C3 Immortal Dew and Jujube Tree

Zhao Lei swirled the Purple Gold Gourd with a sense of resignation, but to no avail. He sighed and lamented, "Could there really be just one drop left? Such a shame!"

Disheartened, Zhao Lei set aside the Purple Gold Gourd and proceeded to stretch and exercise in the yard as he usually did. He soon noticed an extraordinary surge of energy coursing through him, as if he possessed an inexhaustible supply of strength.

His eyes scanned the surroundings, eventually resting on an old millstone tucked away in the corner. This mill had been operated by his grandfather and had been gathering dust for over a decade. Each segment weighed a hefty two to three hundred kilograms, and it had taken several neighbors to help move it into place.

Inhaling deeply, Zhao Lei gripped the millstone and began to lift. To his amazement, he hoisted it off the ground. Yet, he wasn't satisfied. With a burst of effort, he thrust the millstone above his head, holding it there for a few seconds before letting go.

The millstone crashed to the ground with a thunderous boom, kicking up a cloud of dust. A look of astonishment spread across Zhao Lei's face as he gazed at his hands and whispered in awe, "This liquid can heal wounds and fortify the body? It's truly Immortal Dew!"

The experience piqued Zhao Lei's curiosity. If he continued to consume Immortal Dew, would he eventually ascend to the heavens and become an immortal, as legends suggest?

Regrettably, with only a single drop of Immortal Dew left in the Purple Gold Gourd, it seemed impossible for Zhao Lei to confirm his theory.

Zhao Lei had intended to go herb-picking in the mountains today, but a downpour had thwarted his plans, leaving him to scour the internet for information on the Purple Gold Gourd from the confines of his home.

Despite a lengthy search yielding no results, the rain had at least stopped. Zhao Lei stepped outside to savor the crisp, post-rain air and noticed something different about the yard.

Initially, the change eluded him, but a casual glance upward revealed the transformation. The date tree in the yard, which had been withering for years and stood on the brink of death, seemed to have undergone a change. Zhao Lei had been planning to chop it down come winter, but now he wondered if there might be a new lease on life for the old tree.

However, the withered date tree not only sprouted dense new leaves but also bore abundant fruit. The dates, as large as eggs, dangled in clusters from the branches, which drooped heavily, nearly brushing against Zhao Lei's head.

Gazing up at the flourishing date tree, Zhao Lei was dumbfounded, murmuring to himself, "Just one rain and it transformed like this? How is that possible...?"

But when Zhao Lei's eyes landed on the soaked tissues beneath the tree, he had an epiphany. He had used those tissues to wipe his hands the previous night, and they must have picked up some Immortal Dew. The downpour had caused the Immortal Dew to permeate the soil, ultimately being absorbed by the date tree, resulting in this wonder. It became clear that the Immortal Dew was beneficial to all flora and fauna.

The sweet aroma of the dates filled the air, tempting Zhao Lei. He picked one, examined it closely, and after a brief pause, took a bite.

The taste was an explosion of sweetness in his mouth, invigorating him and causing every pore in his body to open in delight.

Having grown up in the countryside, Zhao Lei was no stranger to various fruits, but he had never tasted a date as exquisite as this. It was beyond words. He instantly recognized this as the work of the Immortal Dew; the Purple Gold Gourd was indeed miraculous.

With a deeper understanding of the Immortal Dew's potential, Zhao Lei's anticipation for the Purple Gold Gourd grew. Over the next two days, he stayed home, checking the gourd periodically, hoping for a repeat of that night's miracle.

His patience paid off. On the third evening, as he turned the Purple Gold Gourd upside down, he was thrilled to discover another drop of golden liquid forming at its spout—the Immortal Dew had reappeared!

This time, Zhao Lei was careful not to waste a single drop of the Immortal Dew. He eagerly caught the falling droplet with his mouth, feeling a warm surge burst forth on his tongue and swiftly radiate through his body, bathing him in a comforting warmth. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Zhao Lei's eyelids grew heavy, and he surrendered to a profound sleep.

When Zhao Lei awoke once more, it was the early morning of the following day. He quickly rose and sniffed himself, confirming that the odor was just as pungent as it had been three days prior. He couldn't help but smile with delight. Zhao Lei understood that the Immortal Dew was aiding in detoxifying his body—the stronger the odor, the more toxins were being purged.

Without taking the time to clean himself, Zhao Lei found a strong, slender rope and meticulously hung the Purple Gold Gourd around his neck. Now certain of the gourd's remarkable value, he felt it was essential to keep it with him for peace of mind.

After a thoroughly refreshing bath, Zhao Lei started to ponder his future path with great consideration.

His initial plans were straightforward: return to school once it reopened, study diligently, graduate, and then, like the majority, secure a nine-to-five job. With a bit of luck, he might even manage to purchase a house in a major city, establish himself, and, after a lifetime of hard work, retire just as he finished paying off his mortgage.

But with the Purple Gold Gourd in his possession, Zhao Lei saw a wealth of new possibilities. The idea of going back to school and settling for an ordinary office job no longer appealed to him.

Gazing at the heavily laden jujube trees in his yard, Zhao Lei's resolve solidified. He decided to drop out of school and remain in the countryside to pursue his own ventures. Confident in the power of the Purple Gold Gourd, he was sure he could make significant strides in his endeavors.

"Okay, it's settled!" Zhao Lei stood up, brimming with confidence. "I'll figure out a way to acquire some land in the village, then start farming and raising livestock. With the Purple Gold Gourd in hand, I'm bound to achieve more than I ever could working for someone else!"

With growing excitement, Zhao Lei was ready to approach the village chief for a plot of land. Despite having spent the past few years at university in Shen City, he was still a member of the village and, by all accounts, entitled to a piece of land.

What Zhao Lei hadn't anticipated was finding someone waiting outside his door. As he stepped out, full of enthusiasm, he nearly collided with the unexpected visitor.

Under the influence of Immortal Dew, Zhao Lei had become incredibly strong, practically bursting with energy as he strode outside. Had he accidentally collided with someone, he could have easily sent them flying, potentially causing injury.

Thankfully, the Immortal Dew didn't just enhance Zhao Lei's strength; it also sharpened his reflexes. He quickly realized what was happening and steadied the person he nearly knocked over. To his surprise, it was Chen Lan!

Chen Lan, equally startled, shot Zhao Lei a disgruntled look. "What's the rush? You need to watch where you're going!"

Initially, Zhao Lei hadn't expected Chen Lan to seek him out and was momentarily taken aback. After processing her comment, he responded with a touch of embarrassment, "Ms. Lan, what brings you to my doorstep?"

Regaining her composure, Chen Lan's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she recalled the recent close encounters with Zhao Lei. Summoning her courage, she explained, "Auntie Wang mentioned you hadn't left your home in days. I was concerned you might have gotten sick from the rain, so I thought I'd check on you."

Touched by her concern, Zhao Lei couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Ms. Lan. I'm not sick; I've just been tied up with some things and haven't had the chance to step out."

The robust presence Zhao Lei exuded left Chen Lan feeling flustered. Once assured he was alright, the Beautiful Widow gave a quick nod and hurried off, seemingly eager to escape.

Oblivious to Chen Lan's discomfort, Zhao Lei, intent on pursuing his entrepreneurial dreams, headed to the village committee with enthusiasm to meet with the village chief, Wang Chenggang.