Chapter 2068

"The mountains are actually quite nice for hiding away," Sikong Xuran suddenly remarked.

"You're overthinking it. Are you planning to live here in seclusion in the future?" Zhu Yanyi laughed. She added, "But there is one true point. If I come back here decades from now, I probably will have to hide. If I go out, people will treat me like a monster."

"Who will even recognize you in a few decades?" Ouyang Tianyun joked.

"It’s not about being recognized or not. It’s that we won’t have ID cards in the future," Zhu Yanyi said with a grin. "Look at us now. We need passports to go abroad. In our country, everyone needs an ID card. Even opening a bank account requires your ID because it holds your personal information.

Decades or even centuries later, we will be listed as deceased in the system. If we suddenly appear, people won’t think we are normal. Even if they try to believe we are normal, we will be illegal residents without records."

Zhu Yanyi remembered the strict rules from her past life. Later on, even getting a birth certificate for a newborn required strict verification. The system was so tight that it prevented illegal household registrations and helped stop child trafficking.

In her past life, Zhu Yanyi had once wanted to adopt a girl. But the requirements were very harsh. She had to prove the biological parents could not raise the child, get certificates from their hometown, and obtain an adoption permit herself.

Although she used her connections to get the permit, she couldn’t find a suitable child. So, she gave up on adoption. Instead, she donated money every year to build bridges, roads, and schools in poor mountain areas, or gave to orphanages. Most children in orphanages had disabilities, so she felt like a mother to many in her own way.

"You make a good point. If we stay in the mortal world forever, others age while we stay young. That’s bad. But if we don’t come down to experience the world, that’s also bad. It is a trouble," Ouyang Tianyun nodded in agreement.

"Fifteen is confused. Third Brother, you are confused too," Yi Yunfei said helplessly. "We are cultivators. We have illusion techniques. We can just make someone issue an ID card for us."

Zhu Yanyi giggled. "I was just telling you that the mortal world is not easy to stay in. I meant nothing else. Senior Brother Yunfei calls me confused."

"Hehe, okay. I thought wrong," Yi Yunfei said gently.

The group chatted happily as they walked through the primeval forest of the Great White Mountain. They did not feel annoyed at all.

"I feel a bit of water mist. There should be a waterfall nearby," Sikong Xuran said.

Zhu Yanyi asked the nearby plants and replied, "There is a waterfall two kilometers ahead. Do you want to rest there?"

"Good idea. We are not tired, but walking forever is boring. Let’s sit there," they agreed. They were not in a hurry. They had gathered enough herbs and needed to clean them.

Zhu Yanyi nodded and led the way. After walking about two kilometers, they saw the waterfall.

Ouyang Tianyun took a cup, scooped some clean water, and took a sip. He nodded. "It tastes sweet and has a faint trace of spiritual energy. If people in the mortal realm drank this every day, their health would improve."

"Third Brother, don’t think about that. This spring is hidden here. It is the vitality left by Heaven and Earth. It is not meant for mortal people. Besides, those people do not cherish it," Yi Yunfei said slowly. "I saw people destroying the environment recently. They filled in good farmland to build houses. It was a waste."

"Every place has good and bad sides," Yu Qingyun said. "I don’t know about other places, but our country has done some things to improve people’s lives. Some mistakes were made, but they will be found soon. Next time you come, you might see new changes."

Zhu Yanyi thought for a moment. "Humans depend on the environment to live. If the environment is destroyed, humans suffer in the end. People will realize this soon."

Sikong Xuran nodded. "Those who have not suffered from environmental damage do not understand. But those who have suffered will know the importance of protecting the environment."

"They will understand slowly. Earthquakes and tsunamis have already warned them," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile.

Then, Zhu Yanyi took out some pancakes and shared them. "Eat some. If you can’t finish, save it for lunch. It is morning tea time now."

"Little Junior Sister, I think you are here for tourism," Yu Qingyun teased.

"In any environment, the most important thing is to be happy. We must learn to adjust ourselves to fit the environment. That is how we live happily," Zhu Yanyi said, taking a bite of the pancake. "Besides, it would be a waste not to eat in such a nice place. Also, my mother made these pancakes specially for me. If you don’t want them, you can give them back to me."

"You think too much. If we give back such delicious pancakes, we would be fools," Sikong Xuran said, taking a big bite.

Zhu Yanyi ate while watching the waterfall. It was not very high, but the water was very clear. This was likely because the environment protected it.

The water fell down with a loud 'pu pu' sound. They rested a bit away from the edge because it was too noisy to talk close by.

The water fell straight down without hesitation. Rocks in the middle split the flow into two, three, or more streams. But eventually, they merged again, forming a beautiful and magnificent waterfall. Even though it was not high, it still felt grand.

Listening to the sound of the waterfall, watching the white splashing water, and feeling the mist on her face, Zhu Yanyi suddenly felt that the medical path was the same.