Upon hearing their frustration, Hu Xiaobei knew they were genuinely remorseful at this moment!

With a light chuckle, Hu Xiaobei calmly comforted them, "It's not your fault. You've done quite well previously. Now, go back and rest. Leave the remaining matters to me, I'll go take a look around first!"

Having said this, Hu Xiaobei prepared to step forward!

Understanding Hu Xiaobei's intentions, they quickly asked, "Master Xiaobei, do you need us to accompany you?"

Shaking his head slightly, Hu Xiaobei calmly replied, "No need! You all go back and rest."

"Alright!"

They agreed!

They were aware that following Hu Xiaobei wouldn't really be of any help, so it was better to go back and have a good rest.

"Alright! Hurry back and rest then, there are many tasks waiting for you in the village!"

"Okay!"

Promising once again, they all stepped away.

After they left, Hu Xiaobei leisurely walked along the quiet path, taking his time.

Previously, Hu Xiaobei suspected someone was poisoning the fruits and vegetables, causing them to wither.

Now, Hu Xiaobei knew it couldn't be poisoning.

Because the youngsters were patrolling the area daily, if someone was indeed poisoning the fruits, it couldn't escape their notice.

"I'm really quite interested in their cause of disease!"

Murmuring to himself, Hu Xiaobei glanced at the long path and continued to walk forward…

Five minutes later, Hu Xiaobei calmly halted in front of a withered fruit tree.

This was a pear tree…

Under normal circumstances, it should be laden with fruits, but now its branches were bare, leaves all fallen.

"Not a shred of life force left!"

Approaching, Hu Xiaobei carefully examined its roots, murmuring to himself.

After the self-talk, Hu Xiaobei continued to scrutinize it.

Hu Xiaobei didn't find a single clue, which made him feel the situation was quite tricky.

He attempted to inject the Nine Wood True Qi to revive it, but soon Hu Xiaobei gave up…

Because reviving it proved exceptionally difficult.

"Although I don't know what destroyed it, it has been incredibly thoroughly ravaged!"

Having said this, Hu Xiaobei stood up and continued forward!

Five minutes later, Hu Xiaobei arrived at another withered fruit tree.

This time, Hu Xiaobei observed even more attentively!

But just like before, Hu Xiaobei still didn't discover any useful information…

"Though I don't know who did it, I must admit, it's indeed clean and neat work!"

Murmuring to himself, Hu Xiaobei collected his thoughts and continued walking forward…

…

Half an hour later, Hu Xiaobei looked delightedly at a moderately small footprint on the ground not far away.

In the past half hour, Hu Xiaobei had observed many withered fruits and vegetables, but hadn't yielded any meaningful results.

Now, Hu Xiaobei made a discovery.

The discovery is the slightly odd-looking footprint in front.

Examining it closely for a moment, Hu Xiaobei couldn't determine what animal the footprint belonged to…

"Looks like I need to find someone professional, indeed!"

Murmuring quietly to himself, Hu Xiaobei raised his head and loudly called, "Kenghuo, I need your help!"

Having said this, Hu Xiaobei didn't receive any response.

Slightly twitching the corners of his mouth, Hu Xiaobei spoke in a deep voice, "Kenghuo, I know you can hear me! I'll give you three seconds, and if you don't appear, bear the consequences!"

After saying this, Hu Xiaobei still didn't see it appear, not even a hint of it…

Frowning lightly, Hu Xiaobei started counting down…

As soon as he counted to the second number, Hu Xiaobei felt a weight on his shoulder.

Turning his head, Hu Xiaobei saw the chubby creature lying on his shoulder, watching him.

"You're finally willing to come out!"

Saying this, Hu Xiaobei saw it shake its chubby forepaw with grievance.

Understanding it intended to explain, Hu Xiaobei directly said, "Don't bother with that, I have something serious for you."

Saying this, Hu Xiaobei didn't wait for it to say more, directly pointing to the footprint on the ground, "Considering you're knowledgeable, you should know what this footprint belongs to."

Hearing Hu Xiaobei's question, it jumped off Hu Xiaobei's shoulder and stared intensely.

"Seems like it really knows,"

Murmuring, Hu Xiaobei looked at it expectantly.

Soon, Hu Xiaobei's eyes twitched furiously, for he saw the creature gently shake its head.

"You… you don't know?"

It nodded earnestly.

"I thought you were really knowledgeable, but apparently, I overestimated you!"

Having said this, Hu Xiaobei ignored its resentment and continued, "Oh, go and tell my sister-in-law and aunt that I won't be returning tonight!"

With a human-like nod, it swiftly scampered away.

Seeing it leave, Hu Xiaobei took a deep breath and started relaxing.

Now Hu Xiaobei knew that the reason these fruits and vegetables were withering was evidently due to a certain animal.

Hu Xiaobei wanted to find this animal, thus solving the problem fundamentally.

Guessing that the animal moved rather swiftly, Hu Xiaobei wasn't planning to enlist help.

Because he understood a crowd tactic would clearly be useless!

…

"In this place, it indeed feels so peaceful within!"

Sitting casually, Hu Xiaobei's lips curled into a slight smile.

At this moment, Hu Xiaobei truly felt extremely comfortable.

Without needing to do anything, the Nine Wood True Qi in his Dantian kept flowing smoothly.

"Cultivating here for a day is equivalent to a month elsewhere! I…"

Before he could finish, Hu Xiaobei stopped.

Because at that moment, he heard footsteps.

Turning his head, Hu Xiaobei saw Guo Meiyu and Han Xueyao walking over.

Observing their slightly awkward walking posture, Hu Xiaobei burst into laughter.

Carrying food containers, upon hearing Hu Xiaobei's laughter, the two guessed what Hu Xiaobei was thinking.

Instantly, they were vexed and gritted their teeth.

"Little bastard, had I known, I wouldn't bring you food!"

"Exactly!"

Hearing such irritated remarks, Hu Xiaobei chuckled lightly, "I know you both are kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing me starve here!"

Previously, Hu Xiaobei sent the Kenghuo to inform them he wouldn't return just to have them deliver some food here.

"Shouldn't be kind to this little bastard of yours!"

"Absolutely right!"

"You can't treat me that way, I'm genuinely exhausted from before! So, even for that reason alone, you should make more delicious food for me!"

Hearing Hu Xiaobei speak suggestively, their cheeks reddened even more.

Annoyed, they shot Hu Xiaobei a quick glance and rapidly said, "Enough talk, we brought delicious food, hurry and eat!"

"Okay!"

With a gentle smile, Hu Xiaobei accepted the food container and carefully took out the four dishes inside, placing them neatly.

After placing them, Hu Xiaobei carefully examined them, and then, somewhat excitedly, rubbed his hands, "Wow, they're all my favorites, you truly are thoughtful!"

Seeing Hu Xiaobei so smug, they huffed irritably, "It's not us being thoughtful, you're just lucky, randomly made, but coincidentally all your favorites!"

"Then, I'm really lucky!"

Gazing deeply at them, Hu Xiaobei gleefully picked up his chopsticks.

"Don't rush to eat, there's nothing else, let's have a drink together!"

Saying this, they drew two transparent glass cups from somewhere.

Seeing them well-prepared, Hu Xiaobei humorously smiled in annoyance, "But I don't have a cup!"

"Fool, we can share these two cups!"

Hearing this, Hu Xiaobei grinned sweetly, "Indeed, no outsiders around!"

"Hm!"

Snorting, they said no more!

Seeing them not denying his words, Hu Xiaobei smiled and began pouring wine.

Soon, the three began chatting away.

The wine doesn't intoxicate, people get drunk by themselves!

Gradually, the cheeks of the three turned rosy!

A little later, Guo Meiyu and Han Xueyao shyly asked, "Xiaobei, have you figured out the cause of the fruits and vegetables withering?"

Upon hearing their inquiry, Hu Xiaobei put down his cup and replied casually, "I've learned a bit; it's likely an animal's doing but not entirely certain which type, so tonight I plan to stay here and observe closely."

Hearing such a detailed explanation, their eyes lit up, "Xiaobei, you're staying here? Do you mean the culprit might appear again tonight?"

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