Chapter 382: Chapter 382: Li Feng’s Inner Thought

At the sight, Li Feng gave them a strange look, wondering where they had learned to play cards.

"Cough. Cough."

The puppets seemed so engrossed in their game that they hadn’t noticed the change in environment.

The moment they heard the cough and spotted Li Feng, all ten puppets hurriedly stood up, their white cloaks fluttering behind them.

Wei Meilin watched them with curiosity.

"These are all Rank 2 puppets of mine," Li Feng explained.

"I’ll let you use them. You can order them to do anything, but even though they’re smart, their intelligence is still like that of babies right now, so keep the tasks simple. Don’t give them anything too complicated."

Hearing those words, Wei Meilin was stunned.

That was equivalent to having ten Foundation Establishment experts under her control!

Even if she couldn’t use them for complex tasks, they would still be perfect for protection.

With them by her side, her plans to generate more wealth for Li Feng would become much smoother.

Li Feng then sent a spiritual command, ordering all the puppets to obey Wei Meilin.

The puppets happily agreed.

They had already grown bored staying near their mother, who constantly asked them endless questions.

Now that they finally had a chance to experience the outside world, the puppets seemed eager and excited.

Just then, one of the puppets that had been heavily damaged inside the secret realm and later saved by Goldie sent Li Feng a question through their spiritual connection.

It was a... simple question asking where Goldie was.

Li Feng paused for a moment before smiling.

"Don’t worry. Goldie is on an important mission... and will be back soon."

"~"

The puppets immediately became excited upon hearing that.

Li Feng smiled softly at their enthusiasm before leaning down to give Wei Meilin a quick yet affectionate kiss on the lips as well.

"For now, be good and listen to Lan’er. She’ll help you stabilize your breakthrough and guide you through the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Yes, Master," Wei Meilin replied sweetly, though the reluctance in her eyes was impossible to hide.

With one final glance at the two beautiful women, Li Feng turned and left the room.

_

_

_

Li Feng strolled casually through the bustling night streets, both hands tucked into his pockets as he wandered in silence, seemingly lost in thought.

To be honest, an uneasy weight had lingered in his chest ever since the moment he saw Yue Lan die before his eyes and the sudden loss of Goldie.

Even though everything about Yue Lan had turned out fine in the end... but the memory of the system’s cold announcement of her death, along with the sight of her limp body lying on the Divine Brick... still haunted him.

It had been far too close.

Indulging himself in warmth and fleshly desires helped him forget for a while, but the moment he was alone again, those heavy thoughts always returned.

Li Feng glanced around as he continued walking forward.

"..."

The warm glow of lanterns illuminated the lively streets filled with mortals going about their nightly lives.

Vendors loudly advertised their wares, drunkards laughed rowdily in roadside taverns, and weary workers hurried home after long shifts.

Children darted between passing crowds, chasing one another with carefree laughter.

Li Feng could not help but let out a soft sigh at the peaceful yet vibrant scene before him.

"As cruel as this world can be... there are still places like this," he murmured quietly to himself.

The noise, the aroma of street food, the drunken shouts, and the simple joys of ordinary life painted a vivid picture of mortality.

He slowed his steps, eyes drifting across the crowd, when an unexpected thought surfaced in his mind.

Does being a cultivator truly hold any real meaning?

Fighting against the heavens...

Defying fate...

Wading through endless danger and bloodshed just to extend one’s lifespan by a few hundred or even a thousand years... only to repeat the cycle again and again.

It really sounded exhausting.

A never ending pursuit of strength where every breakthrough merely revealed a taller mountain ahead.

And stronger power only brought more enemies, heavier responsibilities... and deeper isolation.

Li Feng had already begun to taste these bitter truths, even though all he truly wanted was to enjoy life to the fullest.

Yet it seemed that everyone who walked the path of chasing immortality was destined to experience the same fate.

Yet being mortal was hardly any better.

Mortals were weak and fragile, their lives governed by illness, hunger, and the whims of those stronger than them.

One bad harvest, one greedy official or one passing demonic beast could destroy everything they held dear in an instant.

"In the end, both paths are just different flavors of suffering." Li Feng whispered, a faint, self-mocking smile appearing on his lips.

He stopped near a small food stall, the aroma of grilled skewers wafting through the air.

A young couple sat laughing together at a small table, sharing a single bowl of noodles as their eyes full of simple happiness.

Further down the street, an old grandmother carefully counted copper coins under lantern light, her wrinkled face appeared content despite her obvious poverty.

Li Feng’s gaze softened at all of these sight.

"Perhaps the meaning isn’t in choosing one path over the other... but in finding balance," he thought. "Living long enough to protect what matters, while still being able to enjoy these fleeting, ordinary moments."

He thought of Yue Lan’s graceful composure and Wei Meilin’s bright, trusting smile... and of their warm skin, soft laughter, and quiet nights filled with both passion and peace.

"Maybe true strength isn’t just for conquering the heavens," he murmured to himself.

"It’s so I can return to nights like this... and make sure no one can ever take them away from me." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

After his words,

Silence lingered as a gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of wine and grilled meat.

Li Feng took a deep breath then closed his eyes, and let the liveliness of the mortal world wash over him.

When he opened them again, the haze of doubt had already cleared.

With renewed clarity in his gaze, he resumed walking toward the City Lord Manor, while his steps noticeably became lighter.

"Longevity without joy is meaningless," he muttered softly.

"And power without purpose is hollow."

"In the end... I’ll carve my own path. One where I can stand at the peak, yet still come down to enjoy skewers and noisy streets with the people I care about."

Li Feng smiled softly as a quiet resolve settled in his heart.

In the distance, the lights of the City Lord Manor could be seen.

_

_

_

After Li Feng had left,

The old grandmother, who had been counting the earnings from selling vegetables, suddenly blinked in confusion.

Because among the pile of copper coins resting in her wrinkled palm...

...There was suddenly a single shining gold coin.