Chapter 56: Are You Planning to Take Me as Your Concubine?

Just like last time, no one found the Spirit Turtle. Once Shen Xin returned, everyone packed up and prepared to leave.

Shen Xin left with them as well, not wanting his intentions to be exposed. He still didn’t know who had killed him in the end last time; now, everyone looked like a potential murderer to him.

One can never be too careful!

By his calculations, only a month remained until the Holy Spirit Fruit would ripen.

It was right after obtaining the Holy Spirit Fruit that he’d been killed before.

Now, he hesitated—should he go this time or not?

Would not going trigger some unforeseen chain of events?

After pondering for a long time, he decided to face it head-on. Taking action was always better than running away!

With more than twenty days left, he would make thorough preparations.

He was no longer short on money, so he spared no expense.

First, he bought a set of flexible inner armor on the Bounty Order APP; paired with a combat suit, it would make him almost impervious to blades and bullets, and even sniper fire wouldn’t pose much of a threat.

He purchased two sets of compact gas masks as well. These looked much like regular masks, so wearing them wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

He also bought a full-coverage helmet, which cost over a million and boasted multiple functions: bulletproof, night vision, noise reduction, and the ability to breathe underwater for hours. Shen Xin was particularly interested in the underwater feature; otherwise, he wouldn’t have made the purchase.

He stocked up on all sorts of emergency medicines too.

Still, he felt uneasy. At Immortal’s Peak, he’d witnessed the power of the superhumans: some could control ice, others fire; some could fly, some could emit poison. There were those who could turn invisible, others who unleashed sonic attacks—such a dazzling array of abilities was truly eye-opening.

He felt it was necessary to make preparations near Immortal’s Peak in advance.

So, under the cover of night, he went to the area near Immortal’s Peak and began his preparations. It was several days before he returned to the compound.

Upon his return, he bought several Vitality Pills from Sister Dan and also settled his previous debts with her.

Sister Dan eyed him meaningfully. “You really know how to make money, don’t you?”

Shen Xin hastened to explain, “I dug up some extra gemstones in the Sinkhole and sold them off for tens of millions. You could say I’ve come into a bit of wealth.”

Sister Dan was aware of this—Shen Xin and his three companions had all found quite a few gems then, and she’d received her share as well.

She laughed. “You look honest and sincere on the outside, but you’re quite shrewd. It’s a good thing to be able to make money; most of life’s problems can be solved with it.”

“That’s true. Sister Dan, do you think I’m qualified to enter Holy City yet?”

Shen Xin was quite curious about Holy City and had always wanted to see it, though he didn’t even know where it was.

Sister Dan hesitated for a moment, then said, “You’ve made impressive progress in just a few months and surprised me more than once, but you’re still not quite there yet.”

“How much longer will it take before I can get into Holy City?” Shen Xin felt the clock ticking—less than twenty days remained before the Holy Spirit Fruit would ripen. He figured he’d probably be killed again by then.

“About half a year, I suppose.” Sister Dan wasn’t entirely certain. Seeing his crestfallen expression, she added with a smile, “You’ve only just awakened, haven’t you? What’s the rush? Getting into Holy City isn’t that easy.”

“By the way, what are the ways to enter Holy City?”

She held up three fingers. “There are three paths. First, being born in Holy City—but if you don’t awaken any super abilities by adulthood, you’ll be sent out. Second, being an exceptionally gifted superhuman—such people, once discovered, are immediately recruited by the city’s major clans and sects.”

Shen Xin’s eyes lit up. “Wait, there are sects in Holy City? Like the cultivation sects from those novels?”

Sister Dan shook her head. “Not quite. ‘Sects’ here are just schools or factions formed by alliances of families. They do have cultivation methods, but it’s not like the immortality cultivation you read about.”

Shen Xin deflated. “So even Holy City doesn’t have cultivation sects. Then where would they be?”

“I think you’ve read too many fantasy novels,” she replied, a little annoyed. “Let me finish. The third way is to climb Heaven’s Staircase and leap the Dragon Gate. Anyone who succeeds, even an ordinary person, can enter Holy City.”

“How difficult is it? And where do you find Heaven’s Staircase and Dragon Gate?”

“At the Holy City Pyramid, of course. But with your current strength, you probably wouldn’t make it past.”

She sent him a location and didn’t forget to give him a gentle warning.

Shen Xin didn’t take it to heart. “Sister Dan, you said I could get in after about half a year. Which method would that be?”

“The last one. Your superpower is uncommon, but not exactly world-shaking.”

“Got it. I’ll get back to training, then.”

After leaving her room, Shen Xin committed the location she’d sent him firmly to memory. If there was another cycle, he could head straight there and try his luck.

Next, he gave a Vitality Pill to Tang Ziran and had her take it on the spot. By his calculations, she would have time to absorb its effects before they set off for Immortal’s Peak.

Tang Ziran didn’t hesitate, swallowing the pill in one gulp.

“Ziran, in a while we’ll be heading to Tiger City—remember to bring the Cloudpiercer Bird.”

“Alright.” Tang Ziran agreed immediately.

She was much more cheerful now and no longer shut herself away in the compound all day. Whenever she had free time, she’d help out at the Charity Restaurant and the Safe Food Shop that Shen Lan had opened, and her personality had lightened a little after spending time with them.

Shen Xin handed her a compact gas mask. “This is a gas mask. Don’t be fooled by its size—it’s extremely effective.”

Tang Ziran tried it on, found it comfortable and not stuffy, and accepted it with a smile.

Over these past few months, Tang Ziran had been eating and sleeping well; she’d put on a little weight and her skin had grown fairer, giving her the look of a budding young beauty. Shen Xin commented, “Ziran, when we get a chance, let’s capture a few exotic beasts ourselves. It’s not right to always look after other people’s.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. Whatever you ask, I’ll do.”

Shen Xin was startled, then teased, “If I asked you to have my children, would you?”

“I would. As many as you want.”

Shen Xin was momentarily speechless. This girl was far too innocent—he’d have to watch over her carefully, or she’d be taken advantage of by some scoundrel.

He coughed, trying to cover his embarrassment. “Ziran, as a girl, you must learn to protect yourself. Only by loving yourself can you love others, understand?”

“Oh.” Tang Ziran nodded, a little confused.

Shen Xin sighed inwardly. She’d lost her parents early, and her grandfather had died when she was only ten. She’d grown up alone in the mountains, knowing little about the ways of the world, especially matters between men and women.

He thought it necessary for Yu Yanan to teach her properly. As for Shen Lan, she was still just a child—only interested in her books, oblivious to everything else.

Besides, what brother would ask his sister to give lessons on relationships?

At least Yu Yanan had some experience, having lived with them for several months.

He said, “Ziran, from now on, spend more time at the Charity Restaurant. I’ll ask your sister-in-law to give you some guidance—er, to teach you how to take care of yourself.”

Tang Ziran asked innocently, “Brother, do you want to take me as a concubine?”

“Pfft!” Shen Xin nearly spat blood.