Li Yifei's smile froze abruptly. He slowly turned his head to look at Lin QiYe.
Lin QiYe gave him a confirming nod.
Li Yifei: …
"Gr… Grandma!" Li Yifei obediently opened his arms and hugged the excited Nyx. His face twisted into a grin that looked more like a grimace. "I missed you too!"
Lin QiYe, observing the scene from the side, raised an eyebrow. His gaze toward Li Yifei brimmed with admiration.
**Not bad!**
**When it comes to entertaining the elderly, you're a true professional!**
Lin QiYe could clearly see the treatment progress above Nyx's head jump from 21% to 23%. Of course, only he could see this progress bar—Li Yifei couldn't.
Over the past half-month, Lin QiYe had visited the hospital daily, like clockwork, to give Nyx her medication and keep her company. Under the combined effects of medication and mental therapy, her condition had significantly improved. At least now, she no longer snuck into the medicine room to clutch a bottle and cry.
With Li Yifei now accompanying her 24/7, her recovery progress would likely accelerate greatly. It wouldn't take long for it to reach 50%.
By then, Lin QiYe could extract Nyx's second ability.
During this time, Lin QiYe had also attempted to unlock the second ward door, but it remained sealed. It seemed directly tied to his spiritual cultivation level, which could only be advanced step by step.
Fortunately, using the method taught by Wen Qimo, Lin QiYe had fully stabilized his "Lamp" realm. Breaking through to the next level wouldn't take much longer.
After a few final words to Li Yifei, Lin QiYe left the psychiatric hospital.
The following days seemed no different from before. Even though Lin QiYe had successfully completed his first mission, his daily training regimen didn't ease up at all. In fact, the slaps of Chen Muye's blade against his face seemed to sting even more.
However, after experiencing a life-and-death battle, Lin QiYe's synergy with the **Mortal God Realm** had greatly improved. His spiritual perception was now much sharper, enabling him to perfectly dodge 50 rounds per second in the training room and begin challenging 100 rounds per second.
Perhaps the greatest improvement was in Lin QiYe's shooting skills. From initially missing every shot at 30 meters and barely hitting the target at 20 meters, he had trained relentlessly until now…
He could finally hit a target at 30 meters with some consistency!
Lin QiYe still remembered the day he first landed a shot at that distance. With his spiritual sense, he saw Leng Xuan standing in the back, tears welling in his eyes. He subtly wiped them away before raising his head with a gratified smile.
---
**Ten days later.**
Lin QiYe stood at the door of the captain's office and knocked.
"Come in."
Lin QiYe entered and saw Chen Muye carefully reading a document.
Looking up, Chen Muye said, "In a few days, the new recruit training will begin."
Lin QiYe was stunned, realizing he had been with the Nightwatchers for a month without noticing how quickly time had passed.
"So… do I need to prepare anything?"
"Hmm. Based on previous years, this year's training will likely be held in Shangjing. I'll prepare the necessary materials for you. When the time comes, you'll bring them along."
He paused before adding, "During training, a closed management system is enforced. While they provide daily essentials, the quality might not be great. Hong Ying will take you shopping later to get better supplies—I'll reimburse you.
"Also, Shangjing's weather is much colder than here in Cangnan. Be sure to buy winter clothing—again, on my tab.
"Training often leads to injuries. Come see me tomorrow morning, and I'll give you some special medicine. It's much more effective than what's available on the market."
Chen Muye meticulously went through his notes, detailing everything from comfortable sleeping arrangements on the train to recommended travel accessories.
By the time he closed his notebook, over half an hour had passed.
"Did you remember everything I just said?" Chen Muye asked seriously.
Lin QiYe nodded solemnly. "Yes, I got it all."
"Good." Chen Muye seemed to remember something else. "Tickets to Shangjing should be booked early. Early arrivals get to choose their dorms. Buy your ticket today—aim for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Leaving already?" Lin QiYe asked, surprised.
"The sooner, the better."
"Got it." Lin QiYe nodded.
---
That afternoon, Hong Ying and Si Xiaonan took Lin QiYe on a shopping spree, covering nearly all of Cangnan City. They ensured he'd never miss another shopping experience in his lifetime.
"Wow! Xiaonan, look at that Peppa Pig bedspread! Isn't it adorable? Let's get it for QiYe!"
"Great idea!"
"Oh, and that pastel pink suitcase is amazing! Let's get that too!"
"Absolutely!"
"Xiaonan, check out this Snow White backpack! Isn't it fabulous? Let's…"
"Yes, yes!"
"Wow! Look at that dress! It's gorgeous! Let's buy it!"
"Yes… uh… *mmph*!?"
Lin QiYe clamped a hand over Si Xiaonan's mouth and solemnly said, "Hong Ying, I don't think that's suitable for me."
Hong Ying regretfully set down the backless dress with a sigh. "You're right… A boy wearing a dress wouldn't look good."
Then, her eyes lit up as she picked up a revealing camisole. "How about this, then?!"
Lin QiYe: …
By evening, Lin QiYe finally staggered back to his room, weighed down by countless bags.
Looking at the colorful mess on the floor, he sat down with a helpless smile.
The more he smiled, the brighter it became. But eventually, a faint sadness clouded his eyes.
He gazed out at the hazy moonlight pouring through the window.
"It's time to go…"
---
**The next morning, at the train station entrance.**
Dragging two large suitcases, Lin QiYe stood before the station with the rest of Squad 136 behind him.
"Got everything you need?" Wu Xiangnan asked.
"Yeah, I'm all set."
"QiYe," Hong Ying said, her eyes red with emotion. "Don't forget to use the sunscreen, hair removal cream, and body lotion I got you!"
"…I won't," Lin QiYe replied with a mix of helplessness and amusement.
"QiYe," Chen Muye stepped forward, his expression serious. "Shangjing is far from Cangnan. During training, you might face unfair treatment. If you were here, we'd back you up with blades in hand. But in Shangjing… you'll have to rely on yourself."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of myself," Lin QiYe said earnestly.
He bowed slightly to everyone. "I'll be off, then."
Straightening up, he waved and pulled his suitcases into the station.
The team watched his departing figure, a heavy weight settling in their hearts.
Suddenly, Chen Muye's phone rang.
"Hello?"
"…"
"What?!"
Chen Muye's head shot up as he pointed toward Lin QiYe.
"Damn it, stop him!"
The others turned to look at him in confusion.
"For some reason, the higher-ups decided to hold this year's training in Cangnan!
"Stop him! Once he boards, the ticket's non-refundable!"