Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 30 A Wonderful Survival Guide

Chen Anran didn't speak. He sat down at the desk and glanced at the adult college entrance examination review materials spread out on the table. The edges of the books were already curled up from being turned over.

"Is my senior taking the college entrance exam?"

Wei Qingyi sat on the single bed next to her. "Well, I'm thinking of learning more so that I can find a more stable job with a higher income in the future. I can't keep doing bit parts and odd jobs forever." As she spoke, Wei Qingyi bent down and pulled out two bottles of mineral water from under the bed.

Chen Anran took a sip of water after opening the bottle, and then said, "We are cultivators."

Wei Qingyi retorted, "In today's society, even cultivators need to have diplomas."

"What do monks do with their diplomas?"

Wei Qingyi took a sip of water. By now, her emotions had stabilized. "Cultivators also need to eat and establish themselves in this society. Besides, after experiencing so much, I've come to understand things. In this world today, it's not about who has the greatest strength, but about who has the greatest wisdom and who holds the highest position."

Wei Qingyi's words made some sense, but Chen Anran felt that if he had arrived any later, his second senior sister would probably have been completely corrupted by society.

"Once our spiritual energy fully recovers, we cultivators will be able to reach higher levels, and then we'll be able to go without food!" Chen Anran said with a pained expression, "Senior Sister, come to your senses! Stop studying! Cultivation is our true path! Remember, the end of science is metaphysics!"

"No, knowledge can bring clarity." Wei Qingyi put down the water bottle. "Anran, you've just come down from the mountain, so you may not fully understand yet. No matter how strong a fist is, can it be stronger than the machinery of the state? No matter how powerful spiritual energy is, can it be stronger than the laws and regulations? Even if spiritual energy fully recovers, the world cannot return to the jungle era of the survival of the fittest overnight. On the contrary, the existing order will only become more solid."

She raised her eyes and looked at Chen Anran. Those eyes, which once only reflected the bright moon in the mountains, now held the wisdom of the world's ups and downs.

"Cultivators also need to live, earn money, and abide by the rules of this society. If someone is injured, compensation must be paid; it's only right and proper. I don't want, and I can't let the Cloud Hidden Sect become a target of public criticism or a 'destabilizing factor' in the eyes of some because of my impulsiveness. That diploma is not just a stepping stone to finding a job; it's also proof of integrating into this world. I need it, I need the identity and opportunities it brings, so that I and my sect can find a path to avoid being eliminated in this era of transition."

Chen Anran fell silent. He recalled his senior sister Su Wan's emphasis on the "Righteous Path Assembly," and Master Shi Haisheng of Jingang Temple's integration into and influence over the secular world. His second senior sister's words were like a cold needle, piercing some of his unrealistic fantasies.

The resurgence of spiritual energy brings not only opportunities, but also a complex array of challenges.

"I understand, Senior Sister." Chen Anran's voice softened. "We'll figure out a way to solve the money problem together, using... a more reliable method. But you have to adjust your lifestyle. If your health collapses, everything will be over."

He pointed to the suffocating schedule on the wall, "Starting tomorrow, the workers at the early morning seafood market and late-night food stalls are quitting."

"No way," Wei Qingyi retorted instinctively, "that would mean a lot less income..."

"I'll make up the difference in income," Chen Anran said firmly. "Now that I can 'nurture' some things, making money isn't that difficult for me. Besides, my senior sister asked me to bring you some spirit rice and some medicinal herbs."

He took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, inside which was about a pound of Spirit-Nourishing Rice. The grains were plump and had a subtle sheen, along with a few mild and invigorating herbs prepared by Su Wan.

"Use these for now to nourish your body and restore your vitality. You can't completely neglect your cultivation, otherwise your foundation will be damaged, and it will be difficult later."

Wei Qingyi was initially puzzled by Chen Ran's mention of "nurturing things," but when she saw the bag of rice with its faint glow and the familiar herbs in front of her, her nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears. She forced herself to hold back, took the bag, and clutched it tightly in her hand, feeling the familiar scent and warmth that belonged to Yunyin Mountain.

"...Okay." Wei Qingyi finally relented, her voice slightly choked. "I'll listen to you."

Chen Anran breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "That's more like it. Let's set a small goal first: within a month, we'll shut down your two most demanding jobs so you can get at least four hours of sleep every day. As for that two million..." A glint of light flashed in his eyes, "Give me some time, and I'll figure it out."

He already had a preliminary idea in mind. The Museum of Evolution's capabilities were a unique advantage, but they couldn't be easily revealed.

Therefore, they cannot evolve spiritual rice and other such things to trade with people in the cultivation world; they can only evolve other items to trade with mortals.

Seeing that Wei Qingyi had agreed, but the weariness and worry between her brows remained, Chen Anran knew that empty words of comfort would have limited effect, and he had to come up with a practical solution as soon as possible.

"Senior sister, do you believe me?" Chen Anran looked into Wei Qingyi's eyes and asked earnestly.

Wei Qingyi nodded almost without hesitation: "Of course I trust you." This junior brother has always been opinionated since childhood, and now he gives people an inexplicable sense of reliability.

"Alright," Chen Anran stood up. "Leave the money to me. For the next few days, adjust your schedule, eat on time, and use this spirit rice and herbs to nourish your body. If the convenience store and courier jobs become too tiring, put them aside for now. Wait for my news."

His tone was calm and confident, as if two million was not an unattainable astronomical figure.

Wei Qingyi looked at him, still harboring doubts, but the long-lost sense of support from her family warmed her cold heart. She nodded again: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Chen Anran glanced at Wei Qingyi's bedroom again, and then said, "Forget it, Second Senior Sister, you should just move in and live with me."

Chen Anran's words stunned Wei Qingyi. She subconsciously glanced around her small bedroom, which had witnessed her years of hardship, and shook her head: "No need, Anran. I'm quite comfortable here. It's close to my workplace, which is convenient. Besides..." She paused, her voice lowering, "The co-tenancy contract hasn't expired yet, and I won't get my deposit back."

"How much is the deposit? Senior Sister, look at yourself now." Chen Anran frowned. "The environment here is too poor, not conducive to your recovery. The place I'm staying in is a quiet and secluded retreat arranged by the Vajra Temple. The environment is good and safe. If you move there, my brother and I can look after each other. I can sleep on the outer couch, and you can stay in the inner room. As for the contract and deposit, consider the loss a lesson learned. Our Yunyin Sect is not short of money right now."

He emphasized the words "we don't lack this little bit of money" in an attempt to give Wei Qingyi some confidence.

Before Wei Qingyi could say anything more, Chen Anran interrupted her, "It's settled then. I'll help you pack your things first thing tomorrow morning. If Senior Sister knew you were living in a place like this in Guangzhou and working five or six jobs, she'd be heartbroken. You don't want Senior Sister and Third Senior Sister to worry even more, do you?"

When Su Wan and Feng Xiaolu were mentioned, Wei Qingyi finally stopped insisting and sighed softly, which was considered an admission.

"Okay... I'll do as you say."

"That's more like it." Chen Anran smiled. "Then, Senior Sister, you should get some rest. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Cook some of this spirit rice tonight; it'll be good for your health."