"Now there are no disciples in the hall, no one willing to stay with an old man like me and the deserted Daoist Temple. I thought that with my generation, there would be no one to take over, facing a generational gap."
"Unexpectedly, someone still came in the end!"
"But your arrival surprised this old man. You came with the Jade Token, which means the thing suppressed by the Celestial Master’s Mansion is about to emerge!"
"Elder, what is suppressed under the Celestial Master’s Mansion?"
The young disciple eagerly stepped forward to inquire, as this was his biggest question throughout the journey.
He knew only to follow the Jade Token, without knowing where it led or what it sought.
Upon hearing that there was a black hole in the courtyard of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, suppressing something, his curiosity was piqued.
"Some things, it’s better if you don’t know."
"Traditionally, only the Sect Leader is privy to the details within."
"Moreover, even I do not know the specifics. I am here merely to wait, waiting for that day to come, to point the way for disciples who seek the path."
The elder’s solemn face did not change as he spoke, his deep eyes gazing into the end of the starry sky, as if able to see through the mysteries of the heavens.
"Elder, how long have you been guarding this deep mountain forest?"
The young disciple moved closer, voicing his inner question.
"Over eighty years, from my birth to the day of your arrival!"
The elder’s hoarse voice was like a bright lantern in the dark night, igniting the direction in the disciple’s heart.
One person could endure loneliness, not swayed by worldly prosperity, willing to retreat into the deep mountains, remaining hidden from the world, and still hold to his mission for over eighty years without wavering.
In the young disciple’s heart, a sense of reverence for the elder arose.
That night, he stayed overnight at the Daoist Temple.
The next morning, the elder engraved a Seal on the Jade Token, a line connecting from the eighth position to the ninth position!
And handed him the old sheepskin map.
Despite feeling somewhat reluctant, the young disciple, keeping to his mission, packed up and set off again, heading in the direction indicated by the Jade Token.
The other two routes also followed the guidance of the Jade Token, finding a relay station one after another, and successfully obtained the information for the ninth position, the final connection point, thus embarking on the journey.
...
...
Imperial Capital University.
A bus adorned with a banner pulled up in front of the dormitory building.
And there, Hao Jianhua was already waiting downstairs with heads from various levels of the academy, and numerous reporters were also on site, setting up their best angles.
And the fifty students listed for this academic exchange with Atlantis University, including Lin Beichen, had already gathered downstairs and lined up.
Before departure, Hao Jianhua delivered a motivational speech.
It was mostly standard talk for the media, and to promote this academic exchange.
Lin Beichen did not listen carefully, knowing it was the usual routine, much like the previous exchange trip to Divine Light Country.
As the speech concluded, the group boarded the bus.
The bus drew many envious looks as it drove out of the Imperial Capital University towards the nearest Imperial Capital International Airport.
Here, a flight had been booked in advance by Hao Jianhua. The group of fifty students, along with four instructors and Hao Jianhua, boarded the direct flight to Atlantis.
Lin Beichen looked around. Although the flight was chartered and filled with Imperial Capital University students, he realized he did not know anyone!
Except for Hao Jianhua!
None of these people had he even seen around the campus.
But at this moment, their faces showed excitement and eagerness.
Some took out their phones to capture the moment, some conversed, discussing the subjects they wanted to exchange at Atlantis University.
Others remained quiet, engrossed in their books, unmoved by the trip.
Lin Beichen fell into this last group, pondering what new elements might be discovered in Atlantis when a sweet female voice rang out to his right.
"Hello, classmate, may I swap seats with you?"
"I see you’re reading; I’d like to enjoy the view outside the window!"
Lin Beichen turned and saw a girl with glasses, her silky black hair naturally draped over her shoulders. Although lightly made up, her fine features and fair skin were still distinct and pure.
She wore a light white top paired with the university skirt, giving off a simple and cute vibe.
"Can I refuse?"
Lin Beichen wasn’t easily swayed by a pretty face, and although she was indeed attractive, he didn’t yield to her beauty.
Enjoying the beautiful views along the way could make the dull journey pass more quickly.
"When we get to Atlantis, I can treat you to a meal. My dad does business there, not far from Atlantis University!"
"My surname is An, An Xiaoran. You can call me Xiaoran. Perhaps in Atlantis, you might need my help."
The girl extended her hand in a friendly gesture, but Lin Beichen kept reading, making her uneasy. It seemed no one she had approached so openly had ever rejected her.
This made her curious, so she tilted her head to glance at the book in Lin Beichen’s hand.
"Human Body Discharge Research Theory!?"
An Xiaoran gave Lin Beichen a peculiar look. His appearance was clear and clean, not fitting the image of a scientist engrossed in odd experiments.
"You seem quite normal. How come you study such an eccentric subject?"
Her words drew curious glances from the front and back rows.
They all looked at the title of the book Lin Beichen was holding.
"Wow, what kind of subject is that?"
"Never heard of it!"
"Hello, classmate, I’m Li Peng from the Electronic Applications Department!"
"Can’t you give the girl your seat since you’re not looking out the window anyway? Don’t occupy the spot!"
"If I were assigned a window seat, I would have switched right away!"
A hostile voice came from behind An Xiaoran. It was a well-built young man, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a finely tailored light blue suit, clearly custom-made.
Among the few students, he appeared more distinguished.
However, Lin Beichen heard his words but did not pay any attention.
This left the young man behind feeling a bit embarrassed as Lin Beichen completely ignored him!
"Did you hear me?"
"I’m talking to you!"
The young man behind repeated his words several times, but Lin Beichen only glanced back briefly without responding.
This drew the attention of several rows of students.
Anger mounted on the young man’s face.
"Forget it, just another research-obsessed brain. No point in talking to him! Miss, let me upgrade you to business class where no one will disturb you!"
The young man behind, now angry, muttered a few curses before standing to invite An Xiaoran.
"I am Li Yan, Li Peng’s older brother, from the Architecture Department!"
"If you need any help on this trip, I am always available!"
"Thank you, but that’s not necessary."
An Xiaoran, a bit surprised, smiled and shook her head, responding politely.
She hadn’t expected to attract so much attention; she just wanted to see if she could change her seat.
It wasn’t absolutely necessary to change.
Seeing no positive response, Li Yan sat down but looked at Lin Beichen with more disdain.
Embarrassed in front of so many people, and receiving no response, his expression darkened, but considering the crowd, especially with the girl he liked present, he refrained from continuing.
After everyone retracted their eyes, An Xiaoran glanced sidelong at Lin Beichen, seeing that he remained undisturbed even after Li Yan’s remarks, still engrossed in his book.
This piqued her curiosity even more.
How could such a clear-looking guy study such a peculiar subject?