Forging an Immortal Bond Through Good Deeds

Food, tools, energy, medicine, clothing, miscellaneous items.

These were the six major categories of supplies in the Safe House, each divided into many smaller categories.

Yang Shi could roughly understand five of them. Only the category of "energy" left him completely baffled.

He could not make heads or tails of what his ancestor meant by "28-square-meter high-efficiency solar photovoltaic panels" and "a large storage battery and discharge system with 100 degrees of stored electricity."

Fortunately, he knew that when he pressed the switch on the wall, the light above his head would turn on.

Yang Shi stared at it for a long while, utterly stunned!

"Why can't my eyes see anything?"

"Ahh—I've gone blind!"

"Is this the method of immortals?"

After recovering for a while, he was finally able to see clearly again.

This time, he did not look around blindly. He walked straight to the wall cabinet labeled "food."

He took out three cans from inside.

Canned luncheon meat, canned yellow peaches, and canned tomato beef.

The moment he opened them and caught a whiff, he immediately began stuffing mouthful after mouthful into his mouth.

As he ate, tears could not help but fall. Choking up, he said:

"Ancestor... You really... really—mm... It's so delicious."

"Ancestor, you smell so good."

"No, no, no. It's the ancestor's iron cans that smell so good."

Watching Yang Shi eat like a stray cat wolfing down cat food, Yang Genshuo could not help swallowing as well, then ordered himself some takeout.

At that moment, a prompt popped up on the screen.

Accelerate?

A fast-forward button appeared on the screen.

Yang Genshuo clicked it, and the world inside the game immediately sped up. Yang Shi seemed to have grown a pair of flying legs as he moved swiftly across the screen.

Lines of description appeared in the quick information panel on the right side of the screen.

Day 1: Your descendant Yang Shi inspected all the food and sampled 10 kinds of canned food, 2 kinds of Compressed Biscuits, brewed a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, a cup of milk powder, and a cup of orange juice.

Yang Genshuo glanced at his watch. Only four minutes had passed for him, yet an entire day had already gone by in the game.

Day 2: After filling his stomach, Yang Shi's beaten wounds began to ooze pus, while the old ailments left behind by years of begging became even more obvious. He looked at the several large drawers of medicine, but had no idea where to begin.

Seeing this, Yang Genshuo immediately lowered the game speed back to normal.

Manifestation

Incense Value -1. Remaining Incense Value: 18

A large golden hand drifted out from the grave, floating before Yang Shi and pointing in turn at alcohol, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicine, and painkillers.

"Use alcohol to clean the wounds. Take antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicine, and painkillers."

Yang Shi was startled. His immortal ancestor had actually been watching over him at all times.

He immediately knelt and kowtowed. "Thank you, Ancestor, for bestowing immortal medicine!"

Yang Genshuo chuckled. This stuff was not much different from immortal pills in ancient times.

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine were no joke. Once they made a round through your body, any bacteria causing infection or inflammation would be wiped out on the spot—even passing white blood cells would get slapped twice.

As for painkillers, there was even less to say. Whoever took them would feel energized.

After the manifestation, Yang Genshuo adjusted the game time back to accelerated mode.

Day 3: Yang Shi's external injuries rapidly improved, and he felt full of energy.

Day 10: Yang Shi's body had mostly recovered. The negative status "Injured" disappeared. In high spirits and brimming with vigor in everything he did, he began practicing the Beggars' Sect's common martial art—the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. Proficiency increased.

Day 28: Yang Shi's injuries fully healed. With abundant Blood Qi, he broke through in one stroke to the Body Tempering Third Layer: Blood Qi Condensation.

A Yang Family descendant has broken through to the Body Tempering Third Layer for the first time. The Lineage's martial virtue has significantly increased. Incense Value +30!

New Blessing—Vitality: Increases descendants' metabolic ability. 1 Incense Value/day/person.

After watching for two hours, the game unveiled a new feature.

"Breakthroughs give quite a lot of Incense Value. This new Blessing, Vitality... It counts as a buff, right?"

Having finished his takeout, Yang Genshuo patted his sexy belly, making duang~duang sounds.

As a fitness enthusiast with five years of cloud fitness experience, he knew very well how great the changes brought by improved metabolism could be.

Recovery, growth, immunity, mental state... The functions of the entire body would improve significantly. Just as the Blessing described, one would become extremely full of vitality.

"Spending 1 Incense Value can give Yang Shi the Vitality buff for a day. I'll have to save Incense Value now. The fewer manifestations, the better. Giving him more of this Blessing can speed up his martial arts progress."

At that moment, Yang Shi was happy for a while, then suddenly sank into thought, as though wrestling with something deeply troubling.

After sitting beneath the sun for an entire day, Yang Shi walked before the grave, knelt, and respectfully kowtowed once.

"Descendant Yang Shi has something to ask of Ancestor."

A prompt appeared in the game: Respond to your descendant's request?

He could choose to ignore it or respond.

Responding would cost 1 point of Incense Value.

"What is it?"

Two large golden words floated above the grave.

Yang Shi hurriedly said, "Ancestor, my talent is dull. I only broke through to the Body Tempering Third Layer at eighteen, far behind most martial artists my age. Yet this world honors martial strength above all else, where the weak are meat for the strong. Without cultivating martial arts, one cannot even fight for food while begging. I bear the blood-deep vengeance of my Yang Family, and I also have your support, Ancestor. Should I not cultivate diligently all the more?"

"Reasonable."

Seeing his ancestor's approval, Yang Shi was delighted and struck while the iron was hot.

"But I have encountered a major problem in my cultivation. The speed of Blood Qi Condensation at the Body Tempering Third Layer mainly depends on external resources. Taking medicinal herbs that replenish Qi and strengthen the blood allows one to cultivate faster. It is said that some people consume heavenly treasures and earthly wonders, then achieve complete Blood Qi Condensation overnight and break through to the Body Tempering Fourth Layer."

"Medicinal herbs that replenish Qi and blood are quite expensive. I want to ask... can I use the supplies in the Safe House to earn some money for cultivation?"

Yang Shi asked anxiously.

Yang Genshuo thought for a moment before agreeing.

"You may, but you must act carefully. Do not attract attention. Steadiness comes first."

"Yes! This descendant will heed Ancestor's teachings!"

Over the past few days, Yang Shi had already studied nearly everything in the Safe House. Yang Genshuo believed he would use these resources properly.

Besides, even if Yang Shi had not brought it up, Yang Genshuo had planned to send him down the mountain to earn some money. Otherwise... would Yang Shi bring him a pile of canned food as offerings during next year's ancestral rites?

He wanted specialties that existed only in this world!

After Yang Shi finished asking for instructions, time accelerated once more.

Day 30: After trimming his hair, Yang Shi put on a full set of work clothes and looked completely renewed. Carrying an emergency bag, he descended the mountain and arrived in Bluestone County's county seat.

Day 31: Yang Shi entered the Treasured Goods Pavilion. After displaying the items in his bag, he was invited into the VIP room.

Day 34: The Treasured Goods Pavilion introduced a new treasure called "Fasting Cake." Rumored to have been refined by immortals, one palm-sized biscuit could serve as a day's provisions. It tasted exquisite, was easy to carry, and would not spoil for four years, drawing crowds of scholars preparing to travel to the capital for the imperial examinations.

Day 40: Ninety percent of the Compressed Biscuits, the most heavily stocked item in the Safe House, were sold, earning a great sum of silver. Yang Shi was in high spirits and bought 20 baskets of meat buns for the beggars at the street corner. The beggars immediately bowed their heads in worship. Only Huzi, a young beggar who had once been close to him, recognized the greatly changed Yang Shi. Joy appeared on Huzi's face, but his lips trembled for a long time, and the words "Brother Shi" never came out. An old beggar pressed down on Huzi's head, and only then did Huzi's attitude become respectful as he clearly called out, "Thank you, Master Yang."

Day 45: Yang Shi settled in Bluestone County, erected ancestral tablets for his forebears, and burned incense in offering. Incense Value +10.

Day 46: Yang Shi purchased 10 doses of Qi-Replenishing Blood-Nourishing Powder from a pharmacy. After taking them, his Blood Qi boiled, and his progress advanced by leaps and bounds.

"Finally, I've bought medicine that replenishes Qi and blood. Perfect—I can test out my Blessing, Vitality."

A stream of golden energy flew from the ancestral tablet and entered Yang Shi's body as he practiced martial arts.

"This! The speed at which I absorb the medicine's power has increased! It feels as though my body has strength that can never run out!"

"Ancestor is using immortal power to aid my cultivation!"

"Yang Shi will surely not disappoint the ancestors' expectations!"

Yang Shi was overjoyed, triggering the talent Neither Laughing Nor Crying. Cultivation speed +20%.

Combined with the increased metabolic speed brought by the Blessing, Vitality, the Blood Qi in his body surged. His entire body was like a furnace, rapidly refining the medicine's power as his cultivation advanced a thousand miles in a day!

Day 206: Yang Shi wielded the Dog-Beating Staff Technique in the courtyard, his movements roaring with tiger-like force. Blood Qi burst through his body as he successfully advanced to the Body Tempering Fourth Layer—Internal Organ Refinement.

A Yang Family descendant has broken through to the Body Tempering Fourth Layer for the first time. The Lineage's martial virtue has significantly increased. Incense Value +40!

"Mm~ The Incense Value it gave is just enough to make up for what I've spent on him during this time."

Watching Yang Shi's progress over half a year, Yang Genshuo felt extremely satisfied, as though he were simulating a brand-new life for himself.

The more Yang Shi progressed, the more excited he became. For the past half year, he had remained in a state of "High Spirits," and his martial arts cultivation speed had increased significantly.

"This Body Tempering Fourth Layer, Internal Organ Refinement, requires five different kinds of tonics. They're even more expensive. I need to earn more money."

Day 207: Yang Shi carried his bag to the Treasury Pavilion and was welcomed into the VIP room by the shopkeeper.

Day 210: The Treasured Goods Pavilion introduced a new pastry called "Chocolate Canned Cake." Its texture was silky smooth and its flavor incomparably delicious. It was rumored to have been refined by immortals.

Day 220: After receiving his payment, Yang Shi bought 2 bottles of Essence-Sealing Rejuvenation Pills. As usual, he also bought cheap, filling food for the beggars at the street corner.

Day 251: The power of Yang Shi's Dog-Beating Staff Technique greatly increased. Its proficiency reached "perfect mastery."

Day 360: A manifestation occurred at the Yang Family Ancestral Hall. Ancestor specified this year's sacrificial offerings.

Day 364: Yang Shi finished purchasing the offerings Ancestor wanted, then bought some food to feed the beggars. An unfamiliar young beggar suddenly ran out and hugged his leg.

"Master Yang, please take me in! I'll be your servant! I can wash clothes, cook, write—I can do anything! Please, take me in!"

The filthy young beggar was small and slight. Clinging to Yang Shi's leg without letting go, the child left black handprints all over his trousers.

Yang Shi frowned, displeased.

Though he often gave food to beggars, what he despised most were people who did not know their limits. If everyone acted like this young beggar, clinging to his legs and refusing to let him leave, wanting to freeload in his house, how many people would he have to support?

Moreover, the Yang Family Ancestral Hall contained the immortal ancestor's tablet, and divine miracles would descend during sacrifices. This absolutely could not be known by outsiders. Even Huzi, once his best friend, had to be treated as a stranger so Huzi would not come looking for him and create needless trouble.

Seeing this, the old beggars did not wait for Yang Shi to speak before working together to pull the filthy young beggar back.

"Master Yang, we're terribly sorry. This young beggar only arrived in Bluestone County today and doesn't know the rules. If you're angry, feel free to kick the child a couple of times. When we return, we'll certainly teach the child a proper lesson."

The old beggars stared at the young beggar with unfriendly eyes, their thoughts written all over their faces.

Daring to offend Bluestone County's great benefactor Yang—were they trying to make sure everyone would have no food to eat in the future?

You're in for a world of suffering tonight!

"Mm."

Yang Shi nodded without saying more and prepared to return home.

Suddenly, his expression changed. He turned back and pointed at the young beggar.

"You. Come with me."

Joy appeared on the young beggar's face. Under the astonished gazes of the other beggars, the child followed closely behind Yang Shi, step by step.

The reason for Yang Shi's change in attitude was the large golden words in the air, visible only to him.

"Take her in!!!"

This was the first time he had seen three exclamation marks in his ancestor's instructions.

Watching the young beggar follow Yang Shi back to the Yang Family residence, Yang Genshuo clenched his fist tightly.

"Good!"

"One year. After flipping through tens of thousands of character cards, I finally caught you!"

"A cultivator with a spiritual root!"