"Shou, I cannot wait anymore, let me start an instance." Zhang Yong, who watched Li Yangyi train, felt his blood pump wildly. He remembered the words of that chef. Even if that boy would not get it, that did not mean he wouldn't. Truly, this place was a treasure trove of everything! One of the best decisions in his life was entering through the door.
"Ah, but we are 10 people. If everyone stays for 5 hours, and we only have 4 cores, at most, except for Li Yangyi, we can have 7 more people entering at most," Mei Xue said. She was the only person who dared to interfere with a powerhouse like Zhang Yongs' decision.
"That is true. Cutting in line would not adhere to my sense of justice," Zhang Yong spoke, taking no offense.
Ran Wei was the first to say something. "Uhm, if needed, I can give up my space. I don't have much to do with cultivation in the first place, and I can have plenty of fun simply by watching."
Mei Xue shook her head. "That won't do. We need your expertise to find out more about the world. Currently, you seem to be the only one well-versed enough about the village and its lifestyle to secure us enough information of the history. You are essential."
"I, uh, I see." The woman nodded, as she blushed a little. Never in her life had she expected a bigshot like Mei Xue to regard her, no less compliment her.
"It's fine for me if I don't go," Ah Liang spoke. "In the first place, this kind of excitement does not suit me much. I'd rather you guys solve the problems and I follow an established road. The mere idea of the witch scares me endlessly."
"Then, I will also refrain today," Wan Gu followed right after. "I mean, even if I returned in that world, wouldn't I just be some feces laying on the ground," he scratched his cheek. He really did not wish to experience being eaten alive again.
Mei Xue nodded. "We have our teams then."
...
Zhang Yong opened his eyes. He breathed in the several times better air within this illusory world. "Home sweet home," the man muttered.
To his side, the little girl was checking up on him, to see if he had any defects. In her eyes, he had just resurrected after being killed by the witch. It was incredulous that he had not a scratch on him! "Are you also a witch?"
"I wish, kiddo, I wish," Zhang Yong spoke. If he was, would anyone dare talk back to him? Instead, he'd waltz back into the Zhang family and change it to his liking without anyone having a say. "The truth is, I can't even measure up to a strand of hair, compared to her."
"Still, that is amazing! I've never seen someone come back from confronting that monster! You will surely go down in the history books." The girl spoke with an animated expression. After the dangerous elements had passed, she had turned cheerful again. In fact, the girl appeared to have become much more trusting."
A voice in Zhang Yongs' head appeared. It was Mei Xue again. Though this was her first appearance in this store, she had already taken over the leader spot. "Who is that girl," she asked.
"It's just some kid from the village," Zhang Yong replied. "She knows a lot about the beast, so I think it will be beneficial to have her by our side."
"I am only curious, no need to explain yourself," he heard the young lady on the other side speaking and laughing. "She seems like a cute girl. Take care of her."
Zhang Yong smiled wryly. Once more, he felt as if he had been lectured by someone much younger than him. However, he did not care about these kind of formalities. Instead, he paid his attention to the young kid again. "Say, the martial art where you can display power much higher than your body allows. . . is it fine if I can ask you something about it?"
"Sure!" Naturally, she did not reject. "Don't worry I am a good teacher."
". . ." Zhang Yong remembered her last lecture, and almost felt his expression darken. "Well, I've got a hunch, it's relating to the Dao, though. So, I've learned all my life that cultivation is all about getting stronger and faster, but recently, I feel like I've been wrong. Even someone who has no fighting skill and cultivation level at all can become strong."
"That probably is true," the girl agreed.
Zhang Yongs heart beat faster. He knew instinctively, he had arrived closer to an undeniable truth. "I remember, my grandfather told me, the more I rise in cultivation level, the mightier I become. All the manuals that help me break through, they all relate to fighting. Strengthening techniques, footwork, body building, and even cultivation magic are to help me in duels. But if the Dao encompasses everything even if ones cultivation level comes from fighting, does it not mean that those who practice the Dao, but do not involve themselves with cultivation levels and fighting can be equally strong, even if they are simply mortal?"
The girl stared at him. "Honestly, no idea," she replied him succinctly. She had lost him after the second sentence, but did not wish to interrupt him as he was deep in thought.
Zhang Yong only smiled. He did not need any verification, as he had already believed this to be true it would explain these villagers inexplicable strength. "A friend told me I needed to get a job. So, do you have one?"
Unexpectedly, the kid nodded. "I do?"
"Really? What is it?"
She proudly puffed her chest. "My job is to be a little girl!"
...
Lin Zhuyue entered around the same time as Zhang Yong. She returned to the statue once more, and caught sight of the woodchipper again. By now, the sun was receding, hiding beneath the horizon and painting the sky a pale orange.
"Oh, it is you again," the man spoke.
Lin Zhuyue kept her eyes on the wizard. She asked, "Is there anything specific you know about this thing? It's years old, you told me, but I don't understand how you guys did not keep a record on whom the creator is."
"Well, a big problem comes from the fact that the people within this place change all the time, as such, it is hard to keep track of who has been here, and who has not." The woodchipper shrugged his shoulders. It was not a secret after all, and the woman in front of him would soon learn her fate, just like he did. Though he did feel sorry for her.
Mei Xue, using the talk function, said, "Good Job. With this, we can somewhat confirm that everyone in this village knows about the words that the receptionist told Ran Wei. The question now is only if the village is on our side or not."
Lin Zhuyue, who listened to the young lady talk, did not have such deep thoughts as her. Instead, as she was trying to help, she simply asked, "Hey, are you on the same side as me?"
The woodchipper (and Mei Xues) eyes opened wide. "That's a peculiar question, which I do not know the answer to. I don't think I am against you, but as for whether we are the same side . . . I don't know, that seems like a question answered after we know each other, right?"
"Hmm, I'd rather know about the statue, quite honestly."
"I can't help you with that," the young woodchipper told her, a little apologetic. "Oh, but I know someone who may."
"Really? Who is it?"
"So, if you wish to learn more about the history of this whole place, you'd either have to ask the chef or the apothecary. They are both one of the oldest people in this village, after all." He took a pause, the resumed speaking. "But the chef isn't available during night time, as some people say he grieves when the sun go down, so I'd leave him alone. The apothecary should welcome you though, no problem."
Lin Zhuyue nodded understandingly. "Did you hear that?"
"Got it, loud and clear," Mei Xue replied. Unbeknownst to Zhuyue, her current expression was rather complex. The reason for that was that the apothecary had likely been her own route within this fate. The apothecary, to her knowledge, was the old woman she had met when entering the village, and given how everyone seemingly had their own people assigned to them, than that old grandma was surely hers.
"Oh, I just remembered something," the woodchipper spoke. "There's one story about the wizard that I have heard which may be useful to you."
"Really, what is it?" Lin Zhuyue jumped forward, startling the young man.
"Uh, well, I've heard a long time ago that the witch and the wizard both originated from this village. At that time, this place was not as desolate as we know it. Even these demonic beasts did not exist during that time. So, would it not be safe to assume that everything that is currently happening does not come from the field, the masked woman, but the statue in this place? If that statue represents the village that is."