The security bureau personnel observed Song Xiangdong with a rare expression on his face, the relaxed look vanished. They saluted him before returning to their respective posts.
Once everyone was in position, Song Xiangdong initially intended to leave but stopped after taking just two steps.
"Hey...you, bring me a chair."
The summoned member of the security bureau did not dare hesitate upon hearing Song Xiangdong’s words and hurriedly fetched a chair, placing it at the only passage leading to the black hole.
"Alright, you can go now."
With the chair in place, Song Xiangdong nodded in satisfaction. Then he sat on the chair, vigilantly observing his surroundings.
"Let’s see what tricks you have this time."
The bureau chief serving as a gatekeeper himself would certainly shock people, but such peculiar events were truly happening.
"Bring me a chair too, let’s play chess together."
Fu Daoyi appeared beside Song Xiangdong at some point. Xu Xiangdong smiled faintly; having someone to accompany him was undoubtedly better than sitting alone.
"Do you really think this kid can surprise you this time?"
Fu Daoyi and Song Xiangdong were playing chess, not Go.
"Of course!"
Song Xiangdong showed rare firmness, likely the first time he displayed such a positive look since arriving at Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Hearing Song Xiangdong’s confident reply, Fu Daoyi decided not to say more. Song Xiangdong then recalled the confident look in Lin Beichen’s eyes when he spoke to him.
At the same time, Lin Beichen, who was highly anticipated, indeed caught some clues. These clues were not unfamiliar to Lin Beichen — they were the same dirt-yellow specks he saw in his dreams.
"As expected, this place indeed has a close association with the Earth Element!"
Lin Beichen suppressed his inner excitement and tried his best to concentrate on perceiving the presence of the Earth Element.
It wasn’t surprising that Lin Beichen was so excited; when he gleaned the Water Element, he wondered what would happen if he mastered all Five Elements. After all, he had seen plenty of "Five Elements Combined" scenarios in novels.
Lin Beichen sat cross-legged in front of the black hole with closed eyes. If anyone passed by at this time, they would be greatly shocked, since the black hole was no longer merely a "black hole"; it was now covered with dirt-yellow specks, enough to instantly make people with trypophobia faint.
"This guy."
A figure behind a tree watched the meditating Lin Beichen, a flash of anger in their eye before quickly disappearing, perhaps worried about being discovered.
Under normal circumstances, such small movements wouldn’t escape Lin Beichen’s notice, but now completely immersed in enlightenment, he failed to sense someone observing him.
As countless dirt-yellow particles floated before Lin Beichen’s eyes, he felt as if he was in a windless desert storm.
Lin Beichen had no idea how much time had passed when he opened his eyes. It was already dark outside, and checking his phone, he realized five hours had elapsed.
"There could be some changes this time."
Fu Daoyi, holding the chess pieces, smiled faintly.
During Lin Beichen’s enlightenment at the black hole, they had no idea how many games of chess they had played, but they always ended in a draw.
"Are you sure?"
Song Xiangdong glanced sceptically at Fu Daoyi, then fixed his gaze on the chessboard, running through multiple simulations in his mind but unable to foresee Fu Daoyi’s next move.
"Checkmate!"
Fu Daoyi placed his piece, and Song Xiangdong stared wide-eyed at the board. Realizing he was powerless to turn the game around, he conceded.
At that moment, the gate opened, and Lin Beichen walked out. Song Xiangdong grew anxious seeing Lin Beichen’s tired appearance, which he had never seen before.
"You...what’s wrong?"
Song Xiangdong and Fu Daoyi immediately ran to Lin Beichen.
Talking felt burdensome for Lin Beichen, who weakly waved his hand.
"The black hole, I think it’s smaller."
After uttering these words, Lin Beichen walked toward his room. Song Xiangdong wanted to say something but remained silent.
He could tell Lin Beichen needed rest the most now; no urgency could change that. The priority was to ascertain the black hole’s size.
Song Xiangdong then arranged for specialized personnel to test the current black hole’s data and compare it with the previous measurements. The testing process was lengthy, and the waiting was dull.
More worrisome to Song Xiangdong was the higher-ups’ attention to the matter. They hadn’t openly expressed dissatisfaction with his progress, but their tone over the phone said it all.
Thinking of this, Song Xiangdong couldn’t help but sigh. Though he worked hard, he understood the higher-ups’ attitude—they valued Dragon Tiger Mountain’s significance, which was why they situated the Celestial Master’s Mansion there.
The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦