The procession continued to advance for about three kilometers.
Although the clustered buildings of the town behind them were still clearly visible from here, everyone, unaccustomed to exertion, was already drenched in sweat and parched.
The commoners were managing better; their bodies weren't as distended. After all, in another world, they would need to strive for status and reputation.
But these nobles were different. They needed to do nothing, and their physiques had become exaggeratedly plump.
Now, some were already starting to falter.
“When will this end if we keep walking like this?!”
“That leader, he isn’t just wandering aimlessly, is he? Perhaps he just came out for some fresh air and will turn back soon? Only we are foolish enough to follow.”
“Yes, yes, we should go back. Although it's boring inside the castle, it's much better than suffering outside!”
“I feel like my throat is on fire, I don't want to speak…”
“I’m about to dehydrate, quickly give me some wine… I forgot, there are no maids, no delicacies, no wine. There’s nothing now…”
“We should go back!”
“Right, let’s go, let’s go back!”
Several nobles began to lose their resolve.
But looking towards the town, the distance they had already covered meant they would have to retrace their steps, which filled them with a sense of despair.
Just then, suddenly, the gentle sound of flowing water drifted from ahead.
The sound of the water was like joyful, dancing sprites, lightly plucking at their heartstrings, compelling them to swallow nonexistent saliva.
“Water? There’s water!”
“Alas, although it’s not fine wine, it can be considered drinkable!”
“After drinking the water, we’ll rest, and when we have strength, we’ll head back!”
“Agreed!”
A few nobles discussed amongst themselves and quickly reached a consensus.
At this point, the procession also stopped to rest by the stream.
Zhang Chen wasn’t tired, but Si Lu and Ke Ke beside him were already glistening with sweat.
In this world, their strength was considered weak, and Zhang Chen, at most, was merely abnormally strong.
To compress the Supreme God into merely abnormally strong… this world was quite something.
Zhang Chen cupped his hands and drank some spring water.
This water was rich in bio-energy. In the apocalyptic world, drinking this regularly could even lead to direct upgrades!
But here, it was just ordinary mountain spring water, with no particular taste.
Si Lu and Ke Ke, parched, lifted the water and gulped down several large mouthfuls before they finally calmed down slightly.
At this moment, those nobles had already pushed their way to the front of the crowd, shoving the commoners aside, and were the first to drink from the stream.
In this world, nobles held absolute priority over commoners.
This extended even to drinking water; if the nobles and their retinue hadn’t finished, the commoners were not allowed to drink.
The commoners who were pushed aside didn’t get angry. Instead, they looked expectantly at the nobles.
After all, only when the nobles finished drinking quickly would it be their turn.
Seeing the flowing spring water, the nobles hesitated again.
They were accustomed to drinking fine wines and fruit juices. Would water, devoid of such flavors, taste good?
Moreover… it was wilderness water. Wouldn’t it have a strange taste!
The nobles looked at each other, all with expressions of hesitation.
At this moment, the fattest noble, who also held the highest status, could no longer bear it. He cupped the spring water and drank it in large gulps.
As the cool spring water flowed down his throat into his stomach, he felt a surge of energy!
“This water…”
His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the spring water in his palm.
“What? Is it hard to swallow?”
“Could it be poisoned? Is this wilderness stuff even clean…”
The other nobles said worriedly.
“No… no, no, no, this spring water is absolutely delicious!”
“I’ve never drunk such delicious spring water in my life. It’s clearer than fine wine and sweeter than fruit juice!”
“It’s simply the best thing in the world to drink. I never knew such a delicacy existed!”
The noble spoke, then again cupped the water and drank greedily.
In the end, finding it still not enough, he even lay down to drink, directly dipping his mouth into the stream.
“The stream water… is it really that good?”
The others were skeptical.
But looking at the most distinguished noble’s greedy demeanor, it seemed he had been captivated by the water’s magic.
They also began to drink, one after another.
The first sip was just a tentative taste, and then, like the noble, they all began to gulp it down.
“It’s so delicious, this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted in my life!”
“Good heavens, I haven’t felt this satisfied in a long time!”
“This is the happiest day of my life!”
The nobles gesticulated wildly, their expressions euphoric, as if they had consumed something illicit rather than just water.
Having drunk their fill, the nobles could no longer consume any more water. They patted their bellies and sat by the bank to rest.
Only then did the commoners rush forward to drink.
Soon, their expressions mirrored those of the nobles.
The commoners, accustomed to simple pleasures, tasted the sweetness of the stream water for the first time.
“Alright, we’ve rested enough, let’s continue!”
Zhang Chen stood up, crossed the stream with the butler, and continued on his way.
Having just tasted the sweetness of the stream, the commoners believed there must be even more unforgettable experiences ahead, so they all lifted their legs and followed.
Before long, only these few hesitant nobles remained by the stream.
“What should we do? Continue following, or go back?”
One noble asked uncertainly.
“Of course, we should go back. Who knows how much further it is? I don’t want to suffer anymore!”
“Besides, this trip wasn’t in vain. Discovering such sweet and clear stream water is quite a gain!”
The noble with the highest status said with a smile.
“Alright, then let’s head back. We won’t come out again, it’s too much suffering!”
The other nobles stood up, preparing to turn back.
“Wait, before we leave, let me taste this stream water one more time!”
The most distinguished noble, dragging his obese body, slowly walked to the stream, carefully cupped another handful of water, and then, with a look of ecstasy, took a sip…
“Hmm? Ptooey!”
He suddenly threw the water in his hand away, spitting out the water in his mouth as well.
“What’s going on? The taste of this stream water is not right!”
Upon hearing this, the others all went to the stream and cupped some water to drink.
Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!
They all spat out the water.
“Strange, it didn’t taste like this just now. Now it’s bland and tasteless, and even has an earthy flavor. It’s awful!”
“Could it be… that the noble leading us has some kind of magic?”
“It must be so. If the stream water was good, why haven’t we drunk stream water all these years, preferring fine wine and fruit juices?”
“Exactly. That butler must know this noble has magic. He must be searching for the legendary Fountain of Happiness!”
“Fountain of Happiness? That legend?”
“Quick, let’s follow them! We absolutely cannot be left behind!”
The few nobles rallied, and from behind the procession, panting heavily, they desperately jogged to catch up…