The modern world is like a sieve (12): 

Matters concerning the traversers have now become the hottest topic on Blue Star, drawing everyone’s close attention.

The many contributions they made in Huaguo are not only well known among Huaguo’s people but are also thoroughly understood abroad.

But unlike the pure joy of Huaguo citizens, foreigners feel more bitterness.

They complain that Huaguo has monopolized at least ninety percent of the traversers in the world, that Huaguo is skilled at putting on appearances, and question why such a fortunate thing did not happen to them.

This time, Huaguo’s launch of the traverser-themed functional drinks stood out the most among the many rumors. Foreigners have never given up on the idea of luring traversers away from Huaguo, nor have they ever stopped trying to sow discord between the traversers and Huaguo.

And the one they consider the most popular among the traversers is Siqi.

In the last live broadcast, Siqi fully demonstrated his abilities, instantly becoming the most watched figure on all of Blue Star. Whether it was subduing an intelligent AI within thirty seconds, solving numerous scientific research problems for Huaguo, easily sending a rover to Mars, or tracking down traversers who appeared worldwide and helping to quell disturbances—every one of Siqi’s actions was dazzling.

Now, after a month, Siqi appeared before the public again. As soon as the program aired, it attracted worldwide attention.

Many people watching the video were displeased that Siqi leaned so much toward Huaguo, leaving comments on the bullet screen: “They say it’s a physical examination, but actually they’re secretly stealing the traversers’ body data to conduct shady research behind the scenes, right? I don’t believe Huaguo hasn’t thought about it; they just haven’t dared cross the line because of Siqi’s presence. This functional drink is only the first test. Huaguo will definitely become more excessive in the future.”

“If Huaguo doesn’t want to anger other countries, it had better hand over the traversers voluntarily, or she will regret it sooner or later.”

“Just thinking that these drinks were made by analyzing traversers’ blood makes it unbearable. This is too evil.”

Online viewers discussed fiercely while watching the video, dismissing the responses of people interviewed on the street as lies scripted by Huaguo’s government, and refusing to believe Siqi’s words, thinking he was deceived.

When the host asked Siqi how he viewed this foreign attitude, Siqi neither confirmed nor denied it: “A long time ago, Huaguo reminded them to pay attention to crises happening around the world and to prepare in advance, but they didn’t take it to heart.”

Foreign netizens, stung at their sore spot, snapped angrily: “If Huaguo had shared intelligence earlier and persuaded us, how would we have encountered such big troubles?”

“This is all Huaguo’s fault!”

Some Huaguo netizens who happened to see these comments were speechless: “As if you would listen even if we did share. If we said too much, you’d accuse us of overstepping and trying to meddle in your politics. And don’t tell me your governments didn’t notice anything at all—your arrogance just made you think you could handle it, so you ignored our warnings. I haven’t forgotten how you mocked us back then for being timid, refusing to take our words seriously.”

Seeing Huaguo netizens refute them point by point with reason, some foreigners lashed out in shame and anger: “Do you really think Huaguo matters that much? What’s so great about Siqi? No matter how strong a cultivator is, he can’t withstand missiles—he’ll still be blown to pieces!!”

“Siqi’s lofty attitude is just like a clown—praised a little and he thinks he’s so popular, but he doesn’t know he’s just in a circus, where nobody really cares.”

“I don’t believe in Siqi’s fake performances. He’s a complete fraud!”

At that moment, the host said to Siqi: “I think next time you speak to them, they’ll be willing to believe.”

Foreign netizens stubbornly retorted: “Ha, impossible!”

“We already know how to deal with traversers. When more appear in the future, we’ll handle it ourselves. We don’t need your charity predictions!”

“Just stay locked away in Huaguo, waiting to be surpassed! Sooner or later, there’ll be a traverser stronger than you!”

Siqi thought for a moment and asked: “This program airs on the 15th?”

The host: “Yes.”

Siqi pinched his fingers and said: “On the 15th, in the southeastern city of Rheinmant in Country M, an earthquake will occur at exactly… 1:34 in the afternoon, local time.”

Netizens in Rheinmant watching the video: “………………”

They glanced down at the computer clock—1:30 p.m.

So…

Was Siqi saying that in four minutes, an earthquake would strike there?!!

But just moments ago, they had mocked Siqi, saying they would never heed his so-called charity predictions, and now—

“Run!!!”

Regardless of how others online mocked and doubted, those in Rheinmant all leapt up at once, shouting: “Run! Get to safety! An earthquake is coming!!”

Many people who hadn’t been watching the program, busy at work, looked confused: “What? An earthquake? But we didn’t hear any sirens…”

“It’s Siqi! That cultivator from Huaguo!!” someone shouted in broken Chinese, drenched in sweat, but everyone understood, and they bolted toward the exits without hesitation.

Surveillance captured the “spectacle” of Rheinmant in those few minutes. The city erupted in chaos as people surged from all directions toward open spaces. Parents carried children, adults carried their elderly parents, teachers led students out of school buildings, and office workers flooded out of skyscrapers like a released tide.

Some didn’t even know what was happening, but hearing the shout “Earthquake!!” was enough for them to follow the crowd to safety even before they felt any tremors.

Within a minute or two, crowds had gathered in nearby open parks. Some asked in confusion: “Did the earthquake happen? I didn’t feel anything.”

Moments later, someone replied: “It was Siqi, that Huaguo traverser. He said it would happen in a few minutes.”

Many were incredulous, and one man angrily frowned: “I was about to close a twenty-million M-dollar deal! When I heard ‘earthquake,’ I didn’t even finish my words before running. Now you tell me it was because of something a man thousands of kilometers away said?! I lost my client!! Ha!!”

“If there’s no earthquake, I’ll curse that fraud to death!!”

Tens of thousands gathered in open spaces, emotions running high. Those forced to abandon their work were torn between disbelief, the panic of expecting a quake, and then the anger of feeling fooled when nothing happened—all in the span of seconds.

“You idiots! Just believing a random video!” a businessman roared in the crowd. “So if he says the tectonic plate under us will split and we must run across the ocean, you’d believe that too?”

“Get back to work!!”

As soon as he spoke, the ground shook violently. The once-stable earth turned into a trampoline, hurling light women and children into the air. Many couldn’t stand upright, stumbling into others as if the ground beneath had tilted steeply.

In an instant, the complaints and noise turned into screams as houses nearby cracked open with visible fissures, then collapsed under immense unseen force.

“Oh my god!!”

“Help!!”

“There really is an earthquake!!!”

At exactly 1:34, the earthquake struck. By 1:35, after barely more than a minute, the city was in ruins.

People stood dumbfounded as massive tree roots burst through the ground, crushing cars into twisted metal. Slowly recovering from the shock, emotions surged—relief, terror, joy—some cried, some laughed, some rushed to call loved ones.

The power grid nearby wasn’t completely destroyed, and the internet was still usable.

Those who had first shouted “Earthquake’s coming!” still held their phones, Siqi’s video playing with the bullet screen filled with mockery.

Then, just as one had wanted to shout, countless Rheinmant residents flooded into the video stream, roaring at those still slandering Siqi: “The earthquake really happened in Rheinmant!! We’re standing in ruins right now!!”

“What do you know?! Siqi saved my life!!”

“I didn’t see anyone buried under houses, only a few people hurt from falling—every time Siqi acts, it’s to help us. I won’t allow you to slander him!!”

“He’s a hero!!”

“Yes, Siqi is our hero!!”

At that moment, Siqi suddenly looked straight into the camera and said something that even those in the studio didn’t understand: “Thank you for your recognition. I don’t deserve the title of hero. I just want to say—your mouths say you won’t listen, but your bodies are very honest. Next time you question me, be prepared not to run even if I tell you your home will soon have an earthquake.”

Netizens watching quietly at home, suddenly meeting Siqi’s gaze and realizing how fast the slap in the face had come: “…………”

Damn! This man is toxic!! Not only did his prediction save countless lives, but he even used the chance to mock them!!

So what if he can foresee the future?! He set the trap from the start, just to watch them jump in! What humiliation!!

The female host, vaguely guessing the truth from Siqi’s actions though she didn’t know the future: “…pfft.”

She covered her mouth and laughed softly, her voice clearly carrying a mischievous undertone as it sounded through the screen: “Looks like those people who doubted were only saying it with their mouths.”

Siqi: “Of course. This time with the sale of the functional drinks, if the government hadn’t limited the quota, at least half would have been bought up by foreigners.”

“They say with their mouths that they shouldn’t drink it, that they can’t swallow it, but in reality, they want it badly.”

“They just want to trick the people of Huaguo into not buying it, so they can get their hands on it instead.”

Foreigners who secretly thought this way but didn’t dare admit it: “…………”

Huaguo citizens who almost got fooled: “………………”

The live audience, watching Siqi complain with a perfectly straight face: “………………”

It was certain—once this video was released in the future, it would definitely become the ultimate socially embarrassing moment for countless foreigners.

Huaguo netizens, without the slightest politeness, burst out laughing: “Good grief, if Xianzun hadn’t just predicted that earthquake, right now there would definitely be a bunch of stubborn people denying it, saying Xianzun was lying, and that even if the drink was given to them for free, they wouldn’t take it!”

“The government’s purchase limit still isn’t strict enough. Some people are taking advantage of the situation to resell at high prices to foreigners. Clearly, we don’t even have enough for ourselves, yet foreigners still want to share a portion.”

“I think this is the first time I’ve personally experienced something from our country being fought over by foreigners, to the point that even if they want to buy it, they can’t! Just thinking about it feels so satisfying!!”

“Heeheehee, I’m going to the official website now to place an order, buy one of each drink, then film a review video and upload it abroad, make them green with envy~~!”

“And then the video breaks a million plays in a single day, hahaha.”

The interview with Siqi continued, mostly revolving around issues the public cared about.

Someone asked him, saying that after arriving on Blue Star, Siqi had actively sought out the Huaguo government for cooperation. They wanted to know why Siqi made such a decision at the time—wasn’t he afraid?

Lying on his bed, looking dejected while watching the video, Han Zhan unconsciously tightened his grip on his phone, his breathing growing rapid.

Ever since a month ago, when Chu Feng publicly scolded him in front of the whole world, he had felt that at any moment his identity could be exposed, that people might learn exactly what he had done before and after his rebirth. He couldn’t help imagining countless terrible scenes of being bullied and retaliated against, leaving him so guilty and insecure that he didn’t even dare to leave the house.

Now, upon hearing this question, Han Zhan desperately wanted to know—what exactly caused such a drastic change in Siqi, that the entire world shifted toward a completely different future because of him?

Could it really be that simply not having him by Siqi’s side caused such a huge difference?

Was he truly such a heavy burden on the whole world?

His heart sank lower and lower. Han Zhan silently waited for what felt like a judgment on the worth of his very existence, yet Siqi’s answer was without doubt the one he least wanted to hear.

Siqi said: “When I first arrived here, I didn’t understand anything and just wanted to find someone to ask about the situation.”

“While looking for someone, I discovered that this country was extremely peaceful, and its roads were broad and well-paved.”

“At the time, I found it rather unbelievable. After observing for a while, I realized that the people living here were not only well protected by their government, but also had great trust in it. They casually said things like ‘if there’s a problem, go find the police,’ with so much confidence. Because of that, I went to find the police and explained my situation to them.”

Siqi spoke calmly and steadily about his state of mind when he first came to this world, but the more Han Zhan listened, the more piercing it felt. The pressure that had built up inside him for an entire month completely exploded at that moment.

As expected, everything changed the moment Siqi first arrived in this world.

Perhaps due to the arrogance of a cultivator toward mortals, Siqi naturally assumed mortals could never deceive him. So when Han Zhan once told him the government would target traversers, he believed it. And when some stranger said “if there’s a problem, go find the police,” he believed that too.

Now it was proven that all the dark suspicions Han Zhan had planted in him were nothing but his own filthy delusions—an excuse to stir up trouble and climb higher. In reality, once Siqi came into contact with the Huaguo authorities, whom Han Zhan had always looked down upon, the progress he brought to the world was immense. Far from plunging into danger, Blue Star nations instead seized opportunities, securing endless benefits for humanity’s future.

One could say that the existence of traversers was like a mirror. They magnified the inner evil of the incompetent into reality, dragging everyone into destruction through their own weakness.

They made the arrogant taste bitter consequences, showing them clearly that violence would only bring about retaliation, forcing them to watch helplessly as the situation spiraled out of control.

And at the same time, they gave a peaceful, warm, and hopeful Huaguo a response as kind as they themselves were, allowing the country to flourish further with the help of traversers.

It could be said that if not for Han Zhan in the previous life, Blue Star would never have fallen into such despair. Yet he only realized this now. Until not long ago, he was still dreaming of ruling the world… But did he even have the ability to rule it? After being reborn, he hadn’t achieved a single thing—only made a fool of himself again and again!

At last, he understood how shameful and naive his past self had been.

Realizing his own incompetence—that was something Han Zhan found harder to accept than any form of torture.

So his rebirth wasn’t because he was the chosen one, a favored child of destiny.

It was simply because the world wanted to get rid of a nuisance, to throw away this source of calamity, so that everyone else could continue living peaceful, beautiful lives.

Just like a single rat dropping spoils a whole pot of porridge—if it was removed in advance, the porridge would only become more fragrant, not completely ruined because of it.

An indescribable sense of shame crushed down on Han Zhan, making it hard to breathe. The belief he had always held—that he was destined to rise above everyone else—collapsed completely.

From now on, he would either fall into ruin, becoming a useless man incapable of evil, or reform himself, realizing how wrong his past thoughts had been, and live honestly as an ordinary person.

No matter what he would become in the future, one thing was certain: he probably wouldn’t be ranting online anymore, eating with one hand while cursing with the other.

…

Because of the traversers, the favorite pastime of Blue Star people now was wandering the streets, searching for anyone who might be one.

Some countries even directly issued new regulations, promising generous rewards to any citizen who discovered a traverser and promptly reported it to the government.

Of course, the rule was that those reporting were strictly forbidden from kidnapping, imprisoning, or detaining the traverser themselves—violators would be punished by law.

That day, on the streets of Country M, a young man suddenly appeared, wearing unusual clothing.

He had blond hair, his features exactly like those of Westerners. Judging by appearance alone, he looked no different from the passersby around him.

But the fashionably designed outfit he wore, blending elements of science fiction with xianxia fantasy, made him the most striking figure on the street. His flowing silver-white robe shone like firelight.

Many people instinctively looked his way and noticed that not only were his clothes unique, but his incredulous expression—pinching his own face over and over to check if he was dreaming—was also oddly convincing.

“Could it be another faker pretending to be a traverser?” a passerby muttered, stopping to stare. “There’ve been too many of these stupid clowns lately.”

“And he’s not even wearing makeup—just threw on some weird clothes and came out,” another added.

Plenty hesitated, not daring to approach, but some went up directly to ask: “Hello, are you a traverser? Can you understand what I’m saying?”

The silver-robed youth froze for a moment, then opened his mouth and tried to speak: “Hello? You are… where is this? Did I stumble onto a film set? This looks exactly like a drama from the StarNet.”

The passerby who asked also froze, his face lighting up with surprise: “You don’t understand Country M’s language? You’re speaking an otherworldly tongue?? Did I actually find a real traverser?!”

His voice was a bit too loud. He instinctively raised his hand as if to grab the young man, but quickly stopped, fumbling for his phone to call the police.

The young man’s eyes widened: “Wow, that must be a cellphone, right? This prop looks so realistic…”

Another passerby nearby frowned and said to the one excitedly calling the police: “Enough. He’s not speaking some otherworldly language—he’s speaking Huaguo language!”

The caller: “…………”

That passerby switched to clumsy Huaguo speech, addressing the young man: “Cut it out, stop pretending, go home already!”

Hearing someone suddenly speak the common tongue, the young man smiled and said: “Pretending? What do you mean? By the way, your production crew must be huge—I see the skyscrapers in the distance are full of extras. Just how many staff have you hired for this drama?”

The passerby who understood some Huaguo language: “…??”

The young man: “Oh right, was that earlier person speaking Country M language? I’ve heard a little of it in dramas, so I kind of recognized it. He’s really fluent. Hardly anyone studies Country M language anymore.”

Passersby: “………………”

The more they listened, the stranger it sounded. One of them carefully asked: “Do you know where you are right now?”

The young man looked blank: “I don’t know. Isn’t this a film set? Aren’t you filming?”

He pointed at the passerby’s very obvious period costume: “I didn’t mean to end up here. I just suddenly appeared without realizing… Could it be I accidentally stepped onto a teleportation array? How strange.”

The passerby who understood Huaguo language looked stunned, then turned to the frustrated caller and said: “Go ahead and finish the call. This guy really thinks we’re filming a drama—he definitely isn’t from our world.”

The only thing strange was why his Huaguo speech was so fluent…