In front of the clock store, Chen Fan hailed a taxi. His balance had soared to 70 million high-grade spirit stones—a sum accumulated from the loot he had split with Bai Mulan in the secret realm, as well as the rewards and compensation from Chi Ling. Being rich truly felt satisfying.
On top of that, his master's bank card held an astronomical amount of wealth for daily expenses in the city, reaching a staggering 10 billion in cash. Knowing his master still had plenty of these cards, he entertained the thought of taking a few more the next time they met, just so he could flaunt his wealth a little.
Before long, the taxi arrived at his home, but just as he was about to enter, realization struck him—he had given his key to Bai Mulan back in the secret realm to console her when she was crying. While his phone had the ability to transfer objects over a certain distance, it was still limited in range.
Of course, he could simply use his power to enter, but recalling Bai Mulan's tear-streaked face, he hesitated. Instead of breaking his promise, he decided to contact her first and ask for the key back. However, after several attempts, he was still unable to reach her.
With no other choice, Chen Fan decided to find a hotel for the night. It wasn't like he had anything particularly important left in his place anyway, and tomorrow, he would head straight to his master's residence.
Chen Fan decided to take a walk, hoping to clear his mind.
Just as he was beginning to relax, Ao Xue's voice echoed in his mind, carrying a thoughtful tone.
"As expected, there's something strange about your world."
Chen Fan frowned. His instincts sharpened at those words, sensing that Ao Xue had noticed something unusual.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his brows furrowing.
"Tell me, do you know about gods or divinity?"
Chen Fan shook his head. "No, I've never heard of that before. Are you saying there are gods in this world? Or do you mean the opposite?"
"There are no gods in this world," Ao Xue stated firmly.
Chen Fan blinked in confusion. "Is that really so strange?"
"It's not uncommon for a world to exist without gods or even a World Ego. However, for a world with this much potential, it's highly unusual."
Chen Fan's curiosity deepened. "World Ego?" This was the first time he had heard the term.
"Under certain conditions, a world or planet can awaken its own consciousness—an ego. In some cases, a World Ego might control or even devour its inhabitants, but in most cases, it nurtures them. A well-developed World Ego allows its people to thrive, increasing the world's Providence. It can even act as a guardian against external threats, growing stronger as its world flourishes."
Chen Fan nodded, intrigued by this new perspective. "I see… And what about gods?"
"Unlike a World Ego that feeds off the world's growth, gods feed on the belief of mortals. In a world where mortals make up the majority of inhabitants, the divinity generated from faith should be immense. That's why it's strange—why does this world have no gods?"
Chen Fan pondered this. "How can you tell whether gods exist or not?"
"It's one of my abilities. I'll lend it to you."
Before Chen Fan could ask more, he suddenly felt a shift—not in his surroundings, but in his vision. His eyes tingled, and in an instant, the world transformed before him.
The air was filled with an endless sea of colors, each taking on different shapes—some swirling like mist, others forming thin lines, while some appeared as glowing orbs. It was a mesmerizing sight.
"So… this is Qi?" Chen Fan muttered in awe.
"Yes," Ao Xue confirmed. "Normally, if a god or World Ego exists, they would absorb divinity from the people, and you would see a white mist rising from their bodies. But as you can see, there's no such mist here. This means one of two things—either the people of this world don't believe in gods, or there are simply no gods to absorb their faith. It's like a magnet—without two poles, we can't even tell whether it would attract or repel anything."
Chen Fan's eyes shimmered as he took in the breathtaking sight. "It's… beautiful."
Ao Xue chuckled. "Hahaha! Now you understand how incredible I am, don't you? These eyes of mine are the only ones of their kind in this world!"
Chen Fan, still captivated, sat down and began cultivating. He carefully observed as different shapes and colors of Qi slowly gathered around him, flowing into his body and transforming into an energy that matched his own.
"And that's how cultivation works," Ao Xue remarked with a smirk, watching Chen Fan examine his own hands in amazement.
Just as Chen Fan was about to ask another question, a sharp sting jolted through his eyes, forcing him to blink rapidly. In the next moment, his vision returned to normal.
"Well, it's your first time using it," Ao Xue said casually. "Your brain is trying to process too much information at once. So, how was it? Pretty cool, right? I got used to it a long time ago, so I don't find it that impressive anymore." Despite his words, there was a hint of pride in his tone.
Chen Fan chuckled. "Yeah, it's pretty cool." He wouldn't lie—what he had just witnessed was beyond anything he had ever experienced. Spiritual sense allowed one to feel Qi, but actually seeing it was something entirely different.
As Chen Fan walked through the city, he continued to bombard Ao Xue with questions about divinity, World Egos, and the deeper mechanics of the world. However, the more he asked, the more his curiosity grew, leading him down an endless path of inquiry.
"Well, it's still far beyond your reach. You'll naturally find out more in the future," Ao Xue remarked dismissively, hoping to put an end to the relentless questioning.
Chen Fan easily saw through his intent and chuckled. "Haha, it's been a while since I've been this eager to learn something."
"No wonder your master let you off the mountain," Ao Xue scoffed, having learned a bit about Chen Fan's background over the past few days.
"That just means I learn fast," Chen Fan replied smugly.
"Hmph, arrogant brat." Though Ao Xue spoke with disdain, he couldn't deny the truth in Chen Fan's words. His talent and ability to grasp new concepts were remarkable. He had already demonstrated his prowess in battle, and Ao Xue had seen firsthand how difficult his techniques were to master. The fact that Chen Fan had achieved such mastery within mere decade was proof of his exceptional talent.
Before long, Chen Fan arrived at the heart of the city. Skyscrapers loomed overhead, their glass facades gleaming under the city lights. The bustling streets were filled with pedestrians, and the honking of vehicles echoed in the air. As he scanned the area, his eyes landed on several hotels, and without hesitation, he made his way toward the grandest one.
Along the way, the lively atmosphere of the streets caught his attention. Various street vendors lined the sidewalks, their stalls overflowing with sizzling skewers, fragrant noodles, and colorful snacks.
"What a peculiar world," Ao Xue mused, observing the bustling city with intrigue. He studied the mortals who had built this entire civilization—one that functioned without Qi. With his enhanced vision, he could see the intricate mechanics behind the glowing signboards, the moving images on screens, and the high-speed vehicles rolling on wheels. To him, it was a fascinating yet alien sight.
Chen Fan, drawn in by the delicious aromas, decided to stop and grab a bite to eat. However, just as he was about to take another step, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Big brother! Big brother!"
Turning around, he saw a small girl dashing toward him. She wore a hoodie with bear ears, her wide eyes sparkling with excitement. With her adorable appearance and boundless energy, she naturally drew the attention of the onlookers.
Chen Fan was momentarily surprised, but then a warm smile spread across his face.
Before he could react, Wang Mei threw herself at him, and he instinctively lifted her into the air. She giggled happily, her arms wrapping around his neck. Her gaze then shifted to someone approaching from behind.
"Sis, look! It's big brother!" Wang Mei's smile grew even wider as she pointed excitedly at Wang Yue.
Chen Fan followed her gaze and saw Wang Yue walking toward them. Unlike Wang Mei's cheerful enthusiasm, Wang Yue's expression remained unreadable. Her face was calm, almost indifferent.
"Long time no see," Chen Fan greeted her with a friendly smile, hoping to ease the tension. However, Wang Yue merely gave a slight nod, her deadpan expression unchanging. His smile stiffened slightly at her lack of response.
"Hahaha!" Ao Xue's laughter rang in his mind, making Chen Fan's eye twitch.
"I'm sorry," Ao Xue chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "I just remembered something amusing."
Chen Fan had no intention of entertaining Ao Xue's laughter. Instead, he could only stand there with an awkward expression.
At that moment, Wang Mei, still clinging to him, looked around curiously. "Big brother, where's your girlfriend?" she asked innocently. "Sis said you were busy with your girlfriend."
"Don't talk nonsense. I never said that," Wang Yue replied curtly.
Hearing this, Chen Fan glanced at their surroundings and realized that the bystanders had started whispering among themselves, their gazes filled with misunderstanding. He let out an awkward laugh, scratching his head.
Looking around, he quickly spotted a fancy restaurant with only a few customers inside.
"It looks like you're busy, so we won't bother you. Come here, Mei," Wang Yue said, walking closer to her sister.
"No! I want to be with big brother!" Wang Mei protested, tightening her hug around Chen Fan.
Wang Yue frowned slightly, as if preparing to pry her sister away.
"Um…" Chen Fan hesitated but then spoke carefully. "Why don't we all eat together? It's my treat."
"I want to eat with brother!" Wang Mei cheerfully agreed without hesitation.
Wang Yue glanced at Wang Mei, who clung to Chen Fan like a stubborn koala. After a brief pause, she finally said, "Then I'll pay for our meal."
"It's fine. I'll pay," Chen Fan insisted, only for his voice to falter as Wang Yue's eyes narrowed, her expression growing more intense. "Alright, alright… we'll each pay for ourselves."
Without another word, Wang Yue turned and started walking toward the restaurant. Chen Fan, still carrying Wang Mei, followed closely behind, ignoring the countless stares of disdain directed at him.
Among them, only Wang Mei remained completely unaffected, her bright smile unwavering as she rested happily in Chen Fan's arms.