Apparently, Xu Shang-Chi has also come to realize that this is not a simple dream. Mainly because he knows, given his mind, it's unlikely to create such a complex, bizarre, absurd dream, yet filled with detailed plots.
Besides, if this happened in his previous world, he would certainly think it was a dream. But this is the Marvel World, after all, where there are gods, demons, superheroes, and superpowers. Isn't it normal to teleport to another space while sleeping?
During the time Shiller and Zhengxian were conversing, Xu Shang-Chi managed to clear his tangled thoughts. He guessed that this could be a spirit space, where all the souls are gathered, enabling them to communicate and interact.
However, he's only seen movies so he isn't quite sure who in the Marvel World would possess such an ability. Professor X did not display such a power in the "X-Men" movie series. If he had to nominate a suspect though, Xu Shang-Chi would certainly pick him.
Xu Shang-Chi knows that Professor X is a person of high moral character. If he created this space for young heroes to learn, it would indeed make sense. Plus, because of Professor X's high moral character, Xu Shang-Chi could feel slightly reassured.
But it seems that Doctor Schiller, standing before him, is not as simple as he appears on the surface. After all, there are only a few foreigners who have ever been granted the title of "China's Forever Friend".
This brought up a question in Xu Shang-Chi's mind. What did Shiller do? It sounded like he just published a paper and made some academic achievements, so how did he gain such a high favorability rating?
"Oh, right, I haven't asked yet." Shiller spoke again, "The exchange activity between Hell and the Netherworld should have ended by now, right? This should be the last exchange activity hosted by the Egyptian Pantheon. How was the reaction to the exchange activities on your side?"
"Very good." Zhengxian leaned on the arm of the chair, his fingers interlaced. After recalling a bit, he said, "Because we have a lot of domestic deities, the activities might continue for a while. The next batch of deities for exchange should already be on their way... Xiao Liu, who was in the previous batch?"
At this point, a young man looking like a secretary walked up from behind Zhengxian. He flipped through the file in his hand and said,
"In May, the Cultural Activities Exchange Department of the Domestic God Management Bureau under SWORD, organized the 'Retracing the Ancient Journey to the West, Recalling Chinese-Indian Friendship' event. The intention was to conduct cultural exchanges between deities in countries along the route to the West..."
"The Han Buddhism God System delegates 'Victorious Fighting Buddha' as a visiting envoy to Hindu Heaven for friendly exchanges, to reminisce about the journey to the West and to foster close ties between China and India..."
Xu Shang-Chi's eyes widened.
Sending the Victorious Fighting Buddha for friendly exchanges? Why not just say that "Da Nao Tian Gong 2 (Chaos in Heaven 2), a Sino-Indian co-production was about to premiere? Do I have an appointment for a fight with Big Brahma?
Hold on, I'm not dreaming!
Xu Shang-Chi suddenly realized, the Victorious Fighting Buddha really exists??!!
Afterwards, Xu Shang-Chi could no longer hear what Zhengxian and Shiller were discussing. His mind was filled with monkeys.
It wasn't until the conversation drew back to him and his name popped up in the dialogue again, that Xu Shang-Chi snapped out of his thoughts about the scene where the Mouse Jing stole the lamp oil, and asked somewhat confusedly, "Huh? What?"
Shiller looked at him helplessly and said, "Director Zhengxian is asking what kind of practice you follow. He noticed the traces of Qi flowing through your body."
Xu Shang-Chi was stunned for a moment, then showed a troubled expression. He knew that the original inhabitant of this body must have practiced some internal martial arts, but he was a 21st-century college student, a strict materialist who never indulged in superstitions. How would he know what kind of practice he followed?
"Do you come from a family with a profound lineage?" Director Zhengxian asked, noticing Xu Shang-Chi's expression, "Most of these hereditary practices, passed down from father to son, eventually become unclear about which school they belong to. But that's normal."
Xu Shang-Chi immediately began nodding vigorously. He recalled what he had seen in the "Shang-Chi" movie scenario, and it seems that his martial arts were indeed passed down through his family.
Zhengxian touched his chin and said, "Since the human race stepped into the interstellar era, deities under the Han-transmitted Buddhism system have been very active in exchange activities, and the Taoism system has also been catching up, concentrating on tracing back to their roots, and restoring the disciples of the lost family traditions back to their respective sects."
"Mount Hua, Dragon Tiger Mountain, Qingcheng Mountain, Mount Shu, Kunlun Mountain, and other prestigious sects are sorting out their classic martial arts techniques, for the ease of inheritance and teaching. There are also Tang Door, Miao Valley, Ma Family Manager, etc. practicing Qi Refinement, Alchemy, Beast taming, and other heterodox schools. There are also ones who can move mountains and drain seas, the nine streams of people, the twelve left paths, a diverse array of practices, various philosophers trying to outshine each other."
The more Xu Shang-Chi listened, the brighter his eyes became. Marvel's China turns out to be a fantasy version of the Chinese Land??
I mean, which Chinese person doesn't have a dream of cultivating themselves to become immortals?
He realized his thinking had been confined by the movie plot. Indeed, this is the Marvel World, but the Marvel World is not just about America. Even if the movie only depicted the United States, doesn't mean his hometown does not exist, right?
If America has people with superpowers, so would China, and everywhere else in the world. If America has grandeur gods, then so would China. So why should he stick to this tiny spot of land in America? Wouldn't it be great to go home?
No sooner had Xu Shang-Chi thought this, he heard Shiller say, "Indeed, since the advent of the interstellar era, aside from rapid development in technology, the mystic world has also made significant progress. Both the Eastern and Western deity systems have shifted from obscure philosophical discussions to a more practical and innovative path, which is indeed good news."
Zhengxian smiled and nodded, "Even those who pursue the way enjoy the benefits brought by a civilized society. Prestigious sects also need broadband. If ordinary people were to develop technology and zoom off to other star systems in a spaceship, what's the point of sitting here discussing philosophy? If not now, when?"
"However..." Shiller touched his lips and said, "The more it is like this, the more those troublesome pests who don't know their place want to see if their stupidity and arrogance can spoil the broth. Nick has complained to me about this matter several times. I heard things are not peaceful on your side either?"
Clear on Shiller's implication, Zhengxian quickly understood. He nodded and said, "Before we launch the dream education program, we indeed need to eliminate some tigers that stand in our path. Otherwise, the safety of the students can't be guaranteed."
"Nick mentioned that some troublemakers are not satisfied with causing chaos in one pot, but instead, they want to jump between two pots?"
Shiller reinforced his point again. His words clearly conveyed his hidden meaning, but he soon sighed regretfully, "It's a pity that the US Government's law enforcement is not strict enough, and the FBI keeps shirking its responsibilities. And S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have sufficient manpower..."
Understanding Shiller's hint, Zhengxian said, "Rest assured, Doctor. If there are any troublemakers who try to taint the flowers of our motherland, they will behold what a real Iron Fist is."