Chapter 74

Zhuochuan learned the "body repair" technique and determined that the strength of soul power was the fundamental factor affecting its application to others. He knew that if he wanted to help Old Xu in the future, he had to become a formal citizen within two years.

Old Xu would take the citizenship exam in two years. He was now 109 years old, and the theoretical age of soul aging was 120. He was very close to that limit. If he exceeded this limit, his chances of becoming a citizen would be very slim. Of course, Zhuochuan could obtain soul crystals to repair his soul, but for a reserve citizen, missing the critical time point would mean that even if the soul was repaired later, it would only be a matter of barely surviving, making it very difficult to advance.

Zhuochuan could not let Old Xu give up on becoming a citizen. Becoming a citizen was a deeply ingrained goal for every reserve citizen. If Old Xu gave up, the proposal by the Union would be meaningless. In reality, Old Xu would rather go through the free succubus training ground to repair his body and then take the citizenship qualification exam.

Wasting no time, Zhuochuan saw Wang Xin off. Wang Xin didn't come for nothing; he received some suggestions for soul cultivation from Dahu, which, though not as targeted as Zhuochuan's, were still invaluable for a reserve citizen.

Then, Zhuochuan called Old Xu over. He didn't go in person to avoid being seen, as his actions would attract more attention than Old Xu's. At least, more people knew him than knew Old Xu.

"Old Xu, I have a way to repair your body once in two years, achieving the same effect as an atomic-level body repair device. But it can only be done once, so you don't need to worry about the free succubus training ground anymore," Zhuochuan said as Old Xu arrived, observing his reaction.

As expected, Old Xu started to worry, "How can this be? If it's just for me, what about my friends? Zhuo, does your method require a lot of soul crystals?"

Zhuochuan shook his head, "You know I am a B-level citizen's soul successor. Dahu, my predecessor's soul AI guide, told me about this method, but it only has one chance and cannot be used for multiple people. If it could, it would become a loophole, and the Earth Mother would certainly seal it again."

Zhuochuan still remembered Dahu's warning: the fewer times the body repair technique was used on reserve citizens, the better, as the risk was too high. For him, Old Xu's other friends were not directly related to him, and he couldn't take care of so many people. He would help within his means, but he wouldn't repeatedly take risks. He was a seasoned adult and wouldn't act impulsively.

Old Xu's face was grim. After hearing this, he nodded and frowned, "If you say so, there must be only one chance. Do we have to keep it a secret from them?"

"Of course, this opportunity is only known to you and me. If it leaks, it will only bring trouble," Zhuochuan regretted telling Old Xu, as it would burden him for two years.

But Zhuochuan couldn't delay. His situation was different from others; he often went to the modern world, and who knew when Old Xu might go to the free succubus training ground for body repair.

However, Zhuochuan still didn't fully understand the people of the new world. Although Old Xu valued his friends, he was a reserve citizen of the new world. Despite his lower intelligence and the "muscle man" title, he still had a high level of rationality. Faced with this choice, he would be at most troubled and uncomfortable.

He wouldn't be like those in the modern world who would give their lives for their brothers or friends. His initial friendship with Zhuochuan was based on mutual help in combat, with some investment involved. Zhuochuan wouldn't look down on Old Xu or despise this friendship.

Most friendships are maintained this way. Apart from parents' long-term, selfless care for their children (which still applied to Zhuochuan), it is rare for people to make long-term, selfless contributions to others.

After Old Xu nodded helplessly and accepted this reality, he felt a strange sense of relief. As a long-term soul cultivator with 109 years of experience, he was only troubled for a moment. The choice was clear: the opportunity could not be shared, and it was impossible to share it. What Zhuochuan was doing for him now was the result of his past efforts. If he had been a bystander like others, Zhuochuan would not have put in so much effort today.

He had done nothing wrong, so his soul was at peace. He also made a decision: after becoming a citizen, he would properly compensate his old friends.

As for the credibility of Zhuochuan's words, Old Xu had been involved from the beginning in the event where Zhuochuan defeated an E-level citizen, so he had no doubts. Compared to getting an opportunity to repair his body, that was much more difficult.

After resolving Old Xu's issue, the two hadn't formally gathered in a long time. Zhuochuan asked Dahu to buy some food and drinks. They drank some, but they wouldn't get drunk like modern world drunks; their bodies wouldn't allow it.

Dahu was quite willing to do this errand. It called the black pig it had quickly tamed, jumped on it, and rode off, leaving a scene that left both of them speechless.

"This Black Teacher is quite unique," Old Xu finally found a way to comment. Zhuochuan had told him Dahu's name, but Old Xu wouldn't call it Dahu directly, as that was clearly Zhuochuan's exclusive name for it.

Soon, Dahu returned with the drinks and food. The merchant had thoughtfully attached a sled-like drag board to Dahu's black pig knight, on which the purchased items were placed.

Dahu, which didn't eat these things, received a few words of praise from Zhuochuan and then went to play with its new pig brother. The pig just grunted a few times, obedient to its commands, clearly knowing who had saved it from becoming a meal.

Zhuochuan and Old Xu sat in the living room, eating and chatting, with the topic still revolving around the proposal.

Just as they were chatting, Zhuochuan's communicator rang.

He stepped forward and his expression changed.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhuo, for your help. Being restricted by the Earth Mother is not your fault. I understand that there are always some higher-ups who can take care of themselves. I have no other requests at this moment. I only hope that Mr. Zhuo will fulfill his private promise to me when he has the ability. I bid farewell and thank you again. Respectfully, Ross."

"It's from Ross," Zhuochuan showed the message to Old Xu, whose expression changed.

"Bad news. I know Ross's character. After that incident, he became quite radical towards the Union's upper echelons, believing that the succubus's actions were due to their negligence. Now, after finally seeing hope, it has been cruelly snuffed out by the higher-ups. He won't be able to bear it and will definitely do something. I need to find him," Old Xu immediately became anxious.