Wu Tao Wen Guan

Chapter 546 Playing the Fool

The sapling continued to grow, its spreading branches and leaves rustling with a series of 'hua la hua la' sounds as they brushed against the surrounding trees.

In the end, Xu Zixin could only tilt her head back, gazing up at the two towering trees.

"Foolish child, why have you come again?"

A ethereal voice echoed through the forest.

Xu Zixin couldn't pinpoint its origin at all.

She even felt as if the earth, the trees, the wild grass, and the rocks were all speaking with one voice.

"Mountain God, your devoted follower..."

Xu Zixin was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down her face.

"Your devoted follower's heart is set on revering you, Mountain God. I have been traveling far and wide recently, searching for a suitable location to rebuild your temple and restore your worship."

"Mountain God, you feel wronged, and your devoted follower's heart is equally torn."

Xu Zixin clutched her chest as if imitating Xi Shi, weeping profusely.

"Who told you I feel wronged?"

From within the dense woods, a voice suddenly spoke, causing Xu Zixin's cries to abruptly cease.

"Mountain God, don't you resent the villagers below?"

"They destroyed your temple, smashed your idols, their sins are unforgivable!"

Xu Zixin was filled with indignation, as if she had personally experienced the offense.

"Why should I hate?"

The ethereal voice sounded again.

"I remain the same mountain, the same tree, the same water, unchanged in the slightest degree."

"The happenings of the human world are merely fleeting clouds."

"Whether they believe in me or not is their own affair; it has nothing to do with me."

The Mountain God's words left Xu Zixin stunned, speechless for a long time.

She had never imagined that from a divine perspective, problems would be viewed in such a way.

Indeed, they were merely mortals, while the Mountain God was a supreme deity.

Standing tall and unyielding, free from desire, one stands strong; embracing all rivers, one becomes great!

Xu Zixin felt a magnanimity and depth that spanned the river of time, which was far beyond her reach.

"Your devoted follower has learned."

She bowed piously, her forehead touching the damp ground, reflecting on her mistakes and repenting deeply.

"Your devoted follower now has nothing, and is utterly disheartened."

"I have only one wish: to build a temple for you and spend the rest of my days accompanying you, Mountain God."

Xu Zixin remained kneeling, a look of saintly joy gracing her face.

Lin Fan, hidden in the shadows, couldn't help but sigh and shake his head.

An innocent person can be a target due to their possessions.

A young woman, possessing millions in wealth, might not fare well if targeted by bad people.

Given this, it might be better to grant her wish.

"If you are willing, then do so."

Lin Fan took a deep breath and, with practiced skill, used spiritual energy to vibrate his lungs and produce the voice.

Xu Zixin's face lit up with joy. "Mountain God, may your devoted follower build your temple right here?"

"These two pine trees can serve as the entrance, a manifestation of your divine power."

"Oh, right, please grant your appearance, Mountain God, so that your devoted follower may recreate your statue."

Xu Zixin suddenly remembered an important matter.

Based on the information she had gathered from the villagers, coupled with her own imaginings, the Mountain God of Luofeng Mountain should be depicted with white hair, a youthful face, and an expression of kindness and age.

However, this was merely her own conjecture. Now that she had the opportunity to ask in person, she naturally didn't want to miss it.

Whoosh...

A strong gust of wind swept through.

Pebbles on the ground rolled and gathered in front of Xu Zixin.

On the clearing in the woods, the pebbles rapidly formed an abstract picture.

Lin Fan's artistic skills were limited, so he did his best.

Xu Zixin clasped her hands together, watching the formed image with excitement.

Vaguely visible on the ground was a handsome young man holding a wooden stick aloft, as if driving something away or striking at it.

At his feet, an exaggeratedly large snake reared its head, flicking its tongue, seemingly roaring defiantly at the sky.

"So this is what the Mountain God looks like."

Although the image was vastly different from Xu Zixin's preconceived notion, it was a direct revelation from the Mountain God himself, so she naturally accepted it wholeheartedly without a hint of doubt.

"Let's go, I'm tired too."

A weary voice drifted.

"Yes, your devoted follower will take her leave now."

"Mountain God, please wait a few days. I will return and find the best craftsman to sculpt your statue."

"Also, the temple will be built as quickly as possible. Your devoted follower will spare no effort."

Xu Zixin chattered on, pledging her loyalty.

As she spoke, she felt that something was missing from her surroundings.

"Has he already left?"

Xu Zixin felt a sense of loss. It took a long time for her to stand up.

"Right, I should take some photos."

Fearing she might forget the Mountain God's appearance, she took out her phone. "Mountain God, please forgive me." She then took several photos from various angles.

Whoosh...

A warm breeze blew, scattering the image on the ground.

Xu Zixin quickly checked her album. Seeing the clear photos, she finally relaxed.

She bowed respectfully again, then left with a contented heart.

Lin Fan appeared, walking to the spot where she had just knelt.

Looking at the scattered dead leaves and branches on the ground, he chuckled, "If the snake demon saw itself being trampled under my feet, what would happen?"

"Tsk tsk, once the deed is done, Wang Xiaoli will have no choice but to accept."

Thinking of Wang Xiaoli's exasperated expression, Lin Fan felt an immense surge of satisfaction, all his fatigue vanishing.

Pretending to be a god was no easy feat. Just producing the ethereal voice had consumed a considerable amount of spiritual energy.

Furthermore, creating the image of the Mountain God had been a strenuous effort.

After returning the่›Š่™ซ to the cave, Lin Fan felt a lightness in his heart, humming a tune as he went.

He took a detour to the medicinal herb planting base.

Tian Mengyao had just seen Xu Zixin off when she saw him swaggering over.

"Xiao Fan, why are you here?"

"I came to see if there's anything you need help with."

Tian Mengyao pulled him to a spot a little further away and asked, "Xiao Fan, what did you do? Xu Zixin looked like she was possessed."

"I didn't do anything, just performed some divine miracles," Lin Fan said, taking out the Tongtian Pot from his embrace and chuckling.

Tian Mengyao's eyes lit up. She snatched the Tongtian Pot away. "Does it work?"

"Of course, it works wonderfully," Lin Fan praised.

"Now it belongs to me," Tian Mengyao said in a sweet voice, then felt a little embarrassed. "I'll return it to you after I'm done with it."

"We're like husband and wife, why distinguish between yours and mine?" Lin Fan teased.

"You pest," Tian Mengyao rolled her eyes and said, then raised her hand to hit him.

But Lin Fan was already several steps away. He waved with a mischievous grin and then quickened his pace, disappearing.

"Bad boy, absolutely wicked." Tian Mengyao pouted and cursed.

However, the Tongtian Pot in her arms was a testament to how much Lin Fan trusted her.

"Just a little bit of good, only a little bit."

Tian Mengyao muttered to herself, then returned to the labor force, continuing her work.