Li Wei sat in the sleek, unmarked car, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. The initial shock of being chosen for 'Project Mythos' had begun to subside, replaced by a perplexing mixture of anxiety and exhilaration. He had heard conspiracy theories of this secretive government initiative from gossip articles but had never imagined he would be a participant. It was an adventure beyond his wildest dreams, and he couldn't help but feel a thrill at the mysterious project, and a sudden turn in his uncertain future.Other than that, he also felt confused about the 18 years of education he had received in his average high school, fit for an average peasant, as the thought of all current physical laws being incorrect raced through his mind. From his high school education, he learned that teleportation wasn't possible; transcending a person from one place to another was already impossible, it would trespass the speed of light as it is instant, not to mention traveling through time to prehistoric periods, before the world was created, when their gods still mocked around, creating this and creating that.
With the realisation that Project Mythos was real, and that time and space traveling was possible, he was puzzled by an important question- Of all lies he was fed in the education system, what was true? And what was wrong? Just from the realisation of the existence of the project, Li Wei was already perplexed, feeling betrayed by the lies he was fed. He, for once understood why the government had to silence every news related to this controversial new technology.
Feeling that he'd ventured too deep into pondering this endless topic, he decided to venture into a lighter, alternate topic. He glanced through the window inside the luxurious, heavily armed car, a barren landscape met his eye, he decided to ponder on the topic of war. Li Wei had always been averse to the brutality of warfare. He longed for a world where nations coexisted in harmony, where the endless cycle of conflict could be broken. He knew, however, that 'Project Mythos' was intricately entwined with the ambitions of his nation and its quest for global supremacy. His wishes for peace remained a distant dream.Even after sinking his mind into several deep topics, it was no use in skipping the almost endless, empty highway engulfed by a dry, dusty desert- all effects of rapid modernization, the further one ventured into the country area, the more deserted it became. In contrast, the megacities like Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong became healthy, green cities, with plants stretching orderly everywhere. The vast, empty countryside stretched to nowhere, vanishing into the horizon.Li Wei decided to sink himself into more thinking, he pondered the unknown future that awaited him. He wondered about the gods he would meet and the incredible powers he might acquire. Would they be benevolent, or would their gifts come with a price? It was a journey into uncharted territory, one filled with both wonder and trepidation.The suited men, guardians of a well-kept secret, sensed Li Wei's inner turmoil. One of them, the same who had spoken to him earlier, turned toward him. He raised his wrist and dragged his finger towards him, Li Wei immediately was notified of a document sent to his mail. "This is a compendium of Chinese mythology," he said in a deep, resonant voice. "You should use this time to expand your knowledge of our rich cultural heritage. It will serve you well in the days to come."Li Wei clicked open the book, its multiple-digit page count a testament to the wisdom and history it contained. He began reading the book through the hologram that revealed a world of captivating stories, each steeped in myth and legend. The pages were filled with tales of gods and goddesses, of creation and destruction, of timeless battles and heroic deeds. Li Wei couldn't help but be drawn into the enchanting narratives.As the magnet-hovering car continued to propel them closer to their enigmatic destination, Li Wei delved into the pages of the book. He lost himself in the stories of Nuwa, the goddess who mended the broken heavens, and Pangu, the creator who forged the world from chaos. He read about the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, and the trials and tribulations of the legendary Journey to the West.The more he read, the more he became captivated by the richness of his culture's mythology. The gods and heroes, the struggles and triumphs—they all spoke to him on a profound level. He began to understand that 'Project Mythos' was not just about gaining power; it was about connecting with the essence of China's past, with the heart of its heritage.As the car's hum and the rhythmic thrum of the highway enveloped him, Li Wei found himself transported not just in space but in time. He was embarking on a journey that would not only shape his future but also offer a glimpse into the age-old secrets of his nation. The gods were calling, and he was ready to answer.................................................With each page he turned and each story he absorbed, Li Wei felt himself becoming more a part of the epic tapestry of Chinese mythology. The closer they came to their destination, the more he realized that this was not just a mission; it was a profound and transformative experience that would forever change the course of his life.As the magnet-hovering car approached its destination, the landscape outside transformed dramatically. Li Wei's gaze was fixed upon the marvel before him. The barren desolation of his homeland gave way to a lush, green urban city. Hovering trains and cars darted through the sky, creating organised, intricate patterns in the air. Towering structures of glass and steel loomed in every direction, their designs both complex and captivating.This was the city of Beijing, the capital of China. It was a place where the past and future coexisted, a testament to the remarkable fusion of tradition and technology, where the trees, the redwood architecture and the modern skyscrapers coexisted. Beyond the remarkable civilization, a vast, transparent dome enveloped the city, shielding it from missiles and nuclear threats. Under this protective shroud, artificial intelligence machines and humans lived in harmony- Li Wei saw as two-metred AI metal guards patrolled the cities, roaming everywhere, checking people for licenses, arresting people for crimes... It was a fully functional automatic security system.As they descended further into the heart of the city, Li Wei marvelled at the absence of gas emissions, he stretched his eyes to its fullest, observing everywhere, yet not a single particle of polluted, grey smoke did he see. The air was pristine, and the cityscape was adorned with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and orderly rows of trees. It was a cityscape of ecological marvel, where technology and nature intertwined seamlessly. With such lush greenery, no wonder there were no signs of any carbon emission."We arrived." The suited men said as one of them gently opened the door, performing a polite gesture to Li Wei for his exit. "Thanks..." Li Wei nervously thanked. He had never been treated with such royalty before, as his family was unrelated from anything in the above class; isolated from any luxury, trapped in poverty along with the billions of average citizens. Li Wei tried his best in walking out politely and mannered, he was led toward an imposing tower, its architecture both modern and awe-inspiring. Upon entering the tower, they stepped into a transparent, white elevator. The lift descended. Li Wei watched in fascination as the lift reached under the surface, revealing an underground world of even greater complexity and order.Beneath the surface, markets flourished, crowds bustled in joy. The disco beats thumped in vibrant bars, people moved orderly, not forgetting any manners- an orderly choreography of life. There was no conflict here, no sign of the waging wars that plagued the nation's borders. This underground city was a stark contrast, a testament to the harmonious coexistence that China had achieved within its own borders.After minutes of descending through the labyrinthine underground, the elevator finally arrived at floor negative three hundred and five. The suited men escorted Li Wei and his fellow participants who would later become part of the special "Divine Vanguard" division in the army into an immense, nondescript building, its façade belying the wonders that lay within. Meanwhile, they gave absolutely no explanation on anything besides informing him about his involvement... They were dead silent for the entire journey, but Li Wei confusedly followed them on the way here, afraid of any trouble.Li Wei was stunned by the architecture of the building. The interior of the headquarters was a harmonious blend of simplicity and luxury. Polished marble floors glistened, and soft, soothing lighting illuminated the grand corridors, he stared down at the marble floor- there was a reflection.Li Wei followed the suited men into a spacious waiting room, its walls adorned with traditional Chinese art and calligraphy. It was a space of comfort and serenity, a brief respite from the mysteries that surrounded them.
Li Wei took a seat, his thoughts whirling with the enormity of the situation. He couldn't help but marvel at the world he had entered—a world of technological marvels and ecological wonders, a city of peace and order amidst the chaos of the outside world, one he never knew existed.Li Wei looked around, finding nine people sitting beside him, he figured they might be his fellow godly soldiers, selected into Project Mythos just like him. He wondered about their backgrounds and their reactions to this extraordinary journey. He knew that together they would embark on a path that would forever change the course of their lives, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation mixed with trepidation. This was a moment of glory, one that would lead China to victory in this eternal war, one that would alter the course of history. He wasn't sure if he was ready to embrace it, but he knew he had no choice. He stared forward to the small stage in the focus of the room, preparing for whatever would come.