Chapter 203

Today the weather was rare and clear, not a cloud for ten thousand li; Old Zhang pushed his wheelchair out to sunbathe.

The scorching summer had long passed, and a cool autumn wind blew by, making one a bit drowsy.

He side-glanced at the burly Zhou Ning and shook his head:

"Both raised on Old Factory Street, you and Xiao Qin are worlds apart."

Zhou Ning pouted and muttered:

"Old Qin was studious from childhood, his mind quick too; because of him I don't know how many extra scoldings I took, how many extra beatings. How can I compare to him!"

Before Qin Shi got into Xin Yi High School, he already belonged to the standard "other people's kid."

In this Bao Gong Street area, anyone attending a Zidi Xuexiao heard most often in their ears that line: "Look at how hard Xiao Qin works."

Old Zhang lifted his eyelids and looked at Zhou Ning:

"Learning martial arts takes bitter effort; glory before others is all exchanged for suffering behind their backs. One round of Meridian Opening and you're bawling for mom and dad — how can you keep up with the progress."

Zhou Ning gave a heh-heh laugh:

"I'm not competing in any tournaments; I'll honestly pass the Ranking Examination, then go to university. My dad's already made the arrangements — after graduation straight to the plant's Security Department, saving twenty years of detours."

Old Zhang was helpless; this kid really had no ambition.

For Xiao Qin's sake, he opened his mouth to give a few pointers:

"Old Nine had you Standing Post, had you stretch the Large Tendons, move your Tendons and Bones — these are all foundation-laying. New Martial Arts trains muscle force emission; Old Martial Arts emphasizes Tendons and Bones operating force — the two have different emphases.

If you learn Tendons and Bones operating force, your body's coordination and unity will be more perfect, and it will also greatly benefit subsequent growth of Qi Life Force."

Zhou Ning nodded; during this time at Nanhuang Dao Guan, following Ren Laoshi in cultivation, he felt his progress was enormous; a few days ago in a class exam he performed quite well and even earned praise from Class Teacher Lao Qian.

"Dao Guan Master, you've exchanged hands with the First Generation Ten Greats — who do you think is strongest?"

As a standard combat-power enthusiast, Zhou Ning couldn't suppress his inner curiosity and raised this question that had been argued for decades.

"Just say it directly — who hits harder, Qi Wuxiang or He Lanchan?"

Old Zhang sneered; the most dazzling Sun of the First Generation Ten Greats were of course the Four-Time Champion, the Great Demon King Qi Wuxiang, and the peerlessly elegant Stone Buddha He Lanchan.

The two of them equally had the largest "fan" groups, and neither would concede; they often argued over which was the true hard-strength champion, the undisputed Vanguard of the Ten Greats.

Qi Wuxiang's supporters would lead off with all kinds of battle records, data, proving the Great Demon King was invincible among contemporaries.

He Lanchan's admirers liked to analyze origin, experience, lineage; they believed Stone Buddha developed slowly early on, but with his monstrous comprehension revealed in the middle and late stages, his growth potential was maxed out — he was absolutely the Sun most likely to step into Martial God.

Anyway the two camps each talked past each other, and until the new era opened, no result convinced everyone.

Old Zhang basked in the sun, as if sunk in memory, and thought carefully for a moment:

"Qi Wuxiang. This man's strength is all-directional strength, almost no shortcomings.

He follows a pure Martial Path, unlike He Lanchan who tries to accommodate two paths; so he is strong without reason — that feeling of anyone standing before him being inexplicably a head shorter, those who haven't experienced it won't understand."

Zhou Ning grinned wide, laughing; he was a champion-fan, so of course he supported Qi Wuxiang.

"Exactly — three times Youth Group first place, three times Adult Group first place, plus four times Grand Final first place. Yu Licai gets one Youth Group Champion and dares to call himself Champion publicly.

By that reckoning, calling Qi Wuxiang Ten-Time Champion wouldn't be wrong either."

Old Zhang was stung by these words; in the last Extraordinary Tide active period, Qi Wuxiang dominated alone, while he suffered ten straight defeats and was called the Ten-Loss King.

"This score can only be settled by Xiao Qin. Pity — after He Lanchan entered seated meditation, Qi Wuxiang holed up in that virtual Universe and stopped participating in the Star Cup.

This guy also has no disciple; can't even beat him once."

Old Zhang sighed.

All the matches he'd lost, the worst beatings came from Qi Wuxiang and He Lanchan.

Especially the latter — one side launching mental attacks while spewing abuse, the other side punching and kicking straight for the face.

Losing was one thing, but losing with a bruised, swollen face like a pig's head, photographed by media reporters and published, becoming a permanent black history.

Who could stand that!

"Fortunately, I lured He Lanchan's disciple into Nanhuang Dao Guan. If I can beat Qi Wuxiang once more, I'll die without regret."

Old Zhang narrowed his eyes, gazing at that warm sun hanging high in the sky; its light wasn't glaring, but rather very gentle.

"Come to think of it, Xiao Qin should be arriving at Central City by now."

……

……

"Qin Classmate, you should arrive at Center City this afternoon."

Kang Yun'er came to the dining area and sat opposite Qin Shi.

She was also one of the accompanying staff; these past days she had silently followed by his side, either recording with a camera or taking notes in a small notebook.

"Miss Kang, how come you deigned to show your presence today."

Qin Shi teased.

This beautiful Editor-in-Chief of Outlook Weekly had said on the first day of the tracking interview to ignore her as much as possible, best to treat her as transparent air.

"Material collection is about done."

Kang Yun'er habitually wound a strand of hair around her fountain pen; her jet-black eyes rolled around, revealing a spiritual cunning.

"Regarding your character portrait, Qin Classmate, I've sketched a rough outline."

Qin Shi raised an eyebrow but didn't pursue it, instead saying:

"However the presented image turns out, I think it will all be the real side Miss Kang sees."

Kang Yun'er smiled:

"Has anyone ever told you, Qin Classmate, that you possess a maturity of mind unlike your peers — like an adult's soul stuffed into a minor's shell."

Qin Shi shook his head and said softly:

"I'm actually not much different from most Old Factory Street workers' children — at least not at the start. I read in books that a person's character is determined by the soil they grow in.

I don't think that's entirely right; soil is the foundation that nurtures life, but the intense desire that makes them grow upward, silently take root, and absorb nutrients comes from the environment's driving force."

Kang Yun'er stopped twirling her hair, gazing deeply at Qin Shi, who seemed to be "confiding."

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but whether it was because the other party cultivated their spirit, or some other reason, she didn't know.

This Qin Classmate's eyes gave one a feeling of being both clear and tranquil, yet deep and unfathomable like a pool.

In short, she couldn't see through him!

"Old Factory Street is a very magical place. It is poor but not barren, letting weed-like life grow tenacious and tough. Every child of Old Factory Street, since childhood, thinks of all sorts of ways to amount to something. It's just that limited by their cognition, everyone's choices differ."

Perhaps to repay Kang Yun'er for her hard work these days, Qin Shi was willing to reveal a trace of emotion, to enrich the words under this beautiful editor-in-chief's pen.

"My classmates, friends, acquaintances — some hope to get a miner position, can accept hardship, as long as it's stable enough; some think being a big brother is imposing, are willing to be a parking attendant little brother, a tray-carrying waiter, hoping to gain the boss's appreciation and promotion.

When we were small, we often harbored great ideals, to expand for the country, for Dongxia's revival. Growing up, we gradually discovered the vastness of the Star Sea, could only lower our heads, and great ideals turned into tiny lives.

I am merely one of countless worker children wanting to walk out of Old Factory Street. I merely happen to be the lucky one who got to practice his childhood great ideals. I am merely a microcosm of the billions in Dongxia's borderland administrative regions."

Qin Shi faced Kang Yun'er calmly, letting her probe.

"My walking to here, to today, was not entirely brought by talent or ability. Rather, it was the people behind me lifting me up, pushing me forward.

Miss Kang once wrote a report about me, titled 'From Old Factory Street to the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition.' Along this road, I often look back, and then discover many figures similar to me. They all tell me the same sentence: walk forward."

Qin Shi grinned and said:

"I think this might be the difference between me and those geniuses. I understand very clearly that most things in this world are not rightfully mine.

While Miss Kang focuses on me, she might as well also focus on the place I lived. The First Generation Ten Greats' story has long told the world: in Haizhou's manors, a peerless figure like Qi Wuxiang can appear, but in Yazhou's garbage dump, a world-shaking monster like He Lanchan can also be nurtured."

Kang Yun'er fell silent for a long while, then after a moment tilted her head and said:

"Qin Classmate, you speak as if they're all my words. You've even sublimated them for me, making me look useless."

Qin Shi shrugged, tone light:

"Miss Kang jokes. In this aspect you're the professional. I merely express my heart's feelings, speak straight. Many say Dongxia's new generation is a game between big companies and big families, the Nine Marshals' grassroots rising era has long passed, dragons and snakes must all submit to the great marsh.

I hope Miss Kang can let the Four Alliance Region see Old Factory Street. I believe the borderland administrative regions absolutely don't have just one Old Factory Street. If more people because of me similarly choose this upward road, then my advancing will possess extraordinary meaning.

The new generation's proud sun doesn't only rise from the Imperial Capital, rise from Haizhou, but can also come from Hengzhou."

Qin Shi's voice was not high, yet contained a certain power. Even Kang Yun'er, who had been a war correspondent, witnessed what could be called a tragic meat-grinder hell, couldn't help but be moved by the last sentence.

Kang Yun'er capped her pen, stood up and extended her hand:

"Qin Classmate, next time we meet again, it should be on the Star Cup arena. I believe, by that time, Old Factory Street's martial prodigy of Hengzhou, his brilliance will absolutely not pale compared to the Imperial Capital and Haizhou's geniuses."

Qin Shi stood up following her, and shook hands with her:

"Hope so. Borrowing Miss Kang's auspicious words."

Woo woo woo!

The train whistle sounded, thick smoke surged.

The special train racing along the iron tracks finally pulled into the platform, slowing to a stop.

Qin Shi put on that crisp student uniform, fastened five copper buttons, then put on his hat properly, and together with Secretary Huo stepped out of the carriage.

There were no flashbulbs taking photos as imagined, even less a lively noisy welcoming team. They left the station very plainly.

Kang Yun'er left quietly, and didn't say goodbye to Qin Shi. This editor-in-chief's work style had always been so: swift and decisive, rarely dragging things out.

"Qin Classmate, you and the others wait in the VIP room first. I'll go help them register identity information. Central City is managed entirely by the large-scale Active Consciousness Entity Taijun for all public services. Everyone needs to register; otherwise it greatly affects normal life, even travel is very difficult."

Secretary Huo brought everyone to the VIP room, then explained.

Like Xia Hong and Xia Ying the two siblings, and several accompanying personnel from the Taian Urban Circle, their Citizen Level isn't high enough. If they don't register, they can't freely enter and exit Central City.

Qin Shi and Old Yu don't have this problem.

"This is just like Old Factory Street workers finding it very hard to obtain Taian Urban Circle residency rights. Everywhere there are thresholds."

Qin Shi sat in the VIP room, poured a cup of hot water for Fish Senior Sister, sighing inwardly.

Through the one-way glass, beneath the steel dome, the vast space accommodated dense crowds shoulder to shoulder.

Various shops supplied specialty products: plants and flowers unique to Central City, or big-brand synthetic foods.

"Central City's scale is too enormous, already exceeding the human management scope. It can only be managed by an Active Consciousness Entity like Taijun. It's almost equivalent to a half-Manifest Saint level Esper. Its spiritual tendrils reach every corner. The billions of sub-bodies split from it support the operation and maintenance of different districts."

Old Yu is a top genius of the Spiritual Path. She said to Qin Shi:

"Almost every Administrative Star, the Original Canon grants the technology to cultivate Active Consciousness Entities. They are essentially spiritual lifeforms — have intellect but no heart. Developed by one of the Nine Marshals, Xiao Shuai, after three thousand years they were put into use.

Like the Four Great National Universities that possess independent Satellite Cities — they are the top-tier Active Consciousness Entities, equivalent to Manifest Saint level. Consciousness fluctuations envelop a whole star. No wind stirring grass escapes them."

Qin Shi marveled at Dongxia's technological wonder, quietly waiting for Secretary Huo to finish procedures.

Xia Hong and Xia Ying the siblings who grew up in the mountains seemed somewhat restrained. Their Gu Clan characteristic clothing had drawn many staring gazes just now entering the station.

Qin Shi brought over two cups of hot water, smiled gently:

"When I tested into Taian Urban Circle's Xin Yi High School, the first time I took a bus to Taian Urban Circle, it was the same. Everything I saw felt novel."

The two siblings relaxed slightly. Just arriving in a strange environment, they always need to adapt.

Good thing there's Qin Shi this acquaintance, maximally easing the tension.

"You're the Qin Shi from Old Factory Street?"

While several people chatted, a voice suddenly cut in.

Qin Shi turned his head, saw a very youthful teenage face.

"Hello, I'm Qin Ge, from Yincheng."

The thin weak youth's brow and eyes showed complete greenness, yet those eyes were incomparably deep.

"Yincheng, Qin Family?"

Qin Shi frowned slightly. Kang Yun'er had joked before that his juvenile shell housed an adult soul.

This sentence perfectly fit the Qin Ge before him.

The spiritual perception from condensing the Holy Embryo Prototype let him faintly sniff a trace of ancientness from the other party.

"Correct. Yincheng Qin Family. I and Qin Renying and them aren't very familiar. We have no conflict of interest."

Qin Ge smiled gently, like a shy, introverted, handsome youth.

But Qin Shi didn't buy it, staying wary inside.

He used to often use this kind of "disguise" himself, to make himself appear obedient and harmless.

"Brother Qin! Long time no see! I missed you to death!"

A rough voice echoed in the VIP chamber, Yan Ren waving excitedly with bags large and small on his back.

This "Hammer Younger Brother" who briefly teamed up in the Great Rift Valley has also come to Central City.

"Ho, Xiao Yan, your build has gotten even more fierce."

Feeling like Yan Ren was a copper wall and iron wall pushing across, making Qin Shi feel deep pressure.

You know, his height is around 1.85 meters, but Yan Ren is still a head taller than him.

Plus that "grew up too fast" mature face, like a middle-aged fierce man.

"Went back and cultivated properly for a while."

Yan Ren said excitedly:

"Thanks to you, Brother Qin, eliminating so many people, I squeezed into the top ten. Otherwise, I couldn't have caught the special train to Central City."

The originally empty VIP chamber instantly became lively.

Talents from all walks participating in the Hengzhou Bai Qiang Sai and standing out arrived one after another.

But everyone's gaze would fall in the direction where Qin Shi was.

Because this supernova who supposedly emerged from Old Factory Street.

Personally defeated Zhou Yuanchen, stepped on the Professional Realm, and claimed the Champion's laurels!

(Chapter End)