Chapter Sixty-Four: Putting People First

Chapter Sixty-Four: People First

The night passed peacefully. Shen An spent it cultivating, and his strength advanced significantly once more.

Now, his third-rank power was completely stabilized, even approaching the mid-stage of the third rank.

In the past few days, Future had imparted him with a wealth of knowledge. Shen An’s breathing technique underwent many improvements, and his physical skills only grew stronger as his body advanced.

He had sent Bai Weiwei to secretly investigate Zhicheng Pharmaceuticals, but she had yet to return. Of course, the company had no inkling that Bai Weiwei was acting on Shen An’s orders, nor would they suspect such a thing.

After breakfast, news arrived from Mu Linqiu.

It turned out that Lord Chu Dong wished to see him.

Shen An had met Lord Chu Dong once after that previous event and retained some impression of him.

Shen An did not refuse; the two arranged a meeting.

“Mr. Shen, I hope you have been well,” Lord Chu Dong greeted him with a smile.

Beside him sat a young woman of remarkable beauty, her eyes twinkling with mirth as she gazed at Shen An.

“Please, Uncle Chu, since I’m friends with Chu Yuxi, just call me Shen An.”

Lord Chu Dong’s smile broadened at Shen An’s words, and he glanced at his daughter.

“Very well, I won’t stand on ceremony. Since you and my little girl are acquainted, that is her good fortune.”

“This time, I wanted to hear your thoughts on the future situation. You know, the outside world changes by the day—no one feels at ease anymore.”

In a stable world, there is little to worry about. Someone at Lord Chu Dong’s level was rarely shaken, but the world now changed too swiftly, awakened ones roaming about—he found it harder and harder to comprehend.

“Uncle Shen, you honor me, but my achievements are little more than a castle in the air, born of coincidence. They might vanish at any moment. I’m not sure I’m the right person to comment on the current situation.”

Shen An was well aware of his own limitations and uncertain of Lord Chu Dong’s intentions.

Still, Lord Chu Dong was upright, cultured, and amicable—not the sort to harbor hidden malice. Shen An, thanks to Future, had learned about Lord Chu Jiang’s character; otherwise, he would not have spoken so openly.

“Nevertheless, my opinion is this: people first.”

Lord Chu Dong raised his brows. “People first?”

“That’s right. No matter what happens, we are here to serve the people. Although many powerful figures have emerged, we must not lose our humanity—never disregard ordinary lives in the pursuit of strength.”

Lord Chu Dong nodded thoughtfully.

Looking at this young man, he was reminded of his own youth. If he’d had such insight back then, perhaps his position would be even higher today.

But the world is ever-changing, and he bore no resentment for it.

“Cultivators shouldn’t think only of themselves, but of those below them. If one person ascends, why not let everyone ascend? If cultivation methods exist, why not share them with all?” Shen An spoke earnestly, revealing the thoughts in his heart without reservation.

For a moment, Lord Chu Dong’s eyes widened. He was astonished by the young man’s words, his confidence, and his pursuit of ideals.

Shen An sought equality for all, with no distinction between high and low.

Suddenly, Lord Chu Dong sighed. “So young—far too young.”

He shook his head helplessly. Though he admired Shen An’s ideals, he knew that reality was not so simple. He had his own principles and calculations.

“Shen An, you’re too naive,” Chu Yuxi interjected.

“Perhaps,” Shen An replied, saying no more.

The terrors of the future were not something he alone could change.

His vision was for everyone to improve cultivation methods together, not just a select few, but collective progress where issues were discussed by all. In such a future, destruction would be avoided; all could ascend, and bodies would not be destroyed.

Future had told him he ended up as a soul only because he had been betrayed, though Shen An did not know by whom.

Future had not said.

As they spoke, Mu Linqiu appeared.

Normally, she would not interrupt his conversations, but her expression was grave.

She approached. “Boss, Master Yan has issued a challenge.”

“A challenge?” Shen An frowned, accepting the letter and reading the words.

Master Yan had written in traditional characters, specifying the time and place for a duel with Shen An.

It was almost amusing.

In this day and age, who still issues written challenges?

Shen An shook his head, laughing softly.

“Did Master Yan deliver it himself?” he asked.

“It was brought by a vagrant, who left immediately. I chased after him, but he knew nothing—he said someone gave him food and asked him to deliver the message.”

Shen An flipped the challenge letter over in his hands, frowning.

“What an old-fashioned routine.”

He put the letter away.

Even though Lord Chu Dong was seated opposite, he saw the words clearly.

“Shen An, Master Yan is Lei Jin’s master—a practitioner of ancient martial arts. I hear he recently consumed a fruit, awakened, and reached the third rank,” Lord Chu Dong warned, concerned Shen An might underestimate his opponent. The man was a renowned master, strong even before awakening. Now, after the great upheaval, his strength likely increased; nothing was certain.

“Don’t worry.”

Shen An reassured him.

In fact, he was already familiar with Master Yan.

Before Future fell into slumber, he had told Shen An all about the man’s abilities. Unbeknownst to others, Shen An had thoroughly assessed Master Yan’s strength and even pinpointed his weaknesses.

This was because, in the future, Shen An had fought Master Yan and prevailed. That was why Future told him not to worry—he had already defeated the man before.

If even his future self could win, there was no reason for present-day Shen An to fear the challenge.

Master Yan thought a formal challenge would intimidate Shen An, not realizing Shen An was already well prepared.

“The challenge has been sent—he must have received it by now,” Xu Tianming said, closing the door.

Across from him sat a man in his forties, sporting a small mustache and carrying a sword on his back—a rather imposing figure.

“That boy is strong. Sending the challenge was to suppress his morale. With his spirit diminished, he won’t be my match,” Master Yan said confidently, hands clasped behind his back.

“You’re too optimistic. That boy is not so easily intimidated. I’ve met him—he’s never given me a second glance, and now he’s already begun to suspect me,” Xu Tianming replied, settling down to sip his tea, his manner unhurried.