20: Chapter 20 The Bai family learns the news and wants to bring Bai Shiwei back.

"Human touch..."

Zhao Qianqian watched the retreating figure of Bai Shiwei, muttered a few words to herself, then reacted and said angrily, "You said I lack a human touch?"

"Hmph!"

In the Federation, martial artists are everything.

No matter where you go, it is all about strength. What use is a human touch?

Zhao Qianqian scoffed. She wanted to chase after her to argue with Bai Shiwei, but upon second thought, she felt that all her good intentions had been wasted on an ingrate.

She immediately dismissed the idea.

Zhao Xixi tugged at her sister's sleeve from the side and said, "Sis, calm down. What Sister Shi Wei said actually makes some sense..."

Zhao Qianqian stared coldly at her younger sister.

The anger that had just subsided flared up again.

Zhao Qianqian picked up her phone, quickly found the number saved as 'Shi Wei's Mother', and dialed.

After a few busy signals, the call connected.

"Hello, is this Auntie?"

"It's me, Zhao Qianqian. Yes, I have something to tell you. Shi Wei has awakened a Martial Aspect—the third-ranked Superior Martial Aspect, the Heaven-Swallowing Python."

"What?!"

From the other end of the line came Xu Xue's exclamation, loud enough for everyone in the dessert shop to hear.

Zhao Xixi sat on the side, her feet dangling because the stool was too high, with a worried look on her face.

What now?

Her sister seemed to be overstepping her bounds. This was a recipe for a complete falling out with Sister Shi Wei.

"Auntie, you heard me right. I only found out when I met Shi Wei today. No, don't mention it. Shi Wei has the potential to become a Transcendent Martial Artist in the future; you should talk to her properly again."

"Alright, that is all for now. I'm hanging up. Goodbye, Auntie."

Zhao Qianqian put down the phone, and most of her anger dissipated. She let out a long sigh.

Shi Wei, oh Shi Wei.

This is all for your own good.

Once you become a Transcendent Martial Artist in the future, you will understand my good intentions.

...

Chaoyang Residential Complex, the Bai residence.

In the spacious living room, the setting sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in an orange-red hue.

Xu Xue had just put down the phone, her face full of excitement and joy; she almost couldn't control herself from clenching her fists and jumping up.

"A Superior Martial Aspect, the Heaven-Swallowing Python!"

"Good, good, good! As expected of my precious daughter, she truly has talent. I knew it back then; I really should have been firmer and forced the old man to keep letting Shi Wei train in martial arts."

Xu Xue recalled that when Bai Shiwei started her sophomore year, after her Life Level exceeded 15, the family cut off her martial arts resources. The following two years were rough—she had to borrow money from various martial artist groups and friends...

It was truly unfair to Shi Wei!

But who could have guessed that Shi Wei would still be able to awaken a Martial Aspect after reaching level 15?

When she had her Martial Aspect test in high school, it was predicted to be an Intermediate Martial Aspect. Logically, there was no precedent for awakening one after level 15.

Xu Xue's face flickered between joy and worry.

At this moment, the front door was pushed open, and Bai Qiming strode in.

"Old man!"

"Good news!"

Xu Xue greeted him, gesturing wildly as she grabbed Bai Qiming.

"What good news?"

Bai Qiming asked, surprised, staring at his somewhat over-excited wife.

"Shi Wei has awakened a Martial Aspect!"

"Oh?"

"Guess what grade it is?" Xu Xue smiled until her eyes squinted. She wasn't young anymore—forty-nine, turning fifty—but as an Intermediate Martial Artist, and well-maintained, there wasn't a wrinkle in sight around her eyes. Dressed fashionably, she looked like she was just in her early thirties.

"Intermediate?"

Seeing his wife ask that way, Bai Qiming thought it might be one of the top-tier ones among the Intermediate grades.

But the next second, his expression changed sharply. No, Bai Shiwei's Life Level had long since passed level 15!

"A Superior Martial Aspect?!"

Bai Qiming took a deep breath, his expression becoming complicated.

"That's right, old man. And it's the third-ranked Heaven-Swallowing Python! It's even more powerful than Xiao Heng's Martial Aspect, the 'Gray Wolf'!"

Xu Xue bit her lip as she spoke.

Bai Qiming's pupils contracted again. He was silent for a moment, then said, "I will go and bring Shi Wei back right now. From now on, we will give her 5 million in living expenses every year."

"5 million?"

Xu Xue's mouth hung open. She would support her husband bringing their daughter back with both hands and feet, but where would her husband get that much money?

"That's right."

Bai Qiming sighed: "Before, I was short-sighted. I didn't expect that Shi Wei would truly have the ability to awaken a Martial Aspect after level 15."

"And it's the third-ranked Heaven-Swallowing Python!"

"To make up for my mistakes, I've decided: I will stop cultivating from now on. Maintaining my current Life Level is enough. All the money will be used to nurture Shi Wei and Xiao Heng!"

"Old man... you're already at level 38. Aren't you going to make one last push?"

Xu Xue had lived with Bai Qiming for thirty years and knew deep down his obsession with the martial path, or rather, his yearning to become a Transcendent Martial Artist.

With a Life Level of 38, he was not far from the level 40 Transcendent Martial Artist threshold. After persisting for so many years, was he just going to give up?

Even Xu Xue felt unwilling for her husband.

"Level 38 is useless. It's not that easy to become a Transcendent Martial Artist. Out of a hundred Advanced Martial Artists stuck at level 39, not even one can make it."

Bai Qiming said calmly: "In the last two years, I have gradually felt that I am no longer capable of going further. Recently, this feeling has become stronger. This is a sign that my martial potential is exhausted and that this is as far as I go in this life..."

"If the Bai family wants to rise to the next level, become a truly wealthy family in the Federation, and live on New Moon, the hope lies with Shi Wei and Xiao Heng."

"Both of these children have Superior Martial Aspects. They have a high chance of becoming Transcendent Martial Artists in the future!"

Bai Qiming smiled: "Instead of me wasting resources, it is better to fully support them and let these two children strive for it."

"But... Xiao Heng consumes 4 million a year. If you say you'll give Shi Wei 5 million, won't that mean giving less to Xiao Heng?"

Xu Xue did the math and was immediately troubled.

Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh; it wasn't good to favor one over the other.

Her husband saying he would give Bai Shiwei 5 million a year might be out of consideration to make up for past neglect, but if that meant less resources for their son, that wouldn't be ideal either...

"I won't be cultivating, so I'll have more time. In the future, I can take two more trips to Origin Star every year. Making an extra two million won't be a problem!"

Bai Qiming patted his chest, full of confidence.

Xu Xue was a bit worried: "Won't that be too risky?"

Making money on Origin Star is easy, but the exotic beasts and the powerful beings of that alien planet are not pushovers. One mistake could cost you your life there.

Her husband's current annual income was around seven million.

"How about we just give Shi Wei and Xiao Heng one million less each?"

"No need."

Bai Qiming waved his hand and said: "I've had a breakthrough in my Body Control recently; I have reached the Great Success stage of Micro-Perception!"

"Great Success in Micro-Perception?!"

Xu Xue was pleasantly surprised. In that case, with her husband's Life Level of 37, his Great Success in Micro-Perception, and his excellent saber skills, his strength could be considered top-tier among Advanced Martial Artists.

As long as he didn't encounter an enemy at the Transcendent Martial Artist level, there wouldn't be much danger.

"Then, be more careful in the future."

Xu Xue felt slightly relieved.

"Mm."

"I'm going to go bring Shi Wei back now."

Bai Qiming turned to leave.

Xu Xue grabbed him and smiled: "I'll go. Old man, you and our daughter don't get along; it's impossible for you to bring her back."

"Besides, you didn't bring her back last time, and you just ended up arguing."

Bai Qiming rubbed his nose and didn't refute it. He just watched as his wife changed into a light green cheongsam and stepped out of the house in her high heels.