Volume One: Entering the Path Chapter Eight: "Technology" Changes Life

As Ye Junze lay in bed, pondering the events and encounters of the day, he suddenly received a message from his mother: "Zeze, have you arrived at the school? How is the new place? Are you getting used to it?" Seeing this, Ye Junze smiled happily and replied, "Mom, I just finished registration and now I'm in my dorm. The new school is great, and my room is single occupancy—it's got everything I need." He sent her a photo of his dorm as he finished his reply.

"Very nice, very nice. Your father and I are both looking at the picture," his mother replied cheerfully. "Sort out your things, then take a walk around the campus."

"Okay, Mom. I'll call you and Dad later," Ye Junze responded with a smile.

Meanwhile, back home, after looking at the photos Ye Junze had sent, his mother said happily, "It seems Zeze’s school is really quite good."

His father replied, "Look at you—just moments ago you were worrying, and now you’re a different person. I keep saying, no need to worry so much. The child’s grown up. As parents, we can’t be too anxious, right?"

"Yes, yes, you’re always right. But it’s just because I care about him," she answered.

...

After replying to his mother, Ye Junze was considering what to do next when he heard a knock at the door. He wondered who could be looking for him so soon after his arrival. Could it be Senior Lin Xin returning for some reason? He thought as he walked to the door. When he opened it, he was surprised to see Wang Dongdong standing outside. Wang Dongdong, equally surprised, quickly broke into a delighted grin, "Junze, so you live here! What a coincidence—I’m right next door, 215!"

"I was wondering who it could be. Didn’t expect it to be you. What brings you here?" Ye Junze asked curiously.

"Well, I’m new here and just wanted to get to know some faces. Didn’t expect the first door I knocked on would be yours. Such luck!" Wang Dongdong exclaimed.

"Perhaps it’s fate," Ye Junze said, rubbing his forehead in mild exasperation.

Wang Dongdong seemed completely unembarrassed, and asked with easy familiarity, "By the way, Junze, have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet."

Wang Dongdong’s face brightened even more at the answer, "Perfect! Let me tell you, I just found out that we can order food right from our dorm, and it gets delivered straight to our rooms!"

"What’s so strange about that? Most schools offer such services," Ye Junze replied, puzzled.

"Ah, but you’re mistaken," Wang Dongdong said mysteriously. "Do you remember how we came here today?"

"How could I forget? You mean the teleportation array?" Ye Junze recalled the array he’d seen in the transfer chamber.

"Exactly! From what I’ve observed, every room in this building has its own miniature teleportation array, and meal delivery is just its most basic function," Wang Dongdong continued. "I just ordered some food—it should be here soon. If you don’t mind, why not come over and eat with me?"

Ye Junze thought about how Wang Dongdong had been warm and helpful all day, always ready to answer his questions. He realized that Wang Dongdong was not a bad person at all, and having another friend surely couldn’t hurt. After a moment’s consideration, he agreed, "Alright, let’s eat together. Just don’t be shocked by how much I can eat."

"Well, I’ll be watching closely. When it comes to eating, I claim second place, and no one dares claim first," Wang Dongdong boasted.

No wonder you’re overweight, Ye Junze thought helplessly.

After locking his door, Ye Junze joined Wang Dongdong in his room. As soon as they entered, the walls suddenly shimmered with a familiar glow, and a micro teleportation array identical to the one seen during the day appeared. Various dishes began to materialize one after another. Wang Dongdong, delighted by this sight, laughed, "Talk about timing—speak of the devil and he appears!" Moving into the room, he called out, "Junze, come on, eat while it’s hot!"

When all the dishes had appeared in turn, the light flashed again, the teleportation array vanished, and the walls returned to their previous state as though nothing had happened.

"It seems the teleportation arrays are everywhere in this school," Ye Junze remarked as he ate.

"Absolutely! If anyone tries to tell me this is just an ordinary university, I’ll have words with them," Wang Dongdong said between mouthfuls. "Junze, try this chicken leg—it’s really good, mm... mmm..."

Ye Junze glanced at him, rubbing his forehead and thinking, This guy really isn’t worried about putting on more weight. Yet despite his thoughts, Ye Junze also praised the food, "Delicious, delicious. Looks like at least the school meals here are excellent." Tonight, when he told his mother, she wouldn’t have to worry about him not adapting to the food, Ye Junze thought happily.

What the two didn’t know was that, for Anze Academy, the taste of the food was only the most basic consideration. Far more important was whether the dishes provided enough energy for the students’ cultivation needs. Cultivation required enormous energy, and Anze’s physical training courses consumed even more. Thus, it was no exaggeration to say that, except for a few rare cases, every student at Anze was a foodie. The head chef and other specialty cooks were constantly inventing new dishes, striving to achieve both deliciousness and sufficient energy. Rumor had it some chefs had been so consumed by trying to create new recipes that they started losing hair, even going bald, though whether that was true remained a mystery.

No matter how much food there was, for two people who had been hungry all day and had gone through spatial teleportation, it was quickly devoured in a whirlwind feast. Full and satisfied, the two sprawled comfortably in their chairs. Wang Dongdong patted his noticeably fuller stomach and said contentedly, "I’m so stuffed. If only I could eat like this every day at school!"

Ye Junze couldn’t help but dampen his enthusiasm, "Keep dreaming. It’s obvious this school isn’t so simple. There’s no way it’s just about eating and drinking every day."

"Of course I know that," Wang Dongdong replied. "It’s just nice to imagine. By the way, Junze, do you remember what the senior who took us around mentioned about the Dao Techniques Department?"

"I remember. Why?"

"I asked around today. Apparently, our school has many other departments. I wonder which one would suit me. They say the Alchemy Department is full of beauties—if only I could get in," Wang Dongdong said, his face full of fantasy.

"I think you shouldn’t aim for the Alchemy Department. There’s one that fits you perfectly," Ye Junze said.

Now Wang Dongdong was curious, "Which one? Which one?"

"The Food Department. That way you can eat all you want every day," Ye Junze replied.

Wang Dongdong rolled his eyes and said, "Junze, even if such a department exists—and I doubt it does—it sounds so low-class! Everyone else’s department names sound so impressive, but ‘Food Department’ just sounds weird. Even if it exists, I wouldn’t go. Don’t stop me from chasing the ladies in the Alchemy Department!"

Ye Junze could only laugh helplessly. This chubby fellow was beyond saving. He got up and said, "I’ll head back now. You get some rest."

"Alright, alright, Junze. See you tomorrow!" Wang Dongdong replied.

Back in his own room, Ye Junze tidied up, then sat cross-legged on his bed. He assumed the Five Hearts Toward Heaven posture and murmured, "Illusory Realm, activate!" Thus, he began his cultivation practice once more—a routine he had maintained unbroken for two years.