Qin Shi seated himself on the ground, and after enduring continuous beatings in "accelerated training," his body displayed a glossy sheen.
From a distance, his silhouette seemed to radiate light, possessing an ethereal quality.
This was the result of continuous polishing at the skin limit, a step further in progress.
Old Zhang pushed the wheelchair over and, seeing Yu Weiwei and Ren You stunned while eating melon seeds, couldn’t help but ask:
"What happened? Xuanming just called on a large amount of data resources, for what purpose?"
Yu Weiwei walked up to her master and whispered:
"Little Brother Qin Shi used Xuanming for simulation training, and when I saw even the Specialized Level couldn’t take him down, I increased the intensity and pulled out the data Shen Senior Brother left behind."
Old Zhang was momentarily stunned but showed no surprise.
In the past, Second Brother Shen Changyuan was a forbidden topic at Nanhuang Daoist School.
After Little Brother Qin Shi took the successor’s position, that intentionally forgotten or unspoken scar seemed less painful.
This is probably why the Old Martial Sect values inheritance so much.
For a Daoist School, the most gratifying thing is "having successors."
"Little Qin shouldn’t be able to win against Ah Yuan. The combat data he left behind is at the average level of Specialized Seventh Rank."
Old Zhang frowned and shifted his gaze to Qin Shi, who was sitting cross-legged.
Why did this kid look like he just enjoyed a great time?
"Little Brother Qin Shi tired out ’Senior Brother Shen’."
She explained to her master the entire process of Qin Shi becoming addicted to beatings, frantically seeking punishment, and exhausting the data resources Xuanming pulled out.
"Wasn’t Little Qin inheriting from He Lanchan? How did he learn Kou Yunchao’s methods?"
Old Zhang was also puzzled, as Nanhuang Daoist School’s Cosmic Furnace Secret Manual emphasizes combat outburst and accrual of foundation, with little relation to horizontal training defense.
"Exhausting Ah Yuan, this kid is really resilient."
Yu Weiwei covered her mouth and laughed:
"Little Brother Qin Shi was about to step into the Specialized Domain but held himself back at the last moment."
Old Zhang raised his sparse, snowy eyebrows in approval:
"Opening the path, unfolding the secret road, within reach — he resisted such a strong temptation. Not bad, he has the demeanor of my younger self!"
Yu Weiwei smiled; her master always liked to mention how he continuously rejected the Specialized Domain and eventually broke all Four Great Limits in one go, stepping into the hundred points threshold with a solid foundation.
"Master, do you think what Little Brother Qin Shi did is good or bad?"
Old Zhang squinted his eyes, his formidable will penetrating Qin Shi’s state of cultivation instantly, and said calmly:
"He’s in the golden age of life force development. According to the highest research institute, the mortal body is like a tree, growing annual rings and inevitably decaying with age.
The seven great limits of the flesh are considered a challenge because of this."
Even in today’s Old Martial Sect, few dare to take the path of seven great limits.
The reason is simple.
Each limit confers the opening of a new restriction on the human body.
When muscles, bones, skin, membrane, qi, force, and spirit are all unlocked.
They transform into shackles that tightly bind the mortal body.
Choosing the martial arts path through the seven great limits requires facing the extremely difficult "great unity of the body."
"Too many people have wasted away. I remember clearly, even a genius like He Lanchan took nearly seven years."
Old Zhang sighed, his eyes showing both delight and concern.
"I believe Little Qin is aware. At his age, even stepping into the Specialized Domain a few months later is rare.
If he completes the Specialized Domain before the age of twenty-two, reaching First Rank, he’ll have eight years to unify himself and achieve ultimate perfection of the seven great limits."
Yu Weiwei’s eyes sparkled; clearly, the great unity of the seven great limits is the highest achievement of the Old Martial Sect.
"I trust Little Brother Qin Shi."
"This time going to Central City, curb your killing intent a bit, Little Fish. You’re on the spiritual ability path, and having too much blood on your hands isn’t good for your future cultivation."
Old Zhang instructed his third apprentice.
"Master, don’t worry, I won’t let Senior Brother Shen’s tragedy repeat with Little Brother Qin Shi."
Old Zhang sighed again; obviously, his third apprentice was treating his words as something to be ignored.
He felt helpless; outsiders often said that Nanhuang Daoist School’s disciples were unruly — either leaning towards extreme methods or being arrogant and willful.
It has nothing to do with him.
When the disciples grow their own wings and have their own opinions, no matter how much the master advises, it’s futile.
"When is Senior Sister leaving?"
The usually quiet Ren You asked.
"The day after tomorrow, by the Tai’an special train."
"There are quite a few accompanying personnel. Hope the journey goes smoothly without any accidents."
"Little Qin, I wish you a safe journey."
At the train station’s platform, Chen Ruofu stood at the forefront of the farewell crowd, shaking Qin Shi’s hand while facing the reporter’s cameras, and said softly:
"As the head, I can’t easily leave my post unless necessary. For official business, if you have questions or need help, feel free to ask Secretary Huo."
Qin Shi nodded, smiling at Secretary Huo, who he wasn’t unfamiliar with, having met several times before.
Old Chen was willing to assign this close secretary to himself, showing his importance.
"You don’t need to worry about your safety. The Governor’s Mansion is the safest place on this new star, and once the special train arrives, there will be a car to pick you up and take you to the National Guest House within the Governor’s Mansion."
Chen Ruofu reassured Qin Shi:
"Its security level is such that even a grandmaster wouldn’t dare claim to break in casually."
Qin Shi nodded; these "knowledge points" had been repeatedly explained by Old Zhang and Old Liang.
His trip to Central City was to receive a public accolade from the Planet Governor and collect the first prize of the top hundred competition; secondly, to register his identity, officially entering the Star Cup junior division’s points leaderboard to compete for the ancient path quota.
"Unless the Ying clan loses their mind, they can’t target me. The Governor’s Mansion’s thunderous wrath and Dongxia’s Judicial Court’s fallout will make anyone suffer greatly."
"Exactly. As long as you understand, I am mostly worried you’ll panic, seeing shadows everywhere and overstressing, which could give Ying clan an opportunity."
Chen Ruofu was very pleased; if it were another young prodigy, he wouldn’t dare send them casually to Central City, exposing them to the eyes of the Education Department and the Ying clan.
But he absolutely trusted Little Qin’s calmness and steadiness.
"Minister, time is running out."
Secretary Huo tapped his watch, silently reminding him.
"Little Qin, may you return soon, carrying glory back home, soaring into the star sea, leaving your mark in this new era!"
Chen Ruofu released his hand, eyes full of expectation.
"I will not disappoint."
Qin Shi stood upright, adjusted his hat and said.
Today, he dressed quite formally in a student uniform, navy blue, with a stand-up collar and single-row five bronze buttons, paired with straight-leg pants with sharp creases.
He looked very spirited, full of youthful vigor.
With a suitcase in hand, he boarded the special train.
After settling, his gaze passed through the rising window, seeing many familiar faces through the drifting heat.
On the platform, there were Old Chen, Old Fang, as well as Senior Brother Ren and Senior Sister Jian from Nanhuang Daoist School.
Beyond the iron fence, Big Sister Qin Xiao and little brother Qin Lan were also there.
In the crowd, it seemed Lin Yunqing and Chen Yun were also present, sitting far away on the roof of a Hanhai Conqueror car, smiling brightly.
Big Sister’s eyes were glistening, as if tears hung there, while little brother stood on tiptoes, waving vigorously.
Their voices were blurred, drowned out by piercing train whistles, so he couldn’t hear what they were shouting.
Qin Shi extended his hand outside the window, waving gently, bidding farewell to these familiar faces and saying goodbye to the Tai’an Metropolitan Area and Old Factory Street where he grew up. This update is available on novel⸺fire.net
"Little Brother Qin Shi, your next destination is the heart of the whole new star, the highest point of this world."
Yu Weiwei sat opposite him, her smile gentle and serene:
"There are mountains you must climb over, and enemies you must defeat."
The wheels of the special train rolled on the tracks, its speed increasing and quickly leaving the platform, heading forward along the dragon-like mountains.
Cool wind blew in, gently lifting Qin Shi’s collar. He withdrew his hand, placing it on the table, his gaze as calm as ever.
"I look forward to new achievements and new challenges."
Yu Weiwei seemed satisfied with Qin Shi’s response, supporting her cheek with her hand and looking at the rapidly retreating scenery outside the window.
"Me too. Little Brother Qin Shi, for the days ahead, you and I will be inseparable."