3:10 PM.
Five hours had passed since the mysterious cube descended from the sky.
Both online and in real life, countless people were intensely discussing this event.
Within ten minutes of the cube's appearance, the topic skyrocketed to the top of trending news!
In major forums and message boards, related posts sprang up like mushrooms after rain, too numerous to count.
It was no exaggeration to say that the descending cube triggered a nationwide wave of online discussion, dominating headlines for an extended time!
However, some observant netizens noticed that as posts about the event increased, its overall buzz seemed to wane.
This subtle shift quickly caught the attention of many, sparking speculation that an invisible hand might be controlling events from the shadows.
This only made people more curious and excited!
Could some grand, mysterious event be quietly unfolding?
How much was it related to the cube?
While netizens passionately debated, an uninvited guest arrived at the Astronomical Observatory in Jingzhou.
"Old Zhao!"
Accompanied by Zheng Jingming, Qin Zhengcheng stepped onto the observation platform. Staring at the white-bearded elder with his back turned, he angrily said, "Why didn't you tell me about the important operation involving the Department of Anomalies entering Kunlun Mountain?"
The white-bearded elder, Zhao Xinghai, held a whisk in one hand and waved his other hand twice.
Zheng Jingming immediately bowed and withdrew.
Turning to face his old friend, Zhao Xinghai, seeing Qin Zhengcheng's accusatory stance, chuckled calmly, "The situation arose so suddenly. Even if I had told you, you wouldn't have made it in time…"
Suddenly, Zhao Xinghai frowned, as if something was bothering him. He quickly stepped forward and smoothed Qin Zhengcheng's wrinkled collar.
After aligning both sides of the collar, Zhao Xinghai nodded in satisfaction, feeling much better.
Qin Zhengcheng ignored Zhao's gesture, furrowing his brow and snapping, "What do you mean by this? Are you planning to keep me in the dark? If I hadn't called Old Chen, I wouldn't have known that the Department of Tranquility had already sent—"
"Enough, old friend."
Zhao Xinghai interrupted, "You're not young anymore. Stop being so stubborn.
By the way, your discoveries from this morning might be true.
Since you're here, stay and wait with me for updates from the Department of Tranquility.
Let's hope the Department of Anomalies can secure the cube and decode its contents."
Qin Zhengcheng was silent for a moment before hesitantly asking, "Old Zhao, tell me the truth. Is the cube really from outer space? Is it the product of an alien civilization?"
Zhao Xinghai replied solemnly, "After speaking with Junior Brother Zhou, we're 80% sure it's an alien creation.
The remaining 20% is our hope—that the cube wasn't thrown here by an alien civilization. Otherwise…"
Zhao Xinghai stopped, shook his head, and refused to elaborate further.
Qin Zhengcheng, however, grasped the gravity of his words.
If it were confirmed that the cube was of alien origin, it would prove the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations besides the Blue Planet's own.
At that point, the entire Blue Planet would face the threat of alien invasion!
The mere thought of aliens invading the planet, committing large-scale destruction and plunder, sent chills down Qin Zhengcheng's spine.
He remained silent for a moment before continuing, "How confident is the Division of Extraordinary Individuals in retrieving the cube?"
"Hard to say."
Zhao Xinghai shook his head again and said, "The team dispatched this time is Thunderquake Squad, and they're all quite capable.
However, the cube's appearance has already captured global attention.
Therefore, it's certain that more than just Thunderquake Squad will head to Kunlun Mountain—teams from other nations will also make their way there.
It'll come down to who moves faster and who gets the cube first..."
As he said this, Zhao Xinghai glanced at Qin Zhengcheng and changed the topic, "By the way, old friend, tell me everything you saw at that time, in as much detail as possible."
"Alright!"
Qin Zhengcheng nodded without hesitation.
He had long known that Zhao Xinghai in front of him was a cultivator.
Years ago, when he led the geological exploration team into Kunlun Mountain, his motives weren't just to confirm the authenticity of a piece of news.
Another critical reason was that he knew the Zhen'an Division housed extraordinary individuals with various skills.
Thus, he believed that the legends might not be false and resolved to enter Kunlun Mountain for verification.
Soon, Qin Zhengcheng recounted everything he had seen in detail to Zhao Xinghai.
After listening, Zhao Xinghai's expression grew complicated. He said, "The mountain is full of great demons, and I don't know whether that deity can keep them in check.
If he can't, and those great demons are allowed to leave the deep mountains unchecked, chaos will engulf the world!
Adding the cube into the mix, this world might soon be reshuffled..."
Qin Zhengcheng was shocked.
Clearly, he hadn't thought as deeply as Zhao Xinghai.
It wasn't until now, after being reminded, that he realized the gravity of the situation.
Thinking about the scenario of those great demons leaving Kunlun Mountain, Qin Zhengcheng couldn't help but display a look of shock. He murmured, "If that day really comes, what could we possibly use to stop them?"
"Based on your description, those great demons have all attained sentience.
Moreover, each of them possesses immense strength and various innate abilities.
With our current manpower, even if all extraordinary individuals were mobilized, we wouldn't be able to stop them. So..."
Zhao Xinghai gave Qin Zhengcheng a meaningful look and sighed, "We can only pin our hopes on that deity, hoping he can keep those great demons in check.
Also, my old friend, let me give you some advice: let it go early!
The waters in Kunlun Mountain run deep—you can't handle it."
Qin Zhengcheng opened his mouth as if to speak but stopped.
Clearly, he was still reluctant to let go.
Zhao Xinghai saw through his thoughts and immediately chuckled coldly, "What's this? Still not giving up? Fine, keep going in!
Not to mention that deity you can't afford to provoke—even a single finger from one of those great demons is something you can't withstand. What are you going to use to seek fortune?
Besides, your sons are all uninterested in this path. Even if you risk your old life, you won't get the results you want. Just stop here."
Qin Zhengcheng immediately showed a look of helplessness, shook his head bitterly, and sighed deeply, "Is it really impossible for someone from the Qin family to become a cultivator?"
Zhao Xinghai also shook his head, wanting to say, "Some things really can't be forced."
But just as he was about to speak, a disciple suddenly rushed in with an urgent report: a call had come in from the Zhen'an Division.
"Do they have news?"
Zhao Xinghai instantly perked up. Without another word, he grabbed the phone from the disciple and answered.
Qin Zhengcheng, too, looked at Zhao Xinghai with glowing eyes, hoping for good news.
Unexpectedly, during the call, Zhao Xinghai's expression changed multiple times.
By the time he hung up, his demeanor had completely shifted.
He kept muttering to himself: "A daytime sky full of stars," "That deity is from the Dragon Kingdom," "Those great demons are real," "An earth sloth using Wing Chun to kill ten extraordinary individuals?" "A rabbit mastering lightning punches?" and other such phrases.
"What?!"
Hearing Zhao Xinghai's muttering, Qin Zhengcheng was also stunned, his face full of shock. "Are... are these things true???"
...
Night fell again, shrouding the small village.
"Croak, croak, croak~"
From a pond at the courtyard gate came a chorus of frog calls.
The frogs were scattered about, some sitting on lotus leaves, others perched on dry branches, endlessly complaining about the cruelty and heartlessness of those great demons.
Inside the courtyard, along with the frog calls, came the sound of sharpening blades, "Swish, swish, swish..."