Dreams of a wonderful future brought a slight smile to Shen Xingyan's face. Inspired, he noticed a new Star Source prompt had appeared above the wheat field.
Without wasting time, Shen Xingyan and the two skeletons headed into the field, starting their methodical work. His restored stamina and renewed morale filled him with energy, and as soon as a new prompt appeared, the three champions of labor immediately got to work.
As their efficiency grew, it seemed the Star Source itself was impressed by their diligence. Perhaps the effects of the 20% increase in growth progress were beginning to fade, which made the intervals between prompts longer and longer.
To his surprise, Shen Xingyan found that he even had a little time to rest—a luxury he didn't have yesterday.
During a break, watching the little skeletons, Shen Xingyan couldn't help but smile: a little extra labor really does make a difference!
Thanks to the efficient completion of all the maintenance tasks, the wheat in the field was growing better and better, its ears getting fuller. If nothing unforeseen happened, a bumper harvest was guaranteed!
And so, alternating between work and rest, Shen Xingyan was gradually approaching the end of his session in the Star Source world.
Seeing the countdown, Shen Xingyan crouched down and gently patted the skulls of both skeletons:
"I have to leave for a little while. This plot is under your care now. Wangcai, even though you were only summoned a day earlier, you're an 'old-timer' now, so look after the little skeleton well," Shen Xingyan said, smiling at his own words.
He knew that logically, the skeletons would simply follow his orders, and all these instructions were like talking to thin air, eliciting no reaction. But he still couldn't stop himself from giving them, which was likely due to his many years of experience caring for his younger sister.
With a slight smile, Shen Xingyan shook his head, waved to Wangcai and the little skeleton, and, concentrating, instantly vanished from the Star Source world.
Standing at the edge of the field, Wangcai and the little skeleton saw their master disappear into thin air and slowly turned their skulls, as if instinctively trying to find Shen Xingyan.
Wangcai, having already gone through this yesterday, quickly stopped searching and turned toward the field.
The new skeleton, however, continued to look around. Although it could no longer feel Shen Xingyan's presence through their special connection, it didn't give up and kept searching blindly.
When a new prompt icon appeared above the field, Wangcai, faithfully following Shen Xingyan's orders, headed toward the field.
But after going halfway, it noticed that the little skeleton was still looking around, not noticing the new prompt.
Wangcai slowly returned and hit the little skeleton's skull with a dull thud, making it freeze in its tracks.
The little skeleton slightly tilted its head, looking at Wangcai.
Wangcai slowly raised a bony finger, pointing at the icon above the field, then turned and walked toward the field.
The little skeleton, having received its lesson, lowered its head and followed Wangcai without the slightest sign of resistance, as if subdued by Wangcai's authority.
Returning to the real world, Shen Xingyan, just like yesterday, slowly opened his eyes, but unlike last time, he was now full of energy.
Today's discovery of the new possibilities of his innate talent had put Shen Xingyan in high spirits. Moreover, sleep in the Star Source world worked the same way as in reality.
The three-plus hours Shen Xingyan had spent sleeping in the Star Source world had been a full-fledged rest. These two factors explained his current vigor.
After waking up, Shen Xingyan checked the information on his star card again and again, confirming its authenticity. Finally, with a look of happiness on his face, he stared at the ceiling, overwhelmed with joy. He wanted to announce to the whole world: he, Shen Xingyan, was no longer a helpless farmer! Give him time, and his achievements would shake all living beings, including the invading Catastrophes!
Fortunately, his rational mind intervened and suppressed this impulse.
Restraint, restraint! Until I have enough strength, I cannot reveal myself to anyone. Remember this! the excited Shen Xingyan mentally cautioned himself.
Taking a deep breath, he got up and began to prepare food. It was still early morning, and so as not to disturb his sister, he quietly made breakfast for both of them.
Quickly swallowing his portion, he returned to his room, but unable to fall back asleep, he began to do the physical exercises they had been taught at school, moving carefully around the room.
At this time, when most people were either immersed in the Star Source world or sleeping, those like Shen Xingyan, who were training their bodies, could be counted on one's fingers.
It wasn't until dawn broke that Shen Xingyan finally stopped his training. Two hours of exercises had significantly drained his strength.
Checking his star card, he saw that his stamina had dropped to 4 points—a little more, and he would have entered a weakened state.
Hearing a slight noise outside, Shen Xingyan knew his sister was awake. He quickly changed his sweat-soaked clothes and left the room.
"Oh, brother, you're already awake?" Shen Xingying asked in surprise, seeing her brother.
By her calculations, he should have returned from the Star Source world around five or six in the morning, the sleepiest time, and should still be sleeping now.
"It's nothing. Let's eat breakfast quickly; I've already prepared everything," Shen Xingyan said with a gentle smile, ruffling his sister's hair.
Shen Xingying nodded and, without asking any more questions, began eating. She hadn't seen her brother in two days and was happy for the chance to see and talk to him before school.
"Brother, what is the Star Source world like? They say it's much livelier than our place, just like before the Cataclysm!" Shen Xingying asked curiously as she ate breakfast, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Shen Xingyan reheated two steamed buns for himself and, chewing on them, described his first impressions. Although he had spent the last two days mostly in his professional space, it didn't stop him from sharing with his sister his impression of that quiet and peaceful street.
Listening to her brother's story, Shen Xingying's eyes shone brighter and brighter.