Chapter 301: Visiting The Thai Yellow Church
Parking Lot.
Under the senior student’s lead, Yuan Zhu did not enter the Rain Courtyard, but headed straight to the parking lot near the academy entrance, soon arriving in front of a distinctive sports car.
The car was parked diagonally alone in a spot, one vehicle spanning three parking spaces. Fortunately, the nearby area was empty, causing no adverse impact.
“Here it is. Satisfied?”
Yuan Zhu looked down closely; it was a modified car with a very rugged style, smooth lines, and sharp angles.
Measured by an Earthling’s standards, unlike the currently popular carriage heads with rounded curves, this sports car had a somewhat retro flavor, with straight-edged and angular contours, and a strong “heavy industrial style” that was sturdy and durable after modification.
It felt like if the throttle was welded open, it could charge ahead unstoppable, and even crashing into a wall would surely feel very powerful and full of safety.
He circled the car once; this thing was longer and wider than private cars on Earth. Judging from the wear and tear on the body, it had some years on it, but was well-maintained. It exuded a temperament of having weathered the storms of time yet remaining robust.
Yuan Zhu couldn’t help asking, “Mine?”
“Yes! Yours. How does it feel? Satisfied?”
With that, the senior student tossed the car keys to Yuan Zhu.
He raised his hand to catch the keys, feeling somewhat excited; after traversing for over three months, he finally had a car. But compared to sports cars, he still preferred motorcycles.
Huh? Something’s off. Why hadn’t he thought to buy a motorcycle for commuting after traversing so long, when even his Shadow Uniform was in racing form? Even that little punk Lu Rang had once been a midnight street racer.
Seeing him lost in a daze, the senior student pressed, “Why aren’t you saying anything? Too excited?”
“Uh…? Yeah, a bit happy, but also a bit unhappy. Doesn’t it look a bit outdated?”
The senior student sneered, “Heh, outdated? This model is a famous classic, and it’s been professionally modified—tires, alchemy core… all custom-made. More power, faster speed, and even more crash-resistant. It costs twice as much as picking up the latest model from a dealership. If you’re not satisfied, I’ll take you to buy a new one.”
Yuan Zhu quickly waved his hands, “No no no, this one’s great. It looks perfect for daily life.”
He lightly tapped the sports car shell, producing a thick, muffled metallic sound. Then a shiver ran down his scalp; he felt this car wouldn’t care about everyday minor scratches. So damn safe—bulletproof model? He didn’t know its fuel consumption—no, alchemy element consumption—how exaggerated it was.
Seeing him touching and tapping the body, the senior student felt it embarrassing and urged, “Can you drive?”
Yuan Zhu nodded, “Of course!”
He was a young old driver who had graduated and entered the factory not long ago, forced into unpaid overtime delivering goods with big trucks for the factory until resigning without a single cent in severance. Local Hundred-Ton King was no problem.
The senior student then opened the passenger door and got in, “Then I’ll give directions. Take you to see the house.”
Hearing there was also a house, Yuan Zhu perked up again. After getting in, facing the unknown key slot to start it, he was at a loss, making the atmosphere awkward.
After some fumbling, he successfully learned to start the sports car, gradually accelerating; the driving method was simpler than trucks, with notable differences from Earth’s cars.
Under the senior student’s directions, Yuan Zhu soon drove to the first property.
Having just moved yesterday and about to acquire a mountain (13 Yin Mountains + Cold Pond), plus vacating a Haunted House, Yuan Zhu felt no great emotional fluctuation about the new villa he was about to get.
After all, he had just experienced the stimulation of the Yin Mountain deed; no matter how luxurious the house, how could it compare to a mountain range?
Even with an officially issued property certificate, how could it compare to the authority of the Du Ling Star-recognized Landlord deed?
…
In half an hour, they continuously drove to view two properties, finally crossing an iron bridge to the third house.
The three properties provided by the senior student weren’t new, nor in top-tier luxury goods villa areas. But the surrounding environments were all good—convenient transportation, close to the commercial district, and not far from the Rain Courtyard.
In his previous life’s terms, standard “school district housing + middle-class community,” with subway, hospital, commercial street, and food street all available. Residents here were all high-salary tiers with decent jobs.
Compared to the slum building he lived in now, it was a hundred times better. This was the ultimate dream his predecessor couldn’t even dream of!
After comparing the three, Yuan Zhu took a liking to the house in front of him.
The reason was simple: it was closest to the slums where he currently lived. Nothing else—just the fastest route from here to the school where little brother studied. Even so, the bus ride took nearly half an hour.
Choosing other houses would waste even more time on schooling.
Yuan Zhu even pondered in his mind whether to get a motorcycle for his younger brother too? Ghostfire boy would more easily attract spirit girls; with the Yuan family four generations of officials, daily riding a ghostfire to carry a girl back to the villa, no more worries about branching the family tree.
This would do right by Mom’s spirit in heaven!
But on second thought, with little brother’s spineless, submissive weakling personality. Riding a motorcycle to school—not only no cosplaying spirit boy, but likely getting reverse blackmailed and robbed by a spirit girl, possibly taking both bike and boy home.
Imagining early morning, the overnight-absent younger brother waking in a strange bed, clutching the quilt to his chest, head down silently sobbing. While the spirit girl on the bed’s edge, just awake, cigarette in mouth, impatiently glancing at him, then saying something like, “I’m not taking responsibility!”
Uh… seems to still satisfy the Yuan family’s branching requirement, no big issue. This motorcycle still needs to be bought!
Thus, with a sigh, Yuan Zhu said, “This one then!”
The senior student puzzled, “Why do you look unhappy again? Do you dislike this house being too old, second-hand?”
Candle shook his head, “How could it be, I just… had a sudden sentiment. How much for this house?”
“Including the front and back yards, 300,000 total, very cost-effective. You just pay 30,000; if no money, I’ll cover it. I used your land in the suburbs and the future Frog Factory at city hall as collateral. After that, just pay 1,500 per month.”
At this time, no one was in the standalone house, so Yuan Zhu wandered the yard. After circling, he found both front and back yards very large.
On the left side of the front yard was a large flower bed, neglected, now overgrown with weeds and wildflowers, looking very messy. On the right was a big tree of many years, with a swing tied to the huge trunk with thick hemp rope.
Going around to the back yard, he saw a small pond in a dry state, overgrown with green plants. Beneath the lush greenery was a layer of rainwater, with several large landscape rocks placed, growing with irises on them.
Though the pond had little water, the local humid weather still made these plants grow vigorously.
Outside the pond area, the ground was paved with a pebble path, above which tall iron frames stood in rows, crawling with old wisteria vines like a poisonous snake.
It can be seen that the previous occupant had quite a sense of style. The scenery in both the front and back yards was arranged very elegantly. Even though it had been unattended for some time, one could still feel the hidden beauty amidst the disorder.
“It looks pretty nice!”
Senior Student: “The previous occupant was a dentist. It is said that something happened in his hometown, so he entrusted the house for sale and left ahead of time. Because he was in a hurry to sell, the price here is the most cost-effective.”
After confirming their future new home, Yuan Zhu completely relaxed. Compared to the Haunted House where he could only sneak in secretly, this kind of house where he could come and go openly was much more comforting.
“Now that you have settled on a house and gotten the car. The other Truck, I parked at the Frog Factory Site. Shouldn’t you report for duty and go to work early?”
Yuan Zhu pointed at his own face: “Me? Report for duty? Go to work?!”
Why do these words sound so strange when put together?!
Ah! I get it! After I transmigrated here, besides being forced to work one day at Fire Fang, I’ve been in a free and idle unemployed state long-term. Occasionally doing part-time gigs at Happy Home, otherwise just happily messing around!
Although I’ve also been striving in entrepreneurship, it’s unrestrained and happy entrepreneurship. Making me check-in and go to work would be so painful.
The Senior Student ignored his thoughts: “Yes, to get our undertakings on track as soon as possible, I commissioned a professional team. Your No. 1 Frog Factory has undergone accelerated construction and is now in the final stages of topping out. Tap water is already connected, and the drainage system is complete. You can raise frogs with peace of mind.”
Yuan Zhu counted on his fingers: “How many days has it been?”
In his memory, just three days ago he inspected the Frog Factory Site. His own Farming Facility was using Structure powder to pour into the surface-dug pits and trenches, without even perimeter walls, let alone topping out.
Yet in just three days—no, it should be two days—it was all done? This isn’t scientific!
“This efficiency is too fast, right? The completed Frog Factory can be put into direct use without needing to let it sit for a while to air out?”
Senior Student: “Fast? I hired a professional construction team, not one formed by ordinary people. With Supernatural Powers involved, building a small Farming Facility in half a day—is that hard?”
Yuan Zhu raised an eyebrow: “I’m just raising some ordinary frogs. Is there any need to make such a big fuss? All the facilities in my Frog Factory combined probably don’t cost as much as the Appearance Fee for the professional team, right?”
The Senior Student nodded in agreement: “Of course not! I didn’t hire them specifically for you either. The Underground Laboratory we need isn’t something an ordinary team can build. I had to hire professionals, and along the way, they sped up your little Frog Factory to keep you from idling all day. By the way, the two Blank Identities you applied for at the Academy—I handled them for you. What’s my reward?”
Then, the Senior Student took out two blank cards and handed them to Yuan Zhu. Earlier, he had asked Nie Yin to make a trip to the Academy to select Annual Faith for the two siblings, then submit to the Academy for local household registration application.
Now with the Senior Student taking the initiative to help and pull strings to approve the two applications, as long as he took them home for the two to sign and drip blood on the Identity Cards, their identity information would be entered into Running City’s Security Bureau archives, adding a bond with this city and this land.
However, for Yuan Zhu, who had already advanced to Landlord status and was about to become a Landlord God, the need for such Identity Cards was no longer so urgent.
As long as the whole family moved into the Yin Mountain Dharma Domain, no matter how evil, Forbidden, or intolerable between heaven and earth Yuan Tang and her younger brother were, his Tiger Demon could protect them!
Hearing the Senior Student claim credit, Yuan Zhu went along with her words: “Thanks for the help, I naturally have a reward. I’ve prepared an expert in ‘cultivating Spirit Plants’ for you. Once your Greenhouse is built, you can have her help cultivate Otherworld Spirit Medicine.”
The Senior Student instantly got it and looked at the two Blank Identity cards she had given Yuan Zhu, asking: “Related to these two identities? From the same place as those ‘Pollution Seeds’ you gave me?”
“You know too much!”
The Senior Student smiled: “Then you better bring her over soon. Not only has your Farming No. 1 Area been accelerated to completion. My Greenhouse is also about to be finished. I’m planning to try the seeds you provided.”
Candle waved his hand: “Don’t try them lightly. This batch of Seeds is special and requires a unique and harsh growth environment to sprout successfully. When the time comes, better let the professionals handle it.”
“We Plant School are the professionals. What I studied is analyzing seeds from different sources, cultivating them to grow in standard environments, and performing post-natal modifications.”
……
After bidding farewell to the Senior Student, Yuan Zhu got into his new car, floored the accelerator to speed up instantly, and turned around again heading in the direction of Rain Courtyard.
This time, speeding all the way, he soon arrived at the Academy Entrance. He got out, showed his Identification, and entered smoothly. This trip’s purpose wasn’t the Frog School, but straight to the Small Church where he was initially imprinted with the Holy Mark.
There was no one in the church today. After Yuan Zhu went out to inquire, he found the Old Temple Priest at the nearby Lakeside.
At this moment, the goatee old man was leaning back in a folding chair, holding dried fish bait, leisurely fishing.
Yuan Zhu approached and lightly coughed: “Ahem, sorry to disturb you!”
The old man turned his head, recognized Yuan Zhu’s appearance, and immediately recalled this young man he had personally inducted into the Holy Path. Everything about him was fine, and his Strength growth was especially fast. But unfortunately, he was a bit stingy, unwilling to even buy a Holy Seal—no future!
“It’s you. What do you want? Well, you’re already starting to forge the second seal so quickly. Rootless and baseless, aren’t you afraid of wasting your own Cultivation? What if you flip the car?”
Unexpectedly, the other party cursed him right from the start. Yuan Zhu gave a hypocritical fake smile: “So, that’s why I’m here to seek your guidance, right?”
The old man turned his head away, continued staring at the bobber, and then spoke: “Don’t you know the rules? Consultation requires a fee. Who comes with a straight face demanding answers like you? I don’t owe you anything. Besides, even if you pay for consultation, I can only reveal ordinary information. Anything involving faction secrets will be kept confidential.”
Yuan Zhu: “Uh… We’re all fellow members of the Tai Huang Lineage, and I was personally inducted into the Holy Church by you, elder.”
“Stop! Stop! Who knows what evil arts you secretly cultivated? Even the most basic connection between my Holy Mark and yours has been severed. Forget Tai Huang Lineage—you and I have no incense bond left.”
The old man shook his head repeatedly, rejecting Yuan Zhu’s attempt to get close.
Candle puzzled: “Huh? What do you mean the basic connection between Holy Marks is gone?”
The old man narrowed his eyes and asked: “Can you sense the Holy Light in my body?”
Yuan Zhu activated the Soul Crystal and cast Detect Evil on the old man, instantly getting feedback like ‘Teammate, one of us, Holy Light very pure, old senior…’ and other positive responses.
So he answered: “Yes!”
The old man asked again: “Does it feel intimate?”
“Feels like a colleague, one of us, sense of security—does that count as intimate?”
“Like hell it does. That’s at most normal feedback from the same camp. Under normal circumstances, your Holy Mark was granted by me after formally communicating with the Tai Huang Dao Master via the Three Livestock Ritual. I’m at least half a teacher to you. At a higher ‘Holy Light Source Dimension,’ we have a mysterious connection.”
“To put it this way: if you commit evil and get the Fall Seal, I’d be implicated. If you’re exceptionally talented and advance rapidly, I can benefit from this incense bond. If you choose to go further and join the Tai Huang Dao lineage, I could even grant you ‘higher Holy Seals’ beyond your capacity, skipping levels.”
“But now, this hidden connection is gone, severed. The effect of the ritual I painstakingly held back then has been mostly destroyed. Between us, we’re just passersby—the good karma we built has evaporated. Your connection to Tai Huang Dao still lingers a bit, or I wouldn’t bother with you.”
