Chapter 435: Very Tough Wings

Yuanzhou, New Year's Eve.

Inside a clothing store.

Chen Shu and Qingqing were wearing identical cartoon pajamas, with an off-white base color covered in messy cartoon patterns the size of thumbs; the two figures were squeezed into the same mirror, one looking themselves up and down, the other expressionless.

Inadvertently, their gazes met, exchanging feelings.

"How is it?"

Chen Shu asked with a smile.

Ning Qing did not speak.

Behind them came Chen Banxia's voice: "I think it looks good too! Especially on Qingqing, the contrast is cute..."

Ning Qing glanced at her through the mirror.

This person really thought it looked good.

Hmm, her aesthetic sense had some issues.

The little girl also nodded from the side: "It's good, as good as my bear pajamas."

"Woof~"

Ning Qing glanced at her again through the mirror.

This person wouldn't know what looks good or not, wearing slippers every single day. It was nothing more than when Chen Shu bought her bear pajamas a few years ago, she felt such cute pajamas might affect her cold and aloof image, but her opinion didn't get support from her brother-in-law and sister, and in the end, she bought the bear pajamas; now she was trying to use the same method to get back at her sister.

As for this cat, it was a copycat.

"How about compared to the last one?"

"I can't choose..." Chen Banxia looked troubled. "The solid-colored one from before suited Qingqing's temperament better, but this one is very cute, more suitable for your silly temperament, and Qingqing looks simply too cute in it, this old one's heart is about to melt."

"This one is good!" The little girl said with a serious face. "This old one's heart is about to melt!"

"Woof woof~"

"Ha..."

Chen Shu couldn't help but laugh, then asked Qingqing again: "Which one do you think looks good? Don't say later that I didn't ask for your opinion."

"Abstain."

"Alright, four votes to zero."

"Three votes."

"Three votes then, three votes to zero, the result is the same," Chen Shu said.

Qingqing turned silently and walked into the changing room.

Chen Shu walked into another one.

Changed back into the clothes they arrived in, paid the bill, and left.

Chen Shu bought a few cups of milk tea and continued to take Chen Banxia, Qingqing, Xiaoxiao, and Taozi to stroll through the streets, weaving through various shops.

"It's been a long time since I've gone shopping," Chen Shu couldn't help but sigh; every time they went out it was either for a walk, to buy groceries, or to find food. In his memory, the last time he went shopping for clothes was the summer vacation before university. "I feel like ever since online shopping became popular, I haven't wanted to buy things on the street."

"Isn't this why your sister brought you out to shop?" Chen Banxia held her milk tea, biting the straw as she mumbled, "Actually, buying things offline is fine too, it's just that it might not be as convenient or cheap as online; each has its own pros and cons."

Yes—

In her eyes, it was she who had adopted her younger brother's suggestion to go shopping, and it was she who was taking her three younger siblings out to shop.

Chen Banxia took her mouth off the straw and looked at the younger siblings: "What else do you want to buy?"

"I don't have anything else to buy," Ning Qing said.

"I don't have anything else to buy either," the little girl said.

"Baa~"

"There are a few shoe stores over there, Xiaoxiao, why don't you buy a pair of those retro shoes that your sister often wears?" Chen Shu paused. "I see that the soles of some retro shoes can be six or seven centimeters thick, almost catching up to high heels; you'll be able to grow a few centimeters taller."

"I like wearing slippers."

"Try not to wear slippers to class usually," Chen Shu said with a frown.

"It's fine."

"Let's go, let's go."

Chen Shu reached out a hand and pushed the little girl's back.

The little girl didn't resist, followed him into the store, and then followed behind her brother-in-law and sister Banxia with eager eyes.

Whatever shoes her brother-in-law and sister Banxia told her to try on, she would try on; whichever pair they said looked good, she would say looked good; in the end, she listened to them discuss, and whichever pair they said to buy, she would buy—just like the clothes, pants, and denim skirts she bought before, she was just a heartless clothes hanger.

Walking out of the store, the little girl put the shoes into her Storage Space and continued to follow behind them.

After eating a bowl of sorrowful jelly noodles, Chen Banxia bought another pair of jeans, a pair of casual pants, and a slightly formal jacket. The group wandered outside the Seventh Talent Academy and snuck in for a lap; passing by the storage room, through the glass, they could vaguely see the Time Capsule they had stored.

"Time to go home."

Chen Banxia stretched.

Having bought many things and paid many times, she felt she had gained a lot; she had gained both goods and the gratitude of her younger siblings.

Night fell, and the lights began to twinkle.

The group still went to the old spot, watching the city fireworks from across the Jinghai.

The night sky, fireworks, city, and lakeside lights were all reflected in the Jinghai; naturally, Chen Shu and the others also set off many fireworks here as a return for the people in the city across the way, letting them also see the beautiful fireworks reflected in the Jinghai.

Reciprocity.

Deep in the ocean to the west, the sky turned dark a little later.

Cao Ci sat cross-legged on a reef, his head slightly raised, his expression serene; his eyes reflected the countless fireworks rising and blooming brilliantly in the sky.

"Truly beautiful."

Cao Ci couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It has been several years since fireworks were set off here.

Ever since the Duqin incident, all the major nations have been searching for the location of his true body; modern technology has developed too rapidly, and with the help of the Formation and the power of the Heavenly Human Mirror, he has temporarily made this island "disappear" from the world, but he cannot use Spirit Power at will, so even when setting off fireworks, he can only set off a very small amount.

However, today is an exception.

Because this is the last New Year's Eve he will spend in this life.

If he successfully ascends to Godhood next year, he will naturally leave this world, whether to fight against more powerful enemies or to seek greater power; in any case, he will no longer stay in this world. If he fails, he will perish on the spot and will not be alive either.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

"Bang, bang, bang..."

The entire island was illuminated in color.

The fireworks died out, and the night was deep and quiet.

Chen Shu opened Feixin; there was a pile of mass-sent messages, and the various groups were even more bustling than ever—there were so many people sending messages that the software was lagging terribly.

It's like this every year; he's used to it.

Chen Shu ignored these messages, sent a "Happy New Year" to a few people he cared about, then exited Feixin and switched to opening the silly group.

This group still has the best atmosphere.

They wished each other a Happy New Year, the group owner sent a large red envelope, everyone grabbed them happily, and then they chatted about the evening gala programs, chatted about the interesting things they each did during the New Year, and how their cultivation was going.

As of now, among those who frequently bubble up in the group, except for Brother Meng, everyone else has already advanced to the Seventh Stage.

Under the influence of the mark, everyone's cultivation is very fast.

Zhang Suannai, being the first to advance to the Seventh Stage, had already reached the peak last month and was even planning to charge toward the Eighth Stage after the New Year.

This speed shocked everyone.

Grandma Always Says: You guys say, is it that those gods have been on the job for too long and can't wait to skip work, so they are rushing to find us to take over?

Green Lamp Ancient Buddha: You will know in the future.

Haoran Zhengqi: @Gate of All Wonders

Gate of All Wonders: Here.

Gate of All Wonders: So which one of you two will be the Sword God? @Grandma Always Says @Just Call Him Luo Huaian

Grandma Always Says: Does this even need to be asked? It's definitely me.

Just Call Him Luo Huaian: A clown.

Gate of All Wonders: Donor Grandma's cultivation seems to be ahead for now, but Donor Luo has the support of the Imperial Family, so it's really hard to say /smirk

Grandma Always Says: You idiot.

Just Call Him Luo Huaian: +1

Gate of All Wonders: /complex expression

Gate of All Wonders: I won't take this job in the future; Crown Princess, you can do it yourself from now on.

Haoran Zhengqi: /eating melon seeds

Grandma Always Says: I heard from my master that those gods are all in a place where not even a bird's feather exists, dark and sunless, with no air and no water. Damn, if I become a god, will I have to go to that place too? I'm only twenty-four; I haven't properly enjoyed life yet.

Beauty with Eight-Pack Abs: Is that true?

Grandma Always Says: My master said so.

Beauty with Eight-Pack Abs: I haven't even been in a relationship yet.

Beauty with Eight-Pack Abs: /complex expression

Grandma Always Says: What's the big deal about that?

Grandma Always Says: We're all virgins.

Gate of All Wonders: Amitabha.

Green Lamp Ancient Buddha: A sin, a sin.

Haoran Zhengqi: *Cough, cough, cough*

Qingcai Keke: Senior Cao Ci is wishing for that, though.

Grandma Always Says: That's different.

Grandma Always Says: His goal in becoming stronger is to become stronger; my goal in becoming stronger is to have more fun.

Haoran Zhengqi: Rest assured, no one can coerce you into becoming a god; from ancient times to the present, no god has ever been coerced into becoming a god.

Qingcai Keke: Don't worry about these things.

Qingcai Keke: Play more cards with your senior brothers and sisters, earn more money; that Buddha Jumps Over the Wall from that day was not bad, treat me to it again once you've earned the money.

Grandma Always Says: Damn it, I lost over ten thousand today.

The chat style in the group changed abruptly.

The sixteenth day of the first lunar month, just after the Lantern Festival.

Chen Shu was holding a bowl of Dumplings he had wrapped a few days ago; this was his breakfast, and he sat on the sofa with Chen Jiaoshou, eating while watching the news.

"Leaving today?"

Chen Jiaoshou squinted his eyes at him.

"Yeah."

Chen Shu responded and pushed all the reasons onto Chen Banxia: "Chen Banxia has to go back to school to do research, and school is about to start."

"What time?"

"Nine o'clock, I guess."

"How are you going?"

"Take the flying car."

"Mm."

Chen Jiaoshou nodded, scooped another Dumpling into his mouth, and chewed: "I have to go to Yujing in a few days. I heard the National Historical Relics Bureau accidentally dug up a set of Shengzu's Autobiography, and it's been proven authentic. They've asked me to go over to organize and analyze it, and while I'm at it, I'll visit your school for an exchange and give a lecture."

"Oh my!" Chen Shu feigned Surprise, "Won't that delay you from watching the stock market, old man?"

"..."

"I'm telling you..."

Chen Shu stared at the news on the television: "Last year, there was a major breakthrough in Artificial Life Technology. Since everyone has no stocks to speculate on, they will definitely flood into this sector. Along with human semi-mechanical technology, bio-chips, and the like, everything is bound to rise. Why didn't you buy any?"

"I bought some."

"Did it go up?"

"It went up."

"How much did it go up?"

"The highest one quintupled."

"That much?"

"Mm..."

Chen Jiaoshou, however, wore a pained expression.

Seeing this, Chen Shu immediately asked: "How much did you buy?"

"Two thousand."

"Congratulations, congratulations..."

Chen Shu cupped his hands in a serious manner, but couldn't help but pull at the corners of his mouth.

It was eight-forty.

The siblings were ready to head out.

Wei Lvshi frowned, looking unhappy as she looked at Chen Shu: "Don't go doing those dangerous things in the future. Learn from your sister; how good would it be to settle down, find a job, and do research? You'd gain both fame and fortune, and it's safe."

"Ouch!"

Chen Shu looked at Chen Banxia: "It's rare for Teacher Chen to be praised; that's not easy!"

"Smack!"

He took a hit from his older sister.

He took another hit from his mother.

"I'm being serious with you!"

"Your mother is being serious with you!"

"Alright, alright, alright..."

Wei Lvshi looked at him with a skeptical gaze.

"Fine!"

Chen Shu straightened his attitude and said it again.

Yet, Wei Lvshi still looked at him with disbelief.

Chen Shu felt helpless and spread his hands: "How about I sign an agreement for you? A guarantee? Does it have legal effect?"

"..."

Wei Lvshi gave up on communicating with him and turned to look at Chen Banxia: "You aren't going to keep your brother in check? What kind of older sister are you?"

Chen Banxia's expression was numb as she stared at her without saying a word.

"Sigh..."

Wei Lvshi sighed, waved her hand, and said: "Get lost, get lost. I can't be bothered with you two. Just have some sense yourselves; if you die out there, so be it."

The siblings exchanged a glance, their eyes darting around.