After hearing Xiao He’s words, Su Mo was both amused and exasperated. He quickly clarified, “Don’t worry—we’re just colleagues. We only met today, and Commander Yang was just being kind enough to help me find a place to stay.”
He briefly explained how he had come from Jingcheng.
Xiao He gradually let go of her suspicions, her face filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.”
“It’s fine.” Su Mo wasn’t the type to dwell on such trivial matters.
But not dwelling on it didn’t mean he wasn’t curious. Propping his chin on his hand, he grinned and asked, “So, do you have feelings for your ‘Big Brother Yang’?”
Unlike most girls, Xiao He didn’t hesitate or deny it—she simply nodded, her cheeks tinged pink. “Over the past three years, it’s only because of him that I’ve been able to keep studying and living. To me, he’s more than just ‘Big Brother Yang’…”
She seemed to have been through a lot, likely something tragic. Su Mo tactfully avoided prying further.
“My feelings for Big Brother Yang are something most people wouldn’t understand,” Xiao He continued, as if eager to share. She pulled Su Mo into a passionate rant: “So what if he’s ten years older? I don’t care—and besides, I’m already an adult.”
Su Mo wasn’t sure how to respond, so he simply nodded along. “Yeah, sure…”
Xiao He’s eyes lit up. “You really think so?”
Su Mo subtly shifted away. “People should follow their hearts.”
“Giggle~” Xiao He leaned in affectionately, but Su Mo deftly sidestepped.
“Uh, I should go wash up. I’m pretty filthy.”
“Sure, I’ll show you the way.”
Perhaps because she felt validated, Xiao He became much friendlier, even adjusting the water temperature for him before leaving.
Su Mo enjoyed a refreshing hot shower, but as he washed, he noticed several strange things.
For one, all his minor cuts and bruises had completely vanished, and even his internal injuries had improved without him realizing.
Another oddity—his skin seemed softer and more delicate than before, glowing with a healthy flush after washing off the grime.
Su Mo wasn’t particularly moved by this. What he cared about more was his growing strength.
After changing into the spare clothes he’d stored in the white jade ring, he stepped out of the bathroom, his damp hair casually draped over his shoulders.
“Wow, you’re gorgeous!” Xiao He gasped, her jaw nearly dropping.
Ye Qingyi’s beauty was the kind that made men adore her and women envy her. Even with Su Mo’s more aloof and casual demeanor, her charm and grace remained undeniable—only now, it carried an added air of effortless coolness.
Under Xiao He’s predatory gaze, Su Mo’s lips twitched, and he quickly retreated.
Is this what they mean by ‘killing it with both genders’?
That night, Su Mo lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Maybe it was because he was in a strange new place. Or maybe his mind was too full of thoughts.
Probably both.
He sat up and, for some reason, sent Ye Qingyi a message: “Guess what I’m doing?”
After waiting a long time with no reply, he grumbled, “When is Beidou going to install signal towers inside the ruins?”
Then he laughed at himself.
How could signal towers even work in a separate dimensional space? The technical challenges alone were staggering, not to mention whether they’d function across spatial barriers.
Still, Su Mo couldn’t help but wonder—what if there were a magical artifact that could transcend space, even time, to let people communicate?
There had to be something like that. If he ever got the chance, he’d definitely get his hands on one.
When you can’t sleep, your mind wanders endlessly. Sitting in bed, his thoughts raced across the universe.
As time passed and he only grew more awake, Su Mo gave up and started practicing the Jade Seed Technique instead.
So much for resting properly—guess my brain won’t let me sleep.
By now, Su Mo had realized he didn’t need to sit cross-legged to cultivate. He settled into a comfortable position and focused on refining his Qi Core.
According to the manuals, the foundation of Xia’s cultivation system was the Qi Sea, making this stage crucial. A solid foundation now meant smoother progress later.
As he cultivated, his mind drifted back to the day’s events.
Qin Xun’s display of condensing his Qi Sea and Snow Mountain had been awe-inspiring. In that moment, the old Taoist had probably gained quite a few admirers.
Su Mo was definitely one of them.
Then there was the appearance of the tentacle monster, swiftly annihilated by Nangong Xuan.
Su Mo realized the world had quietly grown accustomed to the existence of superhumans. The ordinary Earth they once knew was gone for good.
He thought back to a conversation he’d once had with Ye Qingyi in the Jing Mountain Ruins: What is the supernatural world really like?
Back then, he’d immediately answered: Thrilling.
Now, though—while it was thrilling, danger and loss lurked around every corner.
The passengers who died in the terrorist attack hadn’t found it thrilling. Their grieving families certainly didn’t either. Su Mo couldn’t help but feel a little lost.
What is it really like?
No one could tell him…
…..
The next morning, Su Mo received a notification from the Beidou Organization’s app:
“You have successfully reserved a spot in the Earth Tier of the Scripture Pavilion. Please complete your visit within three days.”
Commander Yang really was a decent guy—not only had he arranged a place for Su Mo to stay, but he’d also delivered on his promise right away.
No wonder a 28-year-old man could have an 18-year-old girl head over heels for him. Looks weren’t everything when it came to men.
Xiao He had morning classes, so the two left early together, grabbing breakfast from a street vendor and eating as they walked.
To thank her for letting him stay the night, Su Mo accompanied her all the way to campus before parting ways.
It was only at the school gates that Su Mo realized—Xiao He was a student at Beijing University. A straight-A genius.
According to Yang He, she was also a superhuman, though she seemed completely disinterested in that side of things, living as just an ordinary college student.
That’s not a bad way to be—keeps you out of unnecessary danger.
Leaving the university gates, Su Mo hailed a taxi and headed straight for Beidou Headquarters.
The cab stopped outside a grand, palace-like entrance. The driver didn’t ask questions, though a hint of envy flashed across his face.
With years of experience behind the wheel, he knew that anyone who came here was someone important.
Especially now, with the supernatural awakening, Beidou’s true identity had been revealed to the public. So without a doubt, this young woman was likely a superhuman.
The driver stole another glance.
And ridiculously beautiful to boot!
Above the headquarters’ entrance hung an aged plaque inscribed with four characters: “A Prosperous Nation and Peaceful People.”
The signature at the bottom read: “The Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di.”
Wait—was the Beidou Organization really established during the Ming Dynasty?
Stunned, Su Mo stepped inside. The ancient, dignified aura that greeted him instantly calmed his mind.