Chapter 254: Go to Imperial College

On the back of the Azure Bird, Li Qi could see the scenery of Chang'an more clearly.

Shen Shuibi seemed to really like those chirping chicks and was holding them on her lap, playing with them.

Li Qi, meanwhile, walked out of the streamlined cabin and came to the outside, where he could directly communicate with the Azure Bird.

According to the terminal data, that Azure Bird's name was Yaoling.

“Miss Yao,” Li Qi said as he sat outside, addressing the Azure Bird.

“Why has Sir come here? It’s windy outside. I can still hear you if you speak from your seat,” the Azure Bird said with a clear voice.

Although she was already a mother, she was still a bird, so her voice was quite pleasant.

“It’s not very polite to speak from inside, so I’ll speak from here. A little wind is just right for cooling off,” Li Qi replied.

Although he was currently speaking from what amounted to the roof of an airplane, and the wind speed outside was incredibly fast, he could block it with a bit of cultivation method, so he didn’t actually feel anything.

“Miss Yao, is your job difficult?” Li Qi asked.

“Why does Sir ask that? But if you insist on me saying, it’s actually very good, much better than in my hometown,” the Azure Bird replied.

“Hometown?” Li Qi was curious, “What kind of place is it?”

“In Xingyou… Oh, you call it the Outer Domain, right? It’s a small place in the Outer Domain, definitely not as prosperous as this Immortal Realm,” the Azure Bird said easily.

“We? How do you know I’m not from the Outer Domain?” Li Qi immediately realized that her statement implied he wasn’t from the Outer Domain.

Although he actually was, what did she base her judgment on?

“Haha, Sir might not realize it yourself, but those of you who grew up in the Immortal Realm have a sense of being accustomed to your surroundings, as if these cities are a given. We who come from small places don’t have that feeling,” the Azure Bird said with a light tone.

“I see.” Li Qi nodded, but didn’t mention that he was actually also from the Outer Domain.

And probably from a much more remote place than this Azure Bird.

“You said it’s better than in your hometown. What did you do in your hometown?” Li Qi asked again.

“Haha, you see, Sir, to ask such a question shows that you are a native of the Immortal Realm. What can one do in their hometown? Sir wouldn’t think that every place is as orderly and specialized as the Immortal Realm, would you?”

“In my hometown, it’s a barbaric world where the strong prey on the weak. The world is probably Rank Eight, so I was quite strong there. Basically, all I thought about every day was becoming stronger, then preying on the weak, guarding against being killed by powerful existences, and trying my best to survive.”

“Our world also had Cultivators, but it was basically just like that. Everyone only thought about how to become stronger, how to increase their killing power, how to increase their combat power. That’s why Immortals from the Immortal Realm called it a barbaric world.”

“Later, when Immortals came, everyone realized that Cultivating could be more than just killing or being killed. That’s why I tried every means to move to the Immortal Realm. Although it’s not easy to settle in Chang’an, it’s much better than my hometown. At least when I sleep, I don’t have to worry about something ambushing me,” the Azure Bird said with a low laugh.

“I see that the prices in Chang’an are quite low. Why do you say it’s not easy to settle down? Look, the money you earn from one trip carrying me is probably enough for four or five days of normal living, right? You should be able to do three or four trips a day?” Li Qi asked again.

He was very curious about how ordinary people in Chang’an lived, such as this female taxi driver in front of him.

This trip covered over a thousand li, and the price was about eight hundred coins, almost one tael.

“Oh, the prices are certainly very cheap, but there are other expenses, you know. To Cultivate, you need to spend resources, and you have to save money for the future, right? One can’t just look at the present and not worry about food and drink, can they?”

The Azure Bird shook her head: “Effort is still necessary, you know. If I were satisfied with just not worrying about food and drink, wouldn’t I have come to the Immortal Realm for nothing? The cultivation methods here are all purchasable! They don’t hoard their treasures, and that’s much better.”

Li Qi nodded.

No worries about daily necessities, but one still had to strive for Cultivation? Indeed, the Tang Nation only ensured that these people wouldn't be forced by life, but to advance, everyone needed to work hard; the Tang Nation wouldn't feed it to you.

“Then what about your husband? Why did he leave you alone with three children?” Li Qi asked again.

“Ah, him, his cultivation is higher than mine. He’s like… Sir, you, both Rank Eight. He joined the army. Isn’t the Divine Dynasty fighting the East Sea recently? The subsidies there are high. Two trips and we can buy the Foundation Establishment cultivation methods for the children. These are much better than what we use. They were specially invented by the Divine Dynasty Immortals. Oh, only two hundred taels. This price was unimaginable in our hometown; we couldn’t even buy it by selling ourselves. Now, we just need to save for two more years to accumulate it. It’s too good,” the Azure Bird said, chuckling, seemingly in a very good mood.

Gone to the battlefield? Li Qi was stunned.

No, her husband went to the battlefield, and she could still laugh?

“No, Miss Yao, your husband went to the battlefield, aren’t you worried?” he asked, somewhat surprised.

“Ah? What’s there to worry about? He’s only Rank Eight, so he’s not qualified to be on the front lines. He applied for the transport team. He’s a Peng bird, capable of carrying many things, and they’re quite fond of that.”

Peng birds are also a very powerful type of demon, with huge bodies and a trace of the Great Golden-Winged Peng Bloodline, inheriting some Divine Abilities.

Of course, they couldn’t compare to his teacher’s mount. His teacher’s was a Kunpeng, which was much stronger than the Great Golden-Winged Peng, a legendary Divine Beast. In the sky, it was a Peng; in the water, it was a Kun, possessing innate spiritual wisdom, and could no longer be called a demon.

“Transport team? Responsible for logistics?” Li Qi said.

“Yes, responsible for transporting Materials to the front lines. Oh, the war between the Divine Dynasty and the East Sea, it’s not for people who Cultivate military cultivation methods. What can a Rank Eight do?” the Azure Bird replied.

“I see.” Li Qi nodded.

Then, he chatted with the Azure Bird for a while longer, getting a general understanding of their family’s life.

However, it was all very ordinary.

Making a living using their skills, working normally, earning money normally.

Through some method Li Qi couldn't fathom, the Human Race had greatly compressed the prices of daily necessities, allowing everyone to live in peace, meaning no one would ever be “forced by life.”

However, to advance further, one needed to work hard. Whether it was new cultivation methods or Materials for Cultivation, one had to be responsible for them oneself.

But in reality, these prices were actually very cheap compared to the outside world, and there were also purchasing channels, so there was no need to kill, rob, or search for treasures in ruins.

As long as you didn't slack off, these things, which originally required risking your life to obtain, could be directly bought on the market.

Everyone like a Dragon?

Perhaps even more formidable.

The motivation that this model, where effort yields rewards, could provide was truly immense.

No wonder everyone could become a Dao Seeker. When seeking the Dao became a choice that could effectively gain an advantage and significantly elevate one's social status, it would naturally become this way.

Unleashing the power of all people, unleashing their physical and mental strength, and then what would all of this ultimately become?

It would become the foundation of the Human Race, the nourishment for those at the top of the Human Race.

The knowledge of countless people, the efforts of countless people, the deductions for cultivation methods and the Human Race, would all become part of the collective wisdom, ultimately transforming into the power of the top powerful beings.

At the same time, the hardworking people below could also gain corresponding rewards.

The powerful beings above provided sufficient Materials and a superior environment for the ordinary Cultivators below.

The ordinary Cultivators below contributed their wisdom and thoughts to the powerful beings, using their numbers and inspiration to explore the possibilities of the Dao.

As long as the Human Race continued to expand, everyone within the Human Race could achieve happiness.

A perfect cycle, win-win, no losers.

Or rather… the only losers were the 'non-Human Race' existences.

They would be the source of consumed matter in this cycle.

As one of the direct enemies of the Human Race, Li Qi felt a headache coming on.

Forget it, stopping the expansion of the Human Race was something the Shaman Gods had to consider. He shouldn’t think so much.

Li Qi chatted with the Azure Bird until they got off the vehicle, paid the fare, and then disembarked.

Immediately after, he accompanied Shen Shuibi to the Medical Clinic.

Unlike what he imagined, the Medical Clinic was not crowded. The place with the most people queuing around… was actually the physical examination area.

However, upon closer thought, it seemed quite reasonable.

Everyone was a Cultivator; ordinary headaches and fevers didn't require a doctor; they could just circulate their Qi. Only some Mortals and elderly people needed treatment.

And those who had reached Rank Nine were immune to illnesses, making it even rarer for them to visit a Medical Clinic.

If they weren't sick and still came to the Medical Clinic, what else could they do besides getting a check-up?

Cultivators who had a need to come to the Medical Clinic either had a problem with their Cultivation or were injured in battle.

This was Chang’an, not a battlefield, so injuries were unlikely. Thus, only those whose bodies were harmed due to Cultivation problems would come.

Very reasonable.

“Good thing there aren’t many people, no need to queue. We already have an appointment, let’s go straight in,” Li Qi said to Shen Shuibi.

“Mm!” Shen Shuibi’s steps were light, and her expression was full of anticipation.

Finally.

The injury that had dragged on for so long could finally be healed.

Upon entering the Medical Clinic, the first step was identity verification.

Fortunately, the verification was automated, so it wasn't troublesome.

Walking inside, the scent of medicine wafted from all directions, refreshing and invigorating.

The number of physicians was not large; it was said that most of them had been dispatched to the front lines. Since the treatment pressure in the Chang’an area was not high, the physicians from Chang’an were prioritized for transfer.

The physician who received Shen Shuibi was a Human Race female physician. Her status seemed to be not low, and her cultivation was at Rank Five.

The female physician looked unremarkable, just an ordinary passerby. Although her cultivation was Rank Five, she showed no arrogance, but rather spoke in a businesslike tone.

She looked at her terminal and said, “Shen Shuibi, right? I’ve received the notification here. The treatment is expected to take seven consecutive days. Have you cleared your schedule for the upcoming days?”

“All preparations have been made,” Shen Shuibi sat upright like an obedient child.

“And you are?” She then looked at Li Qi.

“I am family,” Li Qi replied.

“Oh, regarding the details of this treatment, does the family member wish to listen in?” the physician asked.

“Yes,” Li Qi immediately nodded.

“Alright, then I’ll begin,” the doctor signed and then nodded.

However, at this moment, Shen Shuibi suddenly spoke.

“Ah, by the way, Physician, this is my analysis of the injury. It should help you save some time.” Shen Shuibi sat obediently and then handed over a Jade Slip?

“Hmm? You also understand medicine?” The doctor did not scoff at Shen Shuibi’s action; instead, she seriously took the Jade Slip from Shen Shuibi.

“I studied it myself for a period of time,” Shen Shuibi said.

“Very well written… Wait, this technique? With this level, you’re already professional-level! You’ve studied the “Classic of the Spiritual Pivot Examination” very deeply, haven’t you?”

“It’s good if it can help you. The “Classic of the Spiritual Pivot Examination” was written by me, so of course I’m familiar with it,” Shen Shuibi said honestly.

“Ah, huh?!” The physician raised her voice.

——————

Shen Shuibi stayed in the Medical Clinic. The treatment needed to last for seven days, continuously.

After Li Qi listened to the treatment details, he felt relieved and left the Medical Clinic. After all, it was seven days, and just sitting outside waiting for that long wasn't practical.

During this period, Li Qi planned to go and see the scenery of the Imperial Academy with his own eyes.

He had already seen most of the information about the Imperial Academy on the terminal many times, but seeing is believing, so he still needed to see his future place of study with his own eyes to feel at ease.

According to the information he had gathered, the Imperial Academy would start its new semester in one month.

Each year, the Imperial Academy would have nine months of classes and three months of vacation. Among these, one month was for the New Year, and two months were for the mid-year break, which was now.

Because most Imperial Academy students were actually under thirty years old, with very few exceeding thirty.

The Imperial Academy’s mandatory graduation age was fifty. You had to complete all courses within fifty years to graduate.

However, in reality, most people completed their studies and graduated by thirty and didn’t stay too long.

Therefore, for these young people, the concept of time had not yet been blurred by a long lifespan. A year was still very long for them, so to ensure their mental health, three months of vacation were arranged.

Generally speaking, the older one gets, the faster time seems to pass.

As a child, a year felt endlessly long.

As an adult, one realizes that four or five years can pass in a blink of an eye.

For many high-level Cultivators, time is but a flick of a finger; several years or even a hundred years are merely the blink of an eye.

But for these young people, time is still slow and long-lasting, so vacations are quite necessary.

Li Qi was taking advantage of this vacation to study abroad.

Just in time to join the new semester as a new classmate.

After leaving the Medical Clinic, he immediately rushed to the Tai Academy without stopping.

Since he was already out, he might as well go directly, even if it was a bit roundabout, it didn't matter.

He took out Liu Canzhi’s name card.

This classmate said he was in the Alchemist Second Institute.

Perfect, he could pay a visit and maybe even get a tour guide.

Depart!

Destination, Tai Academy!

A thousand votes, I owe everyone an update. Let me save up these few days.