### Chapter 37: The Unexpected  

In most situations, taking care of oneself is the most important thing. 

Under normal circumstances, it's enough to just manage one's own affairs. 

Helping those who are extremely close to you, without putting yourself in danger, is also acceptable. 

But if you try to be a saint while endangering yourself, such cultivators usually don't live long. 

"Fate is fate. If it weren't for our caution this time, I'm afraid I would have died in this calamity," He Song said with a solemn expression, listening to Wei Fan's sigh. 

If it weren't for his own caution and Wei Fan's willingness to lend a hand, He Song would likely have been forced to leave the Immortal Market and become a rogue cultivator in the mortal world. 

If he hadn't left, the fate of the rogue cultivators on the outskirts of the Immortal Market would have been his fate as well. 

After this ordeal, He Song became more vigilant. 

From now on, he would have to be even more cautious. 

He couldn't afford to be careless. In the ruthless world of cultivation, a single mistake could cost him his life. 

"Brother Wei, after today, I'll return to the outskirts of the Immortal Market. Thanks to your help during this time, I was able to escape this disaster. I won't forget this kindness." 

As they arrived at the outskirts of the Immortal Market, He Song saw that his original house was still intact. He quickly bowed to Wei Fan in gratitude. 

Although he had already prepared a backup plan, he still deeply appreciated Wei Fan's help. This kindness was something He Song would always remember. 

He had already packed all his belongings before leaving Wei Fan's courtyard. 

Now that the Foundation Establishment True Person had returned and the crisis in the Immortal Market had been resolved, He Song naturally wouldn't continue living in Wei Fan's courtyard. 

It was inconvenient. 

And it made He Song feel like he was living under someone else's roof. 

This feeling made him uncomfortable. 

Although Wei Fan was a close friend and they got along well while living together, He Song was eager to return to his own home once the crisis was over. 

Not for any other reason, but simply because it felt more comfortable. 

"There's no need to stand on ceremony between us. You can stay here for now. At the beginning of next month, I'll transfer the residence rights of this house to your name. We'll start calculating the rent from then on." 

Wei Fan shook his head, not trying to persuade He Song to stay. 

Instead, he used his authority to save He Song a few spirit stones. 

As a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator and a deacon of the Spirit Construction Pavilion, Wei Fan had some influence. With just a word, he could exempt He Song from nearly a month's rent. 

However, this was only possible because the Immortal Market had suffered a great disaster, and most of the houses built by the Spirit Construction Pavilion had been destroyed. Rebuilding would take some time. 

Under normal circumstances, even as a deacon, Wei Fan wouldn't have had such authority. 

This was a small favor he did for He Song. 

After escorting He Song home, Wei Fan made an excuse to leave. 

As a deacon of the Spirit Construction Pavilion, most of the rental houses on the outskirts of the Immortal Market had been damaged. He would be busy for a long time. 

The only reason he had taken the time to escort He Song home safely was out of friendship. 

Otherwise, he would have been at the Spirit Construction Pavilion as soon as the Foundation Establishment True Person returned to the Immortal Market. 

Returning home, He Song opened the door to his house. 

Once inside, he found that the once-tidy room was now in complete disarray. 

Before leaving, He Song had cleaned the house, but now it was a mess. 

It seemed that evil cultivators or others had "visited" the place. 

The chaos was likely caused by someone rummaging through his belongings. 

However, He Song had taken all his valuables with him when he left, leaving behind only worthless items. 

So, there was no real loss. 

Still, the mess was frustrating. 

He had no choice but to start cleaning. 

As a cultivator, his physical strength far surpassed that of an ordinary person. 

Coupled with the spiritual energy in his body, which could be used for cleaning, He Song quickly restored the house to its former tidiness. 

Soon, the once-messy house was spotless again. 

He Song sat down at the desk he had used for over five years. 

He brewed himself a pot of tea. 

As he sipped the tea, his mind began to replay the events of the past few months. 

Three months ago, out of caution, He Song had moved to Wei Fan's house. 

Now, three months later, He Song had finally moved out and returned to his own home. 

Reflecting on everything that had happened during those three months, He Song didn't feel any regrets. 

But when he thought about the scene earlier that day, where the Foundation Establishment True Person had slaughtered the evil cultivators outside the market, He Song's mind began to race. 

Something felt off. 

The Foundation Establishment True Person, known as "Bear Mountain," likely derived his Dharma name from his signature magical tool, the Green Mountain Seal. 

However, during the battle, the massive Green Mountain Seal didn't seem to have done much. 

Instead, the True Person had used a nearly invisible golden thread to wipe out the evil cultivators. 

In comparison, He Song was more inclined to believe that the massive Green Mountain Seal was a decoy. 

It was designed to draw attention. 

Even the Dharma name served as a distraction. 

Unfamiliar people, upon hearing the Dharma name, would naturally focus on the Green Mountain Seal. 

But in reality, the golden thread was the True Person's true trump card. 

From the beginning, whether it was He Song, other cultivators, or even the evil cultivators, everyone's attention had been on the Green Mountain Seal. 

It wasn't until the golden thread revealed its power that everyone was left in awe of the True Person's strength. 

But aside from He Song, who had noticed the golden thread, no one else likely knew what had truly killed the evil cultivators. 

That golden thread-like magical tool had gone completely unnoticed. 

"Using the Dharma name and the associated magical tool as a distraction, while keeping an unnoticed magical tool as a trump card—striking unexpectedly and catching the enemy off guard..." 

After some thought, He Song suddenly understood the True Person's strategy. 

It was only because He Song had noticed the nearly invisible golden thread that he could deduce so much. 

If he hadn't noticed it, he would have been left scratching his head, unable to figure out how the True Person had killed the evil cultivators. 

"Indeed, one must never underestimate others. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can set traps step by step, let alone higher-level cultivators." 

Having figured this out, He Song's wariness of the cultivators in this world reached new heights. 

In the ruthless world of cultivation, hiding one's trump cards and creating distractions seemed to be something every cultivator did. 

This not only increased their chances of survival but also gave them more tools at their disposal. 

It could even make killing enemies easier. 

As He Song continued to reflect on the events of the past few months, his expression gradually calmed. 

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(End of Chapter)