No matter in the south or the north, it seemed as if every hospital room's ceiling was the same, with no exceptions.

As though the suspended ceilings were all made by the same company, there was no variation or aesthetic to speak of, utterly monotonous and dull to the point of despair.

The air floated with the smell of disinfectant, and my mouth tasted sour with the remnants of medicine.

A cannula was still attached to my wrist, and the machine in the corner ticked steadily, every inch of my body aching unbearably, completely immobilized.

More importantly, the afternoon sun hit my face directly, blinding and intense.

Too sunny!

Nurse? Nurse! Could you pull the curtains for me?

Unfortunately, there was no nurse.

No kindhearted big sister nor meticulous care.

Beside the hospital bed on a chair, there was only a familiar figure, with a familiar thermos cup and a Ghost Work Ball placed beside him, calmly reading the newspaper.

"Teacher?" Ji Jue was stunned.

"Hm?"

Ye Xian turned to look at him, simply nodding with understanding, "Awake now?"

"Yeah." Ji Jue's voice was raspy, "Do you have any water? I'm so thirsty."

"It's on the table, pour it yourself, and if you can't, ring the bell."

Utterly lacking in warmth, as indifferent as ever, which actually made Ji Jue breathe a sigh of relief. Had Professor Ye suddenly started speaking softly and attentively taking care of him, Ji Jue would have thought he had been hit with some Illusion Technique.

Just moving my fingers slightly, though, I felt a piercing pain.

Not just the body, but also the soul.

I held the cup of water with shaking hands, spilling half of it.

I couldn't even drink it!

"The Matrix is overloaded, a normal phenomenon; you'll feel better after some rest."

Ye Xian glanced at his awkward state and flicked his fingers, a straw made of air fell into the cup to prevent him from washing his face with it any further.

When I had finally managed to take a sip after much struggle, I noticed the rich fragrance of flowers permeating the air.

As I looked around, I finally saw the mountainous piles of visiting bouquets and fruit baskets in the temporary room.

There were gold-ribboned bundles aplenty.

Some were from the Tong family, some from Tong Ting, and others bore the names Ji Liu, Ji Xue, and Xu Guan. There were also ones from both the Cliff City Security Bureau and the Tide City Security Bureau, as well as from Lou Feng, whose handwriting looked unwilling no matter how one looked at it. Another from Lou Yanyue had a specially large fruit basket, almost big enough to fit Ji Jue inside. There were also unsigned ones with the smallest and cheapest fruit baskets, two of which were spoiled, simply saying "Get well soon and repay the debt"—that must be Old Tang's, fine, you punk want the final payment? Keep dreaming!

There was also one that said, "From the entire Recovery Department team..."

Did the brothers still remember me?

Even more baffling were the numerous names Ji Jue had never heard of, or people he'd met only once; there were so many it was a bit frightening.

"Uh, isn't this a bit over the top?"

"That's after clearing out more than half already. These past few days, fruit shops at the outpost were nearly bought out; the shop owners are knelt down in their dreams thanking you."

Ye Xian said, "The Tong family and the Lou family owe you a huge favor, the Security Bureaus of Cliff City and Tide City have commended you. Even the association's commissioners are singing your praises. If you weren't still an apprentice, they'd have awarded you the golden ribbon by now.

Reaping such benefits from making a name for yourself that from now on, no one will see you as just someone's apprentice, they'll remember your name instead."

"... "

Ji Jue was silent for a long time, then gave a self-deprecating smile and looked back at Ye Xian. Ye Xian was looking down at his newspaper, still indifferent, showing no reaction. Until finally, Ji Jue mustered the courage to ask,

"Doesn't the teacher have any questions for me?"

Then the eyes behind the newspaper lifted to glance over, eyebrows raised.

As if looking at a fool.

"A student always asks questions of the teacher; since when does the teacher consult the student?"

Professor Ye told him coldly, "A student is a student, a teacher is a teacher. Once you've signed the contract, be an honest ox or horse and don't think too much about nonsensical things."

"Ah?" Ji Jue was dumbfounded.

"Furthermore, if I were you, I would be careful when walking at night from now on."

Ye Xian withdrew his gaze, mocking, "Jian Yuan is very petty; no matter how nonchalant you were when leaving, he probably can't forget the fine jade that slipped through his fingers.

Of course, if you really have a liking for You Sui, I won't force you—the act of expelling you tomorrow will suffice."

"Don't, please don't!"

Ji Jue flailed in alarm, wincing in pain, "Teacher, I'm scared, I'm truly frightened!"

"Let's hope so."

Ye Xian scoffed coldly, as aloof as ever.

The hospital room returned to silence.

Ji Jue closed his eyes, feeling his weakening spirit and the dimming flux of the Matrix, his condition weaker than it had ever been, seemingly on the last thread of life.

Yet from this weakness, the luminescence circulating through the Matrix seemed to grow more resilient, its structure ever more complex, as if growing, it had already spread along his arms, nearly reaching his shoulders.

And within the soul, next to the blessings of Heavenly Skill and Spirit First, a brand-new outline appeared, shrouded in a halo, seamlessly connected with the Matrix.

All spiritual matter became orderly, all minute changes clear and refreshing; the beating of the heart, the rhythm of the pulse, the circulation of blood, and the reflexes of the nerves all seemed to be under control.

He became his own master...

—Heavenly Origin Blessing·Commanding Axis!

Without knowing when, the generous blessing from Tian Yuan had already appeared within Ji Jue's soul.

It came without warning, not even a greeting.

Without asking if I agreed, it was forcibly bestowed.

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