An ordinary young girl was going to enter the Cultivation Grand Competition, with only two months to prepare. Looking across all of Bangkok, that decision was downright explosive.
Seeing this stunning little beauty march off to her death—and for the sake of her useless master, no less—Ji Congliang could not understand it, but he still warned her:
"Miss Yu Ye, you must understand that the disciples sent by each faction to the Cultivation Grand Competition are basically senior brothers and sisters who entered the path years before you and me. Among them are plenty of experts at the upper levels of the Foundation Establishment Realm, even the lower levels of the Core Formation Realm."
Foundation Solidification, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Golden Core, Nascent Soul. A Foundation Solidification Realm cultivator going up against someone at the lower levels of the Core Formation Realm in two months—this joke had gone too far.
Lei Qiong raised a hand to stop Ji Congliang and looked at Yu Ye with a face full of approval. "Did you hear that? Do you still dare to participate?"
There was not the slightest trace of fear on Yu Ye's face. "This disciple knows there will definitely be a gap between us, but losing a fight and surrendering are two different things."
Hearing those bold words, Ji Qinglin felt a little puzzled as well.
Was she provoked today? This little one hadn't seemed like such an active person yesterday. Never mind whether she had other intentions—at least this round of arguing on my behalf with reason had worked quite well. Who would have thought she truly had her master in her heart?
Lei Qiong, on the other hand, was deeply moved by her words.
Seeing her master about to have his territory taken back, this disciple, who had not even begun cultivating, stepped forward to argue with reason. She was even willing to use the Cultivation Grand Competition, where she had absolutely no chance of winning, as a bargaining chip to fight for an opportunity for her master.
Lei Qiong had fought his way up from his youth to build his current fortune. Now that he was middle-aged, he had even more feelings to reflect upon. Seeing Yu Ye's bearing today truly touched him.
No matter when it was, the growth of young people was always so dazzling that one could hardly look directly at it.
Lei Qiong laughed heartily. "Good! Very good!"
Ji Qinglin could not quite grasp Lei Qiong's intentions, so he stood and apologized.
"President, my disciple spoke out of turn. Please do not take offense."
"How could I? I truly appreciate this child."
As he spoke, Lei Qiong poured himself a cup and drained it in one gulp, then let out a long sigh.
"When people grow old, even their towering ambitions are worn down. Qinglin, you know I hate that sort of organizational manipulation the most. Before I called you here today, I could never figure out what had been making me uncomfortable. Your disciple's words have pointed it out for me. She's right. This is what Xin Dong Street should look like. There's no need for any manipulation—we should settle it head-on at the Cultivation Grand Competition."
Yu Ye bowed in thanks. "Thank you, President, for granting this."
Ji Congliang beside them still wanted to dissuade him. "President, but what if she loses?"
"So what if she loses? If she loses, she comes back and cultivates some more. Is there anyone in this world who never loses? As long as every disciple of Xin Dong Street has such spirit, what does a temporary victory or defeat matter?"
Ji Qinglin promptly flattered him.
"President, what insight!"
"If you need anything in terms of cultivation, the Chamber of Commerce or I can provide support."
Yu Ye said excitedly, "Thank you, President."
"Yu Ye, have you eaten? Sit and join us?"
"President, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
"Sit. There are not so many rules here. I'm happy today too. Come, Congliang."
Ji Congliang behind Lei Qiong brightened at once, but before he could sit down, Lei Qiong continued:
"Pour Yu Ye some wine."
"???"
The three clinked their glasses, looking like a family of three reunited with their household servant. Afraid that Ji Qinglin lacked experience in teaching disciples, Lei Qiong kept giving Yu Ye pointers on her upcoming cultivation.
Yu Ye put on the air of someone who had never seen the world and carefully listened to the president's guidance.
Ji Qinglin did not expect Yu Ye to achieve any ranking, but the Chamber of Commerce's support would allow her to install the precious cultivation modules she needed next with almost no expense.
But thinking of Yu Ye officially beginning her cultivation, Ji Qinglin knew that his time to search for cultivation methods was becoming increasingly urgent.
Even as they were leaving, Lei Qiong patted Ji Qinglin on the shoulder.
"Qinglin, you've taken in a good disciple."
Just as master and disciple finished expressing their thanks and were about to leave, a red-clad youth of seventeen or eighteen ran in. He wore a red leather jacket, goggles atop his permed hair, and carried himself like a rebellious, unruly Ghost Fire Youth. Yet when he saw Ji Qinglin, he greeted him warmly.
"Hey! Brother Qinglin! Why are you here?"
"Zheng Hao, we were just talking about you. Where did you run off to play this time?"
The Lei Zhenghao before them was President Lei Qiong's youngest son. Previously, in order to try out some tricks involving the reproduction of different species with several women in the Virtual Space, he had bought a neural server for a virtual species platform.
In the end, whether due to product quality problems or someone setting him up, the server overloaded after they connected to it, leaving several of them unable to regain consciousness. Ordinary people did not dare repair it either, fearing that cutting the power directly would turn them into vegetables. They could only find a way to shut the thing down.
Fortunately, Ji Qinglin had ultimately used his phone password protection ability to temporarily stop the server, saving them.
The Lei Family felt deeply indebted to Ji Qinglin and had maintained friendly relations with him ever since.
"I was out racing cars with some friends. And this beautiful lady is? Sister-in-law Qinglin?"
"Don't talk nonsense. She's my disciple."
"Oh, oh, oh, she's still your disciple for now."
"You brat!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Brother Qinglin, my mistake, my mistake!"
Lei Qiong called out to Lei Zhenghao. "No sense of propriety. You run around everywhere all day long—can't you pay more attention to the Chamber of Commerce?"
"You're still so fit and strong, so I'm not worried about that. Besides, isn't my sister around?"
"Hmph, you have no ambition at all!"
"Haven't you heard? Ambitious rich second-generation heirs squander the family fortune the fastest."
That evening, after leaving Thunderclap Manor, master and disciple had walked two streets before Ji Qinglin deliberately said in a mocking tone, "Good disciple, cultivate diligently. In the future, your master and the Coal Boss will be depending entirely on you."
Yu Ye chuckled. "We're no longer in front of President Lei, yet you're still pretending, Master. With that move you made last night, this disciple probably couldn't learn it even in ten years."
"You can make every decision concerning our General Store now. Isn't your master just waiting to retire?"
Crazy Night: Your master is petty.
"Master, don't be angry! I only spoke too quickly because I wanted to help us keep our General Store."
Ji Qinglin suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Yu Ye. "Oh? Was it for the General Store, or for your own cultivation?"
Yu Ye had originally prepared a whole set of explanations, but when her normally smiling master suddenly questioned her seriously face-to-face, his star-like eyes fixed directly on her, she actually failed to answer in time. Her pretty face reddened with anxiety. "Cultivation... cultivation is also for the General Store, isn't it?"
This little one really does have plans of her own, Ji Qinglin thought, but he did not press further and said coldly:
"A master can only lead you to the gate; cultivation depends on the individual. Do as you please."
With that, he walked on by himself.
Yu Ye: He really is angry? "Master, with this disciple's aptitude, after installing the Grade A Meridians set, what ranking do you think I could attain in the Cultivation Grand Competition?"
"However many participants there are, that will be your ranking."
"Master, surely you're joking?"
Ji Qinglin turned back, his expression grave.
"Joking? Have you seen people who completely abandoned their fleshly bodies to install Mechanical Prosthetics? Have you seen people who used nanotechnology to revive even after being smashed to pieces? Have you seen someone refine their soul until a single glance could paralyze your prosthetic body? Installing meridians only lays the foundation; it does not mean you possess great strength. That does not even include combat experience and intelligence gathering. You haven't even begun cultivating, yet you dared sign up for a grand competition on the Dao. Aren't you afraid you'll spill your blood across the venue when the time comes?"
Hearing this, and recalling that the only condition her master had mentioned was keeping her as his disciple, Yu Ye understood Ji Qinglin's concern and care for her. She lowered her head, stuck out her tongue, and said pitifully, "This disciple knows her mistake."
You call that knowing your mistake? But thinking that this little one had indeed stood up for him, Ji Qinglin softened again. "Forget it. At least your courage is commendable. Your master will arrange matters concerning the Cultivation Grand Competition, but remember: do not act like this again in the future."
"Yes."
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