On the back of the bluebird, Li Qi could see the scenery of Chang'an more clearly.
Shen Shuibei seemed to enjoy the chirping chicks, holding them on her lap and playing with them.
Li Qi stepped out of the streamlined carriage to a place where he could directly converse with the bluebird.
According to the terminal information, the bluebird's name was Yaoling.
"Miss Yao," Li Qi sat outside and addressed the bluebird.
"Why are you out here, sir? It's windy; I can hear you just fine from inside," the bluebird said in a clear voice.
Despite being a mother, her voice remained pleasant.
"It's impolite to talk inside. Out here is better, and the breeze is refreshing," Li Qi replied.
Although it felt like sitting on top of an airplane cabin with strong winds, using some techniques kept him comfortable.
"Miss Yao, is your job hard?" Li Qi asked.
"Why do you ask, sir? If you insist, it's quite good, much better than back home," the bluebird answered.
"Back home?" Li Qi asked curiously. "Where is that?"
"In Xingyou... Oh, you call it the outer realms? A small place in the outer realms, nothing compared to this celestial realm's prosperity," the bluebird said lightly.
"You mean we? How did you know I'm not from the outer realms?" Li Qi realized she assumed he wasn't from there.
Though he actually was, how did she make that judgment?
"Haha, sir, you probably don't notice it yourself, but people who grow up in the celestial realm have an air of familiarity with everything around them, as if such cities are natural. We from smaller places don't have that feeling," the bluebird explained cheerfully.
"I see." Li Qi nodded without revealing he was also from the outer realms.
And likely much farther away than this bluebird.
"You said it's better than back home. What did you do there?" Li Qi asked again.
"Haha, sir, asking such questions shows you're a native of the celestial realm. Back home, what could one do? Do you think every place is as orderly and specialized as here?"
"In my hometown, it's a lawless wilderness. The world is about eighth-grade, so I was relatively strong. Every day was about getting stronger, hunting weaker beings, and defending against stronger ones to survive."
"There were cultivators, but everyone focused on getting stronger, enhancing combat power. That's why the celestial beings called it a barbaric world."
"Later, when celestial beings arrived, we learned cultivation wasn't just about killing or being killed. So, I moved to the celestial realm. Though settling in Chang'an isn't easy, it's far better than home. At least I don't worry about attacks while sleeping," the bluebird laughed softly.
"I find Chang'an's prices reasonable. Why do you say it's hard to settle? For example, taking me on this trip earns enough for four or five days' living expenses. You should get three or four trips a day?" Li Qi asked.
He was curious about how ordinary people lived, like this female taxi driver.
This trip was over a thousand miles, costing about eight hundred coins, nearly one tael.
"Oh, prices are cheap, but there are other expenses. Cultivation requires resources, and savings for the future. One can't just focus on immediate comfort," the bluebird shook her head.
"Effort is still needed. Just being content with food and shelter would be wasting my chance in the celestial realm. Here, cultivation techniques are available for purchase, unlike hoarding knowledge at home. This is so much better."
Li Qi nodded.
Basic needs were met, but advancement required personal effort. Indeed, Tang Kingdom ensured no one starved or lacked shelter, but anyone wanting to advance had to work hard. The kingdom wouldn't spoon-feed them.
"What about your husband? Why are you alone raising three children?" Li Qi asked.
"Oh, him, he has higher cultivation, like you, eighth-grade. He joined the military. The Divine Dynasty is fighting the Eastern Sea, offering high subsidies. Two trips could buy foundation-building techniques for our kids, specially designed by celestial beings. Only two hundred taels, unimaginable at home, where even selling oneself couldn't afford it. Now, saving for two years makes it possible," the bluebird smiled happily.
Joined the military? Li Qi was stunned.
Isn't it worrying when your husband goes to war?
"Miss Yao, isn't it worrying that your husband went to war?" he asked, surprised.
"Why worry? Eighth-grade cultivators can't join the front lines. He's in the logistics team, a Peng bird, capable of carrying heavy loads, valued for that."
Peng birds, powerful demons with traces of Golden-Winged Great Peng bloodline, inherited some abilities.
Of course, incomparable to his teacher's Kunpeng, a legendary divine beast stronger than the Golden-Winged Great Peng, embodying both heaven (as Peng) and sea (as Kun), possessing innate wisdom beyond demon classification.
"Logistics team? Handling supplies?" Li Qi said.
"Yes, transporting supplies to the front lines. In the war between the Divine Dynasty and the Eastern Sea, eighth-grade cultivators can only do so much," the bluebird responded.
"I see." Li Qi nodded.
They continued chatting, learning about her family life.
Ordinary, using skills to earn a living, working normally, earning money.
Through methods unknown to Li Qi, human society greatly reduced the cost of living essentials, ensuring everyone could live comfortably without fear of survival pressure.
However, advancement required effort—new techniques, cultivation materials, all had to be self-acquired.
But these were relatively inexpensive compared to the outer realms, and purchasing channels were accessible, eliminating the need for dangerous quests or relic hunts.
As long as one didn't slack off, items once requiring life-threatening ventures could now be bought on the market.
Everyone could become a seeker of the Dao, driven by tangible benefits and social status improvements.
This model maximized everyone's potential, contributing to human societal growth, ultimately benefiting the elites at the top.
The elites provided ample resources and favorable environments for ordinary cultivators, who in turn contributed their wisdom and ideas, exploring Dao possibilities through numbers and inspiration.
As long as human society expanded, everyone could achieve happiness.
A perfect cycle, win-win, no losers.
Or rather...the losers were the non-human entities.
They became the material source consumed in this cycle.
As a direct enemy of humanity, Li Qi felt a headache.
Forget it, preventing human expansion was for the Witch Gods to consider. He shouldn't worry too much.
After arriving and paying, Li Qi accompanied Shen Shuibei to the clinic.
Contrary to expectations, the clinic wasn't crowded, the busiest area being the health checkup section.
Logical, given most were cultivators who healed themselves, needing doctors mainly for serious injuries or elderly commoners.
Cultivators above ninth grade rarely fell ill, making clinic visits rare unless for injury or cultivation mishaps.
Since this was Chang'an, not a battlefield, those coming were mostly dealing with cultivation issues.
Reasonable.
"Good thing it's not crowded. We've booked ahead, let's go in," Li Qi told Shen Shuibei.
"Yeah!" Shen Shuibei walked briskly, looking forward to it.
Finally.
Her lingering injuries could finally heal.
Entering the clinic, they verified identities automatically, then proceeded inside, greeted by medicinal scents.
Most physicians were deployed to the frontlines due to minimal treatment demands in Chang'an.
Their attending physician was a human woman, fifth-grade, appearing ordinary yet professional.
Looking at her terminal, she said, "Shen Shuibei, right? Your treatment will take seven consecutive days. Have you cleared your schedule?"
"All set," Shen Shuibei sat properly.
"And you?" She looked at Li Qi.
"I'm family," Li Qi answered.
"Do you want to attend the treatment details?" the physician asked.
"Yes," Li Qi nodded immediately.
"Alright, let's begin," the doctor signed and nodded.
Suddenly, Shen Shuibei spoke up.
"Doctor, here's my analysis of the injuries, which might save some time," she handed over a jade slip.
"You understand medicine?" The doctor took the slip seriously.
"I've studied for some time," Shen Shuibei said.
"This is very insightful... Wait, this technique? You're already at a professional level. You must have deeply researched 'Lingshu Examination'?"
"If it helps, great. I wrote 'Lingshu Examination,' so naturally, I'm familiar," Shen Shuibei admitted honestly.
"What?!" The doctor exclaimed in surprise.
---
Shen Shuibei stayed at the clinic for continuous treatment over seven days.
After understanding the treatment plan, Li Qi left, deciding to visit the Imperial Academy during this period.
He had read plenty about the academy online but wanted to see it in person.
According to information gathered, the academy would start in a month.
Each year, it operated nine months with three months off—one month during New Year, and two months mid-year.
Most students were under thirty, rarely exceeding that age.
The mandatory graduation age was fifty, requiring completion of all courses by then.
In practice, most graduated by thirty, not staying longer.
For these young people, a year still felt long, necessitating vacations for mental health.
With age, time seems to pass faster.
Childhood feels endless.
Adulthood realizes years slipping by.
For advanced cultivators, decades or centuries pass in the blink of an eye.
But for the young, time remains slow and significant, making vacations necessary.
Li Qi planned to use this vacation to study abroad.
Starting fresh with the new semester.
Leaving the clinic, he headed straight for the Imperial Academy.
Taking advantage of his location, he decided to visit Liu Canzhi's second refining institute.
Perhaps he could even get a tour guide.
Destination: Imperial Academy!