Respect Every Soul

"HuaiMin, was there anything else found with this? Or perhaps something like an instruction manual for it?"

"No. According to the inventory records, they were all collected from Garbage Collectors, and they've been around for quite a while."

Ji Qinglin swayed a nearly full box of black powder, all kinds of possibilities running through his mind: healing medicinal powder? Pills reduced to dregs? Poison used in demonic cultivation? It couldn't possibly be hand-ground coffee, could it? And this glass box had no lid at all—not even an opening.

Could something this sealed be some kind of hourglass-like keepsake?

"HuaiMin, I'll take this. How much?"

"Thirty Red Coins."

The best thing about doing business with robots was peace of mind. They only kept a fixed margin of profit and would not fleece you just because you were a regular customer or a fat catch.

"Fine. If you find anything with a mark similar to this in the future, contact me immediately. The price is negotiable."

"No problem."

"By the way, I wanted to ask about two techniques. Do you know Yin Yang Polarization Hand and Layered Shadow Soul Chasing Step?"

Zhang HuaiMin froze for a moment, then replied mechanically:

"Both are high-end techniques not sold to the public. They are special patents independently developed by corporate giants, limited to use within small circles. Even piracy is impossible. Those who can use these two moves are either powerful and wealthy figures, or Qi Practitioners specially supplied by corporate giants."

So Qian Feng really had not lied to him. These were truly not techniques ordinary people could learn. She really seemed to be some company supervisor. Tsk, what a pity. If he had known, he would have extorted another sum from her back then.

After putting away the glass box, Ji Qinglin followed the broker's custom and asked, "I haven't been to North New District in a while, HuaiMin. Has there been any new development or major news in the black market lately?"

"Oh? You don't know? I thought you had come for this as well. Rumor has it that Immortal Remains have appeared in North New District."

"Immortal Remains? North New District? Is that real?"

Ji Qinglin, as a broker, had naturally heard the legends of cultivator immortals waging war against technological civilization, as well as the tale that collecting Immortal Remains could lead one to immortality. But every era had its urban legends, so it was nothing particularly strange.

"It is said that someone stole the Immortal Remains secretly stored by the chairman of West Chang District and brought them to North New District to fence them. But they are only rumors. No one has seen the actual item yet. Yet because of that, many people have come to North New District to try their luck."

Even if such a thing truly worked, who could possibly gather a complete set? Besides, once someone was discovered hoarding Immortal Remains, they would soon become a target for all. By then, they would be sent on their way far faster than they could ascend to immortality.

As they chatted, Yu Ye emerged from the aisle, a test report in her hand and confusion written all over her face. "Master, I can't understand it."

"You weren't supposed to understand it. It's for them."

As he spoke, he handed the code-filled report to Zhang HuaiMin. Zhang HuaiMin picked it up, read it carefully from beginning to end, and let out a very mechanical sound of confusion.

"HuaiMin, how was it? Boy or girl?"

"Master!"

"Your disciple possesses exceptional bones and sinews, with extraordinary talent in cultivation. In addition, her physical flexibility and soul awareness strength are particularly outstanding. I will recommend several Technique Software options better suited to her."

After Zhang HuaiMin finished speaking, the empty counter opened once more. A metal board lined with little objects resembling USB drives slid directly onto the table. They were all Technique Storage Devices.

As Zhang HuaiMin selected them, he explained, "Ladder Cloud Leap is too slow, so add Intercept Cloud Step. Let me see... Heart Piercing Leg is everywhere; use Treading Snow to Seek Plum Blossoms instead. Oh, right, you don't have any long-range methods yet, do you? The power contained in your meridians is currently insufficient, so use Vein Sealing Seal for long-range attacks first. Its power is not strong, but its strength lies in catching enemies off guard. If you use all these properly, your strength will basically reach the level of a mid-to-upper Foundation Establishment Realm Qi Practitioner. Only then can you improve further, though it will likely take quite some time."

Yu Ye listened intently to Zhang HuaiMin's introduction, considering the order in which she would practice them after returning.

Seeing this, Ji Qinglin inwardly cursed his own carelessness. He had originally planned to learn whatever techniques Yu Ye practiced himself, but one look showed that they were all techniques inclined toward women. So he asked:

"HuaiMin, do you have anything more mighty and imposing?"

"I do, but they are not particularly suitable for your disciple to practice."

"They're not for my disciple, but she should know them too. It would help to understand male Qi Practitioners' techniques in advance, so she can break them if she encounters them."

"What you say makes sense, but adding those would make the price rather expensive."

"That's fine. Put it on the Chamber of Commerce's tab anyway. Consider it your brother helping you boost your performance."

At Ji Qinglin's suggestion, Zhang HuaiMin selected several more high-level techniques suitable for male practitioners.

Crazy Night: Well, damn. Wind Thunder Step, Baji Collapse, Inch Power Pulse Strike. Is he trying to beat you to death?

Yu Ye: Master always has his own plans.

It was Ji Qinglin's first time buying advanced techniques, and he was buying so many at once. Thus, when he heard Zhang HuaiMin quote the total price, he was still startled. He thought the world had changed for the worse—robots had become crafty too.

Just as Master and disciple were preparing to leave, Zhang HuaiMin called out to Yu Ye again:

"Brother Ji, in accordance with cultivation privacy requirements, I would like to speak with your disciple alone for a few words regarding female Qi Practitioners' bodily care based on the test results just now. Would it be convenient for you to give us some space?"

Ji Qinglin knew Zhang HuaiMin well and did not think much of it. He headed down the stairs first.

"Sure. I'll wait downstairs."

In the blink of an eye, only Yu Ye and Zhang HuaiMin remained in the shop. Zhang HuaiMin did not respond to Yu Ye's puzzled almond eyes. Instead, he pulled another Technique Storage Device from the table and handed it to her, leaving Yu Ye even more baffled.

"What is this?"

"This is the Profound Soul Technique. Through cultivation, it allows any soul to gradually form its own illusory body. Although the body cannot completely leave the original body and cannot cause much harm to physical objects, it can directly affect data streams and signal streams. In the later stages, the soul body can even partially materialize. It is a Soul Cultivation technique."

Yu Ye's willow brows drew together. She lightly bit her lower lip, took two cautious steps back, and said:

"Master HuaiMin, what do you mean by that?"

Zhang HuaiMin spoke bluntly. "There is more than one you inside your body, and we intelligent machines respect every soul."

Yu Ye froze at those words, then let out a long breath. She bowed deeply to Zhang HuaiMin and explained:

"The one inside me asked me to thank you."

After speaking, she picked up the Profound Soul Technique's Technique Storage Device and added, "Please do not tell my Master. I will make up the cost of this Technique Storage Device to you."

"Customer privacy is something I naturally will not tell others about. Besides, you need not pay. I have already included it in the price for that batch."

Yu Ye looked at this robot, who appeared somewhat unkempt and spoke mechanically, yet was truly more understanding than most people. Suddenly, she understood what Master had said when he brought her here. As she was leaving, she turned back and said, "Thank you, Master HuaiMin. This time, I am the one thanking you."

Zhang HuaiMin felt as though he had merely done what he ought to do. After smiling and seeing Yu Ye off, he lay back down in that metal recliner.