Scene 1
Di Yi Jingyun felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
His eyes were filled with anger. "They have gone too far, too far! Those rioters are simply outrageous."
Di Yi Xun quickly said, "Father, I think we should hide immediately."
"If they really break in, the consequences will be unimaginable."
He had no doubt.
Once the people outside broke in.
Someone would surely attack them.
If that were to happen.
It would be a huge loss!
"Yes, yes, yes. As long as we are alive, there will be plenty of resources. Let's hide for now." Di Yi Jingyun, his face full of unease, quickly led his clansmen into the secret chamber.
Not long after they had hidden.
The commoners outside poured in like a tide.
In less than an hour.
The Di Yi family had become ruins.
The commoners surged in like a roaring tide.
Every house they passed was destroyed.
They left as silently as the tide receded.
Leaving behind a wasteland.
Looking at the ruins before him.
Di Yi Xun clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Father, all of this is because of Chen Nan."
"He repeatedly emphasized that the law does not punish the masses."
"Otherwise, the common people would not dare to cause trouble for our Di Yi family."
Di Yi Jingyun did not hide his anger. "Chen Nan must die! Otherwise, I will never be able to quell my hatred!"
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Tongcheng had a population of over eight million.
It was once a very bustling city.
But suddenly.
Tongcheng seemed to have become a dead city.
No more surging crowds could be seen within the city.
The usual clamor was gone.
The streets were empty.
Only the figures of some old people and children could be seen.
All the adults, regardless of gender, had gone north to expand the river channel.
This was voluntary.
Because everyone knew that if a new river channel could not be excavated within seven days, and the floodgates upstream were opened, Tongcheng would most likely be submerged by the flood.
Many of them, though uneducated and not understanding grand principles,
understood the saying that "when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact."
Chen Nan did not go to the construction site.
It was not that he did not want to.
But Han Zongyuan had said that, in addition to excavating the river channel, security within the city was also very important.
He was assigned to stay and guard Tongcheng.
Due to the sudden flood.
Wu Jiu, who was still recovering from his injuries, also returned to the team ahead of schedule.
The seven of them bore the responsibility of Tongcheng's security.
There was no longer any talk of rest.
Under the night sky.
The group patrolled the streets as usual.
However, compared to the past.
Tongcheng was now filled with a strange quietness and oppression.
Originally, every household had lights on.
But now, it was completely dark.
The seven walked silently through the city.
Wu Jiu cleared his throat and said, "It feels a bit oppressive. How about we say something to ease the atmosphere!"
Song Yunfei volunteered and raised his right hand. "I have a question. Do you think we can really dig a new river channel in such a short time?"
Upon hearing this.
Wu Jiu was furious.
He kicked Song Yunfei in the backside and roared, "You damn dog! I wanted to lighten the mood, and you're making it more oppressive!"
Everyone knew.
The area near the Guangling River was all hard sand and rock.
Even if millions of people were deployed, it might not be possible to excavate a new river channel within seven days.
This was an impossible task.
And if this task could not be completed.
The vast Tongcheng might be swallowed by the flood.
"I believe that man can conquer nature," Chen Nan said. "Although the area near the Guangling River is all sand and rock, making excavation very difficult, this time, the imperial court will definitely send cultivators."
The others' eyes lit up.
Powerful cultivators possessed divine abilities to split mountains and rocks, and to overturn seas.
With their intervention.
It was not impossible to excavate a new river channel.
Wu Jiu: "Let's change the topic. Talking about this makes me uncomfortable."
Song Yunfei hesitated and said, "Well, the Di Yi family has now become ruins, but the people of the Di Yi family are hiding.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Di Yi family will definitely not let this go."
"They will definitely find trouble with Chen Nan."
Chen Nan kicked Song Yunfei in the backside and roared, "Can you talk? Can you talk? If you can't talk, then shut your mouth. Why do you always bring up sensitive topics?"
Song Yunfei chuckled sheepishly and fell silent.
Chen Nan also had a bad premonition.
Although it felt great to prank the Di Yi family before.
However.
His pranks were too obvious.
Anyone could tell he did it on purpose.
Therefore.
The Di Yi family would definitely not let him off.
They would definitely find trouble with him, or even secretly eliminate him.
This was something he had to be wary of.
At ten o'clock in the evening.
A light drizzle began to fall.
Although the rain was not heavy.
It signaled the arrival of the true rainy season.
This made everyone worried.
Especially by the next day.
The drizzle had turned into moderate rain.
The rain fell on the rooftops, hitting the tiles with a crisp sound.
The dense raindrops streamed down the eaves, like beads of water forming a curtain, making the world appear hazy.
Chen Nan went to the newly purchased house.
After the previous cultivation, the vegetables had developed mold.
The next step was to extract it and then cultivate it again.
After the second extraction, it could be used.
Chen Nan spent the entire day extracting all the mold.
By this time, he was utterly exhausted.
He felt as if his body had been hollowed out...
The rain outside showed no signs of abating.
He sat cross-legged and chanted the Yin Cultivation technique to begin his recovery.
This world was more dangerous than the mortal realm and the immortal realm.
A moment's carelessness could lead to death.
And he was a restless individual.
Now that he had offended the Di Yi family.
They would never let him off.
What he could do now was to improve his cultivation as much as possible.
Only then could he protect himself.
Only then could he stand out in the upcoming selection of Yin Messengers.
And then travel north, gain the qualification to enter the eighteenth level of hell, and see Empress Houtu.
To ensure the safety of the three realms.
He put on a black cloak and a golden mask.
He stepped into the rain and arrived at Qingyun Tower.
Upon meeting Steward Wang, Chen Nan asked, "Steward Wang, how are the preparations for the medicinal ingredients to refine the Soul Gathering Pill?"
Steward Wang sighed. "The medicinal ingredients for refining the Soul Gathering Pill are all very expensive. Moreover, there has been a flood in the north. It will take some time to find and deliver them."
Chen Nan nodded slightly, then took out two Yin Cultivation Pills. "Steward Wang, is it okay to exchange two Yin Cultivation Pills for five shore-red flowers?"
Steward Wang's expression changed slightly. He couldn't help but say, "Fellow Daoist Chen, we agreed that one Yin Cultivation Pill would be exchanged for two shore-red flowers. Why are you raising the price now?"
Chen Nan said meaningfully, "With our relationship, wouldn't it be too distant to call it a price increase?"
Steward Wang was dumbfounded.
They were just in a cooperative relationship.
They were only discussing business.
Since it was business, the price should not be increased arbitrarily.
However, considering that the other party would still help him refine the Soul Gathering Pill, Steward Wang finally compromised. "Then I'll listen to you. Two Yin Cultivation Pills for five shore-red flowers. But this is a one-time deal, and it won't happen again!"