Villain: You Want Me to Follow the Plot and Die? I’m Done Pretending - Chapter 47:

Chapter 47: Persuading Father to Join the Sect:

The Vermilion Fruit could only be found where the Vermilion Bird, a divine beast, resided. It originated from the Spirit Beast Continent in the Third Realm. Bright red, seedless, and impossible to cultivate, it offered body tempering and spirit refining, with the power to change one’s physique drastically. In simple terms, consuming it could elevate an ordinary cultivator’s physical capabilities by several levels.

To put it plainly, Earth Immortals have souls ready to ascend, but their bodies lack the strength. Heaven’s Thunder strengthens the body, and that’s exactly what the Vermilion Fruit could do. Even in the higher realms, it was a rare treasure. Yet here it was, in Gu Feng’s hand, offered so casually.

“For me?”

How could Liu Zonglin not be tempted?

Eating this fruit would make his ascension much easier. His cultivation had been hindered by his body, and, though he had once been a prodigy, he hadn’t focused enough on physical strengthening. As a result, he was overwhelmed when Heaven’s Thunder came during his attempt to ascend.

“This fruit will treat your internal injuries and enhance your physique. The next time you face the tribulation, it’ll be much easier to overcome.” Gu Feng held out the fruit, and the scent of its ripened flesh filled the air, tugging at the old Earth Immortal’s senses.

Liu Zonglin’s consciousness locked onto the fruit as his hand instinctively reached out for it. Once it touched his hand, he was enveloped by its powerful aroma, and he felt an irresistible urge to consume it immediately.

“Alright,” Liu Zonglin said with a sigh, deciding to take a chance. This Vermilion Fruit might very well be his last shot at ascension.

Who wouldn’t take that chance, rather than wait for death as their lifespan dwindled?

Besides, Gu Feng’s power was undeniable, his origins a mystery, and if the Zhengyuan Sect didn’t take him in, other sects would jump at the chance.

Even if he was being used, the benefits were worth the envy.

Liu Fengqing stood nearby, biting his lip. Age came with wisdom, but now he was feeling a pang of regret. He realized that maybe he’d accepted Gu Feng a little too quickly—he should have held out for a gift of his own!

Gu Feng noticed his master’s mood and, with a slight smile, tossed him a storage pouch.

“Master, I’m planning to go into seclusion soon. There are useful items in here for you and the junior disciples. Share them among everyone,” he said, before adding, “Today, I’ll return home to see my father.”

There were many things to handle before he left the Spirit Origin Realm. First on his list was his father, who in a past life had never reaped any benefits and met a violent end.

…

Back in his hometown, Gu Feng couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Time slipped by unnoticed in the mountains. In just a few years, the Gu family’s business had expanded significantly. They owned the only shop in town that sold pills, herbs, and tools, a monopoly due to the remote location that kept the big chains away.

Standing in front of their family shop, Fengsheng Pavilion, Gu Feng saw his father bustling around, an abacus clutched in his hand. Though only thirty in appearance, Gu Yansheng’s hair was graying—too many low-grade life-prolonging pills. Despite his cultivation, the years had still left their mark.

“How much to buy this shop, old man?” Gu Feng asked casually.

“Not for sale!” Gu Yansheng replied, frowning, before looking up and catching sight of his son’s familiar, handsome face.

“Feng’er?” he said, abandoning the abacus and hurrying over. He grabbed Gu Feng’s hand and ushered him inside, chattering all the way.

“Why are you back today? Are you getting on well in the sect? Look how tall you’ve grown. And thinner, too. Come on, let’s get home—I’ll make your favorite snow pigeon soup!”

Gu Feng allowed himself to be led along, his father’s warmth filling his heart. He placed his hands on his father’s shoulders, gently stopping him.

“Dad, I came today to bring you to the Zhengyuan Sect,” he said softly.

“What?” Gu Yansheng’s face registered shock. He had heard some of the stories about his son’s accomplishments, but in his eyes, Gu Feng was still his prodigal child. But…

“I know the sect’s rules well enough. If you bring me, there’ll be a lot of gossip, and I don’t want that for you,” he said, shaking his head.

“Oh, really?” Gu Feng raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I didn’t see you worry about gossip when you packed up all the shop’s best treasures to pave my way to the sect.”

Though his father was just a brief character in the novel, Gu Yansheng’s love had left a profound impact on Gu Feng, who’d felt the loss deeply in his past life. This time, he wouldn’t let that tragedy repeat.

“That’s different.” His father said with a sheepish grin.

“Not at all,” Gu Feng replied smoothly. “I’ll be going into seclusion soon, and the herb fields on the mountain need someone trustworthy to tend to them. You wouldn’t want rare herbs like the 3,000-year-old White Lingzhi I brought back from the secret realm to go to waste, would you?”

“3000 years?” Gu Yansheng gasped, clutching his chest at the thought of such a treasure.

“That’s right,” Gu Feng replied, nodding with a smile, knowing that would seal the deal.