Meeting Nature

No wonder people say this is a bone-corroding poison.

The single bed was a bit narrow, and Daoist could only lie on his side at the moment, his chest pressed against the beautiful woman in his arms without any obstruction.

Ling Tong had fallen into a deep sleep.

Her fair, crystal-clear skin still held a faint blush, like a peeled, ripe grape. Her black, silky hair was spread across the pillow, possessing a unique luster.

The mess here was a testament to the recent frenzy.

Although Ling Tong had undergone modifications to her Mechanical Arm and Mechanical Spine, and had been undergoing rigorous training, even receiving massages from Wang Jixuan to improve her condition, she ultimately couldn't keep up with Daoist Wang's stamina.

Wang Jixuan gazed at Ling Tong's profile from such close proximity, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

This state of mind was actually quite subtle.

He closed his eyes, his fingers gently tracing Ling Tong's shoulder, and his Dao Heart gradually grew peaceful.

This was desire, the pleasure after desire is satisfied, and the legendary 'Sage Mode' that now filled his heart.

Desire should be neutral.

People fear it because of worldly customs and ethics.

If humans had no desires, how could they procreate?

Daoist gradually fell into a wondrous state of enlightenment. Wisps of light swirled around him, and the flames on the back of his hand came alive, flickering gently.

Before long, strands of Spiritual Energy converged from all directions, passing through the room's soundproofing, through the simple barrier Wang Jixuan had previously set up with Magic Power, and flowed into his Qi Sea.

Enlightenment appeared so naturally.

His advancement in the Dao realm was an unexpected encounter.

Ling Tong also benefited in her sleep.

This was not dual cultivation this time.

"Huh? Has the Commander not shown up yet?"

In the studio, Gao Huating looked at Wang Jixuan's workstation – in front of a certain Alchemy furnace.

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

Not far away, Uncle Tai rubbed his old back and ambled over slowly, muttering softly:

"Young people, you have to understand. At this stage, they're bound to be quite... intimate."

"Dad," Wan Xiaoqi asked curiously, "does your back hurt? Let me give it a rub!"

"Ah, it's nothing, nothing," Uncle Tai waved his hand, a hint of satisfied smile on his lips. "You keep playing. I just pulled my back while working, it'll be fine soon."

Ah, Teacher Wang's pills are truly the finest wonders in the world.

Uncle Tai had felt as if he had returned to his youth these past two days, but his body, unused to such exertion for so long, was struggling a bit.

Gao Huating blinked and asked softly, "I just ran into Commander Dongfang Zhenghong. The Commander asked when the Little Electric Sound Temple's recruitment drive would start. They're ready and just waiting for our Commander's order... Should we go ask over there?"

Uncle Tai chuckled, "Isn't your dorm right next door? You're the one who should go ask about this."

"Huh? Is the Commander in the dorm? I didn't see him."

Wu Man and Zheng Shiduo, who were meditating in a corner, drawing patterns on the wall, also stopped their comprehension upon hearing this.

Zheng Shiduo chuckled, "Anyway, Sister Ling Tong has been missing for two days, so we don't dare to ask, hahahaha!"

Wu Man said, "Unless it's something very important, like Blade Beasts or Psionicists attacking, we shouldn't disturb the Master. Everyone should think carefully, the Master hasn't rested in a long time."

"That's right," Uncle Tai agreed wholeheartedly. "Although it's said that with great power comes great responsibility, it's truly rare to see someone as dedicated as our Teacher Wang. He doesn't even sleep. Every day, besides cultivation, he's busy with these pills, weapons, and attending meetings about important matters in the war zone."

They all chuckled.

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

Wan Xiaoqi raised her hand and lightly tapped Beta's forehead. "Don't ask nonsense, our Commander is very shy!"

As they were chatting, Gao Huating seemed to see something. She glanced out the window, then quickly turned her head and waved.

"Change the subject, quickly change the subject! The Commander is coming!"

Everyone quickly returned to their positions, facing the wall, doing research, or playing games.

Daoist, walking with his hands behind his back, showed a faint smile.

His Spiritual Sense had already heard them.

Fortunately, they hadn't teased him too much... That made sense, though. In the social atmosphere of the fortress, such things weren't a big deal.

This wasn't an ordinary village where nothing new happened year-round. Here, they faced the threat of Blade Beasts every day.

As Daoist arrived on the first floor of the studio, Peony, who had been waiting, stepped forward to greet him and naturally fell into step behind Wang Jixuan.

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

"What's the awakening status of the Pillar-Class Blade Beasts?"

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

Peony quickly reported:

"After evaluating the data from the psionic detection satellite, we found that near the Sixth Pillar, a large number of Blade Beast Crystal Core reactions have disappeared.

"This suggests that the awakening of the Pillar-Class Blade Beast might consume the life force of ordinary blade beasts.

"The commanders-in-chief of the nine major integrated war zones have already convened. Facing this mortal enemy of humanity, the nine war zones must gather all their strength.

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, the D3 Integrated War Zone pleaded with our Commander-in-Chief to cease the conflict in the Starry Plateau."

"Old Fu agreed?"

"The Commander-in-Chief has already ordered a halt to the fighting," Peony said simply, "but our troops have not fully withdrawn. We are in a standoff with a large number of psionicists from the Psionic Capital."

Wang Jixuan nodded.

He stepped into the main space of the second-floor studio, and everyone rose to greet him.

"Sir," "Commander," "Teacher Wang" – these three titles echoed in turn.

Daoist Wang waved his hand and calmly walked to the corner where the war puppets were stored. He opened the long cases for the war puppets and carefully observed their condition.

Peony brought over a small tea table, on which were placed tea and an incense burner.

This was a small decorative item she had made after studying Wang Jixuan's preferences.

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

"A meeting of the Commanders-in-Chief will be held in three hours. You are an invited expert, not a mandatory task.

"The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner has recovered. She wishes to speak with you; I previously refused her request, citing that you were in seclusion for healing.

"Commander Dongfang Zhenghong is waiting for your orders to begin selecting the second batch of psionicists to be trained at the Little Electric Sound Temple."

"Did you make this? It's quite good."

Wang Jixuan sat down cross-legged, picked up the incense burner, and played with it for a while, laughing.

"Have Commander Dongfang send me a list. I'll select thirty-two people first. Our classroom has limited space, and personal character is the most important. I will inspect the memories of every trainee who comes here.

"If the Fifth wants to see me, she can come anytime.

"I won't attend this meeting unless absolutely necessary."

"Understood," Peony quickly made notes of the items.

Wang Jixuan suddenly turned his head to look at Peony.

Peony was startled and immediately lowered her head, averting her gaze, and asked softly, "Commander, is something wrong?"

"Your spirit body seems a bit unusual," Wang Jixuan said. "Now that you can think for yourself, you also need to learn to control your emotions and not let your state of mind interfere with your judgment."

Peony blinked. "Understood, Commander. Although I don't quite understand what you mean."

Wang Jixuan smiled nonchalantly and suddenly extended a finger, tapping it on Peony's forehead.

Peony's spirit body floated backward.

Everyone around looked over, but apart from Gao Huating, no one could see Peony's spirit body.

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

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

Wang Jixuan, with his back to her, said slowly:

"Your spirit body was born from my hand; it is my magic treasure. Do not be envious, and absolutely do not be jealous. Spirit bodies are often destroyed by these two tribulations."

Peony lowered her head and pursed her lips, sighing as if greatly wronged.

Gao Huating watched from the side, deep in thought, suddenly enlightened.

Peony whispered, "Commander, I've disappointed you... I'm sorry, I don't know why..."

Wang Jixuan said softly, "I forgot to tell you earlier, if I can break through the void in the future, you will also leave with me. You are my magic treasure, one with my true heart. Think nothing else, do not imitate humans. You are not human, ghost, god, or monster."

"Huh?" Peony was taken aback.

Wang Jixuan said no more.

Peony's spirit body stood for a moment, the thorn on its neck suddenly shattered with a ping, and the corners of her mouth slowly curved upwards. She voluntarily returned to her mechanical body and knelt obediently to the side.

Peony whispered, "Then should I call you Master?"

"Just call me Commander," Wang Jixuan's mind shifted to the war puppet area.

The war puppet spoke, "Continue arranging for the crystal cores to be shattered. The power of the war puppets still needs to be restored quickly."

"Ah, I'll go right away."

Peony got up and ran off, humming Gao Huating's new song as she left.

Gao Huating watched Wang Jixuan's retreating back, silently admiring him.

She had actually been struggling these past few days, wondering whether or not to tell the Commander about Peony's abnormality. She and Peony had a good relationship, and reporting on her would be a betrayal of that friendship.

Who would have thought;

The Commander knew everything as clearly as if it were in the palm of his hand.

But what did it mean to break through the void and go together?

Gao Huating pondered carefully, and the three words echoed in her heart again.

Cultivators.

Peony's prediction was very accurate.

Sixteen hours later, an underground shuttle slowly decelerated and stopped outside the radar detection range of Fortress No. 76.

It was still more than two hundred kilometers away from Fortress No. 76;

In fact, it was even closer to other fortresses.

There was no other way, they had to stop;

Continuing to travel underground, they would soon be identified as enemies, and the underground drone swarm and large numbers of mechs would swarm them.

Although Dragonfly Aunt and her teacher would not be afraid, they still had to pay attention to the impact.

Dragonfly Aunt turned to the old woman behind her and gave a wry smile, sighing, "We have to walk for a while."

"Okay," the old woman's expression was a little tired.

She gently raised her hand, and their figures simultaneously became somewhat ethereal, floating to the surface without any obstruction, standing on a sand dune.

The desert was a bit cold in the dark night.

The old woman tightened the shawl around her, and asked gently, "Komugi, where is the fortress you mentioned?"

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

"Oh," the old woman smiled wryly, "Are we going to fly directly there? We need to be discreet and not give the Six Elders any leverage."

Dragonfly Aunt pondered for a few moments: "But Teacher, they have placed many detection devices underground. The only way to approach Fortress 76 now is a low-altitude rush."

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

The kind-faced old grandmother looked in a certain direction in the night.

She suddenly smiled: "No need to rush, I feel a powerful pressure approaching."

Mai Qingting looked into the distance and used her ability, barely seeing a supply vehicle hanging under a heavy drone.

The old woman murmured, "It's the pressure of a spiritual practitioner... not just one... but it's a bit strange..."

The supply vehicle fell from mid-air, and a green light enveloped the several-ton all-terrain vehicle, allowing it to land smoothly in front of the two.

The side door of the supply vehicle opened, and Daoist Wang stood there with a smile, cupping his fists towards the old woman.

"Wang Zheng, Black Storm."

The old woman cupped her fists in a similar manner, smiling gently, "This etiquette is so strange... Hello, Mr. Great and Mysterious Black Storm, you can just call me by my name, I'm He Qiongxue."

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

Wang Jixuan's use of "Sister Mai" gave Dragonfly Aunt a lot of face.

He stepped aside, revealing the spacious interior of the supply vehicle, and two figures who were barbecuing.

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

The blonde loli, who was eagerly waiting for roasted King-Class Blade Beast meat in front of Fu Jian, was naturally the Fifth Spiritual Practitioner.

Peony was acting as the exclusive driver in the cockpit.

Fu Jian said in a buzzing voice, "Long time no see."

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

He Qiongxue entered the supply vehicle with elegant manners, while Mai Qingting consciously went to the front passenger seat.

The supply vehicle moved smoothly, circling around the vicinity.

Fu Jian briefly introduced He Qiongxue.

The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner merely glanced at the SS-Class elderly human female and didn't greet her at all, acting as if she didn't exist.

He Qiongxue had no objections to this, and said gently:

"The condition of the Fifth Spiritual Practitioner is also quite good.

"On the way here, Komugi kept praising how magical Black Storm was. Originally, I thought it was an exaggeration, but I didn't expect that miracles truly exist in this world.

"A miracle that can save human civilization from the dark abyss."

Wang Jixuan: ...

Why did this little sister He's way of praising people sound exactly like that Zhang Huanying?

Wang Jixuan didn't plan to make small talk and got straight to the point:

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

"Please ask."

"First."

Wang Jixuan's gaze sharpened:

"How can I trust the Naturalist Faction?

"Second, if my intelligence is correct, all the psionicists in the Psionic Capital are spirit slaves to the First, Second, and Third Spiritual Practitioners.

"If those three old geezers give an order, will you follow it completely? If you need to resist, how will you resist?"

The atmosphere inside the supply vehicle became a little stiff.

The Fifth Spiritual Practitioner also became interested, glancing at the SS-Class Psionicist of the Naturalist Faction who was frowning in thought.