CHAPTER 20: CHAPTER 19: HARD WORK

Li Xing fell silent. It was said that there were countless worlds in the universe, and cultivators with strong mana could break through the barriers of these worlds and traverse them at will. The Thirty-Six Sages were very likely cultivators. The marks of cultivation were everywhere here, and indeed the history of this place had been intervened by cultivators before.

Yang Zhou continued, "Actually, this is a prejudice. Not every double black is outstanding. Many double blacks I have known in my life are ordinary people, lacking even a Primordial Spirit. Throughout history, talents who are not double blacks are numerous as stars, but their deeds often get distorted or misappropriated because they do not have the double black aura, often going unnoticed by the world."

"Understood."

Li Xing finished her hot drink, clasping her fingers together on her lap, exuding a mature and seasoned demeanor like an adult.

"If the bloodlines of the gods were left thousands of years ago, then strictly speaking, everyone in the world now has the genes of the gods to some degree. Double black is just an atavism phenomenon, nothing particularly noteworthy."

Yang Zhou was slightly taken aback, then revealed a relaxed smile: "You’re absolutely right."

This child is very clever, understanding things in an instant. It’s hard to imagine that half a year ago, she was still a captive, a slave without even basic life knowledge.

"Unfortunately, the world doesn’t see things as clearly as you do. They hope that the Qianyuan Continent can once again witness supreme martial power like the Thirty-Six Sages, to protect them and provide them with absolute security, hence the excessive focus and expectation on the double black."

"Double black kids often bear more pressure than their peers, even developing heart demons due to obsessions. I’ve seen too many double black geniuses destroyed by impatience, ruined by over-praise, and crushed by self-doubt. If the wasted double blacks are considered the denominator, the chance of a double black producing a master is astonishingly low. So, the notion of supreme blood originating from double blacks is merely a beautiful wish of the people, essentially nonsense."

"I hope you can maintain a balanced mindset, not caring what others say, and certainly not seeing double black as a shackle. As long as you are better today than you were yesterday, you are doing great!"

Li Xing nodded. She knew Yang Zhou had good intentions, not wanting her to blindly become superior or carry a psychological burden just because she was a double black. It was actually unnecessary, as in Li Xing’s view, only demon beasts and pets cared about lineage. She never felt that the color of hair and eyes was of any help to one’s cultivation.

She had been aesthetically fatigued after watching black hair and eyes all her life, feeling instead that colorful hair and eyes—like those pink, blue, and purple ones seen only in surreal worlds—were beautiful here.

Yang Zhou stared at the red wine in his hand, his eyes deep: "Sometimes, the human heart is more treacherous than Star Beasts. Those who die in intrigues and machinations are no less than those who die on the battlefield. Double black... is a fallacy, as well as a curse. Even the double black descendants of the top noble families cannot escape this shackle."

So many extraordinarily talented people, who should have had great futures, were forced into mating for more gifted descendants by their families, reduced to breeding tools, living like zombies.

"You, a girl with no background, will face more dangers than male double blacks in the future, even suffering from coercion and unfair treatment. If you want to avoid these rotten things, the only way out is to become stronger. If you are excellent enough, even the Elder Council will have to think twice before trying to control you."

Li Xing agreed with this entirely. No matter which world one is in, one must have strong ability to remain free from manipulation.

Being looked at with eyes pure as starlight by Li Xing, Yang Zhou felt some of his words were a bit too directive today, clearing his throat uncomfortably:

"Alright, it’s getting late. Hurry back to rest. Tomorrow I don’t want to see you lagging behind!"

Li Xing stood up and respectfully bowed to Yang Zhou.

"Teacher just said, as long as I am better today than yesterday, I am doing great. I can’t guarantee I won’t lag tomorrow, but I will definitely be stronger tomorrow than today! Thank you for treating me to a meal, goodbye Teacher Yang!"

After speaking, Li Xing dashed off, carrying her pink backpack.

"This little thing actually used my words against me, crafty!"

Yang Zhou turned away from the screen, recalling Li Xing’s blissful way of eating a large meal, impulsively ordering the same for himself.

What’s the big deal about mid-level Star Beast meat, he wanted to see how delicious it was!

The school gate had a bus stop, and Li Xing almost reached it but suddenly a thought popped into her head: why not run back? It could train endurance and speed, and also consume physical strength, preparing her for training in the evening, achieving multiple benefits in one go.

Two and a half hours later, late in the evening, Li Xing appeared on the path at her house door. An aircraft buzzed overhead, returning after a few seconds.

Before it even stabilized, Li Yi jumped down, rushing over with a tense face to grab Li Xing’s arm, shouting:

"Why are you running? Any perverts chasing you?" He then glared viciously behind Li Xing, scaring passersby into dropping their heads like plucked quails, fearing they’d be accused of trailing and beaten.

Li Xing’s clothes were soaked in sweat, panting heavily and looking messy, it’s no wonder Li Yi had wild thoughts.

"Huff—huff, no, no."

Li Xing felt her heart racing too fast, not daring to stop, dragging Li Yi as they slowly walked home.

"Uncle Li, where are you headed?"

"Where else? Looking for you! It’s dark and you’re not back yet, been calling and no answer, Aunt Anna cried from anxiety, if I hadn’t stopped her, she’d have called the police!"

Only then did Li Xing realize she’d forgotten to switch off silent mode, making them worry, and thus guiltily said:

"Uncle Li, I ran back home from school, didn’t notice my communication device."

Li Yi was stunned, "You... out of bus money?"

He had given Li Xing pocket money. The bus fare was just a few star coins. Even if she really had no money, she could call him or Anna, they’d come pick her up. The school was so far from home, why run back, was this child silly?

"I was just exercising my body!"

Li Xing succinctly told Li Yi about her poor class performance today, and after listening, Li Yi’s gaze towards Li Xing clearly carried admiration.

"Failure is not scary, not striving after failure is! Good girl, spirited!" He slapped Li Xing’s shoulder, almost knocking her down,

"You can exercise, but don’t forget to call the house next time and say so, Anna isn’t strong, she gets frightened easily."

Li Xing only told Anna she wasn’t home for dinner, the night run was a spontaneous decision, so she didn’t blame Li Yi for complaining.

Once home, after comforting the tearful Anna and swearing never to disappear again, Li Xing returned to her room, quickly showered, and immersed herself in body refinement.

The next day Li Xing got up early, packed a set of clean clothes, and ran to school. Last night’s training was so effective; she found a bug in the Eternal Green Technique, so now she seized every opportunity to expend physical energy.

Running to the school, changing out of her soaked clothes, she found an empty classroom to train for an hour, just in time for the cafeteria to open for meals, Li Xing had her schedule all laid out clearly.