Chapter 61: Hidden Paths and Joyful Reunions

Within the Mortal World Illusion, in every subsequent cycle, regardless of whether he completed the storyline or not, Yue Feng would spare no effort to wander through every corner of the game world, seeking clues about Wang Yu and Yue Cai.

Alice, following Wang Yu’s instructions, faithfully released these as easter eggs.

What surprised Alice was that Yue Feng would trigger hidden storylines while searching for these easter eggs, demonstrating an incredibly high degree of freedom, entirely different from Alice’s official progression path.

Xiaoke and Shi Yang looked at Alice, their expressions filled with confusion.

“Master Haotian truly dislikes being constrained,” Alice remarked, gazing at the screen.

“The majority of this game illusion was completed by Master Haotian. My role was merely to fill in the plot. These hidden side quests must have been automatically generated by the program Master Haotian wrote, granting this story infinite possibilities.”

“That boy, Yue Feng, was previously trapped in a pre-written narrative cage,” Shi Yang mused. “Little Yu released him from it. Now, even within the game, he can decide his own life.”

“The shackles of his mind have been broken,” Xiaoke added. “His Dao Heart is also beginning to regain clarity. From here, it’s merely a matter of time.”

Indeed, as time progressed, Yue Feng no longer relied on Alice’s failure-induced delays. Instead, he completed the storylines according to his own desires, and his memories gradually returned, no longer misled by the forcefully implanted plot memories.

Finally, the power of the Myriad Flames Earth Core Lotus was fully absorbed. In his last storyline, Yue Feng completely rediscovered himself, even enjoying a beautiful sleep after the plot concluded.

Awakening once more, he found himself in the Illusion Control Room, where Xiaoke, Shi Yang, and Alice were watching him.

“Congratulations, Little Yue Zi,” Shi Yang said, a look of relief on his face.

“Awoo,” Yue Feng stretched languidly. “I’m sorry to have worried Master, but did I truly absorb it? I don’t feel any different.”

“I told you it wouldn’t be an immediate boost,” Alice stated.

“The Myriad Flames Earth Core Lotus has transformed into a specialized refiner within your body. As your primal energy circulates and is tempered by it, it will become purer and its power will advance a step further. This is far superior to a sudden, ‘nouveau riche’ style of improvement.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Yue Feng said, spreading his hands. “Alice is the best.”

“Hmph,” Alice sniffed, turning her head away. “Sweet talk won’t work on me. If Master hadn’t helped you cheat, you never would have passed the trial. But seeing how hard you tried, I’ll begrudgingly acknowledge you.”

“Don’t mind this tsundere,” Xiaoke flew over, declaring with an air of smugness, “You’re not bad, kid. You’re worthy of my discerning eye.”

Yue Feng shrugged, glancing around. “Where’s Yu’er?”

Xiaoke replied, “She went out to set the table. She made a mountain of delicious food. Let’s hurry and try some.”

With that, Xiaoke flew out, and Alice followed suit.

Shi Yang returned to Yue Feng’s storage ring. Yue Feng looked at himself, standing alone, and sighed at the coldness of the world.

Outside, Wang Yu had already laid out all the dishes on the table, waiting for them to take their seats. A-Bao, nearby, drooled as they stared at the food.

Honestly, Wang Yu had initially planned to ask Alice for some honey and iron for A-Bao to eat with, as there was no bamboo.

However, upon seeing the honey-covered iron blocks, A-Bao immediately hugged Wang Yu, weeping and declaring they were omnivores and could eat the dishes.

‘Alas,’ Wang Yu thought, ‘eating iron is so nutritious, why eat food? Don’t they know their ancestors were famous for eating iron?’

Soon after, Xiaoke and Alice emerged. Xiaoke, in particular, pounced directly onto the dining table and began to feast, leaving Wang Yu no time to stop them. She could only let them be.

Seeing this, A-Bao looked at Wang Yu with hopeful eyes. Helpless, Wang Yu had no choice but to put some food into a lunchbox for them.

A-Bao practically shoved their face into the bowl, making Wang Yu wonder if they should smear some seasoning on the iron blocks when feeding A-Bao in the future.

The idea that iron-eating beasts should eat iron was something Wang Yu wouldn’t change, at least in the short term.

Yue Feng also strolled out leisurely, his hands clasped behind his head. “It smells wonderful, Yu’er. I never thought you could actually cook.”

“Hehe,” Wang Yu said, a smug look on her face. “I put in a lot of hard work back then, all so my stomach wouldn’t suffer.”

“Then why don’t I ever see you cook normally?” Yue Feng, without ceremony, sat next to Wang Yu, leaning his head close to sniff the girl’s fragrance. “This smells wonderful too.”

Wang Yu pushed his face away impatiently. “Alright, be serious. Come and eat.”

The table was laden with a variety of delicacies: char siu bao, roast duck, Mapo tofu, garlic pork belly, Dongpo pork, candied sweet potatoes, and more. These were all dishes Wang Yu had loved and specially learned to cook in the past.

Naturally, some of the meat was made from local species, but all had been approved by Alice.

“It’s really delicious,” Yue Feng said after a few bites. The food was indeed exquisite.

Wang Yu, too, was eating heartily, as these were all her favorite dishes.

“So, Yu’er,” Yue Feng suddenly called out, looking at the lovely maiden beside him.

“What?” Wang Yu asked, puzzled.

“Thank you for saving me,” Yue Feng smiled. “I find myself growing fonder of you by the day.”

“Hmph,” Wang Yu pouted, ignoring Yue Feng’s teasing.

After they had eaten their fill, Wang Yu spoke, “Let’s go to Hearth City to find Cai’er.”

Yue Feng nodded. “Although Cai’er should be fine, we shouldn’t let her worry. Do we crush this jade token for the grand barrier?”

Alice interjected, “There’s no need for such trouble. I have a direct teleportation portal here. If you wish to return, simply silently call my name in place. However, it’s limited to Hearth City and the vicinity of this house.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Wang Yu sprang from her stool. She hadn’t seen the girl in so long and was eager to be doted upon by her.

“Master, if you’re looking for Yue Cai’er, you can actually go directly to the Heavenly Palace Sect’s outpost,” Alice suddenly said. “The Heavenly Palace Sect’s guesthouse registered Yue Cai’er’s name a day ago.”

“As expected, something happened in Hearth City,” Wang Yu said, frowning.

“But with Elder Zhang there, the problem shouldn’t be too big,” Yue Feng noted.

“Then open the teleportation portal to Hearth City for us,” Wang Yu instructed Alice.

“Alright,” Alice waved her hand, and a teleportation portal appeared behind Yue Feng and Wang Yu.

“Then we’ll be gone for a bit, Alice.” With that, Wang Yu, Yue Feng, and Xiaoke stepped inside. A-Bao was still eating there, and seeing them eat so heartily, Wang Yu felt it best not to disturb them.

At the Heavenly Palace Sect’s outpost, Fang Yue and Zhang Xiaoyou sat in the main hall, sipping tea. Yue Cai’er, on the other hand, diligently served them both, pouring tea and water.

“Mmm, it’s brewed wonderfully, little girl. What’s your name?” Fang Yue had felt incredibly comfortable since arriving, being waited on by the young girl before her, and had developed a great fondness for her.

The girl respectfully replied, “Sister Fang, my name is Yue Cai’er.”

Zhang Xiaoyou had already greeted Yue Cai’er before Fang Yue’s arrival. Yue Cai’er knew that this girl, who looked about her age, was her future master, but Fang Yue was still unaware that Yue Cai’er was the disciple she was meant to test.

Fang Yue’s heart blossomed at being called ‘Sister’. “So well-behaved, such a sweet mouth. Your tea is excellent. Besides this, what else can you do?”

Yue Cai’er pondered for a moment before replying, “I can cook, sew clothes, tidy rooms, brew tea, embroider, play the zither, and sometimes paint.”

“How wonderful,” Fang Yue scrutinized Yue Cai’er, suddenly feeling a desire to snatch this girl away from Zhang Xiaoyou.

‘This is a true young lady from a prominent family!’ she thought.

‘Just look at the Hundred Flowers Valley now; what have those women become? Each one is like a tigress! You don’t realize that virtuous and elegant girls like her have been single for so many years. You all will never get married!’

Although she had once used her authority as Valley Master to forcefully establish etiquette classes in the Hundred Flowers Valley, even making the elders lead by example, the results were minimal.

‘Alas, with such a proper young lady like me as a role model, why do the disciples below not learn? Each one is incredibly violent.

In her era, the Hundred Flowers Valley even circulated the view that men should be dealt with violently. Who started that? So annoying!’

‘Never mind,’ she decided.

‘I’ll ask for this girl later. First, let me inquire about my cheap disciple.’ Looking at Zhang Xiaoyou, who was leisurely sipping tea, Fang Yue grumbled, “Xiaoyou, where is that disciple you mentioned? They haven’t even come to see me yet.”

Zhang Xiaoyou looked at Fang Yue speechlessly. ‘Grandma, you’ve been served all this time, yet you don’t realize the one serving you is the very disciple you’re meant to take in?’

“Isn’t she right in front of you?” Zhang Xiaoyou said helplessly.

“???” Fang Yue looked at the girl before her.

Yue Cai’er politely bowed to Fang Yue. “Yue Cai’er greets Sister Fang.”

‘Why didn’t you say so sooner?’ Fang Yue’s eyes lit up. Now she could openly abduct the girl in front of her to the Hundred Flowers Valley. ‘I’m thrilled!’

Just as Fang Yue was about to agree, a disciple called out from outside the door, “Elder Zhang, a man, a woman, and that strange flying creature captured a few days ago wish to see you. They hold your token.”

“Oh, my disciples are here,” Zhang Xiaoyou said, looking at the bewildered doorman. “Tell them to come in.”

Soon, a man and a woman entered. The man was handsome and dashing, the woman petite and adorable—it was Yue Feng and Wang Yu.

“Hahaha, this lord is back again!” Xiaoke flew in arrogantly. “Zhang Dasha, you didn’t even personally welcome me!”

Zhang Xiaoyou’s face darkened. Before he could retort, Fang Yue spoke first, “Welcome back. Should I call you Long Aotian, or Little Haotian, or perhaps your current name, Xiaoke?”

Xiaoke’s face stiffened upon hearing the familiar voice. Without even looking, they immediately turned around. “My apologies for the disturbance. I have some urgent matters at home. I’ll take my leave first.”

Unfortunately, before they could even fly past the main door, Xiaoke felt the scenery shift. They were being held by their wings, lifted before a pair of large eyes.

Xiaoke chuckled dryly, “Hi, long time no see. I’ve missed you dearly.”