This wasn’t Feng Ting’s first interaction with A’Diao. Initial suspicion had given way to dispelled suspicion, and then later… he quickly determined that this person was young and intelligent, but highly guarded, even to the point of being cunning.
“What belongs to you, for example, when we government officers kill Demonic Spirits, although the corpses are shared with the government office at a certain ratio, the majority belongs to us internally, distributed according to labor. If you citizens kill any, the corpses belong entirely to you, no need to share with the government office—at least, that’s how it is in our Qishan County, and according to the laws of the Initial Era.”
As for whether government offices in other places could be so fair, he didn’t know.
After all, whether it was the Initial Era or the current revival, both were periods of chaos. If some benefits weren’t offered, the imperial court couldn’t control the combat personnel; after all, the opportunity cost for the latter to rise up was far higher than before.
Feng Ting’s words eased A’Diao’s worries. True, if he wanted to secretly take the Spirit Core, he could have simply not reported the Fuqiu creature in the cellar.
But if word got out that she had killed a Fuqiu creature, would it expose the fact that she might possess a Spiritual Vessel? Although she was certain the toilet’s attack carried no aura of Spiritual Energy, and she herself had no spiritual power, she couldn’t guard against some people letting their imaginations run wild with greed and suspecting her.
“Then, will this matter become known? You know, my Master owes a lot of money, and now those people are in jail because of me. I’m afraid the people from the gambling den will find out I have money and come asking me for it.”
What “repaying debts is only natural and right”? To hell with that.
If it were normal debts, she might have considered shouldering some for the Old Daoist Priest, but now… forget it.
A’Diao’s haggling was, in a way, also a test for Feng Ting.
“No, your identity information will be kept confidential, recorded only in our internal system. And if someone could access your information from this system, they wouldn’t be interested in your small amount of money.”
After a pause, just as A’Diao breathed a sigh of relief, Feng Ting suddenly added, “Unless someone is after something else…”
His tone was very casual.
But A’Diao knew what he was implying. It showed he had his suspicions but no intention of pursuing them, and it was also a reminder to her that there would definitely be people interested, and it was up to her how she handled it.
Was this man so upright and honorable?
A’Diao wasn’t entirely convinced, but she wouldn’t be so foolish as to test him further. To put it bluntly, he was far stronger than her. At this point, stillness was better than movement, so she remained silent.
“Spiritual Energy has revived, and Spirit Gates are appearing all over the country. If Demonic Spirits also emerge from these Spirit Gates, it would be a catastrophe for the common people.”
As he spoke, he asked gravely, “Little girl, you’re still in school, right?”
A’Diao didn’t understand why his topic changed so quickly, but she answered honestly, “Yes, school is about to start.”
“Then you’ll probably be delayed.”
A’Diao looked at her left leg, swollen like an elephant’s, and said dejectedly, “I don’t want to take leave.”
“No, I’m not talking about your injury. The revival of Spiritual Energy has too great an impact, and it seems different from the situation in the Initial Era. Your education system… is very likely to undergo changes.”
“Ah? What changes?” A’Diao was once again taken aback.
Feng Ting was a government official, backed by the imperial court, so he might have inside information, but he was being secretive and unwilling to say more.
A’Diao didn’t dare to probe or use her Mental Energy on him. After all, he was a powerful figure to her; she could barely protect herself, how would she dare to act recklessly? She could only change the subject and ask about the Spirit Gate under the large banyan tree.
“It can now be confirmed that the Spiritual Energy revival of this era is different from the Initial Era. There are two types of Spirit Gates. One is purely safe. The other is what you saw last night, called an Earth Cave, with Demonic Spirits dwelling below, climbing out to wreak havoc. Last night, all the government officers in our county town, over a hundred of them, gathered to excavate the Earth Cave gate and have already wiped out the Fuqiu creature nest below. However, that area is now also under government control.”
A’Diao’s eyes lit up. “That’s amazing! How many Fuqiu creatures were there in total? Can the Spirit Gate of the Earth Cave still be used? Now that it’s under government control, Big Brother, you can use it too, right?”
The little girl was indeed sharp, always able to grasp the key points.
“Ninety-eight. The Spirit Gate can be used, and I naturally can use it too.” The Chief answered all questions briefly, probably in a hurry. After speaking, he intended to leave, not mentioning the education reform again.
A’Diao could only let her curiosity hang, but she vaguely felt that he bore her some goodwill.
He might suspect she had a Spiritual Vessel, yet he reminded her about her studies… that was, to some extent, a form of care.
Of course, the main reason was that she had been rescued under the banyan tree without a Spiritual Vessel on her. He either knew the prerequisite conditions for absorbing a Spiritual Vessel, like the Jiang Family’s technician, or he believed she didn’t have one.
If it was the former, it meant this Spiritual Vessel was either the weakest dreg, or she possessed a very strong Forbidden Master bloodline.
He wouldn’t stoop so low for the former, and he had no need to offend the latter.
Considering all this, with Feng Ting’s self-control, he had no intention of acting against her.
Moreover, the banyan tree Spirit Gate was under government control, and as Chief, he would naturally benefit, so there was no need for him to be so shortsighted.
A’Diao’s eyes flickered, and she proactively said that she didn’t want the Fuqiu creature that belonged to her; she would give it to the government office.
Feng Ting was somewhat surprised. “So generous? If you sold it on the black market, you could get several hundred Star Coins.”
Several hundred Star Coins? That much? The black market was a place that bought low and sold high.
“Forget it. A place like the black market, once I go in, who knows if I’ll be selling the Fuqiu creature or myself? I can’t guarantee my identity will be safe, and I might even be followed and robbed. If I keep it, I think its value is probably just the toxins or residual Spiritual Energy that can be extracted. But I don’t have that kind of technology. It’s better to give it to the government office.”
This girl wasn’t old, but her thinking was meticulous and clear.
Feng Ting thanked her. “I’ll go back and have the finance department expedite the processing so you can get your reward as soon as possible. After all, your financial situation is very tight.”
Very good, Big Brother, you get it. That’s exactly what I want!
After Feng Ting left, A’Diao picked up her phone and started searching for information.
Sure enough, Earth Caves releasing Demonic Spirits, thereby causing massive casualties… such incidents were not unique to Qishan County.
It was like this all over the world.
This was different from the descent of Spiritual Energy in the Initial Era, and it made many who thought the revival of Spiritual Energy was a god-given opportunity fall silent in fear.
Were there still people who thought the revival of Spiritual Energy was a good thing?
Yes, those who controlled Spirit Gates and Spiritual Vessels. A’Diao was certain that these people would ultimately welcome this change in the world because their own benefits far outweighed the detriments to others.
Just like her… deep down, she probably felt a despicable sense of relief, right? At least she had survived.
Those who stir the winds and clouds of the era, opportunists of real-world change.
The commotion outside had nothing to do with A’Diao. She had originally thought about not wasting the rent money, but she hadn’t expected that because the toxin removal would take time, she would have to stay in the hospital for a full five days. Setting aside other things, although she had moved to a cleaner and brighter place to live, she also had to bear the medical expenses… Medical expenses were much more expensive than rent.
Watching the medical bills rise every day, A’Diao felt her lifespan continuously shrinking.
Fortunately, on the third day, the government’s reward was distributed: fifteen thousand Star Coins.
A’Diao was very surprised. She asked the female government officer who came to confirm the reward notification, and the latter smiled, “There’s an additional five thousand Star Coins as a reward for you promptly reporting to us. This time, we really owe you a lot.”
Presumably, these government officers had also gained considerable benefits, but A’Diao didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask too much. In any case, the extra five thousand Star Coins were definitely an unexpected joy for her.
Not long after the female officer left, other visitors arrived.
Strange, her situation wasn’t widely known, not even by her classmates and teachers… Who could it be?
It was actually the landlady. The latter was not at all reserved, bringing her husband directly, carrying a large fruit basket and a large red envelope for a transfer. Of course, there was also her luggage left at the courtyard house.
No nonsense, straight to the point: thanks for saving their lives.
“Thanks to your reminder, I immediately woke up your uncle. After we both shouted, we quickly hid in the cellar. Only later did we find out that a monster had crawled out from next door.”
“Hey, don’t refuse the money. We’re all honest people, no pretenses. You need money, but you’re righteous; I, your sister, can see that. Just accept what’s given to you—this time the Spirit Gate belongs to the banyan tree, and that banyan tree is ours. After the government requisitioned it, they gave us a sum of money, just enough to vacate the courtyard house for those government officers to live in, making it convenient for them to absorb Spiritual Energy.”
Presumably, this sum of money was enormous, otherwise the couple wouldn’t be so pleased. A’Diao, while verbally demurring, quickly opened her payment QR code for the landlady, her voice full of curiosity, “Don’t you feel it’s a pity? That’s a Spirit Gate.”
The landlady greatly admired A’Diao’s straightforwardness, raising an eyebrow. “A Spirit Gate, who wouldn’t want one? But that thing can’t be moved, it just sits there, and it’s next to other people’s houses. Which common folk can protect it? My son is studying in Jinling. He reminded me yesterday to quickly sign the government’s requisition agreement, take the benefits, and move to Jinling to live with him. He said many people in other places couldn’t protect their Spirit Gates and ended up losing their lives. Luckily, ours was requisitioned by the government, otherwise… Hey, our government is still quite reliable. Although Qishan is a poor place, the officials here are truly beyond reproach.”
From the swift and responsible actions of the Chief and the government officers to the government’s promptness in giving rewards, A’Diao deeply agreed.
Fortunately, this family was full of sensible people. They decisively became a “demolition household,” absolutely not a “nail household” that could easily be wiped out.
After the transfer notification dinged and the landlady and her husband left, A’Diao couldn’t help but marvel at how wealthy “demolition households” truly were.
They had given her twenty thousand Star Coins.
Awesome!
After settling and prepaying all of this medical treatment’s expenses, she still had 32,000 Star Coins left in her account. It was enough for her to finish university, live in a very good place, eat delicious food, buy whatever books she wanted, and she wouldn’t have to dig sweet potatoes or make paper effigies anymore.
Rich overnight, hehehe!
However, after the excitement, A’Diao silently transferred 30,000 Star Coins to an account and sent a message.
—“I don’t trust you anymore, but I’m still giving you the money. Consider it a test: if you spend it instead of repaying debts, then this money is to repay you for raising me all these years and saving me when I was a dying, sickly child. We owe each other nothing. If you use it to repay debts, are willing to come back and turn over a new leaf, I can let bygones be bygones and still consider you my Master. Forget about providing for your old age, but I can arrange your funeral in the future.”
After sending the text message, she waited for a long time. No message came back, and even the transfer wasn’t confirmed by the other party.
What happened, did the old man die?
A teardrop fell on the screen, but she quickly wiped it away with her sleeve.
As if it had never existed.
During these few days in the hospital, the class group chat was flooded with messages every day. Many people were @ing A’Diao, cursing her for being so deranged as to post such a video in the group. However, a few individuals, knowing that it was the old Daoist temple where she lived, gloated and asked where she would live next, and so on.
From temporarily reading a few people’s Mental Energy last night, to others seeing it and providing her with more Mental Energy later in the morning, there must have been quite a lot. A’Diao occasionally glanced at the group’s content, only to check for any changes regarding teaching reforms. She completely ignored some people’s @s, spending more time reading books.
These books were all ordered online. They were neither related to the content of the college entrance exams of these years, nor to her schoolwork, but rather some books promoted by the imperial court during the Initial Era.
She had pondered the Chief’s meaning—the revival of Spiritual Energy was different from the Initial Era, with the added threat of Earth Caves. The world was no longer a peaceful era, so martial strength was of utmost importance. But beyond that, the demand for knowledge had certainly changed as well. It wouldn’t just be those basic subjects; many knowledge systems regarding Spiritual Energy cultivation of the Initial Era, Demonic Spirits, and even war knowledge, which liberal arts students would never have touched in the past, would likely be added.
She still didn’t know how things would change in the future, but buying and reading early, being prepared, would definitely not be a disadvantage.
On the day of her discharge from the hospital, A’Diao had originally planned to drag her suitcase to school to report, but as soon as she reached the school gate, she saw a crowd of parents and students blocking it completely.
Before she could ask about the situation, Zhao Min pulled her away. He chattered on, quickly explaining things.
“School’s not starting?!! Subject restructuring, re-admission for academic programs?” Even though A’Diao had suspected there would be changes, she hadn’t imagined they would be this drastic.
“Yeah, if it were just adding courses, that would be one thing, but they’re even reorganizing student registration. Doesn’t this mean everyone’s student status is revoked and they have to be re-admitted? I don’t get it, is it necessary? It’s not like we’re Demonic Spirits,” Zhao Min relayed the information, then grumbled full of complaints.
The matter of the Demonic Spirits’ reappearance had already spread throughout the country, and Zhao Min was aware of it too.
“Perhaps they need to test aptitude, restructure learning methods, and then re-admit talent.”
Once A’Diao said this, Zhao Min was stunned.
Aptitude, what aptitude?
I can’t even pass the original subjects!
The first and second-year high school students were relatively okay, but the parents of third-year students were going mad, wishing they could flatten the school. The principal was almost beaten to death. Fortunately, government officers arrived to maintain order, allowing the principal to keep his life. He raised a hand to press down on his already sparse Mediterranean hairstyle, which was almost plucked bald, and solemnly announced the imperial court’s decree.
There was a lot of content, but there were two core points.
1. Everyone could still study, just that the content they studied would be more, and the academic focus would shift. As for what content had shifted, that would depend on the announcement on the day of enrollment.
2. The college entrance exam could still be taken, and questions would be set at discretion or appropriately. As for re-enrollment, it would be arranged according to individual aptitude, using established methods, so there was no need to worry excessively.
Was this something a human would say? Who wouldn’t worry excessively?
The college entrance exam is their future; our child’s future is our whole family’s future!
If not for the government officers watching, these parents truly wouldn’t have let it go. But they also knew that it was like this all over the country, and even in other kingdoms. It was an imperial decree, and no one could defy it. Undoubtedly, however, everything revolved around two words—Spiritual Energy.
At the school gate, the parents hadn’t dispersed yet; they were just pulling teachers aside to ask for details. Even Zhao Min was pulled over by his parents.
They had to get clear information before planning their next step; their child’s future could not be trifled with.
A’Diao, who was all alone, didn’t have such worries, so she went directly to register her information and make an appointment for the next official enrollment.
The teacher in charge of registration was originally familiar with A’Diao. He smiled and chatted for a couple of sentences, then, based on the name and other information she provided, accessed the household registration information system distributed by the imperial court for verification.
The system, you know, you input the ID number and name, and a bunch of information pops up. Suddenly, the teacher’s expression became grave, and he checked it several times consecutively.
His strange expression made even A’Diao notice. “Teacher, is there a problem?”
“Hmm… your household registration isn’t from our Qishan County?”
“Uh, I guess not.” A’Diao wasn’t quite sure. She had been in this place since she was very young, her memory was somewhat hazy, and she had never thought to extricate herself from this situation. So, upon hearing “household registration,” her first reaction was: the Old Daoist Priest didn’t transfer my household registration here?
“Indeed, you’re not. The household registration information here states that you are registered in Jinling City. You’re from the provincial capital, Xiao Diao.”
From a village girl to a resident of the provincial capital, all in one step. But A’Diao vaguely felt that this might not be a good thing.
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