Chapter 127

The 【Electronic Mind】 trait seems to have been passively triggered.

Qin Shi's body and mind fused; the instant he passed the assessment, his ears caught the sizzling signal fluctuations, and then he heard a laugh wildly arrogant, like a night owl's aged voice.

"Like whom?"

He felt confusion, his gaze turning toward the surveillance probe high on the wall.

Is there someone behind that?

"Almost forgot, this kid is an all-round genius with spiritual power potential. Hmph, that part isn't much like me, more like He Lanchan.

A pity, not pure enough."

The white-haired elder stopped laughing and used the remote to shut off all screen displays.

He had already obtained the most satisfactory result; no need for further observation.

"Teach him the 'Internal and External Divine Vigor Qi Gong'; with his talent, in about a week he can meet the condition and begin cultivation of the 'Universe Furnace Secret Canon'."

The white-haired elder spoke into the earphone, then no longer paid attention to the situation in the arena.

Xiao Ren's talent is a bit lacking, but his temperament is steady, and his teaching level is reassuring.

He pushed his wheelchair out of the room and along the corridor to a more spacious lobby.

The consciousness body Xuan Ming, responsible for maintaining all operations here, like a thoughtful butler, quietly opened the light screen.

The dark, cold, profound background unfolded outward like a vast scroll painting.

Thirty-three administrative stars, arranged like concentric rings inside and out, surrounded the Imperial Capital at the very center, supremely magnificent and grand.

It is said that in the most ancient, and also most prosperous, Dongxia Empire period.

The current territory is but the tip of the iceberg of the "Ziwei Yuan".

At that time, the Dongxia Empire's Three Yuan Twenty-Eight Mansions emitted boundless radiance, almost illuminating the entire galaxy.

"Truly like a dream, like an illusion."

The white-haired elder gazed at such a scene; a moment later he waved his hand.

As light interwove, the Dongxia Republic's territory enlarged, presenting the border region more clearly.

There lay a "Giant Light Band" stretching across the four wilds, vast to the point of disbelief.

It is like a road that has existed from ancient times to now, guiding generation after generation of later comers toward a higher-level "New World".

The white-haired elder watched the "Heavenly Road" that countless martial artists dream of and yearn to reach, and asked softly:

"Has the Star Cup Youth Group selection begun?"

Xuan Ming's rich voice reverberated in the hall:

"Preheating was activated two months ago; registration channels opened last week.

Currently the Imperial Capital and Haizhou have registered first, with seventy-nine people entered into the Youth Group."

The white-haired elder smiled upon hearing this:

"Counts as a bumper harvest year; it's nearly a hundred people."

The Star Cup event has a long and distant origin; it has existed for ages, and was not only organized after the Dongxia Republic.

Precisely the opposite, it is inherited from the Dongxia Empire before the turbulent era.

It once became the entertainment activity the imperial clan nobility most enthusiastically participated in and watched.

It has had many other names in the past.

For example "Immortal Ascension Assembly", "Luo Tian Dao Lecture", "Road to Godhood", "Ultimate Gate".

But such an ancient tradition spanning thousands of years and myriad ages, counted to now still does not reach a hundred sessions.

The most recent Youth Group finals was last year's high-profile announcement of the new generation's pride Yu Li seizing the championship.

"Those scholars at the Dongxia Highest Research Institute, have they said how long this Star Return Tide's Extraordinary Tide will last?"

The white-haired elder asked in a deep voice.

"Academician Jiang Qianliu's preliminary judgment: the first wave peak is roughly twelve years; afterward, roughly two to three more waves of breakthrough peak-value giant waves can be welcomed.

So the Star Cup's schedule arrangement is currently confirmed at a twenty-year cycle; this year is the fifth year. The player with the highest score in the Youth Group currently is Yu Li,"

The consciousness body Xuan Ming gave a detailed answer; it possesses nearly the highest network permit authority in Hengzhou, and the depth of information it can query exceeds imagination.

"That surnamed Yu kid has already steadily sat at the scoreboard's number one for three consecutive years, right? No wonder Tomorrow Group is so high-profile, even using 'champion' in their promotional language."

The white-haired elder couldn't help but sneer; back when they competed, there weren't so many flashy marketing tactics.

"Theoretically speaking, Yu Li indeed occupies an enormous advantage; his scoreboard growth rate is very stable, and in the next three years it is almost impossible for anyone to catch up. Even the second-place Long Danzi has very slim chances."

The Xuan Ming consciousness body analyzed rationally.

"That is merely the conjecture you big-data-obsessed types come up with."

The white-haired elder habitually retorted a line, then asked again:

"If within half a year the kid downstairs breaks through to Professional Grade, can he enter the Youth Group top ten?"

The Xuan Ming consciousness body fell silent for several minutes, as if in serious thought, and as if running algorithms.

Finally it replied:

"Two and a half years' time, newly entering Professional Grade, killing into the scoreboard top ten, probability roughly around thirty-five percent."

The white-haired elder was quite satisfied, nodding:

"Then there's a chance."

The Xuan Ming consciousness body this time was truly silent.

With its thinking it could not understand.

Why a thirty-five percent probability.

Is called a chance?

"Myriad stars, uphold the proud Sun!"

The white-haired elder spoke with emotion.

The last Star Return Tide's Extraordinary Tide lasted a full three hundred years.

It produced ten rounds of Sun!

A pity it still failed to traverse that Path!

This time, the receding extraordinary giant waves scarcely remained silent for long before another tide arrived.

All Martial Artists, exhausting their lives, are chasing, seizing!

Their own ultimate leap.

"A pity, I am too old; I may not live to see the final match."

The white-haired elder felt regret; of the First Generation Ten Greats, only a few old rivals remain alive today.

He Lanchan died young, Qi Wuxiang withdrew from the world, Lian Yixing broke on the Heavenly Road, Kao Yun Chao failed to break through the barrier, Jiang Bai Chuan just idles his life away...

"Judging from past history, when the extraordinary giant waves sweep the Star Sea, the tide's rise and fall follows no pattern; only twice has there been a continuous large-scale revival. This situation is called the 'Golden Great Era'; conversely, if the extraordinary falls silent for over several thousand years, it is the 'Dharma-Ending Arrival'."

The white-haired elder knows much of the dust-sealed secrets; the Star Cup exists because of that Ancient Heavenly Road, and the Road's opening depends on the Extraordinary Tide's rise and fall, hence the holding time has no fixed number.

In the Ancient Era, this was regarded as 'Immortal Fate', 'Great Opportunity'.

Meaning, if fortunate enough to catch it, one has a chance to become an Immortal and ancestor, achieving eternal life.

Those inconceivable rumors, their specific truth or falsehood cannot be discerned.

But one undeniable point: every generation's Martial God of Dongxia has walked the Heavenly Road, without exception.

They obtained astonishing products from it — rare treasures, and also the True Spirit Holy Law.

Yet all Martial Gods keep it deeply secret, mentioning it only vaguely: the Heavenly Road's end is the origin of the Supernatural Path, containing the ultimate great secret.

"He Lanchan gave up, Qi Wuxiang also couldn't cross that step — what exactly lies behind the Heavenly Road?"

The white-haired elder's eyes revealed longing; he struggled upward his whole life, all for a single answer.

At the Old Martial Arts' end, is there still a way forward?

"Dare to ask where the Path lies — the Path is beneath one's feet..."

Qin Shi hummed a little tune, returning to the Talent Apartment; three days had passed since he last sparred with Lao Ren and passed the assessment.

Every day he ran to Old Factory Street, learning the "Internal External Divine Vigor Qi Gong" from Ren You, and incidentally discussing Old Martial Arts Breaking Limits with Lao Liang; days passed quietly and comfortably.

Just earlier, he captured and dealt with three major criminals, eliminating the Patrol Department's "Three Harms" in one go, stirring up no small waves.

He walked out proudly from the beverage shop reduced to miserable ruins; someone snapped a photo, posted it on a fighting enthusiast forum, sparking heated discussion.

The school's Class Teacher Qian Feng called, saying a TV station wanted an interview; Qin Shi declined politely.

Chen Yun, upon hearing the news, also asked with concern; learning he was uninjured, she relaxed and proactively agreed to apply to the Patrol Department for equipment.

Lin Yunqing, on the other hand, lowered her flags and stilled her drums, staying quiet for several days; that dog woman, who knows what she's busy with.

Qin Shi was just about to enter the elevator when he unexpectedly ran into Zhao Yunzhu in the lobby; the latter greeted him:

"Qin Classmate, what a coincidence; you haven't been to school in a long time. For the opening ceremony's speaker selection, it should have been you, but since neither you nor Zheng Yun were there, Xu Mo was put on stage."

Qin Shi shrugged; showing off before high school classmates was far less interesting than shocking the entire Hengda University Martial Arts Department.

He said indifferently:

"Classmate Xu is very outstanding; his study methods are worth others referencing. As for me, it's all blind groping on my own, no useful insights; speaking on stage would just waste everyone's time."

Zhao Yunzhu's lively smile stiffened slightly; she inexplicably felt Qin Shi was praising himself in a roundabout way, showing off in a different manner.

"Qin Classmate, you're truly modest; your Qi Life Force growth record probably won't be broken by anyone at Xin Yi High School in the future. Speaking of which, I and a few friends from the Elite Class, plus top students from Hengda University Affiliated High School and Jia Kai Affiliated High School, formed a study group to exchange experiences and techniques for developing Qi Life Force..."

Qin Shi lost interest halfway through, pondering what excuse to refuse, when he saw An Jingchu walking over with graceful steps.

This Miss An smiled gently:

"Qin Classmate, haven't seen you these days; the Patrol Department's pennant was delivered here but not signed for — it's still in my office."

The pennant arrived more promptly than the bounty.

Qin Shi secretly slandered; he still remembered Wei Zheguang telling him the bounty amount was large and required financial procedures.

"I'll go get it in a bit."

He said softly.

"Right, Qin Classmate. The Taian Education Bureau specially approved two bottles of Mineral Essence, also requiring your personal signature. This is military-grade strategic material, very high specification; I cannot collect it for you."

An Jingchu's mouth corners held a smile, exuding charm.

This high school boy living on the seventeenth floor of the Talent Apartment displayed excessively outstanding potential.

Not only did the Hengzhou Martial Association spare no expense, even the Taian Education Bureau invested resources.

Truly a boundless future.

"Mineral Essence."

Qin Shi's eyes brightened.

It is said to be a universal elixir for all Supernatural Paths, the hard currency of the Great Universe Era.

"I'll go right now."

Qin Shi's execution ability was off the charts; he said to Zhao Yunzhu beside him:

"Sorry, something came up; let's chat next time."

Three simple sentences ended the topic, and he stepped into the elevator with An Jingchu.

"Mineral Essence..."

Zhao Yunzhu's parents are major agents for a pharmaceutical enterprise, deeply knowing this item's preciousness.

Even the purchase permit for United Pharmaceutical's Level 5 Energy Liquid requires pulling every string to obtain; let alone Mineral Essence with even stricter monitoring.

"Yunzhu, sorry to keep you waiting."

Xu Mo came downstairs spirited, saw Zhao Yunzhu in the lobby, and said excitedly:

"Let's go, didn't we agree to meet Fang Yuan and them today? This study group is very useful; those top students with forty points of Qi Life Force all participate, we'll definitely learn something! With mutual help, we might not be unable to catch up to Qin Shi and Zheng Yun!"

Zhao Yunzhu's smile was forced; through what she had just seen, she deeply understood that the top students of the Taian Metropolitan Area had too great a gap with Qin Shi, too far apart.

Mineral Essence cannot be obtained just through connections; it must be reviewed and approved by the upper layer before it can be issued.

Qin Shi obtaining this kind of high-spec resource is sufficient to prove that the talent and potential he has displayed surpass all the school's top students.

"Yunzhu, what's wrong? Not feeling well?"

Seeing Zhao Yunzhu's facial color looked bad, Xu Mo asked caringly.

"No, let's go, don't be late."

The latter shook her head, and looked toward the elevator once more.

She vaguely had a feeling that Qin Shi would leave here very soon.

The seventeenth floor of the Talent Apartment, the treatment she and Xu Mo longed for but could not get, was merely the other party's starting point.

……

……

Fifteen minutes later, Qin Shi brought a black briefcase back to the apartment.

An Jingchu did not say much, nor did she continue the previous topic, inviting him to join the Original Energy Company.

This made him quite emotional; this Miss An maneuvered between the Education Committee and enterprises, the official and the civilian, appearing at ease; one doesn't know what her background is.

Opening the black briefcase requires dual identification of fingerprint and iris, and finally a six-digit password must be entered.

After asking Lao Chen, Qin Shi completed the process.

With a click, the briefcase was unlocked, and strands of cold air emerged from inside.

Two tightly sealed canisters, wrist-thick "Potions," were exposed to sight.

About three hundred milliliters each; the liquid inside was pale gold, with some impurities settled; a gentle shake stirred captivating ripples of light.

Almost instantly it triggered the 【Overgrowth】 reaction.

【Food Ingredient Classification: Original Liquid】

【Quality: Mid-Grade】

【Edible Parts: All liquid volume stored inside the bottle】

【Consumption Effect: Flesh Vitality greatly increased, repairs bodily damage, strengthens organ tissues, Gene Defects supplemented, Satiety...】

"No wonder everyone wants Mineral Essence; it truly is a panacea!"

Qin Shi inhaled a breath of cool air; this thing can even supplement defects at the human gene level — doesn't that mean long-term consumption could possibly evolve one into a higher life form with perfect genes?

"Too extravagant; even a Marshal's grandson wouldn't be this prodigal, drinking Mineral Essence like soda."

Qin Shi shook his head; his meager imagination could barely depict such a scene.

After appreciating for a moment, he fished out his terminal and sent a message to Lao Ren.

At this hour, Lao Liang was probably resting, and his own master isn't very willing to use electronic devices.

He could only ask Lao Ren of the Nanhuang Dojo how best to consume Mineral Essence.

【Lao Ren: Oral intake is fine, one-third each time, divided over three days. Remember to use the "Inner Outer Divine Vigor Qi Gong" I taught you to guide, refine.】

Lao Ren is a rather serious person; he didn't make any boring jokes about rectal absorption being more efficient.

Beep beep.

The terminal vibrated twice more.

【Lao Ren: I remember Qin Classmate you broke the Divine Gate Great Limit, you can keep one bottle to take into the Inner Landscape, sublimate the spirit.】

【Lao Ren: Mineral Essence can help you condense 'Nian' faster, form a Mental Phenomenon.】

Qin Shi nodded, expressing thanks.

Lao Ren this person is honest, can deal with.

Don't know if the wild laughter captured earlier was the legendary Nanhuang Dojo Master?

A highly respected old generation senior going to the Galaxy Frontier to compete on the same stage as the First Generation Ten Greats should not be so undignified.

Qin Shi collected his stray thoughts, opened the sealed iron can, and strands of rich flavor wafted out.

Very strange, not a mellow fragrance, but full of scorching heat, like magma.

(Chapter End)