The Earth God nodded in understanding at Cheng Xiaofan's question, knowing he was seeking a token of good fortune.
In terms of their respective ranks and status, Cheng Xiaofan, as the inheritor of Shennong, was naturally far superior to the Earth God.
The Earth God understood perfectly that Cheng Xiaofan's request for good fortune was not only a sign of trust but also indicated he would be heavily relied upon in this area in the future.
"Reporting to Lord Shennong, I have no other gifts to offer but my auspicious presence. I hope this land will be filled with good fortune and continuous surprises!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a golden light emanated from the four of them, disappearing into the entire villa compound.
While others couldn't see it, Cheng Xiaofan saw it clearly.
It was a form of auspicious energy!
With the blessing of this auspicious energy, this plot of land had become a true treasure spot, and it would not be easily disturbed.
What intrigued Cheng Xiaofan was how Konoe Mihiko, after following the fox mother and daughter for only a short time, could also emit this auspicious energy.
Cheng Xiaofan immediately burst into laughter and said, "Excellent auspicious words, I like it!"
He then instructed someone to set up an additional table specifically for the Earth God and his three companions.
"Lord Shennong, may I ask Xiangzi to join this table for a while?" Konoe Mihiko asked Cheng Xiaofan cautiously.
Sakuragaki Country had always revered Shennong.
In their eyes, Shennong was not only the patron deity of physicians and merchants but also the protector of those in various industries such as craftsmanship, commerce, and agriculture.
Konoe Mihiko had not expected that Cheng Xiaofan, a humble farmer, would be the inheritor of Shennong.
Upon hearing her request, Cheng Xiaofan immediately smiled and said, "If you wish to see her, I will call her over for you!"
"However, in front of her, you must never address me as Lord Shennong again!"
Konoe Mihiko quickly replied, "I understand, I will be mindful of my words. I will call you Master Cheng, just like the Earth God does!"
"Alright, I'll go and get Xiangzi now!" Cheng Xiaofan said.
When Cheng Xiaofan approached the table where his mother was, Miao Xiuhua curiously asked, "Xiaofan, who is that new elderly person? Why did you set up a separate table for the four of them? It seems a bit distant, won't it feel lonely?"
To satisfy his mother's curiosity, Cheng Xiaofan pulled her aside and whispered in her ear, making up a story: "That elderly person is a master I met while studying at university in the capital."
"All my extraordinary skills were taught to me by him!"
"Ah?"
Miao Xiuhua was greatly surprised and immediately said, "Then I must go with your father to toast him! Without this master's teachings, where would you be today!"
Cheng Xiaofan quickly replied, "That's not possible. Masters value their privacy. He doesn't want anyone to know he's a master. You and Dad must not go over."
"Otherwise, he will leave immediately."
Hearing this, Miao Xiuhua nodded and said, "Alright, alright, I understand. Your father and I won't go over. But you must entertain that master well!"
"Understood, Mom. Your son knows what he's doing!"
Saying this, he returned to Miao Xiuhua's table and said to Sakai Xiangzi, "Xiangzi, there's a lady at my table who says she knows you. Why don't you go and keep her company?"
"Oh, okay!"
Sakai Xiangzi immediately stood up and followed Cheng Xiaofan towards the Earth God's table.
The Earth God cooperatively greeted Sakai Xiangzi, "Child, please sit down!"
"Thank you, Grandpa!" Sakai Xiangzi politely nodded to the Earth God and then sat down.
She then looked at the three other beautiful women at the table, all unfamiliar faces. She wondered which of them knew her.
"Hello, Xiangzi!" Konoe Mihiko greeted her proactively.
Sakai Xiangzi looked at Konoe Mihiko with a look of astonishment, stammering, "You... excuse me, miss, who are you..."
"..." Hearing this, Konoe Mihiko almost fainted.
In front of you, I'm practically of grandmotherly age!
And you're calling me 'miss'?
Is 'miss' even appropriate for you to call me?
But!
She doesn't know me yet, so this address seems acceptable.
Konoe Mihiko paused for a moment, then smiled charmingly and said to Sakai Xiangzi, "Xiangzi, you don't know me, but I know you very well."
"I am friends with your master, Konoe Mihiko. I often visit Kyūmi Mountain, but you just haven't seen me before!"
"Ah, you are friends with my master? Is that true?" Hearing this, Sakai Xiangzi's eyes welled up with tears of excitement.
Konoe Mihiko nodded and smiled, "Yes, Xiangzi. I have my own established business in Yamaguchi Prefecture and often visit Kyūmi Mountain, which is how I got to know your master. Moreover, we are quite close!"
Sakai Xiangzi, filled with emotion, asked, "Miss, I've been missing my master lately but can't contact her. Do you know how she is doing?"
Konoe Mihiko smiled faintly and said, "Your master is in seclusion now and does not interact with the outside world, so naturally, you can't reach her."
"However, I can tell you one thing: your master, Konoe Mihiko, is doing very well. In the near future, she will appear by your side and will root herself with you in Zhuxi Village!"
"Miss, are you telling the truth?"
Sakai Xiangzi exclaimed with excitement, "Oh my, I'm so happy, truly so happy!"
Konoe Mihiko chuckled, "Xiangzi, everything I've said is true!"
"I heard you're having a great time here and even have a boyfriend, right?"
Sakai Xiangzi nodded shyly, "Yes, my boyfriend is named Luo Yang. He's a very handsome young man."
"He's like a brother to Brother Xiaofan!"
Upon hearing that Sakai Xiangzi's boyfriend was like a brother to Cheng Xiaofan, Konoe Mihiko was even more delighted. "Xiangzi, you must cherish your opportunity in Zhuxi Village and work hard!"
"Mmm-hmm!" Sakai Xiangzi nodded earnestly.
"Master Cheng, we've had our drinks and eaten our fill. It's time for us to leave!" At this moment, the Earth God stood up and cupped his fists at Cheng Xiaofan, saying, "It's time for us to go!"
Cheng Xiaofan glanced at the table and chuckled, "The dishes on this table are barely touched, and we haven't had much to drink. Why the hurry to leave?"
The Earth God smiled, "It's enough, it's enough. We can't possibly eat that much!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "Alright, if you are determined to leave, I won't keep you!"
The Earth God smiled and asked, "Uh, could you perhaps give each of us two bags of your golden tea?"
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but laugh heartily at this. It seemed this old fellow had become addicted to his golden tea.
He said, "Certainly, follow me, I'll get it for you right away!"
Cheng Xiaofan stored that golden tea in his spatial dimension. With so many people in the courtyard, it was inconvenient to retrieve the tea from his dimension in front of everyone.
Cheng Xiaofan led them into the secondary villa on the left. He retrieved more than ten bags of golden tea from his dimension and smilingly said, "Old Tu, take all of this back with you!"
"Many thanks for Lord Shennong's grace!" The Earth God, along with the two fox spirits and Konoe Mihiko, bowed deeply to Cheng Xiaofan.