Chapter 38: Immortal’s Sanctuary

Mingdai blinked, completely unable to grasp what he was saying. Taking advantage of the moment, she put on a mysterious air and declared, “Zhou Sinian, I’ve just been enlightened by the Mountain God!”

Zhou Sinian frowned at her.

“The Mountain God saw that I have immortal affinity and bestowed upon me an immortal cave dwelling. It’s on me—I can carry it with me at all times.”

Zhou Sinian’s frown deepened as he looked at Mingdai with concern—her illness seems even worse than mine. What am I supposed to do now?

“I can now collect items at will, and I can also bring people in and out. Do you want to see it?” she said.

Zhou Sinian sighed and sat back down, continuing to crack pine nuts. When we get back, I’ll have her roast all the chestnuts and make pine nut candy as well. She’s getting crazier by the day—soon she won’t even cook, and our good days will be over. Might as well have her prepare more while she’s still lucid.

Seeing his disbelief, Mingdai waved her hand. Instantly, the pile of pine cones in front of Zhou Sinian vanished, and his stick hit nothing but air, thudding dully against the ground.

Zhou Sinian jumped to his feet, instinctively taking a defensive stance. One hand gripped his stick in front of him, the other reached for his lower back, and in a flash, a military dagger appeared in his hand.

“Hey, when did you start carrying that thing at your waist? There’s not even a sheath—doesn’t it poke you?” Mingdai exclaimed, startled at the sudden appearance of the weapon. When had Zhou Sinian started carrying that?

They stood at an impasse for a moment, but when nothing happened, Zhou Sinian began searching the area, puzzled, even prying open a patch of ground with his dagger.

He found nothing.

“I told you—it’s my immortal art. Why don’t you believe me? Watch this!” Mingdai gestured at the pile of pine cones before them. “Collect!”

The mound of pine cones vanished instantly!

“Release!”

Before Zhou Sinian could react, the pine cones reappeared in a heap!

This time, Zhou Sinian watched with wide-eyed astonishment, his slack-jawed, dazed expression greatly amusing Mingdai.

“The Mountain God said only I have immortal affinity—you do not. But since we are good friends, the Mountain God said I can share with you, provided you obey me unconditionally. Understood?”

Zhou Sinian returned to his usual expression, neither nodding nor shaking his head.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to do anything bad. I just hope you won’t speak of immortal matters. The Mountain God is currently cultivating in the mountains and doesn’t wish to be disturbed.

“So, my immortal dwelling and techniques must remain a secret. Otherwise, not only will the cave and arts be taken back, but you and I will both lose our lives. Do you understand?”

Zhou Sinian nodded solemnly. “I understand!” His voice was firm and resolute.

Mingdai nodded in satisfaction. “Don’t worry—the Mountain God only gave me this because we are kind-hearted and hate to see food wasted. With this immortal treasure, as long as we keep the secret, we’ll never go hungry or cold again. Understood?”

Suddenly, someone’s eyes lit up!

“I understand!”

Mingdai beamed. “Now, come here—it’s time for this immortal to demonstrate her arts!”

Zhou Sinian obeyed and stood at her side.

Mingdai stretched out her hand. “Rise!”

In the forest, tens of thousands of pine cones floated into the air. As they shook, plump pine nuts fell out, hovering in mid-air.

“Collect!”

In the next second, both pine nuts and pine cones vanished. Inside Mingdai’s spatial warehouse, two small mountains had appeared.

Despite having witnessed it once already, Zhou Sinian was still amazed by this magical sight!

Mingdai used the same method to collect the pine cones from the trees, and even gathered a pile of thick pine needles from the ground. The worm-eaten pine nuts she left under a tree for the squirrels to use during winter.

When all was done, the pine forest, once covered in pine cones, lay perfectly clean, nothing wasted.

Zhou Sinian was still dazed, struggling to process it all.

Mingdai, like a playful aunt coaxing a child, extended her hand to him. “Zhou Sinian, would you like to see my immortal dwelling?”

Zhou Sinian looked into her eyes, thought for a moment, and then nodded.

Everything went black. When he opened his eyes, he was in an unfamiliar place.

Zhou Sinian instinctively raised his dagger in defense, but Mingdai had already walked into the villa, beckoning him to follow.

Zhou Sinian took a moment to adjust, cautiously scanning his surroundings before trailing after her.

When he entered, the gleaming marble floors and ornate European columns left him utterly bewildered.

Once inside a room, the dazzling sight stunned Zhou Sinian into silence. He had never seen such a large chandelier! From the third floor, countless crystal tubes hung straight down, casting radiant light across the entire space.

Mingdai found a spare pair of men’s slippers and handed them to him. “Take off your shoes and put them here.”

He did as told, and only then noticed how warm it was inside. Dressed in his cotton jacket and pants, sweat was already trickling down his back.

So was Mingdai. Without further ado, she led him to a guest room on the first floor, opened the bathroom door, and turned on the bathtub faucet. Hot water rushed out, making Zhou Sinian jump in surprise!

Mingdai pointed out each bathroom fixture, explaining and demonstrating as she went.

From his initial shock, Zhou Sinian quickly moved to curiosity, and within minutes had mastered everything—his adaptability was unmatched.

“Later, use this shower to wash yourself first, and once you’re clean, soak in the tub. Remember how to use these toiletries?”

Zhou Sinian nodded.

Mingdai left. “Let the water run, turn it off when it’s full, adjust the temperature yourself. I’ll fetch you some clothes.”

Zhou Sinian eyed the faucet, experimenting—lift it, water flowed; lower it, water stopped. Left for hot, right for cold!

Amazing! This must be immortal art! This must be an immortal dwelling!

When Mingdai returned with clothes, she found him playing enthusiastically with the taps, but she didn’t stop him; after all, using water here didn’t waste any resources.

“Take your bath first. There will be plenty of time to play in the future, understand?”

Zhou Sinian nodded obediently. He was already sweating, his hair damp and sticking to his forehead, which made him look oddly endearing.

Closing the door, Mingdai dashed upstairs to her own room for a shower. Although she could come in and soak every night, after a day’s work and another half day fussing on the mountain, she was thoroughly exhausted.

She took a fragrant hot shower, feeling so relaxed even her toes uncurl. After moisturizing her skin and considering Zhou Sinian’s comfort, she decided against her silk nightgown, choosing instead long-sleeved cotton pajamas.

She tossed her flowery cotton jacket and pants into the washer-dryer, slipped on her bunny slippers, and headed downstairs.

The living room was empty—Zhou Sinian was probably still bathing.

Passing the guest room, she saw he had finished and was sitting on the bed, head lowered, deep in thought.

Mingdai knocked on the door. Zhou Sinian turned to watch her enter.

Fresh from his bath, Zhou Sinian’s pale face had regained some color. Dressed in thin pajamas, his slenderness was even more apparent.

“Did you enjoy your bath?”

He nodded. He hadn’t felt this comfortable in a long time.

Before Mingdai arrived, he had bathed too, but always in the river. In summer, he would wait until everyone left before washing. In winter, for some reason, people stopped coming, so he went alone.

But every time after winter bathing, he would feel dizzy for days—it wasn’t much fun.

Today, after the bath, he felt a little dizzy too, but this time, it was comfortable.

Mingdai thought: Who in their right mind bathes in the river in the dead of winter? Do you think you’re winter swimming?! That’s not dizziness, it’s fever!

She smiled and watched him half-sitting on the bed. “Why aren’t you sitting properly?”

Zhou Sinian gave an embarrassed smile. “It bounces.”

Mingdai was momentarily puzzled, then realized he had never slept on a mattress before.

Thus, Mingdai embarked on a marathon of explanations—answering all of Zhou Sinian’s endless questions as she gave him a tour: the guest room, living room, kitchen, storage room, the wilderness outside, and the pool behind.

Whatever she could answer, she did; whatever she couldn’t, she excused as secrets the immortals hadn’t revealed.

Notably, the TV, phones, and tablets in the house could not access any news or shows beyond this current era. In other words, only period-appropriate programs were available.

Exasperated, Mingdai turned on the TV, which immediately captured Zhou Sinian’s attention.

Relieved, Mingdai hadn’t expected to be so overwhelmed by questions.

In the end, it was Zhou Sinian who suggested returning home.

Seeing him turn off the TV without hesitation, Mingdai was impressed by his self-control.

Before leaving, she checked his pulse and told him the immortal had instructed her to cure his illness.

Zhou Sinian had no objections—when told to extend his left hand, he didn’t offer his right; when asked to roll up his sleeve, he didn’t unbutton.

Finally, Mingdai felt the back of his head and found a depression—an old injury untreated in time, compounded by medication-induced neurological disorder.

Someone must have truly hated him!

Mingdai didn’t hide the truth, explaining the situation to Zhou Sinian.

He didn’t quite understand, but he was very compliant: “I don’t know, but I trust you. I want to get better. I think I’ve forgotten something very important.”

Mingdai nodded; good treatment always starts with a willing patient.

So Mingdai shaved Zhou Sinian’s head.

Admiring his perfectly shaped bald head, Mingdai nodded in satisfaction.

Zhou Sinian touched his head, then silently went to the storage room and fetched a Lei Feng hat.

Mingdai stifled her laughter and handed him his freshly dried clothes.

After changing, Zhou Sinian got ready, and together they left the spatial dwelling.

The instant temperature drop made them both shiver.

They exchanged a smile and started down the mountain.

Along the way, whenever they encountered deadwood, Mingdai collected it; reaching the pile of chestnut husks, she gathered those as well.

Their journey was fruitful and effortless, leaving Zhou Sinian quite happy.

“Hey, Zhou Sinian, I’ve been up this mountain so many times but haven’t seen a single pheasant or even a small animal. How come?”

“Because of me.”

Mingdai, puzzled, picked up a fallen branch while looking at him.

“I don’t know why, but unless I hide it, they won’t come near.”

After a series of questions, Mingdai finally understood—he emanated a killing aura that frightened animals; if he concealed it, the animals wouldn’t notice.

“Killing aura?” Mingdai frowned, suspicious. Is he pulling my leg? I just gained immortal powers, and now you have a killing aura? Immortal arts versus martial arts—are you doing this on purpose?

Zhou Sinian shook his head. “I don’t know what it is, but I can control it freely.”

Mingdai nodded. Very well. Zhou Sinian’s powerful ability to learn, adapt, and observe indicated he was no ordinary person and couldn’t be judged by common standards.

Soon, they reached the foot of the mountain. She loaded some wood onto the cart, Zhou Sinian pulled, and Mingdai sat.

Roller coaster, here we go!