Upon hearing this, the woodcutter was taken aback.

He quickly looked up at his savior. Although the man's clothes were made of rough linen, he was tall, handsome, and carried an extraordinary aura, unlike ordinary people.

The woodcutter felt a sudden shock in his heart—could it be that he had encountered an immortal?

Hearing the woodcutter's exclamation, Fang Chang said:

"So, it's called Xianqi Cliff? That's a good name! Why has no one dared to go up there?"

The woodcutter quickly explained, "According to legend, immortals live on the cliff, so no one dares to go up for fear of disturbing them and bringing disaster."

Fang Chang nodded, confident that he was the only one living on Xianqi Cliff, at least for now.

The woodcutter took a deep breath and asked cautiously, "Are you... an immortal?"

Fang Chang smiled and replied, "Just a practitioner." Seeing the woodcutter hesitate, he added, "Get up if you feel all right; the ground is cold."

The woodcutter, feeling a bit uneasy, replied, "Alright, Master Fang."

Not refusing the title, Fang Chang helped the woodcutter to his feet and asked, "What's your name?"

The woodcutter respectfully replied, "My name is Lin Hai. It was given to me by someone literate and learned in the village."

Yun Zhongshan is located thousands of miles inland from the sea, and although Lin Hai is named after the sea, neither he nor his family nor the person who named him had ever seen it.

Seeing that Lin Hai was fine, Fang Chang lifted his basket and prepared to leave.

His new house still needed a roof.

Behind him, the woodcutter hesitated, then stepped forward, bowed, and addressed Fang Chang: "Fang Xianchang, I... I have a request."

"Oh?"

Fang Chang was intrigued, suspecting what Lin Hai wanted, and turned to look at him.

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"My friend is still seriously ill, and the countryside lacks medicine. They're in danger. I don't know if Fang Xianchang has seen these herbs. I'm willing to serve you in return." He bowed again after speaking.

"Do you remember the names, appearances, and locations of these herbs?"

"Of course, I wouldn't dare forget. I just found an Ophiopogon japonicus plant on the slope, but I still need four more herbs." Lin Hai described the missing herbs in detail, fearing he might not be thorough enough.

After listening, Fang Chang glanced at Lin Hai's worried face and called to the nearby trees: "Brother Monkey, can you help me?"

Lin Hai was surprised to see a little white monkey emerge from the dense canopy, nod at them, then quickly disappear up the mountain.

It can command a monkey demon!

This completely confirmed Lin Hai's belief that the "Fang Immortal" before him was a true immortal. He became even more respectful, asking if there was anything else he could do.

Fang Chang shook his head and said, "No, if you want to repay me, just do me a favor and we'll call it even." He lifted the basket and headed towards the bamboo forest.

Lin Hai quickly gathered his firewood and axe, tied them with a rope, and followed.

As Fang Chang moved forward, Lin Hai felt uneasy.

Where would the immortal take him?

Fortunately, they were heading down the mountain, which calmed him somewhat.

He glanced at Fang Chang, who moved through the rugged terrain with ease, more agile than Lin Hai, who lived in the mountains year-round. Afraid of being left behind, Lin Hai pushed aside his distractions and followed closely.

"Here."

Fang Chang pulled the stone axe from his basket and said to Lin Hai.

The bamboo forest was lush and green, with thick and thin bamboos standing tall. The branches and leaves above densely intertwined. As the mountain wind blew, it resembled a green sea with rolling waves.

"Help me chop bamboo," he instructed Lin Hai.

Fang Chang stepped forward with his stone axe, selected a thick bamboo, and chopped at its root.

Lin Hai was surprised to see the "Fang Immortal" using a stone axe.

Pausing, he offered his iron axe, "Immortal Chief, would you like to use this? I've had it for years, and it's well-polished."

"No, just chop with what you have."

Lin Hai didn't argue, stepping back to choose a tall bamboo to chop.

The sound of axes echoed through the bamboo forest, causing a bamboo spirit deep within to tremble.

It tried to lower itself, reducing its presence, fearing it would be cut by the two people in the distance.

It's terrifying, so terrifying...

The bamboo spirit curled up, its typically tall form bending.

For Fang Chang, harvesting bamboo was much faster and more convenient than cutting trees. He didn't ask Lin Hai to trim the branches, just to help chop down dozens of large bamboos and pile them together.

Chirp—chirp—

Fang Chang turned to see the white-haired monkey returning. He said to Lin Hai, "Stop, Brother Lin."

Lin Hai immediately stopped chopping and stood aside.

The monkey balanced itself with its tail, jumping from a distance with three paws, the fourth holding a large leaf. When it reached them, Fang Chang cupped his hands: "Thank you, Brother Monkey. Have you found anything?"

In Lin Hai's expectant eyes, the monkey opened the leaf to reveal a dozen or so medicinal herbs.

After a quick inspection, Lin Hai was overjoyed.

He was so excited he almost knelt, thanking Fang Chang and the monkey: "Thank you, Fang Chang, thank you, Monkey Immortal!" Before his knees touched the ground, he was gently lifted.

"No need for such formality. If the herbs are suitable, take them back to treat your friends."

Lin Hai respectfully accepted the herbs from the monkey and carefully placed them in the cloth bag he carried. Inside was the Ophiopogon japonicus he had picked earlier. After wrapping the cloth, he was eager to return, so he lifted his forehead with both hands and bowed deeply to Fang Chang: "Thank you, Fang Xianchang, for the medicine. Please accept this axe as a token."

The woodcutter offered his iron axe with both hands.

Fang Chang waved him off with a smile: "No need for that. This was my practice; you've repaid me by helping with the bamboo. You owe me nothing."

Woodcutter Lin Hai admired Fang Chang even more.

Such noble demeanor—this was the true character of an immortal, unlike those in bedtime stories from his childhood.

And the favor of the medicine, offset by simply chopping bamboo, must be Fang Xianchang's way of respecting mortal feelings and not wanting him to bear a burden.

Though Fang Xianchang said this, he wouldn't forget the kindness.

His parents had always taught him to repay kindness, and now Fang Xianchang had saved both him and his friend. If given a chance, he'd go through fire and water for Fang Xianchang.

Lin Hai's thoughts were rich, but he showed none of it.

He bid farewell to Fang Chang, took his loyal yellow dog, and hurried down the mountain.