Chapter 357

Chapter 357: Farewell

From the first to the fourteenth day of the new year, Wang Chen’s life was utterly disrupted.

The sheer number of visitors left him with little time to cultivate, and the energy he expended on social engagements made him feel as though his cultivation level had regressed.

Yet, this feeling was nothing more than an illusion.

Given the chance, he would gladly relive those days.

The reason was simple—he was showered with gifts until his hands ached!

Visitors arrived in waves.

As an outsider, though Wang Chen was a Purple Palace cultivator, his influence as the village chief of Datian Village was confined to the village itself.

Even if he stirred up chaos in Datian Village, news of it would hardly reach the ears of the influential figures in Wancheng.

Wancheng was teeming with Purple Palace cultivators; a rootless loose cultivator like him was insignificant.

However, with the title of “inner sect disciple of the West Sea Sect,” Wang Chen’s status instantly transformed, elevating him above the majority of Purple Palace cultivators.

Though he was still only a first-tier Purple Palace cultivator, the disparity in status was as vast as the gap between heaven and earth!

Wang Chen finally tallied his gains: over the past two weeks, he had received gifts worth several hundred thousand spirit stones!

The most generous contributions came from the Song family and the Fang family, each exceeding one hundred thousand spirit stones.

Wang Chen meticulously prepared an account book, recording every gift in detail.

He intended to use it for future reciprocation.

He was not one to stubbornly reject such unexpected fortune.

But before leaving Datian Village, Wang Chen had one final task to complete.

He needed to confirm his successor!

Though his tenure as village chief was brief, Wang Chen had accomplished much during his time.

He established a guard team, founded a school, and implemented the five-protection households and work point system. These tangible and intangible innovations brought profound changes to Datian Village.

As the saying goes, “When a person leaves, the tea cools.” Once he departed, the continuity of these initiatives would undoubtedly come into question.

Wang Chen did not want his hard work to go to waste.

Thus, he sent a letter of crane paper to Fang Han Tao, the head of the Fang family in Wancheng.

Fang Han Tao, who served as the county magistrate and assisted the city lord in governing local affairs, certainly had the authority to appoint a village chief.

Fang Han Tao was also more than willing to oblige Wang Chen, and the matter was swiftly resolved.

“From now on, Datian Village is entirely in your hands.”

Before his departure, Wang Chen addressed the new village chief, “If you encounter any insurmountable problems, seek out Master Fang Han Tao; he will assist you.”

The new village chief was none other than Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong possessed formidable cultivation and a resolute, courageous character. During his tenure as the guard team leader, he earned the unwavering support of all his team members.

Most importantly, he was an outsider villager, unaffiliated with the three prominent families.

Additionally, Xiao Hong wholeheartedly supported the new system that Wang Chen had implemented.

After careful consideration, Wang Chen recommended him to become the new village chief of Datian Village.

Since the appointment came from Wancheng, the three elders in the village did not dare to raise any objections.

“Xiao Hong will certainly do his utmost!”

Xiao Hong knelt on one knee and bowed deeply to Wang Chen, saying, “Your great kindness, Xiao Hong will never forget!”

Wang Chen had saved his life.

During a hunting expedition in the mountains, Xiao Hong had an unexpected encounter with a fierce magical beast. If Wang Chen had not intervened in time, he would likely have been reduced to ashes.

“It’s not that serious.”

Wang Chen reached out to help him up, saying, “I have one more thing I need to ask of you.”

Xiao Hong quickly replied, “Please, command me.”

Wang Chen pointed to Little He, who stood beside him: “Take care of Little He for me.”

He was heading to the inner sect of the West Sea Sect, with an uncertain future and other purposes, so he could not take Little He with him.

During this time, Little He had diligently served Wang Chen, and though she had no significant achievements, she had worked hard.

Wang Chen did not want her life to be negatively affected after his departure.

Entrusting her to Xiao Hong was undoubtedly the best choice.

“Rest assured, my lord!”

Xiao Hong patted his chest and assured, “I will treat Little He like my own sister.”

Wang Chen smiled, “Good.”

He took out a storage bag and handed it to him: “Our acquaintance is a kind of fate. Inside, there are some items for cultivation and preserving life; they are worth little spirit stones. Take them and use them.”

Xiao Hong did not refuse, receiving the storage bag with both hands, “Thank you for your generous gift, my lord!”

Just as Xiao Hong left, Little He suddenly knelt down, exclaiming, “My lord, I don’t want to leave you.”

The young girl knew very well that she would never find another master as kind and generous as Wang Chen.

Wang Chen never regarded her as a servant and even bestowed her the Foundation Establishment Pill, helping her become a true cultivator.

One could say his kindness was as great as being reborn!

“Let’s hope we meet again.”

Wang Chen lifted her gently, saying, “It’s not that I am heartless, but once I’m over there, I cannot take care of you at all.”

Little He wiped her tears and nodded silently.

She understood her low strength; following Wang Chen to the West Sea Sect would not lead to prosperity for her, but rather, she could become a burden. Remaining in Datian Village was the best choice.

Wang Chen ruffled her hair and then handed her another storage bag, saying, “Cultivate well.”

After settling Little He, Wang Chen felt no lingering attachment to the place.

However, when he stepped out of the village chief’s residence, he was surprised to find countless villagers standing outside and along the road, all gathered to see him off.

The three elders stepped forward one by one, presenting him with drinks.

“My lord, please drink this cup of Baijia wine, wish you ascend soon and enjoy eternal blessings!”

The so-called Baijia wine is brewed from the grains of all the families in a village, representing the most sincere blessings.

Although Wang Chen served as village chief for a short time, the villagers experienced real benefits.

They were the ones who least wanted him to leave.

Each person’s gaze toward Wang Chen was filled with hope and anticipation.

“Thank you all!”

Wang Chen finished all three cups of Baijia wine and then tossed down his cup, declaring, “Farewell!”

It would be impossible to say that he did not have feelings at that moment.

But Wang Chen had long since grown accustomed to farewells.

He summoned his magic and flew into the air, hovering above the villagers on the ground, nodding to them.

Then, like an arrow released from a bow, he sped toward the direction of Wancheng.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from everyone’s sight.

After Wang Chen’s departure, the villagers pooled their resources to erect a stone tablet of magical artifact quality for him, inscribed with the deeds he had accomplished during his time as village chief, along with their respect and gratitude for him.

As time passed and the years turned, hundreds and thousands of years later, Datian Village would no longer exist, but this stone tablet would still quietly stand amidst the overgrown ruins, signifying a chapter of the past!