Opening his eyes, he saw the familiar ceiling.

Lifting his head, he heard the sound of the range hood from the kitchen and the seemingly endless noise from the living room that had not ceased since early morning, chaotic yet comforting.

Behind the pushed-open door, a pair of black, beady eyes sneakily peeked through. Noticing Ji Jue raising his head, the youngest sibling stealthily squeezed in with his homework book, and in a hushed voice, asked, "Second brother, how do you write this?" with his homework completely blank.

Outside the cramped bedroom, Lu Ling's irate complaints carried through, "Big brother, why are your underpants hanging on the door frame again!"

"Oh, come on, hanging them there for a bit is no big deal!" The person scraping his feet while scrolling through videos on the couch turned over, unconcerned.

"Mom, look at him!"

"Enough already, where's the youngest? Keep an eye on him." From the kitchen, Lu Ma turned and called out, "Is little Ji up yet? If he's awake, come eat, I've simmered chicken soup all night!"

"I'm up, I'm up."

After hastily helping the youngest finish the homework due for review today, Ji Jue pretended to just have woken up, yawning as he walked out of the bedroom. Before he could even sit down, the table was already full to the brim.

"Whoa! What's the occasion today? Such a feast~"

Lu Feng rubbed his hands together after his antics and went straight for the chicken legs. His siblings followed suit, not a trace of gentleness, respect, thrift, or yielding among them. Any child who hoped for a sibling to share would have been crying their eyes out long ago.

Like the youngest, who was a step too slow and found his plate empty, crying out loud, "Mom, sister took my meat!"

The third sister, with the biggest piece of chicken breast in her mouth, shot a glare like lightning at the youngest, who had the broccoli hidden behind his bowl, "Mom, the youngest is picking out the veggies again!"

Lu Ling screamed in front of the refrigerator, "Ahh! My milk, all gone again... Lu Feng, I'm going to kill you!!!"

"Your milk didn't have your name on it!"

Lu Feng ducked and dodged, narrowly missing the milk carton Lu Ling threw at him, which then hit the third sister on the head, who began to wail.

Until there was a heavy 'thump.'

The few hundred pounds of a solid wooden table, along with all the dishes on it, leaped over a foot high with a single smash.

"Have you had enough!"

Lu Ma's fist restored order, her narrow eyes sweeping across the room, "Little dog, Er Gou, Third dog, Fourth doggy, all sit down and eat properly!"

"Pff!"

In the dead silence, Ji Jue, holding his bowl, couldn't help but burst out laughing. Suddenly, Lu Ma looked over, her frosty demeanor thawing into a spring breeze as she scooped up a big spoonful of soup, filling his bowl to the brim.

"Ah, little Ji hasn't been home for a long time, look how thin you've become, here, eat more, I can make more if it's not enough. Later, I'll go slaughter a chicken and make you some boiled chicken for dinner."

"Yay!"

Ji Jue raised his hands in cheer.

Then the spring breeze was replaced by the harshness of a bitter winter, as a heavy backhanded slap landed on Lu Feng's head, "Laughing at what? Have your socks been washed? I've told you so many times to leave your underpants on the balcony..."

"Mom!!!" Lu Feng clasped his head in anguish, "You're my real mom, I'm the one with the surname Lu…"

"Still have the nerve to say it, a Lu's underpants should never hang on the door frame!"

Smack!

Her slaps rained down like a torrential downpour.

Ji Jue shrank his head while watching the commotion, and once again, unable to contain himself, he burst into laughter.

The good times weren't short, in fact, they could be enjoyed every day!

After dinner came dishwashing, packing up school bags, and housework; then everyone lined up at the front door, ready to go. Lu Ma went to the store to tidy up and prepare for opening, Lu Feng drove to drop off the third and youngest kid at school before heading back to help out, or he'd slack off and continue aimlessly wandering the streets, while Ji Jue, with the buzzing Little Bull, gave Lu Ling a lift to Tianmen en route.

But in the back of the vehicle, where it was bulging with a heap of items that looked like antiques and other incomprehensible things, Lu Ling carefully found a spot to settle among them. Several times during the ride, amidst the sputtering sounds, she hesitated, wanting to speak, then stopped herself.

"Big Bro... is there something off with our motorcycle?"

"What's wrong with it?"

Ji Jue, who was in front, twisting the accelerator to ride the wind, shouted back, "Isn't it perfectly fine!"

Bullshit, it's fine!

Lu Ling felt as if her fists were clenched hard. I could understand when it suddenly got a bit bigger, I'll just assume I remembered it wrong. But now it has changed from two wheels to three, do you think I'm blind?!

"What's the deal with this trailer?"

"Nobody wanted it, so I picked it up!"

"And the extra wheel?"

"Picked that up too!"

"What about all this stuff on top?" Lu Ling pointed at the heap of boxes and random junk, "Surely you didn't pick those up too?"

"That's right!"

Ji Jue responded without hesitation, "Next time I'll take you with me to pick stuff up, just remember to bring more sacks, the locals are really enthusiastic!"

"... I don't believe you for a second."

Lu Ling rolled her eyes and couldn't be bothered to ask any more questions.

The joy of a full load, she didn't understand.

Ji Jue's mood hadn't been this good in a long time. Humming a tune, singing a song, with the sky clear and cloudless, flowers blooming, birds singing, even the security guards blocking the way became unexpectedly amicable.

Despite Lu Ling suggesting that it would be fine to just drop her off at the street corner, Ji Jue proudly used the identity card Professor Ye had given him to swipe through the gate. The three-wheeler chugged along without any obstacles, driving all the way up to the small plaza in front of the teaching building. There, in the astonished gaze of others, Ji Jue enjoyed a long-missed scene of Little Second scurrying away with his head in his arms.

Afraid that Ji Jue might honk the horn twice more and shout 'We buy old TVs and air conditioners!', otherwise, she was going to be blessed with a social death.

Look how good I am to you!

Ji Jue turned around happily. After making his presence felt in school after a long absence, he left with the nonchalance of a stray dog, riding all the way to the workshop by the beach.

After parking the three-wheeler in the storeroom, Ji Jue strutted into the living room with the inflated confidence of someone who doesn't recognize his relatives, pushing open the door: "Teacher, I'm back!"

Amid the sound of the TV drama, Professor Ye sat in his usual spot with a teacup in hand, looking calm and composed, obviously having anticipated the spirited state of a child returning home laden with bags from a long trip, unfazed by it.

Rather, it was Ye Chun on the sofa, lounging like a reclining Buddha, who was startled by his forceful entrance.

"Hey there, isn't that Big Brother Ji Jue?" She nibbled on nuts, glancing over, "Long time no see, what's with the shabbiness? Your pants have split, how about changing them, at least?"

"Rubbish, I just changed my pants!"

Ji Jue scoffed coldly, completely unfazed by her sarcastic taunt, and directly took off his gloves in front of her, rolling up his sleeves to reveal the intricate Matrix covering both hands and forearms.

"Open your dog eyes and take a good look, what is this!"

Ji Jue almost wanted to thrust his hands into Ye Chun's face, turning them over and over to show off, "This is the same brand worn by Saints, which I risked my life to get!"

"Seen it yet? Seen it yet? SEEN IT YET?!"

He had been waiting for this moment for who knows how many days.

As they say, true wealth isn't returned home until it dazzles like brocade in the night—a display of one's divine prowess is indeed an indispensable pursuit in life.

Unfortunately, in the Crack Realm, there just weren't any suitable targets to show off to.

The Prophet had seen it so many times he'd lost count, the oxen and horses were confused and didn't have a clue what was going on, Xiao An was calm, didn't care in the slightest; it was only with the bit of emotional value provided by Mr. Lou that he could maintain his composure.

Now that he was back in the workshop, naturally, he had to lay it on really thick—especially to that senior who had always been persecuting him. Should launch a counterattack, right—Eh?

Eh? How did you know I went out the door and got the Non-attack inheritance from the Heavenly People?

In a moment of astonishment, Ye Chun's gaze widened unconsciously as he looked at Ji Jue's hands, bewildered, confused, suspicious, and even shocked, like a spinning wheel of fortune, displaying a blend of wonders.

He grabbed Ji Jue's hands and scrutinized them over and over.

Gazing at the solemn tattoo-like emblem, he began to sympathize,

"So, you can't take civil service exams anymore!"

"..."

Silence crashed down suddenly, Ji Jue's face flushed red, unable to spit out the frustration.

After all the hardships he faced, to obtain the Saintly Matrix inheritance, and you're not asking me if I'm awesome, but whether I can take civil service exams in the future?

Such fierce attack!

Always stabbing in the back when least expected, you really did it, Ye Chun!

"Well then, guess I won't pretend to be a virtuous gentleman anymore..."

Ji Jue's expression collapsed in an instant, he threw her hand aside mercilessly, then reached into his backpack and pulled out a thick stack of papers freshly printed.

Handing them to Professor Ye with a serious look, "Teacher, this is my thesis, wrote it on the road, can you take a look see if there's anything I should revise?

Oh, right, did my senior sister submit hers yet? I hope I didn't delay it too long."

As he spoke, he turned back with a mocking smile.

I was planning to appreciate your performance and reward you with a second authorship, but alas, no more!

Snap!

The jar of nuts almost hit the ground.

Ye Chun turned stiffly, gaping in disbelief, as if he had finally seen through Ji Jue's true colors.

Dog!

Auntie, there's a dog!!!

Even when you are outside, you are still thinking about how to stress me to death; I stuffed you with so many snacks, told you to rest more, and this is how you repay me!

"Just leave it there, I'll look at it later."

Professor Ye took a sip of thick tea, enjoying the habitual dog-eat-dog scene between the student and his niece, and finally added nonchalantly, "A-Chun's paper should be almost ready too, right?"

Ye Chun collapsed onto the sofa, wiping away tears and unable to utter a word.

Am I the only expendable one in this house, right?

After Ji Jue sat down, the work report finally began.

"Alright, let's hear it."

Professor Ye waved his hand. "You rarely venture out; how was your haul?"

"Non-attack, secured it."

Ji Jue lifted both hands, ready to start showing off again, but Professor Ye only glanced once and seemed convinced it was the genuine article, so he said no more, leaving Ji Jue no opportunity to strut.

"And then?" she asked.

"...Just happened to get an Ember Blessing too, seems pretty powerful." Ji Jue grunted shyly, with a timid smile, "Accidentally advanced."

"Hmm?"

This time, Professor Ye paused slightly, even stopping her motion to lift the teacup and looked closely at Ji Jue for any signs of mutant uncontrollability before nodding, "Although that's rather quick, it's not too bizarre. I'll reinforce your foundations later.

Anything else?"

"Some odds and ends, including some furnishings and materials from Mercury Workshop, some alchemy creations."

Ji Jue obediently answered, "There were some blessings among them, but unfortunately, they had been neglected of spiritual sustenance for too long and reverted to their original state.

I'll bring them up in a bit; I'll need you to have a look.

It's just the quantity..."

He hesitated a moment, watching Professor Ye for her reaction, "Might be a bit much."

"Much?"

Professor Ye, sensitive to the fluff often found in academic papers, didn't appreciate the vague summary. "How much is a bit much?"

"Uh, about the type with the Gate of Eternity emblem engraved, with expanded interiors—about seven or eight cubic meters of space."

Looks like a decent haul.

Professor Ye nodded slightly, about to sip her tea and give some praise when she heard the second half of Ji Jue's sentence, "Filled about a truckload with those boxes."

"..."

Her action of drinking tea got interrupted again.

Ye Xian scrutinized the student seated quietly in front of her, suddenly wanting to ask, are you messing with me?

But when she turned to project the storage space image, she saw a small mountain of goods piled in the back of a three-wheeled cart...

You stepped out the door and how did the wheels on the cart multiply?

Even for old hands like Professor Ye, couldn't help but suck in a breath out of respect, filled with curiosity, "How did you manage that?"

"Well, just standard exploration, the locals in the Crack Realm were really welcoming, everything I saw they'd let me take some, the rest were just picked up from the ground."

Ji Jue hesitated, organizing his words, deciding to come clean, "Also, I ran into Mr. Lou inside, didn't hit it off, had a fight. I figured, already offended him... might as well tie him up and make a big score.

This time, it was Professor Ye's turn to be silent.

In the brief quiet, she observed Ji Jue's vulnerable and pitiful demeanor, her eyebrows slowly arched, suddenly asking, "Did you leave the corpse intact?"

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