Gong Gong's Job Hunting Journey

Nüwa's deep recovery lasted for five full days.

During these five days, the atmosphere in the rental room was quiet yet tense. Nüwa seemed to have transformed into a true statue, seated cross-legged in the corner, with faint but continuous vital energy Dao rhythm flowing around her. She shone in tandem with the "息壤" on the windowsill and other statues, forming a small cycle. Her pale complexion gradually regained its rosy hue, the fatigue in her brows slowly dissipated, and her aura became even more profound and restrained, as if she had undergone a transformation, gaining new insights into the compatibility of her own power with the rules of this world.

Tong Tian took on the primary task of vigilance. Although his divine sense was greatly suppressed by this world, under the inspiration of the Dao patterns in the cracked wooden pai space and through his own constant adaptation and impact, the range he could cover had expanded from a mere inch to encompassing the entire rental building and the surrounding tens of meters. Any malicious probing, whether from the official "Dragon Group" or other potential troublemakers, was completely exposed to his cold and sharp sword intent perception. He spent most of his time in front of the computer, browsing information at an even faster speed, his gaze occasionally lingering on pages about global hydrological distribution, ocean current movements, and even water conservancy projects, though what he was thinking about was unknown.

Lin Fan seized every moment to cultivate. Nourished by Nüwa's creation Dao rhythm and his own relentless efforts, his Supreme Clarity Heart-Cleansing Mantra finally stabilized at the "Initial Glimpse" stage. He could now enter that state of clear mind and spirit with relative ease, and the duration of this state had also greatly extended. What surprised him even more was that after gritting his teeth and enduring the soul-piercing pain from the "sword intent seed" countless times, he had actually established a faint connection with it! Although it was far from being under control, at least it was no longer like the beginning, where he almost lost his mind upon contact. He could feel that his mental power, or "divine sense," had become more refined and resilient under the tempering of the sword intent seed.

On the evening of the fifth day, the afterglow of the sunset filtered through the window, bathing the room in a warm golden hue.

Nüwa, who had been sitting motionlessly, finally slowly opened her eyes.

At that moment, Lin Fan seemed to see endless cycles of life in her eyes, the rise and fall of vegetation flashing by, before returning to her usual gentle and clear gaze. However, her aura was now even more harmonious and closer to nature than before, as if she had always been a part of this room, this world.

"Niangniang, have you recovered?" Lin Fan asked with surprise.

Nüwa smiled slightly and nodded, her voice as warm and smooth as jade, "Thank you for your concern, I am much better now. Although this depletion was immense, it has also given me a deeper understanding of the Dao of life flow in this world."

Tong Tian also turned his head, glanced at Nüwa, and gave a slight nod, acknowledging her.

Just then, an extremely abrupt, muffled "gurgle" sound, like distant summer thunder, echoed in the room.

The source of the sound was not Lin Fan, nor Nüwa or Tong Tian.

The three of them, almost simultaneously, cast their gazes towards... the closed bathroom door.

Lin Fan then remembered that he hadn't paid attention to the bathroom since Nüwa began her recovery. As for Tong Tian, his vigilance seemed to be primarily directed outwards, and he hadn't paid much attention to such internal, non-malicious "abnormalities."

The "gurgle" sounded again, louder this time, carrying an indescribable sense of... hunger? Immediately after, the sound of abnormal water flow came from the bathroom, as if something was churning violently in the bathtub or toilet.

Lin Fan's expression changed, and he subconsciously looked at Tong Tian and Nüwa.

Tong Tian furrowed his brow, his divine sense instantly swept through the bathroom, and for the first time, a hint of... a strange expression appeared on his stern face?

Nüwa tilted her ear to listen, a flicker of surprise and understanding in her eyes, "This aura... is wild and vast, like water yet not water, containing ancient primordial intent... Could it be..."

Before she could finish speaking, the bathroom doorknob suddenly made a crisp "crack" sound, as if it had been twisted off from the inside by sheer brute force! Immediately after, the heavy waterproof door was slammed open with a "bang," and a figure stumbled out!

It was an extremely burly and strong man!

He was nearly two meters tall, broad-shouldered and strong, with bulging muscles that stretched the spare T-shirt Lin Fan had given him to its limits. He wore equally tight sweatpants. His skin was bronze, his face rugged, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and his short hair stood on end like steel needles. He exuded a wild aura like a primordial beast.

Most striking were his eyes, which were bloodshot at the moment, filled with primal ferocity and... unbearable hunger! He was like a giant dragon trapped in shallow waters, restless and weak.

As soon as he rushed out of the bathroom, his gaze swept the room like a hungry wolf, instantly locking onto a bag of small French bread Lin Fan had bought from the supermarket and left on the table, not yet put away.

"Food!"

He roared, his voice like muffled thunder, with an ancient and strange intonation. He took a step forward, the ground seeming to tremble slightly, and reached for the bag of bread.

"Wait a minute!" Lin Fan instinctively shouted, trying to stop him. The aura of this unknown strong man was too terrifying.

However, the strong man's movements were as fast as lightning. He completely ignored Lin Fan, grabbed the bag of bread, and without even looking, shoved it directly into his mouth, packaging and all, chewing with a crunching sound. The plastic packaging was easily crushed and swallowed in his mouth like scraps of paper!

Lin Fan watched, dumbfounded.

The strong man "ate" the bag of bread in a flash, leaving not even a crumb, but the fire of hunger in his eyes did not diminish; instead, it grew more intense. He suddenly turned his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Lin Fan, as if he were staring at prey, and let out a low growl from his throat, "Hungry! Got any more?!"

Locked by that wild and oppressive gaze, Lin Fan felt his breath catch, as if he were being stared at by a prehistoric beast. A chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head! He had no doubt that if he said no, this strong man might consider him food and swallow him!

Just as the situation became tense, Nüwa, who had been watching indifferently, suddenly spoke, her tone carrying a hint of uncertain inquiry:

"Could it be... Gong Gong... Elder Brother?"

Upon hearing this, the strong man's massive body stiffened abruptly. He slowly turned his head, his bloodshot eyes looking at Nüwa, filled with ferocity and confusion. He tilted his head, as if trying to recognize her, and mumbled, "You... Who are you? How do you know... my name?"

Gong Gong?!!

Lin Fan was struck by lightning, his mind a complete blank!

The Water God Gong Gong?! The primordial Ancestral Witch who angered and struck Mount Buzhou?!

How did this esteemed figure also emerge from the toilet... no, from the bathroom?! Could his sewer system be connected to the shattered spacetime rifts of the Primordial Era?!

Tong Tian also stood up, his gaze as sharp as a sword, scanning Gong Gong, his voice cold with a hint of confirmation, "His aura is wild and overbearing, his true spirit is dim, his divine power is completely lost, leaving only a trace of unyielding fighting spirit and the origin of water... It is indeed Gong Gong. You brute, have you also fallen to this place?"

Hearing Tong Tian's words, Gong Gong seemed to be provoked by the word "brute," and let out a furious roar, glaring at Tong Tian, "Who are you? How dare you insult me?!"

Although his power was lost and his memory was chaotic, his pride and temper as an Ancestral Witch remained undiminished.

Seeing the two primordial powerhouses about to engage in a brawl in this ten-square-meter rental room, Lin Fan was terrified and quickly stepped between them, "Two seniors! Calm down! Calm down! We're all on the same side... uh, same deity! Let's talk this through!"

Nüwa also stepped forward, speaking gently, "Elder Brother Gong Gong, Senior Brother Tong Tian, this is not the Primordial Era, nor is it a time for disputes. We are all fellow wanderers stranded in this world, and we should help each other."

Gong Gong looked at Nüwa, then glared at Tong Tian. He seemed to sense the strangeness of this place and that it suppressed his power. Moreover, his hunger was unbearable, so he temporarily suppressed his anger, but his tone remained unfriendly, "Hungry! Find me something to eat first!"

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased slightly, Lin Fan quickly said, "Yes! There's food! I'll go make it right away!" He was afraid that if this lord got too hungry, he might tear down the house.

He quickly rushed into the kitchen area and, with the utmost speed, took out all the ready-to-eat items in the refrigerator – over a dozen packs of instant noodles, a pile of ham sausages, several eggs, and even a few bags of frozen dumplings. He didn't care about cooking skills anymore; he cooked whatever could be cooked on the induction cooker and fried whatever could be fried, piling them into several large bowls and serving them to Gong Gong.

Gong Gong's eyes turned green at the sight of the food. He didn't care if it was hot, and directly grabbed it with his hands, devouring it like a whirlwind. His eating posture was more than ten times fiercer than Tong Tian's back then! Lin Fan even felt that he wasn't "eating" but "devouring"!

In just a few minutes, the food that would have lasted Lin Fan for several days was swept clean by Gong Gong, not even a drop of soup left. After eating, he licked his lips with lingering satisfaction, patted his still flat (but distinctly muscular) stomach, let out a thunderous burp, and the bloodshot in his eyes finally receded a little, his violent aura also slightly calmed.

"Passable, seventy percent full," Gong Gong commented in a deep, resonant voice.

Lin Fan: "..." Seventy percent full?! He felt his wallet groaning!

Nüwa looked at Gong Gong and asked softly, "Elder Brother Gong Gong, how did you end up here? And why... did you come out of the bathroom?"

Gong Gong's rough face showed confusion and anger. He pounded his head hard, making a dull thud, and growled, "I don't remember! All I remember is... the sky collapsing, the earth shattering... floods raging... then... complete darkness... The next thing I knew, I was in a cramped space full of 'water' (referring to the toilet tank?), feeling suffocated! It took all my effort to break free!"

His description was disjointed, but given his identity as the Water God, Lin Fan could roughly guess that when the Primordial Era shattered, a trace of Gong Gong's true spirit or a fragment of his body was swept into this world's... sewer system? by the disturbance of some water elemental law. Then, somehow, it lay dormant in the pipes of his bathroom until today, when a certain opportunity (perhaps stimulated by the majestic life force and Dao rhythm emanating from Nüwa's recovery?) caused it to awaken and follow the path of "water" out of his toilet.

Thinking this, Lin Fan looked at the twisted doorknob and damaged door panel of his own bathroom, his mouth twitching. This new "roommate's" entrance was truly... unique.

"The laws of this realm are strange, suppressing our divine power," Tong Tian explained coldly. "You need to adapt quickly, conceal your aura, and avoid causing trouble."

Although Gong Gong disliked Tong Tian's tone, he also felt the "abnormality" of the place. He tried to mobilize his power, only to find that the might that could once overturn the four seas and shake the pillars of heaven was now so weak it could barely make the water in his cup ripple. He became even more agitated, growling, "Damn it! What kind of hellhole is this?!"

"This is 'Earth,' a... spirit-depleted land," Nüwa explained gently. "My Shixiong Tong Tian and I are also stranded here, temporarily residing at young friend Lin Fan's place. Brother Gong Gong, since you are here, stay with us and we will make plans."

Gong Gong surveyed the small, simple room, then looked at Lin Fan, Nüwa, and Tong Tian. Although his memory was muddled, he understood his precarious situation and the need for reliance. He rumbled to Lin Fan, "Kid, did you give me food? You've got some sense. I'll live here from now on! Just make sure there's enough to eat!"

Lin Fan gave a wry smile inwardly. Here we go, another ancestor, and a particularly gluttonous and short-tempered one at that. He quickly nodded, "Senior Gong Gong, rest assured, I'll find a way to get food." He could already see his meager stock market profits evaporating at a visible rate.

With an Ancestral Witch from the Primordial Era suddenly appearing in the house, the atmosphere became... even more complex and crowded.

Gong Gong was clearly not the type to sit still and meditate. He possessed immense strength; even with his divine power suppressed, his pure physical strength far surpassed that of mortals. A slight movement in the room almost knocked over the table and chairs, making Lin Fan extremely nervous.

Furthermore, he was "destructively" curious about everything in modern society. Seeing an electric light, he wanted to crush it to see why it glowed; seeing a faucet, he wanted to unscrew it to figure out where the water came from; seeing Lin Fan's phone, he held it like a toy, almost crushing it... Lin Fan, startled, quickly pressed him onto the only chair, turned on the TV, and switched to the sports channel, where a heavyweight boxing match was playing, hoping to distract him.

As expected, Gong Gong was immediately captivated by the primal combat of the two muscular men on the screen, watching with great interest and occasionally commenting:

"Too soft! No power!"

"Wrong angle! Idiot!"

"Hmph, if it were me back then, I could have smashed that platform (referring to the boxing ring) with one punch!"

Lin Fan, listening from the side, broke out in a cold sweat and could only repeatedly agree.

However, living off savings was not a sustainable plan. Lin Fan's funds were insufficient to support three Sages (one of whom was a big eater), himself, and cover rent and utilities. The pressure was immense. He had to find a way to increase his income.

He looked at Gong Gong, who was excitedly watching the boxing match on TV, brimming with pent-up energy, and a thought suddenly struck him—perhaps he could have this Ancestor... go to work? With his physique and strength, doing manual labor or... being a bodyguard or a fitness coach should be more than enough, right?

This idea, though bold, seemed to be the most direct solution to their financial problems. Moreover, giving Gong Gong something to do and letting him expend his excess energy would reduce the risk of him wrecking the house.

After dinner, Lin Fan cautiously proposed the idea.

"Work? What is work?" Gong Gong asked, his large, bell-like eyes filled with confusion.

"It's... going out to do labor, earn money, and then buy food," Lin Fan explained in the simplest terms possible.

"Earn money? Buy food?" Gong Gong stroked his chin, seeming to understand. "So... it's like hunting, exchanging labor for food? Not a bad idea! As long as there's enough to eat, I'll do anything!"

He agreed with unusual alacrity. The Ancestral Witches of the Primordial Era inherently revered strength and labor, and they did not reject the idea of earning survival resources through their own abilities; in fact, they considered it natural.

Lin Fan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Senior, with your physique, you'd be best suited to be a coach at a gym! Or... moving bricks on a construction site... uh, that is, doing heavy labor, you could also earn quite a bit."

"Coach? Teach people to fight?" Gong Gong's eyes lit up, clearly more interested in "fighting."

"Sort of, teaching people how to train their bodies and become stronger," Lin Fan explained.

"Good! I'll go there!" Gong Gong slapped his thigh (nearly shattering the chair) with great enthusiasm.

Thus, the next day, Lin Fan began the process of "job hunting" for Gong Gong. He first searched online for gym recruitment information in the city and then helped Gong Gong prepare an extremely "concise" resume—Name: Gong Gong (alias). Age: 30 (estimated). Specialties: Immense strength, proficient in various physical training (fabricated by Lin Fan). Desired position: Fitness Coach or Physical Training Consultant.

He selected a few gyms that appeared to be of decent size and offered reasonable compensation and submitted the resume online.

However, things were not going smoothly. Gong Gong had no ID card, no relevant qualification certificates, and not even a proper photo (Lin Fan took one with his phone, but Gong Gong's fierce appearance didn't look like a kind person). The resumes disappeared into the void, and they didn't even receive an interview notification.

Lin Fan then tried contacting some labor markets, hoping to find some heavy labor jobs, but the other party immediately shook their heads and refused upon hearing that he had no ID card.

After several days of repeated setbacks, Lin Fan became somewhat dejected, and Gong Gong grew increasingly impatient. He paced the room all day, exuding an aura of low pressure that made Lin Fan tremble with fear.

"Such a trivial mortal realm, with so many rules!" Gong Gong roared furiously. "Why don't I just go and smash that... gym! See who dares to stop me from teaching!"

Lin Fan, terrified, quickly tried to dissuade him, "Senior, you mustn't! You mustn't! That would cause immense trouble!"

Just as Lin Fan was at a loss, an unexpected turn of events occurred.

That evening, Lin Fan, still dejected from his fruitless efforts and accompanied by Gong Gong, who was full of pent-up anger, passed by a newly opened fitness club near their residential complex called "Li Wang." A crowd had gathered at the entrance, seemingly for an event. A large inflatable arch bore a banner: "Li Wang Club Grand Opening Promotion! We sincerely invite strength masters to challenge the ultimate weight and win a ten-thousand-yuan grand prize!"

The rules were simple: challenge the maximum weight in events like bench press and deadlift. Whoever broke the club's record would receive a ten-thousand-yuan cash reward.

Lin Fan looked at the banner, then at the towering Gong Gong beside him, whose muscles were like coiled dragons, and a thought struck him.

"Senior Gong Gong," Lin Fan said, pointing to the challenge, and tentatively asked, "Would you... like to stretch your muscles a bit? And perhaps... earn some prize money for meat?"

Gong Gong followed Lin Fan's gaze and, upon hearing "stretch muscles" and "earn money for meat," his bloodshot eyes lit up like two small lanterns.

"Challenge? Interesting!" Gong Gong grinned, revealing his pearly white teeth, and strode towards the "Li Wang" club. "Let me go and meet this world's 'Li Wang'!"

Lin Fan quickly followed, feeling both anticipation and trepidation. He knew that with Gong Gong's strength, breaking mortal records would be a piece of cake. But wouldn't this be too high-profile? Wouldn't it attract unnecessary attention?

However, looking at Gong Gong's eager back, he knew he couldn't stop him.

The job-seeking journey of the Water God Gong Gong seemed to be officially commencing in the most direct and violent manner.

Little did they know that behind a one-way mirror on the second floor of the "Li Wang" club, a middle-aged man in sportswear, with a lean build and eyes as sharp as an eagle's, was silently observing the bustling challenge scene below. His gaze was particularly focused on those "good seedlings" who possessed true potential. When Gong Gong, nearly two meters tall, with a majestic gait and imposing aura, entered his field of vision, his pupils contracted sharply.