"Operator 8723 at your service."

"Is this the Changmen Town police station?"

"Yes, do you have something to report?"

"I just returned from Dongning City and discovered a spatial passage there, located in the parking lot of an abandoned building near the intersection of East School Street and Ningan Street in Dongning City. I hope you can promptly alert the City Government of Dongning."

"Information has been recorded. Thank you very much for your noble act. According to current regulations, citizens who discover hidden spatial passages will receive a reward from the local government. Please come to the police station either now or tomorrow for personal information registration, and once the result is confirmed..."

"Hello! Hello! Are you still there?"

Chen Shouyi decisively hung up the phone and, listening to the hum of the generator, quickly exited the empty call center.

The call center was established after the power cut to facilitate citizens in making calls, but it can only dial certain public service numbers such as police, hospital, bank, and government agencies. It has always been relatively quiet here.

He walked down the street, feeling a bit unwilling yet somewhat relieved.

As if a heavy burden had been lifted, he no longer needed to worry and carry pressure every day.

He looked up at the dim yellow sun and sighed.

Sacrifice when necessary. With sacrifice, there is gain!

...

Time flew by, and ten peaceful days passed.

He mostly stayed at home, diligently training. During these days, his physique, perception, agility, and will each improved by 0.1, while his strength increased by 0.2 points.

All attributes have now become.

Strength: 13.3

Agility: 13.3

Physique: 13.9

Intelligence: 12.6

Perception: 11.3

Will: 12.1

The highest is still physique, with agility and strength ranking second and third.

Compared to ten days ago, his overall strength improved by more than three levels. If he were to fight that man in black again, Chen Shouyi believed he could easily kill him in just two or three rounds.

...

Early in the morning, Chen Shouyi hurried home with a newspaper.

"Dad, Mom, power has been restored in Ningzhou, and the newspaper specifically mentioned that there will be a Martial Arts Apprentice examination for all of Ningzhou's jurisdiction in two days."

The social situation is gradually improving. According to today's newspaper information, not only Ningzhou but also all first- and second-tier cities across the country have gradually restored power. This means that as long as I pass the Martial Artist Apprentice examination, I can proceed to Hedong City, the provincial capital, for the Martial Artist examination.

Once I pass the Martial Artist examination, our family won't have to hide and live in fear anymore.

"Is your identity okay?" Mrs. Chen worried about exposure issues.

"Mom, don't worry, when have you ever seen us get wanted, and we can't hide forever either," Chen Shouyi reassured.

Mrs. Chen and Chen Dawei exchanged glances, feeling heavy-hearted.

Yes, they might not care, but it's just this life for them anyway. However, the children are still young, and they can't always live like this.

Finally, Chen Dawei sighed and said, "Then go, be careful, and run immediately if anything seems wrong."

...

The examination is in the morning two days from now, and the schedule is quite tight. Chen Shouyi didn't delay, went back to his room to pack some luggage, and prepared to go to Ningzhou.

His parents and Chen Xingyue saw him off at the yard gate:

"Brother, stay safe," Chen Xingyue said. Given her brother's martial artist strength, she naturally wasn't worried about whether he could pass, as long as there were no identity issues, it was a sure thing.

"Don't worry, you don't need to see me off. Oh, if everything goes well, I may have to go to Hedong City for the Martial Artist examination and might not come back for a while.

While I'm not here, be careful, especially Xing Yue, try to stay in!"

"I understand, brother," Chen Xingyue said, "No need to worry about the house, I got it covered."

"It's been a bit chilly these past few days, make sure to cover up at night to avoid catching a cold," Mrs. Chen advised.

"Got it, Mom!"

In fact, with his current physique, it's almost impossible for him to catch a cold.

Mrs. Chen wanted to remind a few more things, but Chen Shouyi suddenly made a silencing gesture.

Soon, the landlady and her daughter came out carrying large and small bags. Seeing Chen Shouyi and the others, she smiled and asked, "Oh, are you heading out too?"

"Yes, our son is going to Ningzhou," Chen Dawei replied cheerfully.

"What a coincidence, my daughter is also going to Ningzhou for the Martial Arts Apprentice examination. They can be companions. I originally wanted to accompany her, but this girl insisted on going alone, it's really worrying."

The landlady said so, but there was a faint pride in her words.

She certainly had reasons to be proud. Not just the whole town, but even the whole city, how many at her daughter's age are going for the Martial Arts Apprentice examination?

At this moment, Chen Shouyi instinctively looked at his mom and saw her suddenly showing a subtle smile. He had a bad feeling.

Sure enough...

"Ah, all the same. When my daughter sat for the Martial Arts Apprentice examination, she didn't want me to accompany her either. She quietly passed the exam, which made me nervous for half a day. Now my son is going for the examination, and I don't feel anything!"

The landlady's smile stiffened slightly, and after a long pause, she asked, "How old is your daughter? So young and already passed?"

"She's already fifteen, born in June. If she weren't already guaranteed admission to the Beijing Martial Arts Academy, I would want her to properly take a university entrance exam. With all the sword dancing and gun twirling all day, it's hard for her to find a partner in the future."

This age is actually five months younger than her precious daughter, leaving the landlady silently devastated, only able to dryly laugh along, "You can't say that, the Beijing Martial Arts Academy is a top-notch school, how many are envious! If she becomes a martial artist, you can enjoy a life of leisure."

"It's not that easy to become a martial artist. If she can find a job at the academy as a Martial Arts Teacher after graduation, I'd be satisfied."

Her daughter blushed slightly, glanced at the indifferent Chen Xingyue nearby, and tugged at her mom, "Mom, stop talking. I'm leaving."

...

The girl carried a suitcase, face set, quickly walking along the street, her ponytail swinging back and forth.

Chen Shouyi followed leisurely behind.

She wore a white cotton T-shirt, a deep blue pleated skirt, white long socks, and blue and white sneakers, looking refreshingly youthful and energetic.

Before long, they arrived at a bus station, bought tickets, and sat waiting for the bus.

Feeling awkwardly uncomfortable with the silence, as they were going to travel together, Chen Shouyi broke the silence, "Let's get acquainted, my name is Chen Shouyi, and yours?"

"Zhou Xue!" The girl responded coldly, not looking at him.

"Still in first year of high school?"

"Yes!"

"Same as my sister," Chen Shouyi remarked.

The atmosphere became silent again.

Indeed, an aloof girl, Chen Shouyi thought to himself.

The bus arrived soon, and Zhou Xue immediately stood up to queue for boarding.

Chen Shouyi boarded the bus and sat beside her.

"Can you sit elsewhere?" Zhou Xue asked coldly.

"This is my seat!" Chen Shouyi showed his ticket as a gesture.

"There are so many empty seats on the bus, you can sit anywhere!"

"Alright then," Chen Shouyi felt slightly rejected, responding helplessly.

He stood up, found another seat nearby, sat down, opened his briefcase stealthily, and looked at the Shell Lady, who was sleeping soundly clutching her beloved crystal ball.

Then he zipped it back, adjusted the seat, leaned back, and closed his eyes to rest.

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