Yuxi Town

"Little White and I grew up together. He's long been as good as family."

Lin Chan shook his head.

"Ten gold?"

The youth named his price outright.

"Not even a thousand gold pieces could buy him."

"Then what about this cat of yours?"

Seeing Lin Chan's resolute attitude, the youth glanced at Little Li again.

"Not even a thousand gold pieces could buy him."

"What a pity."

The youth shook his head and returned to his seat.

Though he truly liked big dogs like Little White, he could not exactly snatch one in broad daylight. He could only give up.

After eating, Lin Chan did not linger and immediately left.

The next day, Lin Chan followed his previous plan and entered the Shu Mountains.

After these days of travel, Lin Chan had gained some experience surviving in the wilderness. He easily made it through his first night in the mountains.

He trekked through the mountains for several days straight, until even the narrow mountain paths vanished, yet he still failed to find the village Orange Cat Immortal had mentioned.

These days, Lin Chan had survived by relying on Little Li and Little White to hunt. He was hardly ever hungry. Even if he never found the village Orange Cat Immortal had spoken of, he could still survive among these mountains. That gave Lin Chan the confidence to keep going.

Several more days passed. One morning, mist filled the mountains, the hazy fog making the road even harder to travel. Yet at that moment, Lin Chan discovered another small path.

Following it, Lin Chan found a village town.

He had thought he would have to live like a savage for a long while yet. Who would have thought that where mountains and rivers seemed to leave no road, another village would bloom beneath willow shade?

At the entrance to the village town, Lin Chan saw a tall man standing by the gate. He was about six feet tall, slightly taller than Lin Chan now. The tall man looked dull-witted, merely staring off at the end of the road.

Lin Chan gave him a cursory look and felt that this person was somewhat foolish.

"Hello!"

Although Lin Chan thought the man might be rather stupid, this was the first person he had encountered here. He could only bite the bullet and greet him, hoping to learn something about the area.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing Lin Chan approach, the tall man ran away instead.

As Lin Chan hesitated over whether to enter, he saw a group of children leading the tall man back over.

"You're an outsider? You came to our Yuxi Town because you want to go to Shu Mountain and seek an immortal opportunity, right?"

The child at the front, his hair tied into twin topknots, stepped forward to ask. He was poised and generous, without the slightest trace of timidity.

"That's right!"

Lin Chan nodded with a smile.

"Since you found our Yuxi Town, it means you're fated with our town. My name is Zhang Peng. Come with me to see Town Chief Grandpa!"

Zhang Peng then led Lin Chan into town. The other children followed behind them with cheerful grins, curiously examining Lin Chan's cat and dog.

Little Li and Little White were both seasoned old cat and old dog, and they had awakened their spiritual intelligence, making them fairly mature. Lin Chan was not worried that they would hurt those children.

"Big Brother, where did you come from?"

Zhang Peng asked questions as they walked.

"A small mortal city."

Lin Chan replied.

"If Big Brother fails to become Immortal Master's disciple, you can settle down in our village town. In our Yuxi Town, no emperor old man comes to collect taxes. Whatever we grow belongs to us."

Zhang Peng spoke with great pride.

Compared to the outside world, village towns like theirs, directly governed by immortal sects, did not need to pay taxes and even had a chance to enter an immortal sect. Calling them a paradise apart from the world would not be an exaggeration.

As they chatted, the two arrived at the Town Chief's home.

"Town Chief Grandpa! An outsider has come to our town! Hurry and come receive him!"

Zhang Peng and the group of children shouted.

The old Town Chief, whose hair and beard were both white, had been playing chess with another old man. Hearing the voices, he immediately tossed down a piece and said casually,

"No more, no more. There's proper business to handle. It's been a long time since an outsider came to town."

"Old Man Xu, the outcome's about to be decided! Finish the game first!"

As he reset the chessboard, the other old man spoke.

"We'll play another time!"

The Town Chief shook his head, got up, and went to open the door.

The Town Chief then led Lin Chan into the small courtyard, brought him a little bamboo stool, and poured him a bowl of crisp, sweet well water.

As for Zhang Peng and the other children, after bringing Lin Chan over, they picked several cucumbers from the Town Chief's courtyard and then secretly ran off.

Little White wanted to follow them out to play too, but one look from Lin Chan made him squat down obediently.

"Child, the fact that you found this place means you're fated with our Yuxi Town."

The old Town Chief said with a smile.

The villages near the Shu Mountains, close to the Sword Sect, were all protected by the grand formation of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect. Those who were not kindhearted, and had not gained Shu Mountain's recognition, could not enter.

"Town Chief, you are right."

Lin Chan nodded in agreement.

"You look young. Just call me Grandpa too."

"Alright, Town Chief Grandpa!"

"Child! Did you come to Shu Mountain because of the harsh policies outside, or because you want to go up the mountain and seek an immortal opportunity?"

The old Town Chief asked.

"I once met Orange Cat Immortal. He told me that if I entered the mountains, I would have a chance to successfully become a disciple."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Chan replied.

"Then you truly are fated with Shu Mountain. But Shu Mountain only takes in disciples once every decade or so. Until the time comes, the mountain gates will not open. For now, you can only settle down and rest in our Yuxi Town."

The old Town Chief told Lin Chan.

"Then how long has it been since Shu Mountain last recruited new disciples?"

Lin Chan asked. He had already decided to stay in Yuxi Town and wait for the next recruitment.

Lin Chan was someone who listened to advice. Orange Cat Immortal had previously told him to wait in these village towns, so he would not climb the mountain again and ask for trouble.

The old Town Chief thought back and said,

"Seven years... no, eight years."

"Then it'll only be a few more years before they can take disciples again."

Lin Chan was delighted upon hearing the old Town Chief's words.

"At most five years."

The old Town Chief nodded as well.

"Then, Town Chief Grandpa, I'm willing to remain in Yuxi Town and wait."

"Mhm. You have nowhere to stay tonight, so I'll find you a house. Come with me."

As he spoke, the old Town Chief led Lin Chan outside.

Before long, Lin Chan was brought to a small house on the edge of Yuxi Town.

"This house has been empty for a long time. You can stay here for now, but when its owners return in the future, you must give it back to them. Don't you dare occupy it by force. I have to make that clear to you first."

The old Town Chief brought Lin Chan into a courtyard house. No one had lived there for a long time, and it had become desolate, weeds growing everywhere.

"Town Chief Grandpa, I understand."

Lin Chan nodded.

"You have no food today, so come to my home for dinner tonight. I'll also let you have some rice on credit. But you must understand, our town does not support idle men. After adapting for a few days, you'll need to find some work in town."

The old Town Chief advised him earnestly again.

"Town Chief Grandpa, I understand. Can I hunt in the mountains around here?"

Naturally, Lin Chan would not simply eat without working. He had long thought of what he could do.

If hunting was allowed, he would have Little Li and Little White go out hunting to support him.

After all, the one man, one cat, and one dog all had quite large appetites.

"The forests around Yuxi Town belong to no one. You can go wherever you like. If you want to hunt, you can go along with a few hunters."

The old Town Chief said with a smile. He was very pleased to see a young person set himself on the proper path.

Afterward, Lin Chan settled on his room and remained busy cleaning until nightfall. Only when one of the old Town Chief's children came to call him over for dinner did Lin Chan finally stop.

After dinner, the old Town Chief packed Lin Chan a bag of rice, helping him get through this period.

Lin Chan thanked him repeatedly and left the Town Chief's home.

At the Town Chief's house, I didn't dare eat my fill. I only ate until I was twenty percent full. Good thing I sent Little Li and Little White out to hunt early. They should be back soon.

Walking home, Lin Chan thought.