Chapter 8: Intelligence Division

Su Ninglong stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth, her cheeks bulging and her lips glistening with oil, doubling her cuteness.

As a great ancestor, she didn't bother haggling with a mere mortal like the Zou woman.

She turned her head and asked Xing Yuan, "Will you be living with me from now on, or going back home?"

"My home is not on the Gemini star; it is a long distance away. Ms. Zou has agreed to let me stay here during the holidays to take care of you. As for those on campus, all guides are provided with free accommodation."

Su Ninglong raised both hands in welcome. "That’s great. From now on, I won't have to eat pig slop."

Zou Shuyi placed a chopstick of vegetables into her bowl. "Eat more, talk less. If you irritate me later, don't be surprised if I give you a little 'painful affection'."

Isn't that just another way of saying she’ll beat her?

Su Ninglong looked at the vegetables in her bowl with distress. "Your affection is too bland. Give me more of that heavy meat."

"It's all yours, take it all, you little glutton."

"Being able to eat is a blessing."

Zou Shuyi and Su Ninglong enjoyed a very satisfying dinner. Xing Yuan was truly a master chef. The two didn't spare their praise, and Xing Yuan even felt shy from the compliments.

Once satisfied, Xing Yuan opened his notebook and took out a thumb-sized metal sheet. He rubbed it between his fingers, expanding it into a particle-compressed contract about a finger thick. It contained the confidentiality agreement and the preparations for Su Ninglong’s tuition fees at the Star Alliance Academy.

The Star Alliance Academy, much like a regular kindergarten, required certain fees. At the very least, two sets of school uniforms had to be purchased. If the budget permitted, an additional set of clothing for extreme heat or cold was required—three thousand star coins per set.

"The clothes for extreme weather can be bought after you turn twelve," Xing Yuan noted specifically, not wanting them to waste their money.

"It's fine, let's buy everything. It wouldn't be right for Ninglong to go without what other children have."

Su Ninglong nodded; if others have it, this ancestor must have it too.

"Godmother, you’re so good to me."

"Hmph." Zou Shuyi knew Su Ninglong’s "bear-like" nature too well; to ensure peace and quiet, she had no choice but to spoil her.

The Star Alliance was a boarding school, so boarding fees were also required, and food had to be paid for using a cafeteria-style selection system. The total number of star coins was not small.

"What happens if an orphan becomes a student of the Star Alliance Academy?" Su Ninglong couldn't help but wonder.

"The orphanage covers their expenses; there are always many kind-hearted people donating to orphanages. However, this is not something you should be concerned about," Zou Shuyi replied as if it were common knowledge.

The dynamic between the mother and daughter surprised Xing Yuan. He had studied child psychology extensively and knew that most children think in a self-centered way. Su Ninglong’s question jumping straight to orphans proved she already possessed the reasoning ability of an adult, far beyond the ranks of ordinary intelligence.

The subsequent Q&A further confirmed this.

There were three ways to pay tuition: First, graduate from the Star Alliance Academy with excellent grades (after fifteen years of education) and then work for the Star Alliance for over five years, handing over a portion of one's salary to settle the debt. Second, the parents pay the full amount. Third, while attending school, under the supervision of a guide, one could take on tasks to earn points, which could be used to pay tuition.

"Are they hiring child labor?"

"Under special circumstances, tasks do require the assistance of children, but it is very rare. Most are resolved by teenagers over twelve, so don't worry. You are going to school to learn about the hidden side of the world." Xing Yuan added, "Take Charlie, for example. He cannot see the illusory Deep Space Spirits—what we call evil spirits or black shadows—so he is rarely affected by them. But you, barring any accidents, will not be exposed to those secret missions before you are twelve, because you can see them, and will be more deeply affected."

Su Ninglong found this very novel. Having been a Mahayana-stage ancestor for so long, there were few things that puzzled her, aside from refining immortal artifacts. Yet this thing called a "Deep Space Spirit" was full of mystery, transcending her current understanding.

Xing Yuan continued, "Spirits have many forms—illusory or physical. The main purpose of entering the Star Alliance is to learn how to deal with them and eliminate them. Most possess the power to influence the human heart, and we, the guides, were established to ensure your healthy growth. Every week, I need to perform a psychological assessment on you to ensure you haven't been affected, as well as to look after your daily life."

"I see, like a nanny and a nurse."

"Yes."

"Besides courses on dealing with them, can I study other subjects?" Su Ninglong was curious about everything in this world. She had read several science books and watched many documentaries, all of which showed that this world was completely different from the world of cultivation. Technological power always brought unexpected convenience to life, and ordinary people could enjoy these same benefits.

"Of course, but the school does not encourage young children to take too many courses, focusing more on your psychological state. If you insist, I can help you register for classes in the children's program."

"That's great! I thought kindergarten meant having to play with a bunch of brats."

Xing Yuan smiled. Strictly speaking, Su Ninglong wasn't wrong. But since she was a self-directed learner who wanted to excel, no one would stop her.

At nine in the evening, they had signed all the contracts and agreements. Xing Yuan placed the contract on a small compressor, pressed it back into its metal sheet form, and very cautiously put it back into his backpack.

The bar just happened to open for business.

The preparations were barely finished when the bell on the door rang out with a "ding-ding." Two men wearing vests pushed the door open and walked in. They were quite surprised to see a new Star-Awakened helper behind the bar.

"Young man, we didn't see the boss lady post a job opening. How did you get hired?"

Su Ninglong leaned over the long table and said triumphantly, "Me, it was me! I passed the Star Alliance test, and he is my chief assistant."

"You got into the Star Alliance Academy?"

Zou Shuyi smiled and said, "Yes."

"Congratulations! That's great. From now on, we won't have to avoid her when passing on information."

"Huh?" Su Ninglong's almond-shaped eyes widened slightly. "You pass messages in private? What kind of messages?"

Zou Shuyi’s gaze shifted. "I forgot to tell you, my place here is an intelligence branch for the Star Alliance Academy."

Su Ninglong was shocked; Zou Shuyi was truly a master of concealment. Zou Shuyi had expected Su Ninglong to be sulky, but Su Ninglong said nothing and accepted the situation quickly. She couldn't blame others for her own lack of observation caused by her low strength.

*Kids' minds are truly hard to guess,* Zou Shuyi thought to herself.

"Give us two Phoenixes," the two men in vests ordered, requesting cocktails.

Zou Shuyi skillfully mixed the two drinks for them. The liquid was a pale blue, clear and bright, filled with dreamlike bubbles. Su Ninglong wanted to try some, but she was too young to drink.

Zou Shuyi whispered to Su Ninglong, "After they give me intelligence, they order a Phoenix cocktail, which signifies that the information is from them directly, without going through an intermediary or a company. Once the Star Alliance confirms the information is accurate, they can receive a reward ranging from one thousand to ten thousand star coins."