Court Etiquette!

"One realm, three grades. Just entering the Qi Control Realm means you're at the lower grade of Qi Control."

Tang Fei eyed Phoenix with suspicion and asked, "With a cultivation level at the lower grade of Qi Control, why do you think you have enough ability to protect yourself? And why do you believe you can make those people leave and never return?"

The Qi Control Realm, also known as the second realm within the Mortal Realm.

"Where there is only yin, there is no growth; where there is only yang, there is no life." Thus, heaven and earth are matched with Yin Yang Qi. Everyone has Yin Yang Qi within their bodies, which we call 'Yin Qi' and 'Yang Qi'.

When Yin and Yang harmonize, it becomes 'Righteous Qi'. In some ancient wuxia novels, it is also referred to as 'True Qi'.

When you can use Cultivation Techniques to project the Yin Yang Qi within your body to injure enemies and manipulate it freely, you have reached what we call the 'Qi Control Realm'.

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei with a strange expression and asked again, "Do you truly not understand cultivation?"

"Do I look like someone who understands cultivation?" Tang Fei retorted.

Phoenix's exploratory gaze scrutinized Tang Fei for a while before abandoning her unrealistic conjecture.

As he had just said, it was already difficult for the young man on the ruins to survive, so where would he find the time and energy to cultivate?

Being able to perform a few Tai Chi moves and knowing a set of the 'Five Animal Frolics' or 'Nine Section Brocade' doesn't count as cultivation; that's just strengthening the body.

Cultivation is the complementary relationship between Cultivation Methods and Mind Methods, and it requires guidance from a renowned master to get started.

How could Tang Fei have Cultivation Methods and Mind Methods? And how could he possibly have a renowned master to guide him into it?

She thought of the dirty old man beside Tang Fei.

Forget it, forget it. No more thinking.

However, why did a guy who didn't understand cultivation and had never cultivated before react to her explanation of the lower grade of Qi Control with a dismissive, "Is that all?" disdainful look?

One must know that due to environmental changes and the scarcity of complete cultivation manuals, truly capable cultivators are exceedingly rare, one in ten thousand.

To have entered the Qi Control Realm at her age was even rarer, not an exaggeration to call her a 'genius'.

But from Tang Fei's expression and tone of voice, you could clearly sense an emotion that shouldn't exist: Is that it?

Phoenix felt insulted!

However, considering the current harsh survival environment, she decided to pretend she hadn't been insulted!

"Indeed, you don't look like it," Phoenix shook her head and said, "However, cultivators are very few, and extremely rare on the ruins. Isn't the lower grade of Qi Control enough to ensure your safety?"

"On the ruins, of course, there's no problem. But aren't those who are chasing us likely not ordinary people?" Tang Fei countered.

"I have a general understanding of their strength. If we can operate properly and make arrangements in advance, they won't gain any advantage even if they come," Phoenix said confidently.

At this moment, she had to be confident. She knew the smiling guy in front of her too well; if she showed even a hint of worry or fear, he might just abandon her in this wasteland.

Or demand more money!

"Of course, I don't deny that there will be some danger. This is also why I'm asking for your help. You know my situation, so now it's time for you to make a choice."

"Will you continue to complete our transaction? Or will you drive me out and let me fend for myself in this unfamiliar and dangerous place?"

Phoenix bit her lower lip and said pitifully, "I heard that those Predators and the Flame Society are capable of anything."

As a last resort, Phoenix resorted to the 'beauty trap'.

She used to despise such women, but now she understood herself.

Little Fatty, unable to bear it, tugged Tang Fei's arm and said, "Brother..."

Tang Fei interrupted Little Fatty, "Are you hungry again? Wait a moment, let me finish my business first."

Then Tang Fei's gaze shifted back to Phoenix's face, and he said in a deep voice, "We can take the risk, but it has to be worth our while. I know that in your eyes, human lives on the old earth are not worth much."

Phoenix opened her mouth to explain, but her lips moved, and she couldn't say anything.

Yes, on the New Star, these humans left behind on the old earth were called 'Refugees', 'Drifters', 'Lowlifes', 'The Abandoned', 'Exiles'.

Did any of those names carry even a shred of respect?

Tang Fei caught her subtle expressions, and his signature smile appeared on his face. He said, "But everyone can only come into this world once, and everyone has only one life. I want to sell our first and only time for a good price."

Tang Fei looked at Phoenix and finally revealed his trump card, saying, "On the premise of double the supplies, I want three passes to the New Star."

You mock me, and I'm very angry.

So, I want to join you and become one of you.

This way, how could you still call me a drifter or a lowlife?

Tang Fei's principle for dealing with the world was simple: if you can beat them, fight them; if you can't beat them, join them.

Dignity? Not relevant.

Besides, only on the New Star could one live with dignity.

At least, be able to live like a human.

Phoenix was dumbfounded, her eyes wide as she looked at Tang Fei, "Passes? Three?"

"Yes," Tang Fei nodded.

His expression was firm, his eyes resolute, not one less.

One for me, one for Little Fatty, and one for the old man.

Even though the old man treated them like beasts of burden every day, they were, after all, the only two family members he had in this world.

No matter what, he couldn't abandon him.

"Don't you know? New Star has limited resources and has long since closed the immigration channels from Old Earth."

In the past, New Star countries would offer certain rewards to outstanding talents from Old Earth or provide assistance to important figures, including offering them resident status on New Star.

However, with the energy shortage on New Star and the growing opposition to immigration, all New Star countries had closed their immigration channels.

"I don't know," Tang Fei shook his head.

"..."

"Tang Fei, I truly want to help you both," Phoenix said earnestly, looking at Tang Fei. "I really want to repay your life-saving grace. I know that if you hadn't helped me, I might already be dead."

"I also really like Little Fatty because I can feel that he is a very kind person and has spoken up for me time and again. People like him are rare on New Star."

"However, what you're asking is something I cannot do. I really can't agree to your request."

"You really can't do it?"

"I really can't."

Tang Fei waved his hand and said casually, "If you can't do it, then forget it. We're not unreasonable people."

"..."

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei with surprise. What kind of person was this guy?

What if she had agreed just now...

Tang Fei patted Little Fatty's shoulder and said, "Little Fatty, let's get to work. The escape pod landing here is too dangerous; it's easy to be seen. It would be troublesome if the Predators or those people seeking revenge found it."

"I know a cave. That cave is very hidden and big enough to fit it. You carry it and follow me."

"Got it," Little Fatty agreed.

Without needing any external force, not even needing Tang Fei and Phoenix to lend a hand, with just a 'huff,' he hoisted the escape pod, weighing a thousand pounds, onto his back.

"..."

Phoenix was shocked by what she saw.

This child possesses innate divine strength!

Then, she looked at Tang Fei with a resentful gaze.

Is this what you meant when you said your family was all old and young, with none of you able to lift a chicken?

Tang Fei, are you telling the truth at all?

Tang Fei didn't care what Phoenix was thinking. He strode forward, leading the way like a guide. Then, he arrived at a cave entrance concealed by dead branches and pointed to it, saying, "Little Fatty, carry the escape pod inside."

Little Fatty responded, bowed, and carried the massive object on his back into the cave.

After Little Fatty had properly stowed the escape pod, Tang Fei gathered some dead branches and leaves to cover the cave entrance securely. He also used the items on hand to set up a few small traps.

For a battle-hardened and experienced hunter, any object or terrain could become a tool for capturing prey.

Tang Fei was quite satisfied with his setup. Without a careful inspection, it would be difficult for outsiders to discover the cave.

"Let's go, back," Tang Fei said with a commanding air, waving his hand.

On the way home, Phoenix kept observing Tang Fei and Little Fatty thoughtfully.

Are all the people surviving on Old Earth like this? With the survival wisdom and practical skills they've displayed, they're not inferior even when compared to the regular army on New Star, although the New Star army has more sophisticated equipment.

If a group like this were armed, how terrifying would their combat power be?

Strong survival ability, fearless, and shameless.

"Brother, a rabbit," Little Fatty suddenly exclaimed, pointing to the grass ahead.

Before Little Fatty could finish speaking, Phoenix felt a blur before her eyes; Tang Fei's figure had already shot off in pursuit of a mutated rabbit, over a meter tall with blood-red eyes.

The rabbit ran fast, but Tang Fei ran even faster.

"This freak!" Phoenix secretly thought to herself.

She dared not make a sound, worried that doing so would provoke Tang Fei and Little Fatty.

While thinking this, she even put on a "Wow, he's amazing" fangirl expression.

A seemingly sincere smile and words of praise were her lifelong required courses.

Under the guise of "court etiquette."