Given the unwritten customs of the Upper Realm, Chu Feng could deduce that the person who saved him was likely no ordinary villager.
They must possess considerable strength; otherwise, they wouldn’t have boldly built such a lavish palace in this simple village without facing any opposition.
“Young man, you’re awake.”
As Chu Feng was lost in thought, a warm, kindly voice called out from behind.
Turning around, he saw an older woman looking at him. Her age seemed similar to Song Ge’s mother, just over a thousand years old.
But this woman looked far younger than Song Ge’s mother. Her face glowed with health, with barely a wrinkle in sight.
It was clear she lived well and was in excellent physical condition.
“Senior, are you the one who saved me?” Chu Feng asked.
“None of that ‘senior’ nonsense, I’m not up for that. Just call me Auntie Liu. Everyone in the village does,” she said with a beaming smile.
“Thank you, Auntie Liu, for saving my life.”
Chu Feng clasped his fists and bowed to express his gratitude.
Though Chu Feng knew he’d have been fine even without her help, not everyone would bother to save a stranger. Auntie Liu’s willingness to do so showed her kindness.
“Are you leaving already? Stay for a meal first,” Auntie Liu said.
“Auntie Liu, I appreciate it, but I have matters to attend to,” Chu Feng replied.
“If it’s not urgent, eat before you go. I made it special for you,” Auntie Liu said warmly.
The word “special” touched Chu Feng’s heart.
So, he agreed.
Walking back into the palace, he soon caught a whiff of a tantalizing aroma.
It was a nostalgic scent.
At Chu Feng’s level, food, water, and sleep were unnecessary unless under special circumstances. He wouldn’t feel hunger, thirst, or fatigue.
Eating was optional, done only to satisfy a craving, not to fill the stomach—just to savor the taste.
But now, Chu Feng was genuinely tempted.
The food Auntie Liu prepared had a unique flavor.
It was the taste of home, a flavor Chu Feng hadn’t experienced since his days in the Chu family in the Nine Provinces Continent of the Ancestral Martial Lower Realm.
Sitting at the table, Chu Feng saw that Auntie Liu had gone all out.
She’d prepared eight dishes, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat aplenty.
This moved Chu Feng even more. Such hospitality from someone he’d just met was rare.
Over the meal, they chatted.
Chu Feng learned that while Auntie Liu was an ordinary villager, her daughter was not.
Her daughter, Wang Lian, had lost her father shortly after her birth, killed by the shockwaves of a martial cultivator’s battle.
Auntie Liu had raised Wang Lian alone.
But Wang Lian was exceptional, with remarkable martial talent. At just three hundred thirteen years old, she was already a peak True Immortal and an Elder of Chongxu Temple.
To Chu Feng, this was unremarkable, but to the villagers and even Chongxu Temple, Wang Lian was a prodigy.
Even in the Great Chiliocosm Thousand Realms, her cultivation at that age marked her as a true genius.
But alas, this was the Reincarnation Upper Realm…
Out of filial piety, Wang Lian wanted to take Auntie Liu away.
But Auntie Liu insisted on staying in the village, saying she was used to it.
So, Wang Lian built this palace for her mother to live in.
Auntie Liu had opposed it, not wanting to make a fuss, but gave in to Wang Lian’s insistence.
She didn’t want to draw attention, fearing the villagers’ disapproval, but surprisingly, no one dared object.
At this, a bitter smile crossed Auntie Liu’s face.
Seeing it, Chu Feng knew the villagers weren’t all kind.
They must have bullied Auntie Liu in the past.
But why did no one object to her grand palace now?
Because Wang Lian, her daughter, was an Elder of Chongxu Temple. They feared her, so they stayed silent.
“Mother, I’m back.”
As they talked, a voice rang out from outside the hall.
Chu Feng looked over and saw several people entering.
They all shared one identity: members of Chongxu Temple.
Leading them was a woman. Her appearance was plain but carried some poise, and she was at the peak of the True Immortal Realm.
She must be Wang Lian, Auntie Liu’s daughter.
The others wore matching robes, all disciples of Chongxu Temple.
They carried large boxes, which Chu Feng could tell contained cultivation pills and medicinal herbs.
Though not precious, they were useful for someone of Auntie Liu’s level.
Likely Wang Lian’s gifts to her mother.
“Who’s this?”
Wang Lian reached the dining area and, seeing Chu Feng, immediately looked displeased.
“I’m Xiuluo. Pleased to meet you.”
Chu Feng stood quickly, bowing politely to Wang Lian.
But Wang Lian ignored him, turning to Auntie Liu with a hint of resentment.
“Mother, how many times have I told you not to bring just anyone home?”
“Our Chongxu Temple has strict rules. I can’t break them to bring these nobodies in, not even villagers, let alone outsiders,” Wang Lian said.
“Lian’er, don’t talk nonsense. This young man isn’t here to ask for your help.”
Auntie Liu explained how she’d met Chu Feng.
“Hmph, people these days are so despicable, faking injuries to stage a ‘chance encounter’ with my mother to get close to her,” Wang Lian sneered, eyeing Chu Feng with disdain.
She thought Chu Feng was a schemer, using her mother to gain her favor.
Chu Feng could only laugh helplessly at her assumption.
“Miss Wang, you’ve misunderstood,” he said with a smile.
But his politeness was met with Wang Lian’s furious shout:
“You despicable lowlife, you’re not fit to speak to me.”
“Get out, or don’t blame me for being unkind.”
Normally, Chu Feng might teach such an arrogant woman a lesson.
But Auntie Liu was so kind that, for her sake, he held back.
“Auntie Liu, I’ll take my leave,” Chu Feng said, bidding her farewell before heading out.
“Don’t let me see you again, or I’ll break your legs.”
As Chu Feng stepped out of the palace, Wang Lian’s threatening voice echoed from behind.
Chu Feng just smiled and shook his head.
Would a lion ever take a sheep’s threat seriously?
