Food sometimes possesses a magical power, capable of transforming strangers into familiar acquaintances in an instant, even fostering a sense of friendliness.
"Then it's settled. Thank you for your trouble, Mayor. We'll tidy up the kitchen and then get some rest."
With the sudden increase in diners, the kitchen had become quite messy and required thorough cleaning. It wouldn't do to have an elderly person, a senior, handle such tasks.
While others were assigned to prepare the bedding, Ye Tiancheng and Fatty stayed to clean the kitchen. They made a good pair, working with remarkable efficiency.
Once everything was done, Ye Tiancheng and his companions soon fell into a deep sleep. The truth was, even if they had wanted to find some form of entertainment, Plum Blossom Town offered no such venues.
There were hardly any people around either; the silence was terrifyingly profound. Thus, they felt sleepy early on and enjoyed a peaceful night's rest, undisturbed even by the sounds of bustling traffic.
The next morning, everyone was in high spirits, feeling refreshed and ready to set off for Hope City.
Fatty woke up earlier than everyone else because he had promised the Mayor he would steam buns and also prepare breakfast for everyone. He had a lot to do, and the circumstances didn't allow him to slack off.
"Mayor, please help yourself to these buns. Don't be shy. Hope City isn't far from here. If you need more, I can even make extra for you on my way back."
Fatty's unexpected warmth and generosity were truly heartwarming. Such a kind person was particularly favored by the elderly.
No elder could resist such a display of warmth; they would quickly fall under its charm.
"Young man, I truly like you. You don't need to go to such trouble next time. We're friends now. As long as you return alive, my home is your home. Don't hesitate to stay here anytime."
The Mayor's words carried a double meaning. He also mentioned returning alive, which genuinely frightened people, sounding as if they might not return at all, as if they were all destined to perish in Hope City.
"Mayor, please don't say that. If you say that, I'll get scared. I still want to live well. Please don't frighten me."
"I understand. I was just speaking casually. People say Hope City is very frightening, but no one has actually seen the specifics. Moreover, I feel that despite your ordinary appearance, you are all undoubtedly powerful cultivators. This small matter shouldn't be a problem for you. You'll resolve it quickly. I believe that in Hope City, you won't just survive, but you might even flourish."
"Alright, I'll take your good wishes. I believe we can overcome all difficulties and reach the shore of victory."
Fatty was full of confidence. He even gave the Mayor of Plum Blossom Town a hug, believing their friendship was cemented and that they wouldn't be gone forever but would return soon. Just as they were about to leave, a large branch suddenly crashed down from a tree next to the Mayor's house with a loud rumble.
This greatly startled the Mayor. "Oh my heavens! What a stroke of luck! If I had been under the tree, I would have been crushed to death! It's truly heaven looking out for me, not letting me get injured!"
However, the Mayor of Plum Blossom Town didn't know what had happened, and he continued to mutter to himself.
"That won't do. Even if it didn't fall now, it would eventually. Then I wouldn't be able to use that area. It's a pity, as there's a small courtyard there where I planned to plant some things in the spring, so we'd have fresh, natural vegetables."
Listening to the Mayor's incessant chatter made one feel quite uncomfortable. The old man was so old and had no one to care for him. It wasn't surprising that he was afraid and kept talking. If any problem arose, he wouldn't be able to resolve it, and he might die without anyone knowing, which would be the most tragic fate.
"Elder, let me help you. I'll help you move the tree before I leave."
"I would certainly be grateful, but that tree is too large. Even with your strength, you won't be able to do it alone. I think it would be best to hire a vehicle to help. We can't manage it with our own strength."
The Mayor of Plum Blossom Town clearly underestimated Fatty's strength. The old Fatty would definitely not have been able to do it, but with the bracelet he now possessed, Fatty was a different person, imbued with immense power.
"Don't worry, it's on me. I can definitely do it well."
Fatty patted his chest and then went to the backyard. Ye Tiancheng and Lin Xue followed him, of course, to provide backup for Fatty. After all, Fatty was a person who valued his reputation, and this matter today had to be handled properly, otherwise, it would be very troublesome.
"Young man, I know you are very sincere, but you cannot do this. This is not a game. If it fails, I fear you will be crushed by the tree. I don't want such an accident to happen. It's fine if I, an old man, die, but you are in the prime of your life. How regrettable it would be if you died now! Your parents would also be heartbroken."
The Mayor of Plum Blossom Town, naturally, considered the matter from the perspective of an elder. He was extremely fearful, even trembling slightly with worry that Fatty might lose his life due to overexertion.
"Mayor, please rest assured. I am not as frail as you imagine. And if I cannot do it, I can hire a vehicle. I would never risk my life. I'm not that foolish."
"Then act within your capabilities, and please don't cause any damage. We only have a small clinic here. If you are crushed by the tree, I fear there will be nowhere to save you."
Under the Mayor's warnings, Fatty felt a slight increase in his psychological pressure. However, when he went over with the bracelet and directly lifted the tree, he shocked everyone.
"Fatty, even I didn't dare to imagine you'd become this strong. You're getting fiercer and fiercer, far exceeding my imagination."
It was truly astonishing. Fatty had transformed from an ordinary person into a super-strongman. The Mayor was so shocked that he almost fainted.
"What on earth is going on with you? Are you human or a monster? How did you become so powerful so quickly?"
Not only the Mayor of Plum Blossom Town, who knew nothing about it, but even Lin Xue, who knew him slightly, was so surprised that she almost spat out her drink, utterly terrified.
"I just have innate strength. I never imagined I could directly lift such a thick tree. I am indeed stronger than I thought. It's quite frightening. I hope you can understand."
The Mayor of Plum Blossom Town, in his astonishment, gave Ye Tiancheng and Fatty a thumbs-up.
"I knew my judgment was correct. You are indeed strong individuals, each more formidable than the last. It's impossible not to admire you."
Under the Mayor of Plum Blossom Town's admiring gaze, the group was finally seen off, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief. It is said that inviting gods is easy, but sending them away is difficult. He had always feared that among these people, there might be some unruly and unreasonable individuals. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and no unpleasant incidents occurred.
It wasn't that the Mayor of Plum Blossom Town was overly sensitive, but rather that the people traveling from here to Hope City were not few, and there were all sorts of eccentric individuals. For his old bones to have survived this long among them was already a great fortune.
"Safe travels, everyone."
Finally, they arrived at Hope City. They reached the main entrance around noon.
From the outside, it looked very strange. An old iron gate, with very strict security measures all around, gave the immediate impression of an inescapable prison.
"This Hope City truly lives up to its name. How can a city be so oppressive? It offers no hope at all."
"Yes, it is indeed a city that evokes despair. But it doesn't matter. As long as there is a way to break the curse here, we won't be staying long."
That was true. They were merely passing through. There was no need to worry. Whether the place had any vibrancy or not was irrelevant to them.
As long as they found a way to break the curse, they would leave immediately, not lingering even for a second.
"Let's go in."
Ye Tiancheng gently raised his hand, sending a surge of true qi. Simultaneously, the gate opened. With the gate open, they could proceed unimpeded.
As the gate swung open, it revealed a somewhat ancient-looking street. It resembled scenes from historical dramas, but it was not as bustling as those depicted on television. The street was now deserted, with not a single vendor in sight.
Not to mention vendors, not even a single person was visible. The overall impression was one of an eerie, chilling atmosphere. Even in broad daylight, it made one feel uncomfortable, constantly getting goosebumps.
"Brother Ye, it seems more appropriate to call this place Ghost City. Why do I feel a cold breeze on the back of my neck? It's too scary. There's no one here. Could everyone be vengeful spirits?"
"Xue'er, take a look."
Lin Xue's spiritual power was more adept at detecting the presence of vengeful spirits. Lin Xue nodded at Ye Tiancheng and then gently raised her oil-paper umbrella.
"It's more than just vengeful spirits. This place is quite lively, but we just can't see it with our naked eyes."
"Then what is the connection between the so-called curse and Hope City? We've arrived, but it's as if we haven't. We don't know where to start."
This was Ye Tiancheng's point of confusion. It was frustrating to be in a situation where problems couldn't be solved, leaving them in an awkward state.
"Let's explore Hope City. We can split up to investigate. We're bound to find some clues."
"Perhaps we should stay together. Splitting up isn't very safe. I have a feeling there's a strange atmosphere here. If everyone disperses, I'm afraid individuals might encounter danger."
Ye Tiancheng's primary concern was for Fatty. While his physical offense was undoubtedly the strongest, some monsters preyed on people's minds, causing them to harm themselves. Those who didn't possess inherent strong defenses might easily fall into the traps set by these specters.
"Alright, then we'll act together."
Hope City wasn't large. After the main street, the branching alleys were not numerous. The overall feeling was one of being confined, narrow, and suffocating.
"We've walked through it in just 10 minutes. This wretched place doesn't seem to have anything worth seeing. We can't find any clues."
Fatty was already losing patience. He had expected to make a big impact upon arriving at Hope City, but instead, he found it so desolate and lifeless.