Chapter 290: Junior Brother's Offensive

"Looks like I really should get myself a new phone."

Following Xi Lian's explanation, Wang Sheng briefly explored some of the projection phone's specialized features. From the bottom of his heart, he sighed in admiration.

There were far too many pre-installed apps on the device, and most were geared specifically toward cultivators. As the first cultivator to receive an official "consultant certificate," Wang Sheng held a certain degree of authority on the matter. The wristband he had been issued back then only had basic functions like location tracking, communication, and identity verification.

Now, the current generation of officially recognized cultivators all carried a bound phone that came with a complete suite of apps tailored for cultivators. It was ten times more advanced than the primitive wristband that he had used.

This mooncake-shaped phone could monitor a cultivator's physical condition, issue alerts when approaching known danger zones or restricted areas, and provide cultivation advice. It could also offer access to a database of Daoist knowledge and even allow for scheduled consultations with elder experts whom the authorities had appointed. While one couldn't acquire a Daoist legacy through it, it certainly made the guidance of masters accessible.

After testing each of the apps, Wang Sheng roughly grasped the official system and its design philosophy. The government clearly intended to use these "soft restraints" to either directly or indirectly manage cultivators, incorporating them into society and encouraging them to contribute to it.

The three main components of the entire package were the Righteous-Qi Alliance Forum, the cultivation consultation platform called Ask Senior Experts, and the Ascending Immortal Hall—the most important of them all.

Accessing the Ascending Immortal Hall wasn't easy. However, once a cultivator was listed there, they would begin receiving a series of official tasks just like Mu Wanxuan and Wang Sheng had during dinner earlier. Completing those missions would earn generous rewards, such as alchemical pills, Spirit Stones, cultivation resources, or even techniques.

Wang Sheng couldn't help but contemplate further.

What if the Ascending Immortal Hall issues a mission to wipe out the Wudang Mountains' Daoist heritage or ambush a righteous cultivator? If it gives a convincing reason, the consequences would be unimaginable.

When he opened the detailed description of the Ascending Immortal Hall, he couldn't help but smile. Listed clearly under "Hall Master" was Qing Yanzi.

With his master at the helm, he didn't have to worry about scoundrels exploiting the app. Even so, he still found the concept a bit questionable.

"Fei Yu, stop messing around with your phone and come play cards! I'm going to clean you all out tonight!" Xi Lian exclaimed. The silver-haired girl was sitting with her legs in a "W" position on the couch.

Wang Sheng tossed his phone aside and gracefully headed to the living room.

To help him strengthen his bond with his sister and focus wholeheartedly on Mu Wanxuan, Xi Lian had "reluctantly" switched to her teenage form. She had also taken the initiative to get closer to Wang Xiaomiao by gathering the four young people to play a card game. Wang Sheng's parents were out shopping for household necessities, leaving no one to watch over them.

"We can't gamble with money," Wang Sheng said as he sat cross-legged on the carpet. "Why don't we wager something else?"

"Alchemical pills?" Mu Wanxuan suggested. It was the most practical, but the other three shook their heads in unison.

"Draw turtles on the loser's face?" Wang Xiaomiao's suggestion was nothing short of bold.

The half-immortal fox chuckled. "Good thing it's drawing turtles on the face and not tally marks on the leg[1]."

Mu Wanxuan and Wang Xiaomiao tilted their heads at the same time. Their expressions seemed to say, "I don't get it, but that sounds intense."

At a loss for words, Wang Sheng could only slap his forehead.

What exactly has Big Sister been doing online for the past thirteen years?

The four soon grabbed a set of cards each and delved into a fierce match. After about seven or eight rounds, Wang Sheng's parents returned with bags full of daily necessities. Without resting for even a moment, they began organizing the siblings' rooms.

Once everything was tidied up, Wang Sheng's father clasped his hands behind his back and asked the four, who had just called it quits, "What are your plans tonight? Rest or cultivate?"

Xi Lian waved her small hand. "Rest, of course. Uncle, I'll sleep with Xiaomiao. Let those two sleep together!"

That word "Uncle" made Wang Sheng's father look visibly awkward. Still, Wang Sheng gave Xi Lian a thumbs-up deep in his heart.

First, Qing Yanzi had assisted him directly. Now, Xi Lian was flanking from the side. If he still couldn't make real progress with Mu Wanxuan tonight, he might as well sever his own "golden meridian," cripple himself, and be done with it!

At the very least, he had to achieve the milestone of "falling asleep in each other's arms" tonight. It wasn't about lust or desire. He simply wanted to deepen their relationship—to take one small step forward.

Wang Sheng's eyes shone with determination.

Wang Xiaomiao, who had remained silent, seemed to catch on. She glanced at her brother and silently cheered him on.

No wonder Brother can still pursue someone as legendary and unattainable as Mu Wanxuan, even though he's not particularly handsome. He clearly has powerful allies supporting him from behind the scenes.

Xi Lian looked at Wang Xiaomiao with a slightly excited expression. "Little Miaomiao, are you going to snuggle with me, or am I going to snuggle with you?"

Wang Sheng's parents looked at him with slight concern, seemingly wondering whether the shape-shifting immortal could really be trusted. Wang Sheng could only respond with a calm, reassuring gaze, signaling them not to worry. Though Xi Lian was unpredictable, she was fundamentally trustworthy.

Xi Lian transmitted to Wang Sheng, "Your sister may not have outstanding aptitude, but she can still pursue the Dao. As her brother, you should guide her with care."

Wang Sheng could only silently agree. Cultivators had their hardships, and mortals had their freedoms. Still, immortality and spiritual transcendence were ultimately more desirable than practicing the Universal Cultivation Method and living only a hundred or so years.

Besides, since primal qi had only recently returned after being severed for a thousand years, the cultivation world had not yet fully separated itself from the common people. Earth was now a rare spiritual haven, and the Hua Republic's numerous qi meridians made it a land of unparalleled fortune.

Wang Xiaomiao was born in the best possible era for cultivation. Considering she already had the right environment, powerful connections, and support from major figures, it would truly be a waste not to cultivate now.

Before the watchful gaze of his parents and "sisters," Wang Sheng entered the bedroom that had always been reserved for him. His senior sister followed closely behind.

To Wang Sheng's surprise, Mu Wanxuan made the first move; she floated gracefully onto the large bed and... sat down to meditate. Recalling her junior brother's earlier request, she gently patted the spot beside her. Her smile was gentle and serene, brimming with affection.

Wang Sheng had intended to remove his Daoist robe, but he feared appearing too aggressive. After hesitating a few moments, he chose instead to remain dressed and simply relax beside her.

Eye contact was always the beginning of everything.

Wang Sheng slowly turned his head, gazing at his senior sister calmly and warmly. His heart brimmed with admiration and affection for her. His feelings showed in his eyes, now deeper than they had been thirteen years ago.

However, all he saw was her delicate, radiant face and her gently closed eyes. Mu Wanxuan had already entered a meditative state, giving him no chance to act.

Wang Sheng's return had been a joyous event for her. Prolonged sorrow followed by sudden joy triggered a natural resonance with certain principles of yin and yang. Though she had long accumulated many insights, she had been unable to find the opportunity to delve into them since she had been accompanying her junior brother.

The time had now finally come. With him beside her, they could both relax and return to the heart of the matter—cultivation. With her heart at ease, Mu Wanxuan instantly entered the state of enlightenment.

Wang Sheng was speechless.

The road of cultivation was long, and now they would walk it side by side. There was no need to rush. He could wait until she awakened from meditation to resume his plan for eye contact.

***

Amid the still and quiet night, Wang Sheng sat by the head of the bed with a thoughtful gaze. A faint spiritual consciousness fluctuation pulsed from the sword case beside him.

It sounded almost like Yaoyun was snoring.

Just as Wang Sheng had foreseen, the Hua Republic had been on the rise over the past thirteen years. Having seized the initiative when primal qi returned and maximizing the benefits from its rich cultural heritage, the nation had fully emerged as a global power. Strength always invited scrutiny, however. The Hua Republic's rapid ascension had drawn the wary eyes of its rivals.

Opening his phone, Wang Sheng browsed several year-end summaries to catch up on the changes that had occurred while he had been trapped. At first, it seemed most foreign powers envied, resented, and admired the Hua Republic's stability amid the explosive rise of cultivation. Once the country had established qi meridians and began promoting the Universal Cultivation Method, their envy turned into hostility.

Few governments on Earth genuinely cared for the common people. While the Hua Republic focused on broad access to cultivation, most other nations only coveted the Cultivation Research Institute's breakthroughs. They wanted to take its achievements by force, cloaking their ambitions in the name of humanitarianism and universal ethics.

The Hua Republic remained unmoved. Economic sanctions? The Hua Republic had macroeconomic controls and a complete industrial chain. Military threats? They were laughable in the face of the Hua Republic's armed forces and the Special Warfare Unit.

Though Wang Sheng was only reading public news, he could already sense the tension in the air. The next war would still include modern weapons, but the chance of a direct, large-scale conflict was low. After all, the Hua Republic not only had the Special Warfare Unit but also a powerful modern military force.

The battle would most likely be between the various cultivation sects of foreign nations and the Hua Republic's cultivation world. If the Hua Republic's cultivation world were to lose, the nation would be surrounded. On the other hand, as long as the cultivation world held its ground, the nation would naturally continue on its path of peace and stability. From the look of things, the Hua Republic held a massive advantage.

Wang Sheng spent half the night reading the news and another two hours simply sitting idly in thought. Soon, the sun rose.

When Wang Xiaomiao woke up, she accidentally broke a milk-filled glass cup while eating breakfast. Mu Wanxuan finally opened her eyes to the noise and emerged from her meditative state. Wang Sheng immediately seized the moment and leaned in close.

The long-awaited eye contact opportunity is finally here!

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Just then, the "mooncake" phone by his pillow began to vibrate. Having anticipated it, Wang Sheng used a wisp of enchanted power to wrap the phone and silence it.

Mu Wanxuan's long lashes were right before him. The decisive breakthrough in their relationship was finally within reach!

He had already prepared for all unexpected interruptions. He even quickly sealed Mu Wanxuan's phone, which lit up beside her, with his enchanted power before it could make a sound. Today, he was determined to take the first true step toward becoming Mu Wanxuan's Daoist partner.

Their eyes met, and the bond forged over years of shared experience and unspoken feelings connected their hearts.

"

Pfft...

"

Mu Wanxuan, who had been holding a straight face, suddenly burst into laughter. Wang Sheng, who had just closed his eyes, opened them with a hint of frustration.

Why is she laughing now?

Mu Wanxuan blinked and held back her laughter. Blushing, she jumped off the bed and glanced at her junior brother's awkwardly twisted posture from leaning so close. She then pointed at the animated profile icon glowing on her phone screen—a 3D animation of Qing Yanzi throwing his head back in laughter.

She couldn't exactly ignore a call from their master.

1. Drawing tally marks on the leg implies that the person has committed a shameful act so many times that it has to be tallied, like collapsing after getting drunk. ☜