16: Opportunity

Yan Yue’s voice echoed through the room.

“So flighty, it’s unseemly.”

In the kitchen, Yan Gaoyuan, Yan Yue’s father, walked out wearing an apron and carrying dishes, scolding her before looking at Qin Jin, his tone softening slightly: “You’ve arrived at just the right time. Let’s eat first.”

He was tall and well-built, wore black-rimmed glasses, and had a gentle demeanor.

Behind him, Yan Yue’s mother, Tang Qin, walked out with him.

She was a middle-aged woman, kind-faced and without makeup.

“Uncle Yan, Auntie Tang,” Qin Jin greeted them.

“Jin’er, it’s been a while since you last visited,” Tang Qin said with a hint of reproach.

“It’s a holiday now. Even if you’ve started cultivating as a Martial Artist, you should still know how to balance work and rest.”

“Mom, Qin Jin is already in the Newborn Realm!” Yan Yue exclaimed again, as if showing off, taking the plates.

“The Newborn Realm, you know! Qin Jin is a bona fide Martial Artist now.”

The aroma of food filled the room.

The family sat down, and Yan Gaoyuan looked at Qin Jin: “When did you break through?”

“A few days ago,” Qin Jin answered truthfully.

After breaking through to the Newborn Realm, he immediately went to Wen Jinglun to learn a Visualization Method.

He hadn't hidden it from outsiders, and he certainly wouldn't hide it from these people who were like family to him.

“With your progress in the Martial Arts, you have a chance at the top academies in the galaxy.”

“Have you decided which academy to apply to?”

“Not yet,” Qin Jin shook his head.

“There are still six months until the academy selection exam, and the detailed information available online is limited, so I can't get a specific understanding of each academy.

I’ll just focus on my own cultivation, and everything else will fall into place naturally.”

Hearing this, Yan Gaoyuan nodded in agreement: “That mindset is correct.”

“Dad, do you remember what you promised me?” Yan Yue interjected when she saw them talking.

“Qin Jin meets the conditions now.”

“Of course, I remember.” Yan Gaoyuan looked at his daughter with a helpless expression: “Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it.”

“That’s good.”

The family ate and chatted, the atmosphere relaxed.

After Qin Jin’s parents disappeared, the Yan family treated him exceptionally well, like true relatives, and he even lived with the Yan family when he was young.

In the last two years, he had only begun to live alone at his own request.

After dinner, Yan Yue was pulled away by her mother, and Qin Jin followed Yan Gaoyuan into the study on the second floor.

In the study, Yan Gaoyuan pondered for a moment: “Yue’er must have already told you, right?”

“Yes,” Qin Jin nodded.

“She said it concerns a Spiritual Energy User.”

“Precisely.” Yan Gaoyuan’s eyes showed a hint of recollection, and he said in a deep voice: “That Spiritual Energy User is a truly great figure.”

“Many years ago, by chance, I did something for that senior and helped him out.”

“Because of that, he gave me a recommendation slot.”

His expression was solemn as he looked at Qin Jin: “A slot for a great opportunity.”

Qin Jin listened quietly.

“Before you and Yan Yue were born, your parents and I were members of the same exploration team, living without a fixed home.”

“It was because of this slot that we chose to settle on this planet.”

His voice was drawn out: “According to that senior, this recommendation slot would become effective many years later.”

“There are two requirements for the recommended candidate.”

“First, they must be a genius on a certain evolution path.”

“Second, they must be a native born on this planet.”

“Just recently, I received news that the senior Spiritual Energy User will personally arrive soon, and this long-sealed recommendation slot can now be used.”

After he finished speaking, his gaze was intense as he looked at Qin Jin.

Qin Jin’s eyes showed a flicker of thought.

He was silent for a moment, then asked: “Uncle Yan, can I refuse this slot?”

“Refuse?” Yan Gaoyuan looked surprised: “Why?”

“Probably because… I don’t like to participate in things outside of my plans,” Qin Jin answered carefully.

He currently possessed an immeasurable treasure, an endless wilderness waiting to be explored.

Therefore, he had little interest in the great opportunity Yan Gaoyuan spoke of.

Listening to his words, Yan Gaoyuan frowned slightly, seemingly misunderstanding something, and said earnestly: “Qin Jin, you are on the Martial Artist’s evolution path.

You must know that Martial Arts are forged in the fires of battle!”

“Martial Arts demand struggle.

Throughout history, many Martial Artists with average talent have later surpassed others precisely because they dared to strive for excellence, to contend and climb higher.”

“If you want to achieve something in Martial Arts, you cannot have an ostrich mentality.”

“Moreover…”

“Your birth here has already destined you to be involved.”

He sighed: “JK4176.”

“A numbered Mining Star with rare minerals and extraordinary creatures.”

“But if it were just for these, it would absolutely not be enough to justify the Federation spending a great deal to establish five survival zones here.”

Yan Gaoyuan’s eyes were deep: “The Thunder Beast Breathing Technique you practice is a third-level Breathing Method, even founded by a grand Martial Artist.

Although the Federation has been actively spreading evolution paths in recent years, the new generation on ordinary life planets cannot learn this level of Breathing Method in school.”

“While I don’t know what the specific opportunity is, I imagine it has a great connection to this planet.”

“Talented individuals in the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river, endless.

Since that senior Spiritual Energy User knew about this many years ago, it’s inevitable that other great figures might also have foreseen it and laid down secret arrangements.”

“Your Martial Arts performance at school cannot be hidden.”

“Perhaps, others have already noticed you.”

At this point, Yan Gaoyuan paused slightly.

He walked to the window, looking out at New Sheep District as night fell.

“Qin Jin, you’ve grown up, broken through to the Newborn Realm, and have your own ideas.”

“I’ve investigated, and recently, the number of outsiders on the Mining Star has increased significantly.”

“This Mining Star appears calm on the surface, but underneath, it’s gradually becoming turbulent, and who knows when it will erupt.”

“When a storm comes, the eye of the storm is calm.

Instead of being unknowingly dragged into the unknown, it’s better to actively join the game, understand the situation, and be prepared.”

“At least…”

He turned back: “With this recommendation slot, if you can gain the other party’s approval, that senior Spiritual Energy User will become your strong backing.”

“Even if you don’t obtain the final opportunity, with that senior’s help, your cultivation in Martial Arts will advance by leaps and bounds, and cultivation resources and Martial Arts secret manuals will not be an issue.”

“Jin’er.”

“Are you still going to refuse?”

“If you refuse, I will directly give up this recommendation slot.”

“Yue’er lacks talent in Martial Arts and doesn’t meet the requirements.

If I give it to someone else, I’m afraid it might cause a situation where a great favor turns into enmity, which would be undesirable.”

Listening to his words, Qin Jin thought for a moment, let out a long breath, and his gaze gradually became firm: “I understand.”

Born in the magnificent Stellar Age, his goal had always been to reach the pinnacle of the evolution path.

After Yan Gaoyuan’s guidance, he had indeed come to understand some things.

Martial Arts demand struggle!

Only with a truly indomitable will can one overcome obstacles and steadily climb higher on this evolution path.

Moreover, his advancement within the Federation, whether in strength or status, could also aid his exploration in the Great Wilderness.

A Martial Artist should inherently possess sharpness.

Since that was the case, he chose to have it all.

His thoughts returned, and a question arose in Qin Jin’s mind, which he immediately voiced.

“Everything has a cause.”

“Uncle Yan, what does that senior Spiritual Energy User you mentioned seek by making these arrangements?”