Chapter 1329: Willing To Be A Mortal

In the schoolhouse filled with laughter, Yi Feng felt a long-lost sense of peace and relaxation.

It was as if he had returned to his once-stable life, free from too many worries, no longer needing to helplessly rush about. For now, he set everything aside, as if it were all just a dream.

At this moment, both his body and mind resembled those of an ordinary mortal.

Taking two bamboo baskets, Yi Feng smiled and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Miss Wei."

Wei Xiaowei blushed and bowed again.

"Mr. Yi, you're too polite."

"We are all very happy that you are willing to accept this small token of our appreciation. Please forgive us for any disturbance. I'll wait for you outside the schoolhouse."

Yi Feng was a bit puzzled.

Waiting for him outside? What did that mean?

Could it be...

Did she have another gift, perhaps a small surprise?

Out of curiosity, before the young girl could turn to leave, he spoke up.

"Miss Wei, is there anything else?"

As soon as he asked, the boys and girls sitting at the back of the classroom giggled and looked over, their faces filled with curiosity and concern.

Feeling the weight of their gazes, Wei Xiaowei's eyes showed a hint of panic, and her cheeks turned even redder.

Looking at Yi Feng's calm and handsome face, she mustered the courage to respond.

"Mr. Yi."

"You are the great benefactor of Qinghe Town. Teaching the children of our town to read and write is like giving them a second chance at life. Many people remember your kindness, and these small gifts of food and clothing are not enough to express our gratitude."

"So, after discussing it, we invited the old clan leader to teach you cultivation!"

Cultivation?

Hearing this unexpected proposal, Yi Feng was stunned.

He never imagined that after receiving so many gifts, the townspeople, still feeling indebted, wanted to help him embark on the path of cultivation...

Now, hearing this truth, Yi Feng was at a loss for words.

As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude.

Many have heard this, but few truly live by it.

People are often blinded by greed and ambition. As their status rises, they gradually lose their original intentions, even abandoning morality. Friends can turn into enemies, and how many truly remember the concept of gratitude, let alone repay it?

In the deceitful world of cultivation, the people of Qinghe Town were indeed humble, their circumstances difficult, yet they still remembered to repay kindness. Their simple and honest nature was truly rare.

However, hearing this goodwill, Yi Feng felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

Did he still need to cultivate?

After experiencing countless storms and crushing so-called strongmen, even the Cangyuan Palace was nothing to him. He had seen through everything and finally understood his own strength.

In this world, perhaps no one was stronger than him.

Invincibility brought loneliness, the sorrow of the strong.

The hope of finding death was almost extinguished.

If he could choose, he would rather be a mortal.

If he were still a mortal, seeking death would be as easy as snapping his fingers. Just encountering a cultivator would be enough to end his life and complete this cursed system task.

But things had come to this.

Yi Feng had already let go of everything, his heart calm and unperturbed.

This tranquility was the result of countless trials and tribulations, a state of mind that, while somewhat helpless, was something ordinary people could hardly comprehend. The children in the schoolhouse, in particular, were far from understanding, and might never reach such a realization in their lifetimes.

Hearing the name of the old clan leader, the children's eyes were filled with admiration and excitement!

"Wow!"

"The old clan leader is going to teach Mr. Yi cultivation. Mr. Yi will definitely become very powerful!"

"Of course! Mr. Yi is so smart, and with the old clan leader's guidance, he will surely become a great master in the future!"

Listening to the children's excited cheers, Yi Feng snapped out of his reverie.

Facing Miss Wei's enthusiastic invitation, he could only respond politely.

"Miss Wei, I appreciate your kindness."

"However, I am just a teacher. Teaching and nurturing children brings me joy and contentment. Why do you insist on me cultivating?"

Wei Xiaowei was taken aback, her eyes filled with concern and urgency.

"Mr. Yi, you're wrong about this!"

"Our Qinghe Town is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and there are often beasts roaming about. Although you are a scholar and can make a living through your knowledge without needing to toil like ordinary people, having some cultivation would at least allow you to protect yourself in case of danger..."

So, they were worried about his safety. It was indeed a kind gesture.

However.

Ordinary beasts were of no concern to him. No matter how dangerous the situation, in his eyes, it was like a fleeting illusion, dissipating at a touch.

Yi Feng nodded slightly and declined politely.

"I see."

"Thank you all for your kindness. I am truly grateful, but I have no desire to cultivate. Please convey my apologies to everyone, Miss Wei."

Hearing such a lackadaisical response, Miss Wei and the children were stunned.

In just a few moments, expressions of surprise, urgency, and frustration appeared on their faces, as if they were the teachers and Yi Feng the student who had given up too easily.

The children stood up in a hurry, chattering nonstop.

"Mr. Yi, how can you just give up on cultivation like that!"

"Didn't you teach us to face challenges head-on?"

"Mr. Yi, cultivation might be difficult, but with such a great opportunity, you should at least give it a try!"

Wei Xiaowei's expression also turned serious as she stepped forward, her tone urgent.

"Mr. Yi, you must reconsider..."

"The old clan leader is the strongest in Qinghe Town, unparalleled in centuries. He is not only knowledgeable but also possesses profound cultivation. Not only do geniuses from hundreds of miles around come seeking his guidance, but even the descendants of our town are not all fortunate enough to receive his instruction."

"We pleaded with the old clan leader, and he only agreed because he knows you have been teaching the children of our town, giving ordinary families a new path and alleviating their future worries."

"This is an opportunity that many envy. You must not miss it!"

The urgency in her words became even more apparent, and even the usually well-behaved children nodded in agreement, no longer their usual obedient selves, as if they were facing a major crisis.

A few of the mischievous kids even boldly pushed their way to the front.

"Miss Wei is telling the truth, Mr. Yi. You really must think carefully!"

"That's right! Such a great opportunity, you can't just refuse!"

Yi Feng listened with a smile, looking at the mischievous child beside him.

"Cultivation might not be as simple as you think. It's not as easy as you make it out to be."

He knew better than anyone that while cultivation might seem appealing, for him, it was nothing but a curse. If he had known that seeking death would become so difficult, he would never have stepped onto the path of cultivation in the first place.

But the child looked unconvinced, tilting his head and widening his eyes in disbelief.

"Mr. Yi, you're wrong about this!"

"If you receive the old clan leader's guidance, cultivation will definitely become much easier. My father once said that the old clan leader is a legendary Martial Spirit expert, the strongest in our Qinghe Town!"

"With such a powerful person teaching you, how could cultivation still be difficult?!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng was momentarily speechless.

So, the old clan leader was a Martial Spirit expert...

To ordinary people, such a cultivator was indeed formidable. Even he, in the past, would have found such strength terrifying. No wonder everyone was so insistent on him learning from the old clan leader.

Logically speaking, this was indeed a rare opportunity.

Seeing the eager students surrounding him and Miss Wei's persistent urging, Yi Feng could only sigh softly and agree.

"Alright..."

"Since you all insist, I'll give it a try."

As soon as he spoke, the room erupted in joy.

The simple and honest children were overjoyed. Even though it was Yi Feng who had received this rare opportunity, they seemed even happier than if it had been themselves. Their innocent and sincere nature was fully on display, their cheers echoing through the small courtyard.