After speaking for a bit, Ryan noticed that Chen Chuan sat there without responding. He paused briefly and decided to speak more plainly: "Mr. Chen, let us put it this way. In this world, the weak are born to serve as nourishment for the strong. This is the law by which the world operates. Since we are the strong, it is only natural and reasonable that we enjoy these fruits."
Chen Chuan said, "I have heard of your country's elite theory, but I have a question regarding it."
"Please, Mr. Chen, go ahead."
Chen Chuan asked, "You believe the strong ought to enjoy all of this, yet there will always be those stronger than you—such as martial artists of higher realms, or those entities from the other side. According to that logic, do you also believe you should serve as their nourishment?"
Ryan said, "Ah, that is entirely different. Put it this way: those who lack ability are destined never to reach the upper tiers. Take talent, for instance. Whether you admit it or not, Mr. Chen, it is decided the moment a person is born into this world. Those born strong have the chance to grow continually stronger by absorbing nourishment. That includes you, and it includes me. But those other people will never have the opportunity to rise."
Chen Chuan said, "If we follow your reasoning, Mr. Craverdy, then the old era should have persisted indefinitely, rather than being supplanted by the new era."
Ryan smiled faintly. "I admit that technological advancement brings more opportunities to people, but the essence of this world—the laws of nature—has not changed. The strong remain strong, and the weak remain weak. And how many times has an explosion of technology like the Algae Solution Revolution occurred? In our history, we have experienced it only once. Perhaps given more time, we could have allowed the world to produce even more strong individuals. But now, time has run out. With the Great Impact looming, it is decreed that those strong enough must drink deep of every drop of nourishment, granting them mightier physiques and sharper minds. They are the future. Without them, the entire species cannot sustain itself. Does this not conform to the laws of the world? Is it not the correct and necessary choice for the continuation of our kind?"
Chen Chuan looked at him, his expression calm, offering no rebuttal.
Ryan possessed his own theory—one constructed purely to justify their own existence and actions. It was an act of choosing one's deeds first and fabricating rationales afterward, even if it reeked of blatant double standards. There was no point in refuting them through debate; they could always contrive more excuses to counter any point, and as long as they commanded martial might, such rationalizations could be generated without end.
Seeing Chen Chuan remain noncommittal, Ryan leaned forward slightly and fixed his gaze upon him. "Mr. Chen, since you have heard of our theory, you must also be familiar with the concept of the 'Ascending Stairway,' yes?"
Chen Chuan replied, "I have heard a little."
Ryan said, "The continuation of a species is like walking upon a stairway. Upon ascending to a step, one faces a wall; only by climbing to an even higher tier can one bypass that barrier. Yet as the stairs rise higher and higher, only a select few are ultimately destined to reach high enough. I know that in your Eastern Continent, there is a theory of universal love for all mankind. But when everyone is treated as equal, it merely means everyone remains mediocre. If every single person wants to climb up—forgive me, but there is simply not enough room to accommodate them all. They would only be blocked before wall after wall, crowding and jamming the path until no one can move forward. Therefore, we must select those capable of climbing, the elites of our species, let them ascend, and then allow them to lead the entire species onward."
He spoke with utmost earnestness: "Mr. Chen, we have observed you and know what you have accomplished. We consider you a true elite. For that reason, my companions and I wish to invite you to join the 'Ascending Stairway'—to join us, so that together we may forge the future."
Seeing that Chen Chuan did not answer, he smiled again and added, "You need not worry about Great Shun. This is not an invitation issued to you by our Federation, much less by the West Coast. This is an invitation extended to you by humanity's elite world. It transcends nations and ethnicities. Join us, and we can provide you with anything you desire. Whether it is various theories and methods for advancement or cultivation resources, we can share them all together."
At this point, a scorching, even fanatical glint surfaced in his eyes. "In the end, all of us will have the opportunity to step onto an even higher flight of stairs." He spoke with complete conviction and certainty: "We are the future!"
Chen Chuan looked at him and said, "Mr. Craverdy, you just mentioned the Great Impact. May I ask: when the time comes, how do you intend to deal with it?"
Ryan gave him a strange, searching look. He quickly recovered his calm demeanor and polite smile. "Mr. Chen, this question is exceedingly complex. It would be difficult for me to answer you right now. I believe we can find a more suitable time to discuss it."
Chen Chuan nodded. "I see. In truth, Mr. Craverdy, you have already answered me."
Ryan smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, we extend this invitation with genuine goodwill and sincerity."
Chen Chuan said, "There is no need. As for your Ascending Stairway, it seems to me that some people not only stand upon it, but also refuse to let those behind them climb up. In that case, perhaps those people shouldn't exist at all."
He rose from his seat. "Mr. Craverdy, thank you for your hospitality today. I believe it is time for me to take my leave."
Ryan seemed somewhat disappointed as he stood up. "Please forgive me; I have other business to attend to and cannot see you out personally." Turning to the doll standing behind him, he said, "The way out is rather tricky. See Mr. Chen out on my behalf."
The doll immediately stepped forward, bowed to Chen Chuan, and said, "Mr. Chen, allow me to guide you."
Chen Chuan gave Ryan a nod and walked out alongside the doll.
Quite a while after Chen Chuan had departed, Ryan walked to the side, touched his earlobe, and a faint flicker of light shone in his eyes. Before long, he established a connection with the other end.
He said, "He refused. No, his stance appeared very firm; I don't believe another attempt is necessary. Mm, yes. Understood, I'll await your arrangements."
As the light in his eyes vanished, he brought the call to an end.
He knew very well that if Chen Chuan was unwilling to join them, their only recourse was to find a way to eliminate him.
In truth, according to their theory, those who did not stand with them were destined merely to be left behind, with no need to pay them further mind. But that applied only to ordinary people. What else could they do when this man was simultaneously a 'variable'?
In the past, such individuals were not unheard of. Variables even more powerful than him had appeared before, yet they had been purged by them just the same. No one was permitted to obstruct their ascent up the stairway.
Of course, a justifiable pretext was still required, given that he currently represented the Great Shun visiting delegation.
Furthermore, the Federation's upper echelon had a plan underway that was advantageous to them as well, with many individuals actively driving it forward. Compared to a variable, that matter took higher priority for now. Before the plan reached completion, the variable could be tolerated for a short while longer.
Yet, he would have to be eliminated in the end.
Gazing at the field screen and watching Chen Chuan's departing figure, Ryan could not help sighing inwardly: *You have no idea what you are truly up against.*
After stepping out of Blockade Hall, Chen Chuan waited as the orderly opened the door to the official vehicle. He turned back to look at Blockade Hall, brilliantly illuminated against the night sky, and the helical rood atop it that emanated a sacred solemnity.
After gazing at it for a moment, he drew back his gaze and sat inside the car. The vehicle slowly started up and drove away along the road.
He pondered their recent exchange. Even though the other party had revealed very little information, he knew that behind Ryan lay a massive transnational, transregional organization, and those who joined it were likely far from simple.
At this moment, he could not help but think of the 'Hakekeshu' organization that frequently posted bounties. Although there was no direct evidence, he felt an intuition that a certain connection very likely existed between the two.
Now that he had rejected the invitation, he might well face retaliation from them.
After all, by their theory, anyone who did not stand with them was clearly an enemy.
Given his current strength, the only ones capable of posing a genuine threat to him were martial artists of the Dongxuan View or of even higher limits. But for now, he had no reason to worry; Dongxuan View martial artists were extraordinarily difficult to mobilize, to say nothing of beings of an even higher tier.
Even so, he could not let his guard down, and his cultivation progress ought to be expedited appropriately.
Upon returning to the hotel, he noticed the lanterns hanging before the entrance. New Year's was only two days away. Over the past few days, he had sent telegrams home and contacted his acquaintances to let them know he was safe, and their entire delegation was preparing to ring in the new year in Vea Center City.
He returned to his room, routinely reviewed everyone's logs for the day, and then seized the remaining time to cultivate.
The following morning, he set out by car to the Vea State branch of Wansheng Financial Firm. Over the past few days, the firm had transported the cultivation medicines that Delegation Leader Xie had deposited in Serranocha State.
He collected them and carried out an inspection. Although the quantity was not large, the quality far surpassed what he had previously requested.
It seemed Delegation Leader Jiang commanded greater influence. After all, the First Delegation fully represented the will and stance of Great Shun's upper echelon.
Combined with what he already possessed, this supply was sufficient to last for more than half a year. Of course, if he devoted himself fully and used them without restraint, that duration could be shortened considerably.
On the return drive, he instructed the orderly to take a route through the Great Shun residential district. Festoons and colored lanterns adorned every corner, and many pedestrians on the streets had dressed in traditional Great Shun attire. The festive New Year atmosphere was already in full swing.
Infectious in its joy, the thick holiday cheer lifted the spirits of everyone inside the car. Yet as the vehicle drove along the road, several figures atop a distant high-rise were quietly watching them.
Chapter 1118