Chapter 308: A Promise After Two Years, Meeting Lei Yuan Again
In an independent, sealed underground cavern, there was no trace of darkness or dampness. Instead, it was filled with structures brimming with a sense of advanced technology.
The originally dim cavern had now been illuminated brightly by dazzling lights.
Inside a laboratory dominated by white tones and filled with various instruments, Lei Yuan, dressed in a white lab coat, was directing an experimental project.
Now thirty years old, she no longer had the youthful innocence she once had when she first met Zhou Ming. Her long, straight black hair was tied into a ponytail, revealing her fair, jade-like slender neck, exuding a mature and intellectual beauty.
With the nourishment from the Evergreen Fruit given by Zhou Ming and the treasures bestowed by the Scarlet Sun Saint, time had left no marks on Lei Yuan. Instead, it had granted her a unique charm—
A temperament nurtured by knowledge and wisdom.
“Academician Lei, Supervisor Bai is looking for you.”
Being interrupted caused a surge of irritation in Lei Yuan’s heart.
As her status continued to rise, the secrets she had access to grew increasingly significant. She had gained a deeper understanding of the crisis facing Blue Star.
As a core member of a top-secret project, Lei Yuan felt the immense weight of her responsibilities. Thus, she hated being disturbed at critical moments in her experiments.
However, upon hearing that it was her teacher looking for her, she could only suppress her impatience.
“You all continue the experiment. Every piece of data must be recorded completely—there cannot be a single omission.”
At this moment, Lei Yuan carried the demeanor of a strong, decisive woman. After issuing her orders, she hurried toward her teacher’s research room.
As layers of password-protected doors opened and closed behind her, Lei Yuan arrived at the research room of her teacher, Bai Fengyi.
“Teacher, what urgent matter is it? My experiment is still ongoing.”
The elderly woman before her had neatly arranged white hair. Though her face bore many wrinkles, like Lei Yuan, she exuded an intellectual beauty.
Her eyes, unlike those of ordinary elderly people, were not clouded but instead shone with wisdom.
This elderly woman was Bai Fengyi, Lei Yuan’s teacher at the Alliance Academy of Sciences, and one of the council members of its administrative council.
Within the Alliance Academy of Sciences, aside from the president, there were eight council members—four administrative and four technical. This clearly reflected Bai Fengyi’s status and research capability.
“You girl, would I disturb you if it wasn’t important?”
“I have some good news for you.”
Seeing her teacher looking at her teasingly, Lei Yuan felt puzzled. What kind of good news would make her teacher interrupt her experiment?
“Teacher, what good news? Hurry and tell me.”
Under Lei Yuan’s urging, Bai Fengyi did not keep her in suspense and immediately informed her about Zhou Ming’s arrival at the Alliance Headquarters.
“Your boyfriend Zhou Ming has come to the Alliance Headquarters to find you.”
“Brother Zhou.”
Upon hearing news about Zhou Ming, Lei Yuan instinctively exclaimed.
The next moment, she suddenly reacted—given Zhou Ming’s situation, it should have been impossible for him to send news here.
Seeing the confusion on Lei Yuan’s face, Bai Fengyi immediately explained Zhou Ming’s current situation.
“Your boyfriend Zhou Ming has already advanced to Transcendent Master at the beginning of this year.”
“Transcendent Master… Brother Zhou actually advanced to Transcendent Master?”
At this moment, upon hearing this news, Lei Yuan’s mind went completely blank. She didn’t know how to express her emotions.
Happy?
Of course she was happy—her judgment had not been wrong. The person she loved most was so outstanding.
She was also happy for Zhou Ming, because she understood his pursuit.
Yet amidst her happiness, there was also a trace of loss.
Stepping into the Transcendent level granted a lifespan of over three hundred years, with youth and appearance maintained for around two hundred years.
And her? Even with various spiritual materials to extend her life, she would at most live a little over a hundred years. And after forty or fifty, her appearance would begin to age and fade.
At that moment, Lei Yuan felt that a gap had formed between her and Zhou Ming—a divide that was slowly separating them.
“This is your phone. After you joined the project, Zhou Ming sent you a message, promising he would come to find you within two years.”
“No matter what, you should go see him. After all, opportunities to meet in the future will be few.”
“Approval has already been granted for you two to meet.”
Hearing her teacher’s words, Lei Yuan quickly took the phone and found the message Zhou Ming had sent.
The timestamp showed: Alliance Calendar Year 683, October 23rd.
“I understand, Teacher.”
No matter what, being able to see Brother Zhou—whom she had longed for day and night over the past seven years—still filled Lei Yuan’s heart with joy.
……
At the Core Area of Dawn Base, there were the Alliance Supreme Council, the Hunter Guild Headquarters, the Alliance Military Command Headquarters, Blue Star Academy, the Alliance Academy of Sciences, and the residences of the Legendary Saints.
It could be said that this was the very core of the Alliance’s core.
Compared to the bustling Inner City, the atmosphere here felt somewhat cold and solemn.
Even the Hunter Headquarters mainly handled internal affairs, while mission distribution was managed by the eight Hunter branch guilds in the Inner City.
At the heavily guarded outskirts of the Academy of Sciences—where even Transcendent-level experts were stationed—Zhou Ming was currently sitting in a reception room open to the public.
To be honest, after being separated from Lei Yuan for seven years, he felt a slight nervousness about meeting her again.
This kind of feeling rarely appeared in Zhou Ming, let alone toward a specific person.
Was it love?
He wasn’t sure. But he could confirm that Lei Yuan held a certain place in his heart.
Just as distracting thoughts continued to surface in Zhou Ming’s mind, a familiar voice sounded by his ear.
“Brother Zhou.”
At this moment, as a Transcendent expert, Zhou Ming only then noticed that Lei Yuan had already appeared at the doorway.
“Lei Yuan.”
Zhou Ming instinctively called out.
Lei Yuan looked at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar Zhou Ming before her. With his call, the emotions in her heart instantly surged forth.
Without hesitation, she rushed forward and tightly embraced him.
The two remained in each other’s arms in silence. After a moment, they separated, and Lei Yuan’s face was already flushed with a rosy hue.
Looking at this alluring sight, Zhou Ming couldn’t help but lean in and kiss her cheek.
“Brother Zhou.”
Lei Yuan reacted as if struck by electricity, instantly breaking free from the kiss—but in the next moment, regret flooded her mind.
At that moment, she truly wanted to slap herself twice. Such a good opportunity—why hadn’t she seized it?
“What, you didn’t like it?”
Seeing her conflicted expression, Zhou Ming teased her in a playful tone.
“I—I liked it.”
At this moment, Lei Yuan no longer resembled a serious researcher, but rather the shy and adorable young girl she once was.
Hearing her answer, Zhou Ming revealed a faint smile, then pulled her back to sit on the sofa in the reception room.
Afterward, the two began talking about their experiences during the years apart. The sense of distance brought by seven years quickly vanished.
It was just like before—
Back in their school days, when they would talk endlessly during those carefree moments.