Chapter 80

Qin Ye had no idea that he and Song Yi had already completed one exchange. The point of contention was called “who’s the grandson and who’s the grandpa.” Oh, no. To put it properly, it was called “who’s the elder.”

Qin Ye suffered a crushing defeat.

In the end, he did not take Song Yi as his disciple.

If he had not received the “Old Era inheritance,” then fine. But he had very likely received the same person’s inheritance, just like Song Yi. Taking Song Yi as his disciple after that would be somewhat inappropriate.

So after hesitating for a moment, Qin Ye exchanged contact information with Song Yi. “Little junior sister, if you need any help with your studies or daily life, you can contact me directly.”

Song Yi did not answer.

“There’s no need to feel embarrassed…” Qin Ye worried that his status was putting pressure on Song Yi.

He remembered what Teacher Yuan had once told him: Don’t just look at how well Song Yi gets along with her friends now, or even how mischievous she seems. When she first came to school, she was shy, unwilling to talk to people, just like a startled bird.

Qin Ye could not help feeling a little tenderhearted: The child looked like she had adapted to her new life, but sure enough, she was still more introverted than some other children.

Although this society would take care of all children, there was still a huge difference between having relatives and friends as your backing and having none at all.

Just as Qin Ye was filled with emotion, Song Yi blinked and asked, “Is it really little junior sister?”

“Of course…” So from now on, I’ll be your backing!

Qin Ye was just about to say that when he met Song Yi’s clever, lively eyes. He suddenly realized that he might have misunderstood what Song Yi meant.

She was not uneasy because of his high position and authority. She just felt the identity was wrong.

“Not little junior sister… then little senior sister?” he said hesitantly.

Since he dared to call her that, Song Yi really dared to answer. “Mm-hm~”

Qin Ye felt a little internal injury.

Song Yi had accepted the inheritance earlier than him, and hers was more complete. According to the order of who heard the Dao first, there was nothing wrong with calling her senior sister.

But she was just a little cub. How did she dare accept the title of “senior sister” from a big shot hundreds of years older than her? Calling her little junior sister was already elevating her status!

Not only did Song Yi dare accept it, she also dared to point fingers and give instructions. “From now on, if you have any questions in cultivation, you can contact me directly.”

She returned the words he had said earlier right back to him.

The impressions in his mind of “introverted and shy” and “pitiful little thing” were swept clean away. Forget ordinary children. Even a child with a powerful family background like Chu Wen could not produce such an arrogant attitude, right?

Compared to caring for a child’s physical and mental health, Qin Ye felt that what needed attention right now was his own mental health.

This feeling that no matter what he said, the exact words would be returned to him gave him an oddly familiar sensation, as if he had experienced the same thing somewhere before.

But thinking about it, that should not be possible. Nowadays, very few people lacked tact to this degree.

Qin Ye tossed that detail aside.

If he had thought about it more carefully, perhaps he would have understood where that sense of incongruity came from: Last night, he had just used the name of an elder to “bestow” exercise books upon Song Yi, and in the blink of an eye, a certain great power had returned that favor to him. The words the “great power” said had been extremely similar to the words he had originally said.

If he had followed that direction of thought, perhaps he would have discovered some things terrifying upon closer reflection.

But those involved could not see clearly. Qin Ye did not think deeply, and so he missed the chance to discover the truth.

Beside them, Li Wenwen tugged at Song Yi. An excited light flashed in her eyes. “Little Yi, you’re my younger sister! Then, rounding up…”

She secretly glanced at Qin Ye. She did not dare act as perfectly justified as Song Yi did, but her meaning was very clear: You have to call me senior sister too.

She also wanted to become a big shot’s senior sister, and the eldest senior sister kind at that!

Although Qin Ye was not Li Wenwen’s parents’ direct superior, there was still a superior-subordinate relationship between them. If her seniority rose, could she throw her weight around after she went home?

She was drawn in by the wonderful future she had imagined.

Qin Ye imagined the scene of himself calling a group of little turnips his brothers and sisters. The hand holding his sword trembled slightly, and he actually had the impulse to “clean up the sect.”

Li Wenwen cleverly hid behind Song Yi and refused to come out.

Song Yi was a little speechless too. She dared stand on equal footing with Qin Ye because she had the confidence to do so. As for Li Wenwen, she was purely bold.

Song Yi had always been tolerant of Li Wenwen, but when it came to Great Dao inheritance, she was still very strict. In the end, she did not let Qin Ye gain several more brothers and sisters. “Wait until you choose the sword Dao in the future.”

Compared with Song Yi and Li Wenwen, Lin Ze was much more normal. He did not say anything about wanting to stand on equal footing with Qin Ye. Instead, he looked at him with worshipful eyes. “I really admire you. Could I ask you for an autograph?”

Qin Ye rarely signed autographs for people, but hadn’t he finally managed to dig out one normal child from this group of mutated little cubs? In order to encourage him to continue being normal, Qin Ye had to show some support.

Mm. Other than the fact that there were a bit too many things Lin Ze wanted him to sign, there was nothing wrong with it.

This was probably what a fanatic fan was like.

That passionate gaze could not be faked.

By the time Qin Ye truly understood the meaning of that gaze, it was some time later—

A good friend suddenly asked him, “Are you short on money?”

Qin Ye was naturally completely baffled.

“If you’re not short on money, why are you selling autographs?”

“I don’t even give people autographs. What autographs would I sell?” At that point, his voice suddenly paused, and he remembered: If they were talking about autographs, he had indeed signed some for someone.

Qin Ye expressionlessly went onto the Spirit Net and checked the transaction records. Good heavens. Of the things he had signed for Lin Ze, the other party had not kept a single one. All of them had been resold “with tears in his eyes.”

So that passion had never been the passion of facing an idol. It was passion for making money! What businessperson would glare coldly at a big fat sheep?

He decided to retract his earlier thought that Lin Ze was a normal child.

Around Song Yi, there weren’t even two normal ones.

Should he call this birds of a feather flocking together, or should he say something had gone wrong with education these days, causing more and more “problem children” to appear?

Qin Ye was not sure, but he decided that the next time he held a meeting with the Ministry of Education, he would emphasize the issue of contemporary elementary students’ mental development. They could not let the children be led astray.

Overall, although a few accidents had occurred at this year’s sect exhibition, everyone’s gains were quite substantial.

Qin Ye was suspected to have suffered reputational damage, but he had gained a new understanding of the sword Dao, and it was worth slowly digesting.

Chu Wen had lost face and almost been spat on by the people of the spiritual capital, but he had broadened his horizons. Public opinion had also already turned around, and people felt that he had displayed the foresight of a genius.

As for Song Yi and the others, needless to say, their goal had been achieved, and they had had a ridiculously good time.

Meanwhile, Cloud City inexplicably became the biggest winner.

Although everyone searched for a long time and still could not find the lost pocket realm, that did not hinder their enthusiasm. Those with a stronger obsession toward the pocket realm might simply settle down in Cloud City: the pavilion closest to the water enjoys moonlight first.

Reliable sources said that this was not the first time the pocket realm had appeared in Cloud City. If they continued waiting, there was very likely to be a third or fourth chance. If you were not even willing to wait, why would you expect the pocket realm to favor you?

As more people came to Cloud City, even if some of them were just there to watch the excitement, they could still drive the development of many industries.

The sword intent and fake special effects Song Yi left behind would all disappear. But Cloud City was not stupid. Since this opportunity had been delivered right to their doorstep, how could they not cherish it?

Cities like Jade City all knew how to use faux-ancient architecture as a selling point. Although it was imitation, it had that kind of feeling, and there were still people willing to pay for it.

Cloud City could naturally do the same. So afterward, Song Yi did not even need to replenish the special effects. They took the initiative to find Cloud Dream Sect and continue the special effects.

“Other than lacking sword intent, these special effects are practically identical to the real thing,” someone sighed.

So an insider explained, “Apparently, after the big shot’s divine soul saw Lord Qin Ye, it changed the effects on the spot according to his Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique. These special effects also originate from the Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique, so there’s nothing wrong with the high degree of similarity.”

The news that Cloud Dream Sect, under Song Yi’s investment, was preparing a sword Dao production immediately attracted a great deal of attention as soon as it spread.

This production could be said to have the right timing, location, and people: Cloud Dream Sect was a sect of Cloud City, and Cloud City had just produced a sword Dao spectacle; the special effects were made by sword cultivators, and they originated from Qin Ye’s Ten Thousand Rosy Clouds Sword Technique.

With these gimmicks in place, as long as the thing Cloud Dream Sect eventually produced was not rotten to the core, Song Yi would not lose money.

Others wanted to add investment, but Cloud Dream Sect and Song Yi refused.

Investing in other projects was no problem, but this project was the favor Cloud Dream Sect was returning to Song Yi.

Cloud Dream Sect seemed poised to ride this momentum and take off, but the formation of the special effects team was still thanks to Song Yi. Besides, Song Yi was a genius of their Cloud City. They could treat it as supporting the development of their own city.

Maintaining a good relationship between both sides might not guarantee a profit, but it definitely would not be a loss.

This wave was what you called everyone winning so hard they went numb.

There were still some aftereffects.

For example, after Wanqi Sect’s simulated artifact spirits were mass-produced and popularized, the Sect Supervision and Administration Committee introduced them at the first opportunity. Qin Ye stared blankly at the artifact spirit’s back, lost in thought, with a feeling of déjà vu.

The news that he was staring dazedly at a simulated artifact spirit spread without wings. If he did not explain, it was bad. Once he explained, it felt even stranger.

The sexual preference of a man single for many years was tragically exposed.

Of course, under the premise that it was not illegal, sexual preferences were free in the cultivation world. Human-beast romance was fine, and human-artifact romance was also acceptable.

The problem was that some of Qin Ye’s bad friends, who loved nothing more than watching excitement, ordered several simulated artifact spirits for him and said with dead seriousness, “It’s fine if an iron tree finally blooms, but don’t casually make a move on the office artifact spirit, okay?”

Qin Ye: …

In order to avoid even more perverted rumors appearing, Qin Ye withdrew his probing gaze and never took a second look at simulated artifact spirits again.

The truth slipped through his fingers once more.

For another example, after Chu Wen went back, Father Chu discovered that his son’s daily arrogant expression had changed into the grin of a great smartass, and he was especially certain as he told his old father, “Father, I understand now. The previous me was too young.”

Father Chu had hoped Chu Wen would interact more with Song Yi and the others. It could broaden his horizons and stop him from being limited to his own small world. He had imagined that the clash of different viewpoints would make Chu Wen doubt his worldview, and doubt could produce more thought, which was a good thing.

But what Father Chu had not expected was: Wasn’t the effect of this transformation a little too good?

It had skipped straight past the self-doubt stage and directly completed the reshaping. That gave people an uneasy feeling.

Having led someone else’s child astray, Song Yi was not panicked in the slightest.

When Chu Wen came out with strange remarks, she had already expected it and prepared a plan in advance.

Before they parted, Song Yi asked him, “Student Chu Wen, you’ve changed a lot. Do you know what guided you to change?”

Chu Wen said firmly, “It was you! I have to thank you.”

Song Yi shook her head profoundly. “No. You still don’t understand. These are actually all things you comprehended yourself. You are a genius, so you should show the confidence of a genius! If it were someone else, even if I did more, they still wouldn’t be able to comprehend things the way you did. If anyone asks you this question again, please learn to thank yourself.”

Chu Wen pondered for a moment and felt Song Yi made way too much sense. “I understand.”

He was very happy. Even Song Yi had acknowledged his identity as a genius!

Song Yi watched his back and revealed a gratified expression. No matter where he went crooked, as long as it was not her responsibility, that was fine.

Also, the most serious aftereffect for Song Yi was this: She had not reviewed properly, but finals had arrived.

She glared at the final exam date, and four words were written all over her face: bitter hatred and deep grievance.

Song Yi said with a perfectly serious expression, “I understand now. Someone used a time secret art on me and stole all my time.”

She had clearly calculated the time before and would have been able to review thoroughly. How had it suddenly vanished?

The homeroom teacher standing behind her could not hold back and knocked her on the head. “Is it that hard to admit you played until you forgot the time?”

The various subject teachers looked at Song Yi with gloomy eyes. The general meaning was: We’ll settle accounts with you once the grades come out.

Song Yi understood. Calamities were like karma. They would always come.

In the Old Era, that was called a Heavenly Dao tribulation.

In the New Era, this was called an exam tribulation.

Heavenly Tribulation was easy to dodge. Exams were hard to guard against.

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