264: Very scared

“Hello, young lady. I’d like to ask where this place is. I came from a very distant place and am completely unfamiliar with this area.”

“This is Tian Town, Young Master. You’re truly amazing! Our hunters here have explored hundreds of miles around and haven’t found any other Towns. For you to come from such a distant place, it’s truly remarkable,” the young lady exclaimed.

“I am merely a lost person, so I don’t deserve such praise,” Ji Yi said.

“My name is Xiao Xin. May I ask what your name is, Young Master?”

“My name is Mu Zixiao.” Ji Yi felt it necessary to give Mu Zixiao some face, so he borrowed his name.

“Young Master, that’s a wonderful name. Young Master Mu, since you’re new here and unfamiliar with the place, why don’t you come to my house as a guest?” Xiao Xin proactively made her move, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Wouldn’t that be too much of a bother?”

“Meeting is fate. Is Young Master afraid that Xiao Xin will bully you?”

“Not at all. In that case, I gratefully accept.” Ji Yi thanked her, then followed Xiao Xin towards her home.

“I’m so angry! She actually got to him first.” Several fiery young ladies stomped their feet in regret, having missed a great opportunity with such a handsome young man.

“Damn it, that pretty boy! I’ll beat him every time I see him.” The young men who had feelings for Xiao Xin looked at Ji Yi with extreme ill will.

They had pursued Xiao Xin for so long, yet she had never invited them to her home as guests. Ji Yi received such treatment upon arrival, which made them feel very unbalanced.

The Town was not very large. In Ji Yi’s Divine Thought scan earlier, this Town was only about two to three thousand mu.

Along the way, under everyone’s gaze, he returned to Xiao Xin’s home: a bamboo hut with a courtyard. This was Xiao Xin’s home.

At this moment, an old grandmother was drying corn in the courtyard. Through his conversation with Xiao Xin, he learned that only she and her grandmother were left, as all other family members had passed away due to illness.

“Grandma, I’m back!” Xiao Xin exclaimed.

“Xiao Xin is back!” The grandmother’s kind voice said as she turned her head and saw Ji Yi walking with Xiao Xin.

Her gaze shifted to Xiao Xin, her eyes full of questions.

“Grandma, this is Young Master Mu, my new friend. He’s here to visit us,” Xiao Xin introduced, holding her grandmother’s hand.

“Hello, Grandma. I bought some fruits and vegetables. It’s a small token of my appreciation.” Fortunately, the currency here was also gold and silver, which Ji Yi certainly didn’t lack.

“It’s good that you came. Why bring gifts?” The grandmother quickly waved her hand, indicating it wasn’t necessary.

Looks are justice. If Xiao Xin had brought back a scruffy young man, the grandmother probably wouldn’t have been pleased. Ji Yi’s good looks and politeness made a very good first impression on the grandmother.

“How can this be considered a gift? I just brought it along casually. I’ll put it here for you,” Ji Yi placed the items on a wicker table in the courtyard.

“Come, come inside and sit. Standing here is not good,” the grandmother led Ji Yi into the house.

Xiao Xin poured Ji Yi a cup of tea, and the three of them sat on stools, chatting about everyday life.

“I never thought a young man like you could walk hundreds of miles! It’s truly amazing. I heard there are many man-eating jackals, wolves, and leopards in the mountains. It’s a good thing you didn’t encounter any,” the grandmother remarked, marveling at Ji Yi’s luck.

“Don’t worry, Grandma, my family are hunters. I learned how to deal with prey from them since I was young. I’m not afraid of ordinary wild beasts,” Ji Yi created a cover for his identity.

“Hunters are good! The few hunter families in our Town live quite well, unlike us grandmother and granddaughter who have it so tough,” the grandmother said, her eyes becoming more favorable towards Ji Yi when she heard he was a hunter.

“Grandma, I will take care of you from now on. We will have a good life,” Xiao Xin said, holding her grandmother’s hand.

“You’re a young lady; finding someone to marry is the proper thing to do. Why are you busy all day?” The grandmother’s tone was slightly reproachful.

“We women can also hold up half the sky, Grandma. You have to believe your granddaughter,” Xiao Xin said firmly.

“Alright, alright, Grandma believes you, but you also need to take care of your lifelong matters. You’re not getting any younger.”

“I don’t want to get married! I just want to stay by Grandma’s side,” Xiao Xin grumbled.

“What nonsense are you talking about? How can a young lady not get married?” the grandmother scolded.

“Grandma, I’ll go make dinner first. Young Master Mu must be hungry,” Xiao Xin quickly ran off.

Ji Yi didn't expect to encounter a scene of pressure to marry here; this was something he hadn't anticipated.

“Grandma, I’ll go help.” Ji Yi didn’t want to sit idly there; that would be impolite.

Although Ji Yi knew this place was formed by a Heaven and Earth formation, he hadn’t found any difference between the people here and real people. Perhaps these were truly real people, or perhaps Ji Yi’s strength was insufficient to tell the difference.

Since he couldn’t distinguish between real and fake, he decided to treat them as real. Ji Yi thought to himself.

Thus, Ji Yi began his first step in integrating into this Town. To understand this place, he had to integrate into it—this was Ji Yi’s idea.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Mu Zixiao arrived in a gloomy space.

There was no sunlight here, only dark clouds overhead, and a gray haze enveloped this world. There were also faint blue flames flickering in the air, making one feel very uncomfortable.

“What kind of ghostly place is this?” Mu Zixiao muttered. He never expected to suddenly find himself in such a place.

He cautiously extended his Divine Thought, slowly exploring outwards. It was a scorched earth, without a trace of green. Life was extinct here, and a sense of desolation welled up from the bottom of Mu Zixiao’s heart.

Mu Zixiao’s Divine Thought spread further and further until he finally discovered something different.

He saw a person walking on the ground, or rather, floating. She floated forward continuously, her feet not touching the ground.

A pale face, devoid of any color, and scattered pupils. Mu Zixiao saw no color in her eyes. Most importantly, Mu Zixiao felt no life aura from her.

“This is… a ghost?” Mu Zixiao’s eyes showed a hint of disbelief. Had he really run into a ghostly place? Why would there be ghosts in the Celestial Realm, or had he already entered the Netherworld?

“Am I dead?” Mu Zixiao was startled by his own thought. He quickly pinched his thigh. “Hiss!” He felt pain, indicating he was still alive. He was immensely relieved.

Having no descendants was a great sin. He had no children or grandchildren yet. If he were to die now, how could he face his Junior Sister and his parents?

He felt a chill on his shoulder. Mu Zixiao’s peripheral vision caught sight of a pale hand resting on his shoulder.

“Ah! A ghost!” At this moment, Mu Zixiao had no Cultivator demeanor. He was terrified, scrambling and rolling away. Who wouldn’t be scared if a ghost touched their shoulder?