Chapter 8: Advancement Once More!

Amidst Lin Zhenfeng’s earnest guidance, the dismissal bell rang. The sound was like ancient war drums, proclaiming the end of a day filled with vigor and intensity. Shi Yu slung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped out of the school gates, greeted by the rising chorus of classmates calling him “God Yu.”

“God Yu” was his newfound nickname. Yet, Shi Yu remained unusually calm. Within his heart stood a towering mountain, majestic and unshakable. Compared to the Great Sage, this mere twelfth-level soul was insignificant. The road ahead was long and arduous; the future stretched far beyond the horizon.

Bathed in the fading glow of the sunset, Shi Yu took a deep breath and began running homeward. His home lay over ten kilometers away. Since the start of junior high, he had run to and from school every day, regardless of wind, frost, rain, or snow. The path of martial cultivation was long and grueling; only through perseverance and relentless effort could one ascend to greater heights and reach new realms.

Moreover, his family’s circumstances were modest—no lavish training equipment, no expert therapists, no specialized nutrition. He had only the daily grasp of every opportunity, building progress from small acts. Running home was as natural to him as breathing.

It was precisely this steadfastness and resolve that allowed him to stand out in his class and claim the top rank in martial arts. At that moment, a sleek, luxury sports car glided slowly through the twilight. The window rolled down gently, revealing a delicate, graceful face framed by a smooth high ponytail—Xia Yu.

Her soul level was 7.2, already exceptional compared to ordinary people. Yet beside Shi Yu, it was incomparable. She gazed quietly at the distant figure of the boy running through the sunset’s afterglow, her eyes reflecting complex emotions. That resolute silhouette seemed unshaken by anything.

“Even with such extraordinary talent, he never allows himself the slightest slack?” In her memory, Shi Yu trained daily without pause. Even today, his performance in the soul assessment had stunned everyone, yet he maintained that same calm and determination.

Xia Yu closed her eyes briefly, resting her head against the soft leather seat. Her thoughts drifted, recalling the moments shared over two years of being classmates. Her slender, fair fingers absentmindedly traced her phone, as if pondering something.

“Miss?” the driver’s quiet voice broke the silence.

Xia Yu opened her eyes gently and replied softly, “It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

The window rose slowly, concealing the interior once more. A faint sigh from the young girl lingered in the air.

---

Covering the ten kilometers in just over twenty minutes, Shi Yu arrived swiftly at his residential complex—much faster than usual. His breathing remained steady, showing no signs of fatigue, only a light sheen of sweat on his brow. It was as if he had merely completed a light morning jog, not a long-distance run.

Even he was surprised by his own performance. Was this the change brought by his fifteenth-level constitution? It must be more than that; the unique traits of the Celestial Meteorite Stone Spirit within him were at work. Everyone was enthralled by his high soul level, unaware that even greater transformations lay beneath the surface.

At the gate, Shi Yu swiped his card and passed facial recognition to enter Yuhe Garden. Nowadays, residential complexes were fortified to withstand attacks from otherworldly creatures, with outer walls constructed of special alloys and coated with energy shields capable of detecting and resisting assaults. When such creatures approached, the shield activated automatically, forming a protective barrier that isolated the complex from the outside, awaiting reinforcements.

Inside, security forces employed reconnaissance drones and combat robots, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and autonomous combat capabilities. In other words, these communities were very safe against conventional invaders from other realms.

Of course, such security costs were borne by the state; otherwise, the modest property fees of these older complexes could never cover them.

After greeting the security guard, Shi Yu arrived at Apartment 301 in Building 9—an ordinary two-bedroom unit.

“Big brother, you’re home!” A fragrant breeze accompanied a small figure as she threw herself into Shi Yu’s arms, nuzzling his chest like a koala. It was his little sister, Bai Yue.

Two years younger than Shi Yu, she had just finished her high school entrance exams and reportedly did quite well. Perhaps next year she would attend Yali High School alongside him.

Shi Yu scooped her up with a laugh. “Did you train at the dojo next door today?”

“I did~~” Bai Yue waved her arms excitedly.

She eagerly asked, “Big brother, how was your soul assessment today? It must have been amazing!”

“You have a lot of faith in me,” Shi Yu said with a smile, ruffling her hair. Then he leaned close and whispered a number into her ear.

Bai Yue’s mouth slowly formed an ‘O’ in astonishment.

While his little sister was speechless, Shi Yu moved to the kitchen, expertly tying on an apron. He began selecting and washing vegetables, heating oil in the pan, preparing dinner.

Their aunt worked late shifts at the hospital, often returning home late. Since Shi Yu entered junior high, he had taken it upon himself to handle dinner.

After sharing the meal with his sister and leaving some for their aunt, he retreated to his room to study a treasured item he had brought back from the Journey to the West world—the Monkey Mountain Spirit Wine.

With a thought, a small, crystal-clear jade bottle appeared in his hand, shimmering with faint light. Carved upon it were vivid images of a monkey’s head and a peach tree.

Curious, Shi Yu removed the peach wood stopper. A captivating aroma of fruit and wine wafted forth.

“A fine treasure...” He inhaled deeply, the unique, intoxicating scent filling him with an unparalleled lightness.

He gazed at the amber liquid inside the bottle, clear and radiant. After some thought, he did not drink it all at once. Instead, he took two glass cups from the kitchen and poured half a bottle’s worth into each.

Bai Yue was about to enter high school. This Monkey Mountain Spirit Wine could enhance both soul and constitution—an undeniable aid for her. Their aunt, though just in her early forties, bore the signs of years of hard work: crow’s feet and strands of white hair. This spirited wine might make her appear years younger.

Making life better for his family was the very essence of his martial pursuit.

After dividing the wine, Shi Yu shook the remaining bottle and drank it down in one gulp.

The moment it touched his lips, a warm current surged through his limbs and bones. An indescribable, gentle power swiftly spread within him, as if countless energy molecules galloped through his veins.

A golden scroll flickered in his sea of consciousness:

[Host has used Monkey Mountain Spirit Wine]

[Host’s soul level increased: from 12 to 13.5]

[Host’s constitution level increased: from 15 to 16]

Nourished by the spirit wine, Shi Yu’s body was infused with renewed vitality. His already astonishing soul level quietly rose to a new plateau.

A grand gateway to a higher realm thunderously opened before him.