"An actual bath for the first time in eighteen years..."


    Tao Yu scrubbed the soap, wishing he could crush the entire bar and smear it all over his body.


    The past eighteen years were hard to put into words; everyday he dealt with farming and wouldn''t dream of having these toiletries.


    If he ever got too dirty, he''d just resort to using charcoal powder.


    It was cold water all year round, and those who weren''t physically strong just wouldn''t bathe in the winter.


    Last time I returned, I was stinky and rusty and just had a cold rinse.


    I was almost pickled in my own sweat.


    But the Outer City smelled even worse, and after I arrived there, I was walking through streets full of zombies, with rotting smells everywhere, so it didn''t matter much.


    Now that I finally had a ce to temporarily settle down and some daily necessities, Tao Yu wouldn''t mistreat himself anymore and scrubbed vigourously, using all his strength when it came to exfoliating.


    The refreshing feeling made him almost want to call Jack in to scrub his back.


    "Refreshing!"


    After thoroughly washing himself inside and out, Tao Yu truly felt like he scrubbed off several pounds of dirt.


    "The environment at the base isn''t great either, but it should get better after all the bodies are burned and we continue cleaning up slowly; it''ll at least be better than the Outer City."


    After dressing himself, Tao Yu pondered a bit.


    At least the base had aplete sewage system, much better than the Outer City which didn''t have any sewers at all.


    "Cleaned up, it''s time to find the wealthydy, and while learning, I''ll also mention the Floating City matter—they must have noticed by now, and there will surely be corresponding task rewards..."


    Tao Yu looked at his savings of over fifty thousand Yuan Force and felt a bit inted.


    The ''Chosen One'' and the site selection rewards could be considered windfalls, but the rewards for transporting goods were hard-earned!


    "Although I can''t guarantee that the profits will be as high in the future, it seems like moving stuff for a month could earn me sixty to seventy thousand Yuan Force. If I miss this chance, there won''t be another..."


    The goods from Las Vegas hadn''t been moved much yet, and there were fewpetitors—it was practically like picking up money.


    Sixty to seventy thousand Yuan Force a month, I couldn''t even dare to dream of that before.


    But that''s assuming I can solve the hidden dangers in Las Vegas; otherwise, I wouldn''t dare stay in the city overnight, unable to go deeper.


    After changing into fresh clothes and tidying up, Tao Yu spontaneously dabbed on some cologne.


    It must have belonged to some soldier who stayed in this dorm. When going to see a wealthydy, one should make sure to smell nice...


    ...


    "What did you put on, it''s so strong."


    Tao Yu found the temporary residence of the Suns, themander''s suite in the barracks, which thanks to the sr panels during the day, could still keep the lights on, one of the few ces in the barracks where this was possible.


    But as he knocked on the door with a smile, he was greeted by Sun Shiyu''s voice tinged with a hint of disdain.


    Sun Shiyu frowned her prominent nose, waved her hand in front of it, leaving Tao Yu speechless and choked up.


    "Maybe the shampoo is expired, I''m really sorry. Jack, that guy, really, he picks up everything and tosses it into the house, sigh."


    Tao Yu didn''t even blink, directly passing the me onto the expired shampoo and Jack.


    "It''s fine, much better than before."


    Sun Shiyu could stay in ces overrun with corpses, so it wasn''t unbearable for her, she just preferred a nicer environment when resting.


    "Come in, change your shoes."


    At that time, Tao Yu also nced at Sun Shiyu''s home attire—an oversized T-shirt that was stretched out by her voluptuous figure, even distorting the cartoon image on the chest.


    The shorts were covered by the long shirt, revealing only a pair of indescribable beautiful legs, and below that, a pair of brown puppy slippers.


    Inside the house, Tao Yu could also see Sun Shiqing in a simr outfit, slouched on the sofa like a sloth; the room must have been specially cleaned, looking very tidy.


    However, Sun Shiqing didn''t have the same figure as his sister, wearing the T-shirt too loosely. Because of his looks, at first nce, he resembled a t-chested girl, quite a pleasant visual effect.


    Tao Yu switched to a pair of disposable slippers and followed Sun Shiyu inside.


    Sun Shiqing seemed to be flipping through aic book, with an opened bag of chips beside him, asionally crunching on a chip.


    Noticing Tao Yu''s entry, he casually raised his hand in greeting,


    "Tao bro is here, my sister''s got meditation down, I won''t be of help."


    "Mr. Sun, you tter me. Having the guidance of both of you is my privilege."


    Although the Suns seemed much more approachable than the Inner City nobles, Tao Yu wasn''t about to get carried away just because of their friendly attitudes.


    They had only met a few times, all thanks to the grace of being a ''Chosen One''.


    But he could use this opportunity to further consolidate his knowledge.


    "''Chosen One'' and this base are very important, saving us a lot of effort. You deserve this."


    Sun Shiyu walked ahead, flip-flops cking, then pulled out a yoga mat from a cab andid it out on the floor.


    "Let''s start now, first memorize some positions for me."


    Sun Shiyu pulled out a stack of A4 paper with abstract stick figure drawings on them, which seemed to have been freshly drawn.


    Tao Yu''s mouth twitched, and then he sat on the side with a straight posture, listening seriously as Sun Shiyu earnestly pointed out the numbers of the designs, exining some of the principles.


    The scent of his own cologne mixing with the fresh fragrance from Sun Shiyu made it slightly difficult for Tao Yu to concentrate fully, and his eyes uncontrobly slid downward from time to time.


    "...The essentials of the Meditation Technique are these, you have a foundation in Breathing Technique and have also learned some boxing moves, mastered your Qi-Blood, so this shouldn''t be difficult for you," she said.


    While Sun Shiyu exined, she maintained a steady and unhurried tone, and Tao Yu quickly nodded and said,


    "I''ve already memorized it."


    Indeed, just as Sun Shiyu had said, even though Tao Yu hadn''t been able to focus entirely, he had already memorized these essentials.


    "However, if it were only these, the Meditation Technique would have already spread to your Outer City long ago. The reason it hasn''t is that itcks the most core step, the Visualization Diagram."


    As Sun Shiyu said this, her expression suddenly became stern and serious.


    "We haven''t restricted the spread of the Breathing Technique; even those advanced Breathing Techniques in your Outer City that have remained limited are due to your own cherishing. But the Meditation Technique is different; we''ve truly implemented restrictions, and you can''t teach it carelessly either."


    Hearing this, Tao Yu also refocused, pulling back the evil glint from the corner of his eyes and looked up with a hint of surprise, asking,


    "Are there any hidden dangers in this? What should I pay attention to after learning it?"


    "Indeed, there are serious dangers, mainly concerning the object of visualization. Remember, you can only visualize the Visualization Diagrams I have taught you. If you encounter anyone promoting other visualization content to you, you must report them no matter who they are."


    "May I know why?"


    Tao Yu, realizing the severity of the consequences, also tensed and cautiously confirmed.


    If she didn''t speak up, he would not question further, as it seemed the topic was sensitive.


    "Because our orthodox Meditation Technique involves visualizing a Visualization Diagram split from the World Will''s orthodox Divine Spirits, which shelters our world from being eroded by the Abyss, whereas there are also Heretic God Followers born from the corruption of Demon Gods from the Abyss."


    Sun Shiyu didn''t conceal the truth, but her expression grew grave.


    "Divine Spirits?! Heretic God Followers?!"


    Tao Yu was beginning to glimpse the hidden secrets of this world, as expected of someone of stature from the Floating City – they knew so much.


    "Indeed, they can be considered Divine Spirits, but those protecting us might not have a physical form, perhaps not even a distinct image or self-awareness, likely formed from the Yuan Force we''ve gathered."


    Sun Shiyu didn''t resort to mysticism or disy much piety, simply stating bluntly as if our Divine Spirits were merely tools.


    "There''s no need to borate on the Demon Gods of the Abyss. Those Heretic God Followers have extinguished the me of Civilization and caused the destruction of cities – they are enemies of all."


    After absorbing this information, Tao Yu formed a mental outline.


    The so-called Divine Spirits must be incarnations of the World Will, dedicated to the protection of all beings, and there might be more than one, categorizing the collected Yuan Force?


    Yet, as these matters involved the world itself, Tao Yu guessed that Sun Shiyu herself only had snippets of information and could not be certain of its uracy.


    In in terms, how much could apany know about the Abyss? It would just be a summation of experiences.


    As for the Heretic God Followers, thinking of the hellish environment in the Outer City, Tao Yu''s mouth twitched again; it would be odd if they weren''t there – it was a situation of their own making.


    Obviously, he couldn''t voice these thoughts in front of the two of them.


    Maybe the Floating City leadership didn''t want the Outer City to end up like this, but people implement policies, and it''s not always possible to achieve the intended goals, as those on the ground find ways to misinterpret them.


    "I understand, and I will be careful."


    "Good, close your eyes, clear your mind, and I will impart the Visualization Diagram to you."


    Sun Shiyu nodded, then signaled for Tao Yu to clear his thoughts and close his eyes.


    This made Tao Yu''s heart skip a beat.


    Wait, wasn''t I supposed to look at some diagram directly?


    Tao Yu hurriedly collected his thoughts, suppressing himself.


    Then, at that moment, he suddenly felt her slender fingertips touch his forehead.


    Soon after, a magnificent light and shadow emerged in his mind.


    Under the golden divinity that filled the skies, the vague figure of the statue from the za, which had an unclear face, appeared.


    Only, this time the details were much more thorough.


    It seemed to be firmly imprinted in his spirit!


    Since it was not an attack, Tao Yu found he could choose to endure and not shatter the iing imprint, so he was somewhat relieved – thankfully...


    But in the next moment, Tao Yu felt a suffocating sensation wash over him.


    Mixed sensations of softness and pressure came upon his face, and as he struggled to inhale, a refreshing fragrance entered his nostrils.


    Upon opening his eyes, even Tao Yu with his extraordinary eyesight felt darkness before him, then he vaguely saw the cartoon image on the chest of Sun Shiyu''s T-shirt.


    What''s going on? I''m only eighteen right now, don''t hit me with such a stimting scene!


    While Tao Yu''s heart pounded, he involuntarily opened his mouth...


    ...


    Sun Shiqing, who was eating chips on the side, also gaped in shock as she saw her older sister suddenly copse onto him, spilling her chips in fright.


    What in the world...