Fiber-Optic Bodhi Tree, Website Bright Mirror Platform

Early the next morning, Yu Ye demonstrated the basic cultivation techniques she had learned for Ji Qinglin. They were nothing more than foundational martial arts such as Bagua Palm, Heart Piercing Leg, and Ladder Cloud Leap.

Yet with the combination of an advanced Meridian Set and technique software, one could reach in a short time what ordinary people would need decades of bitter training to achieve.

"Not bad. You're already quite proficient."

Ji Qinglin could not use them himself, but he had seen plenty of low-level Qi Practitioners from the merchant association use them, so he knew how to judge.

As he spoke, he used Divine Sense Observation to record Yu Ye's techniques. These simple moves were not worth wasting data on for demonstrations, but recording, analyzing, and breaking them down would help him understand the meridians.

Besides, the president had promised to support Yu Ye's cultivation. The merchant association could afford to buy her some advanced techniques, and when the time came, he could scan them and learn alongside her.

"Master, what technique should your disciple cultivate next?"

Yu Ye knew perfectly well that relying on these basic techniques alone, she would struggle even to qualify for the Cultivation Grand Competition.

"I'll take you somewhere. You'll definitely find the one best suited for you there."

Hearing that, Yu Ye took the motorcycle helmet and keys from the table herself. Clearly, she wanted to test the power of the new bike first.

Master and disciple put on black trench coats, leather jackets, and helmets, looking rather like a pair of urban wanderers.

Night Owl shot out of the alley, its tremendous thrust forcing Ji Qinglin, seated behind her, to wrap an arm around Yu Ye's slender waist.

Yu Ye's body visibly twitched the instant he touched her, but she said nothing. Yet as vehicles, corners, and intersections appeared ahead, Night Owl stopped and turned, and Ji Qinglin's hand, trying to maintain his balance, occasionally slipped astray.

When they suddenly accelerated through an intersection, Ji Qinglin's hands accidentally slid lower. Realizing the feel was wrong, he immediately moved them back to her waist, but he still heard a muffled groan from inside Yu Ye's helmet.

Crazy Night: So this was why you wanted to be the driver? To personally experience the weaknesses of a newly learned human body?

Yu Ye: I didn't do it on purpose! Under Ji Qinglin's guidance, Yu Ye rode to North New District. There were far more intelligent machines on the streets here than around Xin Dong Street. At last, Night Owl stopped before a rather old-looking supermarket.

Most people on the street had mechanical limbs exposed. It was impossible to tell whether they were people who had completely abandoned their fleshly bodies or intelligent machines that had gained self-awareness. Having just come from Xin Dong Street, Yu Ye felt as if she had entered another world.

"Master, there are so many robots here."

"After all, North New District is the area most accepting of machinery. These machines may look cold and lifeless, but many of them are actually easier to deal with than people."

Yu Ye turned around and saw a massive stone monument standing in the middle of the road opposite the supermarket. A few lines were carved upon it in strokes of iron and hooks of silver: Fiber-Optic Bodhi Tree, Website Bright Mirror Platform.

I was never a living being—where could dust cling? "Master, what is that?"

"They say it was written by the earliest robot to gain self-awareness. It represents the awakening of self-consciousness."

"Intelligent machines are developing so quickly. Aren't people afraid they'll rule humanity?"

"Even now, there are only so many registered intelligent machines with self-awareness. Though their machine consciousness can be passed down through generations, it is still very difficult to create new intelligent machines with self-awareness. Forget ruling anyone—this peaceful coexistence is already quite good. Just think of them as friends of another race."

Yu Ye followed her Master into the supermarket. Stalls selling all kinds of mechanical parts occupied the center, while larger shops lined the perimeter.

Ji Qinglin led Yu Ye straight toward a small shop on the right, whose sign bore the slogan: "A prosthetic passed down three generations—you'll be gone, but it'll still be here."

The moment they reached the entrance, the camera identified them. A smiling meme face appeared on the display by the door, followed by the enthusiastic voice of a rough-looking man. "Yo, Brother Ji, it's been quite a while since you last came by."

Other than a reception desk and a simple counter, the shop contained only a metal recliner behind the counter. Lying on it was a burly, imposing man with a balding hairstyle and a beer belly.

The man was extremely warm toward Ji Qinglin, smiling as he rose to greet him, though his voice sounded somewhat mechanical.

"Brother Ji, what are you looking for this time? I've saved quite a few Old Era antique trinkets for you."

"Thanks, HuaiMin. No rush this time. First, give my disciple an examination and see which techniques are most suitable for her cultivation."

"You've taken on a disciple? Congratulations, congratulations. Let me make a few preparations. We can begin the examination in two minutes."

As he spoke, the shelves behind him split apart like doors, and the burly man walked directly inside.

Yu Ye quietly asked, "Master, what should I call this uncle? Why does his voice sound so strange?"

"His name is Zhang HuaiMin. His voice sounds strange because he's a robot. His appearance is just a silicone skin suit he made for himself. Sometimes he tries different shells too. The last time I came, he was dressed as a wealthy matron."

"This shop doesn't feel any different from one run by humans. It's just a little small."

"In reality, there's a large warehouse connected behind this storefront. It holds plenty of secondhand goods and Old Era relics. He's also one of my longtime business partners. Besides, the Spirit Root testing system here is extremely accurate. It can provide the best cultivation plan based on the user's constitution."

As they spoke, the counter and shelves split apart to either side, forming a passage. Zhang HuaiMin came out and called to her.

"Miss, please lie down on the bed inside. The results should be ready in about ten minutes."

While Yu Ye went for the examination, Ji Qinglin called Zhang HuaiMin aside again.

"HuaiMin, the usual. I'd like to buy some more Old Era relics."

"That's easy enough, but Old Era items are a mixed bag. You don't have any specific requirements or clues, so every time I can only pick out a random assortment for you."

Ji Qinglin understood this well. The reason Zhang HuaiMin had never found anything useful for him before was because he had no clues. But this time was different. He took out several restored original images of mobile phone instruction manuals and handed them to Zhang HuaiMin.

"Help me see if there are any Old Era relics related to this symbol."

Zhang HuaiMin accepted them and examined them closely without saying a word, but Ji Qinglin knew he was scanning and searching.

After waiting another five minutes or so, Zhang HuaiMin finally said slowly, "I only found one item related to the pattern above."

Sure enough, once one step opened the way, every step thereafter opened the way. Ji Qinglin grew slightly excited.

"One is fine! Bring it out and let me see!"

After Zhang HuaiMin entered a string of codes, a conveyor belt delivered the item directly to the counter.

It was a black box somewhat larger than a tea tin. At first, Ji Qinglin thought it was a metal box, but when he held it, he discovered that it was actually made of tempered glass. It was packed full of black powder, and at the bottom of the box he indeed found a symbol similar to the one on the phone. The four characters "Eternal Dao Heart" were marked there as well.

Ji Qinglin wanted to open it and see what was inside, only to discover that the box had no opening or lid at all. It was completely sealed.

Thank you for reading and supporting! _(:з"∠)_ A reader offered revision suggestions for four sentences in this chapter. After considering them, I made the changes, but unfortunately, that reader's suggestions were automatically deleted afterward. I'd like to thank that reader here—heart gesture.