Chapter 227: Qin Shi Returns Home, Internet-Addicted Old Man!

The steel long dragon passed through the tunnel, and in an instant the dimness filled the carriage.

Qin Shi sat upright by the window, eyes closed in meditation.

Spiritual power condensed at his brow sent out ripples one after another.

Like something tangible, it steadily seized the steaming teacup on the round table.

"Hah! The core of Hundred Aspects Momentum Refinement truly lies in the character 'fusion'!"

Qin Shi opened his eyes, lifted the teacup, and took a light sip, letting the rich flavor diffuse between his lips and teeth.

Two days ago, he contended with Yu Li Qi in qi, imprinting the other's Heart Momentum "Myriad Phenomena Wind Array" into his mind and refining it into the Hundred Aspects, feeling he had gained greatly.

"The four Heart Moments of Wind, Fire, Mountain, and Forest are the foundation of Hundred Aspects. One must still spar with experts and learn their skills."

Qin Shi reckoned that having broken through the Spirit Gate Great Limit and possessing resonance ability was equivalent to having a permanent comprehension buff.

Even supreme art inheritances could be quickly comprehended, with moves imprinted.

"No wonder He Lanchan was called 'Little Saint Thief' before he became famous. Thinking about it, it's probably because Lao He is always stealing techniques."

Qin Shi pondered, dwelling in his Inner Landscape, the lingering resonance—this was indeed a heaven-defying method.

If fully utilized, drawing on the strengths of a hundred schools would be enough to establish a sect.

Lao He was able to push Hong Sheng's True Transmission Hundred Aspects Momentum Refinement to an unimaginably high level.

Relying precisely on this point.

"But I heard the New Martial Arts school is pushing a textbook copyright campaign, advocating buying legitimate editions to prevent all kinds of martial arts from spreading wildly... Lao He living to this day probably has to pay a lot of money."

After finishing his tea, Qin Shi stopped his wandering thoughts and began organizing the gains from this trip to Central City.

First, resolve the Ying Clan's problem; there might still be hidden dangers, but those were things to consider later.

Second, the Divinity Crystal bestowed by Tai Jun allowed the Stele Panel to complete a promotion, from "Embryo Stage" to "Infant" level.

"Then, after gaining Central City's recognition, officially stepping onto Hengzhou's main stage—this is crucial."

Qin Shi deeply understood that under New Dongxia's social system, it was absolutely impossible to avoid the "officials."

The officials' attitude and support were the key to obtaining resources and receiving cultivation.

This was actually similar to what the Ancient Era said: learn literary and martial arts, sell them to the imperial family.

"Entering Central City's sight also means I'm on the Governor's Mansion's whitelist. Before, whoever wanted to treat me as a thorn in the eye, a thorn in the flesh, could use all sorts of violent means to erase my existence.

But now, one must consider the Governor's Mansion's will. A Planetary Governor's power not only radiates over the governed Administrative New Stars, but can also be seen by the Imperial Capital."

Qin Shi mused that this was probably one reason why Ying Family First Sequence Heir Ying Huang strongly advocated reconciliation with Nanhuang Dao Guan.

Once stepping into Central City, one was automatically listed in the "Chaoyang Level Sequence."

Besides enjoying the Security Bureau's high-standard protection, one also possessed various "privileges," especially in official units, where one could almost get a green light all the way.

"Thinking this way, I am also a 'Fire Seed' of Dongxia."

Qin Shi had once read in extracurricular materials that in the first millennium of New Dongxia's founding, the Nine Marshals jointly passed the "Fire Seed Plan."

By increasing education investment, cultivating an endless stream of fresh blood, then selecting the outstanding ones with top talent and potential from among them, they would be specially recruited into the Imperial Capital's "Torch Class," becoming brilliant Fire Seeds that light up the Galaxy.

These young Fire Seeds, without exception, had fought their way out of fierce competition among the Thirty-two Administrative Regions and secured the upper reaches!

New Dongxia valued them greatly; any abnormal extinguishing of a Fire Seed would bring the Judgment Court's mad-dog-like tearing and biting.

Even at the end of the first millennium, a Star Sea exploration caused three Fire Seeds to lose contact; investigation revealed it was the work of the Da Jiao Ji Pattern, which specialized in robbing merchant alliances.

This provoked the three great war corps to send out fleets, and the Supreme Commander issued the first "Extermination Order" since New Dongxia's founding, shattering the barren Xing Qiu where the Da Jiao Ji Pattern was stationed through orbital strikes.

Afterwards, New Dongxia launched a thorough "Black Sweep Operation."

The various war corps were like they'd been injected with chicken blood, outputting troops with all their might.

In those days, even a dog passing by would be kicked twice, let alone those superpowers dominating the Galaxy.

Therefore, becoming a New Dongxia "Fire Seed" could be said to possess a very useful "talisman."

This was what Qin Shi valued most, and also what Nanhuang Dao Guan most hoped to see.

Looking at the flourishing New Dongxia, even the Nine Surnames wouldn't want to be bitten by the Judgment Court's mad dogs and end up in the Council Chamber.

"Next, as long as I maintain the best results in the Great Expansion Movement's performance, keep being the coolest guy."

Qin Shi's mouth corner curled up, revealing a hint of a smile.

"Young Fire Seeds, who else but me!"

……

……

"Director, are you still on sick leave today?"

In the Central City government compound, the Secretary, after passing through multiple security checks, saw Mo Qihuan pruning green plants in the back garden.

Ever since that Divine Machine from Nanhuang Dao Guan took off, breaking through Hengzhou New Star's blockade line, this Education Director had submitted a sick leave note to the Governor's Mansion and no longer presided over affairs at the Education Bureau Building.

"You've worked hard for so long; these old bones should retire and rest. Leave the opportunity for young people—that's also what Governor Tai often says."

Mo Qihuan focused on pruning green plants, paying no attention to the Secretary's arrival, not even asking more.

"Director, without your command in the middle, the Education Bureau is like a machine without oil, turning very slowly. Several important projects originally meant to launch have long been unable to start and move forward."

The Secretary bent his waist and sincerely pleaded:

"Our work is far from mature; lacking Director your teachings, we inevitably step in pits, hit mines, and make mistakes."

Mo Qihuan wore a sweater, long pants, and slippers, like a retired old man idling at home; his eyes stared at the green plants, seemingly thinking from which direction to start, trimming the messy branches and leaves.

"What about the Governor's Mansion side? Any word?"

After a long while, until the Secretary's waist and back felt slightly sore, did he hear Mo Qihuan ask.

"The Governor's Mansion is calm and quiet; Governor Tai didn't even appear at this Commendation Ceremony, and probably won't show up in the future either."

The Secretary answered carefully, weighing his words.

"Then I'll continue resting at home."

Mo Qihuan said.

"Ying Shuai has an old saying: the Star Sea will exist just fine without anyone. I've held the Education Bureau in my hands for so many years; it's time I let go and relinquished power. Besides, I'm nearing retirement age anyway, so I might as well start adapting to a life of supporting the elderly early."

The secretary looked troubled. The Education Bureau had always been Mo Qihuan's one-man show, and now that this bureau chief was idle, no work could proceed.

"Bureau Chief..."

"Go back."

Mo Qihuan said meaningfully.

"If Central City truly needs me, it will naturally speak up."

The secretary silently withdrew from the government compound.

Crack!

The scissors fell upon a tangle of branches and leaves, cleanly and neatly removing them.

Mo Qihuan straightened his waist and said:

"A master backing his disciple is indeed impressive.

But I'm not bad either—my son can be my old man's support."

The special train rumbled over the rails, Qin Shi listened to the howling wind outside the window, and continued to enter the Second Universe through the Original Energy Company's "registration card."

His Consciousness Sea was wrapped in soft white light, as if drifting quietly in a warm current.

"Battle Room function unlocked."

Qin Shi opened his eyes. Compared to the Virtual Combat Room, the Second Universe presented itself to "players" more perfectly, with more detail; he could even freely enter and exit Inner Landscapes in this world, almost as if he had copied his real self over.

This time Qin Shi did not wander idly. During these days in Central City, he had searched online for a great deal of information about the Great Universe Server.

So he went straight to the Battle Room.

"There are quite a variety of events: weapon duels, bare-handed duels, human-beast duels, duels to the death..."

Qin Shi's level was quite high, and with his substantial Xu Kong Coin asset valuation, he received VIP treatment as soon as he entered the Battle Room.

"Guest, the Battle Room holds a 'Peak Tournament' every three months, lasting two weeks. The strongest warrior can take away nine hundred Xu Kong Coins from here."

The assigned guide introduced enthusiastically.

Qin Shi curiously released his Spiritual Field Power, his mind enveloping this "female guide" who had honey-colored skin, a fiery figure, and a petite stature.

He found her indistinguishable from a real person, possessing autonomous spiritual consciousness and flesh and blood.

This made him once again marvel at the boundless might of the Divine Spirit Pillar.

"What does 'group battle' mean?"

Qin Shi pointed to a corner of the Ranking List and asked softly.

"The Battle Room is not only individual combat. A 'Hundred-Clan Assault' is convened every thirty years, lasting seven to eight years in total, considered a major event."

The guide explained carefully.

"But the most intense and most audience-attracting is the 'National War.' However, this kind of large-scale 'competition' generally cannot be participated in by ordinary people."

Qin Shi glanced at the various teams on the Ranking List. "Lion Heart Corps," "Iron Cavalry Corps," "War Maniac Corps"—their reputations were more imposing than one another.

Clicking open one, most were around Amateur Level.

Only those large corps of hundreds or thousands had comparatively strong overall strength.

"According to my level, after brushing up a bit, I can probably manage to be a deputy corps commander of a thousand-man corps."

Qin Shi self-assessed.

He watched the past "group battle videos" with great interest, finding that the organization and operation of those thousand-man corps had their methods, especially in offense and defense, showing quite good professional quality.

"Could these corps commanders be alts of the big shots from the military department, treating this place as a sandbox simulation to kill time?"

Such a thought suddenly popped into Qin Shi's head.

"Are there records of National Wars? I want to see them."

He asked the guide.

"The National War cycle is very long, records are hard to obtain, and many clients are unwilling to make them public..."

The guide's expression was awkward.

"I can pay more."

Qin Shi narrowed his eyes.

"In that case, I'll try my best to find a way."

The guide smiled sweetly.

The world's morals are declining!

Even "native NPCs" have learned to squeeze out benefits!

Qin Shi sighed softly. The longer he stayed in the Great Universe Server, the harder it was to regard this place as a so-called "game world."

After a while, he was taken to a private viewing room and began to appreciate the past "National Wars" that had been fought.

According to the Battle Room's requirements, the minimum requirement to participate in a National War was to command three thousand-man corps and possess five cities with populations of tens of thousands.

Then territory would be allocated, and free mode would begin. During this period, one needed to cultivate combat units, build infrastructure, and also engage in diplomatic alliances, attacking and planting flags, and other rich gameplay.

"It's quite like that game from my past life where one match would keep you up all night."

Qin Shi patiently watched several large-scale National Wars from beginning to end.

"Feng State? Feng Family Army? This family is really formidable! Whether in small-scale campaigns or large-scale army confrontations, they can produce extraordinary effects."

Qin Shi gradually noticed a rising new star in the National Wars: the power under the banner of "Feng State." Initially, its territory and forces were not outstanding, but it was extremely good at development, expanding its territory at a very fast speed.

"The command of this Feng Family Army is quite unified, with clear advance and retreat, and they really like to play severing logistics and cutting off the rear route, risky tactics."

The final outcome was as expected: Feng Nation completed the struggle for supremacy, wiped out the other states, and accomplished the great undertaking of unification.

"This nation war truly took effort and worry; from start to finish, converted to reality, it also lasted a good half year."

Qin Shi watched it all at accelerated speed; he kept feeling that the Feng Family Army's deployment looked somewhat familiar.

Other nations all climbed the technological tree, but Feng Nation did not; it focused on cultivating the Martial Path, supplemented by a small number of Divine Machine formations serving as the spearhead, forcibly enduring the firepower barrage of airship cannons, tank warships.

They would rather suffer heavy losses than change their approach.

"Isn't this similar to the situation with Hengzhou New Star? Because the Star God fell into slumber, they were forced to implement a dual blockade of electronics and energy."

Qin Shi inexplicably took an interest in this Feng Family Army, and asked the guide for relevant records about them.

……

……

Central City, Governor's Mansion.

The robed and crowned Tai Jun moved through it, like the true master of this Hengzhou New Star's supreme power center.

Tai Jun slowly entered a room deep in the Governor's Mansion; accurately speaking, this was a great hall comparable to a football field.

A silver-haired elder lay inside the cabin chamber; his Consciousness Sea radiated outward, like a blazing sun, emitting substantive rays of light.

Such vast Spiritual Field Power differentiated into myriad strands, like countless invisible Silk Threads, connecting one Great Universe Server login Device after another.

Dense and packed, like a matrix!

"I say, A Tai, what is it this time?"

That blazing sun suddenly pulsed; the silver-haired elder's Consciousness Sea retracted into his body, and simultaneously, he opened his eyes, sat up from the cabin chamber, and looked toward Tai Jun passing through the forest-like matrix.

The plain-faced, unsmiling Tai Jun said helplessly:

"Governor Tai, you cannot always stay in the Great Universe Server's Secondary World; you are the actual ruler of Hengzhou New Star, the Great Expansion movement is imminent, many matters require your judgment."

The silver-haired elder shook his head and laughed:

"I have great self-awareness; my domestic administration ability is very mediocre; letting me handle Hengzhou New Star's various affairs would certainly be a mess.

A Tai, I've said it many times; just treat me as a Stamp, use me however you want."

Tai Jun sighed deeply; as an Active Consciousness Entity, for the first time he revealed such obvious Defeat emotion.

This Planetary Governor of ours is truly Rare; he neither clings to power nor has ambitious drive; he only wants to stay in the Great Universe Server "playing games".

"A Tai, you don't know; my deduction is almost complete. Following Hengzhou New Star's general situation, I raised armies and increased troops, opened the Western Front and Eastern Front two battlefields……"

The silver-haired elder revealed a joyful smile and said in a deep voice:

"Just a little bit short; if I take the Star God as the hypothetical enemy, I need a bomb, one capable of blowing up His super bomb."

(Chapter End)