As Yi Chang stepped into his rented apartment, the comforting aroma of food greeted him. Old Man Feng had taken the liberty of preparing a meal, a simple yet thoughtful gesture. Yi Chang's stomach rumbled in response, and he reflected on how cultivators at the Qi Gathering stage, though increasingly reliant on spiritual qi for their cultivation, still required substantial food intake until they reached Core Formation. He remembered how cultivators in the Endless World sometimes used fasting pills, which acted as substitutes for food, supplying all necessary nutrients for prolonged meditation.
Sitting down at the table, Yi Chang devoured the meal with eagerness. Cultivators often had large appetites, and Yi Chang's was no exception. As he ate, his mind wandered back to his conversation with Liang Huiyuan. Looking up at Old Man Feng, he asked, "Old Man Feng, what do you know about my father's investment into the VR game development? And what became of it?"
Old Man Feng, standing nearby with a respectful demeanor, shook his head slightly. "Young Master, I wasn't directly involved with the company or your father's business affairs. However, I remember that Master Yi Tian had significant dealings with foreign partners and invested heavily in a VR game project. It was a secretive venture aimed at creating virtual worlds where players could live out their fantasies, fight monsters, and experience simulated lives, such as being magicians or cultivators in ways that felt almost real. The project was kept under wraps, and because your father continually drew funds from Néngyuán Games for it, the company's stock market value began to plummet, leading many to believe he was embezzling."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "But from what I recall, Master Yi Tian's strategy was deliberate. He wanted the company's stock value to remain low, so when the VR game launched, its impact would be tremendous, propelling Néngyuán Games to the forefront of the gaming technology market. Unfortunately, he passed away before this could happen, and it seemed the project was abandoned with him."
Yi Chang considered this revelation carefully. "It seems the project didn't die with him," he said, setting his chopsticks down. "Today, Liang Huiyuan mentioned that Yi Fan is planning to publicize the game soon."
Old Man Feng's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "If that's true, Young Master, then Yi Fan is carrying forward your father's vision and stands to benefit from it."
Yi Chang smiled, contemplating the implications. "If Yi Fan can indeed control the VR game market, it will be significant. I've finished the meal, but my hunger persists, not something easily resolved by food alone. I need something with substantial qi. I think it's time I visited the forest to hunt and test my strength. Ever since my reincarnation, I haven't had a chance to truly let loose; I've been bottling up my anger and frustration."
He turned to Old Man Feng. "Could you arrange for a camping van rental?"
Old Man Feng nodded. "I can do that, Young Master."
After Old Man Feng arranged the van, Yi Chang and he drove out to the forest. As they arrived, Yi Chang observed the lush, dense greenery of the forest, where the air felt crisper and the spiritual qi seemed more abundant than in the city. The forest was a vast expanse of towering trees, winding paths, and the occasional burst of wildflowers. The serene environment was punctuated by the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls.
Yi Chang turned to Old Man Feng, who had proven himself quite agile despite his appearance. Although Old Man Feng was around sixty, he moved with a surprising nimbleness and vigor. Yi Chang asked him to accompany him on this venture. As they ventured deeper into the forest, Yi Chang noticed how the spiritual energy felt richer, energizing him as he prepared for the hunt and a much-needed release of his pent-up emotions.
As the sun began to set, the forest grew darker, Yi Chang and Old Man Feng had set up camp in a small clearing. The serene beauty of the surroundings, however, did little to ease Old Man Feng's growing discomfort.
"Young Master," Old Man Feng began, his voice edged with concern, "I must say, it's dangerous for us to be here at this hour. The forest becomes unpredictable at night. Wild beasts roam, and the spiritual qi here, while abundant, attracts creatures beyond our control. We should return home. This place isn't safe."
Yi Chang, seated on a large rock, looked up at him calmly. "There's no need to worry, Old Man Feng. I'm not afraid of what this forest holds. I came here to hunt and that's exactly what I'll do."
Old Man Feng shifted uneasily and seemed frustrated. "Young Master, you've always been one for adventure, visiting historical sites and exploring China's ancient places, you even decided to study Chinese History. But this... this is different. You've never done something this dangerous before. You're grieving your father's death, and I understand that you want to vent, but risking your life for a hunt? It's not what he would have wanted."
Yi Chang raised an eyebrow, surprised at the old man's persistence. Normally, Old Man Feng was a man of few words, quietly supporting him from the shadows, but tonight, his tone carried a note of urgency that Yi Chang hadn't heard before.
"You've changed, Young Master," Old Man Feng continued, his voice trembling slightly with anger towards Yi Chang even though he doesn't understand why. "Ever since your father's death, you've been different. Stronger, yes, more decisive, but... you're not the same boy I once knew. Your attitude, your demeanor, it's like you've become someone else, I thought it was for the better. But this—this dangerous hunt, it's reckless. Please, let's go back before something happens."
For a moment, Yi Chang sat in stunned silence. This was the most he had heard Old Man Feng speak in one go, and the intensity of his words caught him off guard. The man had clearly been holding this in for some time, and now, in the darkness of the forest, it had all come pouring out.
"Old Man Feng," Yi Chang began slowly, his voice steady but carrying a hint of surprise, "I didn't expect you to be so concerned. You may be right. I've changed. I'm no longer the Yi Chang you used to know. But I'm not just grieving my father's death."
Old Man Feng shook his head, frustration etched across his normally calm features. "But this... this isn't you. I've watched over you your entire life. I've seen you grow, struggle, and become the man you are today. I understand that you've been through unimaginable pain, but I can't stand by and watch you throw yourself into harm's way."
Yi Chang sighed, his mind racing. Old Man Feng's outburst, while unexpected, touched something within him. This is something he wished he had, someone getting angry about him, in the endless world, even though they all seem to cater for him, he could always see the look they use to look at him, it was the look of seem a precious item not of seeing a fellow human, though he doesn't really classify as human.
"I appreciate your concern, Old Man Feng, truly," Yi Chang finally said, his tone softening. "But this is something I need to do. You don't have to be here with me"
The two locked eyes, the crackling of the fire the only sound between them. For a moment, it seemed as if Old Man Feng might protest further, but instead, he simply nodded, stepping back in reluctant acceptance. Even though he still didn't fully understand Yi Chang's transformation and the cause for his sudden anger, he had seen enough to know that his young master was no longer the boy he had once served.