The files contained some basic information about Shen Yun.
Name: Shen Yun.
Gender: Male.
Age: 24.
His parents were divorced and lived separately, usually residing out of town. After graduating from university, during these three years of the Spiritual Qi outbreak, he had been staying at his old house. He hadn't moved out, rarely interacted with people, and acted like an ordinary netizen online—he liked anime, novels, movies, listening to music, and everything else young people liked.
"This is a classic example of 'laying low only to stun the world with a single feat' after the outbreak of Spiritual Qi," Director Lu said, his face full of envy.
"Indeed." Director Zhao nodded in deep agreement. "In less than three mere years, he actually survived the Celestial Tribulation and achieved the Golden Core. I really don't understand how the gap between people can be so huge! If this were ancient times, he might have been a legendary immortal or Buddha."
"Moreover, he never shows off and can endure loneliness. Compared to those who get carried away the moment they gain a little strength, he is countless times better. Truly..." Director Lu let out a long sigh. "No wonder he could achieve the Golden Core."
The two of them exchanged glances and words, clearly treating Shen Yun as that mighty figure who had overcome the tribulation. They showered him with all kinds of praise and flattery. After all, Shen Yun wasn't even the only young Golden Core expert to survive the Celestial Tribulation last night; that head disciple of the Wudang Sect was even a few years younger than him. She also lived as a recluse, yet her strength far surpassed many elders at such a young age, boasting astonishing talent.
Director Zhao and Director Lu exchanged a glance, feeling they had praised him just about enough. At this distance, the mighty figure inside could definitely hear them. Taking a breath, the two adjusted their breathing and clothes, walked to the villa's door, and gave it a gentle knock. They were somewhat nervous.
The power gap among Cultivators was enormous. The strength of a Golden Core expert was comparable to a humanoid missile battalion. Even the nation's top echelons had no choice but to treat them with immense importance.
CREAAAK.
With a slight sound of friction, the door opened.
Director Zhao and Director Lu couldn't help but hold their breath. They had imagined all sorts of scenarios, but they never expected the door to be opened by a tall, slender, and incredibly beautiful maid! Didn't the files say this mighty figure lived alone? Weren't they just praising him for enduring loneliness?
"The master has been waiting for a long time."
Xiao Jiu's expression was indifferent but dignified and elegant. She neither gave off an approachable vibe nor made them feel alienated, acting completely with the poise of a noble household.
"Pardon the intrusion." Though younger, Director Lu had a higher cultivation level and was the first to snap back to his senses. He subtly tugged at Director Zhao beside him. To his surprise, he realized this maid's strength was likely far greater than his own. As expected of someone serving a Golden Core master!
Tugged by his companion, Director Zhao also reacted. In this era, if one's strength was great enough, they could slightly alter their appearance. Someone who was already beautiful would only become more stunning, so it wasn't too surprising. However, their assessment of the mighty Shen Yun's personality needed an adjustment. Like Director Lu, he still viewed Shen Yun as the one who survived the Celestial Tribulation. After all, no one would believe that a powerful Cultivator would be willing to serve as a maid for someone weaker than themselves.
They walked into the villa. The sound of a video game echoed through the air.
The lighting inside the villa was excellent, with sunlight streaming through the windows. A young man sat cross-legged on the sofa, clutching a controller and staring intently at the game on the television screen. This was Shen Yun.
Director Lu and Director Zhao took their seats on the guest sofa. They didn't dare stare at Shen Yun but remained highly patient, sitting upright as they waited. Director Lu glanced at the television. Surprisingly, it was Super Mario. It was on an ultra-high difficulty mode, featuring all sorts of thrilling maneuvers as the player flawlessly cleared the stages. But this was only natural; even he could do it, let alone a Golden Core master.
He cleared the game with a single life.
Shen Yun put down the controller, feeling much more at ease. Since they were willing to wait for him to finish his game, it meant they were keeping a very low profile. It seemed last night's Celestial Tribulation truly had a certain deterrent effect. Moreover, just as Xiao Jiu had said, it really wasn't that easy to tell that he was a fake master.
At this moment, Xiao Jiu brought over two cups of tea.
"Thank you." Director Lu accepted the cup with both hands. Seeing Shen Yun look over, he finally met the young man's gaze and discreetly sized him up. He sighed in amazement inwardly. As expected of a mighty figure who survived the core tribulation! He had clearly reached the state of returning to his true, unadorned self. Director Lu could only sense the faintest trace of leaking Spiritual Qi, yet it was incredibly pure. He was practically certain this was the person who underwent the tribulation last night.
"Mr. Shen, first of all, congratulations on surviving the Celestial Tribulation. You are already standing at the absolute forefront of all humanity."
"..."
Looking at the government official smiling flatteringly before him, Shen Yun rejoiced inwardly, but he maintained a perfectly composed exterior.
"It was just a stroke of luck," he replied with a soft chuckle, silently confirming the assumption while putting on quite the act. He figured he might as well pretend for as long as he could. After all, Xiao Jiu's strength was real and right there for all to see.
Standing to the side, Xiao Jiu pursed her thin lips, secretly laughing as well. These two had just praised her master to high heaven! Hmph, if they hadn't said things that pleased her ears, there was no way someone of their caliber would have gotten Jiu'Er to pour them tea.
"Actually, we are here today to deliver an invitation to you, Mr. Shen." Director Lu didn't continue the small talk. Getting straight to the point, he pulled a palm-sized card from his backpack and placed it on the tea table.
It was beautifully crafted with a red background, bearing the national emblem of China on the front. Below it, two lines of text were written:
— The First Global Cultivator Competitive Tournament.
— Date: July 24, 2020.
Wait. Shen Yun looked at the date and suddenly realized something. "Isn't this the date for the Olympic Games?"
"Indeed." A trace of doubt flashed through Director Lu's eyes, but he quickly understood. "Mr. Shen must be so immersed in cultivation that you don't pay much attention to international news. Right now, Sakura Country is plagued by gang violence, and a war for the syndicate throne has broken out. After discussions by the International Olympic Committee, the hosting rights for the Olympic Games were transferred to our country. Our country agreed and repurposed it into the First Global Cultivator Competitive Tournament."
With this simple explanation, Shen Yun easily guessed what was going on. Since China was facing all this chaos, other countries couldn't be doing much better. Moreover, with the resurgence of Spiritual Qi, what was the point of normal athletic competitions? It just came down to whoever had a higher cultivation level running faster. It was only natural that it evolved into a global Cultivator tournament.
Furthermore, Shen Yun couldn't help but feel curious. Whether it was the revival of Spiritual Qi, the Celestial Tribulation, or the Golden Core, everything screamed of China's Cultivation Law. Those foreigners were probably crying right now. Even if the cultivation methods were made public, what good would it do if they couldn't read Chinese characters? Let alone those profoundly esoteric ancient texts, which were completely impossible to translate accurately.
"If I have time, I'll go take a look."
Curiosity aside, Shen Yun knew his own limits and didn't want to get involved in the commotion. Right now, he somewhat wanted to find a remote forest deep in the mountains and only emerge once his power was fully mastered. This wasn't cowardice; it was simply him 'following his heart'. If he could be an overpowered protagonist right off the bat, who would willingly choose the grueling path of a zero-to-hero underdog?