In the original plot, only the person who was supposed to become Qin Hongye's little brother and Qin Hongye herself escaped with their lives from Qingzhu Town, while everyone else perished there.
Although Yun Zhonghe had no interactions with them, he would save them if he could.
A second-grade Medicinal Pill is effective for winning over Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators, but for Song Ziwei, who is already a Disciple of the Sect, it's nothing special, especially since she doesn't seem to lack Spirit Stones.
Yun Zhonghe could address this accordingly.
"This is..."
Illusion Face Pill?!
After recognizing the pill in her hand, Song Ziwei was also surprised, but she didn't say it out loud.
The Illusion Face Pill is a Medicinal Pill that can change a person's appearance, making it very convenient for disguising oneself when traveling outside.
The best part is that the pill's toxicity is almost non-existent, allowing female Cultivators who care about their appearance to use it without restraint, adding a layer of beauty to their faces and enhancing their looks.
One Illusion Face Pill can sell for three hundred Spirit Stones. Yun Zhonghe gave three pills, which is roughly nine hundred Spirit Stones.
Moreover, the Illusion Face Pill is very difficult to buy. If brought back to the Heaven Sword Sect, it would likely sell for an even higher price.
But Song Ziwei is inherently a woman who values beauty. Seeing her luxurious clothing and attractive appearance, Yun Zhonghe knew this item would definitely suit her taste.
"Fellow Daoist Yun, I have long heard of your great name. It is a great honor to have the opportunity to cooperate with you today. I hope for your guidance in the future."
"Not at all, not at all. It is truly an honor for my Cangzhou City that Immortal Song can visit us. I represent all the citizens of Cangzhou City in welcoming you."
Yun Zhonghe spoke smoothly, which significantly increased Song Ziwei's favorable impression of him.
Under Yun Zhonghe's efforts, the overall cohesion of the team instantly improved greatly, unlike the loose and self-centered state it was in at the beginning.
"Brother Yun is so amazing..."
Lin Zhongyu, who witnessed all of this, couldn't help but exclaim, once again conquered by Yun Zhonghe's charismatic personality.
"Hmph, isn't he just buying people's hearts with money? Anyone can do that."
Mu Jixue was unconvinced and still being stubborn.
Lin Zhongyu shook her head, pulled Mu Jixue closer, and whispered, "Xue'er, there's a lot of skill involved here. It's not something just anyone can do. Having money isn't enough if you don't seize the opportunity, and others might not appreciate it. Moreover, Brother Yun can address the situation appropriately, which is very impressive. Look at that Heaven Sword Sect Disciple; she will definitely be very cooperative from now on. Xue'er, you must learn this well. You will absolutely need such negotiation skills in the future."
"Ugh..."
Mu Jixue fell silent. She felt that Lin Zhongyu also made a lot of sense. Yun Zhonghe was indeed very capable, basically faultless, but she just couldn't bring herself to truly acknowledge him from the bottom of her heart.
Damn it, why is he so perfect? I can't find any flaws to surpass him.
Mu Jixue was very unwilling, having her spotlight stolen by Yun Zhonghe again, attracting Lin Zhongyu's attention.
Chapter 56: Let Huang Mao Fill You Up With Experience
Yun Zhonghe's social skills were indeed outstanding. After his efforts, he subtly showed a tendency to become the core of the team.
Who wouldn't like such a handsome Young Master with background, charisma, generosity, and an easygoing nature?
Only Mu Jixue looked displeased.
Yun Zhonghe also noticed this, feeling puzzled. He didn't seem to have provoked this young lady.
This mission was a bit dangerous, and the sudden addition of Huang Aotian and the female lead made Yun Zhonghe worried, fearing that something unexpected might happen to them during the mission.
After all, the current plot could not be said to be similar to the original; it could only be said to be completely unrelated.
Considering this, Yun Zhonghe felt it necessary to help Huang Aotian, the female lead, and everyone else build good relationships first. Only by deepening team cohesion would everyone unite when facing danger, instead of scattering and fleeing.
In fact, Yun Zhonghe had even tried to probe the Book of Prophecy in his Sea of Consciousness: if Huang Aotian died unexpectedly, what would happen to his own fate?
After all, in the game, there were death endings. If the player's poor operation led to Huang Aotian's death, the game would end and restart.
But this wasn't a game; it was a real world. How could it restart?
So he was very curious about the outcome.
The Book of Prophecy did not give a direct answer, but Yun Zhonghe could sense a wave of implication.
He would die!
Even though it was Huang Aotian's death, he would also die with her.
Yun Zhonghe didn't know the deeper meaning, but according to many web novel tropes, especially those with multi-world and parallel Universe settings, once the Child of the World or a fixed point in one world dies unexpectedly, the entire world collapses with them.
Then Yun Zhonghe, living in this world, would also die with it.
Yun Zhonghe suddenly felt his burden was very heavy.
Yun Zhonghe decided to stop thinking. It was useless to think too much anyway. It was better to help Huang Aotian become stronger as soon as possible, and he could also become stronger with her. Wouldn't that mean he wouldn't be afraid of any danger?
Regardless, Huang Aotian and the female lead's safety was the top priority.
Of course, he also had to consider the practical situation, which was that his relationship with Huang Aotian was not particularly good. At best, they could only exchange a few words. If he tried to force-feed her Medicinal Pills, he might provoke her and be wrongly accused of having ill intentions again.
Thinking of this, Yun Zhonghe glanced at Mu Jixue out of the corner of his eye.
As it happened, Mu Jixue noticed, and immediately put on a wary expression.
"What are you doing?"
"..."
Yun Zhonghe felt a bit speechless.
She could even notice that?
He thought he had been quite subtle.
But thankfully, Yun Zhonghe's self-cultivation prevented him from easily showing flaws. He remained calm, and even retorted, "What are you looking at me for?"
"Huh???"
Mu Jixue was stunned by the question. When she reacted, her face was completely red, and her little tiger teeth were bared in frustration: "I didn't! You were clearly looking at me!"
She hadn't forgotten the day this smelly man cornered her. The spot where Yun Zhonghe had held her felt as if it had awakened its memory, becoming burning hot.
Mu Jixue was about to turn into Mu Jishui; flowing water was about to come out.
So much water.
However, compared to her chaotic thoughts, Yun Zhonghe just said lightly, "You're thinking too much. I wasn't looking at you."
"Hmph! Then I wasn't looking at you either." Mu Jixue turned her head away.
Their conversation didn't feel like an argument at all; rather, it was...
Lin Zhongyu, standing beside them, felt that something was off and her gaze towards Yun Zhonghe changed.
Could it be Brother Yun...
No... it shouldn't be like this...
Lin Zhongyu shook her head vigorously, pushing the distracting thoughts into a corner.
...
All seven people had arrived, and the team was about to set off.
The seven first confirmed the location of Qingzhu Town and planned their route. Just as Yun Zhonghe thought they would rent horses to travel, the Heaven Sword Sect Disciple, Song Ziwei, unexpectedly took out a small boat.
When the small boat was first taken out, it was only palm-sized. Thrown into the air, it quickly expanded, gradually becoming a small boat capable of holding ten people.
"Everyone, please come aboard. Before reaching Qingzhu Town, it's best to conserve our physical strength and spiritual power, and be ready to fight at any time."
He didn't expect there would be a free ride available!
Yun Zhonghe was a little surprised.
This spirit boat was quite valuable, already falling into the category of Magic Treasures. The Yun Family only had one, owned by his Father, for his long-distance travels outside.
It was clear that Song Ziwei also had a certain background. Moreover, seeing that Yun Zhonghe had just contributed Medicinal Pills to the team, she felt she shouldn't be stingy and took out her good item.
She actually hadn't planned to use the spirit boat initially, as operating it consumed Spirit Stones, and the reward for this mission wasn't even enough for the fuel cost.
But after receiving three Illusion Face Pills from Yun Zhonghe just now, this bit of fuel cost was nothing.
The entire consumption had already been paid for by Yun Gongzi.
Afterwards, everyone boarded the spirit boat with great interest.
Except for Yun Zhonghe and Song Ziwei, everyone else was riding for the first time and was very excited, curiously looking around.
After everyone found a seat and sat down, Song Ziwei stood at the front of the spirit boat, controlling its direction.
The spirit boat flew towards Qingzhu Town at an extremely fast speed.
Along the way, everyone was in high spirits. Xiao Yang and Xiao Yue opposite were discussing in low voices, their tone filled with excitement.
But what they didn't know was that this was a spirit boat of no return.
Yun Zhonghe was also very worried that Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu would die here.
"Miss Mu, Miss Lin, let's talk outside."
Yun Zhonghe was uneasy and called Mu Jixue and Lin Zhongyu to the back of the boat for some fresh air.
Mu Jixue was reluctant, but was dragged over by Lin Zhongyu.
"Is there something Brother Yun can't say inside? You have to say it outside."
Mu Jixue crossed her arms over her chest, looking displeased.
Yun Zhonghe nodded: "Indeed, there is something very important I need to tell you two."
Mu Jixue & Lin Zhongyu: ?
These two little silly girls probably had no experience with going out on missions at all, and their luck was so bad that their first experience was with Yun Zhonghe, doing something intense.
This really made Yun Zhonghe, the old Father, worry himself sick.
But since they were already in bed... oh no, on the boat, they could only see it through to the end. Perhaps this could also be an opportunity to fill the two with experience points.
"You two, what I'm about to say must be done well. Once we reach Qingzhu Town, do not easily expose your full strength, conserve your spiritual power, and always keep trump cards hidden. Only at the very last moment when your life is in danger should you reveal everything; perhaps that can reverse the situation."
Yun Zhonghe was well-versed in web novel tropes. Which of those great Cultivators who eventually became Emperors didn't act cautiously to the extreme, holding onto their trump cards tightly, only bringing them out at the last moment to catch the enemy off guard?
It was precisely because of this that the protagonists could always turn the tables and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
However, based on Yun Zhonghe's current understanding of Mu Jixue, this girl's thinking was a bit straightforward. She probably wouldn't know to hide her strength and didn't seem to deliberately conceal her cultivation. If the enemy fully probed her information, wouldn't they be even more fully prepared?
Chapter 57: Is It Okay To Share A Cup With A Good Brother?
"We Cultivators of the Dao are upright and honest, why should we be secretive?"
Upon hearing Yun Zhonghe's words, Mu Jixue immediately retorted.
An upright person is not afraid of crooked shadows. Shouldn't those on the Righteous Path be open and aboveboard? Being secretive like this wasn't her style.
As expected, Yun Zhonghe had anticipated her response. Up to this point, she hadn't experienced any major hardships and was still relatively naive. Moreover, she had grown up in the Lin Family's greenhouse and lacked cunning.
In fact, one could tell from her usual lack of concealment regarding her rejection of Yun Zhonghe that she was someone who spoke her mind.
To put it nicely, it's honesty; to put it bluntly, it's a bit foolish.
"Xue'er, I think Brother Yun makes a lot of sense. This isn't Cangzhou City. No one knows what might happen. Be more careful and hide some of your details; it could save your life at a critical moment."
Compared to Mu Jixue, Lin Zhongyu was clearly more astute.
"After all, the outside world is different from inside the city and the Sect. There are also many Demonic Cultivators and evil Cultivators!"
Having managed to turn her situation around from adversity, her thinking and awareness were more mature.
Lin Zhongyu's thought process was longer and broader. When Yun Zhonghe's ideas were presented to her, she could immediately align closely with them, reaching an understanding with Yun Zhonghe's thinking. A little guidance and she was clear.
Unlike Mu Jixue, whose thought process was narrow and short-sighted. When Yun Zhonghe poured experience into her, her brain immediately became overloaded, unable to function properly, and her eyes almost rolled back.
"Since Xiao Yu said so... okay then."
Mu Jixue was persuaded. Since Lin Zhongyu had spoken, she could only nod.
Huang Aotian felt she had been outdone again. Her invisible cat ears and tail drooped.
It's hard for a child. She always wants to compete with Yun Zhonghe, but Yun Zhonghe has lived two lives, and his experience and knowledge far surpass hers as a fourteen-year-old child. One is so vast, the other so limited; there's simply no comparison.
Although Yun Zhonghe didn't know Mu Jixue wanted to compete with him, he could see her low spirits.
As a good brother, how could he ignore his buddy's emotions? A brother's existence is to please her!