4: family

"What do you mean by 'should'?" Yang Yi was also confused. Either you have it, or you don't. What does 'should' even mean?

"Anyway, the benefits are in hand." Chu Yuan couldn't be bothered to think too much about it; it was free stuff anyway. He popped a qi and blood pill and a bone-strengthening pill into his mouth and continued to Cultivate.

In an instant, he entered a state of focus. A special kind of energy in the air was pulled into his body, making him feel incredibly refreshed. No wonder in the web novels he read in his past life, Cultivators would go into seclusion for hundreds or thousands of years. It was so comfortable, who would want to stop?

The short but incredibly important day finally ended. Around six in the evening, Chu Yuan finished his day of Cultivation and headed home.

He didn't start as an orphan in this world; he had a family! His mother, Han Cui, and a younger sister five years his junior, Chu Ying. As for his father... he had sacrificed himself in a war against an alien race ten years ago.

But the family was not in dire straits. Since his father had sacrificed himself for Great Qin, the authorities provided a monthly stipend. Besides that, Han Cui ran a small restaurant, and business was quite good. Even if Chu Yuan and Chu Ying didn't achieve anything grand, it was enough for the three of them to live a stable life.

This was why, even though Chu Yuan had undergone Transmigration into this terrible world, he wasn't filled with resentment or deep hatred. On the contrary, if he couldn't even survive and had to work odd jobs every day just to make ends meet, he would have long since wished for this world to explode!

Chu Yuan, who grew up under the compulsory education System of Blue Star in his past life, had morals, but they were quite flexible...

At this time, the small restaurant was quite busy, and only Chu Ying was at home. Chu Yuan ignored her and headed toward his room.

Seeing him return, Chu Ying hurriedly put down the TV remote in her hand, pattered over, raised her little head, and asked curiously, "Brother! I heard today was the day you were given your Cultivation Technique?"

"You certainly hear a lot..."

"Hehe, that's right." Just as Chu Ying was about to feel proud, she suddenly remembered her purpose and hurriedly pressed, "How was it? How was it? Is it difficult?"

"... Go do your homework." Chu Yuan was speechless. Middle school hadn't taught any Martial Arts knowledge yet, and Chu Ying had no concept of it; she was just asking out of curiosity.

Chu Ying, shut out of the room, pouted and muttered 'Stinky Chu Yuan' under her breath... Chu Yuan had already started Cultivating, so he naturally heard it clearly and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

This younger sister had been quite fun when she was little, a soft little ball of meat, but she had become more annoying as she grew up. He couldn't be bothered to deal with her and lay on the bed, contemplating his future path.

This world was undoubtedly a world of Martial Arts. It was common knowledge that Martial Artists certainly couldn't compare to Cultivators! Actually, in web novels, when trained to the very end, High Martial Arts, High Xuan, and Xianxia... it was hard to say who was stronger or weaker.

But today, Chu Yuan had tried Cultivating the Quenching Origin Technique. By comparison, he discovered that the Evergreen Foundation Establishment Method and the Quenching Origin Technique... were not refining the same kind of energy at all!

What the Foundation Establishment Method refined should be the legendary Spiritual Qi, all-encompassing and capable of evolving all things; whereas what the Quenching Origin Technique refined was merely a type of energy derived from Spiritual Qi!

It was like the energy between heaven and earth was a feast; the Foundation Establishment Method ate everything, but the Quenching Origin Technique only picked out a specific ingredient to refine... The efficiency, naturally, could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Putting aside the future for now, at the very least in the early stages, his progress was definitely something that Martial Arts could not compare to! He just needed to accumulate step by step...

As for what Realm he was currently at relative to Martial Arts, there was no reference point, so it was hard to judge. Although he had energy he could mobilize, he certainly couldn't defeat an Inner Breath Realm Martial Artist.

Furthermore, he only had a Cultivation Technique but no means of attack; this was a problem that needed to be solved as soon as possible... Since the System could convert Cultivation Techniques into Xianxia methods, it should also be able to convert Martial Skills into Spells, right?

Today, Han Cui came home earlier than usual. She knew what day it was, so she closed up shop as soon as there were no customers.

"Brother! Come out to eat!" Chu Ying's voice rang out from outside the bedroom door. Chu Yuan walked out, and Han Cui had already set out the food she brought from the restaurant.

After eating a few bites, Han Cui asked, "How was... today?" "It was alright, I achieved Marrow Cleansing."

Han Cui was stunned. She had also Cultivated the Quenching Origin Technique, so she naturally knew the significance of achieving Marrow Cleansing on the first day. Chu Ying's eyes darted around, and she picked up her tablet to search. A moment later, she exclaimed, "Holy crap! Chu Yuan, you're that awesome!"

Two pairs of chopsticks tapped her on the head simultaneously... Han Cui couldn't help but laugh, fine lines gathering at the corners of her eyes. "I'll give you some money later; you can buy some supplements yourself."

"No need, Mom, the school provided some."

"What the school gives is what the school gives, and what Mom gives is what Mom gives." Han Cui emphasized her tone. Chu Yuan nodded and continued eating.

Han Cui looked at him, feeling a bit dazed. Her eldest son had shown maturity beyond his years since birth and had never given her much to worry about growing up. Even during the period right after her husband passed away, it was Chu Yuan who took care of three-year-old Chu Ying and helped her get through it.

Now, her eldest son had also become a Martial Arts Genius... The path of Martial Arts was not safe and was often accompanied by conflict and slaughter. She also worried that one day, Chu Yuan would follow in his father's footsteps, but no one would advise their child to give up because of the dangers of Martial Arts.

Even though there were various Systems and rules to relatively protect the weak, this world was still a world where might made right...

In the Prefectural Capital of Yunan Prefecture, inside a villa. "Young Master, it is time to set off."

Li Chen put away his boxing stance and took the towel handed to him by a servant to wipe his sweat. "Uncle Zhou, why the rush?"

"The competition for the spots in this Jianmu Project has caused quite a stir. The higher-ups have already noticed the transfer operations, and some people are dissatisfied, so they've plugged this loophole... However, Young Master's transfer procedures have already been completed, so you are unaffected. But to avoid any unexpected situations, it is better to head over as soon as possible..."

"I really don't understand what those people up there are thinking. Even if those country bumpkins are selected for the project, what of it? It's just a waste of resources!" Li Chen complained irritably.

Given Great Qin's current situation, they should be concentrating their efforts on nurturing Prodigies! Which meant disciples of Martial Arts families like them! And now, something that should have belonged to him, he actually had to compete with those bumpkins for it?! Even if it was just a formality... it still made him very irritable.

The middle-aged man beside him, addressed as Uncle Zhou, turned a deaf ear and changed the subject, saying, "There is, however, an interesting piece of news. At the small school you are going to, there is a Genius who achieved Marrow Cleansing as soon as they started Cultivating."

"Marrow Cleansing? A Genius? Heh..."