CHAPTER 503: CHAPTER 391: THE PATH AHEAD AND INSPECTION

Inside a dilapidated small building in the urban area.

Creaking sounds followed the footsteps emanating from the floorboards.

Xia Yuying dragged her steps up the stairs, heading slowly towards her room, unable to stop herself from thinking about the man she had encountered at the cemetery today.

"He said he could master the second transmission, even the third, in a short period of time?"

"True to the old ghost’s acquaintance, even less reliable than him."

Xia Yuying’s brows furrowed slightly, her eyes seeming to flicker with shadows of the past.

The man’s words today had reminded her of some things the Evil-cutting Sect Master had once said.

"Child, you have an extraordinary talent and exceptional aptitude, a fine jade material for defending the righteous path of the Evil-cutting Sect; your master won’t be wrong about you, your future achievements will certainly surpass mine."

Xia Yuying shook her head as if trying to shake those memories out of her mind.

She opened the door to her room, which was less than five square meters in size, and beyond a single bed and a simple wardrobe, there was nothing else to be found.

Xia Yuying opened the wardrobe and carelessly changed into her delivery uniform, psyching herself up, "Just five more months of earning, and I should have enough for the tuition. Hang in there, Xia Yuying!"

Although the city today had more comprehensive surveillance, networks, and AI management systems than in the past – with drones from the security agency flying over the city like flocks of birds from time to time –

the urban area’s delivery and food delivery logistics systems had not widely adopted those AI-controlled machines.

After years of war, energy had become more precious than ever in this chaotic era; by contrast, the concentration of the population and the significant increase in physical fitness that followed the surge of spiritual machines had made human labor more efficient and cheaper.

Thus, a multitude of commoners like Xia Yuying, with their robust physiques gifted by the surge of spiritual machines, were able to take on delivery work and train their skills simultaneously, just like how tools such as wrenches, car jacks, and forklifts were largely replaced by human hands and feet.

And many tasks like pulling triggers, analyzing data, and conducting interrogations were gradually taken over by AI and machines.

In this strange era, machines and human labor brilliantly complemented each other.

Normally, this young girl who always rushed to deliver food and only came back to sleep did not hurry to set out this time.

She glanced subconsciously at the stack of books on the bottom shelf of the wardrobe.

"Introduction to Quantum Martial Arts," "Learn Breathing Techniques in Ten Minutes," "Authentic Yang God Technique," "Six Desires Demonic Scripture," "Quantum Immortality Manual"...

These "textbooks" showcased Xia Yuying’s past experiences of being duped time and time again.

Yet at this moment, Xia Yuying, looking at these books, felt neither shame nor anger but a sense of nostalgia as she sighed.

Who hasn’t been full of dreams in their youth?

Who hasn’t believed themselves to be a rare genius with a future that could soar to the heavens?

Xia Yuying, returning from the cemetery, recalled her younger self, and her biggest sentiment was nostalgia for that hopeful past self.

Back then, although she was far less capable in every aspect, she had more possibilities and more courage due to her youth.

Unlike now, where she only thought about delivering food to save up money, and about getting an education later to find a job that didn’t require talent cultivation but would pay a little better...

"But this is reality."

"One must ultimately accept their mediocrity and walk the path they once despised..."

"If the me from the past knew what kind of work the future me would be doing, I guess she’d be quite despairing, right?"

Xia Yuying sighed internally; she missed that dream-filled self but understood that dreams were just dreams after all, and one had to live in reality.

She didn’t want to continue living in delusions like her master or that friend of her master’s at the grave.

Xia Yuying picked up the old book she couldn’t bear to throw away, planning to take it to the recycling station on her way to work.

Just then, she noticed a shadow on the floor that hadn’t been there before and quickly turned around to see the man she had met at the cemetery standing behind her in the room, having appeared at some unknown time.

The man was holding the "Authentic Yang God Technique" and, while flipping through it, smiled and said, "The supreme techniques in this book are made up, right?"

"The real supreme techniques require building a solid foundation in the first and second transmissions and attaining sublimation before one can begin to cultivate them."

"However, the author must have practiced martial arts himself, as some of the methods described here are effective, just not as miraculous as written."

"Buying such a book suggests that you once aspired to walk the path of a strong person, didn’t you?"

Having her childhood naivete exposed by someone leafing through the book made Xia Yuying somewhat embarrassed.

She looked at Lin Xing and said sternly, "Though dilapidated, this building still has networked access control and surveillance. How did you get into my room?"

Lin Xing did not answer her question.

He simply closed the book and looked at Xia Yuying slowly, "Do you... still want to change your destiny? Like you once did."

Xia Yuying replied, "Look at this room, I really don’t have much money. You should look for someone else."

Lin Xing laughed nonchalantly, and at some point, a crystal-clear, blood-red short sword had appeared in his hand.

"I’ve always been searching for someone to change their fate with me and step into a new world."