Chapter 44: I Am Looking Forward to It

The Mount Tai Prefecture Lord, also known as the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, resides within Mount Tai.

According to legends, Mount Tai is situated in the east, serving as the place where the sun rises and the origin of all things. Yin and Yang intersect at Tai, and all spirits of the world undergo reincarnation here. Consequently, the Mount Tai Prefecture Lord possesses the divine authority to govern life and death, and to rule over ghosts and the netherworld.

Looking back at the countless myths of ancient China, there are roughly three supreme deities in the underworld: the first is the Mount Tai Prefecture Lord, the second is the Great Emperor of Fengdu, and the third is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

When comparing their status in mythology, the chronological order of their legends, and their duties in the underworld, the Mount Tai Prefecture Lord holds the highest position. Furthermore, because Mount Tai is regarded as a sacred realm connecting humanity to the heavens, its underlying symbolism is even more profound.

Therefore, Xia Ye assigned the codename "Mount Tai Prefecture Lord" to Xue Fan, hoping he could fulfill his aspirations, carry all spirits across heaven and earth, ultimately communicate with the heavens, master Yin and Yang, govern life and death, and hold the power of reincarnation and restoration!

Xue Fan naturally had no objections to this, though he felt a slight sense of awe and apprehension, worrying he might not be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Yet, rather than shirking, he quietly cheered himself on in his heart.

With this settled, the future paths of Xue Fan and Tu Junfang were firmly established. Next, they would need to study medicinal formulas, dispense herbs, and test concoctions, marking the beginning of a new round of busy days.

However, Xia Ye was not in a rush. By his estimation, even working together, the two of them could finish everything in about a month at most. Rising to his feet, he beckoned to Xue Fan and led him toward the vicinity of the waterfall.

At that moment, Xiao Zizai and Tu Junfang were hard at work. The framework of a two-story "villa" had already taken shape, and they were currently filling the walls with timber.

Not far from them, beside the waterfall, Xia He was holding a copy of Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio and reading it aloud to Chen Duo. Chen Duo looked deeply interested, wearing a very focused expression.

"Hmm, well done."

Seeing that the embryonic structure of the house closely matched his blueprint, Xia Ye smiled and nodded. He then called for Xue Fan to join in and help, stepping into a supervisory role himself.

Although Xue Fan had just awakened and had not yet fully adapted to his abilities, the physical strength and stamina augmented by his Qi were already quite impressive. With his joining, the working efficiency increased significantly.

In fact, Xia Ye had intentionally brought them together. After all, as the number of people around him grew and his "team" gradually expanded, he needed to consider the harmony among all members.

The best way to foster harmony was to deepen their mutual affection. Although collaborative tasks like this were minor, they allowed for full interaction, enabling everyone to quickly become acquainted.

Xia Ye knew very well that although these fellows might look eccentric or fierce on the surface, they were inherently kind-hearted. Cooperating with one another meant they would naturally look out for each other, and under normal circumstances, none of them were truly stubborn.

Under his direction, Xiao Zizai, Tu Junfang, and Xue Fan cooperated seamlessly, moving back and forth within the wooden framework in an orderly manner. From time to time, Xia He and Chen Duo glanced over with gentle smiles, creating an atmosphere of absolute harmony.

"Hehe..."

Witnessing this ideal scene, a smile instantly bloomed on Xia Ye's face. He knew he had made the right choice in recruiting these individuals; everything was entirely under his control.

Through their combined efforts, after about three or four hours, the house was completely built. With a sufficient footprint and the addition of the second floor, housing nine to ten people would be a breeze.

Afterward, Xia He continued to teach Chen Duo how to read there, while Xia Ye led the other three on a disguised trip into the city. They purchased a large amount of furniture, daily necessities, and even a generator, packing everything into his portable spatial Dharma artifact and returning with a full load.

After another hour of arranging and moving things, by dinnertime, the entire house was finally set up, and everyone's rooms were prepared. Xiao Zizai, Chen Duo, and Xia He officially moved in.

"There, that takes care of it. We won't have to worry about living arrangements for the time being..."

Looking at the newly built house that still radiated the scent of fresh wood, Xia Ye smiled faintly and let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Phew..."

"Just one last step remaining."

With that, he pulled a stone-like Dharma artifact from his pocket. He had spent the last two days specially refining this for the villa. When he placed it in a hidden spot inside the house...

Hiss—

Wisps of Qi rose into the air, and the entire house seemed to transform into drifting mist, vanishing into thin air before their eyes!

"This is?"

Seeing this, everyone was instantly astonished. Tu Junfang, in particular, being a renowned powerhouse and an old veteran in the Outcasts' world, could not fathom the principle behind it, nor could he sense the existence of the house any longer.

"Here, take these. One for each of you, keep them on your persons."

Before they could ask, Xia Ye handed each of them a necklace fitted with a black gemstone-like Dharma artifact. The moment they hung the necklaces around their necks, the house that had just disappeared reappeared before their eyes.

"This is a Dharma artifact I refined over the past two days. It can conceal the house so that even top-tier experts cannot perceive or touch it. These necklaces serve as the 'keys'..." Xia Ye explained.

"Only by wearing this necklace can you see and touch this house. This way, even if the Company or outsiders break in, they will never discover it, greatly enhancing the safety and concealment of this place."

One must know that this Dharma artifact was far from simple. During the refining process, he incorporated the principles of the "Tang Sect's Phantom Body Barrier" and "Spatial Storage," which was equivalent to creating a folded "interstitial space"...

Those inside were unaffected, while those outside could neither perceive nor touch it!

Aside from figures like the Old Celestial Master, whose depths were unfathomable even to him, this artifact could "shield" against all other masters. Having encountered them during his travels, he naturally possessed this confidence!

"..."

As for the miraculous abilities displayed by Xia Ye, Xiao Zizai and Xia He were already accustomed to them. After a brief moment of surprise, they regained their composure, while Chen Duo showed no particular reaction, remaining expressionless as always.

As for Tu Junfang and Xue Fan, one was shocked that this fellow not only excelled in alchemy but was also proficient in artifact crafting, while the other was simply astounded by the wonders of the Outcasts' world. Both stood frozen in place for a moment.

However, very soon...

"Alright, now that the new house is built, we naturally need to have a proper meal to celebrate housewarming. Come on, you guys can help me prep." Xia Ye called out.

Following him, everyone walked into the new house, and he immediately assigned tasks, directing them to process the ingredients.

Roughly an hour later...

A succession of fragrant, mouth-watering dishes was served onto the dining table, and everyone took their seats. Xia Ye poured the drinks himself, gave Chen Duo a glass of fruit juice, and then raised his goblet.

"Everyone, gathering together is a matter of fate. May our future be full of promise and all our wishes be fulfilled!"

Clink!

The next second, their cups tapped against each other, looking exceptionally warm under the warm yellow lights. The others exchanged smiles and echoed in unison:

"May our future be full of promise, and all our wishes be fulfilled!"

With that, they drained the liquid in their cups in one gulp and picked up their chopsticks.

This dinner was lively indeed. Under Xia Ye's thoughtful care, the two newly joined members smoothly integrated into the atmosphere, gradually opening their hearts.

Under the influence of alcohol, the distance between them quickly narrowed. The initial barriers were temporarily broken as they continuously clinked glasses and chatted heartily.

"Hehe..."

A moment later, seeing that the atmosphere at the table had reached his expectations and everyone was conversing happily, Xia Ye smiled faintly, made an excuse to stand up, and left the house.

Walking all the way back to the medical clinic, he slowly curled up into the sofa, relaxing his entire body as a wave of fatigue washed over him.

"Phew..."

Up to this day, none of this had been easy. The effortless demeanor he displayed was not merely due to his temperament, but because only by acting this way could he bring all these people together...

They needed a "backbone" they could fully trust, a "patriarch" with enough deterrent presence, and a "pillar" that brought peace of mind. Only under such conditions could all their "talents" truly manifest.

"I am looking forward to it..."