Planning His Future Life

Time spent cultivating always seemed to fly by. Before he knew it, an hour had passed.

The sun had long since risen over the horizon, and Zhang Sheng, who had been cultivating beside the stream, opened his eyes.

"Although my cultivation hasn't broken through, at least I can feel that it's possible to cultivate a Martial Soul in this world.

"Perhaps that's incredibly good news for me. As long as I keep cultivating,

"the road ahead will be much easier to walk.

"After all, living in this world without strength is far too precarious.

"Ah! Having cultivation feels wonderful. I never want to go through another day like yesterday, crying to heaven and earth for help and getting no answer. It was unbearable."

Just as Zhang Sheng was rejoicing over being able to cultivate in this world, an honest, kindly voice rang out behind him.

"Eldest son of the Zhang family! What are you doing by the river so early in the morning? You've only just recovered from a serious illness. You mustn't let the morning dew soak you."

"Uncle Dashan! I just felt that the air was nicer in the morning, so I came out for a breath of fresh air.

"Besides, I'm completely better now. Look, I'm full of strength."

"Ha!"

As Zhang Sheng spoke, he waved his arms and legs about a few times, as if afraid Uncle Dashan wouldn't believe him.

"It's good that you're better. Don't play in the water by the stream, all right?"

"All right, Uncle Dashan!"

After giving Zhang Sheng his instructions, Uncle Dashan headed for the fields. After all, farming was an important source of livelihood for farmers.

Zhang Sheng watched Uncle Dashan's retreating figure, unsure what he could do now. After all, his body was still that of a child.

There was little he could do, and he couldn't rush his cultivation, so he had nothing much to occupy himself.

No! Although I look young now and am in a position to be protected and fed, that would be under normal circumstances.

Now he was an Awakener, perhaps even the only one, and his abilities could rival those of an ordinary adult.

So I should make a proper plan for what comes next instead of just waiting around. First, I need to improve my living conditions.

Only then can I carry out the rest of my plan. Hmm! First, I need to make sure I don't have to worry about filling my stomach.

Otherwise, relying on Uncle Dashan's help all the time won't be a long-term solution. After all, I still need to cultivate,

and I might eat quite a lot in the future. That's more than an ordinary family can afford.

Zhang Sheng spent the whole morning lost in thought. Only when Uncle Dashan brought him a meal did he realize it was already noon.

"Why are you so stubborn? I asked you to come live at my house, but you wouldn't.

"But your auntie and I can't help worrying about you living alone. Why don't you move in after all?"

"Uncle Dashan, I appreciate your and auntie's kindness, but I still want to live in my own home. After all, this is where my parents used to live."

Zhang Sheng's somewhat dejected, subdued voice left Uncle Dashan at his side at a loss for words.

As he saw it, Zhang Sheng's continued refusal to live with them meant he still hadn't recovered from his parents' sudden passing.

So he couldn't bring himself to force Zhang Sheng. It was only a matter of bringing him meals every day and keeping a closer eye on him. It wouldn't take much effort.

"All right, then. I won't force you, but you should come visit us more often. Your little brother Huzi is always thinking about playing with you!"

"Thank you for understanding, Uncle Dashan! I'll come over to play with little brother Huzi often."

While they talked, Uncle Dashan had set the food on the table. Although there were only two dishes, one fewer than yesterday, it was still a generous meal.

Zhang Sheng didn't stand on ceremony. He sat down and began eating at once. He knew that only after eating and drinking his fill

could he carry out his plans for his life. Otherwise, there would be nothing he could do on an empty stomach.

Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Zhang Sheng began preparing to put his plan into action.

"As people often say: clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. No one can do without them. Right now, I need to deal with shelter first.

"As for clothing and food, I don't need to consider them yet. Transportation is even less of a concern for me; I don't have the means for that.

"So I'll start by improving my living quarters. Settled, just like that."

With a goal in mind, Zhang Sheng began to examine the thatched hut carefully.

"Tsk, tsk! If this were in modern urban society, it would make another good tourist attraction.

"But for me right now, it's a little shabby. It feels like a single storm could sweep it away. It really doesn't make me feel safe."

Zhang Sheng might have sighed over it, but one had to admire the wisdom of the ancients.

If this mud-brick and thatch hut were so easily destroyed, it wouldn't have become the first choice of country folk. Otherwise, wouldn't they be crying to heaven and earth every time the wind blew and the rain fell?

"The house should be fine for keeping out the wind and rain for now. So I'll start by improving the inside."

Time was forever the hardest thing to grasp. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and Zhang Sheng's home had undergone some major changes.

There was a brand-new set of tables, chairs, and stools. No longer would two people eating together lack places to sit. A cupboard had also appeared opposite the door, making the place look the part.

The room was still somewhat empty, but then again, Zhang Sheng didn't have much to store in it now.

Although he hadn't achieved much in half a month, it was already a considerable accomplishment for Zhang Sheng as he was now.

Uncle Dashan had actually helped along the way, too. Uncle Dashan had also obtained the tools and other things for him.

When Uncle Dashan first heard that he wanted to make some furniture, he was quite surprised. Carpentry was a craft that had to be taught by a master.

Without that, one really couldn't manage it, especially in ancient times. Rivets weren't used back then; everything relied on mortise-and-tenon joints, so the skills had to be passed down.

The reason Zhang Sheng knew these things was that he had encountered them in his first life. Later, after arriving on the Douluo Continent, he had also spent some time studying them.

After all, he had needed to make a living back then too, so making a few simple pieces of furniture was no problem for him now.

"Eldest son of the Zhang family! I didn't expect you to know how to make furniture. I never saw your father do it. Could there really be people born knowing things?"

"Uncle Dashan! Thank you for helping me these past few days. Otherwise, how could I have finished so quickly?"

Zhang Sheng didn't want Uncle Dashan dwelling on how he knew how to make furniture. After all, there was simply no way to explain it, so he could only interrupt his inquiry.

"What help could I have been? I only helped you move a few things. It seems to me your craftsmanship is pretty good.

"Why don't you make some furniture for me too? I'll pay you for your work. What do you say?"

"No problem! But forget the pay. I'd be happy just to make furniture for you. Besides, you and your family take such good care of me. I should do something to repay you!"

"I'm still going to pay you. One thing is one thing, and another is another. I can't have you working for nothing, can I? It's settled. I'll go home and discuss it with your auntie."

With that, Uncle Dashan headed home, giving Zhang Sheng no chance to refuse.

During this time, Zhang Sheng had also met Uncle Dashan's wife, his auntie. Little brother Huzi had come by a few times as well, so he also knew Zhang Sheng was making furniture.

Sitting on a new stool and looking at the new things in the room, Zhang Sheng felt somewhat gratified. At least life was moving in a better direction.

He hadn't slacked off in his cultivation either. After half a month of cultivating, Zhang Sheng had made a small breakthrough and now seemed to have level 3 Soul Power.

He had also secretly tested the improvement in his strength. Stones weighing two or three hundred jin

could now be lifted with ease. He could compete with some people who made their living doing hard labor.