I drew a talisman to save the sun from its bleeding state.

Chapter 88 Short Break Part 1

With his strong willpower, Zhou Zheng made Xiaoxue change back into normal clothes before reluctantly leaving the bedroom.

In the living room, Liu Zhen was unusually performing a hand seal to maintain some kind of spell, while Xuan Yizi was doing a ritual to assist him.

Zhou Zheng asked curiously, "Brother Liu, are you cultivating here? That's so unusual!"

Liu Zhen rolled his eyes and withdrew the spell: "Giving you two protectors? You're so carefree. Do you even know how precious a divine body bestowed by Heaven is? Fine, I know you don't know. In any other sacred cultivation ground, they would have to summon their ancestral immortals or something to protect them. Tsk tsk."

Zhou Zheng: "Um... thank you, Brother Liu. And what's the use of this protector role?"

Liu Zhen: "Shielding your senses and deductions, otherwise who do you think is concealing your divine aura?"

Zhou Zheng blinked: "What divine light?"

Liu Zhen: "Never mind, shall we eat? Auntie cooked some fermented noodle soup."

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

Zhou Zheng waved his hand dismissively: "One bowl, please! And lots of other dishes!"

"I'll have one too!"

Xiaoxue came running out excitedly.

Jiangshui noodles are a local specialty of Northwest China. These noodles are made with handmade noodles, freshly picked vegetables, and a homemade broth. Of course, you can also sprinkle on some homemade chili oil or small chilies. Adding a touch of flavor makes it less unpleasant. A well-made jiangshui noodle dish is simply a delicacy, and it's especially refreshing on a hot summer day.

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhou Zheng and Xiao Xue lay together on the sofa.

Zhou Zheng let out a burp: "Life is so great these days."

Liu Zhen asked curiously, "What's this strange movement of the sun? Lei Zu convened an emergency meeting specifically to discuss it."

Zhou Zheng: "Oh, so the sun will suddenly die in eight thousand years. But judging from the current progress, it should start affecting us in two thousand years?"

Liu Zhen: "No wonder you said you wanted to save the world eight thousand years from now; perhaps people two thousand years from now will be grateful to you."

Zhou Zheng looked at Liu Zhen, surprised: "Brother Liu, are you so calm?"

Liu Zhen calmly put his legs on the sofa: "When you live long enough, you'll understand that every hundred or two hundred years there's a major event that affects the world, and every thousand years there's an extinction crisis threatening the entire human civilization. You'll be as calm as I am then. Besides, with the current speed of technological development, the world has accumulated a vast system of gods and demons. If the sun has a problem, so be it. It won't be deadly for two thousand years, enough time for everyone to unite and solve the crisis."

Not to mention, you discovered and reported this as soon as it first surfaced, so there's no need to panic.

Xiaoxue: "Wow, it's a bit like the story of Bian Que. The eldest brother's medical skills were the best; he could cure illnesses before they even manifested. The second brother could cure illnesses as soon as they appeared, but his medical skills were mediocre. Bian Que only intervened when the illness was severe, using strong medicine to save people. This means that Brother Zhou, your observation skills are very strong. You reported the problem as soon as it appeared, so everyone wasn't too panicked."

Wait, what's wrong with the sun?

The people inside the room looked over in shock.

Xuan Yizi was so dumbfounded that he stopped copying the Daoist canon.

Tang Ying looked shocked: "Will I live to die of old age?"

Zhou Zheng waved his hand: "Calm down. It's just that the sun's expansion rate is abnormal? We don't know the specifics. Anyway, it will be at least two thousand years before there is a noticeable reaction. You won't see it even if you live to die."

Tang Ying thought for a moment, then continued slurping her noodles.

Xuan Yizi calculated his lifespan with his fingers and continued copying the Buddhist scriptures with peace of mind. He was already lucky to live to fifty years old; what did two thousand years from now have to do with him? That was a question for the big shots to ponder.

Liu Zhen scrolled through his phone messages: "Are you free tomorrow? I've found you a good opportunity to accumulate good karma."

Zhou Zheng: "You're free? What's up? Will it interfere with my investigation of the Nine Schools?"

Liu Zhen was speechless for a moment: "...The investigation into the Nine Streams Sect is already being handled by the local Special Training Department, cultivator organizations, and the local Thunder Department. Losing one of you won't be a problem."

Zhou Zheng thought about it and agreed. Since the authorities had already started to take notice of the Nine Streams Sect, losing one of his people wouldn't really make a difference. He should first accumulate some good karma and escape from being an unfortunate person.

A common approach to crisis management: trying to save the day single-handedly.

The proper way to handle a crisis: "Hello, I need to call the police! Someone here is endangering public safety!" "Okay, I've hidden myself so they won't find me, sir. They're right here. I'm running away now; it's a bit dangerous here."

Zhou Zheng: "Explain in detail."

Liu Zhen: "I saw on the local forum that there's some kind of Qi Refining Realm competition going on recently. It seems pretty professional. Why don't you go and participate?"

Zhou Zheng asked with slight confusion, "Why would I get involved in that? I have no interest in hitting kids."

Liu Zhen laughed and said, "Select a few people of good character to guide, and then have them do more good deeds. That's also a way for you to accumulate merit. Don't you like this kind of merit-accumulating service?"

Zhou Zheng's eyes lit up: "Huh!? That's a great idea!"

Xuan Yizi looked up: "A Qi Refining Realm competition? It just so happens that our White Cloud Temple is in charge this year. Shall I go and ask for a spot?"

Liu Zhen waved his hand: "Just take one, I'm too lazy to even say hello."

Xuan Yizi took out his phone: "Okay, how many do you want? Miss Xiaoxue, would you like to join in?"

Xiaoxue shook her head: "No, no."

"Ding-dong."

Xiaoxue's phone rang.

Xiaoxue took out her phone and looked at it: "Huh, my best friend messaged me saying she's coming over to visit. Zhou-ge, should I decline?"

Zhou Zheng: "...Why did you refuse when your best friend invited you to hang out? Just go and have some fun."

Xiaoxue rolled her eyes at Zhou Zheng, completely exasperated by this grown-up banana's lack of emotional intelligence, and could only try to talk to her best friend.

We chatted for a while.

Xiaoxue looked speechless: "My best friend is heartbroken and I'm the one who needs to comfort her."

Zhou Zheng: "Hmm."

Xiaoxue: "She was scammed out of hundreds of thousands of yuan while playing Wuwei, and the scumbag even broke up with her because he thought she played badly... Yeah, so tragic."

Zhou Zheng looked at Xiaoxue silently: "Scammed out of hundreds of thousands? Should we call the police?"

Xiaoxue: "Money isn't the issue, the main thing is, um... you know, I've been heartbroken, Brother Zhou, do you have any ideas?"

Zhou Zheng: "Shall I perform a divination for her?"

Xiaoxue tilted her head and thought for a moment, "Okay, then I'll have her come over. Wait, this little girl! She's already landed and will be at my doorstep in an hour!"

Zhou Zheng found it strange: "Don't you and your best friend get along?"

Xiaoxue: "No, I just don't want my best friend to know you."

Zhou Zheng: "?"

Xiaoxue pouted: "Someone as outstanding as you, shouldn't I hide you away? You have to be extremely careful around your best friend!"

Zhou Zheng: "...Do as you please."

Liu Zhen looked at Zhou Zheng: "Then how about we do some divination and guidance for the little girl this afternoon to help her accumulate good karma? You can arrange your own time tonight, and we'll participate in the Qi Refining Realm competition tomorrow?"

Zhou Zheng raised his hand and gave an OK sign: "No problem, that's settled."

I'll take a break today. I've unexpectedly obtained the Heavenly Five Elements Source Body, so I don't need to exert myself too much. Not to mention, I already worked very hard this morning to cultivate my talisman-drawing skills to level 5.

Liu Zhen nodded, mentally formulating his plans.

Xuan Yizi continued to painstakingly copy the scriptures, his gray health bar above his head dwindling.