"Shopkeeper, are you hiring?"

This was none other than Yin Da.

Gong Xingsi had directly explained that he couldn’t leave Wang’an County for the next fifty years.

For the four of them, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

’If this isn’t the right place, the Young Master is done for!’

Fifty years was nothing to Golden Core cultivators like them. After all, as Late-stage Golden Core cultivators, they could live for several hundred years if they put in the effort.

If they reached the Nascent Soul Stage...

But the Nascent Soul Stage wasn’t so easy to enter.

Not to mention, the four of them couldn’t leave either.

And they couldn’t send any messages back to the Sect.

That senior hadn’t seemed to use any overt methods, but as long as they were in Wang’an County, all their actions were under his watch.

And Gong Xingsi wouldn’t try any tricks.

Gong Xingsi couldn’t explain everything, but he was remarkably open-minded about it, only saying that since they were here, they might as well make the best of it.

He also ordered them to hide their cultivation, avoid using Spiritual Energy as much as possible, and build good relationships with the local mortals.

This was why Yin Da had appeared here.

Mao Yuzhu looked at Yin Da with some surprise.

These people had been living in Wang’an County for some time now, so most of the players knew about them.

After all, they had unknown origins and high cultivation levels, putting them in the "don’t mess with" category.

So, Mao Yuzhu said, "I’m not hiring."

Yin Da said, "I’m looking for a job for my Young Master."

His expression grew even more pained.

’The dignified Young Master of the Yinxiao Sect, working as a common laborer here? What a joke!’

’This female cultivator had better know what’s good for her and refuse!’

Who would have thought Mao Yuzhu’s expression would instantly change, becoming enthusiastic. "Hiring, hiring, definitely hiring! Where is your Young Master? Have him come over right away! I’ll teach him how to make cake!"

’A chance to see a handsome man.’

’A handsome man native to Yunzhou, no less! Who wouldn’t like that?’

Mao Yuzhu was even planning to start a livestream. If she had this handsome man as her poster boy, wouldn’t her streaming career take off?

Yin Da: "..."

’Such an audacious female cultivator!’

Yin Da could only return to report back.

A moment later, Gong Xingsi appeared alone.

He was no longer wearing the local Yunzhou attire. Instead, he had changed into a modern, retro-style white trench coat—an improved design sold by players in Wang’an County. His long hair was loose, with a section of it tied back by a silver ribbon.

Two curled locks of hair fell to his ears, making him look exactly like a noble young master from an ancient painting.

Mao Yuzhu was absolutely elated by the sight.

Gong Xingsi gave Mao Yuzhu an exceptionally gentle smile. "Hello, Shopkeeper."

"Oh my, oh my, no need to be so formal. You can just call me Little Yu from now on."

Who wouldn’t be smitten by such a handsome man? Besides, when she first started this game, it wasn’t just for the cultivation—who doesn’t appreciate beauty?

It didn’t matter that the game didn’t let you pursue other things; it didn’t stop you from enjoying a feast for the eyes and soothing your soul every day.

Mao Yuzhu couldn’t bear to have such a handsome man actually make pastries. But if she had a handsome man as her poster boy, her cake business certainly wouldn’t suffer.

While Mao Yuzhu didn’t expect to get rich selling cakes, she wasn’t one to turn down an opportunity to make more money.

"Oh my, I don’t just make cakes. I can make lots of things! See if there’s anything you’re interested in, and I’ll teach you, bit by bit."

Her voice was all soft and gentle; she was even unconsciously putting on a cute, higher-pitched tone.

Just then, a female player came over to buy a cake. She was merely a bit surprised to see Gong Xingsi there.

After picking out a few pieces of cake, she had Mao Yuzhu wrap them up.

Seeing her in a hurry, Mao Yuzhu asked, "Baobao, you heading out on a long trip again?"

"I’m going to Demon Cave Valley. It’s about to get crowded, so I need to start stocking up."

Lin Baobao stuffed a piece of cake into her mouth, gave Gong Xingsi one more look, and quickly left.