Compared to the two ancient martial artists, the relics enjoyed vastly superior security measures, securely preserved within a separate high-security vault on the research institute's third basement level.
When Chen Chuan arrived, what met his eyes were two knuckle-sized crystalline objects placed inside a cylindrical glass isolation dome, continuously flickering with light.
The two objects were spinning irregularly, colliding and clashing against each other from time to time. They seemed intent on merging into one, yet after holding together for a brief moment, they parted again and fluttered all about, looking like two flying insects searching for a way out. They gave off the distinct impression of living creatures.
Liao Donghai said, "We brought in experts on relics to study them. They discovered that aside from granting martial artists a certain degree of enhancement, the two objects also possess an unknown directional orientation."
"A directional orientation, is it...?"
Chen Chuan probed them with his spirit. Even through the specially treated glass dome, his spiritual perception easily permeated inside.
At that exact moment, as if sensing something, the two objects abruptly flared with brilliance and darted fiercely in his direction, slapping against the glass dome with two dull thuds.
At the sight, Liao Donghai reflexively leaned back and retreated half a step before remembering that the dome was more than sturdy enough to contain them.
As for Chen Chuan, his spirit suddenly picked up a faint sound—a call that seemed to echo from an immensely vast, distant expanse.
Simultaneously, a distinct craving arose within his flesh, an urge to assimilate these two objects into his body. This was likely his physical instincts sensing the immense benefits the relics could bring him.
And at the same time, a stream of information was transmitted toward him.
He could have used his second self to shut it out, but he chose not to. Intrigued by what it might be, he let his spirit reach out along the incoming force.
The surroundings flared brilliantly, and he found himself standing upon an icy plain. Judging by the terrain and environment, it bore a resemblance to the location where the two ancient martial artists had originally been unearthed.
Yet the era appeared to be far earlier, as the surrounding area bore no signs of excavation or burial. At the same time, the sensation intensified. He looked in a certain direction, where the source originated—a sensation that felt somewhat like opening a fissure.
The moment he realized this, the surrounding imagery vanished abruptly. The two relics no longer pressed against the glass dome either, settling back into their original state.
He pondered this. Based on the sparse information currently available, the relics originated from the Agara monster, known in legend as "Pilu."
The beast originally belonged to the Melded Lands, and the fissure he had just sensed was very likely the passage through which Pilu had arrived in this world.
If that were the case, did it mean the fissure still existed today?
Of course, there was another possibility.
He looked toward the two relic fragments. Perhaps that fissure was unique, requiring both items to locate and enter. Those two ancient martial artists had probably been defeated after opening the fissure and clashing with whatever lay on the other side, remaining dormant until discovered centuries later.
If so, it offered a reasonably sound explanation on the surface.
However, he did not voice these deductions aloud, planning instead to include them in the written report he would submit upon his return.
He said to Liao Donghai, "Thank you for your company's cooperation. I will truthfully draft a report detailing your company's actions during this period and submit it to the Ministry of National Security Affairs."
Only now did Liao Donghai finally breathe a sigh of relief. For a state enterprise like theirs, what they feared most was regulatory oversight and disciplinary penalties from the Ministry of National Security Affairs.
He had spared no effort on this matter over recent days. If it could be brought to a satisfactory close, he would have fulfilled his duty to the company.
Of course, such incidents were inevitable for any company, and the higher-ups generally turned a blind eye. What mattered was not the incident itself, but one's ability to clean up the fallout. If things caused too much of a stir, everyone from top to bottom would face repercussions.
He said, "Chief Chen, there is one matter I need to explain to you. When the relics were being extracted from the two ancient martial artists via the esoteric ritual, the company attempted to recruit them. However, they stated that you were the one who defeated and captured them, so only you hold the authority to dispose of them. They adamantly refuse to cooperate with anyone else. What do you think...?"
Chen Chuan shook his head. "Find a way to sustain their bodily functions and let the higher authorities handle them."
In truth, he had no interest in bothering with them. How to bring the two men into line was the state's concern; if his presence were truly required, they could revisit the matter then. Handling tasks assigned by superior departments was not without its perks, as it helped raise his security clearance level.
He stayed there for only a single day. After submitting his drafted report to the higher authorities, he departed the research institute aboard his personal airship.
However, he did not turn back immediately. Instead, he flew northward on the airship and searched throughout the night based on the location relayed by the two relics, yielding no discoveries.
Without lingering further, he returned to Yangzhi City the following morning, picked up his aunt's family, and flew back to Center City. By now, it was the middle of the month, just in time for this month's security decision-making conference.
When the appointed hour arrived, he sat down before the field screen in his villa. Before long, the figures of the decision group members materialized one after another. Once again, every single member was present.
After exchanging greetings, Qi Weizhao said, "First, an update. Under the central government's attention and the Government Affairs Hall's coordination and supervision, the new Municipal Council is already being formed. We are confident that following this purge, the council will align with the Government Affairs Hall to the greatest possible extent regarding civil affairs."
In truth, this council was promoted and established by the Government Affairs Hall itself, its councilors guaranteed to be compliant. Preserving the council's existence served primarily to deny outside parties any pretext for interference.
"Next month, we will convene a joint conference between the Government Affairs Hall and the Municipal Council, during which both parties will agree to and pass the Skyline Project."
Qi Weizhao looked at the members before him and deliberately spoke at a measured pace. "Presently, with the assistance of two state enterprises, Canglong Company and Ocean Exploration Group, the Center City across the Outer Ocean has been preliminarily established, tentatively named 'Haidong Dao' Center City.
"Once the project is approved at the conference, we will first attempt to construct an information-sharing network between the two daos of Jibei and Haidong, thereby connecting the Outer Ocean islands with Jibei Dao."
Chen Chuan listened from the side. The project itself was grand in scope, stirring a sense of anticipation.
What Jibei Dao Center City was doing—from overthrowing the Municipal Council to pushing forward Skyline—was trailblazing work at every turn. If the plan could proceed smoothly and be sustained, it would bring immense benefits both to Center City itself and to every member seated here.
Center City could better consolidate its resources, while they would acquire enormous political capital.
Commissioner Liang said at this point, "The international investigation team will arrive in August at the latest. We must do everything possible to pass this before then; we cannot afford to delay."
Qi Weizhao nodded. "That is why the most critical matter remains Center City's defense. As long as no issues arise in Center City's security affairs, the investigation team will find no fault and no pretext to intervene, for all other matters are strictly Great Shun's internal affairs."
Every member understood that they had to safeguard this hard-won progress; otherwise, their previous efforts might all go to waste.
Yao Zhiyi said, "Those who ambushed Chief Chen last time included members of the Refined Practice School and the Convergence faction. Although we purged quite a few, both factions still hold substantial influence in the Melded Lands. Intelligence from covert departments indicates they were suspected of colluding with the former imperial house last time. If they refuse to back down, they may collude with the former imperial house to stir up trouble again. After the meeting, I will return to garrison the Melded Lands and ensure nothing goes wrong there."
Qiao Weiting also stated his position: "I will fully cooperate with Principal Yao and guarantee that no issues arise within the Melded Lands garrison."
At that moment, the other four turned their gazes to Chen Chuan. When it came to safeguarding Center City's internal security, they would undoubtedly rely on him.
Chen Chuan pondered briefly, met their gazes, and said, "There are still unresolved issues within Center City. That entity was not uncovered during Operation Sunrise, which poses a significant hidden threat."
Qi Weizhao and the others grew somber. Back when formulating the plan for Operation Sunrise, they had been wary of that entity and had intended to deal with it all at once.
To that end, they had not only stationed Yao Zhiyi on standby, but had even prepared to deploy Hongfu from Wuyi Academy if necessary, ensuring that the entity would be wiped out without fail.
Yet the outcome had fallen short of expectations.
Commissioner Liang asked, "Chief Chen, do you have any ideas?"
Chen Chuan shared his thoughts: "I've dealt with entities of that sort from the other side a few times. While I wouldn't call myself familiar, I understand them to a degree. My instinct tells me that It should still be in Center City.
"It was not found among the councilors, nor did It appear when the active consciousnesses were captured. In that case, It likely made the opposite choice of Its counterpart that was banished last time."
He paused. "It hid away—concealed in a place beyond our reach for now."
Commissioner Liang reacted immediately, his voice low: "The Lower City!"
Chen Chuan nodded. "Yes, the Lower City. It is a place normally beyond our reach, and also the place harboring the most hidden dangers."
Qi Weizhao's expression grew solemn. The Lower City had always been the greatest headache for successive chief administrators. It held a vast population and immensely convoluted conditions. Dealing with it properly and smoothly was never a matter of a day or two, or even a month or two, but one measured in years.
The Government Affairs Hall currently had numerous follow-up matters to manage and handle, leaving them utterly unable to spare significant resources for that sector. Yet if anything could disrupt their plans right now, the Lower City was undeniably the most likely candidate.
Chen Chuan looked around at everyone and continued, "I already have an idea regarding this matter. If things are as I deduce, then this time, we may very well smoke that entity out."
Chapter 919