After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 482 1 city 1 country

Shen Xu never imagined that the choice of sacrificing a city to save a country would fall on his shoulders.

No wonder that guy ran away without saying anything; they wanted him to be the bad guy.

If we assume that Zuo Chen granted Qing Yun a title for the sake of this Hundred Flowers Festival, what could Qing Yun possibly do in her capacity?

There are so many things that can be done; even stopping the Hundred Flowers Festival is not out of the question.

However, if Goddess Peak is to be unsealed, the Hundred Flowers Festival must proceed as scheduled.

Although we don't know what happened in her past life, as long as there are no unexpected events at this Hundred Flowers Festival, the return of the Goddess of Flowers seems to be a foregone conclusion.

Otherwise, there is nothing else worth the Seven Star Saints' attention.

However, the Four Sword Saints of his previous life did not become saints, nor did he hear about the great flood in Hundred Flowers City.

Does this mean that Goddess Peak was not unsealed after the return of the Goddess of Flowers?

There are too many secrets hidden underwater in Baihua City, and what he knows now is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

But no matter what, there is one thing he can do: persuade the Crimson Origin Sect to evacuate the people within a thousand miles of Goddess Peak before the Hundred Flowers Festival.

To do this, he needs to find evidence that the Goddess of Flowers is about to return.

Therefore, what the four major families know is very important.

"I heard that Goddess Peak was frozen because the goddess disappeared. Do you know why the goddess disappeared?"

"The guest thinks too highly of me; I'm just an ordinary temple keeper."

"What about the four major families?"

"They might know, otherwise the Daughter of a Hundred Flowers wouldn't exist."

"I heard that the four great families are choosing the Flower Maiden in order to bring back the Goddess. Since you know the consequences of the Goddess's return, aren't you afraid?"

"What is there to be afraid of when you're about to die?"

"And what about your granddaughter?"

"The goddess is merciful and will not harm her." The old woman's wrinkled face showed no emotion whatsoever.

"If the goddess were truly benevolent, she shouldn't have caused a disaster upon her return."

"Guest, have you ever been in a situation where you had no choice but to comply?" The old man suddenly smiled.

Shen Xu fell silent. "If I want to prevent the goddess from returning, what do I need to do?"

The old woman gazed at the distant snow-capped mountains and calmly said, "When the flowers bloom again on Goddess Peak, the Goddess will return to Goddess Peak."

"Grandma! I've brought you your food."

At that moment, a girl in a floral dress arrived outside the temple carrying a food box.

"Who are you?" Upon seeing Shen Xu, the girl looked at the stranger in front of her with great wariness.

"People who come to worship the goddess."

"Outsiders come to worship the goddess?" The girl's voice was full of doubt.

"The world is vast and full of wonders. What's so strange about outsiders coming to worship the goddess?" Shen Xu said with a smile.

"Okay! Please wait a moment, my grandma is about to eat."

"It's alright, I've already finished the ritual."

However, I still need a tour guide. Would you be willing to accompany me around Hundred Flowers City? How about ten Nourishing Essence Pills a day?

"Really?" The girl then looked at the old man.

The old man smiled and nodded, "Guest, I'll leave my granddaughter in your care."

"Is there anything else you want to say to your grandmother?"

The girl ran to the old woman's side, smiled gently, and lightly took her arm. "Grandma, remember to eat well."

"I'll bring you some mullet when I get back with the money I earned tonight."

"Good child!" The old man's cloudy eyes gazed at the girl, then he gently stroked her face with his rough hands.

"Grandma, what's wrong?" The girl's eyes glistened.

"It's nothing! It's just that I haven't looked at you so closely in a long time," the old man said softly.

"I've been saving money. I heard that Baicaofang has medicinal cuisine that's good for the eyes. Once I've saved enough money, you'll be able to see Xiaolan again." The girl wiped away her tears.

"Silly child!" The old man turned gently and slowly walked into the darkness of the temple.

"We should go!" Shen Xu reminded the girl.

"Yes! My name is Xiaolan. Where would you like to go, sir?" The girl put on her standard smile.

"My surname is Shen, you can just call me Brother Shen. I'm hungry too, take me to the place you think is the best to eat."

"The best place to eat? But I haven't eaten anything really good." The girl pouted, seemingly lost in thought.

"A simple home-cooked meal is fine."

"How about I cook it for you, my guest? I'll charge very little."

Shen Xu looked at the girl in front of him and asked, "Aren't you afraid I'm a bad person?"

"How could that be! Grandma has a good eye for people. Even she asked you to take care of me, Brother Shen, which means you really are a good person."

"It's a pity your grandma trusts me, but I don't trust your cooking skills. Just take me to your usual restaurant."

"Alright! Actually, I'm not bad at cooking. After all, I'm a Spirit Envoy."

"If it is, then it isn't."

"Brother Shen, you'll have no friends if you talk like that."

To tell you the truth, I have now completed my studies.

"After this selection, I will be able to obtain the 'Spirit Core' and become a true Spirit Core Envoy, and I can work on the Flower Boat." The girl was clearly very proud of her achievement.

"Not only are you disrespectful, but you're also very carefree. I doubt any brothel would want to take you in, Xiao Lan!" Shen Xu joked.

But the girl fell silent, a rare occurrence, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, and she began to sob softly.

"I knew it! You all look down on me! I've tried so hard, why won't they accept me? Am I really that bad...?"

The girl initially sobbed softly, but as time passed, her cries grew louder and her tears flowed uncontrollably.

Shen Xu sat silently beside the girl, the river flowing quietly beneath them, seemingly able to carry away all sorrow.

After a while, the girl's crying gradually stopped.

"Brother Shen, I'm sorry, I lost my composure." The girl wiped her red eyes.

“I know a pleasure boat that seems to be short-staffed. The owner and I are friends. Would you like to come with me and give it a try?”

"Really?" the girl asked timidly.

He took the flower wreath off his head and gently placed it on the girl's head. "Of course, but you also have to live up to expectations, otherwise you'll be the one who loses face if you get kicked out."

"What if... what if I really get kicked out?"

"Stand up first!"

The girl immediately stood up and looked at Shen Xu with some confusion.

"Head up, chest out, stomach in, eyes forward."

"Tell me now, will you get kicked out?"

"I definitely won't!" the girl replied firmly.

Shen Xu smiled. Although he could force Li Linghui to keep Xiao Lan, he felt that Xiao Lan would rather stay at Tingtao Residence based on her own knowledge.

If you don't respect yourself, how can you expect others to respect you?