Chapter 83: Li Han’s Thoughts

Another peaceful morning had dawned.

The restlessness stirred up days ago by the nation's announcement regarding cultivators was gradually fading. Recently, there was a surging tide of hidden currents within the country, while abroad the situation was far from calm. After all, this was the era of globalization. As one of the world's great powers, every move China made naturally attracted attention.

When China declared cultivation accessible to the masses, the distant United States promptly announced the establishment of magical academies in universities nationwide, as well as plans for extraordinary exchanges with China to jointly advance the global age of the supernatural. Other capable countries followed suit, declaring their mastery of extraordinary powers—witchcraft, genetic modification, superpowers, divine descent, and more.

In short, foreign lands were rife with chaos, while within China, harmony prevailed. The people orderly welcomed the arrival of a new age. As for the online rumors concerning anomalous changes in the world’s energy affecting flora and fauna, the government issued explanations. It was essentially false; according to studies conducted by members of the Cultivator Association, the current density of world energy was insufficient to induce mutations in plants and animals. Only if the energy concentration were to increase thirtyfold, reaching the levels of the early pre-Faithless Era, might mutations occur—and even then, only after prolonged exposure or external stimulation lasting over ten years. Otherwise, it was impossible for plants and animals to gain intelligence akin to humans.

Such was the news. Chen Jin, upon arriving early at the specialty store, first thought to check the headlines, as he always had. In the past, he would search for reports on paranormal phenomena, but now there was no need—those stories popped up automatically on his computer and phone. It had become impossible to find simple news about an elementary school student helping an elderly lady cross the street and then being falsely accused. Ah, what a decline in public morals.

Chen Jin sighed at this, just as Li Han hurriedly knocked at the office door and poked her head in to greet him (the door was left open).

“Come in,” Chen Jin called casually.

“Mr. Chen… I heard our company is going to be an agent for the Vitality Pill. Is it true?” Li Han asked in her sweet, coquettish voice.

“False. Who told you that?” Chen Jin denied flatly.

Li Han had plenty of connections at headquarters, so it wasn’t impossible for her to hear such rumors.

“I just guessed. Is it really not happening?” Li Han laughed softly.

“No. Do you really want to sell those black, crusty things that look like boogers?” Chen Jin quipped.

But his description was apt—the Vitality Pill’s appearance was dreadful. To call it a booger was generous; perhaps sheep droppings would be more accurate… though even that might be an overstatement.

In any case, after one glance, Chen Jin had no desire to swallow it, and the energy it contained was less than what one would get from a meal at Wang’s Restaurant.

“Ugh… Mr. Chen, don’t be so disgusting. Right now, those pills are being hyped up to ten thousand yuan apiece,” Li Han said with a look of distaste.

“Have you gotten the ‘Universal Cultivation Dao Manual’?” Chen Jin turned and asked her.

“Uh… It needs state approval, and you have to be confirmed with cultivation aptitude… Plus, our county doesn’t have a branch of the Cultivator Association yet, so to get checked, I’d have to go all the way to Jiaocheng… It’s tiring,” Li Han said helplessly.

“I’ll approve a day off for you. You can give it a try,” Chen Jin responded offhandedly.

Business at the store had been slow lately. With the government’s announcement, people hadn’t fully digested the news, and buying furniture was on pause. Of course, essential goods were still in demand, but Chen Jin’s line of work was affected.

“Really?” Li Han’s eyes brightened.

“False,” Chen Jin waved his hand and shook his head, teasing her.

Li Han’s smile froze instantly.

This girl—no, she was a woman now. Recently, she’d become obsessed with Zhang Hui, the cultivator, and then with cultivation itself. She scoured online news, read novels, played xianxia games… She was relentless; Chen Jin found it hard to understand her mindset.

She used to change boyfriends every few days, but with Zhang Hui, she was fixated—despite having no clear relationship with him, and Zhang Hui continued to mourn his late wife, never indicating he would find another girlfriend or wife.

Was it true that those who were gone were the best? Chen Jin pondered this much, but he had no feelings for Li Han—she was simply a subordinate, and his analysis ended there. As long as she did her job properly, that was enough.

“Mr. Chen… can’t I really go?” Li Han’s wide eyes blinked pleadingly.

“Go on, then,” Chen Jin relented. What else could he do? To stop her would be to hinder her path.

“Two days off,” Li Han bargained.

“Two days might not be enough—the place could be crowded. Make it two and a half,” Chen Jin suggested.

“…”

“No worries, just go. Be careful. However many days you need, I’ll approve, but don’t exceed ten. I can’t sign off for that long; I’d have to explain it all to the old man,” Chen Jin continued.

He was lenient with Li Han, given her previous diligence. Thus, he could grant her this leave.

“Really! Thank you so much, Mr. Chen!” Li Han jumped with joy.

“Go on, go on,” Chen Jin waved her away.

“Mr. Chen, you’re not going?” Li Han calmed down and looked at him.

“Another day. I don’t have time now,” Chen Jin replied, still watching his computer.

“Oh… alright,” Li Han hesitated, then turned and left the office.

Could Li Han possess the aptitude? Chen Jin couldn’t tell; he wasn’t a human CT scanner, unable to discern cultivation potential at a glance.

He’d determined his own family’s aptitude through careful observation and an energy check.

As for how Li Han heard the company would be an agent for the Vitality Pill but hadn’t learned that he himself was a cultivator, perhaps his father had warned the executives at that meeting.

In this era, cultivators were in high demand; if outsiders learned Chen Jin was one, he’d be pestered endlessly. Officials might even come looking for him, so it was better to keep it hidden for now.

Chen Jin’s parents understood his temperament, and knew a cultivator couldn’t be disturbed too much; their son’s cultivation was the family’s future, so it was best to conceal it as long as possible.

Lost in thought, Chen Jin unlocked his phone and booked a plane ticket. He was preparing for a trip to Mount Lao.

………