Palace Etiquette!

"Each realm has three grades. Having just entered the Qi Control Realm means you're at the lower grade of Qi Control."

Tang Fei eyed Phoenix suspiciously and asked, "You're only at the lower grade of the Qi Control Realm. What makes you think you have enough ability to protect yourself? And what makes you think you can ensure those people never return?"

The Qi Control Realm was the second realm within the Mortal Realm.

A lone Yin could not grow, and a solitary Yang could not be born; thus heaven and earth were paired with Yin Yang Qi. Every person possessed Yin Yang Qi within their body—the Yin Qi and Yang Qi we spoke of.

When Yin and Yang harmonized, they became Righteous Qi. In some ancient martial arts novels, it was also called True Qi.

Once you could use Cultivation Techniques to release the Yin Yang Qi within your body and wound enemies from afar, controlling it freely, you had reached what we called the Qi Control Realm.

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei strangely and asked again, "Do you truly know nothing about cultivation?"

"Do I look like someone who understands cultivation?" Tang Fei asked in return.

Phoenix's probing gaze carefully examined Tang Fei for a while before she abandoned that unrealistic guess.

Just as he had said, for a young man on the ruins, simply surviving was already difficult. Where would he find the time or energy to cultivate?

Knowing a few Taiji moves or practicing a set of Five Animal Frolics and Nine Section Brocade did not count as cultivation. That only strengthened the body.

Cultivation required Cultivation Techniques and a Mind Method to complement one another, and one needed a renowned master to guide them into the discipline.

How could Tang Fei possess Cultivation Techniques or a Mind Method? And how could he possibly have a renowned master to guide him?

She thought of the filthy Old Man beside Tang Fei.

Forget it. Better not think about it.

But why did a man who knew nothing about cultivation and had never cultivated before look so disdainful, as though her lower-grade Qi Control Realm was nothing special?

One had to know that due to changes in the natural environment and the loss of secret manuals and rare copies, those capable of cultivation were exceedingly scarce—one in ten thousand.

For someone her age to have already entered the Qi Control Realm was even rarer in the world. Calling her a genius would not be an exaggeration.

Yet from Tang Fei's expression and the tone of his voice, she could clearly sense an emotion that should not have existed: That's it?

Phoenix felt insulted!

But considering how harsh their current living conditions were, Phoenix decided to pretend she did not know she had been insulted!

"You really don't," Phoenix said, shaking her head. "But cultivators are exceedingly rare, and even rarer on the ruins. Isn't the lower grade of the Qi Control Realm enough to keep oneself safe?"

"On the ruins, naturally it is. But the people chasing you probably aren't weaklings, are they?" Tang Fei asked.

"I more or less understand their strength. If we handle things properly and make arrangements in advance, they won't get any advantage even if they come," Phoenix said confidently.

She had to be confident at a time like this. She knew the smiling man before her too well. If she showed even the slightest worry or fear, he might abandon her on this wilderness.

Or demand more payment!

"Of course, I won't deny that there will be some danger. That is why I asked for your help. You all know my situation now, so it is time for you to make a choice."

"Will you continue our deal? Or will you drive me out and leave me to fend for myself in this dangerous, unfamiliar place?"

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

With no other choice, Phoenix even resorted to the beauty tactic.

She had once looked down on women like that. Now, she understood them.

Little Fatty could not bear it any longer. He tugged Tang Fei's arm and said, "Brother—"

Tang Fei cut him off. "Hungry again? Wait a moment. Let me finish the important business first."

Then Tang Fei turned back to Phoenix and said in a deep voice, "We can take the risk, but you need to make us feel it's worth it. I know that, to people like you, lives on Old Earth are extremely cheap."

Phoenix opened her mouth to explain, but her lips moved and no words came out.

Yes, on New Star, the humans left behind on Old Earth were called "Refugees," "Drifters," "lowlifes," "The Abandoned," and "Exiles."

Which of those names carried even the slightest hint of respect?

Tang Fei took in every flicker of her expression. His trademark half-smile appeared on his face as he said, "But every person only comes into this world once, and everyone only has one life. I want to sell our first and only chance for a good price."

Tang Fei looked at Phoenix and finally revealed his bottom line. "On top of double the supplies, I want three passes to New Star."

You mock me, and I get angry.

So I'll join you and become one of you.

Then would you still have the nerve to call me a Drifter or a Low-life?

Tang Fei's principle for dealing with the world was simple: if he could beat them, he fought; if he could not beat them, he joined them.

Dignity? It did not exist.

Besides, only by reaching New Star could they live with dignity.

At the very least, they could live like human beings.

Phoenix was dumbfounded. She stared wide-eyed at Tang Fei and said, "Passes? Three?"

"Yes." Tang Fei nodded.

His expression was resolute, his gaze firm, as though not a single pass could be missing.

One for him, one for Little Fatty, and one for the Old Man.

Although the Old Man treated the two of them like beasts of burden all day long, he was still one of Tang Fei's only two relatives in this world.

No matter what, he could not abandon him.

"Don't you know? New Star's resources are limited. Immigration channels from Old Earth were closed long ago."

In the past, New Star's various nations had offered certain rewards to outstanding talents from Old Earth, or to Refugees who had aided important figures, including New Star residency.

However, as energy on New Star grew scarce and more and more people opposed the wave of immigration, every nation on New Star closed its immigration channels.

"I didn't know." Tang Fei shook his head.

"..."

"Tang Fei, I truly am willing to help you," Phoenix said seriously, looking at him. "I want to repay you for saving my life. I know that if you had not helped me, I might already be dead."

"I also like Little Fatty very much, because I can tell he is a very kind person. Again and again, he has spoken up for me. People like him are rare even on New Star."

"But what you are asking for is something I cannot do. I truly cannot agree to this request."

"You really can't do it?"

"I really can't."

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

"..."

Phoenix stared at Tang Fei in astonishment. What kind of person was this guy?

What if she had agreed just now?

Tang Fei patted Little Fatty on the shoulder. "Little Fatty, time to work. It's too dangerous for the Escape Pod to be sitting here. It'll be easy for people to spot it. If the Predators or those people chasing her see it, we'll be in trouble."

"I know of a cave. It's well hidden and large enough to fit it. Carry it and follow me."

"Alright." Little Fatty answered.

He did not need any help, nor did he need Tang Fei or Phoenix to lend a hand. With a single grunt, he hoisted the thousand-pound Escape Pod onto his back.

"..."

Phoenix was stunned by the sight before her.

This kid possessed innate divine strength.

Then she looked resentfully at Tang Fei.

So this was what you meant when you said your family consisted of an old man and a child, all too weak to even truss a chicken?

Tang Fei, was there even a single truthful sentence in your mouth?

Tang Fei did not care what Phoenix was thinking. He strode ahead, leading the way like a guide. When they reached a cave concealed by dead branches, he pointed at it and said, "Little Fatty, carry the Escape Pod inside."

Little Fatty responded and bent over as he carried the massive object inside.

After Little Fatty had settled the Escape Pod, Tang Fei found some dead branches and leaves to thoroughly cover the entrance. He also used what he had on hand to set several small traps.

For a battle-hardened and experienced hunter, anything and any terrain could become a tool for catching prey.

Tang Fei was quite satisfied with his arrangement. Unless someone inspected the area carefully, it would be difficult to discover that there was a cave here.

"Let's go back." Tang Fei waved grandly, carrying himself like a leader.

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

Could everyone surviving on Old Earth be like this? Judging by the survival wisdom and fighting ability they displayed, they were no less capable than New Star's Regular Army. New Star's military simply had better equipment.

If a group like this were armed, what a terrifying fighting force would they become?

They had formidable survival skills, feared no death, and had no shame.

"Brother, rabbit!" Little Fatty suddenly pointed at the grass ahead and shouted.

Before Little Fatty's voice had even faded, Phoenix saw a blur. Tang Fei had already dashed after the Mutant Rabbit, which stood over a meter tall with blood-red eyes.

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

What a freak! Phoenix secretly thought.

She did not dare make a sound, afraid it would provoke Tang Fei and Little Fatty's dislike.

Even as she thought that, her face wore the adoring expression of a fangirl: Wow, he's amazing.

A seemingly sincere smile and words of praise were compulsory lessons she had learned since childhood.

They were elegantly called: palace etiquette.