Chapter 353: Descent Once More

Lin Daoming's movements were practiced, clearly indicating he'd done this sort of thing many times before. However, his age and status now demanded a certain decorum, preventing him from indulging in such activities anymore.

Even though it had been a long time, the familiarity remained. Practice makes perfect, after all. Even a long hiatus wouldn't affect his skill.

That's how overbearing it was. There was no room for disagreement.

Lin Daoming stripped Xiao Dong bare, leaving him only in his underwear. Xiao Dong's attire was easily recognizable, and being recognized would have significant repercussions for Lin Daoming.

If word got out, it would be a laughingstock. A Maoshan expert bowing to a tree? What a joke that would be.

Ding ding!

Xiao Dong's phone chimed. Not a call, but a message.

Don't let Lin Daoming's age fool you into thinking he was devoid of desires. He still possessed a childlike mischievousness. Picking up the phone, he grabbed Xiao Dong's hand to unlock it with the fingerprint sensor.

The message was from a girl.

"Brother Dong, are you home yet?"

Lin Daoming chuckled. It seemed this young man was quite popular with the ladies. Even with his face burned, it didn't matter. Inner beauty was important.

Just like… well, never mind. Let bygones be bygones. A true man looks forward.

"Let this veteran of the love field give you a hand."

Lin Daoming knew Xiao Dong was a shy person, likely clueless about these matters. Just as he was preparing to craft a reply, another message arrived.

"Brother Dong, do you think my new underwear looks good?"

Seeing the photo, Lin Daoming's hormones surged. Truth be told, even with his vast experience, women weren't so forward in his time.

Sexy! It was truly sexy.

"Alright, young man, let me help you out."

Lin Daoming pondered for a moment, then typed:

I want to see…

He stopped, feeling it was inappropriate, deleted it, and started again.

"Don't be shy. Send me a picture when you're wearing it. I can't wait."

After sending the message, Lin Daoming placed the phone in Xiao Dong's underwear.

"Young man, this is all I can do for you."

With that, he retreated.

In a residential complex, the girl blushed upon seeing the message.

"Such a pretender!"

By the small flower pond, a group of special department members knelt before the Dao Tree. Some lit incense, others burned paper money.

The scene resembled an ancestral worship ceremony.

"Dao Tree, oh Dao Tree, grant me power!"

"Dao Tree, a fortune teller once told me I was a celestial being descended from heaven, destined for greatness. Bestow your inheritance upon me, lend me your strength! Please…"

These individuals, spurred by Liu Haichan's experience, were eager to receive the inheritance. Such an easy path to power naturally sparked a frenzy.

But despite kneeling for a long time, nothing happened.

This, however, didn't discourage them. Instead, they became even more determined, believing the Dao Tree was testing their resolve.

"Truly crazy."

Lin Daoming muttered under his breath, not daring to speak louder for fear of being discovered and losing face.

He looked up at the Dao Tree. Its golden leaves radiated a potent Geng Metal aura.

So powerful. So terrifying.

Thud!

Lin Daoming knelt reverently before the Dao Tree.

"Dao Tree, I am Lin Daoming, a Maoshan cultivator. Since ancient times, Maoshan and Daoism have been one family, Maoshan evolving from Daoism, forming its own sect. We both worship the same ancestor. If Liu Haichan could receive your inheritance, I, Lin Daoming, am not far behind."

"If you would but look upon me, you would see how exceptional I am."

Lin Daoming was missing his front teeth, causing him to lisp.

But this didn't diminish his reverence for the Dao Tree.

With his current cultivation, his thoughts could condense into tangible words and reach the Dao Tree.

As for whether he would receive the inheritance, that depended on the Dao Tree's judgment.

The Dao Tree was confused. Having been rooted in Changbai Mountain for so long, it had never experienced anything like this. Humans were surprisingly polite, kneeling and burning incense upon meeting him.

A Daoist master who once cultivated before him had spoken of the power of faith, something countless Daoist masters yearned for – the power derived from the sincere prayers of humans, used to grant them protection.

But that master hadn't achieved it. He said only those who cultivated their Dao Heart and possessed their own Dao could receive the power of faith. To transcend the path of predecessors and forge their own.

Yet, here he was, receiving the power of faith. It was something he had never imagined.

Especially this masked individual before him. He seemed quite powerful, able to condense his thoughts into tangible words.

It all felt rather strange.

Lin Daoming knelt for a while, waiting anxiously. He felt nothing, hadn't persuaded the Dao Tree. Was he not sincere enough? Or not orthodox enough?

No…

He had to persevere.

He had to succeed, no matter what.

Back in the dormitory, Lin Fan and Lao Zhang lay in their beds.

"Lao Zhang, what's the date today?" Lin Fan asked.

"The 16th," Lao Zhang replied.

"Is it? Then it's still early," Lin Fan said.

The evil rooster squatting on the blanket wanted to spit at them. Idiots. Even I, an evil creature, knew it was the 31st.

These two humans were truly clueless.

"Ah! I'm wrong, it's the 31st," Lao Zhang exclaimed, checking his phone by the bed. He hadn't realized he'd gotten the date wrong.

Both Lin Fan and Lao Zhang had phones.

But they rarely received calls, except from Xiaobao.

"I have to go to a strange place again," Lin Fan said.

"Can't you take me with you?" Lao Zhang asked. He longed to go with Lin Fan, but it had never happened.

Lin Fan leaned back against his pillow, sighing. "I've discovered that you can't go there. Only I can."

He then pulled out a golden leaf from under his pillow.

"What's this?" Lao Zhang asked, intrigued by the familiar-looking leaf.

"This is a gift from the Dao Tree, a memento, to thank me for bringing him here," Lin Fan explained.

"What a good tree," Lao Zhang praised.

Lin Fan smiled. "Yes, the Dao Tree is indeed quite good. Let's water him together tomorrow morning."

"Great!" Lao Zhang cheered.

He enjoyed doing meaningful things, and watering a tree seemed like fun. He and Lin Fan had lived together for so long that Lin Fan had become an indispensable part of his life.

The second hand on the wall clock ticked steadily.

Time passed quickly.

Tick-tock, tick-tock! The crisp sound resonated rhythmically.

"Let's sleep. Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. I hope to have a good dream," Lin Fan said.

Lin Fan and Lao Zhang lay in their beds, Lin Fan placing the golden leaf on his chest.

"Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Then, they said in unison, "Goodnight, chicken!"

The evil rooster, squatting there, heard the foolish humans and, instead of squawking, closed its eyes and silently repeated, "Goodnight!"

The evil rooster, undercover among the humans, felt a strange affection for them after all this time. Despite their opposing natures, there was an inexplicable connection.

Perhaps it was Stockholm Syndrome.

The evil rooster shook its head, dismissing such absurd thoughts. That wasn't it at all. It was destined to be an evil hero, a heroic chicken. How could it be swayed by human emotions?

It was a fighting chicken, devoid of sentiment.

Tick!

Time was up.

August 1st arrived.

Descent commenced!

The otherworldly scene officially began.

Target selected: Lin Fan, adopted son of the Grand Yuan Dynasty's imperial consort.

Mission: Choose between good and evil.

Physical and spiritual power transfer: 100%.

Descent!

Grand Yuan Dynasty, deep within the palace, in a deserted area known as the "Miscellaneous Palace," a place considered inauspicious.

Lin Fan!

The adopted son of the Grand Yuan Dynasty's imperial consort.

The consort, having failed to protect the prince, resulting in his tragic death, should have been executed. However, in recognition of his past service to the emperor, he was spared death but imprisoned in this forsaken palace, left to his own devices, never to step foot outside again.

Ten years ago, on a stormy night, the consort died of despair, leaving behind Lin Fan.

"Is this a dream?"

Lin Fan looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. The spacious room was bare, devoid of furniture.

An old wooden table.

A simple bookcase.

A plain bed.

"No, this isn't a dream."

He believed what he experienced wasn't a dream, but reality. Perhaps it started as a fabrication, but it became real, because he had people he couldn't bear to part with.

Even if they didn't exist, he would never forget them. They were real to him.

"Huh! You came too."

Lin Fan touched his chest, finding the golden leaf there. He felt a pang of regret. Lao Zhang always wanted to come, but never had the chance. Instead, the golden leaf accompanied him.

"Alright, stay with me from now on."

He smiled, got up, and pushed open the door, shielding his eyes from the sudden glare of the sun.

The courtyard was large.

The surrounding walls were dilapidated, the red paint peeling in patches. Weeds grew in the corners, and there were a few plots of land where vegetables were growing.

In a corner, there was a well.

Overall, it was decent.

Then, Lin Fan remembered the mission. He struggled to understand its meaning. The literal interpretation was difficult to grasp.

Forget it.

Better not to dwell on it.

His philosophy was simple: the world was small. With enough patience, he could accomplish any mission.

Yes, that was it.

He was within the imperial palace, albeit in a remote corner. A very small, insignificant place.

So, what next…

Lin Fan's eyes fell upon the gardening tools in the corner, and a smile spread across his face.

"Time to farm."