Jun'an Community.
The robot Zero-One sat upright on the sofa, holding a tray in her hands. The tray was filled with an assortment of batteries.
She picked up a battery and slowly placed it into her mouth.
Not far away, Xie Xinsu stared at Zero-One, her eyes wide with shock.
This master and servant pair were completely unhinged!
It was one thing for the master to be mentally ill, but this servant... did not seem like a proper robot at all.
At that moment, Zero-One held a battery between her fingers and turned her attention to Xie Xinsu. "Are you curious... why I'm eating batteries?"
Xie Xinsu crouched on the sofa, her feline eyes wide.
She wanted to report this: Zero-One had a serious problem!
This smart robot... wasn't even bothering to hide it anymore.
Where was the expected artificial idiocy of a regular smart robot?
Zero-One paid her no mind. Instead, she spoke in a mature, commanding female voice. "The robots in movies all eat batteries. I wanted to taste them and see what they're actually like."
Hearing that answer, Xie Xinsu was absolutely certain this robot was abnormal.
Unfortunately, she was just a cat right now. Otherwise, she would definitely expose this wicked robot to her master!
Zero-One looked away from Xie Xinsu and continued munching on batteries.
Suddenly, a streak of light flashed through her eyes.
The corners of her lips curved into a smile. "Quite daring, aren't they? Hacking into Master's network?"
Just now, she had detected someone trying to hack Qi Yuan's phone.
Zero-One currently possessed formidable learning capabilities; mastering hacking techniques was child's play for her.
Moreover, her cognitive capacity was vastly more powerful, and her computational power far exceeded that of an ordinary human.
The instant she detected the intruder's traces, she blocked them immediately and traced the trail back to its source.
After about a dozen breaths of time, a look of mockery flickered in Zero-One's eyes.
"Quite... bold."
She continued eating batteries while watching the movie playing on the television.
Meanwhile, Xie Xinsu ducked under the sofa and resumed cultivating cross-legged.
After all, whenever she cultivated on the sofa, the robot would stare at her with an amused grin that made her profoundly uncomfortable, like a monkey on display.
*Once I regain my strength and become an Origin Core True Person, I'll definitely teach this robot a lesson!*
Xie Xinsu harbored grand ambitions.
She would repay today's humiliation a hundredfold in the future.
Time flew by, and the sound of the door opening echoed through the apartment.
Zero-One calmly stood up, put away the tray and batteries, and walked over to the door to welcome Qi Yuan.
Stepping into the apartment, Qi Yuan was in high spirits.
He had earned one million today and even picked up a broken sword.
It could be considered quite a lucrative day.
"Master, you're back!"
Zero-One thoughtfully brought tea to Qi Yuan.
Then she began reporting her work.
"Today, Zero-One recorded three videos, replied to seventeen private messages, and answered twenty-three comments.
"Yesterday, we gained thirteen thousand followers, generating seven hundred and two yuan in revenue.
"Today, the cat knocked over a cup at home and shed seven hundred and eighty-two hairs, leaving fur flying all over the room. In the end, Zero-One cleaned up and disposed of every single cat hair."
Zero-One obediently delivered her daily report.
"Meow!"
Xie Xinsu shot out from beneath the sofa, meowing incessantly.
This robot... was not human at all!
What a schemer!
Why was the robot portrayed as doing all the work, while she, despite cooperating so diligently in filming videos, was framed as the troublemaker?
She desperately wanted to tell him that this robot had spent the day eating batteries and watching TV, lazing around without doing any real work.
Unfortunately, she was just a weak little cat right now and had no way to communicate any of this.
At that moment, Qi Yuan looked at Xie Xinsu with great interest. "With how much fur she sheds, will she go bald?"
Robot Zero-One replied with a faint smile, "Those that go bald—are they called hairless cats?"
"Is she a hairless cat?" Qi Yuan mused pensively.
*???* Hearing this, Xie Xinsu immediately felt an ominous premonition.
She darted straight back beneath the sofa.
She had no desire to become a hairless cat.
That would be far too humiliating.
Seeing the cat hide, Qi Yuan didn't dwell on the topic.
"How are Yaji and his sister settled?" Qi Yuan asked.
Yaji and his little sister had accompanied Qi Yuan to Jun'an Community.
The two had been placed in the 'warehouse' Carnival had gifted him.
Today, Robot Zero-One had handled their settling in.
"The two have been settled. Temporary residence permits have already been issued, and their other identity documents are currently being processed... through legitimate channels," Zero-One added.
She had consistently played the part of a qualified assistant.
"Good." Qi Yuan nodded. "Make sure he doesn't wander off and get lost."
Right now, he was busy with the Martial Arts Tournament, so he would deal with Yaji's matters later.
"Understood," Robot Zero-One acknowledged, before continuing, "Master, today a hacker... attempted to breach your phone, but I intercepted them.
"Here is the hacker's identity, background, and the mastermind behind them.
"I have compiled the data. Would you like me to send it to you?"
Hearing that, Qi Yuan's expression changed drastically. "Snooping on my phone? This person has no conscience whatsoever—utterly devoid of basic decency!"
Even though Qi Yuan never used his phone for anything strange and maintained an entirely clean record, having someone peek at his phone was out of the question!
Back in his past life, right before he transmigrated, Qi Yuan had smashed his phone to pieces and thrown it into the old well at home.
Someone peeking at his phone? Forcing their way into it? That felt more violating than being assaulted!
"Fine! To think someone could be so wicked! Send me their information!
"Also, check their phones for any secrets... anything scandalous. Dig it all up and expose it on the internet so they can experience social death for themselves!"
Qi Yuan was genuinely infuriated.
Some people had truly rotten consciences.
To dare rely on hacking skills to pry into other people's privacy!
"Understood. I will arrange it immediately," Robot Zero-One replied.
As she spoke, she packaged the data and sent it to Qi Yuan.
Looking over the information, Qi Yuan let out a cold snort. "Don't think that just because you're behind a screen, I can't touch you!
"Zero-One, send a coffin to each of their home addresses.
"Once I handle the matters at hand, I'll go settle the score with them!"
Qi Yuan had always kept his grievances and debts distinct.
No matter how chaotic the war between Wugui Kingdom and Yuelang Kingdom became, it was none of his business.
However, if someone broke the law right under his nose, Qi Yuan would gladly become an expert informant.
And if reporting them didn't work, he would become the judge and take matters into his own hands.
On the journey back to Qinyuan Kingdom, the border security of Qinyuan Kingdom had not given Qi Yuan any trouble. However, the border guards of Yuelang Kingdom had created difficulties and demanded an exorbitant bribe.
At the time, Qi Yuan had no choice but to teach them how to be righteous, fair, and just individuals.
With everything properly arranged, Qi Yuan continued, "I need to leave Tianyue City today.
"It will probably take three or four days. While I'm away, help me prepare and purchase some items.
"My... wife will probably be coming down soon."
Speaking of this, a smile appeared in Qi Yuan's eyes.
During this trip to Wugui Kingdom, his cultivation had progressed steadily, leaving him just one step away from the Origin Core realm.
With the lucky acquisition of the broken sword, combined with his other materials, he now had everything required to break through into an ordinary Origin Core.
Reaching the Origin Core realm was only a matter of a week.
Once he became an Origin Core cultivator, he could summon the projection of his Stellar Golden Core over.
With his current attainments, he could directly call Ning Tao down to enjoy this relaxing game with him.
To Qi Yuan, Arch Star was different from the games he had played in the past.
His previous games had all featured dark, solemn backdrops.
This game, by contrast, was a casual, everyday slice-of-life setting.
It was perfectly suited for spending leisurely time with Ning Tao.
Unfortunately, Jin Li couldn't come.
His wife and master had vanished without a trace as well, unable to join him in playing this game.
"Wife?" Zero-One's brain stalled for a moment.
It was as if she couldn't comprehend Qi Yuan's words.
When did Master get a wife?
"Yes, that's right, my wife. She lives under the sun, and when the time comes... she'll come down.
"I wonder if she'll be used to our place... Is my apartment a bit too small? Too quiet? Too cold?"
A Stellar Golden Core was scorching hot.
Ning Tao had stayed there for so long that she was probably accustomed to it.
Coming here so abruptly... would she be comfortable?
Qi Yuan was a warm, emotionally intelligent man. Even when giving a gift to a girl like Wang Shiqiao, he had moved her so deeply that she had been left speechless.
Evidently, he operated on an exceptionally high level.
After all, Wang Shiqiao never lacked simps; she had met all kinds of men and received all kinds of gifts.
Receiving a gift from Qi Yuan that struck straight to the soul was definitely a first for her.
Zero-One fell silent for a brief moment, seemingly trying to process Qi Yuan's words.
Beneath the sofa, Xie Xinsu couldn't hold back her laughter upon hearing this, letting out a series of amused meows.
*Living on the sun?*
*What an outrageous boast!*
Even a Divine Infant True Monarch wouldn't dare claim to live on the sun.
To survive on the sun, one would have to be at least in the Purple Mansion realm—or more likely, a legendary Yin God capable of ascension.
This mentally ill master's... wife was a mythological creature? He sure knew how to daydream.
She now realized that Qi Yuan's psychiatric certificate was entirely genuine, not fake at all.
However, no one paid attention to Xie Xinsu's laughter. After all, she was currently just a cat.
Who would care about the feelings of a cat?
Having finished his instructions, Qi Yuan said, "I'll be leaving with Yang Shan shortly. Keep a good eye on the house for me, and don't let anyone steal my things."
"Understood!" Zero-One answered dutifully.
***
By the time Qi Yuan left the apartment, the sky was already growing dim.
He knocked on Yang Shan's door.
The one who opened it was a petite, dainty young girl.
The girl appeared to be only eleven or twelve years old, in middle school, wearing a grey-blue pleated skirt that radiated youthful energy.
"Brother Qi... you're here!" A crescent-shaped smile formed on the girl's face.
"Where are your manners? Call him Uncle Qi!" Yang Shan's voice drifted out from inside the room.
The girl pouted unhappily. "Dad, you're old, but Brother Qi is still young!"
The girl's name was Wang Zhiqi, and she was Yang Shan's daughter.
Well... the daughter of a fallen comrade-in-arms.
Before Wang Zhiqi was even a year old, her father had died in battle, and the young Yang Shan had become her nominal father.
Since it was summer vacation, she had come to stay with Yang Shan for a while and attend tutoring classes.
Qi Yuan smiled. "Yes, I am very young."
Even though Qi Yuan had spent hundreds, even thousands of years playing games, in reality, he was still very young.
"Brother Qi, since you're going out of town with my dad for a few days, what about the cat at home? Do you want me to look after it for a few days?" Wang Zhiqi blinked, her face full of anticipation.
Wang Zhiqi had previously come across Zero-One's videos and even followed the account.
After arriving here, she had discovered that the cat's owner was actually her father's good friend, making her overjoyed.
Unfortunately, she had never had the chance to visit Qi Yuan's home or pet the cat.
She could only watch longingly from time to time and listen to updates.
"My robot will take care of it," Qi Yuan said casually.
"Robots are so idiotic, how could one take good care of a cat?
"Pet cats these days are so delicate and timid. They don't even dare step outside, and a single fly would scare it into meowing in terror!" Wang Zhiqi tried to persuade Qi Yuan.
During the days Qi Yuan had been in Wugui Kingdom, Wang Zhiqi had constantly wanted to enter his apartment.
She had realized that Qi Yuan's cat was no ordinary cat.
In the videos, the cat stirred-fried dishes, turned book pages, and sat cross-legged to meditate—it seemed capable of doing everything.
Yet Wang Zhiqi had an inkling that the cat was... even more extraordinary than what was shown in the videos.
Perhaps it could even understand human speech.
She had shared this discovery with her friends, but none of them believed her.
After all, it was normal for a cat to be clever, but acting like a human was pure nonsense.
That was why she wanted to seize this opportunity to bring Qi Yuan's cat over for a few days, showing her friends and classmates that she hadn't been lying.
Of course, she also wanted to see for herself what was truly going on with Qi Yuan's cat and whether it was really that magical!
"My Zero-One is very smart, not your average robot. She's... don't worry, everything will be fine."
Qi Yuan politely declined Wang Zhiqi's offer.
A look of disappointment crossed Wang Zhiqi's face.
"Brother Qi, won't you lend me your key? I can drop by your place to feed the cat when I have free time," Wang Zhiqi coaxed in a wheedling tone.
Had she been a bit older and thicker-skinned, she might have clung to Qi Yuan's arm while pleading.
Yang Shan chimed in at that moment. "I'm doing you such a huge favor, and you won't even let my daughter go feed your cat?"
Seeing this, Qi Yuan nodded. "A day from now, around noon, you'll have a one-hour window. Zero-One will open the door for you then."
Hearing that, Wang Zhiqi was ecstatic.
"Thank you, Brother Qi!"
"Shouldn't you be thanking me?" Yang Shan grumbled in annoyance.
Soon enough, Yang Shan finished packing, and carrying a small amount of luggage, he and Qi Yuan got into a car and left Tianyue City.
Although it was evening, the entire road was illuminated as bright as day.
In the sky above, drones and various flying craft could be seen passing by from time to time.
Generally speaking, ordinary people traveled using various cars, while nobles relied on aircraft.
The sky and the ground were practically two different worlds.
Inside the car, Yang Shan rested with his eyes closed, speaking up occasionally. "The place we're heading to this time is a branch of the Martial Arts Alliance.
"Any martial artist who has reached the martial arts limit, upon receiving a recommendation from a purple-gold member of the Martial Arts Alliance and passing an assessment, can... bypass the preliminaries and directly compete in the national stage of the Martial Arts Tournament."
Yang Shan was no ordinary peak martial artist; he was a core figure within the martial arts community.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been involved in research regarding breaking through the martial arts limit.
As such, he was a purple-gold member of the most official organization among martial artists, the Martial Arts Alliance, holding a status comparable to an elder.
"The test is very simple... just a fight.
"As long as you can defeat the examiner... you can participate.
"I don't know who the examiner is, but... they shouldn't be stronger than you," Yang Shan said in an easygoing tone.
Qi Yuan was, after all, a martial artist at the martial arts limit with rock-solid strength.
A test like this would be child's play for him.
"Thanks. Once I win the Martial Arts Tournament championship, I'll treat you to beef noodles."
Chapter 306