When the players logged off and went home, it was just before seven in the morning in Hua Country. Sensing the presence of spiritual energy and cultivating on the spot, after running a full cycle of cultivation they found it was already half past eight.
Xun Qiushui’s grandfather, who was also the Second Elder, arrived at the hospital right at a quarter past nine.
The Elders’ decision to meet all the players was scheduled for later that afternoon. The Xiao Family also received an invitation, which essentially said: In response to the phenomenon of spiritual energy resurgence, a Special Affairs Bureau will be established—see you at the Capital City Conference Center in three days. If leave from work cannot be secured, the officials can help coordinate. For any questions, please contact the authorities directly.
After reading the invitation, Qin Jingzhou praised, “They really have some backbone.”
Ling Jing sat cuddling the baby, teaching the child to recognize characters while sending a voice message: “The players have been working hard, suffering through manual labor. Their spirits have become much tougher. At the first spiritual energy tide, they all had big reactions. Now the government has seen it with their own eyes. Of course they'll take it seriously.”
Qin Jingzhou was just about to reply when Old Master appeared in the small living room doorway, holding his phone. He asked, “The Second Elder wants to visit you a bit later. Will that be convenient?”
He nodded, “Of course he's welcome.”
When word got out that the Second Elder would be visiting, Eldest Brother Xiao made sure to come home early from work—spiritual energy resurgence had allowed him, with his younger brother’s help, to successfully draw energy into his body. He hadn’t even had time to celebrate, but he still went diligently to work. That morning, his brother, he, and Old Master had discussed how Xiao Group needed to transform. They had to invest in both immortal cultivation tech and conventional business; neither could be neglected.
His sister-in-law also skipped her academic conference and came back to the capital ahead of schedule.
The couple arrived home one after the other. That evening, all eleven members of the Xiao family sat down and finished dinner together. Qin Jingzhou checked each family member’s progress and gave them some targeted guidance. Right on time, the Second Elder arrived with his team.
Accompanying the Second Elder were Xun Qiushui, An Qi, two secretaries, and relevant department heads—a total of eleven people, not including security staff.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Second Elder, Qin Jingzhou got straight to the point.
There was a minor incident during introductions. An Qi was so excited she nearly started circling around Qin Jingzhou. “Principal Xiao! You’re even more handsome than you are...in the game!”
Everyone meeting Qin Jingzhou for the first time was struck by his appearance—stunned, in fact. They couldn’t help but wonder: Does cultivation make someone this dazzlingly attractive? Probably not.
Before Qin Jingzhou began the serious discussion, he asked the group to stand around him. He used prepared cinnabar and talisman paper to draw an “Insight Talisman” right on the spot. After folding it slightly, he placed the talisman in the Second Elder’s hand.
The moment the Second Elder accepted the Insight Talisman, his perception of the world shifted dramatically: Qin Jingzhou radiated such golden light that even his features were hard to make out, while everyone else had a faint golden aura around them—some more, some less. At their brows glimmered points of light of varying brightness, the most brilliant being Xun Qiushui and An Qi.
Qin Jingzhou explained calmly, “Once your Heavenly Eye is open and you’ve reached a certain realm, you can see these things. The aura around someone reflects their fortune and merit, while the brightness at the brow is related to innate talent. As the descendants of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, at most only ten percent of our Hua Country people are unable to cultivate at all. In truth, we’re the nation and people that benefit the most from this spiritual energy resurgence.”
The Second Elder smiled, saying nothing. He and his team were all waiting for the inevitable “but.”
Qin Jingzhou also smiled. “I believe the authorities are well equipped to handle the upheaval brought by spiritual energy resurgence.” He called to his daughter, “Wanwan, fetch a mirror.”
Wanwan dashed off and, less than a minute later, returned holding her own makeup mirror.
Qin Jingzhou signaled for his daughter to hand the mirror to the Second Elder.
The Second Elder took the mirror, glanced at his reflection, and couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m this dazzling too?” He gestured toward his brow, looking at his grandson. “Seems like I’m just a touch dimmer than you.”
Ling Jing, who had been trying to keep a low profile, suddenly spoke up. “Who do you think your grandson inherited his talent from?”
The Second Elder followed the voice—only to be dazzled by another burst of golden light, the features almost indistinguishable. So he asked, “Is she the same?”
Qin Jingzhou admitted readily, “She and I are the same. We’ve both recalled parts of our previous lives. However—” as everyone expected, his tone shifted—“The flip side of opportunity is always challenge. Ours is not the only planet in the universe to have produced civilization. When our planet had no spiritual energy, higher civilizations saw us as primitive beings that couldn’t leave their own home world and didn’t pay us any mind. But once spiritual energy resurges and we begin to cultivate, humans like us who can absorb and strengthen ourselves will—if not coveted—at least become tempting ‘fat meat’ in their eyes.”
A faint gasp swept through the spacious living room.
The Second Elder’s expression became grave. After pondering for a moment, he asked the essential question, “What stage must we reach, and how many people do we need to resist invasion by these high-level civilizations?”
“To be relatively secure, one needs the ability to cross the vacuum and freezing reaches of space by one’s own power—and to deal with unexpected situations. That’s around the Nascent Soul stage. By the time the most gifted people on our planet reach Nascent Soul, those high-level civilizations could well have already turned Earth into a breeding farm.”
The Second Elder continued, “And if you don’t intervene?”
Qin Jingzhou replied, “If I don’t intervene—” He paused, then continued, “Realm Invasion by high-level civilizations isn’t endless. If we can withstand three or four waves, each one more intense than the last, we’ll earn the right to join the family of high-level civilizations.”
The Second Elder thought a moment, then asked the question he cared most about. “What stage are you at?”
Qin Jingzhou answered forthrightly, “I can—with my girlfriend—” He looked at Ling Jing, and they exchanged a smile. “We can handle a high-level civilization incursion and even beat them bloody. But what about after I ascend? Your fate must always be in your own hands.”
This struck the Second Elder right in the heart. “So you started that...game-skinned cultivation school in another world?”
“Exactly. But it wasn’t without cost. Building that school took a lot of resources.” Qin Jingzhou leaned back in his chair. “I haven’t even started the basic curriculum yet. Once the students reach the right level, I’ll have them take mercenary jobs, using Zerg battles in the other world to gain experience and, incidentally, recover some of my losses.”
The Second Elder understood, and after a moment, even laughed. “Students won’t die there?”
“No one dies.” Qin Jingzhou gave an overview of the other world. “...all civilizations grow and thrive through internal strife as well as external threats.”
Leaving with a hundred Insight Talismans in hand, the Second Elder bid farewell. Qin Jingzhou reminded his family, “Get ready. I’m going to check your progress—it’s time to officially start the basic curriculum. I’ll teach you cultivation basics, Ms. Han will teach foundation-level talisman-making, pill refining, and artifact forging. Xuan Qing will teach martial arts. My school is strict about admission and graduation. If you fail the makeup exam after failing a subject, you’ll be advised to withdraw.”
Everyone tensed with anticipation.
Wanwan knew her father loved her. Even if her dad had become the greatest cultivator in the world, she wasn’t afraid to act spoiled. “Daddy, is it hard to learn?”
Qin Jingzhou laughed. “Well, to me, it’s very hard. But every player I’ve chosen is virtuous and talented. As long as you work hard enough, most of you should be able to pass.”
Wanwan pointed at herself. “Daddy, I know I’m not that gifted...”
Qin Jingzhou rubbed her head. “Daddy will keep giving you extra help until you pass.”
Wanwan hurriedly turned and grabbed her twin brother. “I told you! Daddy always shows favoritism to family!”
Xiao Jin ducked his head, slightly embarrassed.
The whole Xiao family burst into laughter—except that Xiao Jin’s smile was a bit forced.
Ling Jing sent a timely voice message. “Leave him to me. I’ll talk to him for a bit.”
Qin Jingzhou said, “Thanks. If this silly kid keeps bottling things up, when he hits Foundation Establishment, he’ll attract a Heart Demon.”
After chatting together a while longer, everyone went to their rooms, preparing to “enter the game” in their sleep. Suddenly, Ling Jing flashed behind Xiao Jin as he was leaving last, giving his shoulder a little pat.
Xiao Jin, lost in thought, nearly jumped out of his skin. Seeing it was his father’s girlfriend, he was quick to respond. “You have something to say to me?”
Ling Jing nodded gently. “You know what kind of person your father is. Do you really think he’d pressure you? You’re not as good at acting spoiled as your other-worldly brother or your twin sister, but as long as your requests are within his ability, he’ll meet them—as long as you speak up.” She didn’t wait for a response and just “vanished,” leaving boldly.
Xiao Jin stood where he was, reflecting for a while, the corners of his mouth curving slightly upward, then strode quickly back to his room.
If his father didn’t care about him, why would he ask his girlfriend to comfort him? He knew he wasn’t as likable as his other brother or his sister, but as long as his father had a place for him in his heart, he...felt no resentment or dissatisfaction.
Qin Jingzhou traveled to the other world, skillfully summoning the players. His gaze fell on Xiao Jin, standing in the front row—he did look a little better.
He gave the silly kid a smile, then addressed all the players. “Not bad. After a night, both sides of you have successfully drawn energy into your bodies. Give yourselves a round of applause.”
Laughter and applause rippled through the group.
Once things quieted down, Qin Jingzhou continued, “You’ve probably already heard that starting today, I’ll be teaching you some basic cultivation knowledge. But before we begin, I want to broaden your horizons.”
See what, exactly?
The greatest wonder of this world—of course, that would be the Zerg.
Xuan Qing drove his personal spirit vessel out from his basement, loaded with the players, who couldn’t stop exclaiming and craning their necks. They headed to the nearest Zerg Nest via a space folding point.
The players were temporarily housed in the cargo bay. Xun Qiushui, seeing how enthusiastic most of his companions were, said aloud, “My whole worldview... When I saw the Discipline Director switch freely between wolf and human form, I thought this had to be a xuanhuan world!”
An Jin’s eyes glazed a little, but her thoughts were crystal clear. “Don’t you remember the Principal said he’d teach us foundational knowledge? Is he really going to teach both cultivation and high-tech stuff at the same time?”
An Qi immediately replied, “Learning more can only be a good thing. But if we fail any subject...looks like we’ll get kicked from school and have our accounts deleted, right?”
The rest of the players: ...We’re doomed!