Chapter Forty-four: I, Chen Hansan, Am Back Again!

As the new school term approached, Chen Fan had spent the past few days exploring several tombs. Unfortunately, he hadn't found so much as a feather from the elusive Feiyi Bird.

One morning, however, something strange happened. Master Ge unexpectedly left early in the morning, only to return that evening, looking battered and exhausted.

"Master, what happened?" Zhao Gu asked worriedly when he saw his teacher's condition.

"I discovered a large tomb today," Master Ge replied. "It was extremely dangerous inside. I didn't bring you along because I feared you might get hurt... I nearly lost my life in there."

The following morning, Chen Fan prepared to return to the mortal world. Zhao Gu had originally planned to accompany him but decided to stay behind to care for his injured master.

"Chen Fan, come here," Master Ge called.

Puzzled, Chen Fan followed him inside.

"You're leaving tomorrow, right?" Master Ge said. "I don't have much to give you, but this kite can assist you on your journey. Don't worry — while you're riding it, others won't be able to see you. I heard from Xiao Gu recently that you're from the mortal world. If you ever get the chance, visit the Xiansheng World again. Since fate has opened a path for you, you should cherish it."

"Yes, Master."

"Hmm... It's not like we're parting forever. Go now, and don't forget to take the token with you — the lightning in the Fallen Immortal Pool isn't something to mess around with."

"Yes, Master," Chen Fan said, turning to leave.

"Wait, Chen Fan."

"What's wrong, Master?"

"I need to tell you something," Master Ge's expression turned serious. "Xiao Gu no longer belongs to the mortal world. No matter what happens, she can't stay with you forever. Do you understand what I mean?"

Chen Fan paused. He wanted to argue but found himself unable to speak. After a long silence, he finally stepped out of the room and, at the last moment, said, "I understand, Master."

"Xiao Gu... Xiao Gu, I hope you understand your master's intentions," Master Ge muttered as he watched Chen Fan leave. "The Xiansheng World doesn't need those useless mortal emotions. Cultivation is the only path worth following."

Before departing, Chen Fan paid a visit to Little Elephant out of guilt.

When he opened the door, the room was dim, the colorful lights all extinguished. The room resembled a mourning hall, and in the center lay a hand-drawn sound diagram with the words "In Loving Memory" attached to it.

Little Elephant, slumped against a pillar in white clothing, sat quietly, drinking alone. Chen Fan didn't know whether he'd been noticed, so he stood silently as Little Elephant reminisced about the afternoon they first met at a second-hand market.

After descending into the Fallen Immortal Pool, Chen Fan rode the kite Master Ge had given him and soon arrived near Guangmo City. To avoid causing a commotion, he chose to land near Honghe Village, a place surrounded by mountains — perfect for staying hidden.

When he was a child, Chen Fan often heard the village elders say that the nearby mountains were home to unclean spirits. He always felt uneasy when passing through.

But now, he no longer felt afraid. His immortal power had grown. He'd survived the tombs filled with ferocious beasts — such superstitions meant nothing to him now.

"From this day forward, no one will ever dare shout at me again!" Chen Fan declared.

As he emerged from the path he once feared as a child, Chen Fan felt refreshed and invigorated. Just then, a rural bus happened to pass by. Feeling triumphant about his luck, Chen Fan muttered to himself, "Hmph, ants... Stop your bus. Today, you're fortunate enough to share a ride with an immortal!"

However, the bus sped past like a race car, completely ignoring his words.

"What the... Fine! I'm an immortal. I won't get angry over this." Chen Fan sighed and added dramatically, "I gave you a chance — you chose not to take it. Next one!"

Before long, another bus approached.

This time, Chen Fan extended his long fingers and gestured with one, beckoning the vehicle smugly. "Come here, ants."

To his surprise, the driver ignored him again, grumbling, "Wait for the next one, the next one!" The bus was packed with villagers who glanced at Chen Fan with puzzled looks.

"What the hell? Daring to ignore someone from the upper world?" Chen Fan muttered. Then he remembered the crowded bus and chuckled to himself. "Forget it. Zhao Gu was right — I'm not like them. No need to get upset over this."

Half an hour later, a third bus sped toward him. This time, Chen Fan walked directly into the middle of the road, forcing the driver to stop. Once the vehicle halted, he returned to the side of the road.

The bus had fewer passengers this time, and the driver — a middle-aged man with a heavyset build and a round belly — called out, "Four bucks to the city."

"Hmph... This is the mortal world indeed. Such petty cash is hardly worth earning," Chen Fan thought. Smirking, he reached into his bag, pulled out his phone, and confidently said, "WeChat Pay."

"Cash only," the driver replied without even looking back.

Chen Fan smirked again but, after digging through his bag, realized he had no cash at all.

"Damn... I haven't used cash in ages," Chen Fan muttered under his breath, frantically searching his bag again.

After several minutes, the driver asked impatiently, "Hey, you got money or not?"

"Uh... hey, uncle, can I use a card instead?"

Moments later, Chen Fan found himself — along with his luggage — tossed out of the bus.

"Riding a bus and still trying to show off like some big shot with a card!" the driver grumbled before spitting on the ground and speeding away.

Staring at the ground, Chen Fan felt a mix of anger and embarrassment. This spit — this insult — felt like a mockery of his hard-earned cultivation. Finally, he'd had enough.

"You pushed me to this..." he muttered darkly.

That day, many villagers saw a young man trudging down the scorching road, his face sweaty and exhausted.

"Poor guy," one of them said. "Must've left home without his meds..."

"Fools," Chen Fan scoffed under his breath. "With my immortal power, walking is as easy as floating... Not tiring at all!"

Yet after a few more minutes, his strength faltered, his head spun, and he collapsed near the entrance of a village.

"Hey! Someone! There's a young man here who fainted from heatstroke!"

Those were the last words Chen Fan heard before losing consciousness.