"...I really thought we were going to fight to the death," Li Qianxia hadn't snapped back to reality yet.
Xiao Yue smiled at her, "Qian Xia, it's when you don't fight that you die."
Li Qianxia shivered and realized.
In the current era, it wasn't as simple as being backward and getting beaten up, how long had it been since America slaughtered the Native Americans to take their land, enslaved blacks to grow cotton?
From their personal perspective to Earth's, anyone who dared to indulge in ease risked destruction once their power was insufficient, their fate on Four Seasons Star was sealed—others wouldn't spare them, the Value Game wouldn't allow it.
Yang Qinglan had grasped this truth when the Value Game had just started, participating in games several times a week, which was why they stayed at the forefront of all players.
But no matter what, not having to take part in compulsory missions was always a relief.
For most players who disliked battling and had weak "Instincts", there was now a glimmer of hope, as long as they worked hard to become an Immortal, they could live comfortably.
"Since becoming an Immortal means 'graduation', then what exactly is an Earth Immortal?" Yang Qinglan seized the opportunity to ask.
"Hm?" Xiao Yue, who was peeling some kind of nut, looked at her perplexed, "What's an Earth Immortal?"
Yang Qinglan shot Li Qianxia a look.
—Beauty Trap.
"Xiao Yue sister~~" Li Qianxia clung to Xiao Yue's arm, cooing.
Xiao Yue shuffled her legs and swallowed hard, her face twisted in resolve, "Alright then! It's not like I can't just go and pay the fine later!"
"Xiao Yue sister is the ~best~," Li Qianxia's voice was as sweet as honey.
Xiao Yue was as though she had tasted honey, and feeding Li Qianxia a nut, she continued:
"Immortals also come in different ranks, and after 'graduation' everyone's abilities vary; some do nothing, and can do nothing, merely scraping by until death;
"Some use their abilities to continue the struggle, becoming Earth Immortals, owning a piece of business that is theirs, which is the 'Earthly Realm'. Within the 'Earthly Realm', even if it's...um, that thing, it's a prohibited matter, not just something you can settle with a fine."
"Even 'Winners' can't do anything to Earth Immortals? That makes 'Winners' sound too cheap. It should be that Heavenly Immortals can't do anything to Earth Immortals, and there must be conditions, like if an Earth Immortal's 'Earthly Realm' can continue indefinitely, a Heavenly Immortal who can't do anything about the 'Earthly Realm' would be one of the weaker amongst them."
"You guys figured that out yourself!" Xiao Yue pointed at Yang Qinglan, confirming her guess.
"Does that mean we can basically just lie back and relax once we reach Earth Immortal status?" Li Qianxia's eyes sparkled, "Anyway, if a 'Winner' wanted to take someone down, whether it's an Earth Immortal or a Heavenly Immortal, they couldn't escape, right? Being an Earth Immortal is enough!"
Li Changzhou was convinced.
He pinched a pistachio and flicked it onto his sister's forehead, admonishing, "Can't you strive to become the 'Winner' yourself?"
The private room fell silent once more.
"...I really never thought about it, that would mean winning over the whole universe, all time, all space," Li Qianxia said, rubbing her forehead.
Xiao Yue started laughing, "I think my investment in you is worthwhile! I don't know about other planets, but Changzhou is definitely the most promising one on Earth!"
"You've invested in us?" Li Changzhou was confused.
"You—this private room! This wine! This free menu! This intelligence! And this body! Do you think just anyone can get a date with Xiao Yue?"
"So this was an investment," Li Qianxia finally understood.
Xiao Yue was about to explode, but then her expression turned to one of careful listening; she stood up in anger, "I'm off to get busy! The train will be arriving in half an hour, hurry up and make your exchanges! Bye!"
'Bye' sounded like two nails being hammered in.
As they watched Xiao Yue leave, Li Qianxia turned away from the door and asked, "Did we make her angry?"
Yang Qinglan didn't answer, she asked Li Changzhou, "Do you want to become a 'Winner'?"
"It's not about wanting," Li Changzhou replied, "but until a 'Winner' is born, I will keep working towards that goal. If despite efforts it's useless, then whether I want it or not doesn't matter."
Clap!
Li Qianxia suddenly brought her palms together, startling Yang Qinglan and Li Changzhou.
She closed her eyes and prayed, "Future Li Er Gou, no, future better brother, dear brother, if you truly become the 'Winner', then save your current sister, pull me into the future, I'll share riches with you!"
"..."
Li Qianxia lowered her hands, patting Li Changzhou on the shoulder, "Er Gou, seems like you didn't make it."
"San Ya, rest assured, even if I become 'Winner', I am not going to pull you over," Li Changzhou grabbed his sister's hand and pinched—
Pinched it hard!
"Ah! It hurts, it hurts, let go! I was wrong, I was wrong, brother, brother!"
Amidst Li Qianxia's pleas for mercy, Yang Qinglan laughed, "Maybe Qian Xia, you need to stay in the present to go through tough times with your brother, that's how he can become the 'Winner', and you both can enjoy riches together in the future."
"Ding dong~"
"Dear passengers, welcome back to the train, the train is departing from the past and heading to the present, expected to arrive in half an hour. Please make sure to complete your exchanges within the allotted time."
As Xiao Yue's voice played over the announcement, the atmosphere in the private room eased.
"Let's settle up," Li Changzhou released Li Qianxia, pulling out three menus and handing them to his sister and Yang Qinglan.
"You might consider topping up the skills on the Black Card, you may face situations like the Dragon Vein suppression again, where only skills can be used," Yang Qinglan took a menu.
"See how much Turquoise Pool can lend me, if there's anything left after buying the Golden Crown, I'll buy some," Li Changzhou replied.