Charming Records, Volume Three

"What... what theorem was that?"

"What Pythagorean theorem?"

As Yang An asked his question, Pan Shi and Pan Yu, the senior and junior siblings, holding grilled meat in their oil-stained hands, looked at him in confusion and asked in unison.

What kind of strange question is this?

"Uh..."

Seeing his senior and junior siblings' reactions, especially Pan Yu's, which didn't seem faked at all, and that she genuinely didn't know the Pythagorean theorem, Yang An was also taken aback.

This shouldn't be.

She knows internet slang like "licking dog" and can find so many modern seasonings.

Logically, only someone from modern society would know these things.

But Pan Yu's expression didn't seem like an act; she appeared completely bewildered by his question.

Could it be that this transmigator isn't very educated and somehow slipped through the cracks of the nine-year compulsory education? Is that why she doesn't know the Pythagorean theorem, such a universally known mathematical term?

"Fellow Daoist, what's wrong?"

Seeing Yang An spaced out, Pan Shi asked, confused. By this time, the senior and junior siblings had already gnawed through most of the grilled meat in their hands, but Yang An hadn't touched his at all.

"It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered some past events. Since Fellow Daoist Pan Yu isn't clear on it, let's just drop it."

Yang An snapped back to attention and replied, quickly starting to gnaw on the hind leg meat in his own hand.

He hadn't eaten a full meal in days, let alone grilled meat that tasted like he remembered. At this moment, he couldn't help but focus on filling his stomach first.

He finished the hind leg meat in his hand in no time, devouring it quickly. A small piglet wasn't large to begin with, and it was quickly divided among the three of them.

Before long, all three had completely finished their portions, leaving only a pile of bones, not even a shred of meat left behind.

Pan Shi even seemed to lick his fingers, still not satisfied, completely disregarding his image.

Pan Yu, after finishing her meal, finally showed some restraint, returning to her demure appearance as a young lady from a good family.

Yang An couldn't help but lick the oil from his lips, savoring the taste. Still, he couldn't help but look at Pan Yu again, intending to ask another question. This time, he would inquire about the origin of these seasonings.

"Fellow Daoist Pan Yu, how did you come to know about these seasonings? Why have I never seen them before? Are there truly such marvelous things in this world?"

He pretended to have never seen them before, feigning great curiosity.

As soon as this question was out, before Pan Yu could answer, Pan Shi burst into laughter.

"I knew Fellow Daoist Yang would inevitably ask this question!"

"Oh? Why do you say that, Fellow Daoist?"

Yang An looked at him.

"Actually, it has something to do with the cultivation technique my junior sister practices.

As you know, Fellow Daoist, for us cultivators to defy fate and change our destinies, we can only make choices on the path of cultivation. The more you want to obtain, the greater the price you must pay."

Yang An nodded.

Through his own purification ability, he had already glimpsed a bit. Anything related to cultivation, as long as it was used, would incur a price. This was likely what Pan Shi meant by making choices.

Therefore, when Pan Shi reached this point, Yang An basically understood and could guess why Pan Yu's words and actions were similar to a transmigrator.

Pan Shi continued:

"The cultivation technique my junior sister practices is not a secret transmission from our Three Pine Mountain. Instead, it is a remnant scroll from an ancient technique, volume three of the seven volumes of the Charming Records, titled Subtle Dream Scripture.

The price for cultivating this technique is entering an illusion. Because of this, my junior sister can see things from another world.

So, this is also the reason why she was able to discover such rare treasures. These are actually products that have already been discovered by people in another world, and it just so happens that there are corresponding items in our world."

As expected, Yang An revealed a look of understanding.

So, Pan Yu wasn't actually a transmigrator. It was just that due to her cultivation technique, she happened to be able to see things from the modern world.

Upon learning this result, Yang An couldn't help but feel relieved, but also a little disappointed.

He had feared that besides himself, there might be other transmigrators in this world, which would mean his transmigration wasn't just a mere accident.

But knowing that Pan Yu wasn't a transmigrator meant he wouldn't experience the emotion of finding someone from his homeland in a foreign land. He felt a bit lost, quite conflicted.

However, he had to admit that the cultivation techniques in this world were quite miraculous, actually having such an effect, allowing one to come into contact with another world.

But Yang An also knew that the real truth might not be as simple as Pan Shi described.

Their relationship hadn't reached the point where they could reveal everything to each other. It was impossible to speak deeply when they were not close.

If it were merely experiencing illusions and seeing things from another world, it couldn't really be called a price. There might be secrets unknown to outsiders.

However, this was none of Yang An's business, and he couldn't delve into it, or he would be seen as having ulterior motives.

Thus, this topic was quickly dropped.

In his subsequent conversation with Pan Shi, Yang An couldn't help but think of himself.

Although he had learned the Lighting Method and fused with the Bone Relic that could generate Buddha Light, possessing the ability to resist demons.

Yet, the Lighting Method consumed his body greatly. Unless he used external aids, he couldn't maintain it for long. It could only serve as a life-saving measure at critical moments.

So he wasn't a cultivator, just an ordinary person who had grasped a bit of power.

For an ordinary person like him, surviving in this world filled with demons would be extremely difficult.

Furthermore, his ability to purify the negative effects of items related to cultivation made him almost tailor-made for entering the path of cultivation.

He seemed to have no other choice.

But to become a cultivator like Pan Shi and his junior sister, he needed to possess his own cultivation technique and gain more knowledge about cultivation.

But where could he find such a technique?

Should he seek out famous mountains and great rivers, searching for immortal mountains and sects?

Or should he attach himself to a certain power, looking for opportunities from the bottom?

All of these seemed too distant and not applicable to his current situation.

The only opportunity currently before him was the Communal Feast Convention that would soon be held at the Xi Yue River.

Many cultivators would gather there, and he would have the chance to access many cultivation resources.

If he wanted to enter the path of cultivation, his only option was to follow Pan Shi and his junior sister to the Xi Yue River.

Originally, Yang An had planned to leave Jiu Nan Town first and then consider whether to part ways with Pan Shi and his junior sister. But now, it seemed he could only see this through to the end.

After resting for a while longer, Pan Shi soon suggested they continue their journey and, with a keen awareness of fire safety, extinguished the campfire.

Yang An didn't refuse, and the three of them quickly left the spot, continuing their journey towards the Xi Yue River.

Through conversation, Yang An learned that they were not far from the Xi Yue River, and if they traveled quickly, they should arrive by the next morning.

However, the awkward part was that as cultivators, Pan Shi and his junior sister possessed a certain foundation in movement techniques, allowing them to travel two hundred li a day without issue.

But for Yang An, an ordinary person, this became a problem.

Helpless, Yang An could only continue to feign that his body had not fully recovered, using the excuse that he couldn't mobilize his spiritual power yet. He suggested that Pan Shi and his junior sister go ahead first, and he would arrive later.

But upon hearing Yang An's suggestion, Pan Shi and his junior sister did not choose to leave him behind and go ahead. They didn't say anything either and decided to travel with Yang An, accommodating him.

Yang An had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue on.

Thus, what should have been an arrival at the Xi Yue River by the next morning at their normal travel pace, would now likely be delayed until the morning of the third day.

But that evening, as the sky had completely darkened.

They arrived at a village.

This was a place they had to pass through on their way to their destination, an unavoidable waypoint.