Since Sui Yan had preparations to make before being able to take the Ling siblings home, the two will have to spend a bit more time at the orphanage.
With the necessary documents having already been signed by all the parties involved, everything should have returned to normal with the Ling siblings going about their day as per usual, but—
"…Elder sister."
"Hm?"
Thinking back to Sui Yan's princely appearance, Ling Xue Luo remarks—
"That woman… She was very handsome."
"…"
Being adopted together with her little sister should have been a good thing for Ling Cang Xue.
And so long as she fulfills her end of the bargain with Sui Yan, Ling Xue Luo's health issues can finally be resolved, to Ling Cang Xue the situation is akin to a dream come true.
However—
"…?"
Staring at Ling Xue Luo, who's face is currently tinged red, Ling Cang Xue blinks her eyes with an expression of concern.
"Xue Luo."
Drawing in a breath of air, Ling Cang Xue places her hands onto Ling Xue Luo's shoulders, and with a solemn expression on her face, the former continues to say—
"Listen to your elder sister. That woman, she might look nice on the outside, but people like her…- To her, the act of maintaining a nice outward appearance, it's all just a means for her to cover up her own shadiness. Trust me when I say this, but that woman is definitely not some kindhearted soul. Besides, haven't you seen that odd creature on her shoulders? To be able to keep something like that as a pet, she's probably insane in the head."
"…?"
Tilting her head, Ling Xue Luo replies—
"Elder sister, aren't you overthinking things? Also, it's a fact that I did feel better when she held my hand."
"Th-That's…!"
Unable to deny the fact that Ling Xue Luo's complexion does appear much better than usual, Ling Cang Xue finds it difficult to counter the statement.
Momentarily, Ling Cang Xue recalls a certain matter, and remarks—
"Xue Luo, there's been times in which our peers would be returned to the orphanage—due to the guardians being unfit for the role, right?"
This doesn't happen very often, but the fact that it does happen every now and then is still concerning to all members of the orphanage.
For the children—who had to deal with unqualified guardians, the experience could be rather traumatic, so much so that they would refuse to give another guardian a chance at taking them in.
"Un."
Receiving a nod from Ling Xue Luo, Ling Cang Xue continues to say—
"…That woman, it's unwise to put too much faith in her. Until we know her true colors, she should be kept at a distance."
"I see?"
That night, Ling Cang Xue found it difficult to sleep, as she stared at the ceiling with an unpleasant expression on her face.
...…
The next day, the Ling siblings followed Sui Yan to her residence.
Other than a simple greeting in the beginning, none of them said anything to each other along the way.
Arriving at the residence's door, and entering it, the two siblings are greeted to the sight of a small kitchen—consisting of a stove, a sink, and a counter to the left.
As for the living room, a large monitor that takes up the entirety of the wall is present; and situated in front of it are two armchairs and a sofa—with a round table in the center.
Showing the two to the room that they will be staying in going forward, the Ling siblings see two beds with a drawer unit on the side, along with a shared closet.
Glancing at Ling Cang Xue, Sui Yan says—
"Once you've put your little sister onto the bed, meet me in the living room."
"…"
Narrowing her eyes, Ling Cang Xue replies—
"Got it."
As Sui Yan heads to the living room, Ling Cang Xue lifts Ling Xue Luo off the wheelchair, and carries her over to one of the beds.
The frame of the bed isn't very tall—only an inch off the ground, making it easy for Ling Cang Xue to place Ling Xue Luo down.
Layering the blanket over Ling Xue Luo, Ling Cang Xue says—
"I'll be back later."
"Un."
...…
Exiting the room, and shutting the door lightly, Ling Cang Xue's expression immediately turns unpleasant, as she walks over to the living room, and takes a seat down on the armchair.
Raising a subtle smile, Sui Yan asks—
"Is the room to your liking?"
Cutting straight to the chase, Ling Cang Xue asks—
"What made you want to adopt us?"
Maintaining her smile, Sui Yan answers—
"I don't like situations that I cannot control. The selections event is one such thing."
"Hm…?"
Tapping her index finger against her knee, Sui Yan asks—
"Do you understand how it is possible for the natural energies of Heaven and Earth to be generated?"
"…Isn't it because Colony Three is considered a planet?"
"The most basic answer. That's part of it, yes. But other than the presence of a planet, life must also be there. Besides these two factors, History must also be present."
"…?"
Seeing the look of confusion on Ling Cang Xue's face, Sui Yan pauses for a brief instance, prior to adding—
"Regardless, the more life there is on Colony Three—the more natural energy will be generated."
Organizing her thoughts, Sui Yan continues to explain—
"To summarize… It's quite obvious that Colony Three is the strongest colony at this time. But once another colony merges in, that won't always be the case. Due to the strength of the colony leaders' cultivation bases, if they end up fighting one another, they'll inconvenience everyone onboard these vessels—a four-digit casualty count appearing during their fight is rather high. If that many lives are lost, there will be an effect on how much natural energy can be generated. …Are you able to understand everything so far?"
"…Un."
Towards the question, Ling Cang Xue replies with a subtle nod, to which, Sui Yan continues to explain—
"With this risk present, the colony leaders cannot fight each other openly. That being the case, the selections event became a way for them to compete against one another—without having to use their own strength. Being able to obtain first place in these selections events—outside of obtaining the merging opportunity, it's also a chance for the colonies to demonstrate their strength. The more wins a colony possesses at the end of the eight selections events, the more power they would have in this star region's future decision-making matters. That is why they are pouring so much resources into the cultivation of an elite talent in the upcoming selections event. Being able to obtain first place in the first selections event—to them, obtaining this first place is the same as obtaining a solid foundation for their future because the talent who attains first place will definitely continue to grow."
"This…?"
Listening up to here, Ling Cang Xue feels a splitting headache welling up, to which, Sui Yan raises a sigh, and says—
"Basically, until all the colonies are merged into one, Colony Three must be able to maintain its current standings as the strongest colony. In the ideal-case scenario, Colony Three manages to obtain all eight first places. That way… When phase two of the plan begins, there won't be any disunity."
"…I-I see. This is all very…"
Maintaining a look of confusion on her face, Ling Cang Xue has a difficult time wrapping her head around what Sui Yan had just explained—causing her to turn her head to the side.
(Ai, exposing a child to the dirty politics of the grown-up world, this isn't something that I should be doing, but…)
Raising a helpless sigh, Sui Yan stands from the sofa, and walks over to Ling Cang Xue.
Placing a hand onto Ling Cang Xue's head, Sui Yan says—
"My reason for adopting you two is because I see potential in you both. But that aside, since I've decided to adopt you two, I will take responsibility for the both of you until the end—whether you manage to obtain first place in the first selections event or not. But in exchange, I expect you to work many times harder."
"…Un."
Regaining her composure, Ling Cang Xue nods.
In the same instance, Sui Yan says—
"Ideally, within the next two years, I need you to breakthrough into the Core Formation realm. The year after that, I need you to be at the peak stage of the Core Formation realm."
"...…Ah?"
Widening her eyes, Ling Cang Xue finds it difficult to believe what she had just heard.
At this time, Ling Cang Xue is only at the fifth stage of the Qi Condensation realm.
(In three years, I would be at the age of ten… So…?)
In other words, Sui Yan expects Ling Cang Xue to be at the peak stage of the Core Formation realm at that age.
"Th-That's impossible…! In the records, a ten-year-old Core Formation realm practitioner is considered a genius without equals! To achieve that sort of result in our current world, it's-!"
Cutting Ling Cang Xue off, Sui Yan asks—
"You want to say that it's impossible?"
"…Un."
Rubbing Ling Cang Xue's head gently, Sui Yan remarks—
"Prepare to make a new page in the history books then."