This scene made Engineer Qian’s heart skip a beat.

For a technology fanatic as stubborn as Chen Gang to personally admit his theories needed a "higher-dimensional path"—this was about more than just being won over on a technical level.

This was the collapse and reconstruction of a belief system.

"Alright, alright, enough with the sappy stuff!"

Li Wei carried over a gigantic goblet larger than a man’s face with one hand. The amber liquid sloshed inside, reflecting a dangerous light.

He slung an arm around Han Feng’s shoulder, his defiant eyes holding the unique aggression of a Pilot.

"Come on, Han Feng! If you’re a man, you’ll down this!"

Han Feng’s gaze fell on the massive goblet, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, or send me straight to the infirmary?"

"Less talk! You dare?!"

Li Wei raised his eyebrows provocatively.

But Han Feng’s gaze pierced through the liquid. An incredibly pure fluctuation of Energy clearly registered in his Perception.

[System Notice: High-purity Spirit Plant-brewed liquor detected. Consumption can slightly replenish Qi Blood.]

His eyes lit up instantly.

’So that’s how it is.’

’At high-society banquets, even the alcohol itself is a cultivation resource.’

Without another word, he picked up the goblet and tilted his head back, chugging it down!

[Qi Blood +1]

[Qi Blood +1]

...

A searing stream of Energy burned its way down his throat and into his stomach, then exploded with a ROAR. It transformed into a torrent of pure Qi Blood, washing through his limbs and bones!

Every pore on his body opened up under this power, letting out a satisfied sigh.

’Incredible!’

"Damn, you can drink!"

Li Wei gave him a huge thumbs-up and chugged his own drink in one go.

The atmosphere of the banquet was pushed to its absolute peak by this bout of heavy drinking.

The drinks had flowed and the food was half-eaten.

Zhao Yu stood at the entrance of the private room, watching his red-faced subordinates eat and drink with abandon. A look of true satisfaction appeared on his weathered face.

He clapped his hands, his voice cutting through the clamor.

"Alright, everyone!"

"As of today, the Falcon Third Generation project is officially and successfully concluded!"

His tone shifted, a hint of slyness in it.

"Starting tomorrow, the project team is temporarily disbanded. Everyone’s on vacation!"

"When a new project comes up, I’ll hunt each of you down and drag you back!"

"WHOOO!"

"Finally, we can get some decent sleep!"

A wild cheer, like that of survivors after a disaster, erupted from the crowd.

Zhao Yu smiled, but his gaze shot through the crowd like a falcon’s, locking precisely onto Han Feng.

"Han Feng, wait a moment. Don’t be in a hurry to leave."

Hearing this, everyone gave Han Feng a mischievous, "I-know-what’s-up" look before laughing, slinging arms over each other’s shoulders, and dispersing.

Soon, only Zhao Yu and Han Feng were left at the door.

The night wind blew in, carrying the unique, crisp chill of the Inner City, which was mingled with Spiritual Qi. It sobered them both up a bit.

Zhao Yu offered Han Feng a cigarette, lit one for himself, and took a deep drag.

The crimson tip glowed and faded in the darkness.

Han Feng took the cigarette but didn’t light it, simply rolling it silently between his fingers.

The curling smoke blurred Zhao Yu’s face, lending an ethereal quality to his next words.

"How old are you? Nineteen? Or twenty?"

"Nineteen."

"A nineteen-year-old at the Body Tempering Sixth Layer, a genius Engineer who can hand-craft a ’Divine Level Engine,’ plus a monster Pilot who can crush the Golden Rank."

Zhao Yu blew out a long ring of smoke, his voice tinged with a complex, indescribable emotion.

"When I was your age, I was still fighting tooth and nail with others just for a spot as a C Level Technician."

He stubbed out his cigarette, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Han Feng, your performance this time has been noticed by the academy’s upper management."

"I’ve already submitted the reward report for the project team. Everyone gets a share."

"You made the primary contribution, so you won’t be shorted on bonuses or merit."

"Aside from that, there are some other things that you’re due."

Zhao Yu opened his personal terminal, pulled up a file, and sent it directly to Han Feng’s port.

Han Feng swiped open the light screen, and a notification from the academy’s logistics department popped up.

[Esteemed C Level Technician Han Feng:]

[Congratulations on your official promotion. Your related benefits have been configured. Please present this notification at Logistics Building 3 within three days to collect your items.]

[Collection List:]

[1. C Level Technician Exclusive Uniform (Two sets each for winter and summer)]

[2. C Level Student Dormitory Key (District 3, Building C, Room 307)]

[3. Personal Contribution Points Account monthly stipend increased to 3000 points]

[4. C Level Canteen dining access, C Level Cultivation Chamber usage access...]

The long list declared a complete break from his past.

A brand new world was opening its doors to him.

"Go on."

Zhao Yu patted his shoulder, his tone filled with the concern of an elder.

"A change to a better environment will be good for your Cultivation."

"Thank you, Engineer Zhao."

This thanks came from the heart.

"Nothing to thank me for. You earned it."

Zhao Yu waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, it’s getting late. Hurry back and get some rest."

He paused, his voice sinking lower, carrying the solemn warning of someone who had been there before.

"Remember, Talent is a blade. If you can’t grip it firmly, you’ll be the first one it cuts."

"Don’t be idle this vacation. Only by becoming strong can you control your own destiny."

After speaking, Zhao Yu turned and left, his burly figure quickly disappearing into the depths of the night.

Han Feng stood frozen, looking at the notification on his terminal, then at the brand-new Cultivation Realm on his personal status panel.

[Name: Han Feng]

[Class: Apprentice Sword Cultivator]

[Cultivation: Body Tempering Sixth Layer (28/1200)]

[...]

He let out a long sigh of relief.

’It’s time to say goodbye to that crowded, dilapidated pigeon coop.’

It was late at night when Han Feng dragged his exhausted body back to the dormitory.

He pushed open the creaking wooden door, and a familiar smell hit him—a mixture of sweat, cheap machine oil, and rusting metal.

After spending so much time in the Spiritual Qi-rich environment of the Celestial Pride Pavilion, the smell now seemed especially pungent and suffocating.

This was the smell of those struggling at the bottom.

Pang Hu was lying on his bed, his snores echoing like thunder.

From Xiaoli’s bunk came the faint sound of metal being polished. He was maintaining his precious set of wrenches again.

Only Zhou Wen still had a small desk lamp on, quietly flipping through a thick, yellowed paperback.

"You’re back?"

Zhou Wen pushed up his glasses and glanced up at him.

"Yeah."

Han Feng nodded and tiptoed over to his bunk.

His movements still woke the other two.

Xiaoli stopped what he was doing and poked his head out. "Crazy Feng, in the middle of the night? Did Engineer Zhao give you some special treatment again?"

Pang Hu also sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes and yawning. "How was it? Was the Demon Beast Flesh at the celebration banquet any good? Did you bring some back for your bros?"

Han Feng smiled, pulled an oil-paper packet from his pocket, and tossed it over.

"I knew you’d be thinking about food. Here, I saved some Tier Two Red Flame Beef for you."

Pang Hu’s eyes went wide, all traces of sleepiness gone. He tore open the packet in a flash, and an impossibly rich, meaty aroma instantly dominated the entire dorm room. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

He tore off a large piece and stuffed it into his mouth, roaring indistinctly, "You’re the man, Crazy Feng! You... mmmph... when you make it big, don’t you forget about us!"

"Alright, even a mouthful of food can’t shut you up."

Han Feng sat down on the edge of his bed, looked at his three very different roommates, and spoke calmly.

"I have something to tell you guys. I’m moving out tomorrow."

The dorm room fell silent.

In that moment, even the creaking of the fan seemed particularly jarring.

"Moving out? Where to?"

Xiaoli’s voice was tinged with surprise.

"The project’s over, and the rewards came through. I was assigned a C Level dorm. I’m going to get the key tomorrow."

Han Feng explained.

The three of them were stunned for a moment, then their faces broke into happy smiles for him.

"Holy shit! A C Level dorm! Isn’t that a two-person apartment?"

Xiaoli exclaimed with envy, "I heard the Spiritual Qi concentration is more than double what it is out here!"

"That’s great news!"

Pang Hu slapped his thigh hard. "Crazy Feng, you should have moved out ages ago! You’re a C Level Technician now. Squeezing into this pigeon coop with us D Level Apprentices is beneath you!"

Zhou Wen closed his book as well and said seriously, "Congratulations. You deserve it."

"Don’t forget us when you’re rich and famous, Crazy Feng!"

Xiaoli chuckled, his tone teasing, but his eyes were incredibly sincere.

Han Feng looked at them, a soft spot deep inside him stirred.

"Don’t worry, I won’t."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn.

"If you need anything in the future, come find me anytime. And if there’s anything you don’t understand about Cultivation, you can ask me too."

"Of course! From now on, we’re counting on you to watch our backs!"

Pang Hu declared grandly while still chewing on the beef.