Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Simpleton
The lowest level of the Ou Family’s grand building.
Here lived those at the very bottom of the Ou Family’s hierarchy.
Unlike the Lin Family, where regions held little significance, the Ou Family’s building was structured upon a rigid hierarchy. The elite resided in the upper levels; the lower levels housed those of lesser status. Though even the lower floors boasted fine surroundings, the gap in top-tier technological amenities remained vast.
Currently, Ou Yuanfu lived on the ground floor.
He once dwelled high above. A cultivator who could traverse levels was a true pillar of any great family. His exile to the lowest level was somewhat related to his failure to procure medicine, but the real cause lay elsewhere. Upon returning, he had earnestly advised the family to abandon their pursuit of Song Yue, volunteering to shoulder the blame for the failed mission and the losses suffered.
The latter was no issue; even if he hadn’t offered, the Ou Family’s strict discipline would have ensured punishment. But his first suggestion sparked widespread discontent among the family’s leaders.
Ou Yuanfu’s incompetence was one thing—he couldn’t even handle a young martial artist from Earth, suffered defeat, and returned empty-handed, disheveled and humiliated. Yet now he advised the family to cease targeting the young man? Was the direct line of Ou Ping and Ou Yong dead in vain? Was the loss of twelve top-level medicinal herbs to be simply accepted? It was an utter joke! Shame had been brought upon the family!
Several high-ranking members rebuked him severely. They had previously valued him highly, but his actions left them deeply disappointed. They felt they had misjudged him.
Ou Yuanfu tried to explain, insisting that the young man was no ordinary martial artist, but a true cultivator, possessing formidable spiritual power.
This only enraged the Ou Family’s leadership further. The reason was simple: the Ou Family’s greatest strength lay in spiritual arts! For Ou Yuanfu to claim, in front of them, that a martial artist’s spiritual strength was terrifying, was tantamount to rubbing the family’s face in the dirt.
Even those who had tried to shield him ended up chastising him severely, instructing him to reflect on his actions. In truth, this was a form of protection—don’t oppose the leadership at such a time; admit your shortcomings, and let the family handle the rest.
Yet Ou Yuanfu seemed bewitched, failing to grasp the intention behind the protection, and earnestly insisted he had no personal motive, that his advice was for the good of the family.
His words, however, were perceived by most as mere self-defense, and were flatly rejected.
In the end, pressed to the limit, Ou Yuanfu lost his temper and said things he shouldn’t have. Even his protector could no longer help him, and agreed to severe punishment, stripping him of all positions and relegating him to the lowest floor.
At this moment, Ou Yuanfu was fishing.
Despite his exile, life on the ground floor was not as bleak as imagined. He possessed a substantial estate here, with mountains, lakes, birdsong, and flowers—a life of considerable leisure.
The only annoyance was his lingering injury.
The previous clash with Song Yue had nearly destroyed his spiritual sea. Although he had used excellent elixirs afterward, they had only prevented further deterioration. Full recovery would take years.
With his exile, all those who had once followed him suffered as well, nearly all being sidelined by the family.
Ou Yuanfu could only offer his regrets.
Still, a few loyal subordinates remained, merely marginalized rather than dismissed.
At this moment, one such subordinate came down by the family’s elevator to see Ou Yuanfu.
Thump, thump, thump!
Heavy footsteps made the ground tremble as the man rushed toward Ou Yuanfu.
Ou Yuanfu frowned, glanced back, and complained, “You’ve scared my fish away!”
The visitor chuckled wryly, “Oh, come on, sir, is this really the time for fishing?”
Ou Yuanfu looked at the young man—a promising junior from a collateral branch, whom he had mentored since childhood, already a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He hadn’t brought the youth to Earth, so he had escaped disaster; now, he came to deliver news.
“Song Yue has arrived on Tianyue Star!”
The young man looked at Ou Yuanfu. “Our chance has come!”
Ou Yuanfu glanced at him. “So what? What does that have to do with us?”
The youth grew urgent. “How is it not related? I heard the elders were only dissatisfied with your attitude and opinions. They think you…”
He paused.
Ou Yuanfu smiled, “Think I’m afraid of him—scared out of my wits, right?”
The youth nodded, “That’s exactly it… I heard the family recently investigated Song Yue’s background. His relatives are on one of our resource planets, but the investigation met resistance, so the family decided to target only Song Yue himself.”
He looked at Ou Yuanfu and urged patiently, “I’ve trained under you since childhood, learning all sorts of arts. I know you’re not a coward, so I don’t understand—why do you insist the family stop targeting that Earth martial artist? However strong he is, could he possibly surpass our Ou Family?”
Ou Yuanfu sighed, “In truth, on the way back, I hesitated. If I had simply bowed my head and admitted fault, my circumstances wouldn’t be so dire.”
The youth asked, “If you knew, why did you insist?”
Ou Yuanfu replied, “Because that young man is monstrous!”
He stood, rubbing his back. Recently, his days had been idle, but his back was busy, leading him to rediscover his love for fishing, even venturing out at night.
The youth looked puzzled, “Monstrous? How so?”
Ou Yuanfu regarded him, “You think my defeat was due to some powerful spiritual artifact on his person?”
The youth nodded, “Of course, what else could it be? A young martial artist—even if he’s a rare genius, with top talent—couldn’t possibly injure you with his own spiritual cultivation.”
“A once-in-a-century talent?” Ou Yuanfu shook his head, “He’s a young man who could rival the legendary great ones of myth!”
The youth was dumbfounded, “You’re exaggerating, aren’t you?”
He wanted to say it was ridiculous, but refrained out of respect.
He simply didn’t believe it.
Rival the mythic greats? Tianyue Star, with its technology perfected over billions of years, had never produced such a person. The mother planet Earth, with its cycles of civilization, would? Impossible.
Ou Yuanfu sighed, knowing this trusted junior wouldn’t believe him. His exile, then, was truly deserved.
The youth tried to persuade him, “If we seize this chance and take down Song Yue, you’ll surely be reinstated by the family!”
Ou Yuanfu waved him off, then looked at him seriously, “No. And let me tell you, do not get involved. I can’t change the elders’ minds, but you will listen to me, won’t you?”
The youth was bitter; he had already signed up to enter the underground palace—not for the family’s reward, but to personally defeat Song Yue and credit Ou Yuanfu.
He had come to inform Ou Yuanfu, but to his surprise, his respected mentor had, as rumored, been completely cowed by Song Yue!
Utterly terrified!
In the end, the youth left disappointed.
Ou Yuanfu watched his back with a sigh. He understood his loyal junior, knew he couldn’t be persuaded. He could only shake his head and hope he wouldn’t get involved.
Isn’t living well enough?
...
Early the next morning, Song Yue contacted his brother, Song Chao.
Song Chao was surprised to learn he’d come to Tianyue Star.
“How did you end up here?”
On the video, handsome and tall, Song Chao was tanned, the background a barren mining site.
“This is your usual work environment?” Song Yue frowned slightly.
He remembered his brother boasting about working in a scenic place surrounded by beautiful women. But this desolate wasteland, devoid of green, hardly seemed a haven for beauties.
“Haha, busy here lately. But you haven’t answered—how did you end up here?” Seeing his little brother, Song Chao was clearly delighted.
“I was invited by the Lin Family to explore an underground palace,” Song Yue replied.
“The one on Tianyue Star?” Song Chao frowned, “It’s suitable for martial artists—but… are you up to it?”
Busy with work and the difficulties of interstellar calls, Song Chao was unaware of Song Yue’s recent exploits, or that their family had been investigated by the Ou Family.
“Of course I am. I could easily beat you now,” Song Yue grinned proudly.
“Yeah, right. When you’re done, don’t rush home. Since you’re here, come see me and Dad!” Song Chao didn’t believe his little brother could be that formidable.
A youthful master martial artist? He probably didn’t know he was nearing the next realm himself.
When they met, things wouldn’t be as they were in childhood, but showing his little brother who’s boss was still no problem.
After hanging up, Song Yue felt relieved.
Apparently, his brother and father hadn’t been affected by the Ou Family. He could proceed unburdened.
That morning, Lin Han and Lin Feng came to see him.
“My sister has something to attend to today, so she can’t accompany you. I’ll show you the sights of Tianyue Star!” Lin Han winked at Song Yue, then turned to Lin Feng, “Uncle Feng, are you coming?”
Lin Feng shrugged, “The family head assigned me as Mr. Song’s guide—I can’t neglect my duty.”
Lin Han scoffed, “Come on! The places young people go, you wouldn’t like. Why don’t I take Yue out today, and you guide him tomorrow?”
Lin Feng considered, then nodded, “All right, but you must be careful.”
Lin Han laughed, “This is Tianyue! On our Lin Family’s turf, what could go wrong?”
Lin Feng smiled, “Tianyue isn’t only the Lin Family. Be cautious.”
“There’s no outsiders with you,” Lin Han replied, then pulled Song Yue onto his hovercar.
The car lifted, breaking the sound barrier, and vanished from Lin Feng’s sight.
Lin Feng shook his head helplessly, then began contacting family members to watch over Lin Han’s vehicle, just in case.
Earlier that morning, Lin Tianyu—father of Lin Huan and Lin Han, both core Lin Family members—had asked Lin Feng about Song Yue. It felt much like a father-in-law inquiring about his son-in-law.
This put Lin Feng under pressure; if Mr. Song really became the family’s son-in-law, he might have to rely on him someday.
He knew Song Yue had a grudge with the Ou Family, which was why he had provided Song Yue with information.
Lin Tianyu and Lin Tiannan also knew, but seemed unconcerned.
In the car.
Lin Han, like an untamed colt, eagerly introduced Song Yue to Tianyue Star’s attractions.
“There’s super-large virtual reality games, where you can set your avatar and experience a whole life in a nutrient pod! Some people stay inside for a hundred years or more!”
“Some get so lost, they need psychological counseling for years after returning to reality.”
“Sigh, that’s the curse of immortality. High technology brings many benefits—long life without cultivation—but also drawbacks. Many people have no ambition at all…”
“There are underground boxing arenas, with the best medical teams; as long as you’re not killed, you can always be saved. The visceral thrill is intense—perfect for you, Yue.”
“If you want something else… there are clubs…”
Song Yue was baffled, “You’re so young, yet so adventurous?”
Someone who gets tipsy on fruit wine, talking about clubs?
“One should enjoy life. On Tianyue, anything is possible,” Lin Han declared, full of local pride.
He then brought Song Yue to a massive… internet café.
Well, the place was called ‘Mecha World,’ but to Song Yue, it was just an alien internet café.
Lin Han bragged all the way, only to end up playing games.
“Listen, Yue, this is super fun. In the virtual world, you pilot mechs in combat, which boosts your spiritual power and hones martial skills. A genius like you should own a mech—once you master it, cultivators are no match!”
Song Yue had seen mechs before at the Bureau of Abnormal Affairs, but hadn’t had a chance to learn piloting before the bureau’s troubles. He was intrigued.
The two entered the venue, each choosing a virtual pod.
Once inside, Lin Han taught Song Yue the basics, entering a virtual training hall.
“It’s controlled by mental intent, just like interstellar ships. My sister says your spiritual power is impressive—even the Ou Family suffered at your hands—so you’ll be fine!”
After Lin Han’s explanation, Song Yue quickly picked it up.
Piloting a training mech, he smoothly lifted a leg and stepped forward.
Lin Han’s anticipated scene of Song Yue stumbling didn’t appear. Instead, Song Yue executed a series of complex moves with fluid grace!
Lin Han: ?!!!
Was this his first time with a mech? Had he practiced before? Otherwise, how could he be so adept?
Well, Earth’s civilization might be primitive, but after contact with aliens, much technology had been introduced.
“It’s quite fun.”
Emerging from the training mech, Song Yue’s face was bright with excitement.
He thought the bureau’s mechs could be put to good use when he returned; those machines could fly and dive, with formidable defenses, and it was a waste to leave them idle.
Lin Han couldn’t help but ask, “Yue, have you played before?”
Song Yue replied, “First time.”
Lin Han was skeptical, “Really?”
Song Yue, puzzled, “Why would I lie?”
Lin Han gave up, feeling a bit defeated. He remembered taking half a day to barely walk with a mech when he first started. Mastering it took two weeks; combat took two months.
But Song Yue… best not to think about it. Too discouraging!
Lin Han led Song Yue into the arena, confident he could teach Yue, the mech rookie, a lesson.
But now, his confidence was gone.
He let Song Yue randomly match opponents, opting to watch.
He wanted to assess Yue—see if he was suitable for his sister. That was his mission this time, assigned by their formidable mother.
Apparently, Lin Huan’s high regard for Song Yue had led many in the family to believe she fancied him.
The Lin Family was open-minded; elders rarely forced the young to do anything.
In this high-tech world of endless lifespan, few wished to bear children. Marriage was rarely obstructed, provided the match was decent and mutual.
Lin Huan was a tyrant at home, always bullying Lin Han, but their sibling bond was strong.
Lin Han hoped his sister would marry soon, freeing him from her tyranny—but her husband had to be exceptional.
With a new account, Song Yue had zero points and could only choose the basic mech, competing in the rookie arena.
These mechs, controlled by pure mental intent, did indeed enhance spiritual power, as Song Yue immediately felt.
He wanted to experience mech combat.
He quickly matched with his first opponent.
Upon entering the arena, Song Yue was speechless.
His opponent’s mech moved like a toddler learning to walk—awkward and unstable, as if about to topple.
This person dared enter the arena?
He rushed forward and kicked the opponent’s mech, sending it flying.
Lin Han, watching, was speechless.
He pitied the other pilot—defeated before even mastering basic movement.
Too pathetic!
Song Yue continued matching opponents.
In the arena, he found the next mech familiar. With only a few basic models, appearance didn’t reveal identity, but the awkward gait was unmistakable…
Were all arena opponents toddlers?
Song Yue, seeing the tottering mech, didn’t hesitate, delivering another kick.
Two victories in a row.
By the third match, Song Yue realized all three times he’d faced the same person!
What luck!
He felt some sympathy, so this time he slapped the opponent’s mech instead.
Lin Han was utterly speechless.
He soon realized why—there were too few rookies in the arena! Despite Tianyue’s vast population, most mech enthusiasts had long graduated from the ‘rookie village,’ while new players spent ages in the training hall before entering the arena, where points were at stake.
Players valued their points, essential for advancement and acquiring better mechs and gear, and wouldn’t casually lose them.
Lin Han concluded that Yue’s opponent was a fool.
He was right.
Throughout the session, the same fool kept re-entering the arena, always facing Song Yue, who mercilessly battered him.
After repeatedly being kicked, punched, and slapped, the opponent finally used voice chat to berate Song Yue for being excessive.
Song Yue, meanwhile, was researching the functions of points and discovered the virtual community was vast—even linked to Earth’s virtual community.
This was classic alien technology.
The discovery made him fond of the game; he decided to play it for relaxation once back on Earth.
So he ignored the hapless opponent, relentlessly farming points.
Even Lin Han grew uncomfortable.
Via private channel, he messaged Song Yue, “Bro, that’s enough. The poor guy’s morale is shattered. You can’t fleece him forever!”
Song Yue paid no heed.
The opponent was tenacious.
Fifty consecutive defeats!
Yet Song Yue noticed that, while the opponent was obviously a novice, in reality they must have martial arts skills—their progress was rapid despite repeated losses.
At last, after losing fifty times, the opponent vanished.
Song Yue waited in vain for a new opponent.
Disappointed, he quit.
Afterwards, Lin Han explained that few people played at this hour; busier times were in the evening.
Song Yue boasted that a few more rounds would be enough to leave rookie village.
Lin Han was speechless.
He explained, “I had friends try to farm points like that—though they did it discreetly, the system caught on, deducted points, and banned their accounts. You’re lucky yours survived.”
He added, “Come on, let’s get some good food! Remember your account info—I’ll send you a virtual pod, so you can play from Earth!”
Song Yue gave a thumbs up, “Generous!”
Elsewhere.
A stunning young girl stormed out of her virtual pod, cursing, “What a stupid game! I’m furious!”
A group of young men and women in the lounge, sipping drinks, laughed at her outburst.
A short-haired woman with delicate features asked, “What happened, Xiaohan? Didn’t you say mechs were easy? Did you get bullied?”
Someone logged into the virtual community and checked her account, exclaiming, “Wow… fifty losses in a row? Xiaohan, you’re top of the loser board…”
The atmosphere grew awkwardly quiet.
The speaker quickly tried to smooth things over, “Novices struggle, it’s normal, normal…”
“Normal my foot!” the short-haired woman swore, “Xiaohan, were you in the arena without mastering the controls? But wait… at this hour, there shouldn’t be many rookies. How could you lose fifty times?”
Ling Xiaohan fumed, “It was the same person! I remember him! His name is something cheesy—Martial Saint Sovereign, such a narcissist. I memorized his moves—if I ever meet him in reality, he’ll regret it!”
“Martial Saint Sovereign… what an arrogant name,” a young man laughed, “So Xiaohan, all fifty losses were to the same person?”
Ling Xiaohan nodded, “Definitely!”
Everyone was speechless. How stubborn could someone be? After two or three losses, quit! Now her account was ruined—might even get banned as a point farmer.
The short-haired woman stood, pulling Ling Xiaohan along, “Let’s go, don’t let it bother you. You rarely get out—let’s try Tianyue’s cuisine!”
Ling Xiaohan pouted, “I’m too angry to eat!”
The others chimed in, “It’s just a game, don’t take it to heart.”
“That Martial Saint Sovereign, huh? We’ll remember him. Next time we see him, we’ll thrash him a hundred times!”
“A hundred times isn’t enough! Make it two hundred!”
“Yes! Every time we see him, we’ll teach him a lesson. A rookie so arrogant?”
Ling Xiaohan finally cheered up, “I don’t need your help. Once I master the controls, I’ll take my revenge myself!”
She looked at them, “By the way, how do I add friends? I need to add him, or I might not find him later!”
Everyone: “……”
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