Pinning one’s safety on the goodwill and forgetfulness of the strong is the most foolish and ridiculous self-deception in this world. Moreover, Fang Cheng is one with the "panel." This heaven-defying opportunity seems like a key handed to him by destiny, unlocking the gateway to the pinnacle of strength. If it is destined that only one person can ascend to the ultimate throne in this world. Then why couldn’t that person be himself? With a sharp weapon in hand, the desire to kill arises naturally. How could Fang Cheng possibly choose to give up and be content with mediocrity? This graduate entrance exam is a carefully chosen balance point for him, a necessary disguise. I cannot truly retreat to the shore, but at least I can build a seemingly sturdy lighthouse for my mother on the tumultuous sea. Giving her something to lean on, even if it’s just a little gleam seen through the wind and rain. As his thoughts flowed, Fang Cheng’s gaze fell on the bowl of pig brain soup that was still steaming slightly. He reached out to pick up the ladle and gently stirred it. The milky white soup emitted a strong aroma. Fang Cheng scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and slowly took a sip. The warm soup slipped down his throat, bringing warmth and somewhat calming his chaotic thoughts. Speaking of which, the innocent identity of a prestigious university graduate student truly provides a perfect cover for himself. Allowing him to accumulate strength more calmly in the shadows, to deal with any storm that might arise in the future. Otherwise, given his complicated family background, if he continued to roam the gray areas as a fighter, he would inevitably attract the attention of the Special Search Team. Just like the Noah Organization has placed him on their watch list again... Li Biyun’s voice interrupted Fang Cheng’s thoughts from outside the door. "Ah Cheng, are you done studying? You can come out to eat now." Hearing his mother’s call, Fang Cheng immediately collected his thoughts and responded: "Yes, I’m tidying up, I’ll be out soon." At the dining table, Li Biyun kept putting food into Fang Cheng’s bowl. Steamed bass, walnut shrimp, all dishes meant to boost brain function and improve memory. While Fang Cheng ate heartily, he listened to his mother talk about the renovation progress of his grandfather’s old house in Wanghu Town. He took the opportunity to tell Li Biyun that the Sea Sky Garden house was already renovated. He also gave a heads-up, saying that if work gets busy in the future, he might sometimes stay there. His mother knew about the gift from his uncle during a holiday at Yulong Lake, and at the time, she only reminded Fang Cheng to cherish this rare family bond and to be filial to his grandfather and uncle in the future. Upon hearing this from her son, Li Biyun pondered slightly, then said: "I’ll go over tomorrow to help you clean and buy some daily necessities." "If you have a girlfriend in the future, you can take her to stay there. You can’t always go to a hotel or squeeze into this old house of ours." Just as Fang Cheng was nodding his head, he almost spat out the food in his mouth upon hearing the last sentence. Suddenly he waved his hand hastily: "Mom, I’ve bought all the furniture, and housekeepers have cleaned already, you don’t need to bother." "I’ll accompany you tomorrow, just to check the route." Remembering the eccentric neighbor in 1803 who wore overwhelming perfume, he couldn’t help but worry she might be some murderer or wanted criminal. Fang Cheng felt uneasy letting his mother go alone. After dinner, the sunlight was just right, warmly flooding the living room. The air still lingered with a slight oily aroma. Li Biyun swiftly tidied up the leftovers, wrapping the unfinished food in plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator. Fang Cheng carried the bowl and chopsticks, preparing to wash them, but his mother snatched them away and directly ushered him out of the kitchen. "You’re clumsy, don’t get in the way here, go take a nap, you have to study in the afternoon." His mother’s orders were indisputable. Fang Cheng, feeling a bit sulky, touched his nose, having to abandon the thought of practicing the Cleaning Skill. With his mom at home, such chores would never fall to him; she was practically raising him like a young master... Sighing inwardly, Fang Cheng glanced at the panel. His gaze fell on one of the life skills. [Cleaning Level 1 (209/250)] Since quitting the logistics department job, the progress of this skill has been sluggish. Experience improvement largely relied on daily chores and "aftermath work" to accumulate. Yesterday at the new house, he did a thorough cleaning alone, gaining a significant boost in experience. Looking at it now, the upgrade isn’t far, but he still has a lot to do himself. Fang Cheng slightly shook his head. Given the current complicated situation, having an extra skill is undoubtedly beneficial. Though just a life skill, the "Scavenger’s Eye" effect has repeatedly helped him escape tracking, find clues, and eliminate surveillance possibilities. If upgraded successfully, it might come in handy one day. For instance, handling a crime scene more efficiently... Back in the bedroom, Fang Cheng did not continue studying nor chose to nap. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the bed, slowly closed his eyes. The room regained tranquility. Fang Cheng’s heartbeat started to slow, breathing becoming deep and long, and every tense muscle relaxed accordingly. His entire being like a machine running at high speed, actively reducing frequency, entering a low-power standby mode. Outside the window, the noise from Old Factory Street mixed with the distant traffic clamor, forming the city’s background sound. They were separated by thick glass, becoming blurred, distant, as if pushed out of the sensory world. Only his calm as water heartbeat remains, and the pure tranquility from deep within consciousness, that burning flame... After a long while, Fang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deepening in brightness. A line of prompt information emerges. [Meditation Experience +2] [Meditation Level 2 (36/500)] Looking at the training progress, Fang Cheng nodded slightly. Whether fast or slow, as long as he persists daily, all skills accumulate gradually. After practicing meditation. Fang Cheng felt his entire being refreshed, seemingly recovering the energy depletion from burying his head in books all day. Just as he exhaled lightly, preparing to enter the Memory Palace and contact Xu Hao, his heart unexpectedly stirred. That feeling, as if an invisible stone had been cast on the distant other side of the city, rippling outward. The ripples were extremely faint yet exceptionally clear, crossing the barrier of kilometers, precisely affecting his calm mind. "Did Xu Hao have important information to report to me?" This thought surfaced, Fang Cheng’s eyes narrowed. He immediately shook his head, denying it. Fang Cheng could clearly feel. This fluctuation carried a trace of unfamiliarity, not from anyone he knew. Moreover, the spiritual resonance occurring this time had a weak directionality. More like an uncontrolled emission, carried with strong fear emotions... a distress signal. Without thinking, Fang Cheng quickly gathered his consciousness, closing his eyes again. His entire awareness instantly converged inwardly, sinking. The surrounding real world quickly peeled away, becoming blurred. When he reopened his eyes, his consciousness had entered the Memory Palace. Fang Cheng swiftly rose to his feet, pushing open the bedroom door. In the central darkness of the hall, the golden orb floated silently, emitting gentle and mysterious halos. Looking up, the dome around was like a night sky, points of light like stars, adorning it. Each represented a successfully linked individual consciousness or a spiritual coordinate. Fang Cheng searched among the many stars for a moment, quickly locking onto an unusually flashing light. "One-way projection!" As Fang Cheng silently chanted the command, a buzzing resonance sound echoed in his ears. An invisible yet solid channel pierced through the boundless darkness. The surrounding scene quickly transformed, like a constantly changing, twisting, stretching TV image. Finally, the vision traversed layers of darkness and light, becoming clear suddenly. Through the linker’s pupils, Fang Cheng steadied his gaze at the scene before him, heart subtly moved.