Chapter 36: Innate Nature

Chapter 36: Innate Nature

A single sentence left both Xu Qingran and Shen Tingyu speechless.

Shen Tingyu was genuinely surprised.

He looked at Xu Qingran with an expression of astonishment, more intense than his reaction when he was injured.

Xu Qingran's eyelids drooped slightly as if he were deep in thought, not uttering a word.

Mainly because he thought this matter would take a while longer to occur.

The system said, "For most people, the soul and spirit typically solidify by the age of 18. Your body is almost 20, which is already considered late for this process."

Xu Qingran asked, "Is soul solidification also part of the reward feedback for the progress of the mission?"

"Soul solidification is normal; after all, it's an inevitable process. However, if your class also improves when you solidify, that would be a sign of progress in the mission!"

Xu Qingran wasn't particularly thrilled about it.

He found Shen Tingyu too unpredictable, always giving feedback at odd moments, making it impossible to figure out what he really liked.

Seeing Xu Qingran's serious expression, the military doctor thought he was worried and anxious, so he reassured him, "Don't be nervous, this is a process every healthy soul must go through."

"Moreover, after solidification, there's a chance that the spiritual pool could rise another class. If you put in a bit more effort, you might even reach S-class!" The military doctor smiled and nodded as he spoke, "If you reach S-class, as long as you master the basic skills well, you can at least become a military elite."

"I've reviewed your soul fluctuation data, and it's still in the early stages. The results will likely come out in 1-2 months. During this period, you need to come to the medical center for weekly check-ups, try to keep your body and mind in good spirits, and avoid getting angry too often."

"If you get angry too frequently during the soul fluctuation period, it could cause trauma."

The military doctor then flipped through the calendar, "Oh, you'll be on break by the end of next month."

"If you haven't solidified by then, you'll need to be extra cautious when you go out. The days around the solidification period are even more grueling than when the spiritual pool ascends. Especially if the type of solidification is rare, it will be even more challenging. If you feel unwell then, remember to seek medical attention immediately."

Xu Qingran felt that the military doctor's instructions sounded oddly similar to advice given to a pregnant woman.

The enthusiastic military doctor spoke for over ten minutes, only stopping when he was called away. By then, Shen Tingyu's arm injury had also been taken care of. They picked up their medicine, thanked the medical staff, and then headed back to the villa.

It was afternoon, and the students were all busy with their exams, so there weren't many people around the base.

Shen Tingyu's hand was injured and inconvenient, so his coat was loosely draped over him.

"The solidification period should not exceed three months at the latest," he suddenly said.

"After each ascension of the spiritual pool, the shortest interval before the next ascension is also three months."

Xu Qingran beside him did not respond.

A few seconds later, he added, "The primary and necessary condition to become an E-type is that the spiritual pool must reach at least 3S-class before solidification."

Xu Qingran's expression remained indifferent.

He had heard about this during Feng Wei's preparation for solidification.

E-types are originally a small group of top-tier talents with spiritual pools beyond 3S-class, and an unfathomable spiritual pool is a defining condition for this type. So, in everyone's eyes, theoretically, his soul and spirit could not solidify into an E-type.

Whether it's E-type or not doesn't matter to Xu Qingran; he's concerned about something else.

"System, after the soul solidifies, can the spiritual pool class still improve?" he asked in his mind.

"After the soul is stabilized, the level of the spiritual pool will generally not change anymore," the system replied. "However, your situation is different. As long as you complete the tasks, your class can still be upgraded to 3S."

"If your original body hadn’t been damaged, it could have reached this level as well."

This is a reward within a reasonable plan.

Xu Qingran felt a sense of relief upon hearing this.

Then, he turned to Shen Tingyu and asked, "Does it matter?"

"General Shen, are you underestimating me?"

Shen Tingyu raised an eyebrow.

But then he saw Xu Qingran tilt his head slightly, gazing at the irregular clouds in the sky, with a faint, disdainful smile playing on his lips. "Something as intangible as soul and spirit types—what right do they have to shackle and define me?"

Since his transmigration, he had never concerned himself with his future stabilization.

When the system and others explained, he listened and understood but held no expectations. Because he had always been firm about the path he would take in the future and the person he would become.

He wouldn’t compromise just because he became an ordinary N-type, nor would he go on a reckless killing spree like Ming Hai if he became an E-type, and he certainly wouldn’t turn into a forgiving saint if he became a D-type.

He is, and always will be, himself.

Thinking this, Xu Qingran added, "I refuse to be enslaved by my nature."

If nature tries to trap him, he’ll tame it and show it who’s truly in charge.

When Xu Qingran spoke these words, a faint glimmer flashed in his eyes. His peach blossom eyes curved slightly, radiating a pride and confidence that seemed capable of mastering the world’s laws, a brilliance that no darkness could ever extinguish.

For a moment, Shen Tingyu thought he heard his own heartbeat.

He recalled himself many years ago.

Back then, he was still locked away in the Tower of Evil, enduring the trials he had imposed on himself.

The young man torturing him looked down with contempt, treating him like an insect. "Have you seen today’s news?"

"He stabbed an innocent passerby forty-three times, and when arrested, he showed no remorse. He said he just didn’t like the little doll hanging on the person’s backpack, so he did it."

"You E-types are just disgusting."

The man said, then pressed the button of the electric chair with a wicked smile, continuing to torture him.

Completely oblivious to how much he resembled the very people he despised.

A flash of hatred crossed his eyes, his laughter tinged with anger, his tone icy and arrogant. "Shen Tingyu, do you see? That kind of social trash, that’s what you’ll become!"

"So we must make you remember now, let you experience what it’s like to become trash!"

After a round of torture, the handsome man with black hair and blue eyes on the chair was already soaked in sweat, his lips pale and cracked.

Yet he remained calm and composed.

With a lazy lift of his eyelids, he chuckled softly, "Why should nature ever control me?"

"What kind of person I become can only be decided by myself."

Shen Tingyu snapped back to reality.

Xu Qingran had already averted his gaze from the distance, frowning slightly, he said, "And besides, is being an E-Type really that great?"

The torments Shen Tingyu had gone through were still fresh in his mind.

Thinking of the present and the pain that would haunt him for the rest of his life, he replied with a wry smile, "No, it's not."

The world looks up to the strong, and it's no surprise they envy the powerful E-Types.

But they will never understand the torment of constantly fighting against one's own nature.

They can't grasp the cost of suppressing one's nature—the backlash from the excess mental energy that cannot be released, the overwhelming urge to wreck everything, and the fragile emotions that make one feel alienated from the world, unable to empathize with most living beings.

He had to learn happiness, sorrow, and peace.

He learned to fake having those emotions.

Cold, lonely, and desolate.

This was their world.

"Then I should be all the more glad," Xu Qingran suddenly said. "If it's no good, then I don't need it."

Shen Tingyu smiled faintly, "You're right."

He was genuinely relieved for Xu Qingran, at least he didn't have to endure that kind of pain.

Shen Tingyu's hand was injured, making it hard for him to cook, and Xu Qingran wasn't about to keep tormenting him. They both grabbed a bite in the cafeteria. Back at the villa, Xu Qingran flopped onto the sofa to relax, while General Shen kept getting calls.

The jerk had only a couple of days before he'd be gone.

Xu Qingran thought to himself.

But after pulling that stunt, would he still be able to get things done when he got back?

As soon as he thought that, a clatter came from the kitchen.

The room was warm, and Shen Tingyu was just in his dark, snug undershirt. From behind, he looked like a sturdy figure. But right then, he had a comm device to his ear with one hand, while the other, neatly bandaged, hovered over the fallen cup.

On the kitchen counter sat another cup, seemingly prepared for him as well.

Xu Qingran was speechless.

In the end, he took the initiative to walk over and pick up the fallen cup for him, thinking to himself that it was fortunate it wasn't made of glass or ceramic.

Seeing this, Shen Tingyu smiled faintly and said, "Thank you."

A mature male voice came from the communication device, "What?"

"Nothing, Major Su, please continue."

...

When Shen Tingyu finished his call and came out of the kitchen, the living room was already empty.

Two cups sat quietly on the coffee table.

One was still full, while the other was nearly empty.

He glanced at the closed door, then picked up the cup with his uninjured hand.

He had barely taken a few sips when he heard some noise from the stairs and saw Xu Qingran coming down, still damp from his shower. He was wearing an old cotton jacket he had grabbed from his wardrobe, and he didn’t look too happy.

"The water heater’s broken," Xu Qingran said irritably. "It’s freezing out, so you might as well skip the shower tonight."

"Alright," Shen Tingyu replied.

The person on the stairs still hadn’t moved after a while.

Xu Qingran leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, locking eyes with him for a few seconds before asking calmly, "You’re pretty much helpless right now. Without someone keeping an eye on you, we might have to call for help tomorrow. I think you need a caretaker."

"So, do I get a chance to sleep in your bed?"

Though Xu Qingran was the one asking, his tone was boldly unapologetic.

Shen Tingyu chuckled, "Sure, I’ll get the robot to tidy up the guest room first."

Only then did Xu Qingran nod in satisfaction.

He thought to himself: Score. The villa has those fancy Simmons beds. I’m definitely going to sleep well tonight.

Shen Tingyu put down the empty cup he had just finished drinking from and suddenly laughed again.

E-types are just gross, he thought.

Like him, can’t sense others’ feelings but loves manipulating them to get what he wants.

Shen Tingyu believed that Xu Qingran had already ruled out the possibility of being an E-type, so he naturally stopped avoiding him. He secretly wanted to treat him like a friend, similar to how he treated Xie Nanjun and the others.

As for the D-type he disliked the most, he felt even more comfortable around Xu Qingran.

After all, Xu Qingran seemed destined to have no connection with D-types.

The night went by without a hitch.

The next day was a rest day for the assessment, so both of them slept in, recharging before heading out to the cafeteria for lunch. As soon as they opened the door, they spotted Lu Cheng loitering outside.

Seeing the two of them looking like roommates, Lu Cheng was stunned all over again.

Shen Tingyu had basically had Xu Qingran’s back the day before, and after returning, Lu Cheng had been feeling bad about his initial rudeness. After stewing over it all night, he finally decided to come apologize.

After all, he wasn’t an unreasonable person, and Xu Qingran was his childhood friend.

But now, he wished he’d stayed home.

Xu Qingran even asked him, "Major General Lu? Oh, I think I saw you giving Shen Tingyu a hard time yesterday. Are you here to apologize?"

After saying that, he stepped aside, "Go ahead, we’re starving."

Lu Cheng: "..."

After apologizing to Shen Tingyu, his face turned beet red. The fact that Shen Tingyu just smiled and said it was fine only made it worse.

He thought to himself: Sooner or later, I’ll make Xu Qingran see the true face of this hypocrite.

Xu Qingran then asked, "Have you eaten yet, Major General Lu?"

Lu Cheng had already eaten, but he lied and said he hadn’t.

"Oh." Xu Qingran finished asking and then left with Shen Tingyu.

He had no intention of inviting him along.

Lu Cheng was furious but eventually swallowed his pride and followed them to the cafeteria, grabbing another meal and sitting boldly next to Xu Qingran. To flaunt their close bond, he kept piling dishes onto Xu Qingran's plate.

"Here’s your favorite sweet and sour pork."

"I remember how much you love radishes."

"You don't like spicy stir-fried pork, I'll pick it out for you."

Xu Qingran didn't stop him from adding dishes, but the look in his eyes as Lu Cheng removed the meat from his plate was filled with a barely concealed murderous intent.

Shen Tingyu suddenly laughed out loud.

Both pairs of eyes turned to him.

He transferred all the spicy stir-fried pork from his plate to Xu Qingran's, smirking slightly at Lu Cheng and saying, "Major General Lu, your information might need updating."

"He doesn't really like vegetables, prefers meat more, especially spicy and salty flavors."

Xu Qingran nodded in approval, "Not bad, the general’s attention to detail is impressive."

After only a few months of eating at his place, his preferences had been figured out.

Although his expression remained cold, he felt a quiet satisfaction at being so well understood.

In the end, Lu Cheng was the only one left nursing his pride.

He was frustrated with himself for not being able to understand the current Xu Qingran, and even more annoyed by the tacit understanding that he and Shen Tingyu had developed at some point. They didn’t talk much at the dining table, and it was clear that there was no conflict or overly intimate affection beyond friendship between them.

Yet, with just a glance and a gesture, they could understand what the other wanted to express.

Lu Cheng also had many memories of such harmonious scenes.

All of them were memories he had created with the soft, smiling Xu Qingran from before.

·

The new course project officially began.

Shen Tingyu left Linglong City three days later.

As someone with a high-level psychic reservoir, his physical wounds healed quickly. By the day of his departure, the scabs on his wounds had almost disappeared, leaving only faint scars.

Xu Qingran suddenly realized his worries had been unnecessary.

He even mused that with such a constitution, he might outdo Shen Tingyu in recklessness.

"This project will end, and you should be on vacation soon," Shen Tingyu said leisurely. "If you need transportation, make sure to text Xiao Zhang ahead of time."

With that, Shen Tingyu took his leave.

He had, however, programmed his information into the villa’s door lock, offering Xu Qingran the liberty to use it in his absence.

Xu Qingran accepted the invitation to stay without a second thought.

The psychic gun evaluation was deemed successfully completed.

The new course focuses on teaching close-range psychic weapons, which Xu Qingran had briefly studied at the Tower of Evil arena, making it relatively easy for him to grasp.

Feng Wei reacted more intensely than Xu Qingran himself to the destruction of his training gun: "Although the academy's guns are suitable for beginners, their quality should be quite good. They are all checked before the course starts. How could it be fine one day and broken the next?"

"I think someone's jealous of your performance and wants to frame you!"

"If General Shen hadn't been sharp-eyed, big bro, your hand might have been ruined!"

"How vile! Last time, it was the same with that obstacle course. Do outstanding people always have to be envied?!"

Feng Wei went on and on.

Xu Qingran, as usual, didn't say much until Feng Wei brought up a new topic: "By the way, big bro, I heard your soul spirit is about to solidify?!"

Xu Qingran raised an eyebrow: "How do you know?"

Feng Wei gave him a look: "Oh, in such a closed-off place as the academy, with so few people, big bro, you're a big deal now. Any little news spreads like wildfire through the school."

He then excitedly added: "If big bro solidifies now, by the schedule, you definitely won't become an E-Type, right?"

"That's great! If neither of us is a special type, there's no issue with us being friends!"

Xu Qingran shrugged, nonchalant: "Who knows."

Regarding the case of his gun, the academy released the findings two days after Shen Tingyu left. The one who tampered with his weapon was a fellow classmate with a double S-level rank. Xu Qingran wasn't very familiar with him, having only exchanged a few greetings, all initiated by the other party.

The reason he had some impression was that he remembered the other person usually worked very hard, often being one of the last to leave the training ground.

The instructor also lamented: "I was quite shocked when he came in tears to confess."

"Ah, what a pity. Such a diligent student, with decent talent, why resort to petty tricks to ruin his own future?"

The offending student was inevitably expelled and permanently barred from joining the military.

There was a phone in the villa specifically for contacting Shen Tingyu, and Xu Qingran called him that night to tell him about the incident.

After listening, the person on the phone only asked: "What do you think of the outcome?"

Xu Qingran didn't answer his question but instead asked: "Will you be coming back to the academy base?"

Shen Tingyu paused, then replied: "In the second half of the year, probably when you're taking the Mecha course."

This time, he only came to complete the tasks assigned by the Golden Wing Battalion. He had delayed the classes originally intended for top students, so he would have to return.

Xu Qingran paused to think after hearing this.

Mecha, if he remembered correctly, was the penultimate learning project in his class group.

"Alright," he responded, "The timing is good. By then, I should have some results confirmed, just in time for you to join me for some fun."

Shen Tingyu was silent for a few seconds, then asked: "This 'fun' of yours, could it jeopardize my position?"

Xu Qingran laughed: "Who knows?"

The person on the other end also let out a soft chuckle: "Then I'll have to consider it carefully. You'd better think about how to convince me."

·

The new project is progressing smoothly.

It takes quite a while, nearly two months.

Just like with the psychic gun, there's some practical combat training required later on. This time, to match survival and field operations, the system's alien creature zone will be set up outdoors.

At the same time, word about Xu Qingran's upcoming stabilization has spread all over the academy. The higher-ups at the school have been keeping a closer eye on him, a stark contrast to the atmosphere he faced in the previous months.

Since he can't become an E-type, he's not as appealing to them.

Xu Qingran wasn't in a great mood today, so for once, he didn't stay at the training ground till dark. He planned to splash some water on his face and wash his hands in the restroom before hitting the cafeteria, but as soon as he got to the door, he caught a few people badmouthing him.

"Since it's confirmed that Xu Qingran won't become an E-type, why should an ordinary A-level like him be a special invitee?"

The one complaining was a student from the back group, doing project training at the same time as the front group.

They used to be in the same class as Xu Qingran.

A few of them were jealous and bitter about his flashy entrance into the school, but as long as he was in their group and brought them some glory, they could let it slide. But now that he's moved up to the front group, everyone's talking about him, and it's got them feeling off.

"No one's ever switched classes mid-term before. I heard they made new rules just for this guy."

"Who knows what his deal is, even royals don't get that kind of treatment."

Someone coming out of a stall while pulling up his pants snickered, "Maybe he sold his ass?"

"Major General Lu from the Silver Dragon, General Shen from the Golden Wing Battalion—big shots, huh?"

"Ha, maybe even the top brass... who knows what that's like—"

As their talk got more and more out of line, the restroom door was suddenly kicked open hard. Then, they saw the guy they were talking about walk in with a blank face.

Clearly, he had heard what they said.

At first, they were scared and guilty, but then they remembered this was a strict military academy where fighting wasn't allowed, so they puffed themselves up: "Are we wrong? At best, you're just a regular S— oof!"

The leader's words were cut off as he was sent flying.

With the kind of force that packs a psychic punch.

Xu Qingran always locked the door before starting something, glaring coldly at those who usually left training as soon as it ended, never put in extra effort, and now loved to gossip behind people's backs.

Even the empire's top military academy has its share of lowlifes.

Xu Qingran thought to himself.

The others were scared by his fierce look, knowing they couldn't match him, they tried to pump each other up to threaten him: "Xu Qingran, we warn you, causing trouble in the academy will get you expelled, don't mess around!"

Xu Qingran sneered, "I'm not here to start anything."

"I just noticed you're really curious about what it's like to sell your ass. I haven't tried it, but I'd be happy to help you figure it out."

Soon, the restroom near a training ground in the underground base of Linglong City was filled with wailing sounds.

·

"...Student Xu, not to mention the previous reminders about maintaining a calm mindset, I also hope you understand that fighting in school is against the rules."

In a treatment room at the medical center, a military doctor was earnestly advising Xu Qingran, who had just finished a fight.

Rather than a fight, it was more like he was venting by beating up some weaklings.

Xu Qingran said calmly, "I wasn't fighting, I was just helping them solve their doubts."

At this mention, the military doctor's expression became complicated again, stammering for a while before saying, "You, this... no matter what, you can't pull out the faucet pipe from the toilet cubicle and stab your classmates' behinds!"

Xu Qingran smiled sarcastically, "You heard it too, their curiosity came first."

"I was just following the school motto, enthusiastically helping my classmates, supporting each of their dreams, is that wrong?"

The military doctor was speechless.

Only heaven knows how shocking the scene was when those students were carried to the medical center with metal pipes inserted into their rectums.

Every medical staff member in the center was stunned.

They had never witnessed such a horrifying scene in their lives!

Those few people, bewildered and disoriented, wanted to complain about Xu Qingran, but somehow he got an audio recording of them talking behind others' backs, insulting high officials and the royal family with vile language.

The rules against fighting are still within the scope of the academy, but insulting high officials and members of the royal family is a serious crime, which could result in being thrown into the Tower of Evil and beaten to death. So if the school wants to punish Xu Qingran, it means they also have to deal with the crimes of those few people. Unwilling to ruin their futures, they had no choice but to settle the matter privately.

Thus, those who were beaten by Xu Qingran, despite their shame and anger, could only bitterly swallow their grievances.

The system, basking in glory and fame: Hehe.

After this incident, Xu Qingran once again became notorious in the academy.

Now, even those who harbored resentment or wished to undermine him abandoned their schemes, and no one dared to bring up his classification again.

Due to Xu Qingran's outburst, his soul exhibited fluctuations exceeding safe parameters, so he had to stay in the medical center and undergo treatment with special equipment until his soul returned to a stable state before he was allowed to leave.

Subsequently, the training days passed uneventfully and smoothly.

Ni Xiaoyuan also heard about the toilet incident and chatted with him during a break, complaining, "There will always be those who refuse to put in the effort themselves, yet envy others."

"Now you're in a comparable position to them, why not consider why you've advanced while they remain in the lower ranks?"

Xu Qingran gave a slight smirk, not caring much.

Their current training grounds had shifted to an open wilderness area.

The wilderness area is further divided into several large sections: east, south, west, and north, and their main activity area is the east. The eastern creatures are securely enclosed by walls and fences, and access requires the supervisor's identity card.

Between each isolated small area, there are paths for people and vehicles to walk. The alien creatures in the eastern area are not completely closed off, mainly provided for visits and teaching purposes.

Feng Wei had gone off somewhere again.

When Xu Qingran and Ni Xiaoyuan were resting near the entrance of the wilderness area, they suddenly saw several soldiers leading a few outsiders who were out of place in the military academy. They were wearing down-to-earth cotton pants, cotton jackets, or down jackets, and were accompanied by a few mechanical flying balls that looked like they were for photography.

The soldiers led them without looking sideways, walking towards the visiting path.

As the group passed by, Xu Qingran saw the work badges on their necks, which seemed to say something like 'Kai'an Biological Research Team'.

Seeing Ni Xiaoyuan's normal expression, he asked in confusion, "I remember that the military academy's base is not open to outsiders, right?"

Ni Xiaoyuan explained, "The main academy and other important military defense bases in the land are closed to the public, but the Linglong City base is allowed."

"This place was originally a collaboration between the academy and the empire's biological research team. Those people we just saw, they should be staff from the team's official promotional channel. To provide biological education and popularization to the empire's people, they plan a program every year, lasting from half a month to a month."

"The program is in the form of a live broadcast, inviting some external guests to participate, to increase traffic and watchability."

"They're probably here today to check out the place."

Ni Xiaoyuan didn't seem too interested, letting out a slight hiss and grumbling, "Looks like this year's live broadcast is happening during our class training. I hope it doesn't disturb or disrupt our practice."

Xu Qingran shared her sentiment.

Before they knew it, the training period was coming to an end.

Xu Qingran's close combat skills outshone his long-range psychic gun abilities, performing like a pro trained in extreme situations since childhood. Every move, counter, and reaction moved the instructors to tears, who couldn't help but exclaim, "Such talent!"

So, in this project, aside from his psychic strength lagging behind his classmates, there was little to criticize. Even the proud 3S students, like Ni Xiaoyuan, were won over by his near-flawless techniques, putting aside their pride to ask for his advice.

Meanwhile, in the half year since Xu Qingran joined the military academy, posts like this would occasionally surface on Star Horizon.

"Title: It's been half a year since we last heard from Young Master Xu, no juicy gossip to sink our teeth into, and I kinda miss it."

The main post was just two words: As titled.

Surprisingly, many agreed in the replies, keeping the post bumped to the front page now and then.

Then one day, the post was frantically bumped again.

"19667L: Stop reminiscing! Check out the post next door!"

"19668L: Keyword - special invitee! Check it out!"

"19996L: Woc, is the OP a summoner? Young Master Xu's been silent for half a year, and just days after this post, the gossip drops!"

On the forum's front page, a fresh post quickly gained traction.

"Title: A high-profile special invitee who joined at the semester's start might soon face expulsion!"