Almost every three days and nights, Ye Chen would change his identity, from a fisherman to a woodcutter, then to a hunter, and even becoming a traveling merchant. He experienced different facets of mortal life among the common folk, enduring the hardships of various ordinary professions, remaining unknown and obscure.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed.
During this time, although he hadn't cultivated in the slightest, the constant immersion in the Mortal Dust and tasting the hardships of the mundane world allowed him to feel his aura becoming increasingly rounded and natural, as if undergoing an extraordinary baptism.
Although the transformation of his Saint Body over the past twelve years had made him powerful, his aura was somewhat difficult to suppress, always leaking out uncontrollably.
Now, after his worldly tempering in the Mortal Dust, Ye Chen had completely controlled the power within his body. His cultivation hadn't increased in the slightest, but the perfect mastery of his power would similarly make him even stronger.
This was the baptism and transformation of the Mortal Dust.
On this day, Ye Chen had become an ordinary woodcutter, his aura restrained and plain, rowing a boat on a river.
However, the sky was gloomy, overcast with dark clouds, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling, with torrential rain pouring down. Wind and rain lashed at him, and the river was turbulent with surging waves and tidal waves. He appeared to be struggling to row the boat, constantly maintaining his balance.
It was clearly very strenuous, and several times the terrifying waves completely submerged the sailboat.
But each time, he managed to stabilize it, though just barely.
Above the river, a group of extraordinary young elites were flying through the air. There were seven of them in total, all like celestial beings riding clouds and mist, their bearing extraordinary, surrounded by radiant light. The torrential rain could not wet their clothes in the slightest.
Clearly, these people were Heaven's Pride prodigies from the myriad realms. There were five men and two women, their auras quite powerful, at least cultivators above the fifth level of Divine Transformation.
At this moment, when they saw the scene on the river below, one of the prodigies couldn't help but sneer, "This is the so-called mortal, weak as ants, without the ability to defy the heavens, only able to struggle with great effort amidst wind and rain. How can they compare to us, who can summon wind and rain and accomplish anything with a mere gesture?"
Hearing this, most of the other prodigies couldn't help but laugh heartily, expressing their agreement. Only one woman gently shook her head. Although her face initially seemed somewhat plain, her features were exquisitely refined, possessing a charm that grew more pleasing the longer one looked.
In the end, she appeared with a beauty so stunning it could startle the heavens, ethereal and deeply captivating.
Now, she lightly parted her red lips, her voice melodious and beautiful, saying, "Fellow Daoist Robin, you go too far. Mortals have their own lives. Although they are not like us who cultivate the Dao, they are still fellow humans. How can you insult them?"
As she spoke, she waved her delicate hand, sending out a gentle radiance that fell upon the sailboat that seemed on the verge of being capsized by the terrifying waves at any moment.
With the appearance of this soft light, the turbulent, surging river calmed within half a zhang around the sailboat, no longer posing a threat to the boat's safety.
Seeing this, Ye Chen on the boat gave a slight, bitter smile. He had only wanted to experience mortal life, but unexpectedly, cultivators had disturbed him. However, he understood this was the kind-hearted intention of that pleasing-looking woman. Therefore, he specifically cupped his fists in thanks, saying, "Many thanks for the Fairy's assistance. I am deeply grateful. If you ever face difficulty in the future, I, Ye, will certainly repay you."
Upon hearing this, the young Heaven's Pride figures flying in the air, except for the pleasing-looking woman, all couldn't help but double over with laughter. Some couldn't help but shake their heads, saying, "You, a mere boatman, just a person from the mortal world, what could you possibly use to repay us? Truly laughable."
Ye Chen didn't mind this, merely smiling slightly and cupping his fists again. "Might I ask the Fairy's name?"
"Young man, could it be you've taken a fancy to Miss Qin?" the young prodigy named Robin who had spoken first suddenly spoke up.
This, however, caused the other prodigies to burst into laughter again, filled with mirth and amusement.
Ye Chen couldn't help but frown slightly, sweeping a somewhat indifferent glance at this Robin. He was deliberately trying to mock him.
However, after three months of Mortal Dust cultivation, his state of mind had long been cultivated to be calm and composed. He wouldn't get angry over such a trivial matter and quickly calmed down.
Miss Qin shook her head gently and said softly, "Big brother, this little lady merely acted on a whim. No repayment is needed. The river currents here are fierce. Please hurry ashore and don't risk your life."
Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled slightly and didn't press further. After all, he couldn't continue boating today. He forcefully rowed the oar, and the sailboat shot toward the riverbank like an arrow released from a bowstring.
After tying up the sailboat securely, Ye Chen safely went ashore. He cupped his fists from a distance toward Miss Qin, then turned and left, his figure gradually fading into the distance.
Miss Qin glanced at Ye Chen's departing back, then turned to the other prodigies with a bright, shallow smile. "Fellow Daoists, let us depart as well. I hear the Three-Life Lotus will bloom tonight. Perhaps we'll have a chance to pluck it."
"If Miss Qin likes it, we will certainly personally pluck this Three-Life Lotus for you," the other prodigies vied to promise, all just to earn a smile from the beauty.
The group gradually traveled farther away...
The next morning, Ye Chen once again rowed his boat into the river. It was still overcast with dark clouds, still pouring with torrential rain, still with tidal waves surging and turbulent.
He still struggled to row the sailboat. Although it was strenuous, from beginning to end, Ye Chen's mental state remained as flat as a mirror, without a single ripple.
Worldly tempering in the Mortal Dust, mortal life, washing away the ostentation, becoming rounded and at ease.
Not long after, from directly above the river, Ye Chen on the sailboat suddenly showed a slight change in expression, looking upstream. At this moment, seven figures rapidly appeared—precisely Miss Qin, Robin, and the others from yesterday.
But upon closer inspection, it was clear these people were all in a sorry state, their clothes stained with blood, bearing not-light injuries.
"Hurry, escape!"
They were fleeing quickly, rushing downstream.
However, when they saw the sailboat and Ye Chen on the river, they all appeared extremely astonished.
"Miss Qin, hurry, they're about to catch up!" Robin and the others urgently called out.
Miss Qin hesitated slightly but ultimately bit her red lip with her silver teeth. She sent out a gentle light that enveloped Ye Chen, lifting him onto the shore, and said, "Big brother, you must leave this place quickly. There's danger. Hurry!"
Just at this moment, sudden whooshing sounds of breaking wind rang out one after another from behind. Under the overcast sky and torrential rain, nine powerful figures stood in the void above, catching up.
Miss Qin and the others immediately changed color!