Amid the sound of the wind, Chen Xu separated a bit of his heart and spirit to check the newly acquired spiritual materials through the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

He could now use the ability to traverse the Netherworld five times a day. Today, he had already used it three times, so he held onto the remaining two uses for now.

There was no need to use the Netherworld for merely traveling.

It wasn't that he expected a crisis today, but it was a habitual act of caution.

As he moved forward, fields and villages gradually appeared beside the road, and the former desolation began to fade away imperceptibly.

This world was indeed interesting; within ten miles, two completely different worlds could appear.

From barren and secluded to vibrant and lively.

As the sun set, Chen Xu saw that the fire on Pufeng Mountain in the distance seemed to dye the entire sky with sunset glow.

He occasionally encountered travelers on the road: peddlers with carrying poles, a shepherd boy driving cattle, and farmers washing their hands and feet with stream water by the fields...

People also saw the brilliant sunset glow in the distance. Ordinary mortals did not realize it was a fire burning, only saying:

"Why is today's sunset so beautiful? It's just like the stories told by the storytellers... saying that Immortals are lighting fires in the sky."

"What nonsense from the storytellers! Why would Immortals light fires? Immortals don't have to cook, what would they light fires for?"

These words stumped the bystanders.

The shepherd boy, riding on a cow, proudly said with his chest out:

"Listen to me, what I heard is the truth! Immortals live on wind and dew, they plainly do not eat. How would they need to light fires?"

"Then, if no one is lighting fires, how did those clouds come about in the sky?"

The shepherd boy was momentarily stumped, before hurriedly saying: "Clouds are just clouds. There are dawn clouds, so there are sunset clouds.

This is something that naturally occurs with the rise and fall of the sun, what does it have to do with lighting fires in the sky?

According to what you said, if there are clouds of fire in the sky, then it must be Immortals lighting fires. Are Immortals with nothing to do all day just lighting fires for us morning and evening?"

This stumped the bystanders again, who could only sulkily say:

"That isn't right, Immortals living on wind and dew. Everyone must eat; even Immortals need food.

If they don't eat, how would they have strength? After all, Immortals are still human..."

Oh, this argument is interesting.

Chen Xu was strolling along, habitually aware of his surroundings as a precaution, but he admittedly didn't pay attention to the roadside travelers' conversation.

Yet, without deliberately listening, the conversation reached his ears, carrying an indescribable flavor.

He couldn't help but pause and turn to look at those conversing.

Beside the road stood not only the shepherd boy and the farmer, but also a young Daoist leading a donkey.

The young Daoist seemed familiar. It was Xuan Yi, a young Daoist Chen Xu had met in Jichuan County!

At this moment, young Daoist Xuan Yi was engrossed in listening to the conversation between the shepherd boy and the farmer, completely unaware of Chen Xu passing by the roadside.

When the shepherd boy was rendered speechless by the farmer, he suddenly began clapping enthusiastically.

The shepherd boy, embarrassed by the applause, quickly said: "What's up with you, Daoist? I've said that Immortals live on wind and dew, and you're someone who practices cultivation. Why aren't you agreeing with me, but instead applauding him?"

Young Daoist Xuan Yi blinked and said: "But he said that Immortals are also human, and I think he makes a lot of sense. Shouldn't I applaud?"

The shepherd boy hurriedly said: "How can Immortals still be human? Once they become Immortals, they naturally aren't human anymore!"

Xuan Yi said: "If Immortals weren't human, why are they called Immortals and not something else?"

The shepherd boy was once again stumped.

Then the farmer, full of pride, said, "I told you, Immortals have to eat, just like our Emperor, Your Majesty, has to eat. In this world, who doesn't need to eat?"

The shepherd boy was left speechless.

Xuan Yi applauded again: "Indeed, indeed! Immortals originate from mortals, just like emperors originate from men.

Who in this world doesn't need to eat?

Heaven and earth give birth to man, feeding on grains; without sustenance, how can one live? Hence, we value food as the utmost necessity!

How marvelous and wondrous! In all my rushed travels, through countless mystical landscapes and spiritual mountains, I haven't grasped such a truth, yet here by this ordinary path, I suddenly understand.

But, oh, what is it exactly that I have understood?"

He pondered back and forth, shaking his head with a look of drowsy enchantment.

The donkey he was leading suddenly neighed and, raising its forelegs, leapt forward.

Xuan Yi was immediately alarmed and angrily shouted: "Ancestor, why are you running again? I'm trying to comprehend the Dao here, and while I'm having an epiphany, why are you running?

If you don't go against me for a day, are you feeling uncomfortable? Oh, oh..."

The donkey ran so fast, the young Daoist couldn't keep up, and he had to rush after it.

As he ran, he finally noticed Chen Xu standing by the roadside, dressed as a scholar.

The young Daoist tilted his head, his eyes lighting up, and said: "You there, Scholar, I think I've seen you before!"

Chen Xu smiled faintly but didn't reply.

The young Daoist looked again in the direction Chen Xu had come from and quickly asked:

"Did you see any master passing in the direction of Pufeng Mountain?"

This time, Chen Xu shook his head.

Xuan Yi slapped his leg and sighed: "Ah, I keep trying to find a master but always miss them. Why do I always miss them?

Hey, hey, hey, donkey, donkey ancestor, don't you dare go bumping into people!"

For some reason, the grey donkey seemed to rush toward Chen Xu.

That imposing momentum frightened Xuan Yi into quickly tugging it back.

Xuan Yi was furious: "Stupid donkey, Brother Donkey, you're going to make me die of anger. Don't you know how strong you are? Do you want to crash into people like it's no big deal?

If you cause me trouble, I'll send you back to the Daoist temple.

And never bring you out again!"

The grey donkey snorted, blowing air through its nostrils, but eventually stopped running and charging around.

Chen Xu held Little Mouse in his arms, nodded slightly to Xuan Yi and the donkey, then turned and walked away.

His robe fluttered gently, and his steps were calm and measured.

Xuan Yi watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but murmur: "This gentleman has an extraordinary demeanor, he must be an outstanding scholar.

He's not in the city but has come to the countryside, perhaps also seeking inspiration and enlightenment.

Oh, why didn't I invite him to stay? Maybe discussing the Dao with him would have offered some insights."

But the person had already walked far away, leaving Xuan Yi stomping his foot and sighing, feeling inexplicably melancholy.

Chen Xu had already walked far, yet he continued to savor the earlier exchanges he had overheard.

Indeed, as Xuan Yi said, even by a roadside in the countryside, there are principles to be understood.

"Dao" is not just the Daoist path, it can also be the Confucian path, the way of heaven and earth, the way of all things.

Sometimes a mortal's simple words can offer cultivators an enlightening insight.

The wonders of the world are truly marvelous!

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