Shi Lang did not care about what the outcome of the meeting will be, he wanted to get stronger, and for this, even if he stood in opposition to the world that was filled with cowards, he will do it without hesitations.
He wished to reach the peak with the people he loved. What the citizens saw here was nothing compared to the world of spirit, the realm of immortals where he could spend an eternity with his loved ones. The modern terrans seemed to be too ignorant of moral things like a loving family and other human emotions.
It was like they had been moving forward with the sole goal of serving the federal military. He was not like them, the only reason he had been loyal was that he needed resources and the military was the only place to get them. He was loyal because he did not want to entangle in the bonds of karma.
If the general council did not agree to his suggestion, then he will take his family to the world of the spirit beasts. He will make sure that he does everything and anything to keep his family beside him to reach the realm of immortals.
While he was thinking of this, he came to the Federal Star Academy. The guards recognized him and they granted him access. He was passing by the administration block when he saw Principal Edwards walking over from the side. The young man stopped and raised his hand to salute him when the Former General said, “Take it easy, we are no longer in the Military.”
Shi Lang was surprised and looked at the old man, he asked, “What do you mean?”
Edwards smiled and said, “You have just caused a huge sensation around the entire federation and you are asking me what I mean? Did you not see the new manifest issued by the general council?”
Shi Lang shook his head, and Principal Edwards said, “The General Council has decided to follow a proposal bought forward by the esteemed former Chief Commanding Officer, General Shi Lang, to enter into a diplomatic relationship with the Heavenly Fox clan. This clan will be helping the federation in the supply of cultivation resources and rekindling the spirit of the planet, in return for helping them with advanced support in the alternative fields such as Array formation, and rune formation.”
Shi Lang was surprised and he operated his communicator to check the news, turns out, it is just like Edwards had said, but this news was limited to the military personnel and the reserves.
This news also took off the burden on his shoulders, the thought of betraying everything he worked for. With a sigh, he said, “I guess I have more things to deal with now.”
Edwards nodded and said, “How sure are you that this will work?”
Shi Lang looked at the old man and then he said, “Fifty-fifty.”
Edwards nodded and walking forward he said, “Better than the battle of Krul. We went out on five percent.”
Shi Lang nodded to the leaving old man, the conversation was a synonym of ‘Believe in yourself, and go ahead to face no matter what lies ahead’. The young man moved through the campus and came to the building where his class was.
On the way, a few students spotted him and he greeted them with a smile. The moment he reached his class, he was surprised by a loud banging sound coming from inside the room. He pressed his hand against the scanner and the door slid open. He looked inside and found Theseus stuck to the wall.
On the other side stood Chou, he said, “Theseus, you weakling, what was that sloppy punch, didn’t teacher Amelia tell you to rely more on your instincts and stop using your brain when fighting? Even if you have the best control in the class, you are yet to win a spar. This is not done, man.”
Chou shook his head and wanted to rebuke the guy when a calm voice sounded, “This state that you are in is called a fake-win syndrome.”
The two boys were surprised and they stood up attention when they saw Shi Lang coming inside the room. Chou said, “Greetings, Teacher Shi.”
His voice attracted the attention of the entire classroom. The entire room was shocked they did not expect Shi Lang to appear there. Shi Lang smiled and waved at them. He looked at the students and nodded as he went on saying, “When a habit that you have cultivated for a long time stands in the path of your victory over and over again, that situation is called a fake-win syndrome.
Your mind plays tricks and overwhelms you by suggesting that habits are more reliable than your instincts. It gives you an illusion of victory. This situation is something that you will have to overcome by yourself. No matter what others say, you will have to figure out how you will make your way around the processor of your body and switch to auto-pilot.
Strategy is necessary, and so is the movement to support that strategy, but only when you can rely on your instincts in crucial situations can you escape sneaky moves, or take advantage in a head-on confrontation.”
The students nodded and then Amelia walked over with a smile and said, “I see, my job has been snatched.”
Shi Lang smiled at her and they both held hands. The girls giggled and started gushing over the sight while the boys had awkward expressions on their faces. At this moment, a sweet voice sounded, “My dear brothers, you all need to be as bold as my dad and chase after the woman you like, or you are destined to take part in her wedding and watch her walk away.”
The girls chuckled and the voice said, “What are you laughing at? Do not tell me that you all are waiting for dumb muscles to act smart, give them hints or they will be taken away by vixens.”
Shi Lang was shocked to hear all this, and locating the source of this sound he found a little girl standing not far away from him. He looked at Amelia and the lady said, “She spends her weekend with mom and aunt Luna.”
Shi Lang sighed and said, “They have spoiled my treasure.”
Then he walked over to Shi Tao and poked the tip of her nose, the girl also reciprocated the gesture and asked, “Did you find enough time to come and see me?”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I was not awake for a few days, I came to see you as soon as I finished dealing with some bad people.”
Shi Tao narrowed her gaze and asked, “For real?”
The young general nodded and Shi Tao asked, “How long are you going to stay here?”
The man thought and said, “I will stay here for a month, later I have a group of people to put in their place. So, will have to leave.”
Shi Tao nodded and said, “Mom, I would like to apply for a special training course and follow my father, he will be working even on his vacation. I want to stay with him.”
Amelia nodded and said, “You are a special student so, this can be allowed but no slacking, if the promotion rate does not keep up with the rest, you will be facing triple the training amount.”
Shi Tao nodded, and then she hugged Shi Lang. The class looked at the three of them and then Amelia said, “What made you all stop, come on, keep it up. Vanessa, you will pair up with Theseus this time, your minds work the same so maybe he will learn something about instincts, Lina…”
While Amelia was busy teaching the children, Shi Lang bought Shi Tao to the side, and the little girl said, “Dad, can we for ice cream, Mom does not let me have any.”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “Fine, but do not tell her, she will scold me.”
Shi Tao nodded and then she began asking him a few questions about her cultivation and the young man replied with patience. The day came to an end, and after the students said goodbye to them, the family of three left the school.
Shi Tao was carried by Shi Lang, he made sure to press the spirit points on her back to make her fall asleep deeply. He could tell she had been working hard and her body was exhausted.
Amelia asked, “So, are you really going to establish a connection?”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I have to. The lifespan we have will last us for a few hundred years or a thousand at max, it might not be enough for us to reach the peak at this pace before we exhaust it all.
Nirvana is just the middle rank of the cultivation realm, the later stages might consume hundred years for just cultivation. I am not exaggerating but this is the truth.”
Amelia nodded and said, “You can do what you want, I will support you, but be careful not to get hurt.”
The man nodded as the family walked home.