Yang Jie’s sudden appearance and his selection of twelve individuals from over two hundred people sparked immediate speculation among those not chosen.
“I wonder why they were singled out?”
“Isn’t it obvious? They’re probably the most outstanding ones. Special treatment.”
“How do you know?”
“Just guessing.”
“Tsk, tsk. I thought it would be a fair competition, but it seems some get priority after all.”
“Shh—keep your voice down, don’t let them hear you.”
In fact, Yang Jie heard every word. He looked towards the speakers, his tone brooking no argument. “Correct. They are indeed more exceptional. Either A-grade aptitude or C-grade cultivation level – if you possess either one, you could be standing here too.”
All murmuring ceased as everyone looked at these twelve individuals.
Before coming here, each person was considered the elite of their city or province. But arriving here made them realize there are always people beyond people, skies beyond skies.
Yang Jie continued, “These twelve will enjoy better accommodation conditions and more rigorous training tasks than you. If you wish to be like them, you must seize the once-a-week challenge opportunity. The winner earns the right to replace the loser.”
“Does each of us have a chance to challenge each of them?” someone asked.
“Only those who rank in the top 20 during training will earn one challenge opportunity.”
The chance was slim, yet not a single person chose to back down, driven by the pride in their hearts and the passion and determination unique to youth.
The twelve went to their respective rooms and discovered not only single rooms with private bathrooms and showers but also special artifacts specifically for cultivation. The treatment was worlds apart from that of the other two hundred-plus people.
To make it worse, Yang Jie made everyone tour their rooms.
The large crowd left, looking as if they could skin the twelve alive…
After everything settled, Su Mo was called aside by Yang Jie.
“Yang… Senior Brother!” Su Mo said with a grin.
Yang Jie gave an “Mmm,” then suddenly said, “Thanks to your Snow Lotus, otherwise I’d be a goner.”
“That wasn’t really mine, it was Master’s.”
Yang Jie shook his head. “If Master says it’s yours, then it’s yours.” His tone allowed no dispute.
“Alright then… So, how does Senior Brother plan to thank me?”
Yang Jie raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
“That depends on what Senior Brother gives. Whatever Senior Brother gives must be good stuff, after all, our teacher is…”
“Stop, stop, stop.” Yang Jie immediately lost his stern demeanor. “Here, consider it a meeting gift and my thanks.”
Yang Jie handed over a heart-shaped artifact the size of an egg, startling Su Mo.
“This is a Heart of Life. Carrying it can greatly enhance your recovery ability. It works exceptionally well when combined with the Mountain and Sea Fist.”
“…Thank you, Senior Brother.”
The battlefield situation changes in an instant. With the Heart of Life, his sustainability would be greatly enhanced.
Yang Jie added, “There’s nothing else scheduled for today. You can go visit Master.”
“I was planning to do just that,” Su Mo said. Suddenly remembering something, he asked, “By the way, what does the training involve?”
Yang Jie’s expression shifted slightly, looking somewhat odd. “Does it concern you?”
Su Mo: “???”
“Most of their training items are redundant for you. So, you can arrange your own schedule during those times. You just need to attend the English training sessions punctually.”
“Is that so… Perfect timing. I was thinking of going to the Scripture Pavilion to learn the remaining parts of the Mountain and Sea Fist.”
“That’s not the main point. The main point is English. Your level isn’t even as good as a high school student’s. How will you communicate with people abroad?” Yang Jie said exasperatedly.
Su Mo nodded repeatedly. “Right, right, right. I really need to study hard.”
He had initially thought the letter Li Xiaomou left for him contained important information, but it turned out to be just a paragraph of mockery.
He hadn’t even used translation software back then; he’d asked Ye Qingyi to read it out for him…
In Ye Qingyi’s own words: I almost died laughing.
……
In the afternoon, Su Mo went to visit Qin Xun.
The old master was sunbathing, while Yan’er practiced combat techniques nearby, occasionally receiving pointers from him.
“Master, I’ve come to see you.” Su Mo stepped into the courtyard just as Yan’er finished her practice.
“Oh, Qingyi, it’s you.”
He hadn’t taught anything to this closed-door disciple yet; for now, it was just a title.
After the master and disciple exchanged pleasantries, Su Mo brought out his gift. “Master, look. I obtained this by chance during my exploration of the ruins. It should be useful for you.”
Then he took out a package and handed it to Yan’er. “Senior Sister, please look after me.”
“I’m not your senior sister…” Yan’er looked embarrassed.
“It’s all the same, all the same.”
Seeing him like this, Qin Xun couldn’t help but laugh. “You child, you’re certainly more thoughtful than that Yang Jie. But, we’re all family here, no need for such formalities.”
“Exactly, we’re all family. It’s only right for your disciple to bring some local specialties from his travels for his master.”
“Hahaha, I suppose that’s true.”
Qin Xun hadn’t stopped smiling since Su Mo entered.
When people are happy, their complexion naturally improves, and Qin Xun was no exception.
However, he soon became serious. Yan’er automatically left, knowing that Master Qin was about to instruct his disciple.
“What I saw in you was your talent in spiritual power. For someone like me, possessing strong spiritual power is crucial.” By ‘someone like me,’ he was referring to arrays and similar disciplines.
Su Mo nodded emphatically.
He listened attentively as Qin Xun explained his cultivation philosophy and shared experiences from his own practice. Although he didn’t immediately learn concrete techniques, Su Mo felt he had gained a lot.
“Don’t think what I’m saying is tedious; it’s all very useful. Young people nowadays are too impatient, so you need to calm your mind even more.”
“I understand, Master.”
In fact, Qin Xun’s words weren’t idle chatter. He was also using questions and answers to determine the most suitable teaching method for Su Mo, intending to teach according to his aptitude.
Around 3 p.m., Su Mo left the quadrangle where Qin Xun lived and returned to the Beidou headquarters.
However, he didn’t go directly to the training grounds. Instead, he headed towards the Commander’s Residence.
The so-called Commander’s Residence was essentially Nangong Xuan’s office. Since he took power, the actual leader of Beidou was titled Commander, while the other former executive elders retained the title of Elder, just without the existence of an Elder Council.
When Su Mo arrived at the Commander’s Residence, Nangong Xuan was discussing matters with Yang He and a middle-aged man Su Mo didn’t recognize.
He intended to step aside and return later, but Nangong Xuan spotted him and called him back.
“Since you’re already here, President Ye, why not tell me what brings you?”
Yang He waved a greeting to Su Mo, and he and the other陌生 man temporarily left.
Su Mo had no choice but to approach Nangong Xuan’s desk and take out a storage artifact. “These are items I obtained from the foreign cultivators in the ancient tomb. I’ve come to hand them over.”
Nangong Xuan didn’t look at the items but stared into Su Mo’s eyes, his own full of amusement. “Alright, you may go now.”
Su Mo refused to leave,试探ing, “Don’t you have anything you want to say to me, Elder Nangong… I mean, Commander?”
Nangong Xuan looked puzzled. “No, not really. What would we have to talk about? There’s a generation gap.”
Feeling helpless, Su Mo could only厚着脸皮 remind him: “No rewards or anything?”
“Rewards? What rewards?” Nangong Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Working for the organization requires selfless dedication. Moreover…” He paused, then continued, “You already took the good stuff. The rest of this is useless… Ah, forget it. Considering your fairly decent performance previously, take this.”
Su Mo received a token handed over by Nangong Xuan. On it were written three characters in regular script: “Polaris.”
He exclaimed in surprise, “Polaris! Is this my future identity? It feels even more powerful than the Big Dipper stars.”
Nangong Xuan stood up, seeing him out. “Don’t overthink it. It’s newly established specifically for you. The authority is on par with the Elders, but there are no specific duties for now.”
No duties?
Didn’t that mean this Polaris position was essentially a sinecure, drawing a salary without actual work?
Hahaha, perfect for me.
Wait, authority on par with the Elders… didn’t that mean… unrestricted access to the Scripture Pavilion!!!
“Thank you, Commander!” Su Mo expressed his thanks, left the Commander’s Residence happily, and headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion.