Starting Cultivation in Wasteland

Qu Jianlei felt a bit worried, but managed to stay calm—panicking now would just mess things up.

At least for now, it seemed he was safe during the day, because there were more people active then.

It's somewhat ironic when you think about it. Qu, the little Night Prince, now ended up relying on daylight for cover.

Then he went to Green Water Academy again, and as expected, Zi Jiu Immortal was still helping to perfect that project.

Qu Jianlei definitely couldn't contact Xiang Xue; the Earth Scholar organization was originally kept in the shadows, couldn't let her stay passive.

So he wandered near the library, among the people he knew, it was clear Granny Jia was the best at handling pressure.

But the old lady was getting on in years, and unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to bother such an elder.

Qu Jianlei could release a faint Spiritual Power to let Granny Jia sense his presence.

But he felt it unnecessary, as the authorities were making a show of their double Supreme stance; who knows what else they had prepared.

Might as well wait patiently to see if any other opportunity arises.

This wait actually paid off; as noon approached, it began to drizzle.

Considering the Water Attribute's tendency, he could try slipping into the library around lunchtime.

However, he didn't expect that at lunchtime, Granny Jia came out with a food container to get her meal.

"You actually have lunch?" Qu Jianlei felt his understanding was crumbling; someone her age actually changed habits?

But the next moment, he suddenly understood something, so he strolled into a restaurant and ordered a ton of dishes.

This was the designated restaurant for the library, right after working hours, not only were there many diners, but it was also bustling.

Qu Jianlei pretended to dislike the noise, asked the owner to move a table, and ate under the awning outside.

This situation wasn't uncommon; spring had already arrived, and it wasn't very cold outside.

Plus, it was raining outside; whether or not to enjoy the rain was irrelevant; the key point was that there was no wind, and thus no sand, right?

Qu Jianlei ordered a large table of dishes; moving a table outside was definitely possible.

And his appetite, well that's rare enough in itself, but not exceptionally so.

After all, in a society with extraordinary powers, having a big appetite really wasn't unusual.

Qu Jianlei had been eating for seven or eight minutes when Granny Jia tottered over, holding her food container, and sat on another chair.

"Nice rain," Granny Jia commented as she started eating slowly.

She chewed very slowly, giving the impression of an elderly person with poor dental health.

But no one could notice that while chewing, she softly spoke, "Just came over now, scared, huh?"

"I'm a bit confused," Qu Jianlei replied softly, "What happened?"

"The matter with Star No. 4, how would I know?" Granny Jia answered unhurriedly, "But you're truly in danger now."

"I'm not concerned about that," Qu Jianlei picked up a big piece of meat and chewed decisively, "Is Zi Jiu Immortal in danger?"

"I like your attitude," Granny Jia chewed slowly, "Her danger... I'm not dead yet!"

Qu Jianlei breathed a sigh of relief at her words and hesitated before speaking again, "What about Xiang Xue?"

"Young people shouldn't be too greedy," Granny Jia's face remained expressionless, "Who are you really concerned about?"

"Concerned about all my companions," Qu Jianlei replied casually, "I want to ask, should I leave now?"

Granny Jia paused for the rarest of moments before answering, "If you can leave, then leave. Things are going to be unstable around here for a long time."

Qu Jianlei's eyes emitted a cold glint, "Will it affect you?"

"No," Granny Jia answered without hesitation, "You don't need to worry about me."

"If convenient, let's leave together," Qu Jianlei extended an invitation, "Is there anything worth staying for here?"

"Not leaving," Granny Jia refused unequivocally, "At my age, you want me as a troubleshooter, is your conscience clear?"

"Who said I was using you as a troubleshooter?" Qu Jianlei chuckled ruefully, "I'm merely thinking I won't be back for a long time."

Granny Jia silently continued chewing her food.

Just as Qu Jianlei thought she wouldn't speak again, she said, "I swore to guard the Hope Star Realm."

Qu Jianlei was startled, then asked, "Don't tell me you're the Guardian Supreme of this Star Realm."

"I am not," Granny Jia clearly answered.

However, the next moment she added, "But that one can't defeat me."

"...Alright then," Qu Jianlei had nothing more to say, "I will be leaving; I'll contact you if there's an opportunity."

"It's not a small matter this time," Granny Jia commented blandly, "Even Bu Shang is under investigation."

"What?" Qu Jianlei was shocked; that's the Guardian Supreme of Star No. 4!

"Just a gesture," Granny Jia replied lightly, "But it sufficiently indicates the importance involved."

Qu Jianlei knew well that while superpower warriors might have a license to kill, the Supreme had a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Although Bu Shang was merely being investigated, it's unlikely that this matter was trivial, "What's really going on?"

"A dog-eat-dog situation," Granny Jia remarked indifferently.

Qu Jianlei frowned slightly, "Can't you be more explicit?"

"What good would understanding do?" The old lady still showed no interest.

But she did offer a suggestion, "If it doesn't concern you, just stay out of it... At worst, live incognito for a few decades."

"Decades..." If it weren't for the possibility of being under surveillance, Qu Jianlei would surely have looked bitter.

"How many decades does a person get in a lifetime?"

Granny Jia paid no heed to his words, "At the very least you're at the Supreme level, so you'll have a good ten or eight decades."

Qu Jianlei was taken aback, "At least at the Supreme level... So there really is something beyond Supreme?"

"Don't pretend with me," Granny Jia stated without hesitation, "I dared to attempt the breakthrough, surely you know about it!"

Qu Jianlei remained silent; the more he tried to explain, the more complicated it became, "Will there be any issues with Xiang Xue?"

"The issue won't be big; at most, it'll involve you," Granny Jia replied without a second thought, "Her family has a Supreme too!"

"Damn it, it really is Cao Dan," Qu Jianlei couldn't help but mutter, "Is this just assuming my family doesn't have a Supreme?"

"Who asked you to get that document?" Granny Jia replied indifferently.

After a pause, she added, "Besides, you have too many strange aspects, which will also entice trouble from others."

"Heh," Qu Jianlei chuckled dismissively, long since accustomed to others' coveting, "Are you sure Xiang Xue will be fine?"

"I don't know," Granny Jia answered huffily.

After a pause, she remarked, "She might have issues, but those daring to harm her... they'll regret ever being born."

"Anyone thinking of laying a hand on her should consider the consequences first; her family really doesn't fear casualties."

Hearing this, Qu Jianlei couldn't help but recall his doubts from before, questioning if Xiang Xue's father was truly her biological dad.

So... is this also a kind of life philosophy?

"Then I'm relieved," he said, standing up and turning to walk into the rain.

They had already settled the bill, so leaving now was straightforward.

The spring rain here was no drizzle of Jiangnan; it started small, but now poured heavily.

Qu Jianlei didn't activate his Inner Breath, simply stepping into the rain.

There were people watching in secret, paying attention to their conversation, but with Jia Shuqing's renowned reputation, who dared to act impulsively?

By the time they traced his whereabouts, the one who had gorged at the table was nowhere to be found.

Then someone asked Granny Jia who she had been speaking with and what was said.

The old lady's response was arrogant, "Scram! I just had a meal... who are you to question me?"

No flaws in those words, especially since the speaker was once the Supreme Peak, reportedly having even attempted to surpass it.

After Qu Jianlei left, he contacted Xiang Xue through Xiao Hu—just to confirm there was no risk of implicating her, reaching out was no issue.

Upon finding out the unknown number was Panda's, Xiang Xue wasn't all that nervous.

She simply expressed calmly, "I know you've got a lot going on lately, why not focus on your own matters first?"

"I'm heading to execute the next contract," Qu Jianlei replied, "I still have some remaining payments to collect from you."

Xiang Xue was quiet for a moment, then responded, "Money is tight, can you think a bit on my behalf?"

As soon as she sent this message, the call was disconnected. Annoyed, she glanced at Aunt Liu beside her, "What do you call this?"

"Sarcasm," Aunt Liu replied coolly, glancing around before standing up to inspect the surroundings.

They were staying in a small villa, one with a very low density; the nearest neighbor was fifty meters away.

The price for such a villa wasn't cheap. While privacy might not be great, the security was excellent.

However, the problem they faced now wasn't something security could solve.

The ones watching them were the Star Realm officials and the military—there was no way to oppose them without tearing off masks.

Actually, even if they tore off masks... there was still no way to confront them, although archaeology enthusiasts held some sway in official and military circles.

Thus, a full-blown confrontation was unlikely to occur.

After Aunt Liu surveyed the area, she sat back down, "Heh, I was wondering who dared to monitor us so comprehensively."

After a pause, she spoke again, "He's leaving and wants to give you the thing we discussed."

"Is it that?" Xiang Xue's eyes lit up at the words.

But then she snorted coldly, "He's in such a state and doesn't hurry to escape, waiting for death?"

"Don't be stubborn," Aunt Liu commented, both amused and exasperated, "If he left without a word, you'd be furious, right?"

"Then let me be furious," Xiang Xue retorted angrily, then after a moment, muttered, "This fool."

"You responded well, that's also sarcasm," Aunt Liu replied leisurely.

About half an hour later, Xiang Xue's watch pinged with a location.

She frowned, "This address... won't it be monitored?"

Aunt Liu thought for a moment before replying, "With Panda's caution, it shouldn't be, right?"

(Updated to remember to summon monthly votes, subscriptions, and recommendation votes.)