Cynthia hung up the phone, and Gu Beichen sat up, pulling her into his arms as he asked,
"The league's urging you to head back to work? Need me to help pull some strings for a few more days off?"
Cynthia hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"I've had a great time these past couple of days—it's about time I got back to work.
I can't keep bothering Steven and the others.
Don't forget to send me that beauty manual!"
She planted a quick kiss on Gu Beichen's cheek and headed off to freshen up.
"I'll go make breakfast."
Gu Beichen got up to prepare the meal.
"I want ice cream!"
"What kind of ice cream this early in the morning? That's no way to start the day healthy."
After breakfast, Gu Beichen finished feeding the Pokémon and watched Cynthia leave.
He made his way to the lounge chair in the backyard and opened the chat group.
**[Group Leader Gu Beichen.]**
Good morning, everyone!
**[Yue Buqun.]**
Good morning, Group Leader!
**[Busujima Saeko.]**
Good morning!
**[Kuina.]**
Good morning, Big Brother Group Leader!
**[Ip Man.]**
Morning, everyone!
**[Group Leader Gu Beichen.]**
You've all watched the fate videos by now, right? Any plans? It's been two days on my end—what about you all?
**[Busujima Saeko.]**
It's two days here too, making three total since I joined. Eighty-seven days until the apocalypse.
I've started cultivating with the Superpower Manual and have preliminarily awakened my superpower!
She felt both relieved and thrilled—finally, she had some means of self-defense.
Who would've thought she had such a knack for this?
**[Kuina.]**
Saeko-sis succeeded that fast? I've been practicing for four days and haven't made any progress. Does that mean I have no talent for it?
Kuina started doubting herself.
Gu Beichen praised Saeko's talent in the group and encouraged her to keep pushing her strength.
Saeko replied obediently that she would work hard.
Ip Man excitedly shared that he'd awakened his superpower in just three days. He discovered that the hidden strength in Chinese Martial Arts helped boost his mental energy, and in turn, superpowers could enhance progress in Chinese Martial Arts.
He thanked the Group Leader again for his guidance.
Gu Beichen responded that he'd studied Wing Chun himself and agreed the two complemented each other perfectly.
He pointed out that Chinese Martial Arts trained body control, unlocked potential, and cleared the meridians.
Once one reached the realm of Transforming Strength, cultivating internal arts would yield twice the results with half the effort.
Yue Buqun was thrilled by this and proactively offered to trade his internal cultivation methods and martial techniques for Ip Man's Chinese Martial Arts knowledge.
The two quickly struck a deal.
Ip Man provided the Wing Chun manual and guidance, while Yue Buqun offered the Purple霞 Divine Skill and other techniques.
Kuina curiously asked the Group Leader if Chinese Martial Arts would be useful for her.
She thought back to her original fate and felt a pang of sadness.
After joining the chat group, Kuina had resolved never to repeat her past mistakes.
She planned to strengthen her physical abilities to make up for the innate strength disadvantage women faced, aiming to surpass Zoro and even all swordsmen in the One Piece world—to become the strongest swordswoman.
In the future, she wanted to explore even broader worlds.
Gu Beichen replied to her in the group.
"Chinese Martial Arts will be a huge help to you! The One Piece world relies mainly on physical techniques and Haki, and Chinese Martial Arts can shore up exactly that area.
Your world's resources are also a big advantage for body refinement."
Kuina responded excitedly.
"Awesome! @Uncle Ip Man, I want to trade my swordsmanship and body-forging manuals for your Chinese Martial Arts secrets. I can throw in some Fierce Beast Meat and Sea King Meat as extras."
Gu Beichen reminded her.
"Little girl, did you forget the Fierce Beast Meat you promised me? It's been four days already!"
Kuina replied sheepishly.
"Sorry, Big Brother Group Leader—I got caught up practicing superpowers and forgot.
I'll definitely send the first batch today!"
Gu Beichen sighed helplessly.
"Fine, just don't drag your feet anymore."
He thought to himself that if he could go to the One Piece world, he'd just hunt them down himself.
Ip Man said,
"Kuina, the trade sounds good.
Also, I'd like to make long-term purchases of Fierce Beast Meat and Sea King Meat using gold and silver."
He realized these ingredients were incredibly helpful for cultivating Chinese Martial Arts.
Yue Buqun jumped in too.
"I want in on the trading as well. Whatever conditions you need, just name them—techniques or gold and silver, whatever works."
Busujima Saeko added,
"Count me in.
I don't have any advanced techniques, but I can trade with modern supplies and gold and silver."
Kuina suggested in the group that they switch to private chats to hash things out first with Ip Man.
After twenty minutes of discussion, the four reached a smooth agreement on the trades.
Everyone was satisfied with the outcome.
By viewing each other's fate instances, the members had a general understanding of their respective worlds' resources, which made trading all the easier.
Kuina was delighted to discover that her world's Fierce Beast Meat and Sea King Meat were in high demand in the group.
This swept away her earlier worries—she'd been fretting over what to offer in exchange for Chinese Martial Arts, internal arts, and other resources.
Now, the issue was resolved, and she felt overjoyed.
Under her father Koshiro's guidance, Kuina recognized the importance of the chat group and the value of tapping into her own world's resources.
This would give her even more advantages in the future.
Group Leader Gu Beichen pointed out that resources from different worlds varied in value.
The meats from the One Piece world were nutrient-rich and highly beneficial for cultivating Chinese Martial Arts and internal arts.
Yue Buqun agreed wholeheartedly, believing that in a world with thin spiritual energy, dietary supplements were key to boosting strength.
This trade had been a windfall for him—not only did he gain Chinese Martial Arts methods, but he also found a new way to nurture his disciples.
As the head of the Huashan Sect, his top priority was always reviving the sect.
Ip Man nodded thoughtfully.
"Practicing martial arts does require financial backing, just as the ancients said."
Busujima Saeko let out a sigh.
"Our situation is even worse—resources are scarce, and the apocalypse is right around the corner."
She rubbed her reddened eyes.
Fortunately, the Busujima family was well-off, with dojos scattered across the country and abroad.
She'd already convinced her father to liquidate their assets and stockpile gold and supplies as much as possible.
They had to prepare for the apocalypse while also gearing up for future trades with the other members.
"I think your world has plenty of resources!"
Kuina chimed in. "Even your everyday items are way more advanced than ours."
Saeko gave a wry smile.
"Too bad the apocalypse is about to hit..."
Ip Man picked up the thread.
"Kuina's right—your weapons and gear are super practical.
By the way, when will the first batch of firearms and medical supplies arrive?"
"Another apocalypse..."
Saeko murmured wistfully, then burst out laughing at Ip Man's speechless expression.
"Five days from now. Your order's pretty large, so it takes time to prepare."
It was only thanks to the Busujima family's massive local influence that she could procure so many firearms on such short notice.
Yue Buqun chimed in with his own question.
"What about my order?"
"Five days as well,"
Saeko replied.
Gu Beichen was a bit surprised.
"Old Yue, you even bought modern weapons?"
Was this guy planning to take on Zuo Lengchan with guns?
The conversation had taken an unexpected turn.
Yue Buqun quickly backpedaled.
"Just call me Little Yue—how dare I call myself 'old' in front of the Group Leader.
Yeah, I got some guns for self-defense."
Kuina immediately roasted him.
"Little Yue? Eww... Big Brother Group Leader's only 20, so aren't you basically calling him old by comparison?"
"Absolutely not!"
Yue Buqun denied it in a panic, his heart pounding.
He realized this attempt at flattery had backfired and silently prayed the Group Leader wouldn't take it to heart.
Gu Beichen just replied with a meaningful "Heh,"
which only made Yue Buqun more on edge.
At that moment, Busujima Saeko suggested,
"Group Leader, we're all curious about what your world looks like.
Could you send a photo and give us an intro?"
Even though Gu Beichen had said he was just an ordinary superpowered individual, everyone still knew so little about him.
Kuina jumped in right away.
"Yeah, yeah! Photo please!"
Yue Buqun quickly followed up.
"I am also very interested in the Group Leader's world."