Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

From the first to the fourteenth of the Lunar New Year, Wang Chen's life could be said to have been completely disrupted.

Because the number of visitors was too great, he hardly had any time to cultivate and spent a great deal of energy on social interactions, feeling as if his cultivation level had regressed.

But this feeling was merely Wang Chen's illusion.

If given another chance, he would still be willing to do it all over again.

The reason was simple: he had received so many gifts that his hands softened!

Visitors came in waves.

As a cultivator from outside, although Wang Chen was a Purple Mansion cultivator and served as the village head of Datian Village, his influence didn't extend beyond the village.

Even if he turned Datian Village upside down, it would be difficult for news of his deeds to reach the ears of the big shots in Wan City.

There were plenty of Purple Mansion cultivators in Wan City; what counted a rootless Loose Cultivator like him?

But with the title "Inner Sect Disciple of the West Sea Sect," Wang Chen's identity immediately became different, instantly placing him above the vast majority of Purple Mansion cultivators.

Although he was currently only a first-layer Purple Mansion cultivator.

This difference in status was like heaven and earth!

Upon recounting, Wang Chen realized that in the past dozen or so days, the gifts he received added up to several hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

The Song Clan and the Fang Clan were the most generous, with each giving over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Wang Chen specially made an account book, recording all the gifts he received for future reference when returning the favors.

He was never one of those pedantic individuals who would refuse such windfalls.

But before leaving Datian Village, Wang Chen had one more thing to do.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

That was to confirm the selection of his successor!

Wang Chen's tenure as village head wasn't long, but during that time, he did many things.

For example, he established the Guard Squad, started the Academy, and introduced the welfare for the elderlies and the work-point system—all these tangible and intangible innovations brought significant changes to Datian Village.

As the saying goes, "when the cat's away, the mice will play." Once he left, whether these systems could be continued was undoubtedly a problem.

Wang Chen didn't want the things he had worked so hard to create to be spoiled by others.

So, he sent Crane Message to Fang Hantao, the family head of the Fang Clan in Wan City.

As the County Magistrate of Wan City, Fang Hantao assisted the City Lord/County Magistrate in governing the county affairs and certainly had the power to appoint or dismiss a village head.

Fang Hantao was more than willing to give face to Wang Chen, so the matter was quickly settled.

"From now on, Datian Village is all in your hands."

Before departing, Wang Chen said to the new village head, "If you encounter any unsolvable issues, go find Fang Hantao, the Superior; he will help you."

The new village head was none other than Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong had strong cultivation, was resolute and steadfast, and had gained the full support of all the guards during his time as the captain of the Guard Squad.

Most importantly, he was an outsider in the village, unaffiliated with the three big clans.

Moreover, Xiao Hong wholeheartedly supported the new systems Wang Chen had introduced.

Therefore, after careful consideration, Wang Chen recommended him as the new village head of Datian Village.

Since the appointment came from Wan City, the village elders dared not show any disagreement.

"Xiao Hong will certainly give it all he's got!"

Kneeling on one knee, Xiao Hong bowed to Wang Chen, "Your great kindness, Xiao Hong will never forget for as long as he lives!"

Wang Chen had once saved his life.

During a hunting trip into the mountains, Xiao Hong unexpectedly encountered a fierce Monster Beast, and had it not been for Wang Chen's timely intervention, his ashes would probably have been buried in the dust long ago.

"It's not as serious as all that."

Wang Chen reached out to help him up, "There's one more thing I need to ask of you."

Xiao Hong hurriedly said, "Please give your instruction, Superior."

Wang Chen pointed to He who was standing to one side, "Take good care of He for me."

He was headed to the Inner Sect of the West Sea Sect, and his future was unpredictable, with fortunes and dangers untold. Moreover, he had other purposes, and thus, he could not bring He along.

During this period, He had served diligently by Wang Chen's side, and even if she had no great merit, she had certainly put in hard work.

Wang Chen did not wish for her life to be adversely affected after his departure.

To entrust her to Xiao Hong was undoubtedly the best choice.

"Rest assured, Superior!"

Xiao Hong thumped his chest in guarantee, "I will take care of Miss He as if she were my own sister."

Wang Chen was pleased, "Good."

He took out a Storage Bag and handed it over, "Our acquaintance can also be considered a predestined affinity. Inside are some items for cultivation and self-preservation, not worth much in Spirit Stones. Take it and use them."

Xiao Hong did not refuse and received the Storage Bag with both hands, "Thank you for your generous gift, Superior!"

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No sooner had Xiao Hong left than He knelt down with a "plop," "Superior, I don't want to leave you."

The young girl was very clear that she could not find another master as magnanimous and kind-hearted as Wang Chen.

Wang Chen never treated her like a servant and even granted her a Foundation Establishment Pill to help her become a true Cultivator.

It could be said her gratitude was as deep as if he had given her a new life!

"May we meet again if fate allows."

Wang Chen reached out to lift her, "It's not that I am heartless, but over there, I simply won't be able to look after you."

He wiped away her tears and silently nodded.

She was well aware that her strength was meager, and following Wang Chen to the West Sea Sect would not guarantee ascension but could likely become a burden to him. Therefore, staying in Datian Village was indeed the best choice.

Wang Chen stroked her hair and then gave the young girl another Storage Bag, "Cultivate well."

After making arrangements for He, Wang Chen had no further attachments to this place.

However, as he stepped out of the Village Head Residence's gates, he was surprised to find the entrance and both sides of the road crowded with countless villagers.

These villagers of Datian Village, knowing that Wang Chen was leaving today, had specially come to see him off.

The three elders stepped forward in turn, offering drinks.

"Superior, please drink this cup of Hundred Families Wine, in hopes that you will ascend to immortality soon and enjoy eternal blessings!"

Hundred Families Wine, as mentioned, is a liquor brewed from the grains of every household in a village, symbolizing the sincerest of blessings.

Although Wang Chen's tenure as the village chief was short, he had brought tangible benefits to these villagers.

They were the ones who least wished for Wang Chen to leave.

In the eyes of every person looking at Wang Chen, there was hope and anticipation.

"Thank you all!"

Wang Chen finished all three cups of Hundred Families Wine and then, throwing down the cup, said, "Let this be our farewell!"

To say he felt no emotion at this moment would be impossible.

But the Wang Chen of today had long grown accustomed to partings.

He spurred his mana and flew up into the air, hovering above and nodding to the villagers below.

Then, like an arrow shot from a bow, he flew swiftly towards Wan City.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from everyone's sight.

After Wang Chen departed, the people of the village pooled their resources to erect a Magic Artifact-level monument for him, inscribing his deeds during his time as village chief, as well as their respect and gratitude for him.

As time passed, eras changed, and hundreds of years later, Datian Village was long gone, but the monument still quietly stood amid the overgrown ruins, bearing witness to a past that once was!

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Here is the second update, wishing everyone a happy National Day!