A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother

Five puppet clones fled in different directions.

The real Li Xuanxiao, meanwhile, used the Earth Escape Technique, moving rapidly underground like a little mole.

He had to find a place to rest as soon as possible.

This perfect Golden Core would definitely draw a lot of attention.

He was probably already being targeted.

Li Xuanxiao kept digging underground at a slanted angle.

He maintained forward momentum while ensuring a certain depth.

Two puppets continued working tirelessly.

Li Xuanxiao, sandwiched between them, closed his eyes heavily.

Before falling asleep, he ordered the puppets to slow their digging speed.

But don’t stop. Switch to new units.

Then Li Xuanxiao adjusted his breathing rhythm, gradually relaxing his entire body, as if entering a peaceful world completely isolated from the outside.

He just sat there quietly, like a sleeping statue.

Yet beneath his seemingly calm surface, a series of strange changes were taking place.

Li Xuanxiao’s consciousness slowly sank into his body, beginning to carefully inspect and repair the meridians and acupoints damaged during the tribulation.

At the same time, he didn’t neglect the subtle shifts in the surrounding environment, remaining alert to external threats.

The insights from the tribulation brushed over the depths of his heart like a soft breeze, stirring ripples within.

Drawn by this force, Li Xuanxiao unknowingly fell into deeper contemplation.

He began recalling the hardships, challenges, and fortuitous encounters he had experienced since stepping onto the path of cultivation.

Savoring the rise and fall, the cycles of life and death in the world, the impermanence of all things, pondering the true meaning and value of his existence within this vast universe...

And so, three months passed.

Only then did Li Xuanxiao awaken.

At the Golden Core Stage, one feeds on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, no longer needing to consume grains.

So even after three months without food or water, Li Xuanxiao still felt completely energized.

This feeling was incredible!!

After savoring it for a while, Li Xuanxiao finally recalled where he was.

The two puppets turned their heads toward him upon sensing his awakening.

For some reason, Li Xuanxiao actually felt a sense of grievance from the two puppets at that moment.

(⊙o⊙)…

Sure enough, even puppets can’t handle working overtime too long.

Li Xuanxiao immediately retracted them into his palm, and the two puppets reverted to wooden figures.

Then, like a mole again, Li Xuanxiao burst out from underground.

As soon as he poked his head out, he instantly sensed something was off.

He couldn’t circulate his spiritual energy.

What was going on?

He quickly tried to escape back underground, but it was no longer possible.

Even fully emerging from beneath the surface was a struggle.

Sweat covered Li Xuanxiao’s forehead, and it took all his strength to pull the rest of his body out.

He looked around, ready for an ambush.

But after waiting a while, no one attacked.

It seemed like he was in a small town.

Just as Li Xuanxiao was puzzled, lines of text suddenly appeared in front of his eyes:

【Rules of Luoshui Town】

【Rule 1: You may enter the town but may not leave at will.】

【Rule 2: At night, you must have a candle by your side, and it must not be extinguished.】

【Rule 3: Red clothing is forbidden in Luoshui Town.】

【Rule 4: Within seven days, you must find a suitable partner and hold a grand wedding witnessed by the townspeople.】

【Rule 5: New residents must report to the magistrate's office within three days.】

【Rule 6: Anyone who enters the magistrate’s office will permanently lose all five senses.】

【Rule 7: The Mountain God Temple is safe.】

【Rule 8: There are dangerous beasts inside the Mountain God Temple.】

【Rule 9: There are no constables in the town.】

【Rule 10: People dressed in black are constables. You must obey what the constables say.】

【Rule 11: Town residents are not allowed to reveal information about the town.】

"..........."

Eleven rules in total. After hovering for a while, the text disappeared.

Where the h*ll have I ended up?

Is this still Central State?

Li Xuanxiao sat cross-legged on the spot and took a short rest.

Soon, he sorted out his thoughts.

It looked like he had accidentally entered a kind of paradise realm.

Nowadays, so-called "paradise realms" were often places where Body Fusion Stage cultivators had died.

Those cultivators could already use their will to reshape reality.

But the rules they set couldn’t go too far against logic—

too far against reality.

After a Body Fusion cultivator’s death, their essence would become nourishment for the Heavenly Dao, eventually dispersing into the world.

Many were unwilling to die so easily, so they used their powers to create rules.

Sealing off an area so their spiritual energy wouldn’t escape.

And trapping newcomers—

The more people trapped,

the stronger the dying cultivator’s residual power would become.

Eventually, they might even succeed in resurrecting themselves.

But at the same time, places sealed by Body Fusion cultivators were rich in spiritual energy—

Beneficial for cultivation, so they were called "paradise realms."

Some daring cultivators deliberately sought out these rule-bound places,

entering without hesitation.

But in the end, they all became nothing more than dust in the earth.

If every Body Fusion Stage cultivator did this—

or if those backed by powerful sects did it—

every time one died,

they could randomly trap a city to resurrect themselves.

Who knows how many innocent lives that would cost?

That’s why this method was strictly forbidden by all major sects.

If discovered, the rules would be forcibly broken and

the soul of the Body Fusion cultivator would be scattered for good...

I must be the luckiest guy alive. Like luck itself came knocking.

Li Xuanxiao carefully recalled the earlier rules.

There were many contradictions.

For example, Rule 5 and Rule 6—

Rule 5 says new residents must report to the magistrate’s office within three days.

But Rule 6 says anyone who enters the office loses all five senses.

Rule 9 says there are no constables in the town.

Rule 10 says people dressed in black are constables...

The sky was starting to darken.

Li Xuanxiao remembered Rule 2—at night, he must have a candle with him.

He walked along the bluestone street. The town was eerily quiet.

It was as if there were no traces of human life here at all.

And now that he couldn’t use any spiritual power, it made him even more uneasy.

Soon, he saw an inn.

The inn was brightly lit. A sleepy-looking attendant lazily looked up at him.

"Customer, need a room?"