Chapter 4

Luoshiyu walked away with a heavy heart, while Li Nianfan resumed his laid-back life.

He would play the zither, plant flowers, go fishing, and even write poetry and paint when the mood struck him, cultivating his mind and spirit.

One day, he sat by the pond in the backyard, fishing, with Dahu crouching quietly by his side, staring at the pond.

"Strange, I put a lot of fish fry in here every month, but I can't catch any fish."

Li Nianfan furrowed his brows, holding the fishing rod, and looked suspiciously at Dahu, "Did you eat them? I remember I put a golden carp in here at first, but now it's nowhere to be seen."

Dahu suddenly jumped up, his eyes full of innocence, and shook his head humanly.

"It seems I'll have to go down the mountain and buy some more fish fry."

Li Nianfan didn't investigate further. Seeing that he couldn't catch any fish, he put away the fishing rod and got up to go down the mountain.

Fishing relaxes and calms the mind and body, and Li Nianfan enjoyed this feeling very much. At the same time, he loved the freshness of fish, but unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to enjoy it today.

"Xiaobai, you stay and guard the door."

"Sure, my dear master."

Li Nianfan took Dahu and walked down the mountain with the dog.

For five years, although Li Nianfan lived a hermit-like life, he was not completely isolated from the world. He wasn't a real immortal, and being away from people for too long would drive him crazy. The mountain where he lived was not far from the city.

This city was called Luoxian City. Most of its inhabitants were ordinary people, but occasionally, cultivators would stop by, and there were even stories of immortals finding their destined disciples and taking them on the spot.

"Hey, Master Li is here."

"Master Li, try this white steamed bun, it's on the house."

"Master Li, what are you planning to buy this time? Stay a while longer."

"Right, I have a lot of things I want to ask you."

As soon as he entered the city, many acquaintances greeted Li Nianfan.

Over the past five years, Li Nianfan occasionally went down the mountain. Although he hadn't cultivated, he was multi-talented due to the system's training. Occasionally imparting knowledge would amaze people, and he would help treat the sick, so many people in Luoxian City had benefited from his kindness.

Li Nianfan smiled and responded to everyone, then went to the trading market in Luoxian City, walking to a stall that sold fish.

"Master Li, are you here to buy fish fry again?" The stall owner was already very familiar with Li Nianfan and greeted him with a smile.

Li Nianfan nodded and said, "Yes, this time give me twice as much as before!"

"Sure thing!" The owner smiled, packing the goods while saying, "Master Li, you just bought some not long ago, why so much this time?"

Li Nianfan sighed, "Don't ask. I clearly put the fish fry in the pond, but I can't catch a single fish."

The stall owner's movements paused, and he lowered his voice, warning, "Master Li, this is unusual."

"I know."

The stall owner advised, "Master Li, I think you should be careful. There might be a monster in that pond. It's best to stay away."

Li Nianfan's heart skipped a beat.

Could there really be a monster?

Did the monster eat all the fish I raised?

He felt a bit nervous, but he had lived in the courtyard for five years and was reluctant to move. Besides, if he moved, he wouldn't have a place to stay.

"Master Li, I happen to have a tortoise. This tortoise usually stays in one place and comes out to sunbathe every noon. You can put it in the pond. If it's safe, it will come out. If it doesn't, it might have been eaten by the monster." The stall owner suggested.

This was like using the tortoise to test the waters. If it didn't come out at noon, it was likely eaten by the monster.

Li Nianfan's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Boss, I'll take the tortoise!"

"Master Li, if it weren't for you, my stall would have gone out of business long ago. This tortoise is just a baby and not a treasure, so I can't take your money."

In the end, the tortoise was given to Li Nianfan as a free gift with the fish fry.

Li Nianfan carried the fish fry and the tortoise, preparing to return and test if there was a monster in the pond.

As he walked to the city gate, he noticed a crowd gathered, and cries of distress could be heard.

In the middle of the crowd, a middle-aged woman lay on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

Li Nianfan hurriedly asked, "Aunt Zhang, what happened?"

Aunt Zhang was a kind-hearted person, and Li Nianfan had received some help from her when he first came to the cultivation world.

Seeing Li Nianfan, Aunt Zhang felt a glimmer of hope and quickly said, "Master Li, you're so capable. Please, save Nuan Nuan. She was taken by a monster."

"Nuan Nuan was taken by a monster?"

Li Nianfan was shocked and worried.

The image of the lively and adorable little girl came to his mind.

He remembered Nuan Nuan well, with her two pigtails, always calling him "big brother" when she saw him. Children were like angels, truly lovable.

"Aunt Zhang, you're too anxious. Although Master Li has many skills, he's just an ordinary person. Asking him to go would be putting him in danger."

"I think we shouldn't rush. Didn't three cultivators go up the mountain? They will definitely save Nuan Nuan."

"Those three have a noble demeanor; they don't look like ordinary people. Nuan Nuan will surely be saved."

"Alas, what kind of world is this? Monsters dare to wreak havoc in the city."

People were discussing, wanting to help but feeling powerless.

Li Nianfan pondered for a moment and said, "Aunt Zhang, don't worry. I'll go and see what I can do. I'll definitely bring Nuan Nuan back!"

"Thank you, Master Li, thank you, Master Li." Aunt Zhang had more faith in Li Nianfan than in the three cultivators and thanked him repeatedly.

"Master Li, monsters have magical powers. It's too dangerous for you to go."

"We're just ordinary people. We should report this to the Immortal Dynasty and let the cultivators handle it."

Many people tried to dissuade Li Nianfan.

Faced with their concern, Li Nianfan said, "Three cultivators have already gone. I'll just follow to see if I can help. Thank you all for your concern."

He was determined and, after finding out the location, set off.

The monster had fled to a mountain not far from the city. As Li Nianfan climbed the mountain, he thought about a strategy.

The best scenario would be if the three cultivators had already subdued the monster, and he would just go through the motions.

If the three cultivators were no match for the monster, Li Nianfan tightened the jade pendant given to him by Luoshiyu, hoping it would have a deterrent effect. Luoshiyu was a cultivator and likely of high status, so he hoped the pendant would work.

Li Nianfan didn't dare to delay or rest.

Monsters eating people was no joke. If he was too late, Nuan Nuan would surely die!

"Nuan Nuan, please be safe." Li Nianfan murmured.

At that moment, Dahu, who had been following him, suddenly sped up, turning into a black shadow and running quickly up the mountain.

"Dahu, what are you doing? Now is not the time to cause trouble. Stop!"

Li Nianfan shouted, but could only watch as Dahu disappeared from his sight, feeling anxious. "This silly dog! Is he rushing to his doom?"