Chapter 48: 046 Who exactly is it
Qiu Yiming had not been gone long when two more people arrived at the Fang Family. However, they were not there to cause trouble, but to register information. Both were dressed in military uniforms and, upon arrival, they introduced themselves before explaining the purpose of their visit.
A notebook the size of an A4 paper sheet, with its black cover, was opened, revealing hand-drawn grids meant to record personal information. Due to the suddenness of the disaster and the fact that many devices were destroyed in the energy outburst, compounded by the power outage, all forms had to be drawn manually.
They first asked for the names, ages, and occupations of the Fang Family members, then inquired whether anyone had awakened to a superpower. Following the plan that had been initially set, Fang Yuxin and Fang Yuyang disclosed their superpowers, while the others chose to temporarily conceal theirs. Learning that the siblings were both superpower users, the two soldiers showed obvious pleasure and proceeded to introduce the military Superpower Team, hoping they would join.
Naturally, both siblings declined, and although the soldiers felt a bit regretful, they did not persist in persuading them further. After all, newly awakened superpower users simply could not control the newfound energy within their bodies, and their abilities were incomparable to those of rigorously trained soldiers. The military was interested in absorbing superpower users mainly because of their potential for the future.
Next, they informed the Fang Family about the designation of this area as a temporary Safe Zone, and relayed the newly established regulations, advising them not to take unnecessary risks. Lastly, they mentioned that starting from the next day, the military would begin issuing various missions, the completion of which could earn Contribution Values. These values represented the privileges they could enjoy within the Safe Zone, and they urged the family to pay attention to these opportunities.
After they had left, Fang Yuyang suggested, "Dad, Mom, since they said so, let's go and check out the available missions tomorrow morning, accept some easy ones, and earn some Contribution Points."
Fang Jintang nodded and replied, "Good idea. We'll all go together as a family for support."
Qu Qianhe, however, proposed, "I think we might as well form our own Mercenary Team. It would be better with just our family, so no one else comes trying to recruit you."
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Qianqian became excited and asked impatiently, "Can I join? Can I join too? Mama, you won't leave me behind tomorrow, will you?" Hmph! He was determined to find his foolish father and make that bad uncle never dare to pester Mama again!
The appearance of Qiu Yiming had instilled a sense of crisis in Bai Qianqian's heart. He had not planned to go find Bai Ye so soon, but because of Qiu Yiming, he decided to prioritize finding Bai Ye first!
As everyone was planning to leave, Fang Yuxin naturally could not leave Bai Qianqian alone at home; it would be too unsafe. So when Bai Qianqian spoke up, she nodded and agreed.
By now, it was already late, so the Fang Family ended their conversation to get some rest. Fang Yuxin thought of the two Elemental Crystals she had obtained that day and suggested, "Let's go to the Qingmu Spiritual Mansion first, so Dad and Qianqian can absorb the Elemental Crystals." Absorbing the Elemental Crystals could enhance a superpower user's talent, and would make future cultivation much more effective; it was naturally better to absorb them sooner rather than later.
The family had no objections, so Fang Yuxin led the others into the Qingmu Spiritual Mansion. Although Qu Qianhe and Fang Yuyang had not yet found their corresponding Elemental Crystals, they were worried something might go wrong during Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian's absorption process, so they all entered together.
Once inside the main hall with her family, Fang Yuxin took out the two Elemental Crystals and handed them to the two respective family members. Elemental Crystals were fatally attractive to superpower users; just holding one in hand was enough for the users to know instinctively how to absorb it without any guidance.
Fang Yuxin still reminded them, "Don't be eager to absorb the energy yet, stabilize your minds first."
Fang Jintang nodded gravely, his experience far surpassing that of Fang Yuxin, naturally understanding that her words were correct. Even Bai Qianqian tensely responded with a serious dumpling face. After that, the two of them closed their eyes, beginning to stabilize their minds.
Fang Yuxin, Fang Yuyang, and Qu Qianhe then sat down around them, keeping a distance that was not too close nor too far, so as not to disturb Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian, yet able to take action promptly should an accident occur.
All three unconsciously clenched their mouths shut, even deliberately softening their breathing, staring unwaveringly at the Elemental Crystals held in Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian's palms, fearing the slightest mishap.
Fang Yuxin recalled the scene from her dream, having once witnessed Fang Yuyang absorbing an Elemental Crystal, which was somewhat similar to taking the Bone Marrow Cleansing Fruit. Because the energy in the Elemental Crystal would change a person's physique, the entire absorption process would be intensely painful, and the body would constantly undergo changes, gradually expelling the useless impurities from within.
She revisited the entire event in her mind, feeling that there was no issue, and let out a slight sigh of relief in her heart. Even so, she didn't dare to relax completely, fearing the possibility of an accident.
Gradually, the Elemental Crystals in Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian's palms emitted a faint soft glow. The glow within the Elemental Crystals seemed to circulate, and then their bodies absorbed that luster. As the energy from the Elemental Crystals was incessantly absorbed, their skin began to redden and their expressions turned agonized.
Fang Yuyang and Qu Qianhe both tensed up at the sight, and while Fang Yuxin knew this was part of the process, her heart couldn't help but feel the pain as she watched them suffer.
Though they were concerned, Fang Yuyang and Qu Qianhe thought back to the time they took the Bone Marrow Cleansing Fruit and refrained from interfering. They could only watch helplessly as Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian's expressions became increasingly agonized, their fists clenching tighter. Subconsciously, Fang Jintang and Bai Qianqian bit down hard on their teeth, just to keep from crying out in misery, not wanting to worry their loved ones further.
None of them—Fang Yuyang, Qu Qianhe, or Fang Yuxin—expected that Bai Qianqian, trembling slightly with extreme pain, could maintain his composure without screaming. Such character and fortitude astonished them all. It was less surprising for Fang Jintang, a grown man, to endure without surprise, but Bai Qianqian was clearly only five years old! How did he manage to bear it?
Fang Yuyang and Qu Qianhe couldn't help exchanging a glance, their eyes conveying the same message—that this child, with such character and fortitude, was sure to achieve extraordinary things in the future. It just remained a mystery who his father was.
Initially, although they had accepted Bai Qianqian, they were quite wary of his father. Even though Bai Qianqian was blood-related to Fang Yuxin as her son, he was not born from her, and his sudden and coincidental appearance made them suspect there might be somebody else behind him, possibly his blood-related father or the person who raised him.
They hoped Fang Yuxin would not get entangled with a strange man because of Bai Qianqian. However, as they spent more time with him, Bai Qianqian's behavior gradually changed their view, forcing them to confront the question they had been deliberately ignoring—who is Bai Qianqian's father? And who raised him?
Qu Qianhe had no time to contemplate further as the situation began to change again.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone