A leisurely life in the world of cultivation

Chapter 186 Another Year

The wind was still blowing gently inside the ice cellar of Cangshui Peak, and the "snowflakes" fell on the ice silk on the edge of the ice platform, disappearing in an instant.

Granny Jin Hua and Bai Zhiwei finally recovered and became excited!
possible!
There is great hope!!
Originally, the two of them really had no confidence and just wanted to go along with this whimsical sect leader's antics.

Who would have thought that this newcomer from the lower realm would bring such a wondrous and miraculous object?!
Without using any special skills, the unique environment of the Ice and Snow Secret Realm was successfully replicated!
Granny Jin Hua nodded to Bai Zhiwei. After taking a deep breath, Bai Zhiwei took out the warm jade box from her bosom. As soon as the lid was lifted a crack, a very faint blue spiritual light floated out. This was the unique aura of the Ice Soul Insect Egg.

Li Weizhou and the others' gazes fell on the jade box, where dozens of tiny insect eggs, the size of rice grains, lay on snow-white ice silkworm silk. The eggshells shimmered with a light blue light, much like the thin ice that had just melted in the early spring of the spirit world.

This was the result of Bai Zhiwei and Granny Jinhua's half-month of nurturing. When they first bought them, these insect eggs remained dormant, without even the slightest tremor.

Ironically, after learning that the Sin Clan had successfully cultivated the Ice Soul Pearl, Li Weizhou was clearly not the only one with such ambitions.

Therefore, Ice Soul Insect Eggs are sold in Xuantian Tower within Qingshui City.

Ice Soul Insects are not particularly rare spiritual creatures, and the vast majority of them do not form beads.

Generally speaking, the moment the Ice Soul Pearl is formed is also the moment the Ice Soul Insect vanishes...

Only under extremely harsh conditions will the Ice Soul Insect willingly form beads.

Bai Zhiwei summoned her magical medicine hoe and flew up to a height of three zhang (approximately 10 meters). Her fingertips were coated with a thin layer of spiritual energy. She carefully controlled the intensity of her spiritual energy to avoid disturbing the insect eggs. She gently picked up an insect egg and placed it in the shallow groove of the ice crystal.

As soon as the silkworm eggs came into contact with the ice silk, they seemed to come alive, gently wrapping around the eggshells. The extremely faint ice mist seeping from the bottom of the tank perfectly encased the eggs.

These are the tiny holes that Li Weizhou had the construction monks chisel at the bottom of the trough, specifically to release a small amount of cold air to simulate the "environment of insect eggs in the ice crevice of the True Secret Realm".

As soon as the first insect egg was placed, everyone's eyes were fixed on it. For the first few seconds, the egg did not move at all. Bai Zhiwei's palms were sweating, Granny Jin Hua held her breath, and even Xi Mei subconsciously covered her mouth, afraid that her breathing would disturb the egg.

Suddenly, the light blue patterns on the eggshell glowed softly, as if water were flowing slowly within. Then, the egg trembled slightly, a very small but clearly visible movement!

"Moved!"

Bai Zhiwei's voice trembled, and she was so excited that she almost reached out to touch it, but was stopped by Granny Jinhua. The old woman's eyes were full of surprise, but she was more composed than Bai Zhiwei: "Don't panic, wait a little longer and see if it will adapt."

Li Weizhou moved closer and looked at the parameters on the control panel screen: the temperature remained stable at -150℃, the wind speed was 0.81 m/s, and the humidity was 30%, without any fluctuations. He breathed a sigh of relief; the illusion created by technology was indeed accurate enough to fool the instincts of the Ice Soul Insects.

Over the next ten minutes, Bai Zhiwei and Granny Jinhua placed the remaining insect eggs one by one into the shallow trough on the ice platform.

What's amazing is that after each insect egg comes into contact with the ice silk and ice mist, it will light up with patterns and tremble gently. Some of the eggs even have very fine cracks appearing on their shells, which is a signal that the larvae are about to hatch!

“It really worked!”

Granny Jin Hua's voice finally rose, her withered fingers gently tracing the edge of the ice platform as she exclaimed in delight, "I've never seen insect eggs adapt to a new environment so quickly! This secret realm... is even more suitable for them than a real ice and snow secret realm!"

Bai Zhiwei squatted beside the ice platform, tears almost falling down her face.

She looked up at Li Weizhou, her eyes filled with gratitude: "Sect Leader, thank you... Without your 'mortal craftsmanship,' we would never have been able to raise the Ice Soul Insect in this lifetime."

This is the glory of her ancestors at Baicaotang!

Li Weizhou smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I should be thanking you. Alright, from now on, I'll entrust this place to your medicine hall. Once the larvae hatch and produce the Ice Soul Pearl, our Five Elements Sect will become stronger and stronger, and you can all live your lives in peace doing what you want to do."

Tsk, all this hard work is for your own good!

After leaving Cangshui Peak, everyone returned to their respective peaks. Li Weizhou preferred to stay at Qingmu Peak, perhaps because of the Jianmu tree, he always felt that Qingmu Peak was more refreshing.

Just as he landed his flying sword, Hou Haikun rushed in, holding an account book in his hand and beaming with joy: "Sect Leader! Zuixianlou has been packed every day for the three days of its trial operation! It's even more popular than Juxianlou back in the day!"

Li Weizhou smiled and instructed, "The food stall is profitable, but more importantly, it can gather intelligence. Keep that in mind. Alright, go and rest. You've been very busy lately, you should take a break."

……

On Earth, the dispute in the Joint Conference Hall has been going on for three days.

Xiao Rui was eventually invited back and even seated in the main seat.

She was happy to negotiate; things always had to be done, and things wouldn't get done if she acted out of spite.

In front of her was a beautifully printed "Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough Report." The nuclear fusion reactor at the University of Tokyo could stably output plasma at 1 million degrees Celsius for more than 1000 seconds, and was only one step away from "unlimited energy."

"Everyone..."

Xiao Rui adjusted her glasses, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, and said, "The breakthrough in nuclear fusion is just around the corner. When that happens, all of humanity will be able to use clean, unlimited energy. Now, you have ten days left to consider: either destroy all your weapons and join the interstellar development program, or stay in your 'war ruins' and wait to be eliminated by the times."

Representative Amei's face was ashen, but she no longer yelled and shouted like before.

They never expected that the nuclear fusion at the University of Tokyo would progress so rapidly.

According to information they obtained from within Dongda University, that person brought back ultra-high standard materials from a very mysterious place, which are resistant to high temperatures, high-energy radiation, corrosion, and radiation.

If Amei obtains this material, she can break through to the next level first.

However, there is no single material on Earth that can fully meet these extreme requirements.

So angry!!

……

Ten days later.

There was no cataclysmic upheaval as I had imagined, and there was not even bloodshed.

Li Weizhou merely let some people experience the feeling of being on the verge of death, and they all chose to compromise.

Faced with life and death, those who were once arrogant and aloof revealed understanding and amiable smiles when confronted with unparalleled power.

For the first time in human history, a complete ban on weapons has been implemented.

Fortunately, they've all remembered now.

The autumn sun in Chongqing was just right, but it couldn't dampen the bustling noise of people on the street.

In the square in front of the Liberation Monument, red flags were like a tide. From Chaotianmen to Ciqikou, the ten-mile-long street was crowded with people. Even on the rooftops and treetops, young people were sitting holding small national flags. The cheers, firecrackers, and drums were mixed together, but it did not sound noisy. Instead, it made people feel a surge of heat in their chests, as if the breath that had been held back for a hundred years was finally being released.

For two or three decades, Dongda University was rich but not strong.

Now, I can finally vent my anger.

Li Weizhou and Xiao Rui walked among the crowd, not trying to hide their identities, yet no one surrounded them to disturb them. Everyone was immersed in their own joy. Some people squatted by the roadside looking at the "Cultural Relics Return Commemorative Album" they had just received, while others held up their phones to live stream the "Avenging a Century of National Humiliation" exhibition in the center of the square. There were also elderly people with white hair, supported by their children, trembling as they reached for the glass case on the display stand. Inside the case was the "Bronze Horse Head Statue from the Old Summer Palace" that had just been transported back from the British Museum.

The University of Tokyo made many replicas, which are placed in museums in various cities for the public to appreciate.

"Is this... the horse head that was stolen back then?"

The old man's fingers traced the outline of the bronze statue through the glass, his voice trembling, tears welling in his cloudy eyes, as he murmured, "Finally back..."

The young people standing around also had tears in their eyes. Some handed them tissues, while others gently comforted them, saying, "Grandpa, you're all back now. You'll never be taken away again!"

The guide next to the booth was holding a microphone and introducing: "This time, a total of 186 million cultural relics were recovered from overseas, including the twelve animal heads of the Yuanmingyuan, Dunhuang scrolls, and copies of the Yongle Encyclopedia... Each one has a way home."

Suddenly, an even louder cheer erupted from the crowd, and the large screen in the center of the square began to play footage of the "Tokyo Apology Ceremony".

"Honey, I'm so proud of you."

Xiao Rui whispered to Li Weizhou, tears welling in her eyes.

Which student from Dongda University wouldn't feel proud and honored at this moment?
Li Weizhou nodded, his gaze falling on a group of children not far away. They were gathered around a young woman dressed in Hanfu, listening to her tell the story of the Eight-Nation Alliance's invasion of China. The young woman held an old photograph of the burned-down Yuanmingyuan's Great Fountain: "Back then, these robbers broke into our homes, stole our treasures, and burned our houses. Now, they have not only returned our treasures but also apologized to us because we are now strong and will never be bullied again!"

A little girl with pigtails raised her hand and asked in a childish voice, "Big sister, does that mean we'll never have to fight again?"

The young woman smiled and nodded, pointing to the sky and saying, "Yes, we're going to the sky, to planet Tigarden B, to build beautiful houses together and never fight again!" Good-natured laughter rang out from the crowd, and someone began to sing "Ode to the Motherland." The song spread from the center of the square, and more and more people joined in. Red flags waved in the song, like a flowing red sea.

Looking at the scene before him, Li Weizhou felt gratified.

His years of tireless work have not been in vain...

It's strange how people are; on ordinary days, no one will give another second glance to a stranger, as it's a waste of time.

But at times like these, everyone remembers that we are compatriots.

May such smiles grace the faces of more people, may there be no war, no plunder, may history be faced squarely, and may the future hold hope.

This is the true meaning of striving to live a good life.

As evening fell, the bells of the Liberation Monument rang, and fireworks began to be set off in the square.

The first firework exploded in the night sky, transforming into the four large characters "Avenge a Century of Humiliation." Immediately following, words such as "Peace," "Future," and "Interstellar" bloomed in succession, illuminating everyone's smiling faces.

Xiao Rui leaned on Li Weizhou's shoulder and whispered, "Do you think Mom and Dad would be very proud if they knew things were like this?"

Li Weizhou held her hand, looked at the dazzling fireworks in the night sky, and smiled, "Yes, we will know. We not only protected our home, but also made it better."

The cheers of the crowd continued. Someone set up a stage in the square and sang "Farewell My Concubine." Someone else set up a hot pot stall by the roadside and offered free hot pot to passersby. Li Weizhou and Xiao Rui walked in the bustling crowd without saying a word, but they both understood that this carnival was not the end, but the beginning.

From the return of cultural relics to the global arms ban to interstellar blueprints, they still have a long way to go, but at this moment, looking at the scene of national celebration, they know that all their efforts have been worthwhile.

The "Old Stove Hot Pot" on Yudu Old Street is still the same as it was back then. Red lanterns hang on the wooden window frames, and the bottom of the pot is bubbling with steam. The aroma of beef tallow mixed with the numbing smell of Sichuan peppercorns fills the whole street.

When Li Weizhou pushed open the wooden door, Zhao Ling'er was leaning over the table, drawing something on a piece of paper with a pen. Song Jia was watching from the side, while Xu Li was playing with a small bronze ornament in her hand, a miniature version of the "Yuanmingyuan animal heads" that Dongda University had just replicated. She had brought it over to show everyone.

"Hey, you two finished shopping?"

Zhao Ling'er looked up and saw Li Weizhou and Xiao Rui. She immediately put down her pen, stood up, patted the empty seat next to her, and said with a smile, "If we had come any later, the pot would have boiled dry!"

She wore a beige knit sweater today, which was much softer than last year. This girl is really beautiful.

However, her updo makes her look like a young married woman.

Li Weizhou gave her a second look, and Xiao Rui chuckled, "One woman from one family, and a hundred families will seek her. So Ling'er made up a lover herself, well, how should I put it... her man is a peerless hero..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Ling'er, blushing with embarrassment, covered his mouth.

This girl is really domineering. Her face flushed, she glared at Li Weizhou and said, "What are you looking at? Can't I use your name for a bit?"

Unfortunately, her gentle gaze only fueled the teasing from Song Jia and Xu Li.

Li Weizhou was also grinning foolishly; it had been a long time since he had experienced such a lively atmosphere.

"Boom!"

Zhao Ling'er had just put a stack of documents on the table when she was startled by the sudden explosion of fireworks outside the window, which made her hand tremble.

"My God, it's been three days already, and the streets are still like a commotion!"

Zhao Ling'er tugged at her shirt collar, her face still flushed from running errands. She had accompanied Xiao Rui to sign the contract.

Song Jia was putting tripe into the pot when she heard this and burst out laughing, saying, "I went to the breeding farm yesterday to make arrangements, and even the gatekeeper was talking to me about spaceships! He said, 'Little Song, could you take my grandson with you on that spaceship you're building? He draws spaceships at home every day and says he wants to be an astronaut!'"

Xu Li chuckled softly, "My nephew drew a picture of a spaceship and asked me to give it to the uncle who builds spaceships so they can finish it quickly! He wants to ride the spaceship to the Tigarden B to show his alien friends his toy spaceship! It even says 'Go Peace!' on it!"

Zhao Ling'er exclaimed, "It hasn't been that long, but it feels like we've lived through several eras. The changes are earth-shattering! I heard that after nuclear fusion is successful, one kilowatt-hour of electricity will only cost a few cents?"

Xiao Rui nodded and said, "Pretty much. After a large-scale reduction, almost every road in the world will be covered by a smart network of wireless infrastructure. At that time, it won't just be that driverless cars are mature. The whole world will fully enter the era of intelligence, and intelligent robots will replace more than 80% of the current jobs."

Where did that person go?

Song Jia asked, her eyes wide.

Xiao Rui smiled and said, "There's still a lot of work to be done, such as interstellar exploration. This still requires a lot of manpower, and the current human population on Earth is probably not enough. If you really want to take a break, that's fine too. When energy becomes cheap, it means that seawater desalination will no longer be constrained by cost, and the food problem will be solved accordingly. Those who want to take a break can take a break; at least they can be guaranteed not to starve. But if you want to live a fulfilling life, you still need to work hard."

Li Weizhou raised his glass and said, "Come on, let's drink to the earth-shaking changes we are living in."

The girls all laughed. Zhao Ling'er said, "We should be the ones respecting you. Outsiders may not know who brought about this change, but we do."

After everyone finished their drinks, Xu Li asked curiously, "Boss, why don't you let Dongda University promote you?"

Dongda University was deeply moved by Li Weizhou's actions.

It's estimated that Li Weizhou could get any request he wanted.

However, Li Weizhou only raised the requirement that the internet should not publicize it extensively, and this was the case not only at Tokyo University, but also in other countries.

Therefore, people did not sing his praises.

Li Weizhou laughed and said, "If it's all just a massive publicity campaign, how will I be able to go out and about in the future?"

Xiao Rui laughed and said, "Actually, there are plenty of smart people who can guess the reasons for these changes. It's just that if the authorities don't acknowledge it, it will only be a topic of conversation over tea. But that's fine too, at least he won't be deliberately elevated to a god-like status, and it won't stop him from picking up girls."

Song Jia and Xu Li burst into laughter. Zhao Ling'er rolled her eyes at her and said, "I can't stand you two!"

Li Weizhou remains happy and enjoys this kind of life.

……

One year.

For ordinary people, it's just a matter of a snap of the fingers.

Let alone cultivators?
The Five Elements Sect's mountain gates remain closed, and the villa rental business remains stable at 60% of its peak level.

That's already pretty good, beyond imagination, considering the cost is practically zero.

A single villa certainly couldn't hold so many people, and because the business of Zuixianlou was getting better and better, they replaced the food from Earth with similar spiritual herbs and beast meat from the spirit world, and the effect was surprisingly good.

"Milk tea" isn't just loved by fairies on Earth; even the female spirits in the spirit world enjoy it.

There are also all kinds of brightly colored and delicious pastries. Wow, Lingmi has come up with some new tricks, and they are very popular.

Li Weizhou even built a closed-circuit television station in the outer branch of the Five Elements Sect, bringing a spring to the film industry workers on the other side of Earth who were about to lose their jobs.

Using the spirit world as a template, all sorts of novel television programs have emerged.

They simply plugged in old online novel templates, like being knocked off a cliff or into an abyss, or having a miraculous encounter with a celestial abode, and used all sorts of methods to provoke hatred, such as the annulment of an engagement, the underdog story, and the betrayal and regret story...

The emotional value is full.

The number of people renting has increased rather than decreased...

Don't ask where it comes from; it's all from the mortal realm.

Why wouldn't other people from the mortal realm do the same?

Pshaw, because they're stupid!
The journey has been filled with laughter and joy, and today, after being closed for a year, the Ice and Snow Wonderland is about to open.

At the same time, the Five Elements Sect is also about to reopen its gates...

……

(End of this chapter)