The Great God Who Abandoned His Cultivation to Win Back the Heroine 06

At some unknown point in time, small marketplaces began to spring up at the foot of the mountains where major sects resided. Disciples from these sects would often sneak down to these markets to buy trinkets or enjoy some street food.

Gradually, a new product appeared in these markets.

"Is this a Memory Stone?" asked a disciple from the Fire Cloud Mountain, curiously picking up one of the stones. These stones could be crafted by experts at the Nascent Soul stage, but they were practically useless, so most sects had long forgotten about them.

The vendor rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Immortal, take a closer look?"

Pleased by the title of "Immortal," the disciple raised the stone to his eye—and instantly, a vivid scene struck his mind.

A beautiful woman in a short skirt that revealed her thighs walked gracefully into view, striking a few poses as if showcasing her outfit. Then, she pulled out a frilled cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

"This year’s most fashionable attire—let your charm shine unrestrained!" With those words, the woman bowed and exited, only to be replaced by a handsome man.

The man wore a pair of peculiar trousers and unfamiliar boots. His upper garment was sleek and unburdened, leaving his arms bare, adorned with what appeared to be a spirit artifact.

"Fengyi Fashion—embody the essence of masculinity!"

"Want your Dao companions chasing after you? Just dress like me!"

The disciple lowered the Memory Stone, his mind still lingering on the woman’s exposed thighs and the man’s eccentric attire. He glanced down at himself—his faded blue robe was worn, cumbersome in movement, and required him to roll up his sleeves before sparring.

Beside him, his fellow disciple stood frozen, still staring at his own Memory Stone. Curious, the first disciple leaned over—and was struck again.

This time, the scene showed a group of people gathered around a bubbling pot. One of them held chopsticks, swishing a thin slice of beef through the boiling broth.

"Only the authentic Xiaoyao Hotpot delivers true bliss—spicy, fragrant, and utterly intoxicating!" The man dipped the beef into a sauce bowl before popping it into his mouth, his face melting into ecstasy.

Both disciples heard each other swallow hard. They exchanged glances.

"Since when did the mortal world develop like this? What is this 'hotpot'? I want one."

The vendor rubbed his hands again. "Immortal, I’m just here to advertise. For the hotpot, you’ll have to visit the city."

"What about those strange clothes?"

"They’ll be available soon. We’ll bring them here when they’re ready."

Similar scenes unfolded in different places. These vendors had nothing for sale except Memory Stones, yet they eagerly invited disciples to watch.

Meanwhile, in the mortal realm...

"Immortal Fang, the clothing reforms have been implemented," said a man in a dragon robe, bowing respectfully to Fang Zhiyi, who was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. Fang Zhiyi tossed him two pills. "Thank you, Your Majesty. All of this is for the sake of the common people."

The emperor eagerly accepted the Life-Extending Pills, sniffed them, and tucked them away. "Immortal Fang, about those clothes... the women’s attire—isn’t it too revealing?"

Fang Zhiyi waved a hand. "Your Majesty misunderstands. Remember what I said—progress demands innovation. This is the will of Heaven."

The emperor glanced at the ceiling, pondering for a moment. "If it is the decree of an immortal, then I shall obey."

Fang Zhiyi pulled out a set of robes from behind him. "Of course, Your Majesty is different from the common folk. I’ve prepared this specially for you—woven from silk with intricate embroidery. Try it on."

After Fang Zhiyi left, the emperor eagerly changed into his new outfit. "Lightweight, no hassle," he murmured, lifting a memorial from his desk. "So convenient!" Delighted, he rushed to the inner palace to show off his new robes to the empress—only to find her wearing a short skirt and a sheer blouse. Though they had been married for years, the sight sent blood rushing to his nose.

"Reform and innovation are wonderful! We must embrace them!"

Elsewhere, Yue Anyao frowned at Fang Zhiyi. "Zhiyi, was all this really necessary? If you wanted to do business, you didn’t need the emperor’s involvement."

Fang Zhiyi grinned. "But I’m lazy. Using him solves most problems. Besides, when an immortal speaks, he has to listen—whether he likes it or not. Saves so much effort."

"Zhiyi... do you have any more of those short skirts? I’d like to wear one for you."

"Eh?"

In the mortal world, the emperor’s decree to simplify clothing faced some resistance, but Fang Zhiyi’s merchant guild’s relentless promotions won over the masses. More and more people adopted the new, streamlined fashion, while the wealthy splurged on the finer designs.

The winds of change soon reached the immortal sects.

Disciples who had seen the Memory Stones but remained skeptical took advantage of training missions to visit mortal cities. The strangely dressed men and women on the streets left them awestruck, while the hotpots and grilled skewers made their mouths water—though their empty purses left them frustrated.

When the strange becomes mainstream, it ceases to be strange.

The secluded elders and sect leaders remained oblivious to the mortal world’s transformation, but their disciples grew restless. Some even traded their self-refined pills and low-grade spirit artifacts for silver at Cloud Sky Palace’s merchant guild—just to indulge in mortal luxuries.

Soon, the bland sect meals no longer satisfied them. One disciple openly demanded hotpot, and a passing elder, intrigued after watching a Memory Stone, secretly slipped down the mountain to try it.

"Damn it, if food like this existed before I started cultivating, I’d never have bothered!" grumbled a Wind Spirit Sect elder between mouthfuls.

"Exactly!" agreed his dining companion, an elder from the Ancient Spirit Sect. "That kid from Cloud Sky Palace is right—what’s the point of cultivation if you don’t eat, drink, or marry? Why even live?"

"Speaking of which, my junior brother developed inner demons recently. Then his disciple smuggled some grilled meat back for him—and the demons vanished after one meal!"

Nearby, Fang Zhiyi—dressed in modern clothes—smiled as he served Yue Anyao, who wore a breezy outfit.

Yue Anyao wrinkled her nose at him. "You’ll drag them all down into hedonism sooner or later."

"Nonsense. Enjoyment is part of cultivation. Those who only know austerity and never experience the world are the ones who lose their way."

A passing sect disciple overheard and cheered, "Well said! Too bad our master won’t listen."

Fang Zhiyi clasped his hands in acknowledgment, but before the disciple could say more, a female cultivator dragged him away. "Stop chatting with strangers. Eat up and let’s go back."