It'll Come Naturally

No wonder people called this bone-eroding poison.

The single bed was a little narrow. Daoist Wang could only lie on his side now, his chest pressed unobstructedly against the back of the beautiful woman in his arms.

Ling Tong had fallen deeply asleep.

A faint flush still lingered on her snowy white, crystalline skin, like a peeled grape at perfect ripeness. Her silky black hair lay scattered across the pillow, carrying an unusual sheen.

The mess here bore witness to the madness from earlier.

Although Ling Tong had modified her Mechanical Arm and Mechanical Spine, kept up with intensive training, and received further enhancement through Wang Jixuan's massage techniques, she still could not keep up with Daoist Wang's stamina.

Wang Jixuan gazed at Ling Tong's profile from such close range, savoring that sense of fulfillment.

This state of mind was actually quite subtle.

He closed his eyes, his fingers gently brushing across Ling Tong's shoulder, and his Dao Heart gradually calmed instead.

This was desire, the pleasure after desire had been fulfilled, and the fabled "sage mode" deep in his heart.

Desire should have been neutral by nature.

People recoiled at its mention because of secular rites and morality.

If people had no desires, how would they reproduce?

The Daoist gradually entered a wondrous state of enlightenment. Strands of light swirled around him, and the flames on the back of his hand came alive, flickering softly.

Before long, wisps of spiritual energy converged from every direction. They passed through the room's soundproofing equipment, through the simple barrier Wang Jixuan had previously arranged with mana, and flowed into the sea of qi within him.

Enlightenment had arrived so naturally.

An improvement in his Dao Realm had come completely without warning.

Ling Tong also gained some benefits in her sleep.

This dual cultivation session had involved no dual cultivation.

"Huh? The officer still hasn't shown up?"

In the workshop, Gao Huating looked toward Wang Jixuan's workstation—beside a certain Alchemy Furnace.

Beta and Wan Xiaoqi were playing video games there. Shaman, Bristle Bear, and Dragonfly Aunt were still out on missions, while Beta's assignment was to contribute hair follicles to the cultivation tank here.

Not far away, Uncle Tai slowly wandered over, rubbing his aching lower back as he muttered quietly.

"Young people, you know? It's understandable. At that stage, they must be all over each other."

"Dad," Wan Xiaoqi asked in confusion, "does your back hurt? Want me to rub it for you?"

"Ah, no, no," Uncle Tai said, waving his hand with a satisfied smile. "Play your game. I just strained my back while working. It'll be better soon."

Teacher Wang's pills really were the finest things in the world.

These past two days, Uncle Tai had felt as though he had returned to his youth. It was just that his old bones had not been put through that much in a long time, so they could not quite take it.

Gao Huating blinked and quietly asked, "I ran into Commander Dongfang Zhenghong earlier. He asked when Little Electric Sound Temple's recruitment event would begin. They've already made all the preparations and are just waiting for our officer to give the order... Should we go ask over there?"

Uncle Tai smiled. "Isn't your dorm right next door? You're the one who should be asking about this."

"Huh? The officer's in the dorm? I didn't see him."

Wu Man and Zheng Shiduo, who had been meditating in the corner while carving patterns into the wall, also paused their contemplation at those words.

Zheng Shiduo chuckled. "Anyway, Sister Ling Tong has been gone for two days too. We wouldn't dare ask, hahaha!"

Wu Man said, "Unless it's something truly important, like Blade Beasts or Psionicists attacking, we should not disturb sir. Think about it—sir hasn't rested in a long time."

"Exactly," Uncle Tai agreed wholeheartedly. "They say greater ability means greater responsibility, but someone who works as desperately as our Teacher Wang is rare indeed. He doesn't even sleep. Every day, aside from cultivation, he works on pills and weapons, and he still has to attend meetings and take part in major war zone affairs."

Everyone smiled.

Beta suddenly asked, "Did Teacher Wang and Officer Ling Tong go on their honeymoon?"

Wan Xiaoqi raised his hand and lightly knocked Beta on the head. "Don't ask nonsense. Our officer is very thin-skinned!"

As they chatted, Gao Huating seemed to spot something through the window. She hurriedly turned and waved her hands.

"Change the subject, quickly! The officer's coming!"

Everyone hurried back to their positions. Those facing the wall faced the wall, those doing research did research, and those playing games played games.

The Daoist, strolling with his hands clasped behind his back, revealed a faint smile.

His spiritual awareness had heard them long ago.

Fortunately, they had not teased him much... Then again, in the social climate of the fortress, this was not a big deal at all.

This was not some ordinary village where nothing ever happened all year. Here, they faced the threat of Blade Beasts every day.

As soon as the Daoist arrived on the first floor of the workshop, Peony, who had been waiting for some time, stepped forward to greet him and naturally followed behind Wang Jixuan.

"Officer, you still have at least sixteen hours left of your vacation. That SS-Class Psionicist from the Naturalist Faction should not have set out yet."

"How is the awakening level of the Pillar-Class Blade Beasts?"

"The Sixth Pillar has reached 65%. The Ninth Pillar is hovering around 45%."

Peony reported swiftly.

"Based on comparative data evaluations from psionic detection satellites, we discovered that a large number of Blade Beast Crystal Core signatures have disappeared near the Sixth Pillar.

"This indicates that the awakening of the Sixth Pillar-Class Blade Beast may consume the lives of ordinary Blade Beasts.

"The Commanders-in-Chief of the Nine Major War Zones have already held a meeting. Against humanity's mortal enemy, the Nine Major War Zones must gather all their forces.

"Taking this opportunity, the D3 Integrated War Zone pleaded with our Commander-in-Chief to call off the fighting on the Xingrui Plateau."

"Old Fu agreed?"

"The Commander-in-Chief has ordered the fighting paused," Peony said simply. "However, our troops have not fully withdrawn. They are still confronting a large number of Psionicists from the Psionic Capital."

Wang Jixuan nodded.

He entered the main workspace on the second floor, and everyone stood to greet him.

Sir, officer, Teacher Wang—these three forms of address echoed in turn.

The Daoist waved his hand and calmly walked to the corner where the battle puppet was stored. He opened its long case and carefully examined its condition.

Peony brought over a small tea table, upon which sat tea and an incense burner.

She had made these little items after studying Wang Jixuan's preferences.

"Officer, there are three matters you can directly participate in next.

"The Commander-in-Chief-level meeting in three hours. You are a specially invited expert, so attendance is not mandatory.

"The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner has recovered. She wants to speak with you. I previously refused her on the grounds that you were recovering from your injuries.

"Commander Dongfang Zhenghong is waiting for your order to begin selecting the second batch of Psionicists to train at Little Electric Sound Temple."

"You made this? Not bad."

Wang Jixuan sat cross-legged, picked up the incense burner, and toyed with it for a while before smiling.

"Have Commander Dongfang send me a list. I'll select thirty-two people first. Our classroom only has room for that many. Personal character is the most important factor. I will inspect the memories of every trainee who comes here.

"If Number Five wants to see me, let her come over anytime.

"As for that meeting, I won't attend unless necessary."

"Understood," Peony said, quickly recording the items.

Wang Jixuan suddenly turned to look at Peony.

Peony froze for a moment, then immediately lowered her head and shifted her gaze away. "Officer, is something wrong?" she asked quietly.

"Your spirit body seems a little abnormal," Wang Jixuan said. "Now that you can think for yourself, you must also learn to regulate your mental state. Don't let your emotions interfere with your judgment."

Peony blinked. "Understood, Officer. Although Peony doesn't understand what you mean."

Wang Jixuan laughed freely, then suddenly extended a finger and tapped Peony on the forehead.

Peony's spirit body drifted backward.

The people around them looked over at the sound. Aside from Gao Huating, none of them could see Peony's spirit body.

Wang Jixuan pointed at the neck of Peony's spirit body.

Peony's spirit body raised a hand to touch it and felt a faint sting. A slender, brilliantly colored thorn had appeared there.

With his back to her, Wang Jixuan said slowly.

"Your spirit body was born from my hand, so you are naturally my magic treasure. Do not become jealous, and never succumb to envy. Many spirit bodies are destroyed by these two tribulations."

Peony lowered her head, pursed her lips, and sighed softly, looking as though she had suffered a great injustice.

Watching from the side, Gao Huating pondered for a moment before suddenly realizing something.

Peony said quietly, "Officer, Peony has disappointed you... I'm sorry. I don't know why either..."

Wang Jixuan said softly, "I forgot to tell you before. If one day I can break through the void, you will go with me as well. You are my magic treasure, one with my True Heart. Do not entertain such thoughts, and do not imitate the human heart. You are neither human, ghost, god, nor monster."

"Huh?" Peony froze.

Wang Jixuan said nothing more.

Peony's spirit body stood there for a moment. The thorn at her neck burst apart with a pop, and the corners of her lips slowly curved upward. She voluntarily slipped back into her Mech, then obediently knelt down to one side.

Peony asked quietly, "Then should I call you Master?"

"Officer is fine," Wang Jixuan said, transferring his mind to the battle puppet.

The battle puppet spoke. "Continue arranging for crystal cores to be shattered. The battle puppet's strength needs to recover as quickly as possible."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Peony got up and ran off. As she left, she even hummed Gao Huating's new song.

Gao Huating watched Wang Jixuan's retreating figure and silently sighed in admiration.

She had actually been struggling these past few days over whether to tell the officer about Peony's abnormality. She and Peony were quite close, and reporting her would have felt like betraying that friendship.

Who would have thought?

The officer understood everything as clearly as a mirror.

But what did breaking through the void and leaving together mean?

Gao Huating thought carefully, and those three words echoed in her heart once more.

Immortal cultivator.

Peony's prediction was extremely accurate.

Sixteen hours later, an Underground Shuttle slowly decelerated and stopped outside Fortress No. 76's radar detection range.

This place was still more than two hundred kilometers from Fortress No. 76.

It was even closer to several other fortresses.

There was no helping it. They had to stop.

If they continued underground, they would soon be identified as enemies. Swarms of underground drones and vast numbers of Mechs would descend upon them.

Although Dragonfly Aunt and her teacher would not be afraid, they still had to consider the consequences.

Dragonfly Aunt turned to the elderly woman behind her with a bitter smile and sighed. "We'll have to walk part of the way."

"Alright." The old woman's expression was somewhat weary.

She gently raised a hand, and both their figures became faint and insubstantial. They drifted to the surface as though nothing could obstruct them, landing atop a sand dune.

The desert was somewhat cold at night.

The elderly woman tightened the shawl around herself and asked warmly, "Xiaomai, where is the fortress you mentioned?"

"In this direction, two hundred and thirty kilometers away."

"Oh." The old woman smiled bitterly. "Are we supposed to fly there directly? We need to stay hidden. We cannot let the Six Elders catch us by the handle."

Dragonfly Aunt pondered for a few moments. "But Teacher, they've deployed many detection devices underground. The only way to approach Fortress 76 now is to make a low-altitude dash."

"Then we'll listen to you... Hmm?"

This kind-looking old grandmother looked in a direction within the darkness.

She suddenly smiled. "No need to rush around. I can sense a powerful pressure approaching."

Mai Qingting looked into the distance and activated her ability. Barely, she caught sight of a transport Supply Vehicle suspended beneath a heavy drone.

The elderly woman murmured, "It's the pressure of a Spiritual Practitioner... Not just one... But it also feels somewhat strange..."

The Supply Vehicle descended from the air. A green glow enveloped the several-ton all-terrain vehicle, allowing it to land steadily before the two women.

The side door of the Supply Vehicle opened. Daoist Wang stood there with a smile and cupped his fists toward the elderly woman.

"Wang Zheng, Black Storm."

The elderly woman copied his gesture and cupped her fists as well, smiling warmly. "This etiquette is quite novel... Hello, great and mysterious Mr. Black Storm. You may call me by my name. I am He Qiongxue."

"Teacher He, Sister Mai, please come in."

By calling her Sister Mai, Wang Jixuan gave Dragonfly Aunt plenty of respect.

He stepped aside, revealing the spacious interior of the Supply Vehicle, along with two figures grilling food inside.

Who else could that burly mechanical strongman be but Fu Jian?

And the Blonde Loli eagerly waiting in front of Fu Jian for grilled King-Class Blade Beast meat was naturally the Fifth Spiritual Practitioner.

Peony was in the driver's cabin, serving as their dedicated driver.

Fu Jian spoke in his booming voice. "Long time no see."

"The Commander-in-Chief's life condition has indeed recovered."

He Qiongxue entered the Supply Vehicle with elegant manners, while Mai Qingting consciously took the front passenger seat.

The Supply Vehicle drove smoothly, circling around the area.

Fu Jian briefly introduced He Qiongxue.

The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner merely glanced at the elderly human woman who was an SS-Class Psionicist. She did not greet her and acted as though she did not exist.

He Qiongxue had no issue with that. She said warmly.

"Fifth Spiritual Practitioner's condition is quite good as well.

"On the way here, Xiaomai kept praising how extraordinary Black Storm was. At first, I thought there might have been some exaggeration, but it seems miracles truly do exist in this world.

"A miracle capable of saving Human Civilization from the abyss of darkness."

Wang Jixuan: ...

Why did this little sister from the He family praise people in exactly the same tone as Zhang Huanying?

Wang Jixuan had no intention of making small talk and went straight to the point.

"Let's speak plainly. It wasn't easy for everyone to meet this time, so I'll ask two rather pointed questions first."

"Please ask."

"First."

Wang Jixuan's gaze sharpened.

"How can I trust the Naturalist Faction?

"Second, if my intelligence is correct, every Psionicist in the Psionic Capital is a spirit slave of the First, Second, and Third Spiritual Practitioners.

"If those three old fossils gave an order, would you obey without question? And if you wanted to resist, how would you do it?"

The atmosphere inside the Supply Vehicle stiffened slightly.

The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner also grew interested.

He glanced at the SS-Class Psionicist from the Naturalist Faction, who was frowning in thought.