The improved female villains regained their memories.

However, given his relationship with Song Panning, it wasn't really necessary to do so. Although the two hadn't spoken for four years, if he were to humble himself, Song Panning wouldn't necessarily choose him immediately, but at least she wouldn't turn him away.

Song Panning was proud, and Yang Pingsheng knew that she was waiting for him to bow his head first.

He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to touch Song Panning's recruitment notice, but just then, a voice suddenly rang out behind him: "Pingsheng."

He turned his head sharply and found Lin Wanjun standing behind him, staring at him with wide eyes: "What are you doing?"

An unexpected situation.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard the system say in his mind, "Just say you're looking for a job."

"Looking for a job." Yang Pingsheng smiled and placed his hand on the notice for recruiting guards at the temple.

"Is this what you've always wanted to do?"

"Ah."

"No need, we're not short of money, I can support you for the rest of your life!"

"You always have to find something to do."

Lin Wanjun looked at it.

After a moment, she laughed and said, "Okay, I support you."

She's not blind; she sees things very clearly.

Yang Pingsheng wasn't looking at the notice recruiting guards at all; he was looking at Song Panning's recruitment notice.

Four years have passed since they last contacted each other, but Yang Pingsheng still thinks about his childhood sweetheart.

Four years ago, Lin Wanjun secretly stirred up rumors, causing Song Panning and Yang Pingsheng to break up. However, she never expected that four years later, this guy would still be thinking about Song Panning.

[This Yang Pingsheng keeps saying he likes me, but his heart is entirely with Song Panning,] Lin Wanjun thought to herself. [If you say he's a womanizer, he doesn't seem interested in the maids I gave him; if you say he's not, he's two-faced. It's really strange.]

She had no idea why Yang Pingsheng kept thinking about Song Panning.

In terms of beauty, she's grown up now, no longer the little girl she once was, and is in no way inferior to Song Panning. In terms of personality, her feigned gentleness and consideration make her the epitome of a virtuous wife and loving mother. In terms of family background, her Lin family is on par with the Ling family; it's only because Song Xingtian is now the High Priest of the Temple that their family far surpasses the Song family behind Song Panning.

Her talent, looks, personality, and family background are all laid out clearly. No man could resist her after four years of being with her, let alone Yang Pingsheng now.

She couldn't help but think of her past life, when she had countless suitors.

"Miss, these are letters from your suitors."

After dismissing the servants, Lin Wanjun sat lazily on the ground, looking at the letters scattered with gold leaves, and scoffed, "How boring. Do they think sending me letters will make me infatuated? Don't you think men are always delusional?"

Du Wanli sat beside her, calmly sipping his tea: "Miss, you are too prejudiced against men."

"That's true, at least you don't seem to have any feelings for me."

“A true man should soar high, not cower in obscurity,” Du Wanli chuckled. “I came to you, Miss, to realize my ambitions and test my life’s learning, not for your beauty.”

"But that's precisely why I can't quite see through you."

Lin Wanjun stood up, propped her chin up, and looked at him: "You are not interested in wealth or beauty, but only in testing what you have learned in your life. That's why I can't control you. And you can see through my disguise and know my true nature. I feel very insecure with you like this."

Lin Wanjun's naivety, kindness, and gentleness were all pretense.

The goddess is the common goddess in everyone's heart. In people's hearts, the goddess should be such a person: kind, beautiful, pure, and favored by the heavens, bringing them lasting peace.

Lin Wanjun's true nature is not like that; she only pretended to be that way to obtain the position of goddess.

"Miss, you flatter me. I have been entrusted with this task, and I will do my best to fulfill it. Since I have promised to help you, I will naturally not go back on my word."

Du Wanli laughed.

Lin Wanjun liked to observe people; she could see a lot in a person. So she looked at Du Wanli, but she couldn't see through him.

This man possesses the strength of an Earth Immortal, yet he interferes in the selection of goddesses. He is neither interested in beautiful women nor greedy for wealth, making him truly unfathomable.

She sent people to investigate him and found that he came from an ordinary family with no background, and they couldn't find out how he became an immortal.

"No matter what, thank you for helping me, sir." Lin Wanjun smiled gently and reached out to pour him some tea. "If I can obtain the position of goddess, I will certainly not fail to repay your kindness."

"No problem."

Chapter 233 In Search of the Footsteps of Our Ancestors

Yang Pingsheng concealed his presence as he moved through the mountain city.

Relying on his strength at the Earth Immortal Realm, no one could detect him. He simply walked past everyone unnoticed and found a tavern to sit down.

Inside the tavern, a group of young men were engaged in lively discussion, with the most heated topic being the upcoming Goddess Election.

"The Goddess Election will begin in two years. Right now, many people are already looking for their suitors," one of the boys said eloquently. "According to the rules since ancient times, a Goddess candidate can only have one follower. But in reality, you can secretly help the Goddess candidate you like. If she succeeds in becoming the Goddess, she will naturally repay you. This is an old tradition in our mountain city."

The boys erupted in discussion, some laughing: "Come on, after the preliminary selection and the first two rounds, there will basically only be seven goddess candidates left. These ones are all daughters of wealthy families, whose families can provide a lot of help. Why would they need you?"

“That’s not how it is.” The young man shook his head. “While large families can certainly offer a lot of help, there are also many extraordinary and capable people among the common folk. Some of the goddess’s trials have special settings, and they may require the help of such people. Besides, we are here to serve the emperor by learning both literature and martial arts. If we can help a goddess candidate and test all the knowledge we have acquired, then all the hard work we have put in during our studies will not have been in vain.”

"Yes, yes, that makes sense."

"Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds to me. We do not seek wealth and status, but only wish to make the most of our knowledge."

"I'd like to offer a toast to my senior."

The discussion became even more heated.

Among these people, one man was drinking silently and not participating in the discussion. Yang Pingsheng focused his attention on him, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

"Is this the male lead, Du Wanli?" Yang Pingsheng said. "He looks rather ordinary."

He had met all sorts of people in his lifetime, and now, having lived through four lifetimes, he had gained some experience in judging people. Of all the villains and protagonists he had seen, Du Wanli was definitely the most ordinary one.

His ordinariness wasn't in his appearance; on the contrary, Du Wanli's appearance was quite striking. He was eight feet tall, with a handsome and rugged face, and dressed in a scholar's white robe. He was already quite good-looking, but for some reason, his temperament just didn't match.

The system also felt it was a bit ordinary, but still said with a forced smile, "After all, he's the male lead, so it's normal that you can't see through him."

"But didn't you say he'd steal the show at the student gathering debate? This..."

"Hmm, that is a bit strange..."

Du Wanli sat there, his face ashen, as if the debate had nothing to do with him.

However, in reality, he was devastated.

[System, System, you want me to show off here, but I can't understand a word these people are saying!] He was on the verge of tears. [I'd like to show off my poetry, but at least bring a language translator!!]

The system remained silent, leaving Du Wanli feeling utterly disheartened.

He was a transmigrator who had just arrived in this world. He had a system and was full of ideas about doing great things, but he never expected that he would fail at the very first step.

He doesn't understand the language here.

Yang Pingsheng wasn't the only one observing Du Wanli; Lin Wanjun, who had been lurking on the second floor, was also watching him.

"According to my memories from my previous life, Du Wanli started to make a name for himself here. In the following two years, he made friends with capable and knowledgeable people everywhere, devoted himself to studying the ways of conspiracy, and set up a scheme to meet me two years later."

"Hehe, now that I think about it, Du Wanli was a heavy-hearted man, and I listened to him too much. But after all, he died for me, so his loyalty was still there. We can't do without someone like that."

"But for some reason, Du Wanli seems rather ordinary these days..."

Lin Wanjun's gaze was deep and unfathomable.

She herself did not possess the strength of an Earth Immortal, so naturally she did not notice Yang Pingsheng, who had infiltrated at the same time.

She was completely focused on Du Wanli, trying to figure out what Du Wanli had done in her previous life.

In her previous life, she truly couldn't see through this guy.

He didn't care about money, beauty, or even fame and fortune; he was wholeheartedly devoted to assisting her. At first, Lin Wanjun thought he liked her, but later she found out that he didn't.

This man's every move was quite meaningful. He was the first person to point out the threat posed by Song Panning, but at the time, Lin Wanjun was mindful of her friendship with Song Panning and did not adopt many of his suggestions.

“Although I want the position of Goddess, Panning and I are friends after all.” She said at the time, “I am very grateful for your help in defeating many opponents, but I have made an agreement with Panning that we will settle the matter fairly and squarely. No matter who wins the position of Goddess, it will not affect our friendship.”

She remembered that it was the first time Du Wanli had put on a serious face. He sat upright in front of her and said, "Miss, although you are interested in the position of Goddess and your nature is not as kind as it appears, you are still too naive in the matter of Song Panning. In the face of absolute interests, even family members may betray each other, let alone friends who are not related by blood. As the saying goes, 'The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for gain.' You and Song Panning usually get along well because you have no conflict of interest, but that won't be the case now. The position of Goddess is the biggest conflict of interest between you."

"You're overthinking it," Lin Wanjun smiled. "I know Panning too well. She's never been that enthusiastic about the position of Goddess. The reason she's running for the position is only because of her mother's expectations. Besides, Song Panning and I grew up together. How could I let her down for the sake of the Goddess position?"

"Most troubles arise from the greed of others, and the human heart is unpredictable," Du Wanli said. "Miss, you can be open and honest with her, but how can you know that she can be open and honest with you? I think Song Panning is a person who smiles on the outside, but her gaze always goes beyond others. She appears to be respectful to people, but in reality, she is unwilling to listen to their demands. Once she has made up her mind, she will not change it, and she is secretly looking for capable people everywhere. All signs indicate that what Song Panning wants to do is definitely not an ordinary thing. Perhaps her goal is not the position of goddess, but the position of goddess will definitely help her achieve her goal."

Du Wanli offered a plan that would ensure Lin Wanjun's complete ascension to the position of goddess.

However, this plan was far too vicious and could ruin Song Panning's life. At the time, Lin Wanjun, although not inherently kind, was not an evil person. She could turn on her competitors, but she couldn't turn on her childhood friend. So when Du Wanli said this, she hesitated and told him that she would think about it again.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, Du Wanli, who rarely visited, started coming to her door frequently, repeatedly urging her to make a move on Song Panning.

"Those who can heed the goodwill of others can foresee signs of development and change; those who can think repeatedly can grasp the key to success. It is rare to find someone who, despite listening to advice, fails to make correct judgments and makes erroneous decisions, yet still enjoys long-term stability. Those who rarely make mistakes when listening to advice cannot be misled by sweet talk; those who plan meticulously and without putting the cart before the horse cannot be disturbed by sweet talk. Those content with menial tasks like chopping wood and feeding horses will miss the opportunity to seize power in a great nation; those content with meager salaries will not attain high positions like ministers or prime ministers. Therefore, decisiveness in action is a sign of wisdom, while hesitation is a disaster. Focusing too much on trivial matters will lead to the loss of great things." "Having the wisdom to judge right from wrong, yet hesitating to act rashly after making a decision—this is the root of all troubles." Du Wanli spoke eloquently, relentlessly urging, "Therefore, as the saying goes: 'A tiger hesitating to make a decision is worse than a wasp or scorpion using its stinger; a fine horse lingering on its feet is worse than a poor horse walking slowly and steadily; a brave warrior like Meng Ben, indecisive and hesitant, is worse than an ordinary person determined to achieve their goal; even with the wisdom of Yu Shun and Xia Yu, remaining silent is worse than a deaf-mute using gestures.' These proverbs all illustrate that taking action is the most valuable thing. All undertakings are difficult to succeed and easy to fail; opportunities are difficult to seize and easy to lose. Opportunities, once lost, will never return. I hope you will consider this carefully."

He knelt before Lin Wanjun for the first time, cupping his hands and saying, "The strategist has given advice, but the key lies in the monarch's execution. If the monarch hesitates and misses the opportunity, what use is it even if the strategist's plans are as far-reaching and profound as the Way of Heaven? I have repeatedly advised you on the matter of Song Panning, and now I advise you again, hoping that you will consider it carefully."

The scene of Du Wanli kneeling in front of her was still vivid in Lin Wanjun's mind. Standing on the second floor, looking down at Du Wanli, who was still drinking in a sullen mood even after the banquet was over, she couldn't help but sigh.

ordinary.

Too ordinary.

This is nothing like the cunning and scheming Du Wanli of his past life.

"Perhaps it's the butterfly effect. You're so ordinary in this life. Oh well, you died for me in the last life. In this life, let's not get involved in these things anymore. Being an ordinary person is fine too."

Lin Wanjun thought to herself and silently withdrew.

------------

late at night.

The sky was filled with stars.

Song Panning stood on the cliff, gazing at the myriad lights of homes covering the mountains and fields, remaining silent.

Her eyes often sparkle with a lively spirit; through them, you can see the true face of the mountain city.

Formation.

A massive formation.

"So that's how it is. The entire mountain city is actually a formation."

Having cracked the ancestral precepts, Song Panning looked at the city before her, the city where she had lived since childhood, and felt both familiar and strange.

"It's truly mysterious. If Song Qihao hadn't left this instruction, even with my exceptional talent, I wouldn't have discovered that I was living within a formation."

This formation is both a cage and a prison. The prisoners are the monstrous snake demon that destroyed the world back then, and the people living in the mountain city are the prison guards who watch over the prisoners.