Whoosh! Suddenly, a huge hole appeared in the sky, and if you looked closely, you could see a person inside. This guy was ejected from the crack and fell straight down from the sky, crashing into the forest. Then, he bounced several times before finally landing in a pit in an area filled with bamboo.

  So, what we have here is a person falling from a hole in the sky. Ah, that’s quite a situation. All the animals in the area must have been terrified, and if they hadn’t run away, it would have been very strange.

  Yes, that’s exactly what happened. From the moment this person fell and started knocking down bushes and trampling flowers, all the deer, squirrels, and other animals immediately ran away. And it was the same in the area where he finally landed.

  Now, let’s talk about this person, or rather, this lump of something. He’s covered in wounds, and you can even see his bones. Blood is gushing out, mixed with something else. This guy is really in bad shape. But for some reason, he’s still alive, still breathing, and he’s still whimpering. If you get a little closer and listen carefully, you can hear him saying…

  “Save me…”

  --

  I, Xianshi, a mere gatekeeper in this mortal realm. One day, I was amusing myself near my dwelling when a sudden, earth-shattering boom echoed. I looked up and saw a plume of smoke rising in the distance, a fiery object drifting westward. It gave me quite a fright. You see, in all my years, I'd never witnessed such a strange occurrence. At first, my heart pounded in my chest, and I frantically tried to figure out what had happened. Then, I decided to investigate myself. So, after a while, I followed the direction and found a massive crater, the point of impact. I peered inside, and there lay a man, dead.

  Nianchen called out for a long time, but no one came. His hope for survival dwindled, and his words became barely audible. Just then, he caught sight of a figure at the edge of the crater, like an old man who'd been playing video games for decades, suspecting anyone who disagreed with him of having no experience, he mustered his remaining strength, and with a terrifying expression, pleaded, "Please, save me."

  The newcomer was taken aback and stumbled, nearly falling. He propped himself up, looked into the crater, and then tilted his head, peering left and right, as if examining a novel sight.

  "Good heavens, how can he still be alive?"

  He stood up and shouted.

  "Hey, are you a human or a ghost?"

  Nianchen didn't answer, but repeated the same words.

  "Well, I'd like to help you, but what can I do?" He gestured with his hands, as if deep in thought. "I've been here for quite a while, but I don't have much power, I can't be of much help. And someone like you, I'm afraid, wouldn't stand a chance with them. Besides, you don't look like you'd survive anyway, and I don't know any healing arts. In short, you're as good as dead, so you should just accept your fate. And even if they did come, you probably wouldn't get any treatment. Farewell, until we meet again, goodbye, seeyounala." He clasped his hands together, gave a solemn bow, turned and walked away, glanced back once, and then hurried away with quick steps.

  Nianchen's bloodstained hands weakly clawed at the earth. His head lolled to the side and silently fell to the ground, and he murmured the same words.

  That night, a gentle rain fell in the bamboo forest, obscuring the twinkling stars. The fireflies disappeared, and the occasional calls of animals echoed in the depths.

  The next day, the rain stopped, and the sun came out.

  Xianshi opened his mouth wide. "Are you still alive? I've come to see you again, and I'm doing quite well."

  There was no sound from the crater. He thought the man was probably dead, but then he heard a faint gasp, and he could still hear the same words.

  "Well, it seems you're still alive." He lowered himself, found a few relatively flat spots, jumped down, and said, "Don't blame me for leaving you yesterday. Maybe it was because of me that you had this chance. I'm the legendary Da Mingwang, and I bring good fortune. Since you have such a strong desire to live, I'll help you, and you should remember to thank me."

  He lifted Nianchen up, but the weight was too much, and he felt his strength waning. He paused for a moment, muttered, "He's heavier than I thought," and then, with a renewed burst of effort, said, "It might be a little dangerous, maybe even painful, but you've already been through so much, and you'll be able to survive this. It's not a big deal for you. Now, hold on tight." With that, he gave a powerful swing, and Nianchen went flying.

  --

  In a building on the estate, Enjun finished his task and went to his room to relax. As he enjoyed the peace, he heard a commotion of footsteps. He stepped out of his room and peered down the hallway. It was Efu, rushing upstairs. He gestured for him to come closer and asked, "What's the hurry?" The man looked up, saw it was Enjun, and replied, "Sir, there are visitors who wish to see you." "We don't receive ordinary guests." "I told them that, but they insist on being seen. One of them even claims to be someone important." "How powerful are they?" "I'm afraid I can't tell. I'm not skilled enough to judge." "I won't go. Tell Sati to handle it. He needs some exercise."

  Efu pressed the doorbell next to the door. The music, game, or movie playing in the room stopped, and a woman's impatient voice came through. "I'm in the middle of something." "It's important." "What's so important?" "They're here to see you." "Can't someone else greet them?" "They specifically requested to see the master." The man added, "It was your advisor who suggested it." He made sure to raise his voice.

  The room fell silent for a moment. Then, a voice said, "Alright, since Enjun requested it, but I need to get ready first. You go ahead."

  The man took a shower, tidied himself up, and grumbled a few times before going to greet the guests.

  "Do you think we're being played? They've been waiting for so long, and no one has shown up," said a man sitting at the table, leaning on his hands and biting into a piece of fruit, to Feng Hua.

  "They need to show some sincerity, be patient, and not rush things. Besides, we've come this far, so there's no need to be anxious."

  "You can always find something to do. I'm not as lucky." He tossed the fruit pit aside, sat up, and leaned his hands on the table, spinning around.

  Feng Hua poured himself another cup of tea, took a sip, and then offered the cup to the man. "Try this."

  "No, I don't really like tea. I'd rather have bubble tea."

  "That's a shame. I think this is a fine tea."

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  "My knowledge of tea is limited to black and green tea."

  He chuckled upon hearing this. Just then, footsteps echoed from outside. The man heard it, rushed to his seat, and sat up straight. He glanced sideways, then looked away.

  The man who had greeted them earlier arrived. He said to them directly, "Please, come this way."

  The two followed him to a place shrouded in mist, with dim lighting and a small space, but large enough to accommodate a few people. There were two cushions on one side. Following instructions, the two knelt on the cushions. Efu, seeing this, left.

  "Do you think we'll have to wait again?" said the man, glancing at the other. "Alright, alright."

  Just as he finished speaking, the only light in the room suddenly disappeared, and it became almost completely dark. Then, the sound of machinery whirred, and in the darkness, the curtain on the platform in front of them was drawn back. A seat slowly rose from the platform. At first, it seemed low, but as it rose higher, it eventually towered over them. On the seat was a tree, made of an unknown material, with branches full of bronze birds that chirped in high and low tones. On either side of the seat were stone lions.

  They looked up, but could not see anyone. Then, the light flickered on, and for a moment, they were blinded. When they could see again, they saw a person wearing a headdress and dressed in fine clothes, kneeling on the elevated seat. Upon closer inspection, it was a woman. In that instant, the two lions roared, and the birds chirped. The light from the room converged on the woman, bathing her in a radiant glow, like the rising sun.

  The two bowed to her.

  The woman spoke, "I heard that you have something to ask. You may not be the most talented, but if you are capable, I will try my best to fulfill your request."

  Feng Hua replied, "I am an ordinary man from a foreign land. I wish to experience the best of this world, so I have traveled far and wide. I have come here because I heard that the people who live here possess divine power and are unmatched in the world. I wish to learn from you."

  "That is true. I am indeed powerful, and there are those even more powerful than me. Even those who are not as powerful as me are not to be trifled with."

  "In that case..."

  【But, matters like this are not what I enjoy; the others feel the same.】

  Mizha spoke, 【It seems we have come in vain.】

  Fenghua did not answer, but added, 【This trip has consumed much of our energy and we have encountered countless setbacks; I do not wish to return empty-handed. I hope the Master will be kind enough to grant our request.】

  【You do not wish to come in vain, and I am the same. To be honest, I am greatly displeased by coming here to talk with you; it is far better to go back to my room and enjoy playing on the computer.】

  Mizha interrupted, 【Isn't it about the phone?】

  【What do you take me for?】 he replied angrily, then continued, 【I also hope for some fun; if nothing happens, I find it boring. However, what you desire holds no appeal to me, so let us go back.】

  【What if we persist to the end?】

  【What if I still oppose and act according to my own will?】

  Upon hearing this, both parties first chuckled, then laughed incessantly.

  【I see in your words that since you have told us your thoughts, you must intend to make this happen; otherwise, you would have refused long ago. If I may ask, will you please tell Master your crazy plan?】

  【Oh, I don't wish to make things difficult for you. Since you are away from the internet, playing with you is not out of the question. However, the premise is that you must prove your strength; I will not allow the people here to lower their status to fight with noobs.】

  【Naturally, if you have any requests, feel free to command.】

  【Very good.】 Shatian clapped her hands with force, stood up, and said with enthusiasm, 【I have many requirements, but let you handle one thing first. Listen closely: In the city of San Francisco, there is a wealthy villain who rules the area and commands a group of subordinates. I have neither an enmity nor a fate with him, but his son has disturbed us before. Unlike you, he came barging in directly; he is quite rude. You must go teach him a lesson for me. Hit him with some force. As for the rest, we will discuss it later.】

  The two replied in unison and took their leave.

  --

  After they left, Satie went back to play for a while, stretched, rubbed his body, and thought about what had just happened. He mumbled to himself, “Ugh, I’ve been so busy, and I don’t even know why I’m doing this. It’s not like I’ll be the one going out there in the end. Oh well, I should go get something to eat.” He turned and walked in a different direction.

  After he’d eaten and drunk his fill, he was still feeling satisfied, and he licked his lips as he happily headed back to his room.

  “Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm.”

  A rumbling sound came from outside the house.

  Satie froze.

  “Ah, my newly trimmed greenery.” He saw something he couldn’t identify falling from the sky, right in front of him, ruining his hard work. As he cried out in dismay, he saw the thing bounce up and then fly towards him, scaring him so much that he jumped back, fell to the ground, and lay there trembling, worried about his life. After realizing that he was unharmed, he cautiously stood up, his heart still pounding, unable to believe what he had seen.

  “Hey, what the heck are you?” He walked over to the thing and took a look, then ran off, intending to loudly inform the others.

  “Aifude, what’s going on?” someone called out to him at the doorway.

  “I don’t know how to explain it. Just come and take a look.”

  Satie walked over and peered down, immediately feeling nauseous. After a closer inspection, he realized it was a person, who was weakly pleading. This only made him more annoyed. He shouted, “You are so disgusting, half-dead, why don’t you just die already!” He ordered the other person with a commanding tone, “Throw this disgusting thing away!” As he walked away, he turned back and added, “I’ll give you a bonus for this.”

  Aifude, wearing a blue and white protective suit, pushed a small cart of tools over to the thing and said, “Sorry, although I don’t have any ill intentions, your appearance is too frightening, and you’re emitting a terrible stench, which is making our master unhappy. I can’t help you right now, and I doubt you’ll be able to respond to me.”

  “Who dares to cause trouble here?”

  “Who is it? Oh, it’s Xianshi.” He turned around and saw that it was his old friend.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Of course, I’m getting rid of this person.”

  “Oh, um, you’ve got it wrong. He’s still alive. I thought he was dead too, but he’s actually still alive. If you look closely, you’ll see.” He looked at the other person and said, “When you found him, didn’t he say anything?”

  “Even if he’s not dead, he’s no different from a dead person. What else can he say? I only heard him gasping.”

  “Hmm, maybe I hit him too hard.” He paused, then said, “Never mind, listen to me. Can you do me a favor and save this person? What? You’re worried about our master? Ah, can’t you do it? Well, if you can’t, then go and ask the master to come down. Go and tell him, I won’t go myself. Go quickly.”

  He waved his hand.

  “So, you ended up helping him?” At the bedside of the patient, Enjun observed this person for a while, a smile playing on her lips. She looked at the other person and said.

  “You saw it all, huh? Well, I can’t help it. Who asked him to plead with me so sincerely at the last moment? Besides, only you have the extraordinary power to save him. If it weren’t for your sake, I wouldn’t have helped him.”

  “Is that so? Although we’re even now, I still thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Xianshi, upon hearing this, immediately straightened up and responded respectfully.

  “Connection established.” The woman raised her head, as if in thought. “By the way, now that this is done, please take care of the next thing.”

  “Okay,” he replied, seemingly surprised.

  “Never mind, I don’t want to trouble you. I’ll handle it myself.”

  --

  “Feng Hua, are we really going to go around randomly beating people up? Isn’t that a bit much?” Misha said, bouncing up and down with her hands clasped behind her head. “Besides, he said he has other requests. After we finish this, he might keep coming up with new demands, and we’ll be running around solving them one by one, wasting our time in the end, and achieving nothing.”

  “After all, we’re the ones asking for help. What’s wrong with helping them with a few things? Besides, I don’t think they’ll ask us to do anything too difficult.”

  “Fine,” he said with a strange tone. “But I still don’t like it.”

  “If you’re not happy, then don’t go. I’ll go by myself.”

  “No, no, I’ve been following you for so long, you can’t just leave me out now.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you in the first place. I should have firmly refused when you first asked, so I wouldn’t have to listen to your nagging. But, it’s not too late to do that now.”

  Ah, ah, the other people said, as he scurried around Feng Hua, who was starting to get annoyed.

  It was midsummer, the weather was clear and bright, the greenery was lush, and a gentle breeze was blowing. The two of them walked on under the setting sun.