The Days of Being Forced to Become the Savior of a Cultivation Civilization

Zhiyue looked at the man, recalling what Yingzi had just said, patted Yingzi on the shoulder, and continued the conversation:

"Yes, that's why I brought my child out to broaden his horizons; it'll help with his spiritual practice."

The man nodded quickly, putting down the cup in his hand.

"Yes, yes, yes, we should let the children broaden their horizons when they are young, so as to lay a good foundation. Hey, please come in, you three."

He quickly opened the barrier manually.

The layout of the dining car is completely different from that of the passenger carriage. The aisle is much wider, with long tables on both sides and high stools evenly placed.

Since it was past mealtime and not peak train operating hours, there were hardly any people around.

The man led the three to the nearest seats:

"Please sit here, the three of you. It's close to the counter and by the window. Hey, little one, let me help you sit down."

As he spoke, he lifted Yingzi by her armpits and placed her on a stool.

The man looked apologetic and said to the group:

"We're all roughnecks here, and we usually eat just some home-cooked dishes."

"Oh dear, it's past lunchtime now, and it's gotten quite cold. Would you like to order something now? I can have the chef prepare it right away."

Zhiyue was not used to the sudden enthusiasm and simply replied perfunctorily:

"No need, just bring us whatever you have. We'll just grab a bite; we've been walking all morning and we're really tired."

The man nodded:

"Okay, here you go, one of each."

Zhiyue interrupted:

"Wait a minute, sir, how much does this cost?"

The man waved his hand:

"Our tickets are free, and the dining car is free too, all you can eat. Oh, by the way, would you like any drinks?"

Zhiyue: "I'll just have a glass of water."

He glanced at the two of them, and Qian Xintong shook her head:

"I am also a glass of water."

Yingzi thought for a moment:

Do you have orange juice?

The man smiled and nodded:

"Yes, little one, wait a minute."

This book was first published on 2020s.com, providing you with a reading experience free of errors and disordered chapters.

-

Soon, the table in front of the three was filled with small portions of food, two glasses of water, and a glass of orange juice.

"Hmm, this orange juice is good."

Zhiyue smiled:

"I remember when we were little, you also liked to drink orange juice."

Yingzi nodded:

"Watch your wording, it's about when you were a child. When I was little, there wasn't even orange juice in Kun's area."

At the counter, the man was still mechanically washing cups, glancing at the customers around him from time to time.

Noticing Zhiyue's glance at him, he responded with a polite smile and then ignored the three of them.

Qian Xintong looked at the small bowl of rice next to Yingzi and complained:

"What's wrong? Not feeling well today?"

Yingzi shook her head:

"I'm afraid I'll eat all the food in this food truck, so I'll just grab a bite and we'll talk about it when we get to Wardwell."

Qian Xintong, holding the same small bowl in her hand, sighed:

"Before coming here, I hadn't felt hungry in ages."

Zhiyue's Commentary:

"What's wrong? Have the gods in heaven started fasting?"

Qian Xintong shook his head, feigning profundity:

"When you reach that level, you will know what it means to feed on reverse energy."

Only then will we know what a truly culinary experience that transcends the instinct to eat is.

Zhiyue smiled:

"Alright, young lady. Right now you're just an ordinary person without any cultivation. To avoid starving to death, eat quickly."

-

"May the Mother Goddess protect me and grant me all good things... May the Mother Goddess protect me and grant me all good things, and grant me a return to your embrace..."

An aged voice came from beside the three of them.

Not far away, a thin, bulging-eyed, unkempt old man was muttering something incoherently.

His thick, ochre beard trembled slightly as he mumbled something, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the three of them to hear clearly.

He clasped his hands together, with an iron chain peeking out from between them, seemingly in prayer for his faith.

Qian Xintong was quite curious and whispered:

Is this... a prayer?

Zhiyue nodded:

"That so-called Mother Goddess must be its faith. Yingzi, do you know what it is?"

Yingzi shook her head:

I don't know. The beliefs on the continent of Pangde are incredibly diverse. Every region, even every village, has its own unique totems or deities. I'm not entirely sure either.

Moreover, my memory is incomplete.

Qian Xintong sighed:

[Gods... there are beliefs outside too. Some are human heroes, some are family patriarchs or something, but I usually don't believe in them.]

Zhiyue did not answer:

Whether something exists or not is one thing, whether you believe it or not is another. Faith is a pillar of people's spirit; the more desperate the situation, the more important faith becomes.

Qian Xintong nodded noncommittally:

Indeed, if there were someone who could inspire people's trust and step forward in times of crisis, they could likely lead the people to unite and overcome difficulties.

"Mother God bless, Mother God bless, Mother God bless, Mother God..."

The old man continued to pray, his expression gradually becoming somewhat fanatical.

Yingzi swallowed the last bite of rice, still feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

"Let's leave it at that for now. The waiter or bartender just said to leave as soon as you finish eating and not to linger. Let's go."

The three had barely left the dining car when they heard the man speak to the old man with some impatience:

"Hey, old man, stop praying. The food's not even hot to begin with. What's gotten into you lately, acting all mysterious..."

-

"Do you have a problem with your eyes?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

A commotion arose. A woman's sharp eyes looked at the man with a condescending gaze.

She frowned in disgust, glanced at her shoes, ignored the apology from the person behind her, and walked toward the food cart on her own.

She was tall and slender, with wine-red hair, wearing a smart trench coat and black high heels. Her footsteps made a clanging sound on the carriage floor, and she looked completely different from the "bold" style of the wasteland carriage.

As he passed the three people, the dark red pendant hanging on his chest was particularly eye-catching.

Zhiyue gently pushed Yingzi towards his feet, but his eyes were drawn to the dark red color.

"Hey, what are you looking at?"

Qian Xintong gently patted Zhiyue. Zhiyue was startled at first, then came to his senses:

"Oh, it's nothing, I just saw that pendant."

"What pendant? I don't see it."

Yingzi asked. Zhiyue chuckled:

"Of course you can't see it, because you're too short."

The man who had accidentally stepped on the woman's foot turned around and scoffed in the direction of the food cart.

"What kind of look is that? It was just a step."

The woman stopped in her tracks, turned back, and gave the man a deep look. Seeing her turn around, the man's eyes darted away, and he silently turned back and quickly left the carriage.

The woman didn't pursue the matter further, left the area, and headed towards the dining car.

-

The train continued its steady journey. Tree shadows were now frequently passing by outside the window.

The carriage was filled with silence; there were hardly any people there. Apart from the three people, the rest were exhausted camera crews who had been soaking in the salt lake for half a month.

They didn't know each other, but they both stared blankly at the scenery outside the window.

Yingzi propped her head up with her little hand, staring blankly at the orange juice that was now only at the bottom of the glass.

The train's movement drew ripples on the surface of the orange juice, and also stirred up ripples of the past in his mind.

Zhiyue was one of them, but there seemed to be a hint of worry in his eyes.

Qian Xintong keenly sensed this and secretly transmitted her voice:

What's wrong? Is something on your mind?