Chapter 20: A Sudden Visitor
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On his way home, Kent casually tossed the three spiritual stones in the air, catching them one by one with a grin. His excitement bubbled over—he couldn't wait to try absorbing them once he got back.
Deep down, he knew it wouldn't work because of his SSS-rank Copy Spiritual Energy skill, but a small part of him still clung to hope. He refused to overthink it.
Humming a tune, Kent stepped inside his house. The familiar warmth of home greeted him, but something felt… off.
"Where's Nima?"
Usually, the moment he returned, Nima would run to him from watching TV. If she wasn't watching TV, she was probably asleep.
Wait… I almost forgot.
Kent suddenly remembered this morning's incident—Nima had blown up the TV. Right… That explains the silence.
Shaking his head, he made his way to Nima's room and knocked.
Knock! Knock!
"Nima…? Nima, are you awake? Nima?" Kent knocked louder. "I'm home! Guess what?"
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Nima standing there, clutching a patched-up teddy bear in her arms. The teddy looked like it had gone through a fashion crisis, covered in randomly coloured patches like a rainbow quilt.
But what caught Kent's attention wasn't the teddy—it was Nima's expression. Her eyes were dull, and her entire posture screamed 'upset.' A black aura of frustration seemed to radiate off her.
She sighed dramatically. "What is it?"
Kent, completely oblivious to her mood, beamed as he held up his spiritual stones.
"Do we have something to eat?"
Then, without waiting for a response, he excitedly continued, "Today, I learned so many things! And look—look!" He held out the shiny spiritual stones like they were the greatest treasure in the world. "With these, I'll reach Level D soon!"
Nima rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might disappear into another dimension.
"You woke me up… just to show me some stupid rocks?" she yelled.
Ding!
+99 SP copied from Nima (Anger).
Kent grinned. "Don't be sad! I'll wait for you at Level D!"
Nima's scowl vanished in an instant. She raised a hand, pointed at her nose, and smirked. "No need. I'm already Level-E."
Kent froze.
His entire body turned stiff as a gust of wind howled dramatically behind him.
CRACK!
Tiny cracks appeared in the air around him as if his soul had shattered.
Then—"W-WHAT?!"
Nima tilted her head smugly. "You don't have to wait for me. I'll catch up to you soon, Big Brother."
Kent snapped out of his daze, muttering under his breath, "She's progressing so fast…"
His mind suddenly drifted to the Physique Enhancement Fruits. If he sold them, he'd be a trillionaire overnight. But he knew better.
If people found out, powerful cultivators would come after him. He couldn't let that happen. Not until he was one of the strongest.
Kent rubbed his hands together, grinning like a villain plotting world domination.
Meanwhile, Nima let out a small yawn, covering her mouth with one hand.
"Kent, what am I supposed to do all day at home?" she complained. "I slept the entire day. The TV's gone, and you refuse to buy a new one."
Kent flinched. Oh crap… I forgot about that.
He needed to change the subject—FAST.
"Ideas!" Kent exclaimed with a fake burst of enthusiasm. "Nima! When I was coming home, I saw that some of our tomatoes were ready to be picked! Want fried rice with tomatoes?"
Nima's eyes immediately sparkled. She kicked her feet up in the air, gripping her teddy bear like it was a weapon of war.
"YES! YES! YES!"
Kent sighed in relief. Thank god, I'm saved… for now.
But deep down, he felt guilty. Sooner or later, he'd have to buy her a new TV.
For now, though, it was time to pick some tomatoes.
Picking Tomatoes & A Strange Conversation
As Kent plucked ripe, red tomatoes from the vines, he couldn't help but marvel.
"These things are huge."
Each tomato was round, plump, and almost glowing—far better than any normal ones he had seen before.
"Must be the spiritual energy affecting them…"
As he worked, he overheard voices coming from Aunt Zhou's house.
A man's calm, friendly voice drifted through the open window.
"I'll come again when the ruins of Metro City open. It's very close to opening."
Kent's hand paused mid-air, still holding a tomato.
Ruins? Metro City?
His eyes narrowed slightly as he listened more closely. Something interesting was going on…
Kent couldn't hear what they were talking about, but he thought, Oh, she has a guest. But why do I feel like this guy is a cultivator?
Whatever. Her husband is a cultivator too. I should just go inside.
The person finished talking and said goodbye. As he passed Kent, he stared at him intently.
Kent, still holding the tomatoes, raised an eyebrow.
What's with the stare? What does he want? Stop looking at me like that! Just go already!
Never mind. If he doesn't want to leave, I'll go. Let's just avoid trouble. That old hag is very strong.
But just as Kent was about to step away, the person suddenly spoke.
"Wait a moment, please."
Kent froze.
What does he want? Does he want to fight, like the old man? But his spiritual energy feels like a Level C cultivator… I can't beat him.
A cold chill ran down his spine.
What the hell is going on? Why are there so many strong cultivators around my house and in the city?
Since last week, Kent has been noticing a few powerful presence in Metro City. He tightened his grip on the tomatoes.
Can I beat him? What if he doesn't hold back like the old man? I can't run away either. Nima is inside. What will happen to her if I run?
Step… Step… Step…
The person moved closer, his hand raised.
Damn, he's making a move! Damn it! Damn it!
Kent gritted his teeth. I'll give it a shot. I can run… but I've become a role model and big brother to Nima. I can't just run from everything anymore.
Taking a deep breath, Kent focused deeply, drawing from his core.
A faint orange aura flickered to life, gathering around his palm.
🔥 Whoosh! 🔥
He was still holding the tomatoes, but as his fire aura flared up, the pot in his hand began to melt slightly from the outside.
Kent spun 180 degrees, his stance solidifying.
A few tomatoes tumbled to the ground as he turned to face the approaching figure.
Then…
The guy extended his hand.
"Hello. My name is Lian."
Silence.
Kent stared at him, his mind grinding to a halt.
"…Glad to meet you," Kent finally responded, his expression blank.
Inside, however, his brain was screaming.
THIS GUY SCARED ME FOR NOTHING?! Couldn't he just say hello earlier? WHY BUILD UP ALL THAT TENSION?!
Kent sighed internally. I've taught him a lesson.
Lian, seemingly unaware of Kent's internal turmoil, repeated himself.
"Hello, I'm glad to meet you."
Kent narrowed his eyes.
"How glad are you? Can you show me?"
Lian blinked.
+99 SP Copied from Lian (Shocked).
Lian jumped back, visibly stunned.
What… what kind of answer is that?!
How am I supposed to respond?! I was never taught how to handle a conversation like this!
His thoughts spiralled into confusion.
+88, +99, +77, +75… SP Copied.
Meanwhile, Kent bent down to casually pick up the fallen tomatoes, his expression calm and collected.
Behind him, Lian was still frozen, unable to process what just happened.
Kent smirked. "Now you'll know," he muttered, brushing dust off the tomatoes.
"Don't mess with me again. You almost gave me a heart attack. I should go inside."
He gave Lian one last HMPH! before turning away, his steps confident.
Should I rent a new house? he wondered. This place is becoming chaotic with weird people… but the rent is cheap here.
Back Inside the House
Kent shut the door behind him with a click.
Nima, sitting on the couch, looked up at him suspiciously.
"What happened? Why are you breathing so heavily? Why are you so sweaty?"
Kent wiped his forehead. "Huh? N-Nothing. Just—"
Nima's eyes narrowed.
"Did you go for a jog? But you just left a little while ago. How can you sweat like that in such a short time?"
Then, her expression changed as a thought struck her.
"Wait… the only way to sweat that much would be…"
"KENT, DID YOU POOP OUTSIDE IN THE YARD?!"
+77 SP Copied from Nima (Anger & Confusion).
Kent choked on air.
"W-WHAT?! NO! STOP JOKING!"
Nima crossed her arms. "Hmph. Then what happened?"
Kent sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Shh! There are a lot of cultivators around here. You have to be careful when you go outside."
His voice lowered.
"Aunt Zhou's husband is one too. That old man is very strong. Maybe even a Level-B cultivator."
Nima's eyes widened.
"That old man? Really? Are you sure?"
Kent nodded. "Yes. And he's VERY strong. This morning, he attacked me. Wanted me as his disciple. I never felt that much power before."
Nima's eyes sparkled.
"WOW! That sounds like something out of an anime! Like those evil big bosses living in the countryside!"
She punched the air a few times, pretending to fight an invisible enemy.
"Don't worry, Kent! I'll work hard at cultivation! Once I become a BIG BOSS myself, I'll beat all the OTHER big bosses and protect you! No one will be able to bully you!"
Heh heh heh! 😎
Kent chuckled, crossing his arms.
"Thanks, Nima."
Then, under his breath, he muttered:
"But who will save me from you?"
Dinner Time – Fried Rice with Tomatoes
Later that evening, Kent and Nima cooked fried rice with tomatoes together.
The tomatoes, grown from their own spiritual farm, were richer in flavour than anything they had eaten before.
Nima chewed happily, her legs swinging beneath the chair.
"This is SO GOOD! We should grow more!"
Kent smiled, enjoying the meal.