The Meaning of Becoming Stronger

Second Aunt Wang's earthen house wasn't large, but with several braziers heating water, it was quite cozy.

Yet suddenly, a chilling gust of wind blew in, extinguishing a few candles and sending a shiver down the spines of those anxiously waiting in the main room.

Second Aunt Wang grew uneasy, gripping her blessing pouch tighter. "May the Fish-Silk Goddess protect us! Everything will be fine!"

In truth, the Fish-Silk Goddess—Lin Yuyu—was also feeling a bit nervous.

The nine high-level vengeful ghosts that had appeared outside were no joke. One or two she could handle, but nine? That was pushing it.

Still, it wasn’t a big deal. If things got too tough, she could always call for backup. No shame in that!

With this reassuring thought, Lin Yuyu fearlessly summoned a spiritual whip and lashed out fiercely at the ghosts.

"Back! Back! BACK!!!"

Three breaths later.

"Big bros, help! I’m out of juice..."

Lin Yuyu’s whip strikes looked impressive, but their actual damage was pitiful.

Meanwhile, the nine ghosts, driven mad, refused to retreat even as they teetered on the brink of annihilation, pressing forward relentlessly. Naturally, Lin Yuyu couldn’t hold them off.

"Looks like the rookie gave it her all, but alas, the Path of Divine Worship is trash. A 'god' who can’t even handle a few petty ghosts—can you even call that a god?"

Ye Wuchen, deputy leader of the research team, on-site recorder, and resident hype man, shook his head in disappointment.

"Don’t worry, rookie! I’ve got you!"

Xiao Chunan stepped forward, snapping his fingers lightly. A ripple of divine will swept out, and the nine heavily wounded ghosts froze in place, unable to move!

As a Half-Step Unity Realm expert, he had to hold back—otherwise, these ghosts would’ve been obliterated instantly!

Just as the ghosts were subdued, a loud cry rang out from the inner room.

"It’s a girl! Six pounds and three ounces—mother and child are safe!"

The midwife’s announcement brought immediate relief to the husband and mother-in-law pacing outside.

With the mission complete, the research team didn’t linger. They hauled the exhausted Lin Yuyu and the nine ghosts back to the Fish-Silk Temple.

"Group Leader... (munch) You guys want some offerings? (munch) I mean... (munch) eating alone... (munch) feels kinda rude... (munch) y’know?"

Lin Yuyu had transformed her divine energy into giant sausages and was devouring them without a care, replenishing her depleted spiritual power.

"Thanks, but no. Finish up and take a look at this catfish demon," Chen Yi politely declined, turning his attention to the wriggling catfish on the ground.

"Wha... (munch) catfish?"

Lin Yuyu had been happily munching away, but the sight of the squirming fish killed her appetite.

"Is that... the Inspiration King?!"

"Gurgle..." The catfish let out a strange noise before speaking in human tongue: "You know who I am? Then release me at once! If the River God descends, you’re all dead!"

"The River God?!" Lin Yuyu’s heart skipped a beat.

There was only one river in Fish-Water Village—the Clearwater River!

And the Clearwater River spanned the entire Peace Prefecture. Its River God held an eighth-rank divine status, second only to the seventh-rank Peace Prefecture God!

How could a tiny thirteenth-rank village goddess like her ever hope to defy such a being?

Wait—no!

Before the group leader arrived, I had no choice but to endure. But now that he’s here, if I keep enduring, wasn’t his coming pointless?!

Looking at the formidable figures floating in her temple, Lin Yuyu suddenly felt emboldened. Her scattered thoughts cleared, and she declared sternly:

"So what if he’s the River God? I’ve paid every bit of the fishing tribute owed! Why force me to collude with the Five Filths Duke? Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to the prefecture capital?!"

Chen Yi and the others nearly facepalmed.

Seriously? If they dared to act so brazenly, you think they’d fear being reported?

This rookie was too naive, trying to resolve things through official channels instead of leveraging her backers. Did she think they were just decorations?

If not for this research trip, they’d have never known how much she was struggling until she posted a help request in the group chat!

Call it innocence if you’re being kind—stupidity if you’re not.

"Gurgle?!" The catfish demon was equally baffled. "You’d report us? To the prefecture capital?"

"Well, duh?" Lin Yuyu found its reaction odd.

"Damn it, we’ve got a moron here!" The catfish cursed. "I’m done reasoning with you. Who subdued me? Let someone with sense speak!"

"What’s that supposed to mean?!" Lin Yuyu glared, puffing her cheeks.

Ignoring her, the catfish shouted, "I don’t care where you rogue cultivators are from, but in Peace Prefecture, even dragons must coil and tigers must crouch!"

"Cross the River God, and none of you will escape!"

"Let me go now, and I’ll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, you’re all dead!!!"

Chen Yi waited patiently for the threats to end before giving a slight nod.

Xiao Chunan understood immediately, dragging the catfish outside without another word.

Light the fire!

Slow roast!

Soon, the aroma of grilled fish wafted through Fish-Water Village.

"Rookie, as you’ve seen—if reasoning worked, what’s the point of getting stronger?" Chen Yi asked calmly.

Lin Yuyu seemed dazed. "But... if we don’t reason, what happens when we meet someone stronger?"

"Duh, you listen to their reasoning then!" Ye Wuchen interjected with a sigh.

He, too, had once believed his rules were absolute—until reality hit hard.

"Skill issue. Reasoning is just the weak deluding themselves. The strong define reason. Only equals can reason. Remember—cultivation has only three realms: ants, peers, and elders!" Chen Yi lectured.

"And the 'backed-up junior' realm!" Ye Wuchen added, pointing at Lin Yuyu. "Like you! With us behind you, in this world at least, you can snub anyone you dislike, and they’ll still smile at you!"

"So... this is the meaning of strength?" Lin Yuyu murmured, lost in thought.

Since her transmigration, she’d been drifting along, surviving day by day, clinging to her pre-transmigration morals, never fully adapting to this ruthless world.

Part of her treated it all like a dream—or a game. If it got too hard, she could just quit and wake up back home...

Of course, the main reason was that she’d stumbled into a high-tier chat group shortly after arriving, getting carried through challenges before she even understood the rules. It felt like cheating in a game—so unreal!

Only now did the truth sink in.

This wasn’t a game. Not a dream.

Weakness was the original sin. To make others heed your reasoning, you had to grow stronger!

For the first time in a long while, the seed of Lin Yuyu’s cultivation dao heart began to sprout.