Cosmic-Level Demon God

This also results in King Level Divine Machines rarely changing pilots, much like a cub recognizing its owner, making them extremely difficult to replace."

Fang Butang found this confusing; he did not follow the mechanical path and had no military experience, so he truly did not understand Divine Machines.

He counted on his fingers, calculating that all the King Level Divine Machines in Dongxia amounted to less than the number of fingers on both hands.

"The King Level machines of several major Daoist schools are mostly sealed. Let me think. Qi Wuxiang's Luotian Dojo has a 'Taishu Xingyuan-Infinite Tribulation Wheel.' Lian Yixing's Zhenyang Dojo holds the 'Cangming Pure Sea-Xuanqiong Wondrous Aspect.'

Besides these two greats, perhaps only a few major military districts have well-known ones, probably the 'Seven Kills Sky Punishment-Crime Forging Saber,' 'Lianzhen Fire Mansion-Star Halberd Slaughter,' 'Pojun Swallow the World-Yunhan Seizing the Sky'..."

As Fang Butang counted, he seemed to understand Old Chen's meaning and slapped his thigh, saying:

"It's bad! All King Level Divine Machines are claimed! The Nanhuang Daoist School's Bixiao Royal Mandate-Hunyuan Doukui may not suit Little Qin! If he wants to push to one hundred percent Power Body progress, he must inherit a Divine Machine compatible with himself! Where to find one?"

Chen Ruofu nodded, this was exactly what worried him.

If Qin Shi wanted to take that step, he would need to inherit a perfectly compatible King Level Divine Machine.

The Bixiao Royal Mandate-Hunyuan Doukui of the Nanhuang Daoist School had been with Old Zhang for nearly a hundred years.

Having undergone Grandmaster Level "nurturing," it would likely be difficult to change owners.

...

Old Factory Street, Li's Fast Food.

It was now noon, not yet the lunch rush, but the food stall was already full of people.

Li Yuan, dressed in a sharp suit and slicked-back hair, parked the sedan at the alley's entrance, as the road inside was too narrow to drive through.

Xie Yucheng, sitting in the front passenger seat, stepped out carrying large and small gift bags, greeting:

"Uncle Li, I'm here again! I tell you, why not close the food stall and enjoy some leisure. Look how big Brother Yuan's business has grown..."

Uncle Li, busy at the stove and vigorously tossing the frying pan, replied grumpily:

"If I close the food stall, where will the neighbors eat! It's been open for years, everyone is used to coming and going! Besides, you make big money in business, that's your business; Farzi's mom and I can support ourselves! Who ordered the large stir-fried noodles, come take this!"

"Alright, Uncle!"

Seated obediently, the young man appeared fawning, holding the steaming hot stir-fried noodles in both hands, bowing his head to eat.

While wolfing down, he flattered:

"Uncle, your stir-fried noodles are really authentic! Much better than those big restaurants!"

Uncle Li ignored him; these "customers" were all employees under his son.

Ever since Li Yuan brought them over for a team-building lunch once, they would come over every now and then to get acquainted.

"Farzi, could you get your guys to come less often? They take up seats, so where will the neighbors eat!"

Uncle Li pulled the spirited Li Yuan aside, whispering:

"Also, each of them eats a lot, sometimes ordering dozens of dishes at a time, my old back can't take it."

Li Yuan, who exuded the aura of a successful figure, had none of that attitude in front of his father.

"Alright, Dad, I understand. Is today the interview with Brother Qin? Did the TV you bought last time arrive?"

Uncle Li pointed to the wall, proudly saying:

"I specifically had Old Xu build a cabinet."

He found the remote and tuned to the channel broadcasting from Central City.

"...committed to integrating personal ideals into Heng Province's blueprint, measuring responsibility and contribution through practical steps, and building a life foundation with moral cultivation! As a youth, create the future of the youth! Youth of Dongxia, youth of civilization!"

Qin Shi's impassioned voice transmitted through the TV, reaching everyone's ears.

The group didn't care much about the speech's content, they were all excitedly discussing:

"Our Old Factory Street finally produced a big figure! So many geniuses in Central City, yet they behave well listening to Little Qin speak on stage!"

"Exactly! I used to live around Baogong Street, every time I did poorly in exams, my mom would grab a feather duster, beating and scolding me, always mentioning Brother Qin!"

"Next time, tell your mom it's normal not to top Heng Province's Top 100 competition, after all, there aren't many who can keep up in the New Star!"

"Tsk tsk, truly glorious and promising..."

Uncle Li stopped his frying motion, staring at the young face on the TV screen.

Though his son was doing well, compared to Qin Shi, who represented Old Factory Street and the Tai'an Region, he still had a long way to go.

"You, always liked to hang around the streets, I often scolded you to avoid playing with bad company, to avoid picking up bad habits.

Fortunately, fortunately, you eventually got to know Little Qin, leading you onto the right path."

Li Yuan didn't argue, he nodded silently, understanding his parents' worries about his poor academic performance.

Later, he gritted his teeth and took out a sum of money to enroll in Teacher Liang's tutoring class, thinking of strengthening his body and developing life force, to work in the mines.

If he hadn't met Qin Shi, Li Yuan would either have gone down the mine shaft with Xie Yucheng or followed Brother Ze to become a boxer.

The end of any path won't be too good.

"Mr. Liang..."

Li Yuan's thoughts wandered, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a familiar figure.

Still the same buzz cut, a middle-aged image in a dusty gray jacket.

The only difference was that he no longer walked with a limp.

"Mr. Liang! You're here. Should I stir-fry a few dishes for you as usual?"

Uncle Li enthusiastically greeted.

"The usual."

Old Liang's spirit was much better than before. Since his old injury was healed by his student Qin Shi's half-bloomed Blood Flower, his demeanor gradually recovered, sweeping away his previous gloom and depression.

"Good day, Mr. Liang."

Both Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng instinctively pressed their hands to their pant pockets and stood straight.

Even though they had long graduated, seeing Old Liang still made them feel that strong "pressure."

"Ah Yuan, Ah Cheng, I heard from little Qin that you two are doing well!"

Old Liang said with a grin, though his eyes were looking at the TV cabinet on the wall.

Qin Shi's speech was reaching its end —

"...writing the youthful chapter of our generation on the journey of comprehensively building New Dongxia!"

Old Liang's face completely relaxed, involuntarily revealing a smile.

This was his student, the true inheritor of Hong Sheng!

"Heaven opened its eyes, and at last, granted me such a good student."

Old Liang picked an empty seat and sat down, suddenly saying to Uncle Li:

"Old Li, get me two more bottles of Beicang!"

Old Li asked with a chuckle:

"Mr. Liang, didn't you say you quit smoking and drinking a while ago?"

Old Liang shook his head:

"I'm happy today, so breaking the vow isn't a problem! Go to the liquor shop on East Street, their Beicang is authentic, and the proof is high."

Old Li waved to his youngest son, who was helping with the chores, handing him a few bills to run the errand.

The young boy dashed off, returning in a few minutes, breathlessly delivering two bottles of Beicang Da Jiao to the table.

"Much more sensible than your brother. Keep the change, buy yourself some snacks."

Old Liang waved his hand, poured himself a drink, and sniffed it at his nose.

As he listened to his student's lengthy discourse, he picked up some side dishes with chopsticks and chewed carefully.

Unconsciously, he thought of the favorite phrase his mentor often said — "Life Force!"

On the TV, a formulaic speech aimed at all of Heng Province had ended, and as Qin Shi stepped off stage, he was immediately surrounded by the media, long cameras and short lenses crowding around, pointing at that young face.

"Qin, do you have anything to say to all students in Heng Province?"

"Study well and improve every day."

"Qin, from Old Factory Street to Central City, what insights have you gained along the way?"

"Individual choices are important, especially when you're stuck in a mire. Struggling might lead to the shore, while giving up will only lead to a fall."

"Qin, you are hailed as the most gifted genius Heng Province has seen in twenty years, with hopes of reaching Scorching Sun Level. Can you, as a newcomer, introduce yourself to all students in Heng Province?"

Qin Shi looked at the camera calmly, his gaze seemingly crossing space, passing through the flood of figures, and landing on the familiar Old Factory Street.

"Hello everyone, my name is Qin Shi, from Dong Street in the Tai'an Region, Dangyang. My teacher is Liang Zhengxiong, who teaches sports at No. 9 School for Descendants.

I am very grateful to him. I want to tell him, Old Liang, you are the best teacher I've ever met!

And I will be your best student!"

Old Liang, sipping the high-proof liquor in small sips, suddenly froze, and everyone in the open-air food stall turned to look at him.

The public statement of Tai'an portrayed Qin Shi either as a disciple of the Nanhuang Daoist School or the successor of the First Generation's Top Ten He Lanchan.

No one mentioned "Liang Zhengxiong!"

Because being a sports teacher at No. 9 School for Descendants was really something that couldn't be presented!

It couldn't be compared to the top rank in the Heng Province Top 100 Tournament, nor to the Supernova of the Tai'an Region!

The peanuts clamped by chopsticks fell with a plop, and Old Liang silently lowered his head.

The strong liquor in the cup was like a stone dropping into a stream, causing ripples to spread.