Chapter 16: The Secret Realm

When Sun Zhiyuan returned with Lin Xiao, he was surprised to find two people already waiting at the door for them.

It was Liu Jiao and Shangguan Xi.

At that moment, Lin Xiao wished he could just disappear. Being brought back in such a humiliating way by Sun Zhiyuan, and to have others witness it—he felt utterly mortified.

What he didn’t realize was that their predicament had already been seen by many.

Sun Zhiyuan showed no surprise at the sight of Liu Jiao and Shangguan Xi. He unceremoniously released Lin Xiao. “The rest is up to you two,” he said, then headed straight for his room.

Lin Xiao, having regained some strength, had no idea what Sun Zhiyuan meant by that. But staying there any longer felt unbearably awkward. He tried to slip away to his room as well, but Shangguan Xi caught him.

“Please, sister, have mercy on me,” he pleaded.

Shangguan Xi only smiled without replying.

To his astonishment, no matter how he struggled, Lin Xiao couldn’t break free from her grip.

Realizing resistance was pointless, Lin Xiao gave up entirely. So be it. He now understood he was probably the weakest one here.

No matter what he did, the outcome would be the same—futile.

To Lin Xiao’s surprise, Shangguan Xi didn’t seem intent on making things difficult for him. She placed her hand on his wrist, feeling his pulse.

“There’s nothing seriously wrong, just excessive exhaustion. Some rest and you’ll recover. But with Jiao Jiao here, it won’t take nearly so long.”

Liu Jiao smiled and once again used her ability on Lin Xiao.

He felt his depleted body rapidly regaining strength, and even his fatigue faded away.

This astonished Lin Xiao. He always thought healing abilities could only heal wounds—could they really restore stamina too?

“All right, little brother, that’s all we can do for you. Don’t let us down now. With you here, our nursing home truly has a different energy.”

With that, the two women turned and left.

Lin Xiao stared after them, then called out, “Thank you, sisters!”

They didn’t look back, only waved a hand in farewell. Such a simple gesture made Lin Xiao’s nose tingle with emotion.

It felt wonderful to be cared for.

The exhaustion had vanished completely—Lin Xiao found it miraculous. He realized he would have to adapt gradually to this world where spiritual energy was returning. Many things here could not be understood by his previous logic.

When he entered his room, he found Sun Zhiyuan regarding him with a teasing look.

“I must say, kid, you’re pretty popular. But let me warn you, this might earn you some enemies.”

Lin Xiao couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He knew exactly what Sun Zhiyuan was implying.

“Come on, old man, I’m not as shameless as you think. I really couldn’t do such things.”

“Well, who’s to say? You don’t know them yet. If one day you decide you don’t want to put in the effort anymore, who knows what you’ll do?”

Lin Xiao let out a theatrical sigh.

Honestly, he hadn’t been thinking anything, but now that Sun Zhiyuan put it that way, he found himself strangely tempted.

But no, temptation was one thing—taking action was another. He would never do it.

“Really, old man, you’re overthinking. At my age, living here is already giving up on ambition.”

Sun Zhiyuan grudgingly admitted there was truth in that.

Pity, though—if the boy had chosen any other ordinary nursing home, that would be the end of it. But he’d chosen this place, so there was no way life would be so easy for him.

“Starting tomorrow, you’re training with me to strengthen your body.”

“What, have I impressed you so much today? Are you planning to take me as your disciple?”

“As if! You wish. I just can’t stand the sight of your scrawny arms and legs. Look at the men in my family—every one of them is broad-shouldered and strong!”

“Stop! I’m here to take it easy, not to work out. Besides, I’m not part of your family, so don’t hold me to your standards!”

“You can say what you like, but since you’re sharing a room with me, seeing you like this really annoys me. You have two choices: either obediently train with me, or I’ll beat you into submission and then you’ll train with me.”

Lin Xiao gazed up at the ceiling with a forty-five-degree tilt. There was no escaping this—he suspected Sun Zhiyuan was just getting back at him.

“Is it too late to switch rooms?”

“Much too late!”

Lin Xiao was speechless. At that moment, he felt his coming days would be shrouded in darkness.

Seeing Lin Xiao so deflated made Sun Zhiyuan inexplicably happy.

“Don’t just stand there—go take a shower. I suggest you get some sleep early. Tomorrow, you’ll find out what real hellish training means.”

Lin Xiao wasn’t about to put up a fight. Seeing Sun Zhiyuan’s muscular build—and recalling how effortlessly he’d run earlier—Lin Xiao knew resisting would just make things worse.

He decided to do as Sun Zhiyuan said; at least that way, he might suffer less.

After a shower, Lin Xiao lay down on his bed. He had to admit, this was the most comfortable he’d ever felt lying down. Though Liu Jiao had restored his stamina, he still drifted off to sleep almost instantly.

Just before sleep claimed him, Lin Xiao wondered if he really was getting old. At this time of night, he used to be either studying or working a part-time job. Going to bed so early was simply not his style.

Sun Zhiyuan watched Lin Xiao fall asleep almost instantly and found himself envying youth. He didn’t go to sleep, but instead took out his phone and sent a message in the group chat.

[Everyone, I think this kid’s all right. He might be a good fit here.]

[It’s still too early to say. You can’t judge a book by its cover—we should keep observing him.]

[In a week, all the promising youths in Xuncheng will be sent to explore a Level One secret realm. Let’s have him go as well, and set some of our own trials within it. If he passes, it won’t be too late to let him stay.]

[Agreed!]

[+1!]

[+!]

[I have no objections, but his awakened ability is only F-rank. Isn’t it too dangerous to send him into a Level One secret realm?]

The chat buzzed with heated discussion. Sun Zhiyuan thought for a moment, then typed another line.

[Starting tomorrow, I’ll begin training him. His ability may be weak, but if we build up his body, he’ll at least be able to protect himself. A week is short, so Liu Jiao, I’ll need your help! If he passes the trial, then everyone can consider teaching him. If not, the training he’s received will still have benefitted him!]

[OK! No problem!]

[Settled, then. Everyone, start thinking about what kind of trial we should set.]

Lin Xiao slept soundly, blissfully unaware that the elders of the nursing home were already making plans for him.