46: Chapter 46 My Sister's Concern...
Continuous high-intensity cultivation and combat had left Zhou Heng's spirit feeling a trace of fatigue.
He understood the principle of balancing tension and relaxation, and decided to take a brief break to handle some trivial matters.
"Merit points are sufficient for now, but I've accumulated quite a few academic credits..."
He checked the account balance on his tactical watch; the number of academic credits had reached a considerable figure.
Academic credits at Military Martial University were extremely precious. They could be exchanged for cultivation resources, techniques, weapons, equipment, and even for seeking guidance from mentors.
However, for the current Zhou Heng,
with Master Hong providing personal guidance and resources being temporarily sufficient, a portion of his credits could be exchanged for a more universal currency—Star Coins—to improve his family's life.
He arrived at the on-campus Resource Exchange Center and found the credit exchange window.
"Hello, I'd like to exchange for Star Coins." Zhou Heng handed over his tactical watch.
The staff member operated the system and confirmed, "Student Zhou Heng, your current credit balance: 85. The exchange rate is 1:1000. Confirm how many you wish to exchange?"
"Exchange 10 credits." Zhou Heng said after a moment's thought.
One hundred thousand Star Coins was a huge sum for an ordinary family, more than enough to greatly improve his little sister's and parents' lives. Exchanging too much might instead invite unnecessary trouble.
"Alright, exchanging 10 credits, you receive 100,000 Star Coins. They have been transferred to your linked family account." The staff member was very efficient.
Watching the decreased credit balance and the increased Star Coin figure in his account, Zhou Heng felt quite pleased.
This money should make that little sister of his happy for quite a while.
Thinking of his sister, Zhou Heng suddenly realized that since entering Military Martial University, he had been constantly busy with cultivation, missions, and competitions, and it seemed he hadn't contacted her for some time.
Back at home, that girl used to chatter nonstop and buzz around him every day.
"Today happens to be Saturday..." Zhou Heng checked the date; she should be resting at home.
He walked out of the exchange center, found a quiet bench to sit on, hesitated for a moment, and then dialed the home video call.
The ringtone sounded a few times before it was answered.
Zhou Xiaoxuan's figure appeared on the light screen.
She seemed to be at her desk,
thick books and notes spread open in front of her. Her hair was casually tied in a ponytail, a few strands playfully hanging by her cheeks. She looked a bit tired, but her eyes were focused.
Seeing the caller ID, she froze for a second, then a look of delighted surprise instantly bloomed on her face, her eyes lighting up: "Big Bro?!"
Her voice was full of eagerness, but she seemed to instinctively lower it, afraid of disturbing people on her brother's end.
"Xiaoxuan, studying?" Zhou Heng looked at his sister and smiled, "Working so hard? That's not like you."
Zhou Xiaoxuan wrinkled her nose, habitually wanting to retort, but the words stopped at her lips.
She looked carefully at Zhou Heng on the screen, as if trying to read something from his face.
"Bro..." Her voice suddenly softened, carrying a trace of barely perceptible worry and longing, "You... how have you been lately? Are you eating okay over there? Is the training really tiring? Has anyone bullied you?"
She threw out a series of questions. The tone lacked her usual lively sharpness, instead filled with genuine concern.
Zhou Heng was slightly taken aback; the softest part of his heart seemed to be touched.
This girl... it seemed she really missed him. Back at home, she used to bicker with him every day, never this "gentle" before.
He smiled, his tone unconsciously softening considerably: "I'm fine. Eating well, sleeping well. The training is a bit tiring, but I'm improving fast too. No one bullies me; your big bro is pretty formidable now. I'm the one who bullies others."
He deliberately used a lighthearted tone, not wanting her to worry.
"Boasting..." Zhou Xiaoxuan muttered quietly, but the worry in her eyes lessened considerably, and the corners of her mouth curled up, "That's good... Mom keeps talking about you, worried you're suffering."
"And Dad?"
"Dad's okay. He just says for you to be careful and not push yourself too hard."
Zhou Heng felt a warmth in his heart; family would always be the ones who cared for him most.
"Oh, right, Xiaoxuan," Zhou Heng got to the main point, "I just transferred one hundred thousand Star Coins to the family account."
"How much?!" Zhou Xiaoxuan's eyes widened suddenly, her voice rising for an instant before she quickly covered her mouth and lowered it, "One hundred thousand Star Coins?! Bro! Where did you get that much money?! You... you didn't do anything bad, did you?!" Her expression instantly shifted from surprise to shock and worry.
Zhou Heng chuckled: "What are you thinking! Am I that kind of person? This is from exchanging academic credits, proper channels. Your big bro completed a few missions recently, earned some credits."
He gave a simple explanation, omitting the dangerous parts of the process.
"Academic credits... can be exchanged for that much money?" Only then did Zhou Xiaoxuan relax, her eyes lighting up again, her little miser nature revealing itself, "Bro, you're just too amazing!"
"Alright, enough flattery." Zhou Heng laughed, "Take the money, tell Mom and Dad. Buy yourself some good food, get more nutrition; look how skinny you are. Also, buy a few new clothes. You're a girl, don't always wear the same few outfits. Don't skimp on basic cultivation potions either; buy them if you need them."
He nagged like a mother hen.
His little sister would undergo her Divine Seal Awakening Ceremony next year; nutrition and a solid foundation now were crucial.
Zhou Xiaoxuan listened to her brother's nagging,
her nose suddenly feeling a bit sour. She blinked hard, forcing down that feeling of ache, and put on a bright smile: "Got it! Naggy big brother! Don't worry, I won't save it for you! I'll definitely feed myself until I'm plump and fair!"
"Plump isn't necessary, just healthy." Zhou Heng also smiled, "Tell me if the money runs out."
"Mhm!" Zhou Xiaoxuan nodded vigorously. Looking at her brother's face on the screen, which seemed more angular and his eyes sharper, she said softly: "Bro... you must take good care of yourself over there, be safe... I... Mom, Dad and I are waiting for you to come back."
"I know." Zhou Heng's heart melted into tenderness, "You too, study hard, build a good foundation. Awaken a powerful Divine Seal next year and make your big brother proud."
"That's a must! Maybe I'll awaken an SSS-grade one, and then I'll be the one protecting you!" Zhou Xiaoxuan regained a bit of her usual liveliness, raising a small fist.
"Sure, I'll be waiting." Zhou Heng smiled and shook his head, "Alright, I won't keep you from your studies. I'm off to cultivate."
"Mhm! Bye, Bro!"
"Bye."
After ending the call, Zhou Heng sat on the bench, a warm smile still lingering at the corner of his mouth.
After resting a moment, he stood up, his eyes becoming sharp once more.
Break time was over; it was time to resume cultivation!
The cultivation of the second layer of [Myriad Calamities Thunder Prison Body] had only just begun, the insights into [Thousand Shadow Illusion Kill Technique] needed deepening, and the proficiency of [Shocking Thunder Break]...