After finishing her breakfast, Bai Xifeng did not have a moment of peace. A mountain of weathered, leather-bound books had been placed before her on the stone table, and Baishe was firmly playing the role of a strict tutor, forcing her to begin her studies.
"I honestly feel like I'm back in high school, facing the dreaded college entrance exams all over again." Bai Xifeng groaned, letting her face fall onto the table with a heavy thud.
"College entrance exams? I am unfamiliar with the term 'college,' but I can gather what an 'exam' entails." Baishe remarked, hovering near her.
"In my world, the college entrance exam is a massive, high-stakes test that effectively determines the trajectory of your entire life. One day of testing decides your career, your status, and your future." Bai Xifeng explained, her voice muffled by the tabletop.
"Oh? It sounds remarkably similar to the Imperial Exams of this realm." Baishe noted.
"Yeah, I figured as much. Almost every ancient story I've ever watched or read features some version of that grueling exam." Bai Xifeng said, nodding.
"Ancient?" Baishe tilted his head, looking genuinely perplexed.
"Oh... uh, I just meant... Something from a very long time ago." Bai Xifeng replied, trying to cover her slip-up with a rough explanation.
"I am well aware of what the word 'ancient' means." Baishe countered, his golden eyes narrowing. "What confuses me is why you refer to this world, the world we are currently standing in, as an ancient one."
"Hmm... how do I put this into words?" Bai Xifeng mused, sitting up and rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Well, your current world is incredibly similar to the ancient history I studied in my previous life. The architecture, the social hierarchy, the fashion... everything is almost identical, except for the spiritual power everyone wields. We did not have magic or Qi back home."
"Are you telling me that every single human in your previous world was unable to cultivate?" Baishe asked, his voice laced with genuine shock.
"That's right. Every single one of us." Bai Xifeng confirmed with a firm nod.
"Then how on earth did you survive?" Baishe asked, unable to imagine a world of mere mortals.
"Even though we could not cultivate, we thrived. We did not need spiritual energy to achieve greatness. We could even travel across the globe by flying through the clouds." Bai Xifeng said, a competitive spark in her eyes as she began to show off. "Can people in this world do that?"
"Indeed, humans in this world can fly." Baishe replied calmly. "Powerful cultivators can soar through the sky using their spirit swords."
"But they can only do that for themselves, right? One person per sword?" Bai Xifeng lifted an eyebrow, a triumphant smirk appearing on her face.
"Of course. It requires immense personal Qi to sustain flight." Baishe nodded.
"Well, humans in my previous world used science to build massive machines called aeroplanes. A single aeroplane can carry upwards of six hundred people across the ocean at one time." Bai Xifeng stated proudly.
"What? Six hundred? At once?" Baishe's stoic mask finally cracked.
He simply could not believe her words. It sounded like an impossible fairy tale.
"I'm serious! By understanding the laws of physics and engineering, we created incredible things to make our lives easily." Bai Xifeng smiled, though her expression quickly turned wistful. "Ugh, if only I had my smartphone with me, I could show you the photos. Why couldn't my transmigration be like that anime In Another World with My Smartphone? I would give anything for a 5G connection and the internet right now!"
"What are you babbling about now? What is a 'Smart-Fone'?" Baishe was utterly lost.
"Oh... a smartphone is a magical little device we use to communicate instantly with people thousands of miles away. It's a portal to all the world's knowledge! We use it to capture images, watch movies, play games, and a million other things." Bai Xifeng said, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and deep, agonizing homesickness.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. Can you consider reading it on the original website for those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, as your support to me? Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko***
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