Doing Good Deeds to Forge a Bond with Immortality

Food, tools, energy, medicine, clothing, and sundries.

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

Yang Shi could roughly understand five of these categories, but he was completely baffled by "energy."

He couldn't fathom what the Old Ancestor meant by "28 Square Meter High-Efficiency Solar Panel" or "100kWh Large Battery and Discharge System."

Fortunately, he knew that by flipping the switch on the wall, the light overhead would turn on.

After staring at it for a long time, Yang Shi was shocked!

"Why can't I see anything?"

"Ah~ I'm blind!"

"Is this the power of an immortal?"

After a while, his vision finally cleared.

This time, he stopped staring blindly and walked straight to the wall cabinet labeled "Food."

He took out three cans from inside.

A can of luncheon meat, a can of yellow peaches, and a can of tomato beef.

After opening them, he took one sniff and couldn't wait to stuff them into his mouth, gulping them down.

As he ate, tears couldn't help but fall, and he choked out:

"Old Ancestor. You are truly. Truly... gulp... so delicious."

"Old Ancestor, you smell so good."

"No, no, no, it's the Old Ancestor's iron cans that smell so good."

Watching Yang Shi eat like a stray cat devouring cat food from in front of his computer, Yang Genshuo couldn't help but swallow his own saliva and ordered himself some takeout.

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

"Would you like to accelerate?"

A fast-forward button appeared on the screen.

Yang Genshuo clicked it, and the world inside the game instantly accelerated. Yang Shi began moving rapidly across the screen as if he had grown a pair of lightning-fast legs.

Lines of descriptive text appeared in the Quick Information column on the right side of the screen.

[Day 1: Your descendant Yang Shi examined all the food, tasted 10 types of canned goods and 2 types of compressed biscuits, and prepared a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, a cup of powdered milk, and a cup of orange juice.]

Yang Genshuo glanced at his watch. Only four minutes had passed for him, but a full day had already gone by in the game.

[Day 2: After filling his stomach, the wounds on Yang Shi's body began to fester, and the chronic ailments he had developed from years of begging became even more pronounced. He looked at the several drawers full of medicine, but had no idea where to start.]

Yang Genshuo immediately lowered the game speed back to the normal flow.

[Divine Manifestation]

[Incense Value -1, Remaining Incense Value: 18]

A golden hand drifted out from the grave and floated in front of Yang Shi, pointing successively at the Alcohol, Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory Medicine, and Painkillers.

"Use the Alcohol to wipe your wounds, and take the Antibiotics, Anti-inflammatory Medicine, and Painkillers."

Yang Shi was startled; the Old Ancestor was actually watching over him at every moment.

He knelt on the spot and kowtowed, "Thank you, Old Ancestor, for bestowing this Immortal Medicine!"

Yang Genshuo chuckled. In ancient times, this stuff was no different from an elixir of immortality.

Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine were no joke; once they made a trip through your body, they would wipe out any infectious bacteria, and even the passing white blood cells would get a slap for good measure.

Not to mention the painkillers—whoever took them would feel revitalized.

After the [Divine Manifestation] finished, Yang Genshuo set the game time back to accelerated mode.

[Day 3: Yang Shi's external wounds are healing rapidly, and he feels very energetic.]

[Day 10: Yang Shi's body has mostly recovered. The negative status 'Injured' has disappeared. He is in high spirits and full of energy, beginning to practice the Beggar Sect General Martial Arts—the Dog Beating Staff Technique. Proficiency is increasing.]

[Day 28: Yang Shi's injuries have fully healed. With his blood and qi replenished, he has broken through to the third level of the Body Tempering Realm: Blood and Qi Condensation.]

[A descendant of the Yang family has broken through to the third level of the Body Tempering Realm for the first time. Family martial virtue has significantly increased. Incense Value +30!]

[New Blessing added—Vitality: Increases the descendant's metabolic rate. Cost: 1 Incense Value/day/person]

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

"The Incense Value gained from a breakthrough is quite generous. This new [Blessing: Vitality]... I suppose it counts as a buff?"

After finishing his takeout, Yang Genshuo patted his own sexy belly, which made a duang-duang sound.

As a fitness enthusiast with five years of experience in "cloud fitness," he knew exactly how much of a change an increased metabolic rate could bring.

Recovery, growth, immunity, and mental state—the entire body's functions would see a significant boost. Just as the [Blessing] description stated, one would become incredibly full of vitality.

"It only costs 1 Incense Value to give Yang Shi the Vitality buff for a day. I'll have to be stingy with my Incense Value from now on. I should use Divine Manifestation as little as possible and focus more on this Blessing to speed up his martial arts progress."

At this moment, Yang Shi in the game was happy for a while, but then he suddenly fell into deep thought, seemingly struggling with a difficult decision.

After sitting under the sun for an entire day, Yang Shi walked to the front of the grave and knelt, kowtowing respectfully.

"Your descendant, Yang Shi, has a matter to consult with the Old Ancestor."

A prompt popped up in the game: [Will you respond to your descendant's request?]

He could choose to ignore it or respond.

Responding required spending 1 point of Incense.

"What is it?"

Two golden characters drifted out from before the grave.

Yang Shi hurriedly said, "Old Ancestor, I am dull of talent. Even at 18, I have only just broken through to the third level of the Body Tempering Realm. I am far behind most martial artists of my age. But in this world where martial arts are supreme and the weak are prey to the strong, one cannot even beg for food without cultivating. I carry the heavy burden of my Yang family's blood feud, and with your support, Old Ancestor, should I not strive to cultivate properly?"

"Reasonable."

Seeing the Old Ancestor's approval, Yang Shi was overjoyed and struck while the iron was hot.

"But I have encountered a major problem in my cultivation. The speed of Blood and Qi Condensation at the third level of Body Tempering relies primarily on external aids. Consuming medicinal herbs that replenish Qi and strengthen blood allows for faster progress. It is rumored that some have consumed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, condensing their Blood and Qi to perfection overnight and breaking through to the fourth level of Body Tempering."

"Medicinal herbs that replenish Blood and Qi are quite expensive. I was wondering... could I use the supplies from the Safe House to earn some money for my cultivation?"

Yang Shi asked tentatively.

Yang Genshuo thought for a moment and agreed.

"You may, but you must act with caution. Do not draw attention to yourself; prioritize stability."

"Yes! I will strictly follow the Old Ancestor's teachings!"

Over these past few days, Yang Shi had studied the items in the Safe House thoroughly. Yang Genshuo believed he would use these resources reasonably.

Besides, even if Yang Shi hadn't brought it up, Yang Genshuo had intended to have him go down the mountain to earn some money. Otherwise, was he supposed to offer a pile of canned goods for the ancestral rites next year?

He wanted the local specialties unique to this world!

After Yang Shi finished his request, time accelerated once again.

[Day 30: With his hair trimmed and wearing a full set of workwear, Yang Shi looks brand new. Carrying his survival bag, he heads down the mountain and arrives at the seat of Qingshi County.]

[Day 31: Yang Shi enters the Pinnacle Pavilion. After showing the items in his bag, he is invited into the VIP room.]

[Day 34: The Pinnacle Pavilion introduces a new treasure called the 'Grain-abstinence Biscuit.' It is rumored to be refined by immortals; a palm-sized biscuit can serve as a full day's rations. It is delicious, easy to carry, and stays fresh for four years, attracting many scholars preparing for the imperial examinations to watch and purchase.]

[Day 40: 90% of the compressed biscuits stored in the Safe House have been sold, earning a large sum of silver. Yang Shi is in high spirits and buys 20 steamers of meat buns to give to the beggars on the street corner. The beggars kowtow in gratitude. Only Huzi, a young beggar who was once close to him, recognizes the drastically changed Yang Shi. Joy appears on Huzi's face, but after his lips tremble for a long time, the 'Brother Shi' he wanted to say doesn't come out. An old beggar presses down on his head, and his attitude finally becomes respectful as he clearly calls out, "Thank you, Master Yang."]

[Day 45: Yang Shi settles down in Qingshi County, sets up a spirit tablet for his ancestors, and burns incense as an offering. Incense Value +10.]

[Day 46, Yang Shi purchased 10 packs of Qi and Blood Supplement Powder at the pharmacy. After consuming them, his qi and blood surged, and he made rapid progress.]

"Finally bought the medicine to supplement my qi and blood. It's the perfect time to test my [Blessing: Vitality]."

A golden stream of energy flew out from the spirit tablet and submerged into Yang Shi's body as he practiced martial arts.

"This! My speed of absorbing the medicinal power has increased! It feels like my body has an endless supply of strength!"

The Old Ancestor is using Immortal Power to help me cultivate!

"Yang Shi will certainly not let the Ancestor down!"

Yang Shi was overjoyed, triggering the talent [Bittersweet], which increased his cultivation speed by 20%.

Coupled with the increased metabolic rate brought by [Blessing: Vitality], his body's qi and blood surged. His entire being felt like a furnace, rapidly refining the medicinal power; his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds!

[Day 206, Yang Shi swung the Dog Beating Staff Technique in the courtyard, the wind whistling with every strike. His body's qi and blood erupted, and he successfully promoted to the fourth stage of the Body Tempering Realm—Viscera Refinement.]

[A descendant of the Yang family has broken through to the fourth stage of the Body Tempering Realm for the first time. The family's martial virtue has significantly improved, Incense Value +40!]

"Hmm~ The Incense Value provided is just enough to replenish what was spent on him during this period."

Yang Genshuo watched Yang Shi's progress over the past half-year with great satisfaction, as if he were simulating a new life for himself.

The more Yang Shi progressed, the more excited he became. For the past six months, he had remained in a state of 'Joyful Mood,' which significantly boosted his martial arts training speed.

"This fourth stage of Body Tempering, Viscera Refinement, requires five different types of supplements. They are even more expensive; I need to earn more money."

[Day 207, Yang Shi carried his bag to the Treasure Pavilion and was welcomed into the VIP room by the shopkeeper.]

[Day 210, the Pinnacle Pavilion released a new pastry called 'Chocolate Canister.' It has a silky texture and an incomparable taste; rumor has it that it was refined by an immortal.]

[Day 220, after receiving his payment, Yang Shi purchased two bottles of Gu Jing Hui Yuan Pill and, as usual, bought cheap, filling food to give to the beggars on the street corner.]

[Day 251, the power of Yang Shi's Dog Beating Staff Technique increased greatly, and his proficiency reached 'Pure Perfection.']

[Day 360, the Yang Family Ancestral Hall manifested a divine sign, and the Old Ancestor specified this year's offerings.]

[Day 364, Yang Shi finished purchasing the offerings requested by the Old Ancestor and bought some food to feed the beggars again. A strange young beggar ran out and hugged his leg.]

"Master Yang, please take me in! I will be your servant. I can wash clothes, cook, and write; I can do anything! Please, I beg you, take me in!"

The filthy little beggar had a petite frame. She clung to Yang Shi's leg and refused to let go, leaving black handprints all over his trousers.

Yang Shi frowned, feeling displeased.

Although he often gave food to beggars, what he detested most were people who didn't know their place. If everyone were like this little beggar, hugging his leg and refusing to let him leave in hopes of getting free food and drink at his home, how many people would he have to support?

Furthermore, his Yang Family Ancestral Hall housed the spirit tablet of his Immortal Ancestor, which would manifest miracles during sacrifices. This was something that absolutely could not be known by outsiders. Even his once-best friend, Huzi, had to be treated as a stranger to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Seeing this, the old beggars didn't wait for Yang Shi to speak. They joined forces and hauled the dirty little beggar back.

"Master Yang, we are so sorry. This little beggar is new to Qingshi County today and doesn't know the rules. If you're angry, feel free to kick him a couple of times. We'll be sure to discipline him properly when we get back."

The old beggars glared at the little beggar with malice, their thoughts written plainly on their faces.

Do you want to get us all starved by offending the great philanthropist of Qingshi County?

You're in for a world of hurt tonight!

"Hmm."

Yang Shi nodded without another word and prepared to head home.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. He turned his head and pointed at the little beggar.

"You, come with me."

The little beggar's face lit up. Under the astonished gazes of the other beggars, he followed closely behind Yang Shi.

The reason for Yang Shi's change in attitude lay in the golden characters floating in the air, visible only to him.

"Take her in!!!"

This was the first time he had seen the Old Ancestor's instructions accompanied by three exclamation marks.

Yang Genshuo watched the scene as the little beggar followed Yang Shi back to the Yang residence, his fists clenched tight.

"Good!"

"It's been a year. After flipping through tens of thousands of Character Cards, I've finally caught you!"

"A cultivator with Spiritual Roots!"